KEN HUNTS FOOD

The predecessor of this place was an interior designer, specializing in selling Wallpapers. The new management converted the office to a restaurant while preserving some of the beautiful wallpapers. The management and culinary team behind Wallpaper Eat Drink & Indulge is connected to the burger specialist- Hamburger Inc at Tanjung Bungah. There is a twist of change in their menu, offering aplenty of pasta dishes wtih funky and playful combinations while maintaining some of their regulars' favorite burger choices. Nothing spectacular about the interior decor of the place but more like a casual dining place for friends and family. Wallpaper Eat Drink & Indulge is located at Nagore Road, right next to Sugar Dynasty (糖朝).

We were introduced to one of their signature dishes- LaLa Aglio Olio (Rm 15.80). We were pleasingly surprised with the copious amount of Clams and sliced Garlic. The dish was deftly seasoned and the natural seafood-sweetness can be easily discerned. The Spaghetti was beautifully cooked to the right texture and the whole dish was lip-smackingly delicious. It was not greasy either, just the way I like.

Green Curry Pasta (Rm 16.80) was something unique to me but it paled in comparison with the previous dish; the Spaghetti was drenched in a thick, rich and creamy Pork Belly Green Curry; with traces of Long Beans and Cucumbers. The Green Curry was delicately salted and reasonably flavored but to pair it with the fatty Pork Belly may be a little too heavy for us. We were quite surfeited towards the end and I thought the dish might fare better if Lean Meat was used.

Ratings:

Taste: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good) *7/10 for the Green Curry Pasta*

Service: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Parking: 6.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Ambiance: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: 27, Jalan Nagore, 10050, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 6 pm to 12 am. Closed on every Tuesday.

Contact Number: 604- 226 5149

Wallpaper Eat Drink & Indulge Facebook Page

Map of 27, Jalan Nagor, Georgetown, 10050 Pulau Pinang

Previously a stable, the building has since gentrified to a classy, elegant wine lounge. Ground floor is a restaurant with a small wine-cellar attached while the upper floor consists of a cozy and homey area with comfortable couches; perfect for a glass of wine or to spend your evening with your loved ones. The four-month old restaurant does not have a very comprehensive menu but more than sufficient to pair with your wines. It appears to me Georgetown Wines has a wide range of high-quality wines; I am no wine connoisseur but a person with genuine interest and love for wines can elucidate by telling the labels. Unlike most wine shops, where diners are to choose their wines from an infuriating menu listing only prices and names; Georgetown Wines offers a better experience- a sommelier will walk you through the cellar and recommend the most suitable bottle for your evening. A place not only for great food but fine wine as well. Georgetown Wines is located behind Red Garden Food Court, a stone's throw distance away from the famous tourist attraction- Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion at Leith Street.

Many Thanks to Georgetown Wines for hosting us.

You have no idea what you have missed if you did not try their Grilled Anchovy & Rosemary-marinated Australia Black Angus Prime Rib (Rm 96/ approximately 280 to 300 grams). It excites us like kids when we saw the slab of hefty-hunk medium rare Prime Rib being served to our table. Chef Aldrien did a great job here- the primal cut of Beef was perfectly marinated, beautifully cooked and sufficiently rested. Everything was precisely calibrated and meticulously measured, including the Anchovy and Rosemary which enhanced the flavor instead of over-shadowing the dish. The Anchovy provides the essential salty-essence while the Rosemary grants a herbaceous aroma to the meat. No effort was necessary to slice the meat; the meltingly-succulent Beef was heavenly lip-smacking! Pair it with a glass of Red; the experience and taste were beyond words and my photos did not do much justice to the Prime Rib. It could be one of the best Prime Ribs I've ever tasted.

Coconut and Lime Ceviche (Rm 26) is a quirky and playful dish. We were certainly new to Ceviche, a popular cooking method of marinating raw fish with citrus juices. Freshly cut Raw Fish was introduced to the tangy and refreshing Lime Juice while the Coconut Milk added a sleek of creaminess and unique flavor to the fish. We were not quite impressed with the piquant flavors in the beginning but it got better as we continued, with a few sips of Wine of course. Quite an acquired taste.

A short respite from oily food, we had Local Clams in White Wine, Garlic and Parsley (Rm 24). The Clams were very fresh and the flesh was plump and juicy while the broth carried an irresistible sweet seafood essence. The flavors were then heighten by the use of Garlic and Parsley. It would be perfect if we were served with a slice of crusty-soft French Baguette to go with the broth.

Spanish Bikini Grilled Ham & Cheese (Rm 24) was good but it was not my favorite of the evening. The flavors and texture were perfectly alright (crispy edges with soft but meaty filling) but I am never a fan of the Spanish Sandwich, for being overly greasy (pan fried in butter). The Ham imparts a savory and smoky flavor to the Sandwich while the Cheese added another layer of dimension. The saltiness of the Sandwich went well with the wine.

Sweet ending was a resounding success; we were served with some freshly made GTW Churros with Dark Chocolate Dip (Rm 16). Fluffy-soft with crispy edges, beautifully dusted with Cinnamon and Sugar. The Dark Chocolate Dip was good either- chocolaty, sweet but we thought it could be smoother; nevermind on that. The Churros were good enough without any dips, not too sweet with a wonderful Cinnamon flavor. These could be some of the best Churros I've ever had in Penang.

Additional Information:

Non-Halal

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: Yes 6%

Address: 19 & 19A, Lebuh Leith, 10200, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 5 pm to 12 am on every Monday to Thursday; 12 pm to 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed on every Sunday.

Contact Number: 604- 262 1011

Georgetown Wines Facebook Page

Map of 19, Lebuh Leith, Georgetown, 10200 Pulau Pinang

A walk along Chow Thye Road leads me to this quiet, curious and rustic cafe. The cafe proffers a slightly different menu- local Malaysian dishes with Nyonya-influence; evidently seen from their specialties like Curry Kapitan, Kiam Chai Ark, Tu Tor Th'ng, Loh Bak etc. The menu, however, does not seem to match with their cottage style interior design. Not only does Old Chow Thye bake their own cakes but they do brew Coffee as well. We had no space for mains so we could only sample a couple of their home-made cakes. Ratings were given solely based on their cakes only. Old Chow Thye is right next to Monkey Cup Cafe along Chow Thye Road.

