August 21, 2010
CalaCala 義大利廚房
Took the kid out to Nangang, where the Software Park is deserted on the weekend and the manicured grounds offer plenty of space to run around. The weather was nice and the coffee shop was even open for a drink after chasing the kid around. It was getting past sunset by the time the kid (and his folks) finally wore himself out.
Had the car with us, so it seemed easy enough to go somewhere for dinner. But not having done any research beforehand I had no idea what was available in the area. Some quick searching on the iPhone and the GPS devices pointed to this Taiwanized-Italian restaurant in Neihu as a decent option. Offered the suggestion to the wife, and it turned out that this restaurant has a sister branch in Sindian near her mother's place and she'd eaten there a couple of times. So no points for innovation, but with the kid along safe and reliable isn't a bad way to go.
Apparently we weren't the only ones who were looking for some spaghetti in the evening. The multi-level restaurant amongst the re-developed Neihu office parks was packed, with lines waiting out the door, and almost every table had a kid or three. We were out of other ideas, and a thirty minute wait isn't that bad. Thankfully the kid was a really good sport about it.
The restaurant was brightly lit with faux-timber tables and almost-kitschy country-style decor. The food was similarly cheerful and hearty. Was worried that the kid wouldn't like the strange new flavors, but when I shared my spaghetti in tomato-mushroom sauce he slurped it up and asked for more. He didn't quite have the patience to sit through the entire meal but with all the other families and kids in the house nobody minded our gyrations. The various cutesy decoration items were enough to catch his attention until the wife could finish her pesto-seafood pasta.
It's not sophisticated gourmet fare nor was it trying to be. It's not exactly the cheapest plate of pasta in town, either, NT400 for the full combo meal pasta+soup+salad+dessert. But with a 1.5-year-old in tow a pleasant, kid-friendly family-style restaurant was just what we needed.
caLAcaLA (內湖店)
台北市內湖區內湖陽光街240號
02-87523208