La Mesa 中山 - ZhongShan — Restaurant in Zhongshan District

【服務態度之差，會一直趕人。如果想要有好的用餐體驗，別來。】

Worst attitude ever. Would never go again. （English review below)

我在五年前移居國外之前，La Mesa一直是我在台北最愛的西班牙餐廳（現在已經關閉的信義分店）。這次回來，我特地預約了這間餐廳，希望帶男友和朋友再次體驗我的愛店。然而卻意外地大感失望。原因如下：

氣氛：中山分店沒有以前信義分店那種安靜、放鬆、親密、悠閒的氛圍，很多客人大聲喧鬧笑得震耳欲聾店員也不制止，顯得非常吵雜。 食物：價格高、份量小，味道也太鹹了（我去過西班牙很多次，I know the taste). 雖然不差，但沒有到特別好吃。 態度：這真的是最有問題且讓我震驚的一點。Google map上說餐廳週五11點關門，但他們在10點開始催促我們。怎麼催呢？

(1) 在我們主菜還沒吃完時就強迫上甜點，因為「廚房需要現在上」。 (2) 在我們桌邊不停地盯著我們，然後上前詢問我們吃完了嗎盤子可以收了嗎？主食的盤子跟我們的盤子裡明明都還有食物，這樣催禮貌嗎？到底是在催幾點的？ (3) 我男友在接近10點時加點了一杯Sangria，店員表現出一臉不情願「又來了..」的感覺

他們大可在我們8:30pm開始用餐時提醒我們要在10:30pm離開，但他們沒有，用這種passive aggressive 的方式催促。當詢問餐廳Google map上不是說今天11點關門嗎，工作人員立刻改口說「如果你認為是11點，那就是11點。」 ！？？什麼意思？？所以之前是催假的？

但他們依然繼續用讓人不舒服的目光施壓，要我們盡快吃完並離開。這感覺很像老闆不在，員工只想提早關門下班。這種服務水平在台灣簡直不可思議。台北有很多服務很好的餐廳，或其他新開的好吃的西班牙餐廳，不需要來這裡。

I used to have really fond memories of La Mesa (the Xinyi brand that is now closed) before I moved abroad five years ago. This time coming back, I specifically make reservation to this spot, hoping to experience what I loved again. However, really sad and disappointed. A few reasons:

Ambiance: 中山branch does not have the same relaxing, intimate, boogie vibe even as the now closed Xinyi branch. It was rather rowdy Food: Very expensive for the small portion. Food was also too salty. It’s not bad but also not impressive Attitude: I have the most issue with this one. It’s really shocking to me and my friends and the real deal breaker here. On a Friday night, from Google map it says the restaurant closes at 11pm. However they started rushing us at 10pm by: (1) Forcing the serving of dessert before our main courses were finished because “the kitchen needs to serve it now” (2) Standing by our table, glaring at us nonstop to pressure us to finish our food quicker so they can collect the plates (3) They clear reluctance/annoyance when we ordered another glass of Sangria at nearly 10pm

They could have given us heads-up when we started at 8:30pm that they are closing earlier and we’d need to leave by 10:30pm. When asked if the store closes at 11pm, because that’s what Google map says and why are we being rushed, the staff said “oh if you think it’s 11pm then fine you can stay until 11pm.” But they still kept the uncomfortable stare to pressure us to finish sooner and leave, with clear sign of annoyance. It feels almost like the owner wasn’t around and the employees just wanted to close the store earlier. This level of service is insane for Taiwan. There are so many other good Spanish restaurant in Taipei with good service. No need...

Dined at La Mesa twice in the last month as it has, what I call, the trifecta: great service, great food and great ambiance. Servers were attentive and I never had an empty water glass or needed to flag someone down. Food was on point and as someone who appreciates dining out I loved the way food was plated as well as tasted. The crowd favorites were the burrata salad, calamari, and steak. They had an incredible and diverse wine list as well as cocktail selection. We really enjoyed the atmosphere as well. First time we came was with a large group of friends and the second time with just the family. The space is beautifully decorated but accommodating for large parties and families. I love that even with 3 floors there was an intimate feeling when dining there. I would definitely recommend adding this place...

The food here’s always amazing! Last time I was served by male staffs, they only took my order and didn’t really offer any suggestions about the portion or recommendation. They was just quickly served and quickly took the finished plate, so I’d rate that visit 3/5. Lucky me, this time the female waitresses took care of me, they spoke both English and Chinese. Even though it was packed during peak hour, they were super patient, careful and helpful. The seafood paella and sangria were really great, and the waitress who served me was just too funny. Today’s experience was...