VIBE

Triple Michelin-starred French chef Yannick Alléno (of one of our fave Parisian dining establishments, Restaurant Le Meurice) has turned his hand to (slightly more) casual dining with a new string of S.T.A.Y (Simple Table Alléno Yannick) restaurants across the Middle East and East Asia, including this swanky location in Taipei 101. The space is bright and contemporary, all blonde wood, high-design light fixtures, and curving walls. The focal points are the always-buzzing communal table at one end of the room and the glass-fronted “pastry library” display stocked with a mind-boggling array of confections (including the delicious complimentary madeleine lollipops).

CROWD

A glam, dressy bunch, mainly business diners and scenesters.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

We’d channel our inner Parisian trendsetter with a chic, understated look, like cigarette pants, a black top, silk scarf, and elegant flats. (Even though the restaurant is of a more formal nature, this is still Taipei, so don’t be surprised to see diners in jeans–albeit über expensive ones.)

GO HERE WITH

A date; colleagues or clients; family

WHY WE LIKE IT

We love the set lunch–it’s a great deal (much cheaper than dinner), and the afternoon scene is surprisingly hot. (Highlights from our last meal there included foie gras with passion fruit gelée, poached mahi mahi, and the complimentary madeleines). Plus the space is cool–it’s an ideal spot for a posh lunch with friends after doing some damage down below in the Taipei 101 mall. Even though S.T.A.Y had just opened (late 2011) when we dined there, they'd already nailed down the finer points of attentive and courteous service (there were only a couple of minor kinks).

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

Only wine available (no full bar). And lunch reservations are nigh impossible to get; book early for a lunchtime table (dinner was much easier).

GOOD TO KNOW

Both set menus and a la carte dining are available. Yannick Alléno is the famed chef of Restaurant Le Meurice in Paris (winner of three Michelin stars), and he has numerous other restaurants showcasing his elegant cuisines in Paris, St. Tropez, Courcheval, Marrakech, Beirut, Dubai, Beijing, and Taipei.

OTHER LOCATIONS

Beijing; Dubai; Beirut

CLOSEST COMPS

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (Taipei)