Motormouth From Ipoh – Malaysian Food & Travel

Allow me to start off today’s post with a toast. Cheers, dear readers. And thank you for the patience …. Motormouth is coming back to Ipoh tomorrow.

More food reviews, perhaps? But this time I have a different motive on top of the monthly homecoming-cum-gluttony sessions. Let me drop more hints this weekend.

English Roast Pork (RM31/USD10) – Homemade Roasted Pork Belly

What’s cooking tonight? Bricks & Barrels. Wait, you mean this is the FIRST time I am writing about this well-known watering hole along the used-to-be-quiet street named Jalan Lau Ek Ching in Ipoh?

Yeah. In spite of the countless times of contemplating, failed planning, wrong moments (they were booked for functions, the place was crowded and there was once we went on a Christmas eve or something) and utter annoyance of some readers over the omission of this establishment.

So here goes ….

Bricks & Barrels started operating sometime in 2010 if I remember correctly. Or I could be wrong. The grey matter’s evaporating from my skull, I tell you.

Initially projected to be a beer garden (ie: watering hole) whereby you come for the liquor rather than a full meal, I was excited to learn (through social media, no less) that they serve up quite a decent menu of varying selections.

Fast forward a year or two later, and we found ourselves at Bricks & Barrels’ doors. Or whatever’s standing over the front façade. The front compound is packed with an al fresco arrangement ideal for drinks, a smoke and chatters while the back portion of the restaurant (or gastrobar as they fashioned themselves to be) will nicely seat families of four or more; serenaded by music from the live band.

B&B Chicken (RM26/USD8) Grilled chicken thigh stuffed with wild mushroom

Walking past the jovial camaraderie of after office hours-chillout sessions, we reached the quieter (relatively) portion of the premise. One thing I have to admit is the amount of effort channeled into turning the beautiful unit into a cozy diner without overwhelming kookiness or inducing the feeling of trapped within a small, confined space filled with cigarette smoke.

Ventilation was pretty satisfactory while lighting was dimmed to just a nice level that negates the nececssity to grab that shades from your car, or dark enough to be chewing on your own fingers (or your partner’s) instead of the ribs.

Smoked Duck Pizza (RM32/USD11)

A quick glance through the menu got me startled. There are WAY more choices that I had imagined; even better options that some of the restaurants out there!

Instinctively, I flipped to the PORK page. It’s probably gut feelings for some; knowing that Bricks & Barrels serve a variety of beer and its the norm as far as watering holes go (read Berlin Bier Houz and Healy Mac’s), I actually knew that B&B’s pretty famous for their pork items.

Such as the English Roast Pork that we shared.

Served with mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, boiled greens and carrot as well as a side bowl of brown sauce (it could have been mustard, but this poor soul has forgotten), the crispy roasted pork stuffed with a gent dab of herbs and salt within was terrific. Seriously good stuff that I will recommend to any first timers to B&B.

The B&B chicken was presented in a visually-appetizing manner; and beyond our expectations. Very tender deboned chicken thigh rolled into a fist-size serving, stuffed with wild mushrooms.

The Smoked Duck Pizza however, paled in comparison to the other two dishes. Not to say that they don’t do good pizzas, but the combination of sliced smoked duck, julienned cucumber, melted mozzarella and lots of tomato paste did not gel somehow.

All in all, if you ask me will I ever return again? It’s a definite YES. Various pork pizzas (Hawaiian Pork Pizza, Roast Pork Pizza and German Sausage Pizza, anyone?), Chubby Devil Pork Ribs and Pork Loins served in different manners, and other equally tantalizing meats and salads.

And when all else fails, and you just wish to drown your sorrow OR celebrate jubilant occasions, go for the Beer Tower on Sunday @ RM80 nett complemented by a Porky Platter with German sausage, Roast Pork and Ribs (sharing portion) @ RM98. I hope the offers still stay though, as this was more than a month or two ago.

BRICKS & BARRELS (non-Halal)
28-30, Jalan Lau Ek Ching
30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Tel No : +60 5-253 8558
Business Hours :
Mon – Thu: 4:00 pm – 1:00 am
Fri – Sat: 4:00 pm – 2:00 am
Sun: 4:00 pm – 1:00 am

*Psst … curious to know what’s the other agenda? Something along the line of … THIS.