Banana New Paradise 香蕉新樂園茶飯館 in Taichung 台中

Banana New Paradise. That name instantly caught my attention. I was wondering if this was where I would be able to try all kinds of dishes and snacks made out of bananas? Or maybe... the decorations and set-up will be using bananas as their focal point?

WRONG. SO WRONG.

Banana New Paradise is actually a themed restaurant. The place is well disguised as a street back in the 1920s. The details with its decorations and "shop establishments" sure made me feel like I've travelled back in time. Although in the photos it looks like we were around rows of old fashioned shop lots, it was all within the restaurant space which was under one roof.

On closer inspection here, this mannequin is actually my Grandma.

And this is obviously my mum who is attempting to pose for a smoking shot
(but the cigarette was in fact rolled-up tissue papers).

Within each "shop" you'll find items from the past. To me, this are antiques at its best. There's even a mock-up barber shop with that classic hair steamer!

Even it's menu uses the concept of an old comic book. How cute is that.

The most enchanting disguise is the entrance to the second floor. The facade is a box office.

The whole of the second floor is actually linked despite the shops below looking like they were individually constructed. Not surprisingly, you will be able to find more vintage looking toys, decorations and furnitures (and of course, old movie TICKETS!).

Box office aunty lady checking her nails

I find it creepy with so many dolls staring at me

I'm clearly more excited about the interior than the food they served (this is rare of me). I wasn't expecting much on the quality of the food considering the selling point of this place is undoubtedly NOT the food.

Much to my amazement, it wasn't too bad.

The sliced cold chicken 白斩鸡 was really tender and I didn't know the combination of tofu and squid could work (served in a very fragrant garlicky sauce which was really nice). Apart from that we had steamed fish, sweet & sour pork (which was really good), minced meat with eggplant (which was really good too) and some cold dish as starters.

Cheers! 

This place is open from 11am-2am. According to the internet, you'll be able to find dim sum here too. Yum! If you're keen in trying out somewhere that has a pretty interesting set-up, why not give Banana New Paradise a go.

Also, if anyone out there knows why, where and how did the name of this restaurant come about, do share!