I was introduced to their signature home-made Chequer Cheese Cake (Rm 12.90) by one helpful server. It was basically Cheese Cake with some Sponge Cake between the layers. I like my Cheese Cake soft, moist and cheesy but Old Chow Thye's version did not seem to possess the quality. The Cheese, on the other hand, was not cheesy enough (too much gelatin perhaps). Not that bad but not something that I am fond of.

Butterscoth Cake (Rm 3.90/ slice) paled in comparison with the previous cake. Albeit it was moist but the flavors were somewhat soft, as though I was having a normal sponge cake, quite a sweet one. Nothing to shout about, something that I would not order again.

Herbal Tea (Rm 2.50)

Ratings:

Taste: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Service: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Ambiance: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal/ Wifi-available

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: 36A, Jalan Chow Thye, 10050, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Business Hours: 11 am to 10 pm. Kitchen closes at 8 pm. Closed on every Saturday.

Contact Number: 604- 227 6477

Old Chow Thye Facebook Page

Map of 36, Jalan Chow Thye, Georgetown, 10050 Pulau Pinang

The previous restaurant- Coffee Garden located on Lower Ground floor of Hotel Equatorial Penang has gone through a major makeover and has since, given a new and fresh look. The just-refurbished restaurant is now known as Nada Lama which translates to "Yesterday's Melody". Inspired by its Colonial and Peranakan origin, the restaurant takes on a modern Peranakan interior decor- simple, spacious and elegant. The harmonised colors excude a casual and relaxed atmosphere. At present, Nada Lame offers a few types of buffet themes at the restaurant:

1) Daily Buffet Breakfast

Time: 6 am to 10: 30 am.

Price: Rm 52++ (Adult)/ Rm 29++ (Children)

2) Buffet Lunch

Time: 12 pm to 2:30 pm. Every Monday to Saturday.

Price: Rm 65++ (Adult)/ Rm 35++ (Children)

3) International Buffet Dinner

Time: 6:30 pm to 10 pm. Every Sunday to Thursday.

Price: Rm 85++ (Adult)/ Rm 45++ (Children)

4) Surf and Turf BBQ Buffet Dinner

Time: 6:30 pm to 10 pm. Fridays and Saturdays ONLY. (10% discount for CIMB Bank Card Holders)

Price: Rm 98++ (Adult)/ Rm 52++ (Children)

5) Sunday Buffet Lunch

Time: 12 pm to 2:30 pm.

Price: Rm 78++ (Adult)/ Rm 42++ (Children)

*The hotel management reserves the right to change the buffet themes without prior notice, kindly call to confirm.*

Many Thanks to Hotel Equatorial Penang for hosting us that evening.

Chilled Seafood On Ice- Tiger Prawns/ Slipper Lobsters/ Fresh Oysters/ Crayfish/ Snow Crabs/ Scallops

Salmon Sashimi

Country-side Cold Cuts

Thai Fish Salad with Mangoes

Thai Chicken Breast Salad

Cous-cous Salad with Apricot and Lemon Zest

Appease all seafood cravings here at Nada Lame as the restaurant proffers a range of voluptuous seafood and Salmon Sashimi. We were very impressed with the freshness of the Sashimi, and every item was being replenished in a glimpse of an eye. The Cold Cuts were nothing special but... Cold Cuts. However, the extra touch of Honey Mustard sauce stood out. The sweet and tangy sauce did the magical part here and was able to lift the overall flavor. Another favorite of mine for the evening was Thai Fish Salad with Mangoes; it was somewhat similar to Kerabu but with bits of Deep Fried Fish added in. Simple, refreshing but palatable.

Steamed Dim Sum

Assorted Home-made Rolls

Bread lovers would not want to miss their home-made Rolls- crusty with pillowy soft texture. The culinary team of Nada Lama goes extra mile by offering "heat up" service, where one gets to enjoy their bread warm and fresh. Steamed Dim Sums are also available, though with limited choices but they will be served piping hot, fresh out of the bamboo steamer.

Sweey & Sour Chicken

Fish Curry with Okra

Fish Piccata

Roasted Lamb

Sze Chuan Style Tofu

Ayam Masak Merah

Beef Rendang

Udang Masala

Roasted Chicken- Chinese Style

Chicken Mushroom Pie

Oven Roasted Prime Rib with Gravy

Grilled Satay at the Barbecue Live Station

Expect to see quite an extensive variety of mains at Nada Lama, featuring both Eastern and Western dishes. Amongst the dishes, Fish Curry with Okra and Beef Rendang left us with the deepest impression. The former dish has great flavors, with crispy-resilient Fish Fillet while the latter dish was inundated with rich and aromatic flavors. The Beef could be more tender but the flavors were good enough. To enjoy, we would suggest you to grab a piece of their soft and fluffy bread to mop up the curries. Oven Roasted Prime Rib has got the right flavor but the texture was somewhat too rough at the edges and too rare in the middle (to my liking), probably a better cut might justify the dish more. Sirloin Steak, Beef/ Chicken Satay, Lamb Chop, Cuttle Fish, Prawn Skewers, Sausages and Whole Baby Fish are also available at the Barbecue Live Station right in front of the entrance to the restaurant.

Bread and Butter Pudding

Opera Cake

White Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Cherry Strudel

Blueberry Cheese Cake

Nutmeg Panna Cotta

Linzer Cake

Fresh Fruits

We were pleased with the aplenty choices of sweet indulgence. The unique feature that steals the spotlight: free flow of New Zealand Natural Ice Cream. Add a scoop of the international premium Ice Cream to the Butter and Bread Pudding and you will get to enjoy the hot and cold sensation, just perfect for your sweet ending to the sumptuous meal. Nutmeg Panna Cotta and Blueberry Cheese Cake were equally good and worth every single calorie. The Nutmeg Panna Cotta has a creamily smooth texture, with a strong Nutmeg flavor. It was sweet but not overly so. Blueberry Cheese Cake stroke us with its fruity and light texture with a sleek of sweetness; perhaps it could be cheesier but it was perfectly okay for us. We had high hopes on the Chocolate Strudel but it did not fare as we would have expected. It lacked of some personalities; could be better with crispier texture. Other desserts that might be available are Pistachio Eclair, Apple Pie, Black Forest Cake, Cheese Tart, Cream Caramel and assorted Macaroons.

