A line from a Moby song: “As I wake its kaleidoscopic mind”,
hummed inside my head as we enter arguably the most unique fine dining
restaurant in Dashu District, Kaohsiung. Porcelain filled ceilings,
chandeliers, tables, walls, bowls, cups and statues—adorn the interiors.
Doubling as a museum displaying porcelain figurines costing from 10,000 NT to
as high as 4,500,000 NT, 1300 Only Porcelain also lavish their
guests with mouth-watering fusion cuisines.
 |
| Catchy Ceramics artworks seen by the entrance of 1300 Only Porcelain |
Using a 3D technique, that
allows them to view every piece from all angles, Shen's team has created a
revolutionary way of casting porcelain into intricate figures and designs.
 |
| Thanos is that you? |
We entered the property
through its spacious garden, where the lush landscape design blended beautifully
with the outer walls covered with artsy porcelain and ceramic pieces producing
a myriad of jig-saw images.
Likewise, the interior
explodes with more porcelain materials as pieces hang from the ceiling. We were
then ushered into the dining area where a stunning golden tree complete with
porcelain leaves summoned a chorus of "Wow" from our small group.
Of course, the tables are
set with porcelain dinnerware and tiny figurines. As we sat down and engaged
each with brief conversations, our eyes seem to wander to the different sculptured pieces around us.
When our orders arrived,
it came as no surprise to find our food served over—drumroll—porcelain wares
such as our salad which came in a peacock-shaped plate.
The gallery showcases pieces owned by the club members of 1300 Porcelain Only, which can be
sold to art connoisseurs with money to spare because each item doesn't come at
a cheap.
 |
| The pretty Emily Rose Rosales of Eva Air looked happy with her food |
Various themed collection
includes Oriental and Western themes. For example there's a section displaying
Classic Oriental Collection. It includes pieces called the Ruyi Tiger, Raising
Horse, Dragon Emperor and Beasts of Wealth—each imitating with great details: the tiger, horse, dragon and mythical beasts.
 |
| This is priced at 1,600,000 NT (Taiwanese New Dollar) |
Other figures depicts the
romanticism period from royal ladies and embracing couples to a slew of more nature characters such as
small birds, lions, monkeys and other animals.
 |
| This one is ONLY 460,000 NT |
Visiting 1300 Porcelain
Only not only provided us with a sumptuous lunch, it also gave us an opportunity
to marvel and appreciate the art of porcelain casting and sculpture—as represented through their wonderful creations that also symbolizes Chinese
folklore.
