Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

Cafe Latte (MYR10/USD3.20) with biscotti that was a hearty, robust blend of beans that should kick start your day well if you’re at The Good Batch that early, of course.

I remember the first few months when I relocated to Kuala Lumpur slightly less than 4 years ago. At every opportunity to go back to Ipoh, I would seize that, maximize the amount of time spent in my hometown and tried to outdo every visit by charting more and more food stops along the way.

There’s a point when I felt like I have done it all and conquered every single eatery on my list.

Only to discover even more creeping up beyond my radar. But … that only gave me even more reasons for homecoming visits, and satisfied the hungry readers with more stories.

And thus, fast forward few years later, the decision to move to Singapore was made within a split second. Well, not really that easy but given the fact that this is but a temporary move (albeit prolonged), why not make the most of it?

So while here I am back in the Lion City in the comfort of my apartment, typing away the food stories collected last weekend while I was back in KL for a meeting, I wonder are there MUST-eats in Singapore that I should start drafting a list (like always) now?

Hangover Mess (MYR20.90/USD7) – Corned beef mixed with pan fried potatoes, and diced capsicum, topped with sunny side eggs and drizzled (more like excessive squeeze) of herbs-infused Hollandaise sauce

WHAT?!

Went all the way to Singapore and came back to eat cafe food meh?

Since I could not afford the time to return to Ipoh this time, I had to make do with a few days of ‘makan’ sessions in Klang Valley instead. That being said, as good as food in the metropolitan is, I cannot relate to any particular street food from KL or PJ that I missed the most. Maybe Bak Kut Teh from Klang, or Char Siew from Toast & Roast. Or Super Kitchen Chili Pan Mee, Puchong Yong Tau Foo or even fish head noodles from SS20.

Skip the drama. I was only in Singapore for the past one week anyway.

And so, the weekend was spent eating at familiar territory. Except the Saturday evening dinner at The Good Batch in Damansara Utama/Uptown.

Malaysian-Lah! (MYR22.90/USD7.50) – Chunky lamb marinated in spices then tossed with potatoes and greens. wrapped in roti canai, served with papadom crackers and homemade minted yoghurt 

The Good Batch started sometime in the last quarter of 2013, and has been doing exceptionally well since then. Luring the younger crowd with their creative clash of flavours, fusing elements of fresh local produce and essentially Malaysian ingredients with the more predictable Western breakfast fares, The Good Batch focuses on all-day breakfast/brunch with some surprises thrown in for beyond 6 pm selection.

The aptly-named Hangover Mess was that and more. Combining corned beef with pan fried potatoes sounded decent and luscious enough, but to top them all off with sunny side eggs and herb-infused Hollandaise sauce? Mix them all well and the platter of (you guessed it!) mess got a degree or two more interesting, definitely. This was clearly one of their stronger selling item.

The Malaysian-Lah! came with tender chunks of lamb marinated in spices ala Tandoori style, then wrapped in flaky roti canai (without the grease), served with minted yoghurt. The portion was very substantial yet the clash of ingredients and texture was slightly jarring; more so because you may wish for more conventional pita or tortilla bread instead.

Portobello Road (MYR20.90/USD7) – Crispy batter fried portobello mushrooms sandwiched between bun and poached eggs, on a bed of wilted spinach and grilled tomatoes

Mediterranean (MYR26.90/USD9) – Yellow polenta cooked with fresh milk, cheddar and parmesan cheese, topped with grilled prawns, crispy calamari (more like soggy), grilled capsicum and lightly toasted bread

However, the Mediterranean was the best dish that evening. Or maybe because it was what I had to myself.

The creamy polenta was cooked to a pulpy yet smooth mash, creamy to a decadent extent with fresh milk, parmesan and cheddar cheese infusing the pile of base for 4 beautifully grilled prawns, crispy calamari that was slightly soggy though, and grilled capsicum. Every spoonful was a sinful delight but almost to the end of the serving, the cloying heaviness of the dish power-packed with dairies set in. I could not mop up every single drop with the toasted bread, but this was a dish that I won’t hesitate to order again.

Just to savour bland, lifeless polenta in such a fabulous state.

 In the mood for The Good Batch?

The place was thankfully still relatively vacant despite this being a Saturday evening and it was around 7 pm. Maybe the Muslim fans chose to buka puasa elsewhere (though The Good Batch capitalizes on this with Ramadan Set). But one thing for sure, I have observed the weekend brunch and late lunch crowd, and the queue extended to beyond the sidewalk.

One thing’s for sure though. This cafe invasion will NOT cease until well, the next wave of food craze envelopes us within its reach. Still, the sheer fact that The Good Batch does not replicate the sins that the usual suspects have been committing (ie: overpriced gourmet coffee, Big Breakfast, poached eggs, Salmon benedict, French toast, rinse, repeat, ad nauseam …) but instead took the dive into territories unfamiliar, makes them a tad more noteworthy and memorable than the dozen other generics.

THE GOOD BATCH (Facebook Page)
53, Jalan SS21/1A,
Damansara Utama,
47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Tel No : 603 – 7733 2303
Business Hours : 
Tue – Thu: 11:00 am – 12:00 am
Fri: 11:00 am – 1:00 am
Sat: 10:00 am – 1:00 am
Sun: 10:00 am – 11:00 pm