Additional Information:

Halal

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: 6%

Address: 1, Jalan Bukit Jambul, 11900, Bayan Baru, Penang.

Contact Number: 604- 632 7188

Hotel Equatorial Penang Facebook Page

One of the new places for the folks at Sungai Ara to patronage would be Ah Niu Wanton Mee. Ah Niu is not new to the business, the business has been running for more than 3 years at a hawker center nearby but has since relocated to his very own shop at a new location. The newly opened Wanton Mee-specialist has been drawing a lot of attention lately, thanks to its wide variety of offerings (Chu Char/ Chinese Stir-Fry dishes are available for lunch and dinner). The place is clean but the absence of air-conditioners would frustrate the heat-intolerants. Not a bad place for a casual family lunch/ dinner nevertheless. Ah Niu Wanton Mee is right in front of the car park at Sungai Ara, next to Shell Petrol Station.

Wanton Mee with Prawn Dumplings/ 鲜虾云吞面 (Rm 6.50/ Large) comes with a hefty chunk of noodles, prettily dressed in Dark Soya Sauce with a touch of Pork Lards. Three Prawn Dumplings were served separately in a bowl of Soup. The noodles were springy and al-dente but some of them were in a lump, thus, affecting the texture.

The Prawn Dumplings, on the other hand, were disappointingly average. I was expecting more Prawns (for the filling) but it turned out that the ratio of meat to prawns was somewhat balanced. Moreover, it lacked of a kick for it to qualify as a good dumpling; not to mention that the dumpling skin was rather thick too.

We had a side order of Blanched Chicken (Rm 5/ Small) which came in the form of Chicken Thigh (not sure if other parts of Chicken are available but please put a note if you have other preference, eg: Chicken Breast). It was nicely cooked with velvety smooth texture but a great Blanched Chicken must go with a good Chili sauce; unfortunately, NO chili sauce was given. It was a let down on that part.

Braised Chicken Feet (Rm 6/ Small) were toothsome- the Feet were braised till easily fall-apart while the sauce introduced a slick of savory-sweetness. They were quite generous on the portion either.

Ratings:

Taste: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Service: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Ambiance: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: 1153-E, Mukim 12, Sungai Ara 1, 11900, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Business Hours: 7 am to 9 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 6012- 454 4359

Ah Niu Wanton Mee (阿牛云吞面) Facebook Page

A leisure walk in the heartland of Georgetown led me to this curious and quiet cafe at China Street, the second floor is a small lodging while the ground floor is a small cafe. Street Art Cafe has three different menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The office workers nearby would be glad to know that they are offering set lunch menu at Rm 12.90. The interior decor is simple and minimalist but we thought the seats could be more comfortable. I would see the place as a place that will be more suitable for a meal rather than hanging out.

Basil Pesto Penne (Rm 10.90) was promising but it needs some fine-tuning. The flavors were perfectly alright but I thought it could be better with a more nutty flavor and less greasy. There were probably more than five table spoons of Olive Oil left on the plate after the meal. The Penne, on the other hand, was nicely cooked to al-dente and evenly coated with their home-made Basil Pesto sauce. I could be wrong about this but they might have used Thai Basil instead of the usual Sweet Basil; it has a stronger herbaceous-vegetal flavor yet unique in its own way. A dish that I would not mind eating again.

Strongly recommended by the staff- Dessert in a Jar (Rm 9.90) comes in three different flavors: Oreo, Tiramisu and Chocolate. We opted for Oreo and it was lip-smacking! The Cream Cheese was velvety smooth and nicely chilled to the right texture, it feels like as though we were eating Ice Cream! The bottom part was crushed Oreo with a hint of saltiness, the whole combination was absolutely lovely. It was sweet but not overly so, but sharing is still recommended nevertheless.

Ratings:

Taste: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Service: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7.5/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Ambiance: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Pork-Free

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: Yes 6%

Additional Information:

Address: 80 & 82, Lebuh China, 10200, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 7 am to 10 pm on weekdays; 7 am to 12 am on weekends. Closed on every Tuesday.

Contact Number: 604- 262 8525

Street Art Cafe Facebook Page

Map of 82, Lebuh China, Georgetown, 10200 Pulau Pinang

Tanjung Bungah area has a fair share of Korean Restaurants but there is another one sprouted out lately. Jung Won (情園) took a prominent spot along Jalan Mount Erskine, opposite to the wet market. It should not be hard to spot the restaurant, a huge semi-detached house with an eye-catching red banner hanging outside. The newly opened Korean Restaurant specializes in two offerings- Steamboat/ Shabu or Barbecue; with a small menu consists of some noodle-dishes and alcohols. The restaurant has a minimalist interior decor but we thought there could be some improvements on air-ventilation; attentive service, reasonable prices, I can see myself returning for the Shabu-Steamboat again in the near future.

We started with Beef Shabu Set (Rm 28) and Seafood Shabu Set (Rm 28). The Beef Shabu Set comes with a huge pile of thinly sliced meat while the Seafood Shabu Set comes with a measly portion of Seafood. The difference can be quite apparent; as far as value is concerned, Beef Shabu Set seems to score better. The crystal clear broth was subtle and the sweetness of the vegetables spoke for itself (after being simmered in the broth). No lackluster in condiments, Jung Won provides Sesame Sauce and Korean Sweet Soya Sauce as dips; both worked well with the Beef. A minimum order or TWO sets is required for their Shabu set but the hearty portion might be good enough for three small eaters. There are three options available for Shabu- Seafood, Beef and Mushroom.

Samgyeopsal (Rm 29), on the other hand, was a disappointment. The thick slice of Pork Belly was lightly seasoned and marinated with Egg White. The meat was sliced thickly that it affected the entire texture- rough, dry and rather bland. Apart from the texture, we thought the flavor was not quite impressive either. The order comes with some Korean Rice Cake, Onions, Carrots and Chilies.

