Motormouth From Ipoh – Asian Food & Travel Blog

#1 – Fancy walking out from a cozy cafe situated on the ground floor of a block of flats? To imagine the convenience of it all if you’re a resident.

The slew of food posts from Section 17 probably has gotten into you. If you’re tearing your hair out and shouting profanities of the most vulgar nature, then I don’t blame you. There has to be an end to all saga, and for temporary relief measure, this post would be the last.

Not absolute, but relatively. There are still a few gems that I want to unearth (or rather, rediscover?) such as the seriously dilapidated food court (of a very muhibbah nature) near to the wet market, and the rojak + cendol mobile stall parked under the shades almost directly opposite of the market.

Since this has been barely two days into the extremely looonnnnggg and tedious week (no more historical Saturday in the making?!), I will spare you the elaborate ramblings and let’s get things on.

Read on for the full (partial or what’s left of it) review of MM Cafe @ Happy Mansion, Section 17. Read the rest of this entry »

I have to admit that I have never been a fan of ‘halal’ cafes in Ipoh. Not that there are many to start with. Wait, when you think about it, there is probably none. Aside from the overpriced, over-hyped and over-rated Laksamana Cheng Ho, serving a myriad of Thai, Chinese-Muslim and whatnots cuisine in Greentown. If you’re a fan, then pardon this outright criticism.

I have eaten at the outlet in Greentown Business Centre (the corner lot, which I think have since ceased operations) once, and the larger premise painted stark red along the same road just a short distance away from Brewster’s and almost directly facing MP Steamboat. All the visits came out pretty lacklustre, leaving me puzzled as to why we kept going back although the dining experiences were far from stellar.

Seafood Vol-au-vent (RM4.50/USD1.50) – A mini flaky pastry punctured with a hole from the top; then filled with a creamy filling of mixed seafood and mixed vegetables.

Then lo and behold. It dawned on me, a revelation much akin to a dumb blonde finally realizing why she’s branded as such in the first place.

Ipoh’s been suffering from a serious dearth of good ‘halal’ eateries; especially one that serves decent Western cuisine. To cut the story short, your perpetually fruitless search might end here. Today. This instant. Since Dubliners Cafe was more than I initially thought it was, or ever will be. Read the rest of this entry »

Turkey Ham Quiche (RM12.90/USD4.30) – One of her signature creations; previously available only on weekends, not on a daily basis as per request. Tammy bakes hers with a heart.

Okay, so greed is but one of the 7 deadly sins known to men. Oh dang, gluttony too. Infused with  unenviable two deadly sins got this Motormouth hesitant at first, to share what could be my current favourite cafe in Ipoh.

Don’t flinch. Yeah yeah … so it’s true that I rarely go back now. Much akin to being branded as someone who turns his back on his hometown. But not too worried. I promise that you will see a post or two every now and then on food from Ipoh, for I have sworn allegiance; to some extent; to cover most, if not ALL of the eateries worthy of the limelight in Ipoh.

Right now? I am barely halfway there.

For today? Let’s see what this 9 months’ old cafe has to offer …. Read the rest of this entry »

Western food in Ipoh has grown leaps and bounds since the days when it was either Rendezvous, First Coffee House, Scotch Pub, Miner’s Arms or to some lesser extent (catering to simpler, fuss-free palates of the younger ones), Crazy Ice Cream House. Back when we were still watching Ultraman, Voltron and still idolized turtles with weapons and talking trash (somewhat), dining out at any of the above was a cause for rejoice.

Okay, drop the last one, since Crazy Ice Cream existed back in the 90’s if I’m not mistaken (and still operating the last I heard). But only Scotch Pub managed to last well over its prime. And surprisingly, still attracting a loyal legion of fans come lunch hour. (*Though one of the comments in that same post came from an avid fan of theirs, and seemingly the owner is selling off the quaint eatery!)

Fresh Oxtail Soup (RM17.50/USD5.80) – Thick, creamy and robust taste of freshly stewed oxtail in a tangy tomato base cream soup, served with garlic bread. This could be a main dish, for all I know.

Anyway, fast forward a decade or so later, Maria’s Cafe came to the scene. Indefinitely, this was a cafe in a class of its own (back then), we shuddered to think of having dinners there since being students and all … the price was not so agreeable. Especially when this was THE place for good steaks and cakes, and a full-blown 3 course meal at Maria’s could have rendered us incapacitated for days without lunch money.

But that was then, and let’s fast forward again to present day. When the sight of Western food outlets (Cafes, Bistros, Steakhouse, Restaurants, etc) at every corner of the eye in densely-populated by commercialization area (Greentown, 1Casuarina, Ipoh Garden East) becomes the norm. And Maria’s Cafe still holds strong amidst the strong competition (Movenpeak, MP, Brewster’s, Yeolde English are merely walkable distance).

Read on to discover the sheer number of  food tasted in this review, and how Maria herself fought off competition and retains loyal customers with food cooked with the freshest of ingredients and delectably-homemade desserts ….. Read the rest of this entry »

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 »

Giulianna @ Indulgence Living, Ipoh – Timeless Italian Influences

“Whimsical cabinetry is faux painted and small mirrors are flushed into the mantle piece. Above the king bed hangs the proud silver framed mirror of Toi. It is an art nouveau piece ….” (snippets from Indulgence Restaurant & Living)

Thanks to a kind (and timely) invitation from Julie Song, the proprietress of Indulgence Restaurant & Living, I was treated to a fabulous stay at one her passionately designed room; Giulianna.

Read the rest of this entry »

(NON-Halal) Kindly allow me to intercept the usual drool-worthy food posts on Motormouth From Ipoh (don’t snigger back there!!) and bring you a community service message.

Ahem, fine. This may not be as selfless nor angelic, but if you manage to squeeze in a little time on any of the remaining evenings of this week, consider dropping by Michelangelo’s Pizzeria for they are running a very, VERY limited time promotion.

Are. You. Ready for the First Ever Baby Back Ribs Pizza?

Read the rest of this entry »