Healy Mac’s Irish Bar & Restaurant @ Greentown, Ipoh
February 4, 2012 | 4,991 views| 22 Comments » |
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Organic Pork Spare Ribs (RM36/USD12) @ Healy Mac’s, Greentown Ipoh – A stack of tender spare ribs falling off the bones; lightly basked in a sweetish marinade infused with the goodness of … Guinness.
Barely two weeks in operation, and rumour has it that Healy Mac’s in Greentown has taken over Berlin’s Bier Houz as THE watering hole of choice within the vicinity; possibly only second to the equally new Overtime on Brewster Road. If you’re getting a faint inkling of ‘just-another-fad’, I don’t blame you though. I had the same thought; what more with Airport @ De Garden closing down late last year, and pubs in Ipoh Garden East closing and new ones opening like how cineplexes rotate their movies.
But wait a minute. The name Healy Mac’s may sound unfamiliar, but the Irish bar and restaurant can boast of the legacy traced back to their roots in Ireland (story here); setting foot in Kuala Lumpur back in 2009 and now with outlets in Klang Valley, Penang and Perak.
A tad unorthodox to be visiting a bar during broad daylight? Blame it on the dearth of interesting new places in Ipoh (or maybe … the sheer laziness to hunt for one)
Accustomed to having early lunch (sometimes almost blurring the lines of brunch), we arrived at half past 12 in the afternoon. Only to be greeted by the sight of the workers all decked in bright green shirts (in-house leprechauns?) knee deep in their routines of setting up the place. They open from 1pm onwards actually, until about 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
But we were politely ushered to our seats (a slight wait for them to set the table), and given a menu each to ponder upon. Only a few pages long; which is understandable given the nature of their cooking …. pub grubs + a few interesting mains + a whole different compilation of liquor selection.
Greek Soft Feta Cheese Salad (RM15/USD5) with anchovy-stuffed olives, roasted pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes and aged balsamic vinegar dressing.
However, the array of starters and mains looked promising. They serve basic starters like soups, salads and bruschetta, with lighter options for mains such as panini and pasta. The poultry, fish and meat sections were well thought about; including a dedicated PORK section with organic pork knuckle, citrus marinated pork chop, sausage platter and the irresistible organic pork spare ribs.
We started off with a salad; comprising of fresh crunchy lettuce and sun-dried tomatoes tossed with roasted pine nuts, ripen black olives and anchovy-stuffed green ones, with cubes of feta cheese. Especially appreciate the abundance of pine nuts in the ensemble, yet the anchovy-stuffed olives were a bit too salty and overpowering.
The dining environment at Healy Mac’s is a comfortable one; with a semi al fresco seating area that’s best suited for an extended drinking session on lazy nights.
Louisiana Style Chicken Breast Panini with Cajun Seasoning, Melted Cheddar and red onion (RM20/USD7) – Served with a generous portion of thick-cut fries and salad
The panini came toasted, and filled with juicy bits of chicken breast (not dry like tree bark, thankfully) and melted cheese as well as diced onions. Relatively smaller in portion compare to the other mains, but suffice as a light lunch to lessen the post-lunch sluggishness. They did not skimp on the fries, though would be best if you request for the fries to be lightly salted or without.
Traditional Irish Lamb Stew (RM30/USD10) – Cubes of NZ tender lamb cooked in slow fire with potatoes, carrots, celery and onions, flavoured with rosemary and thyme. The two huge slices of homemade rye bread were meant to soak in the gravy.
A comforting bowl of Irish Lamb Stew would be heaven-sent on a rainy day. And that’s exactly what Healy Mac’s is capitalizing on. Unadulterated and homely, the stew came with extremely tender cubes of lamb and softened potatoes and carrots that would succumb to the slightest exertion of pressure. They could have reduced the sodium level in this one though; for without the rye breads, it was almost impossible to gulp on the broth.
The best has yet to come?
My eyes swayed inadvertently to one particular section marked “PORK”. How predictable?
All the options sounded marvelous; a knuckle or half a portion, juicy slab of pork chop, mixed sausage platter or the spare ribs with a small tub of Guinness sauce.
