Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Tiramisu & A Latte to Save the Day?

First thing I’d like to say is … SORRY.

I apologize for not replying the comments, e-mails, tweets and much less active on the Facebook page now. It’s been a tumultuous crossover from 2012 (when the world’s supposed to end … but it didn’t. Thankfully) to 2013 with barely a few days to catch my breath in between.

I guess the same could be said for the year before; when work commitments took over my life literally without a moment to spare for proper year-end highlights and recollection of travel stories.

Josephine Cafe & Bistro

Josephine Cafe & Bistro; capturing hearts since 2008/9. Wait a minute. Is this the same Josephine that I wrote a scathing piece of review back in 2009; largely due to the below par food served at unreasonably marked-up prices? Yes dearies. I found myself back at their doorsteps over the New Year (seems like ages ago, but was barely ten days ago!) for tea time.

Was this redemption or an affirmation of my previous stand?

Suprise, surprise. Almost 4 years later, I had the urge to revisit Josephine. More so due to the Jose & Deli‘s effect. That new all-day eatery housed in the refurbished French Hotel in town.

The ambience, coffee and concept reminded me of Josephine. And of course, they’re one of the same; brainchild of the creative minds behind Josephine. Gotta hand that to them.

Scones & Coffee (or Tea, but we’re caffeine junkies … mind you)

Coming in on the first day of the year; the cafe seemed quiet. Serenity filled the air with laid back tunes, sparingly intermittent with a few indie classics and some Christmas-sy ones still being played over the stereo and a table or two of late lunchers. It was almost 3pm, if I am not mistaken.

And the kitchen could only churn out several mains. It was a public holiday anyway, and most F&B establishments were still knee deep in cleaning up the remnants from the countdown celebration hours before. We settled for a lighter afternoon tea instead; sharing a scone with strawberry jam and butter (RM4.50/USD1.50), a slice of Tiramisu (RM13.50/USD4.50) and a platter of Sausage Platter (RM30/USD10) that came with thicker cut fries, a distinctive gravy redolent of pepper and mustard (if I remember correctly) and a handful of fresh greens tossed lightly in vinaigrette.

Josephine was one of the first few cafes in town that serves Illy coffee; now more common than ever with even J’Co Donuts serving the same brand of coffee beverages. The Cappucino Viennese (RM11.50/USD4), Hazelnut Latte (RM11.50/USD3.80) and Cafe Latte (RM11.00/USD3.70) were all satisfactory beverages; largely due to the quality of the beans used, and a thick, frothy foamed milk. Don’t expect fancy coffee arts or exceptionally brewed selections though.

The ambience remained the same like how I recall from back then. The second portion of the premise has been turned to a half wine shop-half lounge with low couches and tables suited for a tete-a-tete session more than a full blown meal. Elements of modern age and contemporary; as in the case of marble-top wine counter have been subtly refined and mixed with rustic setup of rattan-woven chairs and wooden dining tables.

More of a chillout bistro than a fine diner, Josephine has set in nicely in Ipoh apparently; bridging the gap between the generic cafe serving coffee/fusion fares and the establishments where you won’t feel comfortable walking in with shorts and sandals.

Spend hours reflecting on the sins you committed the year before and draft resolutions here; buoyed by lazy tunes and kick from the coffee.

The food still cannot hold a candle to their fame; though the sausage platter was far from a justifiable measuring stick. The Tiramisu was one of the better ones in Ipoh, I might add. But the scone was forgettable. Service can be a tad slow though … so make sure you’re not in a rush when dining here.

Will I be back? For sure. Come CNY when I need a place with air-conditioning to douse the heat with and a good cup of Illy coffee in the company of friends.

I will get back in shape and on track soon. Many stories to share with you guys but there’s just so little time. Can’t wait for Chinese New Year to come and we shall see where to go for our Reunion dinner this year … Tuck Kee has always been one of the safest choices, but there have been talks of finally, after a good many years ….. one grand home-cooked feast.

Keeping my fingers crossed. 😉

JOSEPHINE CAFE & BISTRO (pork-free)
15, Ipoh Garden Plaza,
Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Utara,
Ipoh Garden South, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel No : +605-547 3267
Business hours : 10am – 11.30pm, except Fridays and Saturdays when they open until 12.30am.
GPS : 4.607139,101.118635, Google Map