Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Sweet Temptations – Tiers of colourful macarons for picking @ Take A Break (RM3.50 per piece)

No, not from blogging. So stop preparing that cardio-resuscitation device for fear of an impending heart attack. Although I can’t deny that I’m tempted to, especially in trying times like now.

The past few weeks have been challenging; both mentally and to some extent …. physically. Difficult decisions were made, and I spent more time thinking than eating.

Yeah right.

Anyway, was back in my hometown for a good portion of last week, and needless to say, the eating sessions got more interesting as time goes by. If you’re wondering why wasn’t I covering all these stories back when I had all the time in the world (when I was based in old town of Ipoh), beats me. Maybe distance DOES make the heart grow fonder. Or in this case, the craving grows wilder.

Take A Break is a café that has been silently operating for a good 4 months now, in Ipoh Garden South. But is this another run-of-the-mill, flash in the pan wonder? Read on to find out.  Read the rest of this entry »

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NEW!! (January 2011) – Giant Cinnamon Rolls, Tuna Spaghetti & Jalapeno Mac & Cheese

Baby Back Ribs Pizza Promotion (ended in Oct 2010) – http://www.j2kfm.com/baby-back-ribs-pizza-michelangelos-pizzeria-ipoh-promotion/

Since Michelangelo’s Pizzeria (www) changes their menu and specials of the week/month from time to time, this post will be constantly being updated with the latest promotions from Ipoh’s most beloved pizzeria, specials of the week (they change at blistering speed, so you’d better check the latest updates on this page) and maybe a contest or two in the future.

Elevated on those huge but hollowed Heinz tomato paste cans, the pizzas at Michelangelo’s Pizzeria are never short of fresh, quality ingredients.

Currently, Michelangelo’s Pizzeria is offering a special MEATBALL Pizza (scroll down for a better look), with Italian style of chunky and dense balls of pork laced with herbs and spices, generously thrown on the dough with melted mozzarella and fresh tomato paste. If you’re a meatball lover, you CAN’T give this a miss !!! For limited time only!

Meatball Pizza & Chicken of the Sea (Tuna, Onions, Pineapples)

Good thing about dining at Michelangelo’s Pizzeria is that you can mix and match your pizzas, and the ingredients that go onto the base. Select up to two choices for each pizza (don’t worry, you won’t be paying an arm and a leg … unless you decide to order 4 varieties in ONE pizza, then Michael might come at you with a cleaver!) so you can taste different varieties without having to order excessively.

The Hog (Italian Pork Sausages, Smoked Streaky Bacon, Virginia Ham) and Bacon & Eggs

The “Chicken of the Sea” or tuna, onions and pineapple pizza is also a special item NOT featured permanently in the menu. Though with much persuasion (possibly a wink or two), you can try to coerce them into inserting the combination into the permanent menu.

And you really should, for the chunks of briny tuna with loads of chopped onions and cubed pineapples made a beautiful coalition; enough to send one into a seafood frenzy.

My personal favourite pizza from the list? The HOG of course. With an overload of PORKY goodness; bacons, sausages and hams, how can one resist this barbaric/carnivorous creation?!! Pray they do not take this out from the menu, for if you’re in dire need for protein, THIS IS IT. The Bacon And Eggs pizza is also a terrific combination, with overeasy eggs cracked on top of the layers of cheese, then topped with smokey streaked bacons.

Spicy Creamy Chicken Stroganoff – A fiery twist to the classic

Bacon-wrapped Jalapeno Pepper stuffed with Cheese – Be prepared to breathe fire ……

Other specials currently on the menu include the spaghetti topped with creamy Chicken Stroganoff, but this one has a fiery kick to it. If you’re good with spicy food, then give their Grilled Bacon-wrapped Jalapeno Pepper with Cheese a try. Want even more kick? Try the peppers WITH the seeds intact!!!! (Ask for Meg to please your sadistic palate)

### For the original post with address, map to the place, and contact number, JUMP TO THE NEXT PAGE >>>

SSTC – Spaghetti Sweet Tea Cafe @ Medan Ipoh Bistari, Ipoh

I’ve read about this particular cafe way back then, when they started business a year or two ago, at Greentown Nova. Subsequently they relocated to this current premise at the new row of shoplots near to Tesco in Medan Ipoh Bistari, Ipoh Garden East. But what’s keeping me so long from giving this restaurant a try? Hmm, let’s see … the lack of publicity and rave reviews from friends and acquaintances for one, and paired with the prospect of fine dining in a relatively-unknown restaurant was holding me back.

