Capucino Cafe @ Ipoh – Something Different for a Change?
April 7, 2010 | 10,079 viewsI am not going to write a formal review. Yes, I’ll just rant on whatever that comes to mind, for it’s Wednesday and there’s this syndrome called Midweek Blues. Though not as prominent or notorious as its sibling, the Monday Blues.
Midweek Blues? You know, the feeling of being neither here nor there. One part of you feels damn glad the weekend’s already beckoning for you on the horizons, and you know that in two more days you’d be thanking G it’s Friday!!!
But of course, this doesn’t hold true for those who work on Saturdays. Or even Sundays. But you get the drift ……..
Aglio Olio with Seafood (RM14.90/USD4.20) – A surprisingly pleasant serving of pasta with generous drizzles of olive oil, lots of chopped garlic, basil leaves and chili flakes. The stars? 3 medium-sized succulent and sweet prawns, bouncy pieces of squids, scallops and two decorative pieces of crab sticks.
But then again, when you’re rushing to meet deadline, or even halfway there (or worse, barely started), you’d be wishing it’s Monday over and over again. I’ve seen through the horror of it all.
That’s when good food and great company come into play. The luscious breakfast of crispy toast with kaya (egg jam) and butter, complemented perfectly with a piping hot cup of frothy, milky and irresistibly fragrant white coffee. Wind down for a brief moment of solace, no matter how hectic, rushed, or depressed one may get.
Light banters over a cup of Cap(p)ucino, and be mesmerized by the sheer quality of the foods, the far from skimpy portions, and ultimately climaxing over the value-for-money sets. Only at Capucino Cafe, my friends …..
If breakfast during working hours is not feasible, then opt for long lunches, or short flings no matter where you are. But beware the congestion during peak hours; in this case anytime between 1-2pm. Capucino Cafe is situated on Jalan Chung Thye Phin, off Jalan Sultan Iskandar (Hugh Low Street), where two famous schools are located at. Either you’re in the mood to jostle with the orange school buses or impatient parents zig-zagging their ways across one end of Hugh Low Street to the other, or you’d be better off coming earlier or later than 2pm.
Cream of Mushroom and Toasted Garlic Bread – The usual, don’t put too much hope in these ….
I was introduced to Capucino Cafe by a reader. And you have my utmost gratitude, because the dinner was satisfactory, and seeing RM11.90/USD3.40 nett per set is akin to discovering the Northern Lights phenomenon over Bukit Kledang. In short; almost impossible.
Most notably, the service was prompt and far from intrusive although the staff were mostly from the younger generations. Warm water is provided for free, but through self-service beside the counter. Before you go all out throwing tantrums and searching your local phonebook for the number to Biro Aduan Awam notice that they do NOT charge service tax, or government tax. So what you see on the menu is really what you have to pay.
Mongolian Chicken Set (RM11.90/USD3.40) – Creamy, slightly piquant gravy dousing the piece of grilled chicken, served with their buttery rich mashed potatoes, and fresh coleslaw.
They serve the usual Western fares, including pastas, pizzas, and chops, to Eastern-influence cuisine such as Thai-style Fried Spaghetti (gotta be one of their better choices, for the shot of the pasta was printed on the front of their menus!), various styles of cooking king prawns served wtih rice (RM9.90/USD2.80 per serving), and the complimentary snacks and finger foods.
Katsu Chicken Thai-style Set (RM11.90/USD3.40) – Crispy, battered fillet of chicken served with the side cup of tangy, and delectable Thai sauce; a combination that reminded one of the dipping sauce for Ikan Bakar (grilled fish). Lovely.
The meal was good, nothing short of satisfactory, though they could do better with fresh, homemade soups, rather than cream soup from the can. A minor gripe, and a double-edged sword this one, for unless you’re willing to pay a few extra bucks, I’m contented with the combination. And not in the pictures above is a dessert of the day, which so happened to be a sweet and smooth honey dew custard pudding in a plastic cup.
I will certainly be back for the other tempting choices, from lamb to chicken and fish, as well as various pastas, and the intriguing king prawns with rice (there’s even one with sambal PETAI!). But of course, I’ll choose to go on a weekend, or early lunch/brunch, for I would not want to be ‘drowned’ by the seas of school children, nor bumper-to-bumper with their respective parents.
The accolades – Prove of his mettle? Chef James Beh has some enviable working experiences. So you know you’re in good hands.
Address & Contact Number :
CAPUCINO CAFE
No 27, Jalan Chung Thye Phin,
30250 Ipoh,
Perak, Malaysia.
Telephone : 605-255 4245, or 6016-515 1142/6016-524 1107 (James Beh)
E-mail : hockmeng@hotmail.co.uk
Business hours : Monday to Saturday – 11.30am – 10.30pm, Sunday – 11.00am – 10.30pm.
Here’s a GOOGLE MAP to Capucino Cafe.
Directions : Jalan Chung Thye Phin is the road connecting Jalan Sultan Iskandar (Hugh Low Street) to Jalan Kampar (Jalan Raja Permaisuri Bainun). You will find Ave Maria school and Yuk Choy within the vicinity. The cafe is opposite the Elim Gospel Hall. You must have heard of Fantasy Cafe, if you’re a 80’s/90’s baby born in Ipoh, and studied in this town. Capucino Cafe is just a few shops away.
