Of late, the town has also seen an influx of young people looking for new opportunities beyond the Klang Valley. Consequently, new chic and trendy cafés have begun emerging alongside well-established traditional kopitiam.
With more food options than ever to choose from, visitors may have trouble figuring out where to grab a bite. Well, if you’re looking for a bang for your buck, head to Market Lane and check out one of the newcomers on the block.
Tucked away at the back of The Happy 8 Retreat, a trendy art house and hotel, is a café worth visiting for its aesthetic alone. Founded by 30-year-old Oswald Ting, Nove opened in May and quickly generated buzz, especially among the younger folks.
Those fond of woodwork will find themselves right at home here, its teak furnishing and mural-ed walls warm and inviting. And if the decor on its own isn’t enough to impress, Nove has garnered a reputation for serving pasta dishes quite unlike what you would usually find at your average restaurant.
Inspired by his time studying in Switzerland, Ting decided to introduce Malaysians to pastas with a unique spin. To that end, the Twisted Aglio e Olio will certainly satisfy: fettuccine served with fresh tiger prawns, spinach and cherry tomatoes, with a generous sprinkling of parmesan cheese.
The result? A luxurious and garlicky circus of flavours sure to tantalise those with sensitive taste buds.
Then there’s the Classic Carbonara, which, despite its name, is given a local touch. Pappardelle pasta is bathed in a rich and creamy kampung egg sauce and flavoured with parmesan, with juicy bits of beef bacon sprinkled atop.
Simple but flavourful, it’s a dish capable of leaving you stuffed and satiated.
Other pasta items on the menu include the Classic Pesto and Beef Bolognese – both bound to please!
For a good side dish or appetiser, place an order of Nove’s irresistible Truffle Fries: thick, golden cuts of potato served with traditional Italian goat cheese.
Throw in some truffles and you have a must-try snack that is as aromatic as it is addictive – be prepared to fight for the last fry!
And once you are done with the main course and sides, it’s time to treat yourself to a good dessert or two, which Nove has in abundance.
The Tiramisu is definitely worth your attention, its strong coffee profile complemented by a powerful but pleasant aroma, leading to an explosion of heady flavours in your mouth.
For those who would like something milder but no less pleasant, do give the red velvet cake and burnt cheesecake a taste.
As for refreshments, you absolutely have to try the Noir de Coco, which features coffee served in a coconut shell. Imagine coffee made with coconut water! It’s certainly quite the experience.
Speaking of strange drinks, both the Dark Lemonade and Coconut Fizz are worth a sip – the former a mix of lime juice and squid ink(!), resulting in a refreshingly sour-salty beverage; the latter a concoction of coconut water, soda, and panna syrup.
With all these unusual but delightful treats awaiting you, there’s no reason not to stop by Nove at The Happy 8 the next time you’re in town!
Find out more about Nove at The Happy 8 via its Instagram profile, or contact 012-7756596.
Nove at The Happy 8
34, Jalan Market,
30000 Ipoh, Perak
Business hours: 12pm-9pm daily (closed on Tuesdays)