Amaroni’s Taipei sets to overturn Taiwan’s Italian tastes with hearty meals

1998年起源於香港的Amaroni’s，為一間以小義大利為主題的創意料理餐廳（圖由Amaroni's提供） — Courtesy of Amaroni’s Taipei

By Stephanie Chao, Eye on Taiwan staff writer

For a hearty selection of New York-style Italian cuisine, look no further from “Amaroni’s Taipei,” which has opened a branch restaurant at Breeze Songgao.

The restaurant, having started its business in Hong Kong in 1998 and opened earlier this year in Taipei, presents interior design and delicacies that bring diners all the way to New York’s famed “Little Italy,” the prime influence behind Amaroni’s.

New York became a popular destination for Italian emigrants in the late 19th century and served as a melting pot of sorts, thus producing the New York-style “Italian-American” cuisine and becoming popular throughout the U.S.

發現台北信義的小義大利區！最美的義大利菜　Amaroni’s紐約創義料理（圖由Amaroni's提供） — The interior design of the restaurant. (Courtesy of Amaroni’s Taipei)

Amaroni’s, with its artistic decor that harkens back to Italy’s romantic roots and New York’s fashionable furnishing, is situated in Taipei’s commercial hub, Xinyi District, and like the melting pot that is Little Italy and the U.S., it is set to offer a wide variety of consumers in Taiwan’s capital.

The Bayshore Pacific Group Senior Vice President of Operations Jeff Lee said: “Amaroni’s best feature is how it presents refinement and aesthetic, and we hope to offer this kind of brand to consumers.”

There are plans to host art galleries at Amaroni’s, Lee says, or offer live performances for a diverse artistic experience. “Amaroni’s won’t be a place to enjoy exquisite, creative dishes, but also a humanistic and artistic hub for creators and artists alike,” he added.

Amaroni’s紐約創義料理，店觀－4（圖由Amaroni's提供） — Art pieces showcased at Amaroni’s Taipei (Courtesy of Amaroni’s)

Large savory portions

As with the typical American-styled dishes, Amaroni’s offer portions fit for typical dining (“regular dishes) or “Grande” for large gatherings since Americans love to get together and share big-sized portions of their food together for a great time.

During Amaroni’s meet-up with local media, their signature dishes delighted our taste buds.

Their “Stuffed Mushrooms” (帕瑪森菠菜菇) is great for vegans and those who love vibrant dishes — parmesan shavings, spinach pine nuts, and herbs are served over garlic herb stuffed mushrooms. Savor the mushrooms with the basil butter and wine sauce that comes with the dish, it’s not too oily but the flavors are rich to open up your palate as an appetizer.

帕瑪森菠菜菇產品售價：NT $430（圖由Amaroni's提供）.JPG — “Stuffed Mushrooms” (帕瑪森菠菜菇) (Courtesy of Amaroni’s)

For those who enjoy salads, their “Mulberry Bend Salad” (超級莓沙拉) is a healthy offering of field greens with diced strawberries, fresh pears, candied walnuts and feta cheese tossed with Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing, making it a juicy, tangy alternative to salty and heavier dishes. Together with the pears and raspberry-based dressing, the fruity texture doesn’t taste too sweet for the diner.

超級莓沙拉，產品售價：NT $380（圖由Amaroni's提供）.JPG — “Mulberry Bend Salad” (超級莓沙拉) (Courtesy of Amaroni’s)

Pizzas are a must-order at Italian restaurants and Amaroni’s selection of “New York-style pizza” and “designer’s pizza,” the traditional variation of the well-loved dish, can’t be missed either.

For the best dining experience at Amaroni’s, their “Italian Feast Platter” (義式風味拼盤) is a hearty, generous selection of beef, meatballs, Italian sausages, chewy veal shank and baked mushrooms, asparagus, and vegetables.

“Italian Feast Platter” (義式風味拼盤) (Eye on Taiwan)

If you can stomach all that, the “Little Italy Cannoli” (義式甜心卷) is enough to satisfy your sweet-tooth without being too nauseating after a hearty meal. The cannoli is handmade pastry shells piped full of pastry cream laced with a touch of cherry liqueur and chocolate chips, a well-recommended dish for female diners.

NT $250-2（圖由Amaroni's提供） — “Little Italy Cannoli” (義式甜心卷) (Courtesy of Amaroni’s)

Different meal sets throughout the week

Italian business lunch sets, priced from NT$300 up, are offered throughout the week, while weekend Italian-American styled brunches started from NT$300.

Those in the area starting from April 28 can order a beverage, take a photo and post it on their Facebook pages to get a free handmade pizza of your choices throughout the weekday.