Saigon Hibachi: decent choices of Japs and Viets

Thanks to Groupon again, we manage to venture to new and not-so-new joints which we, otherwise, seldom visit. Saigon Hibachi is one of those shop that we always pass by but somehow, did not think of patronizing. With so many japanese restaurant mushrooming in Ipoh, one cant blame me of not trying each and everyone. In addition, Japanese and Vietnamese? I cant see the common ground between the two. Luckily the dining experience here is rather good and nice.

Saigon Hibachi is situated in one of the roads behind Tesco Ipoh Garden. Just drive around, and you will not miss the newly installed neon signboard. The deco is unmistakenly Japanese, with earth colour as the main theme, and the usual sake bottle as part of the deco. I could not find anything Vietnamese here though. There are notices on the board to apologize for the lack of staff, but I could say that the service here is warm and attentive. Kudos to the owner who hire and train their staff well.

The menu again focus on Japanese cuisine with a few Vietnamese selection. Luckily there are no fusion between the two. I cant imagine how that would taste like, and my try with Japanese fusion last few years ago was a disaster. The Vietnamese lemongrass grill pork (RM12.50) tasted surprisingly nice. The rice is fragrant and complement the pork well. The grilled pork, on its own is nothing to shout about, but once eaten with the lemongrass sauce, it actually lift the taste to another level. It felt like eating Thai with the sweet and sour elements minus the hot and spicy parts. The sanma shioyaki (RM6.40)on the other hand, was less appealing. It is not the cook's fault though, I did not expect the pacific saury or sanma to have so many small and tiny bones. It make the dining experience rather tiring, trying to isolate the bones. The taste is nice though, just that it did not justify the time taken trying to separate the bones.

In the end, it was a nice dining experience here. Just that with so many Japanese restaurant around, I doubt that it will stand out against the rest. The Vietnamese offering did not give it an edge but given the crowd here, they have their own following. Would I come again? I probably would, to try the rest of their Japanese offerings.

ratings: 3 poink~!
comments: yet to savor their japanese dishes, so yet to make an accurate review.

Saigon Hibachi,
23, Jalan Medan Ipoh 4,
Bandar Baru Medan,
Ipoh
05-5487118

Mosel: A+ for effort

It had been a while since I reviewed anything in my own hometown of Kampar. Although there are many new eating joints that were mushrooming here, especially in the New Town area, I just find them too mediocre for any mention. Most of them just cater to feed the student with decent food. Of course, there are some newly niche restaurant such as the new boutiques restaurant or specialties restaurant here and there, but the food is just as average as others. The other reason why I am not keen to review them is that they do not last as long. Everytime I "ronda-ronda" around the area, there are bound to be new restaurant and some old ones closing down. But once in a while, there are some that are worth to be mentioned.

Mosel Western and Fusion Cuisine is located in New Town, in the row of shops opposite Each A Cup. Just locate the Grand Kampar Hotel; in the same row locate Vegas ( which is another notable western restaurant) and just look for the small road across Vegas. This is a small, one shop lot size restaurant which may not be very outstanding from outside. Inside, the deco is leaning towards boutique style and minimalist. A few photos frame depicting Marilyn Monroe lift the mood of the simple grey-black colour scheme. The service is attentive, and eating here is rather comfortable with adequate privacy,especially sitting among the high bench.


The menu, is rather western than fusion. The usual chicken chop, pasta and the fusion is referring to the local rice noodle delicacies. It did sound like any cafe style of offering, but the options of the western dishes is notably more, though not as extensive as other western restaurant (eg Vegas). Lyn and me ordered the set menu of the day. The cheezy chicken chop is served with lemon tea and soup of the day (RM16.90) while my carbonara spaghetti is served with tandoori chicken salad (RM13.90). As expected from the student area, this is considerably reasonably priced. I must say that the effort for the food and drinks is impressive. The lemon tea is made on their own (with tea bags and slice of lemon) instead of the ready made ones. The tomato soup is also cooked in their kitchen with other vegetables rather than the creamy soup-in-a-tin/ packet. The soup is rather good, leaning towards oriental style, which may not be everyone's favourite. The tandoori chicken salad is served with few slice of tandoori chicken. The simple dressing is just nice, with or without the chicken. This is a small starter anyway, do expect only a few slice of chicken. Nicely done, I must say. With the impressive first impression, the main dishes fall short of expectations. Not to say they are bad, they are just fairly average. The presentation of the dishes, on the other hand, is really really impressive, with impression of fine dining. I must respect the cook who arrange the vegetable side dishes, to cut the pea into shapes. The cheezy chicken chop is nice, but the gravy overshadow the cheese, making it into an ordinary grill chicken chop. The taste of the carbonara, on the other hand, is rather good. However, the amount and consistency of the cream of the dish felt more like soup. Carbonara is a very filling dish, and with so much cream, it could turn a good dish into a bloated offering.