Still drowsy from the early morning drive (departed 6+ am), I was cautious not to overeat and resulting in a food coma thereafter. And when the waiter assured me that the platter of ribs can be shared, but should not be a problem to be finished by one person, I was sold.
(Of course … seeing this humongous ogre seated with drool dripping from the corners of his mouth, the waiter could have been glad to recommend anything HUGE enough to avoid me devouring the plates and furnitures!)
And 8 pieces of extremely tender ribs (fell off the bones with ease), yet not mushy but with a substantial bite came with a scoop of mashed potatoes (sans any gravy!), and a side of sweet corn, carrot and onions sauteed lightly in butter.
The tub of sweet-based Guinness sauce was redundant actually. Not bad, but not entirely necessary. The ribs might not have been of gargantuan portion or loaded with meat, yet every single piece was gracefully relished with bare hands and all.
The carnivorous alter ego must have been awaken from deep slumber after the incessant episodes of ‘lou sang’ throughout the season!
Here’s their Lunch Menu; NOT a set but starters and several mains at discounted prices, and all desserts from the main menu at 20% off.
Were we impressed by Healy Mac’s? Comparing them to Berlin’s Bier Houz, Euro House and maybe Overtime, my vote goes to Healy Mac’s for now. The lack of competition aside, they actually managed to set their base well, without over-promising and service was a prompt and pleasant one without newbies dropping plates, mixing up orders and what-not.
But of course, we were the first customer this afternoon, hence I can understand how they could expedite the process. Nevertheless, the dining experience was a flawless one (save for the 20 minutes wait while they were setting up the kitchen), serenaded by classic MTV’s playing on the several television sets around the premise.
Felt amazing to be back in my “playground” again ….
HEALY MAC’S IRISH BAR & RESTAURANT (non-Halal) (website)
No 2, Ground Floor,
Persiaran Greentown 4,
30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel No : +605-249 3627
Business hours : 1pm – 1.30am on usual days, until 2.00am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Opens daily.
*Corner of the row with Berlin’s Bier Houz, Greentown Dim Sum Cafe and Chatime.
Lol, Irish stew is never eaten with any bread, just boiled potatoes/mash. Basically is poor man’s porridge.
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J2Kfm Reply:
February 4th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
I see… thanks Kash for the clarification. The stew had NO Guinness too, back then. But now I guess the dish has evolved into something of gourmet status?
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The risotto with cod fish is good… it is new but i have been there 3 times… hohoho…
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J2Kfm Reply:
February 4th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
Oh … okay. Next round then. Good to know that they take their food seriously, and not throwing in some savoury combination to accompany the drinks.
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Thanks for the review MM! So many new pubs opening in Ipoh it’s hard to keep track. Really hope someone would open a Finnegan’s here but Healy Mac’s will have to do! Just wondering, have you tried Bricks and Barrels in Jalan Lau Ek Ching? Nearly filled with customers every night!
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J2Kfm Reply:
February 4th, 2012 at 5:44 pm
Bricks and Barrels ah? No woh …. heard about this from someone on All About Ipoh I believe. Same module; bar with restaurant menu? Maybe not this round. Unless they’ve something captivating enough.
Choons; your task; go find out and share with us!
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Been there a couple of times and both times I wasn’t impressed with the service. The last straw came when I asked for a 2nd order of a 1/2 pint of Strongbow(I have been drinking 1 pints and switched to 1/2′s just coz I could NOT drink so much anymore) and was promptly told that “my boss says we can’t serve 1/2 pints anymore” It was a ridiculous statement and my friend with me got upset because I have been drinking 1/2′s up till then and then they said no? That is a big “fail” right there and another fail is that being the manager(whatever), you make it a point to GREET customers and not just stick your face onto your laptop the whole time. Anyway, my friend had said to me she had brought her bosses and friends there since it’d opened, and spending nearly 800plus each time they drink/eat, but because of the attitude and the bad service, she is disappointed. She says Berlinz is still where she can go and always greeted well everytime. Healy Mac’s Declan, before you lose out to competitors, buck up and GREET your customers if not with a hello, then with a SMILE. How hard is that?
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J2Kfm Reply:
February 4th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
Good to hear from your side Litha. I don’t think the owner was there when we went for lunch though. The wait staff were all pretty good, not intrusive yet attentive enough.