Kimchi Somyun (Rm 7/ small)- thin white wheat noodles being served together with refreshingly chilled Kimchi broth. It shares the same taste as Kimchi but a milder version. Nothing spectacular about the dish but it would be a great add-on to be shared amongst the diners.

Complimentary Ban Chan/ Korean small dishes

Ratings:

Taste: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good) *for the Shabu Shabu*; 6.5/10 for the barbecue and noodle*

Service: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Parking: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Ambiance: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: Yes 6%

Additional Information:

Address: 80G, Jalan Mount Erskine, Tanjung Tokong, 10470, Penang. *opposite to the wet market at Mount Erskine.*

Business Hours: 12 pm to 3 pm; 6 pm to 10 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 604- 899 6100

Map of 80, Jalan Mount Erskine, Taman Teguh, 10470 Pulau Pinang

Be spoilt for choices at Tamarind Brasserie's "Festival of Seafood Buffet Dinner" (of Parkroyal Penang Resort) as the buffet will be teeming with an amazing variety of Seafood, Grills, Desserts, Western and Oriental dishes. The restaurant is located by the waters at one end of resort and the restaurant is surrounded by enchanting garden with flora which exudes a relaxing and exquisite ambiance. It could be a little humid during hotter days but the resort offers a better way to experience the beauty and the nature of tropical paradise. Tamarind Brasserie is fabled for its Seafood Buffet and to celebrate the ending of another wonderful year, the restaurant offers a promotion on its "Festival of Seafood Buffet Dinner".

Festival of Seafood Buffet Dinner
Price: Rm 118++ (Adults), Rm 38++ (Children). Promotion is available until year end. Normal price will be Rm 135++ per adult.

Time: 6: 30 pm to 10: 30 pm on every Saturday.
For enquiries or booking, contact 604- 881 1133

Many Thanks to Parkroyal Penang Resort for hosting us that evening.

Rock Oysters on Ice

Salmon Sashimi on Ice

Chilled Poached Shell Scallops

A heaven for seafood lovers as they get to sate their cravings here with a myriad of fresh and succulent Seafood- freshly shucked Oysters, voluptuous Scallops, appropriately sliced Sashimi, protein-rich Unagi. Scallops could be a usual fare at Seafood-themed buffet but definitely not as huge as these; lightly squeeze some tangy Lemon Juice over the Scallop and the seafood-sweetness with slight-resilient texture will speak for itself.

Home-made Rolls and rustic Loaves

Steamed Dim Sum

Tossed Cherry Tomatoes with Buffalo Mozzarella

Cheese Platter with Condiments

Oyster Rolls in Chinese Sauce

Boneless Chicken with Nyonya Sauce

Baked Salmon in Puff Pastry

Plethora of appetizers available; diners can expect a wide variety of Soup, Cold Cuts, Fresh Greens in the buffet spread. While I was not impressed with every dish here but I was particularly in love with the Baked Salmon, nevermind on the slightly soggy pastry skin but the fish itself was toothsome; lightly seasoned without unnecessary frills, simple but delectable. Other appetizers available were Caesar Salad, Coleslaw, Chick Peas and Smoked Chicken Breast Salad, Lobster Bisque etc.

Fish Fillet Curry Kapitan

Barbecued White Cuttlefish

Seafood Thermidor

Sea Cucumber and Dup Mushrooms with Scallops

Ox-Tail Rendang

Mutton Kurma

Barbecued Doper Lamb Rack

Barbecued White Prawns

Pan Fried Cod Steaks with Almond Pesto Sauce

Poached Tiger Prawns in Herbal Soup

Pan Fried Fin Light Ginger Sauce

Both Western and Oriental dishes are available in the buffet spread; Mutton Kurma and Ox-Tail Rendang were brilliant, good enough to thrill those with stubborn local palate. The meats were tender with robust flavors but the Lamb Rack stole the spotlight of the evening. The cut I had was nicely grilled to perfection, tender while maintaining the succulent-juicy bite. We were also pleased with the absence of the gamey smell of Lamb; works divinely with a dollop of Mint Jelly and Mustard. Fish lovers would not want to miss their Fish Fillet Kapitan, though slightly dry in texture but the pristine white yet firm flesh with flavorsome curry sauce will leave you wanting for more. Other mains that you can expect to see in the buffet spread are Oven Baked Lobsters with Sarawak Pepper Sauce, Pasta with Carbonara Sauce, Stone Crab Masala, Steamed Dhall Rice etc.

One of the few types of Eggless Cakes

Swiss Rolls

Scones with Fruit Jam

Chocolate Fountain (with assorted condiments available)

Freshly-made Waffles with Condiments

Profiteroles

Raspberry Cheese Cake

Selection of Mixed Fruits

The perfect way to end a sumptuous meal- desserts. Profiteroles left me with the deepest impression, creamily soft with sweet chocolaty coating. Equally good was Raspberry Cheese Cake, velvety smooth, cheesy with a sleek of sweetness and a touch of fruity Raspberry flavor. It excites us like children when we noticed the action stall of making Waffles; however, the Waffles were disappointingly average. They did not manage to get the texture right, though the condiments did manage to salvage some scores. Other desserts available were Tiramisu, Orange Meringue Pie, Paris Brest, Pina Colada, Flan Napolitana, Orange Brulee, Apple Turn Over, free flow of Gelato Ice Cream etc. A selection of Eggless Desserts will be made available too.

Additional Information:

Halal Kitchen with Pork-Free restaurant

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: Yes 6%

Address: Batu Ferringhi Beach, 11100, Penang.

Contact Number: 604- 881 1133

Parkroyal Hotel Penang

I was introduced to this place by a local friend of mine, this is one of her favorite places for Zhu Char/ home-cooked oriental dishes. Liang Khee occupies two shop lots opposite to the wet market at Kampung Baru, Bukit Mertajam. The place might not have the perfect ambiance but it has quite a lot to offer and to our surprise, with unbeatable prices. The meal of six dishes for six person costs Rm 79 nett only (including tea); not a bad place if you wish to have family dinner but could not decide on what dishes to order. However, please beware of the serving portion, which may be smaller than usual but that justifies with their wallet-friendly price tags; so do order more (or larger portion) if you have a big appetite.

