STG Tea House Cafe: memorable dining experience

old bungalow converted to diner

It is our 7th wedding anniversary, and we are craving for western food instead of our usual char-kueitiao. Even though Hot Jack immediately pop in my mind, we decided to give Sabah Tea Garden STG Tea House a try, since it is so near our place. Ipoh resident would be familiar with STG, which sit in the same league with the fine dining category; some even say at par with Indulgence. It is situated in one of the old bungalow building in Chateau Garden. Just drive along Jalan Gopeng, look for the turn after across Impiana hotel.

Although it is a rather small bungalow, there are ample parking space, and the setup is rather homey. It is so comfortable dining here, coupled with the attentive staff. The menu is typical western with a few local fried rice in the midst. Expect some pasta dish as well, with the usual soup appetizer and the meat/ chicken/ fish entree. Compare with the other fine dining restaurant with similar setting, STG do boast of a more reasonable pricing in Ipoh.

seared sea bass

chicken divan

creme brulee

Do not expect much from the drinks, juices start at RM9, and my Sabah Peach tea is priced at RM8/ glass. I prefer my tea stronger, surprisingly for diner with tea background, I felt tea is one of their weaker link. Fret not, for the food does make up for the drink. The chicken divan (RM25) is grilled nicely with a tinge of herbs. The butter sauce tasted good, but I prefer it to be creamier. Still a good dish, though not the best chicken dish out there. The pan seared sea bass fillet (RM26), on the other hand, is cooked to perfection. The herbs blended flawlessly with the fillet seasoned with salt. Eaten with the creamy sauce, I could not think of any way to improve the dish. While the food ranges from average to impressive, the dessert is simply out of this world. The creme brulee (RM10) tasted so good, while not too sweet but had the perfect balance of taste. Most dessert taste good but have a heavy after taste, but no, the creme brulee here is simply light and nice. The winner has to be the chocolate lava cake (RM15). The 15 minute wait is so worth it, served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, eating it with the hot melting chocolate flowing it from the cake simply lifted me up to 9th heaven. The cake has the perfect balance of chocolate taste, not too sweet, not too bitter, and yet chocolate-ty enough.

Taste wise, it is may not be everyone's cup of tea, but considering other similar class diner, STG has to be one of the top few. The food is priced nicely for Ipoh folks, and the food is enjoyable. Did I mention about the dessert? Yup, that itself makes the trip here worth the time.

ratings: 3 half poink~!
comments: Although I am not a fan of chocolate, but I still have to give the lava cake a double thumbs up.




STG Tea House Cafe
2, Taman Kinta,
Taman Chateau
Ipoh
052550188, 052550116