Agree on the point that Berlin’s a few doors away, and being the new kid on the block (in Ipoh, at least), Healy Mac’s should buck up.
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Litha Reply:
February 5th, 2012 at 12:13 am
It was the manager, not the owner that we’d encountered. Not sure if he was just shy but hey when you are new, you want to exude confidence and attract more customers to your place. Smiling a welcome smile doesn’t cost a thing!
Anyway, I will say that food wise, Berlin’s has gone down the drains (we sent food back to the kitchen a couple of times) but in terms of service, their wait staff is still tops compared to Healy Mac’s. Obviously you cannot compare to the KL branches of course but being the new kid on the block, you gonna have to get with the program. This is Ipoh after all…competition is tough, so either you make it or you “die”. My 2 cents again.
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J Reply:
February 5th, 2012 at 12:26 am
Healy mac’s wont die…cos the foods damm good !
Litha Reply:
February 5th, 2012 at 12:43 am
Food is pretty good but service should improve. They were not even a full house that night, and Berlin’s was closed, and even then, the service was lacking that night.
Anonymous Reply:
February 5th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
I think they will improve sooner or later to be better n better.
Myself and a couple of friends were there just last evening for dinner and drinks. And I have to say we were duly satisfied with the quality of food and service. At least the guy serving us was prompt and friendly. The porky chop was by far one of the best I’ve tasted in a loooong time – if the owner of Brewster’s are reading this, then I have to say you so need to buck-up, cos’ the last time I had pork chop was at Brewster’s and it left a very bad taste in me. Back to Healy Mac’s, we were very happy with their food- from the beer, mains to desserts. For one I think, for the food quality and portion at their pricing, I’m getting way more for my money’s worth @Healy Mac’s then at Berlin’s IMO. Don’t get me wrong, Berlin’s good but my last 2 meals there in the past month gave me the feeling that they are starting to skimp on portion and quality as compared to when they first started. Not impressive especially for the price they’re charging. Just my 2 cents worth though…
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J2Kfm Reply:
February 4th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Good points there Anne. Anyway, would be good to have more competition, so every outlet will be taken to extremes to ensure that quality and customer satisfaction are maintained at tip top level.
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Anne Reply:
February 5th, 2012 at 12:23 am
MM, I totally agree with you there. It’s way past time that business owners, especially food-business owners, in Ipoh stop taking us Ipoh-ites for ninnies. We have standards too, u know, and we’re not stupid
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Litha Reply:
February 5th, 2012 at 12:39 am
Took the words right out of my mouth Anne.
sEnGz Reply:
February 6th, 2012 at 1:26 pm
Just went there one evening last week. They managed to leave a good impression on food, quality and ambience. Their draft beer is reasonably priced at RM35 (Carlsberg) and still taste decent unlike to other places which was quite “dilute”. I think HM should do fine here =)
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[...] Healy Mac’s Irish Bar & Restaurant @ Greentown, Ipoh [...]
Very nice place!
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Went to Healy Mac’s last night very nice place, pizza is the best i’ve tasted in Ipoh yet, the service and the staff were excellent, i also enjoyed the selection of music they had to offer, I think this place will do well.
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Nice place! The branch in Greentown serves awesome pizzas!
liked the food, pleasant staff, and simply enjoyed the ambiance! It is unfortunate that the outlet in KL does not have those pizzas on the menu.
http://wonderfoodtravel.blogspot.com/2012/03/kl-healy-macs-changkat-bukit-bintang.html
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Was at Healy Mac’s for lunch with my parents today. Service was prompt, friendly and attentive. Food was really to my liking – we love the garlic bread. My dad loved the pork knuckle – mom was not too keen coz her teeth were not working like they used to, not so much because it did not taste great.. :p
I personally loved the carbonara pasta and the greek salad with feta cheese…i really wanted to try the desserts, but we had too much ordered (didn’t realize the servings were sooooo humongous, although the waiter did try to warn me!) – will definitely be back to try the other stuff on the menu.
And one more thing, I love the coffee there! And the whole setup, ambience etc was really nice – I can already see myself hanging out there with friends over drinks on warm evenings whenever I drop by Ipoh for a visit!
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