Earlier this year, I was intrigued by the movie "Raintown," which depicted life in Taiping. Excited to immerse myself in the town's flavor, I embarked on a four-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur to visit the restaurant featured in the film. Disappointingly, my culinary journey in Taiping began on a sour note at this particular café. Despite being the first customer of the day, I waited an astonishing 35 minutes for my order to arrive. Hoping for a delightful experience, I opted for the black pepper grilled chicken, a seemingly safe choice. However, the first bite of the sauce left me bewildered. Far from the expected savory kick of black pepper, it was an unusual concoction of bitterness with a hint of burnt flavor, oddly accented by a lingering minty taste. I found myself questioning whether I had stumbled upon a unique Taiping specialty or simply suffered a culinary misstep. While the chicken itself was passable, the overpowering sauce transformed the dish into a taste bud disaster. Despite the café's charming ambiance, I couldn't help but wonder if it would be better suited as a boutique hotel, where guests wouldn't have culinary expectations. Although the staff was friendly and welcoming, I couldn't overlook the glaring disappointment of the food. It fell short of even average standards, leaving me with no choice but to swiftly conclude my dining experience and retreat.