We did not want to have Rice so we opted for their Char Hor Fun (Rm 10/ serving for three). Hor Fun was evenly stir fried with sufficient "Wok Hei" and completed with a luscious egg-gravy. The thickness of the gravy was perfect, not too watery nor starchy, just the way I like. The only wish we had was the portion could be bigger....

We were recommended by the server, Fried Bee Hoon with Salted Fish (Rm 8/ serving for two) was toothsome. Beautifully cooked Vermicelli Noodles were given a quick stir fry with Bean Sprouts, Eggs and most importantly, the Salted Fish. Albeit being stir fried, the Vermicelli Noodles get to maintain its texture (not slouchy) while the Salted Fish imbued a salty-seafood essence to the dish; best part? It was not greasy at all, not even a trace of oil can be found. Thumbs up for this.

Some of us thought their Stir Fried Water Spinach with Sambal (Rm 8) was lip-smacking either. The Water Spinach/ Kangkung was well-executed to the right crunch and the marriage between Sambal Belacan and Water Spinach was delectable. One of the hardest things to control in cooking this old-school dish will be the saltiness but Liang Khee gets it right.

We were not quite impressed with Champagne Chicken (Rm 10), we thought the Chicken was overcooked and was a little hard to the bite. The flavor did not hit us with a very deep impression either, as though it was just an ordinary dish. Not too recommended.

Steamed Red Snapper with Liang Khee Sauce (Rm 30 for this portion) was okay, fresh fish topped with their Liang Khee secret sauce- a savory-sweet Nyonya-influenced sauce. However, we thought the price may be a little steep for that size though. Skip the fish and go for other dishes, I am sure they have better dishes worth for the calories.

Ratings:

Taste: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Service: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7.5/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Ambiance: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: No. 16 & 18, Tingkat Bawah, Lorong Berjaya Baru 1, Taman Berjaya Baru, 14000, Bukit Mertajam, Penang. *Facing Kampung Baru market and near to SMK BM.*

Business Hours: 11 am to 3 pm; 5: 30 pm to 10: 30pm. Closed on every Thursday.

Contact Number: 604- 538 8850

Liang Khee Restaurant Facebook Page

Map of 16, Lorong Berjaya Baru 1, Taman Berjaya Baru, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

There are and will be a few new cafes sprouting out in Penang lately but I am amazed by Cafe Muscolo's adventurous yet ingenious concept- to create a space that embodies both gym and cafe as well as to promote healthy living. Hardcore gym fans have no excuses to skip gym now as they get to reward themselves with a nutritious, healthy, guilt-less yet protein-packed meal at the cafe. The second floor will be turned into a gym while the Cafe on ground floor is ready to serve the public. The brilliant idea speaks for itself; the cafe needs not to have fanciful frills, in fact, the decor is minimalist with basic tables and chairs, a few ironic motivational workout prints and posters. They have a small menu at present but more dishes will be added in the near future. Stay tuned to their Facebook Page for more updates. Cafe Muscolo is located at Kampung Malabar, somewhere near to Cintra Lane.

A vegetarian option in Cafe Muscolo, Flaming Aglio Olio (Rm 14.90) hits the palate with a burning chili kick; evidently seen from the Bird's Eye Chilies. If you thought vegetarian Aglio Olio could be monotonous, think again. Cafe Muscolo created the multi-dimensional taste by adding a chock-full of sweet and crunchy greens- Zucchini, Capsicum, Baby Corn, Olives, Shimeiji Mushrooms, handful of finely chopped Garlic with a touch of Thai Basil. The Chef managed to get the flavors right- reasonably seasoned with al-dente Spaghetti, presence of spiciness, herbaceous aroma and vege-sweetness.

Carefully selected, the Carrot Cake (Rm 9) sourced from some bakery was quite good. It was rich with Cinnamon flavor and the texture was moist, further enhanced by the generously used Walnuts, Raisins and of course, the shredded Carrot. Better go to with a cup of Joe as the cake itself might be a little too sweet for me, the cake derives the sweetness from its Cream Cheese Frosting.

Green Crush (Rm 12.90) with Balsamic Vinaigrette and Yogurt

Ratings:

Taste: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Service: 8/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Parking: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Ambiance: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Pork-Free/ Wifi-available

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: 4, Jalan Kampung Malabar, 10100, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 12 pm to 12 am. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 604- 261 2163

Cafe Muscolo Facebook Page

Its easy to miss Narrow Marrow... who would have thought that there is a snug little cafe tucked within those pre-war heritage houses along Carnarvon Street? The absence of a proper signage makes the search back-breaking. The artsy space- Narrow Marrow is a brainchild of interior designers Alvin and Jamie, which explains why Narrow Marrow has a rustic-retro interior decor with playful personal touches. It does not have much to offer at present, just a small menu featuring a couple of nibbles with a few types of drinks but the good news is, prices are exceptionally wallet-friendly. Narrow Marrow is just few shops away from the famous Jit Seng Duck Rice at Lebuh Carnarvon.

Sambal Prawn and Bun (Rm 10) was the only dish I get to sample that day. Home-made Sambal Hae-Bee atop toasted Wholemeal Bun, served with a thin slice of Butter, Cucumber and Parsley Leaf. It was an ingenious idea to add Butter on Sambal Hae-Bee; the marriage between the two was lip-smacking; the Butter added a sleek of creaminess to the Sambal Hae-Bee while the Cucumber added a juicy crunch to the bun. Decent but not mind-blowingly good.

Apple Crumble Muffin (Rm 5)

Banana Milk Espresso (Rm 12)

Iced Honey Lemon (Rm 5)

Ratings:

Taste: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Service: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7.5/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Ambiance: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Pork-Free

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: 252-A, Lebuh Carnarvon, 10100, Georgetown, Penang. *Few shops away from the famous Jit Seng Duck Rice*

Business Hours: 3 pm to 11 pm on Fridays; 9 am to 11 pm on every Saturday and Sunday. Closed on every Monday to Thursday.

