By JINGGOY SALVADOR
Taipei, an exciting city to visit in Southeast Asia. Culturally rich, historically appealing, a gourmand’s paradise, with a vibrant entertainment scene, it’s luring in the crowd. Attractions draw its fans to create countless posts and reels on social media, listing cuisine, shopping, places of interest, and art, too. Even hotels have their own following, capturing its target market with its innovative strategies fashioned after trendsetting or contemporary concepts. Then there are a handful that delve into luxury.
On this trip to Taipei, I listed two on my to-do list: visit contemporary art museums and do a “bib hop,” aka chase the Michelin Bib Gourmand-stamped restaurants across the city. Little did I know that I will end up with two cakes in a pan in my billet. In fact, it was a surprise beyond expectation.
In the heart of the city, along Dunhua North Road in the Shongshan District, a European architecture-inspired edifice rises above the verdant tree-lined avenue of the bustling business district: Mandarin Oriental, Taipei, a luxurious retreat for travelers and, surprisingly, for art lovers, too.
Think: Musée d'Art Moderne de Paris or The Center Pompidou’s collection inside the marbled halls of the Palais de Versailles, breathtaking fusion of the modern and the sophisticated and opulent. Mandarin Oriental exudes this aura—a classical-style residence with exquisitely crafted spaces cradling a curated collection of more than 1,700 art pieces—paintings and sculptures, antiques, prints and drawings, decorative objects and contemporary art—by notable artists from across the globe, including Wei Zhu, the world’s most renowned contemporary Chinese ink painter. This is the refined luxury Mandarin Oriental is known for.
A dazzling designer crystal chandelier welcomes guests in grandeur. It took over nine months to create the 3.9 meter high masterpiece’s 50,000-piece Czech crystal beads that fall like raindrops from the lobby’s lofty ceiling. With every step from then on, art awaits, surprising you even in the most unexpected spots. Art greets you at the receiving area (as impressive as the warm and efficient reception of the frontliners), meets you at elevator landing on all levels, accompanies you along galleries and social halls.
Art is like a loyal lover in the sleeping chambers— in all 256 guestrooms and 47 suites. The rooms are the most spacious in Taipei, elegantly designed melding classical style and oriental influences, and equipped with state-of-the-art technology (tread on heated marble floors!). Marie Antoinette would give a nod to the elegant marble bathroom, an aquaphile’s heaven with its appointments. Adding to the bedrooms’ elegant features are the original art pieces, but the headboard wall exhibits the piece de resistance— English artist Amy Murray’s hand-sculpted peonies on wall panels of fine leather. The stunning piece in the color of either cool Robin egg blue or warm champagne gold is soothing. It’s your lullaby at bedtime and the gentle morning kiss that rouses you from a restful night.
In this art-filled residence, the innovative cuisine is elevated into an art form in the six stylish dining venues, where select pieces of the hotel’s art collection are also on display. Café Un Deux Trois embodies the spirit of a modern restaurant delivers an impressive array of international cuisine; Bencotto, embodying contemporary elegance, prepares authentic Italian cuisine with the freshest organic, seasonal produce in an open kitchen concept; M.O. Bar takes inspiration from the Art Deco movement of the 1920s and offers a selection of expertly crafted cocktails, fine champagnes and wines; The Jade Lounge is Taipei’s sophisticated spot for an afternoon of the finest teas and exquisite pastries; and, the Mandarin Cake Shop is styled as an opulent Patisserie where shop from a range of fine pastries, artisan breads and pralines and chocolates. Then there’s Ya Ge, the elegantly designed Chinese Restaurant that ticked off the other entry in my Taipei to-do list of “Michelin bib hop,” only this restaurant is above the bib. Ya Ge, which serves authentic, unique and refined Cantonese cuisine, is a six-time Michelin one-star restaurant since 2018.
Ya Ge Chef de Cuisine Cheng Kwok-Hung from Hong Kong is no stranger to the Michelin stars, he has worked in several prestigious establishments with the same recognition in his hometown.
Over lunch with MarCom executives Luanne Li and Tiffany Lin, I was introduced to the chef, who prepared a delightful six-course meal crafted from locally-grown produce (the lobster and Wagyu beef courses were just divine!) What to expect? Chef Cheng whips up Cantonese classic dishes with a modern touch. His creations are fresh, light, and delicate, allowing the natural flavors of the ingredients to shine. What may seem to be a simple dish has complex techniques and culinary mastery behind it.
Dining at Ya Ge is like having a meal in a chic Oriental art gallery where stunning contemporary pieces of Chinese and Korean artists present a stylish contrast to the modern, opulent Oriental setting. And there’s another art-filled room in the house that’s only accessible to Oriental Club guests. Large scale paintings by an Australian artist fill the walls of the elegant room where members can enjoy meals and refreshments, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails among its plus offerings.
Beyond tangible art, the Mandarin Oriental Taipei’s brand of service is art in itself, deserving of admiration and applause. It complements and completes the hotel’s showcase of ultimate luxury, comfort, indulgence. Yes, I’m a fan of The Fan. Visit, dine, stay, and you will be, too.