There are so many old mansions dotted around Ipoh that would really make lovely restaurants (case in point is Indulgence, Secret Garden and STG) and the latest addition to the restaurant scene in Ipoh is no different.
I have noticed that people in Ipoh particularly the young and trendy choose restaurants more for their ambience and unusual food and drinks menus than oldies like myself who dine out strictly for the food with ambience playing a secondary role.
Star Mansion has certainly got what it takes to satisfy those looking for glitz while still appeasing picky taste buds like mine.
Tucked in a quiet corner of Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil directly opposite the Chinese temple and next to Sculpt Fitness, Star Mansion certainly lives up to its name with lit stars in all colours of the rainbow adorning every nook and cranny of this very spacious mansion. It is also the ideal venue for celebrations with multi-hued flowers, balloons adorning the space and if you book the whole restaurant, your imagination is all that’s required to create the function of your dreams.
Located in Greentown, Ipoh, Star Mansion Cafe Restaurant doubles as a restaurant and an event space. The multi-cuisine restaurant tantalises taste buds with a spread of Western, local, Thai, and dim sum dishes. Patrons in need of private dining spaces can opt to feast at any one of the private rooms, or even book the entire mansion for celebratory events and corporate functions.
Star Mansion takes pride in their teas, some simple like the Lanhua Xiang RM8 which promises no additives, or the Oolong Tie Guan Yin RM6 which has slimming properties, to the spectacular Fancy Corbeil Blooming Flower tea (see pic above right) which starts as a dried up leaf ball, suddenly blossoming into this magnificent art in a glass after a few minutes. The bonus to this flower is the fact that it still tastes good to the 10th re-steeping!! Although who would drink that much tea in one sitting is beyond me! RM12.80 per bloom/pot.
And the tea list goes on and on, not to mention the shakes, juices, mocktails, and cocktails.
Now to the food. The choice of various platters is dizzying. From the Japanese Star Platter (8 items) RM88, the Western Star platter of pizza, jumbo sausage, chicken wings and nuggets (7 items) RM68; to the Star of the Stars, the Lobster Star platter consisting of a whole lobster, squid, prawns, sausage accompanied by french fries, meehoon, mixed vegetables and topped with sunny-side eggs. At RM230 nett, it is pricey but considering it’s a whole lobster and the platter will serve from 4 to 6 people, it’s a dish to impress your family or your guests. Aside from the aforementioned three platters, Star Mansion also offers a chicken platter and a French Crab Platter. In fact all the platters on offer will serve 4-6 people.
Lunch menus offer a choice of main course ranging from lamb and beef steaks, chicken chop, a selection of pastas like salmon and lamb pasta, all coming with a free drink. Price ranges from RM16.90 for chicken to RM29.90 for beef steaks and RM26.90 for lamb steaks.
Signature dishes which I sampled included a Pan Seared Foie Gras topped with bonito flakes, served with mashed potatoes and red cabbage. This was an interesting fusion of Japanese touches to what is essentially a French dish, the bonito flakes lending its umami nuance to the fragrant foie gras; RM88.80.
5 Star Seafood Premium Nasi Lemak is a deluxe version of our most beloved national dish with five types of rice: kunyit (turmeric), blue butterfly pea,coconut, pandan and tomato served with a sweet prawn sambal, fried anchovies and peanuts for crunch and two sticks tender chicken satays; RM24.90.
Their chicken satay is a wonderful starter, five sticks of very tender and still juicy well marinated chicken breasts and served with a well-blended satay sauce that had just the right balance of spiciness, sweetness, and thickness; RM12.90.
By the time the Unagi rice arrived in a claypot, we were all satiated, or more accurately, stuffed to the gills. At RM49.90, the Unagi rice is more than sufficient for two if not three persons.
For dessert, again there is a wide choice and as I only could taste a few, I recommend the excellent carrot cake, banana smoothie and tiramisu. And their homemade chocolates fascinating with different flavours including Matcha.
I spoke to the proprietor Ms Cristy Tan Lai Yee, on her choice of the name for the restaurant; she said, “Stars symbolise hope, joy and fun. I wish to make Star Mansion a fun joyous mansion for all my customers.” And stars there are galore.
So here is wishing all my readers a wonderful stargazing time for Ramadan and the coming Aidilfitri. The restaurant is pork free and great for buka puasa.