Contact Number: 6016- 553 6647

Narrow Marrow Facebook Page

Map of 252, Lebuh Carnarvon, Georgetown, 10100 Pulau Pinang

There lies another hidden gem at the very quiet commercial building of Vantage Desiran Tanjung. Navigate your way to the upper floor and you will find yourself right in front of a seemingly curious Japanese restaurant with no English signage displayed. Push the door open and you will find yourself in a typical Japanese restaurant beautifully covered with evocative wooden walls. Simple, nothing fancy and without any traces of ostentation. Probably the management wishes to offer the best quality to their diners, their menu is quite limited with choices with rather steep prices. However, the restaurant managed to impress us with their top-notch quality food and we did not leave feeling shortchanged, every single penny was well-spent. I feel an overwhelming urge to indulge at this place again.

We welcomed the Iron Sashimi Moriawase (Rm 70) with a gleaming smile. Three slices of six different types of Sashimi were carefully presented on a bed of fresh greens- Shiso Leaves, shreded Daikon and Kombu. The Sashimi was generously sliced to the right thickness and sizes to my liking and the freshness of the Fish was beyond words. The Fish literally melted in our mouth, leaving a delicate floral and Umami flavor on the palate; as though they were still alive and swimming in the mouth! No lackluster on the Wasabi either, Iso Gin uses freshly grated Wasabi instead of the artificial Wasabi paste. The order was good enough for the three of us.

I have been longing to indulge in good Sushi again ever since my trip to Tsukiji Market, Tokyo. Thus, I settled for Sushi- Fune Moriawase (Rm 35) which comes with nine different types of Sushi. Despite the quality might not be as good as the ones I had in Japan but very close enough, the vinegared Rice has the nice acidic touch with chewy-resilient texture. The Fish slices were undeniably fresh; with that quality and portion, that's a steal at Rm 35! It would be perfect with a bowl of piping hot Miso Soup!

It took them quite some time to serve the Unajyu (Rm 38) but we figured out why later. The Chef steamed the Eel, Rice and container together, to make sure that the temperature was even. The Eel was thickly cut and smeared with a generous amount of sweet-soy sauce. A very satisfying bite together with the chewy-hot Japanese Rice.

Nabeyaki Udon (Rm 20) was impressive either. springy Udon submerged in the clear Dashi Jiru, topped with Aburaage, Tempura Prawn and Onsen Tamago. The crystal clear broth was sweet with a pleasant after-taste. A heart-warming dish to order during a rainy day.

Complimentary Appetizer- Okra marinated in Dashi Stock

Ratings:

Taste: 8/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Service: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Ambiance: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: No. B-1-6, Vantage Desiran Tanjung, Jalan Desiran Tanjung, 10470, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Business Hours: 12 pm to 2 pm; 6 pm to 10 pm. Closed on every Monday.

Contact Number: 604- 890 4741

I feel privileged to be invited to attend such a prestige and meaningful event hosted by Farquhar Mansion last Thursday (27th of November 2014)- a charity night with the main aim to raise fund for the Society of the Disabled Person Penang (SDPP). Entrance ticket to the Masquerade-themed Charity Night was priced at Rm 299 each. That includes a buffet dinner with Canapes, free flow of Wines and Whiskies, Shanghai Pop Live Jazz Performance, Jewellery Fashion Show and Charity Auction.

Many Thanks to Farquhar Mansion for extending the invitation.

Farquhar Mansion was able to raise Rm 30,000 from the entrance tickets and a total of Rm 8, 358 from the Charity Auction.

The labels of alcohols participating in the Charity Night

Charity Fashion Show and Jewellery Exhibition by Amee Philips

The now defunct restaurant "The Sire Museum Restaurant" at King Street has turned into a new cafe that embodies not only Western dishes but some Asian delights as well. It is quite apparent that the cafe attempts to cater to the needs of office workers nearby; the prices shown on menu either include a starter or a drink or both. The place is spacious with natural light floods in through the raised ceiling, bestowing a warm and relaxed vibe. While we were not blown away by the food quality but both of us (my partner in crime) agreed that the place has the perfect setting for friends to catch up.

One of the signature dishes at Mess Hall- Le Penne with Spinach and Mushroom (Rm 15.30) is safe bet. The Penne was beautifully cooked and the entire dish was deftly seasoned. A handful of fresh Spinach was tossed in as well as some sliced Fresh Shitake Mushrooms with a touch of Cheese Powder. The sauce was not overly creamy nor cheesy; hardcore cream sauce fans might argue that the sauce could be improperly done but it was perfectly alright for me. It could be better with some meat or fish, to give the dish a more layered dimension or the dish might be too flat.

Thai Shrimp Tom Yum Ramen (Rm 14.90) did not resonate with us. We were perfectly okay with the quality but we had issues with the bowl. It uses the exact bowl as the pasta dish (a tilt-slide bowl) but as a result of that, the amount of Tom Yum soup was being compromised. It was almost like semi-dry version of Tom Yum. The soup has the quintessential acidic with a strong chili heat, though slightly greasier to our liking. The Noodles, on the other hand, were disappointingly average, flavors were not able to enter into the noodles, as though both were being served separately. Not really a big problem on the noodles but yes, there is a need to change the bowl away.

Complimentary Bruschetta

A complimentary Bruschetta that comes together with the Penne set; generous amount of chopped Tomatoes and Basils atop of a slice of French Baguette. The Tomatoes were fresh with a nice tangy acidic tilt while the Basils added a touch of herbaceous aroma to it. However, I thought the Baguette was somewhat too dry and stale to my liking, it lacked of a crunch.

Complimentary Iced Nutmeg Drink

Ratings:

Taste: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Service: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Ambiance: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Pork-Free

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: 4, King Street, 10250, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 8 am to 10:30 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: N/A

Mess Hall Facebook Page

Map of 4, Lebuh King, Georgetown, 10200 Pulau Pinang

Jit Seng Hong Kong Roast Duck at Carnarvon Street needs no further introduction as the place is well-known for its lip-smacking Roast Duck (ala Hong Kong style) and infamous for its extremely slow service. Spare yourself an hour if the coffee house is fully occupied with hungry regulars but expect no less than 30-minute wait otherwise. Albeit the items here (including Roast Pork Belly/ Sio Bak) are priced higher than market rate but it is still one of the few places that you can enjoy a decent plate of Hong Kong Roast Duck Rice.

