Lynda's Taiwan-logue

*Establishment has been closed since Sep 2016, after their lease ended*

< Visited in Aug 2016 & Mar 2015 >

I am a fan of Taiwanese illustrator Jimmy 幾米,  whose most known works are Sound of Colors 地下铁 and in recent years, Starry Starry Night 星空, which have been made into movies and TV dramas. (My personal favourite is 月亮忘记了.) 

When the Jimmyspa concept store (and restaurant) - Never Ending Story 故事團團轉 - opened in Taipei, Huashan 1914 Cultural Park at the end of 2014, it was only a matter of time that it went into my itinerary. Unfortunately, my first attempt to dine-in in March 2015 was thwarted by my late reservation (3 days before my visit), and even though I walked in as suggested by the service personnel, the place was packed (not even a seat for cake and drink) and I could only take away some photos of the retail area opened to non-diners.

Undefeated, for my next visit in July 2015, I made sure to make an early reservation (an extremely enthusiastic 1 month before my trip) via FB PM, and that was when I "befriended" the outlet manager Ms Vicky Hsiao. True to Taiwanese hospitality, Ms Vicky even came over to say hi when I was having my lunch there. If I had thought this was just basic Taiwanese courtesy, I was definitely wrong because we now have each other on LINE and she was so helpfuI to send me the outlet opening's media release when I told her I started my own travel blog on Taiwan and would like to write about her lovely establishment at Huashan. Not only that, on a subsequent trip for dinner (still with a prior reservation), while I didn't want to disturb her at work and thus kept a low profile, she still came over and even gifted me with Jimmy's latest book. (I even unashamedly asked for her to pen a few words in the book for me.)  While Taiwanese hospitality is renowned, such gestures still touch me especially when I travel solo in Taiwan quite a lot. 

Back to this concept store...

A New Space Incorporating Exhibition Installations, Product Designs and Dining Experiences to Present the Idea of “Reading, Traveling, Lifestyle”  

Jimmy Liao's early paintings expressed his personal emotions, done to console himself. He never thought his artwork, stories told with his paintbrush, could give comfort to other troubled people as well. His works then attracted much attention and readership, and with the change of time and environment, he shifted the focus of his paintings from individual feelings to social concerns. 

The Jimmy SPA brand embodies Jimmy Liao’s spiritual philosophy, putting Jimmy Liao’s stories and philosophies into practice by encouraging reading, traveling and lifestyle. Over the years, the brand has collaborated with various partners in organizing exhibitions, performances, art installations, merchandise and more, to share the spiritual meaning of his work with the public. After nearly 17 years of creating picture books, the brand continues to cooperate with local creators to seek Taiwan’s new possibilities, to relate to local community issues, and to integrate elements to transform into something better.  

Concept store, the "Never Ending Story", is a place where stories blossom. The brand concept store is not merely a restaurant, or an arts exhibition space selling merchandise. A theme is picked from Jimmy Liao’s picture books every season, and is incorporated into performances, exhibitions, product designs and dining experiences. (At the point of this blog post, the outlet has recently refreshed its look.) 

Situated at Huashan Creative Park, the interior design, the performance arrangements and the merchandise selections of the concept store, are with the aim to implement the brand proposition of an “ordinary but not simple” lifestyle through innovative and experimental approach. The store has kept the original cypress wood structure and red brick wall of the historical site, and has used two ordinary materials, the angle steel and the white tile, in designing the bar area, the cabinets and the furniture, to create a space in harmony with its environment. The first season started with the origin, Jimmy Liao. 117 selected artworks, in black-and-white as well as color, are hung from the ceiling forming a stream, like a river flowing above the head. When visitors look up to appreciate his works and to explore the details of his creations, they will also discover the unique historical charm of the site, with fascinating wooden truss, red brick wall and sloping roof.   

The establishment is kids- and single-friendly. The space accommodates less than 50 seats though, shared with an open concept kitchen, a pastry counter and bar, as well as a retail section - so do try to make a reservation at least 2 weeks in advance. The menu pricing is low to mid-tier, easily up to SGD20+ for lunch (main course, salad & bread tray and a drink), but the team makes an effort to inject creativity into the menu. I'll be sure to try their desserts on my next visit!  

< Never Ending Story by day and night >

< The interior goes through a periodic change >

< The two doors behind the lady in white top is the main entrance in, upon which the dessert car and cashier are on the left, a separate reception for the restaurant is in front and the retail section, opened to non-diners, is on the right. > 

< Lunch on my own - Jun 2015 >
Apple tea with rose in the rock NTD160 / SGD7.30.
Topped up NTD120 / SGD5.50 for a salad & bread tray + coffee/tea (I didn't take this beverage).
Main course 普罗旺斯面疙瘩 NTD360 / SGD16.40.
Total N$704 / S$32

< Dinner with friend - Sep 2015 >
Tea with seasonal fruits, honey drink with daylily in the rock, charcoal battered fish bites, chicken roll & charcoal grilled pork rib - total NTD1727 / SGD78.50

< Brunch with two friends - Aug 2016 >
Thanks to a street side snack and drink prior to the visit, I only had a slice of (soft, light yet flavourful) yam cake and iced fruit tea, while my friends had generous portions of spaghetti and drinks - total NTD1529 / SGD69.50.

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Jimmyspa Concept Store | 故事团团转 - 几米品牌概念店
Address --- No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District  中正区八德路一段1號  
Nearest MRT Station --- Zhongxiao Xinsheng 忠孝新生 / on blue line / exit 1, walk straight ahead (on your right there is a school), cross a small junction & 2 big ones and you will see Huashan Cultural Park, walk towards the wide stairs behind the huge grass patch and you should see Jimmyspa Concept Store
Operating hours --- Mon to Sun, 11am-10pm | Lunch 12nn-2pm | Dinner 6pm-10pm 
Recommended for --- EVERYONE! Including families with small children. 
Pets --- not allowed
For reservation --- call  +886 2 5576 9125 or FB PM them (recommended 2 weeks before lunch or dinner visit)
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