Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Italia Mia @ Sunway City, Tambun – A refreshed coat of paint; complete with an artistic touch on the mural of the Grand Canal to create that mood …..

Italia Mia has graced the dining scene in Ipoh since more than half a decade ago. In this last review of the restaurant located in Sunway City of Ipoh, close to two years ago, the owners did mention about their intention to sell the restaurant off and move back to Europe to be with their children, but little was heard about Italia Mia again … especially since I myself left Ipoh at the end of 2010.

And come 2012, they finally did it. Italia Mia has now changed hands; sold off to a bubbly Chef Kenny and his partner. Wondering what has changed aside from the ownership and kitchen crew? Read on to find out. Read the rest of this entry »

Ristorante Italia Mia in Sunway City of Ipoh is one of the few decent fine dining establishments in Ipoh. You can’t find Italian restaurants in Ipoh that easy like say, in the Klang Valley or even Penang. Heck, I think even folks in JB (Johor Bahru) or Melaka have better luck at slurping on pastas, chomping on their slices of pizzas, and licking their fingers clean from the mascarpone cheese pumped into their tiramisu.

Envious? Yes. If you wanna know more about Italian food in Ipoh, you can read about my first Italia Mia experience back in 2008, funky versions of pastas at Spaghetti Sweet Tea Cafe, and of course, the latest addition to Ipoh’s F&B scene; Michelangelo’s Pizzeria that serves fantastic woodfire pizzas, but resembles more of an American style pizzeria than an Italian restaurant.

(*But of course, if you wanna take into account the Pizza Hut’s and the Shakey’s …. by all means, yeah. Ipoh’s LOADED with “Italian Food” outlets!) 🙂

Spaghetti Fresh Seafood (RM39.40/USD12.30) – With Sauteed Fresh Prawns, Calamari, Clams, Garlic, White Wine and Parsley

The menu remains unchanged, since the last time we dined here. But they have SPECIALS of the day, written in chalk on the blackboard on the outside of the restaurant. So do sneak a peek before you waltz in, in case you have grown weary of the same old selections; of about 12 types of Pasta, 9 types of Carne (Meat) dishes, and 4 types of Pesce (Fish) items. But seriously, we don’t need another menu with 100 or more items, each being a variant of another. Confusing to the customers, and the cooks as well … Read the rest of this entry »

A short post, on a cool and lazy Friday morning ….

Tis the season to be jolly …. no turkey … but instead got us some geoduck, seafood and such ….

Mexico Geoduck Sashimi

Geoduck is a type of large clam living in salt water, boosting a rather …. obscene appearance. Ahem, I mean, just look at the size and structure of it. Refer 1st pic.

The texture of the meat is springy, with minimal hint of off-putting fishy taste commonly associated with clams. Eaten fresh and raw, the sliced meat of the siphon (neck) of the geoduck was served on a bed of shaved ice, and complemented by the accompanying Japanese soy sauce and wasabi for dipping.

If you’re one who would squirm at the sight of something so un-cooked, armed with a pole in hand, no fret. Help’s at hand ….

Steamboat of herbal soup base, with accompanying vegetables, tofu, and even noodles

Just slightly swish the piece of geoduck in the soup, and voila! Cooked meat in an instant, much akin to abalone in texture and flavour. But highly recommended to eat them raw though, to fully savour the bouncy texture and freshness of the meat.

Fresh Oysters on the Rocks, served with Lemon Wedges

It’s Xmas eve, and some may wanna get down and dirty. Whoops, I meant, some may ‘need’ the extra zinc (or Zing!) in their (love)lives. Thus, raw oysters come to the rescue. Though a measly one piece won’t do any good. Yet, I’m an oyster-addict, raw or baked with cheese, it’s all green lights for me.

Boiled Live Tiger Prawns

Served with a garlic chilli sauce, and another plate of fiery dark chilli oil, the tiger prawns were fresh, and the flesh was sweet. But the sizes varied greatly, some S-size (more like a shrimp!), while some XL (mini slipper lobster-like). And they could’ve thrown in more, in the spirit of the holidays, generosity would be much appreciated. Some got one, some got two.

Crispy Roasted Chicken

Steamed Pak So Kong Teow Chew Style

Fried Rice

Honey Sea Coconut with Longan