Even with all the critiques, I can feel the effort that the cook place into their food. I enjoy eating here although the few food that I sample is fairly averagely nice (not exceptionally good), I would definitely return to try the other dishes.

ratings: 3 poink~!
comments: compare to the other average offering in the area, this is definitely one good restaurant. Just that whenever I eat the moderately price western, I would tend to compare it with Hot Jack which is very impressive to me.

Mosel Western and Fusion Cuisine
2364, Jalan Hala Timah 3
Taman Bandar Baru
Kampar
1130-2190 (Off thurs)

Bougainvillea City Cafe: quiet hidden place, great escapade for hanging out

Ipoh is flooded with young hip eating and drinking joints.  A bulk of these are the mushrooming boutique cafes. Funny to see most of these shops always full despite people complaining about poor economics.

I was introduced to this cafe by Hans who invited me over for a borak-borak session prior to Christmas. Bougainvillea City Cafe is situated in Jln Lau Ek Ching, exactly across Bricks and Barrels ( which is always full as far as I observed). For those who are not familiar (as how I search for rather long time before located the street), this is one of the small side alley in between Pakeeza and Exelsior Hotel area. Blink and you may miss the place. The road may look deserted at night, but just follow the crowd and you would be able to locate the place (or at least Brick and Barrels).

Hazelnit Latte (RM8.90)

As with other boutique cafe, this is a nicely decorated old building. Complete with a few one of a kind art piece, the place have a homely fell to it. It may not be heavily decorated but far from minimalist approach. In both my visit here, there is no big crowd, which is a good thing. The staffs are friendly and not pushy at all.

aloha parfait (RM 8.90)

Napoleon (RM 12.90)

The menu is typical western with few pasta and meat main dish selections. Had not tried these so cant say for sure how good it is. But the breakfast selection with different eggs choices did tempted me to order. The menu seems to highlight Vietnam coffee but again, I ordered the ordinary ones in view I am not a coffee person and I would not able to discern it anyway. As expected in any cafe, expect to pay bit more for coffee here (Hazelnut latte: Rm8.90). There are a few dessert selections though the choices are not extensive. Napolean (RM 12.90) served with much cream, nuts and chocolate could be shared between two. The aloha parfait (RM8.90), though small serving, is just nice in balance of the sour (pineapple inside, my guess) and cream. To me, both the dessert is nice and not too sweet, though Colleen felt that there are a overuse of cream. Well, you cant please everyone.

Again, with any boutique cafe, expect to pay bit more for the food and drink but with the price, we pay for the comfort and experience. Bougainvillea City Cafe, though may not please everyone with their  dessert; is definitely a great place to hang out and chat quietly.

ratings: 2 half poink~!

comments: this review coming from a non beer person, so I may be bias-lah..

Bougainvillea City Cafe

21, Jalan Lau Ek Ching

Ipoh.

Tea place: regularly average

This will be a short review, since this is a short visit to this relatively new joint. Come to think about it, it had been long time since I really eaten outside (minus the family gathering in our usual Chinese restaurant). After our 31st Dec shopping in Tesco Bercham, we decide to go around the area for supper. Coincidentally, my friend's clinic is just beside this shop. Am unsure whether how long this shop had been functioning, but it look decent and new enough for me.

Tea Place is situated in the row of shop opposite Tesco Bercham. This is the same row that house 2+1 Steam Boat Buffet at the corner. From outside, the layout looks like the usual Taiwanese dessert house. Inside, it felt more like any other cafe. This has to be one of the most spacious eateries I have ever been to. Service is fast, considering the small crowd even prior to the new year countdown. I would not blame the patrons, since this is a relatively quiet part of Bercham. The most happening place this side is Giant Bercham, and everyone know that the branch here is a dying one.

The menu is the usual kopitiam fare minus the focus on bread and coffee. Instead, one will find the focus on Taiwanese dessert. The usual bubble tea and ice shave. The food on the other hand is more Malaysian with the usual fried noodle, nasi lemak and rice varieties. We ordered Tornado sensation (RM6.50), which mimics the dessert from Black Ball. With flavored shaved ice as base, just add different toppings to come out with this combination. However, the combination felt bit short of expectation, and felt more like eating toppings with mouthful of ice. Black Ball, on the other hand, is more superior (though not perfect) with the topping and the ice tasting as a single dessert. On the other hand, the fried kueitiao  (RM 5.90) is one of the better version. Though simple, like any other "da cao" stall, it taste quite good with good taste and enough "wok hei". Even by finishing the whole dish, one would not felt too bloated, unlike some cook who used to much oil.

It is still an average shop at best. The good thing here is the ample parking space for all patrons. If I stay in this part of town, I may come here at times for a good supper with comfortable seats.

ratings: 2 half poink~!
comments: good food make up for poor dessert.

Tea Place
42-1, Bercham Bistari 1,
Medan Bercham Bistari, Ipoh.
05-5492352