Hi,
I have a problem and need to find a traditional restaurant in Ipoh Old Town for Sunday lunch. Where would be a good place and what time woulkd be best please. Ypou are clearly the local expert on such things
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 7th, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Hi there Ian. I have replied felicia’s e-mail. Please refer to her.
If it has to be old town, I would suggest Nam Chau for curry mee, Kong Heng for popiah/CCF/pork satay, Thean Chun for Kai See Hor Fun, or the other white coffee shops nearer to the 20 storeys flat there.
Not sure if Wong Koh Kee opens on Sunday or not, but if it is, then it’s a good bet for lunch.
http://www.j2kfm.com/more-old-town-hits/
Else go for Hoong Tho restaurant. http://www.j2kfm.com/hoong-tho-restaurant-old-town-ipoh/
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passed by quite a few times edy.. but never eaten there before =)
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Oh…near Ave Maria School.
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looks like a great find!! perfect to rid one of the mid week blues… 😛
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whats a hakkasan chef doing in ipoh serving chicken chops!!? should ask him to dish out some dai chow and dim sum man..
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no wonder all the food got your nod of approval 🙂
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Haha, nothing related to the experiences of the chef. Ok, maybe a little. But the food was indeed above average, especially when one compares to Fantasy Cafe a few shops away.
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wenxuan Reply:
April 9th, 2010 at 9:16 pm
fantasy not nice meh? hahaha..
i’ve had fantasy food since i was studying in AMC..so i’m used to it already!
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Aglio Olio is so cheap!!!! and looks good too!
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Oh my the mongolian chicken looks glorious, although I could hardly spot the chicken! 😛
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 8th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Doused, almost flooded with the sauce huh? It was good, unlike the usual heavy on butter and black pepper Mongolian gravy.
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The mashed potato is cute in shape, so “neat” ~.~
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Looks interesting. Will try when I’m back in Ipoh in May!
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i thought they misspelled the name! LOL.. The pasta looks good. That’s another place you need to take me eat when i come to ipoh. btw, this james beh looks v familiar.. how old is he ar?
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Katsu Chicken Thai-style Set looks the best.. I just like to eat chickens, especially those crispy crispy one.. Lol 🙂
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near my alma mater! and also next to that cafe is Restoran Carnival. I used to have dinners there.
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You r most welcome !!
U shd try out the Mongolian Chic Chop..something different. Price is reasonable, food is good. The pumpkin desert is something unique too..Glad u like it. My kid, my wifey like to dine here.
Do try out the malay masakan Kelantan stlye @ Stadium. Its gaining popularity. Try mixing up all the curry & add sambal. Its only RM2.00 per set. Kid u not.
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 11th, 2010 at 11:38 am
Oh it was you! Hahaha, sorry HuLK, forgot.
Yeah Mongolian Chic Chop is in the pic, you missed that?
Stadium one ah? Okay okay, it’s the FIRST row if coming from roundabout?
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HuLK Reply:
April 12th, 2010 at 1:16 am
Just opposite the fire brigade. Try to get them to mix the curry..fish & chic & sambal.
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The vanilla milkshake is the bomb! It has yummy oreo chunks in it & it also comes with an oreo cookie.Yum.
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 12th, 2010 at 12:07 am
That sounds mighty delicious. I’ll give it a try next time.
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Its April and I dun hear anythin abt the Express Train supposedly to be launched now..sigh..how am i gonna get to Ipoh?? (cheaply)
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 14th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Take the bus instead. Haha, faster (sometimes TOO way too fast) than the train.
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The mashed potato is instant from a dispensor and no doubt its looks nice. How come a Executive Chef from so much experience produces such a low quality of food presentation? Such as tomato and cucumber slices, yaw mak and mayonaise. I am not critisizing the chef but a talent has wasted. J2Kfm, remember me, I wrote you a week ago complementing your blog?
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J2Kfm Reply:
April 14th, 2010 at 10:28 am
Hi G-Man, yeah I remember you. Thanks.
He has to be on wits’ end for this cafe, for he can’t be charging an arm and a leg for the food that he serves, at such low prices. The sets are for less than RM15 each, which come with a soup, a piece of toast, a dessert, a drink and a main dish.
I am sure he would have gladly used better ingredients and putting more effort if say, each item is charged 50% more. We see lunch sets priced at RM18 and above elsewhere all the time.
It’s a compromise, I felt. At least the chops were tasty, and the portion ain’t skimpy.
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At least you understand the costing of the menu and other expenses to maintain the business. Perak reminds me of my childhood days in Bruas where my father was an estate manager. Have you tried Siang Seng seafood in Pantai Remis?
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[…] Capucino Cafe @ Jalan Chung Thye Phin […]
Hi,
How sure are you with the Chef’s achievements and where did he previously worked at? If he is a chef from Hakkasan, he will not be here selling budget meals.
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J2Kfm Reply:
October 27th, 2010 at 8:10 am
Hi there,
That was what’s stated at the back of the menu. Hence I shared the shot. 🙂
I did not meet the chef in person though, hence no idea whether he was really who he claimed he was.
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Quality of food served in Cuppucino Cafe is definitely worth every penny paid. I always drop by the shop to have my meal there. The only problem I have with the shop is, it has a certain “odour (I don’t know how to describe it – the smell is probably is mix of different kind of food)” that lingers around the shop.
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J2Kfm Reply:
November 15th, 2012 at 1:27 pm
Yeah, I think I understand what you meant. It’s the lingering stench of trapped smoke and grease from the kitchen.
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