Half bird of Roast Duck costs Rm 24- juicy, tender but unavoidably greasy. The real draw of the rice will be their home-made gooey starch which seems to light up the whole dish. Their home-made sweet dipping sauce and chili sauce were complementing the Roast Duck perfectly as well. The Roast Duck was good but I thought it was somewhat over-priced. I had better ones, try the Roast Duck at Veron Coffee House (at Island Glades) which opens from 11 am to 2 pm; it should not be hard to notice as the business is brisk and long queues are often seen. Perhaps I should write a review on that soon.

Ratings:

Taste: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 6/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Service: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Ambiance: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: 246, Lebuh Carnarvon, 10100, Georgetown, Penang. *Beside Jalan Cheong Fatt Tze*

Business Hours: 12 pm to 3 pm (or until sold out). Opens Daily.

Contact Number: N/A

Map of 246, Lebuh Carnarvon, Georgetown, 10100 Pulau Pinang

A bus depot that time has forgotten- the once forsaken Hin Bus Depot was revived in recent years. The authorities have been putting in efforts to turn the place into an artsy space for exhibitions and festivals. It is now one of the must-visit places in Penang especially if you are in the search of mural paints. Seeing this as a great opportunity, the management of Feeka extended their business here. The sister restaurant of Feeka is named after the road's name where Hin Bus Depot is situated- Bricklin Bar Cafe. Nestled at the corner of Hin Bus Depot, Bricklin Bar Cafe has the perfect setting for you to rewind and recharge, natural sunlight floods in via the glass window, illuminating the entire place; a perfect place to sip your cup of Joe and to read some of your favorite books. No mains are being served at the moment but they have plans on doing that early next year (2015). Right now, they have an array of home-made Pastries and Cakes, freshly delivered from their sister restaurant- Feeka.

For those with a sweet tooth, go for their Green Tea Walnut Brownie (Rm 5). Nutty Brownie topped with a layer of Green Tea Sugar Coat. The Brownie was crumbly, it was not as moist as we would have hoped. Moreover, the eye-catching Green Tea Sugar Coat adds a "sandy" texture to the Brownie. The Green Tea flavor was there but both Chocolate and Green Tea were vying for attention; as a result of that, both flavors were seemingly muted. We struggled to finish the saccharine sweet Brownie.

Coconut Strawberry Cake (Rm 5) was one of the better orders we had that day. Crumbly, nutty Strawberry Cake smeared with a thick layer of Cream Cheese Frosting and garnished with toasted desiccated Coconut. We thought it was quite misleading for it to be named as Strawberry Cake, the flavor was not there, not at all; inevitably sweet but not overly so. The toasted desiccated Coconut added another layer of texture and dimension to the cake.

The texture of Peach Melba (Rm 11) was a disaster. It was not appropriately chilled to the right temperature, the Peach flavor was rather mild and the whole cake tasted somewhat like Vanilla Mille Crepe instead. Also, we thought it was quite sweet on its own, probably better to go with a cup of Coffee.

For a change, we had Fig Tart (Rm 10), a thin Pastry skin with custardy filling, beautifully decorated with sliced Figs. Yes, the Figs were meant for decoration, we could not discern the flavor at all; or it was being overpowered the buttery Pastry skin?

Latte (Rm 10)

Ratings:

Taste: 6.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Service: 6.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 7/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Ambiance: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Pork-Free

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: 31 A, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 10 am to 7 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 604- 262 6813

Bricklin Bar Cafe Facebook Page

Map of 31, Jalan Gurdwara, Georgetown, 10300 Pulau Pinang

Christmas is about celebration and indulgence, celebrate the season of joy together with your friends and family at G Hotel as the in-house restaurant G Cafe rolls out a special Christmas buffet-feast, featuring some dishes uniquely to the festive season. These are some of the highlights that diners can expect to see in the buffet spread.

Christmas Eve Dinner (24th of December 2014)

Time: 6: 30 pm to 11 pm.

Price: Rm 148++/ adult; Rm 68++/ child (7- 12 years old)

A glass of traditional glue Wine on arrival.

Add Rm 99++ for free flow of house beer or wine.

Christmas Day Sparkling Brunch (25th of December 2014)

Time: 12 pm to 3 pm.

Price: Rm 138++/ adult; Rm 68++/ child (7- 12 years old)

A glass of sparkling wine on arrival.

Add Rm 99++ for free flow of house beer or wine.

Boxing Day Buffet Lunch (26th of December 2014)

Time: 12 pm to 3 pm.

Price: Rm 98++/ adult;Rm 50++/ child (7- 12 years old)

Free flow of soft drinks and juices.

Add Rm 99++ for free flow of house beer or wine.

Many Thanks to G Hotel for hosting us that evening.

Roasted Turkey with Apple Cranberry Sauce & Giblet Gravy with Traditional Stuffing

Roasted Turkey is the customary dish to justify the occasion. The accompanying sauce was an appetizing Apple Cranberry Sauce which adds a festive and welcoming touch to the dish. The stuffing, on the other hand, was nicely presented in the form of Sausage. It comes with some Raisins, which added a sleek of sweetness; the texture was firm and meaty. What a lovely combination to get the meal kick started. Roasted Duck (Rosemary Brown Sauce) and Lamb (Mint Jelly Sauce) could also be found at the Carvery Corner.

Cheese Platter with Nuts

Blanched Prawns

Lotus Root Salad

Squid Salad

Lamb Salad

Bread Rolls

Mozzarella Cheese with Tomatoes and Basil Sauce

Scallops

Extend the pleasure to the festivities is a delectable showcase of East meets West Appetizers. Start with the fresh Seafood on Ice- Prawns, Mussels and Scallops with assorted condiments. Next, grab yourself some Salad, I'd recommend their Squid and Lamb Salad. The former dish has generous cuts of Squid, carefully cooked to the right texture, slight resilient but not hard to the bite. For bread-lovers, try out their home-made Rolls, stunningly crusty and fluffy, perfectly to go with their Anchor Butter spread. Other Appetizers include Seafood Cocktail in Martini Glass, Smoked Duck Breast with Fruit Chutney Platter, Spicy Pasta Salad, Christmas Coleslaw with Apples and Raisins, Vegetables Antipasti etc...

