Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

 Seafood Pizza (RM18/USD6 for Regular) – A handful of mussels and shrimps on a very lightly-glazed base of tomato puree and cheese.

Seven days of silence. Not uncommon given the patchy track record of one post every week, or fortnightly during the past quarter. The reason behind the hiatus this past week however … was more than mere work.

I spent a rejuvenating three nights at Golden Palm Tree Iconic Resort & Spa. Actually it was part of the job, but still …. how could I not be swayed by the thoughts of waddling in the infinity pool, kicking back and sip on the refreshing water from a young coconut and roll around in bed all morning?

Then the week took a sharp 180 degrees turn and led me to an intense, adrenaline-charged finale of a Saturday at Le Meridien.

 42 Foodies took a somewhat calculated risk and started their business at a relatively secluded location; at least obscure from the view of a motorist zooming along Jalan Stadium @ Fair Park 

A few months ago, a new fusion-Italian restaurant commenced operations in Fair Park of Ipoh; generating interest almost in the league of fanfare that STG Tea House, Oz Aussie Restaurant and of course, Plan b received in the social media community.

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The Bistro @ Impiana Hotel Ipoh – The all-day dining alternative to The Coffee House; currently running an Italian cuisine promotion

Impiana Hotel Ipoh (formerly known as Casuarina Hotel; the unmistakable landmark hotel of Ipoh back in its heydays) has successfully undergone transformation; coupling refurbishment and renovation works to its rooms and F&B establishments.

Still, the only four-star hotel in Ipoh that actually feels like one, the Impiana group has injected life back to the decades old premise; and still drawing in tourists from all walks of life; including the royal families and ministers.

Fresh breads from the kitchen of The Bistro to perk up the appetite

Throughout the years, I have only grown accustomed to The Coffee House; the designated Halal dining option of the hotel serving daily buffets and various local and international delights. That being said, Impiana has added another feather (or two) to its cap by resurrecting the flagging interest (of yours truly, at least) of dining in hotels in Ipoh; with the welcome of two new outlets; The Bistro & The Deli.

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#1 – Dim lighting from the ‘adaptive, reworked chandeliers’ hanging precariously over the tables, the simplicity of the overall design lending a soothing mood to the ambience, and a contemporary finish that won’t make you feel out of place, even if you’re in jeans and sneakers.

Bistro à Table (pronounced “ah-tah-bl”, which means “To The Table” in French) brought an entire new game to the serene neighbourhood of Section 17 in Petaling Jaya. Mention Section 17 and my mind was automatically diverted to Happy Mansion (My Elephant, Food Foundry, MM Cafe, nameless chicken rice stall) and the various street fares (Hong Seng’s roasted meats and Robert’s Char Kuey Teow are good examples).

But never would I have imagined a French diner in the midst of the residential area. Maybe it was what Isadora desired in the first place. To inject some flair with her baby; this supposedly “hole-in-the-wall” humble outlet.

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Strawberry Strudel (RM29.90/USD9.70 for Whole, RM7.50/USD2.40 per slice)

Back in the end of May 2010, we went on an excursion to Cameron Highlands; and thus were duly introduced (albeit rather late) to Strawberry Moment Dessert Cafe in the town of Brinchang. Cool breeze and crisp, fresh air marks a pleasant respite from the hectic/routine lifestyle on the lowlands; punctuated with a delightful array of strawberry desserts and beverages.

A spacious, bright and airy ambience with a chic finish; designed by one of the owner herself. Even the menu was designed in-house, further saving up on the operational cost.

Then they decided to branch out from their two outlets in Cameron Highlands, bringing the taste of their delectable desserts and signature creations (especially their commanding Strudels) down to Ipoh. A smart choice, considering the fact that back then, De Garden was devoid of a proper hangout spot for desserts and drinks, save for Pappa Rich.

An astonishing number of desserts (more than 20 types) dominate their menu, with emphasis on desserts made with fresh fruits (majority of them with strawberries; of course), chocolates (from their very own chocolate factory in Cameron Highlands named Avant), and various beverages including Illy coffee, fresh juices, milk shakes, and tea.

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Continued from Part 1 of The Indulgence Experience – Indulgence Living; More Than A Boutique Hotel

At Indulgence, you’d feel as though you’re being transported to another dimension, away from the hustle and bustle of city life, albeit being smack in the heart of the city. Minutes turn to hours without you even realizing it. Just Good food, Good company, and a jolly Good time.

Indulgence Restaurant is an award winning dining establishment, having won several Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards for Excellence. To imagine that this stellar restaurant’s roots stemmed from the charming, inconspicuous and quaint half-shoplot cafe in Canning Garden way back in 1996.

Julie Song; the brains behind the concept, injects so much passion, energy and time into the setting up, running and maintenance of Indulgence. This is reflected by the sheer number of loyal customers (come on a weekend, and you’d better reserve your table!) perpetually on the lookout for her Specials written with chalk on the blackboards, and drooling over her dynamically-evolving menu. She assured me that nothing on the menu is permanent, and she changes the ingredients (mostly imported) from time to time based on the freshest produce of the season.

The Specials Menu with special creations written on the blackboard. You will see the waiting staff carrying the board to your table while taking your order, so you don’t have to squint at the board on the wall.

Wanna know what we were served that evening? Keep reading for a gastronomic journey in a most Indulgent manner  ….. 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 »