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| - Shaved ice is one of my favorite Taiwanese treats, but unlike bubble tea or Taiwanese savory snacks or dim sum, it's harder to to find in the U.S. Stores that focus on shaved ice are rare, even in cities like NYC and LA. This is why I'm thrilled that a shaved ice place opened up *within walking distance* to my home!
But first, let me back up a step here. "Shaved ice" is basically a plate of finely grated ice with syrups, condensed milk, and additional toppings such as sweet red beans, fruit, etc. It's like a more fanciful snow cone -- for a more international take on the same basic concept, see: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/16/dining/16ice.html?pagewanted=all
What I liked about the newly opened Cool Ice Taipei: they make a satisfying plate of "snow ice" -- that is, their machine produces ice shavings with a finer, fluffier texture than what you get from a coarse, hard snow cone. CIT offers several flavored ice "base": milk, matcha (Japanese green tea); or fruit. The toppings are sweet, but not overly so.
I wish that the menu were a bit broader -- for example, it'd be nice if they'd let customers pick their own toppings rather than offering just eight standard sets (most of the standard sets have just one or two toppings). I also wish that the prices were lower -- an (albeit large) plate will run you between $6.50-$8.50.
CIT also offers a variety of tea drinks and some savory Taiwanese dishes. I've not yet had the chance to try, but they've at least piqued my interest.
In terms of its space, the store could have used a bit more remodeling rather than just inherit everything from Pamela's. The vibe feels a bit off. In that respect, CIT could have taken a pointer or two from its neighbor, Rose Tea Cafe.
Overall, CIT did not disappoint. They may have a few more wrinkles to work out in the interim; I hope they succeed.
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