Al Cicchetto Songyan Bistro + Taipei, Taiwan

Tiny, but well stocked bar. Pick your poison! 

An Italian restaurant turned into a well put together bar in the evening. I have to admit that I was highly jet lagged when I popped into this place later on a Saturday evening so my recollections may just be a bit cloudy (no, I wasn’t three sheets to the wind… just yet).

Negroni with it's smoky cinnamon compliment 

It really is a tiny affair with tight seating and a small bar, but this just adds to the charm and the straight up ability to take it over with just a few friends. The bartender has some massive talents in making various riffs off classic cocktails. I had a Negroni that I assumed would be made in the traditional way. But, I was pleasantly surprised with his simple twist with a little bit of burnt cinnamon smoked into the glass pre-drink and kept lit next to the drink as I enjoyed my adult bevy, cinnamon wafting into my nose.

Super cozy atmosphere and would lend itself to a tempting reading spot as long as the patrons aren’t too rambunctious. The ambiance of the place seems to be heavily influenced by the people who happen to be there at the time. Luckily, it is in a more residential area and the neighbors need a bit of quiet late night, so not only are quality drinks on the menu, but solid reading times are too.