Mr J French-Italian Restaurant II (Mr.J 義法廚房II)

It was just amazing being in Jay's Secret restaurant, where the only music played was his and EVERYTHING was related to him and the movie! Given half the chance, I would have stayed there the whole afternoon, but that would not have been fair to my family. ;)


The restaurant is housed in the premises of Taipei Medical University, which is a 1.6km walk from the liuzhangli MRT station. It was a sunny day, which meant it was also rather hot! But still preferable to rain, right? ;)

The entrance is next to the 7-11 store and we arrived there earlier than the reserved time of 2pm. 

 

About some special offers and a reminder that 'outside food' is not permitted:

Upon entering, high up on the right are the photos from the movie, together with a huge head of Optimus Prime in the corner(!)...I guess Jay just likes Transformers too...lol!

Montage of a vital scene from the movie:

The rocking horse was NOT in the movie but I think Mr Chou has a thing for horses...Jay fans would understand! 

 Shelves at the cashier's counter.

 Photos and autographs from Jay's friends

The school uniform jackets worn in the movie.

Glass cabinet housing loads of memorabilia relating to not just the movie, but Jay's other works and miscellaneous stuff:

MTV Award, Golden Horse Award (for Best Newcomer/Initial D), amongst other things

 
More merchandise:

A huge wall mural of one of my fave scenes. We got the table just in front of this and I just HAD to sit facing it whilst eating...lol! 

 Entrance to the kitchen.

 Aww! Another fave scene!

 The bar and interestingly, there was a picture of Mary and Jesus on the left side (the oval-shaped frame). :) 

 View from the top of the stairs (where the immaculately spotless restrooms were). It was about 2pm then and most diners had left, which suited us fine. :)

 Haha...just outside the imaculately spotless restrooms was this phone booth, with random Jay stuff (of course)

  

Jay's beloved Secret piano!!! Complete with Christmassy decorations. I was not allowed to play, sadly. But the nice staffer explained that it was because Jay really loves this piano and wants to preserve it well.

 The inscription on the front panel of the piano. 

 "Please do not play the piano or you might get transported 20 years back into the past."-- Ye Xiang Lun

Time Travel theme:

 "Follow the notes upon the journey
At first sight marks one's destiny
Once the voyage comes to an end
Return lies within hasty keys" 

 Escargots were on the house, which came as a very pleasant surprise!
The staff explained that this was to make up for having to change my original intended reservation date (due to some unforseen circumstances), when I booked online a month ago. They had been very apologetic in their email already but still, this was a very nice gesture which showed how service-oriented they were. :)

 
My pan-fried codfish and scallop with saffron sauce. Yes, it was as delicious as it looked. :) 

 This. Was. Heavenly. Love the chocolate sauce design. 

Fans and well-wishers can buy a card for charity and pen a message for Jay on it to hang on the tree. Yes, of course I did too...but what I wrote shall remain a Secret..haha... ;)
Le Le (the staff) told me that Jay visits the restaurant every six months and collects all the cards. 
I'd like to imagine that someday, somewhere, he'll read what I wrote to him ;)

 Playing cards and mobile phone straps

 Postcards given to diners who spent above a certain amount:

All in, it was a most memorable experience and when I return to Taiwan (which I have  feeling I will), I would definitely go back to this restaurant and spend a longer time there. :)


For reservations online, here's the link...click on the pink box below the Secret piano picture and then you can email them in English:

http://www.butaya-tw.com/mrj/a5.php 

I really hope all of Jay's fans get a chance to visit this beautiful restaurant. 
Do let me know about your own experience, if you'd like. :)