The clean and minimalist interior exudes a sense of warmth, and homely feeling

Out of ideas on where for lunch on a weekend, we found ourselves driving in circles around Jusco/Tesco. Bumped into this cafe, AGAIN (Serai Sate Kajang is situated a few doors away), hence shortlisted our options to either McD Drive-Thru, Kizuna (which is nearby as well), SSTC (Spaghetti Sweet Tea Cafe), or satay for lunch. And why not go Italian? 🙂

Pictures of the chef’s mentor, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck from Las Vegas and Martin Yan of Yan Can Cook fame

The place was miserably empty on a Saturday’s afternoon. We had our doubts, but still trusted our instincts. And the screaming hunger pangs kinda let rationality bypass our brains.

The attentive and cheerful staff were perky and proceeded to serve us with such gusto, explaining the items on the menu and their specialities, as well as giving me a rundown of the restaurant’s history in one breath. OK, so I exaggerated, but she was really informative in more ways than one.

Seems the chef learnt from his mentor in Las Vegas, a celebrity chef by the name of Wolfgang Puck, supposedly a Michelin Guide‘s 3 Stars chef, the highest accolade one can achieve in the kitchen. I meant, recognition of his work in the kitchen. (=P) Gee, at least that was reaffirming.

Panini – Italian Sandwich (RM12)

The menu’s simple, separated into various categories, ranging from several categories of spaghetti (normal-160g (smaller serving), special-200g (regular serving), and signature ones), risotto, soups, salads and sandwiches, as well as desserts. No lasagne and pizzas, as she claimed those are “fast food”, and deviate from their principle of serving ONLY fresh food from the freshest of ingredients.

We picked the Panini as an appetizer, listed in the “Herbed” segment. Panini is a type of Italian sandwich, made from ciabatta bread, and toasted with fillings of ham, cheese and rocket leaves (Arugula). Served with sides of fresh lettuce drizzled with a tangy, citrusy lemon dressing, the sandwich fared well in our books, the soft bread lightly buttered and highlighted by the creamy, melted cheese and ham. Quite a portion, and sufficient for light eaters.

Turkey Ham Spaghetti with White Sauce (RM20)

But the best dish that afternoon went to their pasta. The spaghetti was supposedly from the best quality batches produced by Barilla, a world’s leading pasta manufacturer. And glad to say, SSTC cooked them to perfection, al dente, and did not skimp on the portion nor the ingredients. Though the turkey ham slices may be slightly saltish (expected from cured meat), the addition of fresh rocket leaves lent the pasta a refreshing, mint-y flavour, and off-set the creamy, “guilt-inducing” white sauce. Btw, you can opt for other sauces such as tomato paste, brown sauce, and Asian brown sauce (spicy).

Chicken Risotto in Brown Sauce (RM20)

With no pizzas or lasagnes in sight, I was torn between the risottos or the grilled meats. I was rather apprehensive when it comes to risotto, as Italiannie’s version was a letdown, too soggy and lacking in flavour and texture. But still, after the waitress reassured me that they had feedback from customers, stating that they did not wish for soft, squishy and soggy risottos. Hence, she proceeded to explain how good risottos should NOT be too soft or overcooked, and must retain the rice’s (usually Arborio) natural flavour and texture. SSTC import their grains from Milan, Italy, or so it seems.

And I was pleased to bite into the plump, rounded & short rice, each grain providing a slightly firmer bite and yet remained creamy enough to be differentiated from local produce. The accompanying chicken in brown sauce was nothing to shout about however. Should’ve gone for the seafood risotto in white sauce instead.

Tiramisu (RM15)

Desserts selection comprises of three items, the Chocolate Cream Cake, Rice Pudding or the perennial Italian favourite, Tiramisu. No Creme Brulee though, a French dessert of egg custard with caramelized sugar, one of my favourite sweet treats of all time. I love anything with eggs, mind you. LOL.

Tiramisu’s their signature, as in the case with most fine dining restaurants, especially Italian ones. The creamy, light and spongy Tiramisu at SSTC was rather delightful, but I’d prefer mine with the coffee syrup laden with heavier alcoholic tone, like Suchan‘s version. Or with a twist, with creamier mascarpone cheese and served in a cup.

Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, they serve Set Lunches @ RM17 from Wed-Fri.

Overall, a rather pleasant dining experience. And the friendly yet classy ambience was akin to fine dining, but not as strict as to impose dress code on its patrons. I was there in short pants and slippers. Hehe …. A disgrace, I know. But there’s always redemption in future visits.

Location : Spaghetti Sweet Tea Cafe @ 19A, Jalan Medan Ipoh 1E, Medan Ipoh Bistari, 31400 Ipoh, Malaysia. Tel : 05-5488832. Same row with Serai Sate Kajang, refer that post for directions.