Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Sep 2017 & Aug 2016 > 

My first visit to Starbucks Reserve (Bao An Store) 星巴克 (保安门市) was with two friends on a rainy morning. Many Starbucks Reserve outlets have sprouted all over Taiwan, some of them converted from historical or iconic buildings. This particular outlet, situated at the fringe of historically and culturally rich Da Dao Cheng 大稻埕 occupies a majestic Barouque-style building, completed in 1929, standing out among old shophouses and newer commercial buildings in the area.  

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While my friends and I had gotten here by cab, it is an approximate 15-minute stroll from exit 1 of Daqiaotou MRT Station 大桥头站. Once you see Carrefour on your far left, Starbucks Reserve (Bao An Store) 星巴克 (保安门市) is diagonally opposite it, on your side. 

Online research advised that the building was originally owned by a Ye family, who made a fortune in the canned pineapple business (thus the pineapple "icon" on the building facade). 

Complementing the grandeur of its facade, the attention to detail within the store is also commendable. Upon entering, a pictorial wall pays homage to coffee bean sources.  

Alike other Starbucks Reserve stores, the theme is primarily black and gold - presumably for a more classy ambience. Starbucks fans, you will still be able to find their regular menu and merchandise here, though it's worth checking out beans and signature brews. I acquired my taste in brewed and drip coffee in Taiwan, and try to experience different flavours even though I prefer medium to dark roasts that come slightly stronger and bitter, versus sourish light roasts.  

I read on another blog that the display cabinets here are intended to resemble shelvings in old tea trading shops, the trade synonymous with olden day Da Dao Cheng.  

At one end of the counter is a dedicated "experience bar" for selecting your coffee bean, watching the barista at work, and being offered a sampling. The barista takes time to chat you up and talk about your preferred roast - I find this enlightening as a beginner appreciating coffee beans. You can sit at this counter or move somewhere else to enjoy your brew.

After placing and getting your order on ground floor, this staircase next door brought us to more seats on the upper and IG-friendly floors.   

Clean bathroom on the second floor. 

A private room of sorts for bigger groups, on the third floor. 

Orders for three ~ did we get a bit carried away for breakfast? 

The cookie that came with the coffee turned out surprisingly nice - the chewy kind like Subway's but in a richer cocoa flavour. The savoury items tasted regular (nothing to rave about), but the cakes fared better - the mango mousse was fluffy and light, and the matcha mille crepe flavourful.

I love Starbucks Reserve in Taiwan, because they have chosen a number of good sites to set up shop (I cannot resist old buildings converted to new use). I have to say the Starbucks Reserve outlets where I live are nowhere near the Taiwanese version. The other one I've been to is Long Men store 龙门店, located in Zhongxiao East Road 忠孝东路 - while it doesn't have the luxury of occupying a whole old building, the ambience there is still great. I definitely plan to visit more in Taiwan. 

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Starbucks Reserve (Bao An), Datong District | 星巴克 (保安門市), 大同区
(Website in Chinese)
Address --- No. 11, Bao An Street, Datong District  大同区保安街11号
Nearest MRT Station --- Daqiaotou 大桥头 (O12) / yellow line, exit 1, followed by a 15-min stroll 

檢視較大的地圖

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