Duck A L'Orange

Mussels cooked with Leek and Apples

Poulet Francaise

Salmon Curry

Daging Masak Lemak

Fish Scaloppini

Navarin D' Agneau/ Lamb Stew

While Christmas feast should be about western dishes but G Cafe has something to offer for the stubborn local palates as well. Salmon Curry was something new and creative to me, the Fish was firm and nicely cooked. Set your tastebuds alight with the robust flavors of Daging Masak Lemak. Equally delicious was Seafood Au Gratin, a generous amount of Squid, Shrimps, and Fish were beautifully cooked with Cheese. Other dishes that diners can look forward to are Minced Chicken and Mushroom Pie, Crispy Chicken with Mango Sauce, Wok Fried Beef with Capsicum, Udon Noodles with Bean Sprouts and Seafood etc...

Tiramisu

Gelatomio Eyes Cream

Christmas Stolen

Christmas Yule Log Cake

Pineapple Tarts

For a touch of sweet festivity, G Cafe has come up with some traditional Christmas sweet treats- Yule Log Cake, Stolen, Christmas Pudding with Vanilla Sauce. However, Christmas desserts are more than just cakes, try their Pineapple Tarts. The temperature was well-preserved at a container, the Tarts were lovely- crunchy, buttery and flaky but not greasy at all. It was not too sweet, with a bite of juicy crunch plus a hint of Cinnamon aroma. For an interactive activity that children can partake in, bring them to the Chocolate Fountain. Pick your favorites from an array of wide variety of condiments including fresh Strawberries, Marshmallow, Appricots etc. Do not leave G Cafe without having a scoop or two of their premium Gelato Ice Cream. Other desserts available are Chocolate Banana Cake, Pumpkin Pie, Raspberry Panna Cotta, New York Cheese Cake, Mini Fruit Tartlets etc...

Additional Information:

Address: 168A, Pesiaran Gurney, 10250, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours (of Tree Bar): 11 am to 1 am. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 604- 238 0000

G Hotel Penang Facebook Page

It has been quite some time since the Thai Boat Noodles craze happened in KL; the newly built commercial building at Queensbay- Summerton welcomes the first Thai Boat Noodle-specialist in Penang. The outlet at Summerton is the brand's humble start up and it has certainly drawn quite some attention from local foodies lately. The place saw relentless queue everyday, with explorers waiting patiently to try the noodles. The place, however, needs to improve on their air-ventilation, air-conditioners and serving speed. The labor-intensive Thai Boat Noodles had all the workers occupied, the place had water on the floor; while the entire restaurant was warm and sweat-inducing. Thai Hao Chi Boat Noodle does not have much to offer, only Boat Noodles with a few Appetizers and a couple of Desserts. Prices are on the steeper side and with the bad experience I had, I am not sure if I am willing to return to this place in the near future.

Chicken Bee Hoon (Soup/ Rm 1.90)

Chicken Koay Teow (Soup/ Rm 1.90)

Chicken Bee Hoon (Dry/ Rm 1.90)

Chicken Koay Teow (Dry/ Rm 1.90)

Four types of Boat Noodles- Dry/ Soup Koay Teow and Dry/ Soup Bee Hoon and to choose between Pork or Chicken. I would prefer Koay Teow over Bee Hoon, for the more al-dente bite. The broth was bland, somewhat like diluted version of Koay Chiap. Fortunately, their Thai Chili Flakes were able to pep things up by a little. In fact, I thought it was overpriced for a measly portion of Noodles. I had 5 bowls on my own but no, they were not filling enough.

I figured out that I would need something else to go with the noodles so I opted for their Green Curry Chicken (Rm 4.90) which turned out to be another huge disappointment again. For Rm 4.90, the Green Curry Chicken comes with two and a half pieces of over-cooked Chicken Breast and some Long Beans as well as Aubergines. It carried a hint of sweetness and the aroma of Coconut Milk. The taste was okay but the value was not there.

To counter the sweltering heat, I had Tab Tim Krob (Rm 3.90) for dessert. This was probably the dish that I enjoyed most in Thai Hao Chi Boat Noodle. The Tapioca-Water Chestnuts were nicely made, crunchy yet not overly starchy. Sweetness was well-balanced, though I would prefer more Jackfruit for a stronger flavor.

Ratings:

Taste: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Service: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 6.5/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Parking: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Ambiance: 6/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: No

Additional Information:

Address: 100-01-15, Summerton, Pesiaran Bayan Indah, 11900, Bayan Lepas, Penang.*Opposite to the Gold Coast Apartment, Queensbay*

Contact Number: 6012- 405 8488

Business Hours: 11 am to 3 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm. Opens Daily.

Thai Hao Chi Boat Noodles Facebook Page

It has been almost a year since Tok Tok Cuisine and Wine Bar's grand opening and many are still unaware of the place due to its concealed location at Taman Pekaka. To the right is Tok Tok Wine Bar, it has great setting with comfortable couches for a glass of leisure alcohol. It does not have much complicated setting but more towards minimalist sort of elegance in shades of wooden beam. On the left will be Tok Tok Cuisine, a restaurant offering a small Thai-menu with some local dishes. They do serve Thai food but the prices are slightly steeper (for the food) but fairly standard for alcohol so I can't see this as a regular dining place for me but I might step in for a glass of wine or so. Tok Tok Cuisine and Wine Bar is housed within Pekaka Square, next to Wang Chao Chinese Cuisine and same row as Maxim Dim Sum.

We love to test the depth of the water by ordering Tom Yum in Thai restaurants and it makes no exception to Tok Tok Cuisine as well. We had their Tom Yum Bee Hoon Soup (Rm 14.90) which struck our palate with a blast of chili kick. It has a balanced medley of savory, sweet, sour and spicy notes. The Vermicelli noodles were nicely cooked to the right texture, not slouchy nor overly hard to the bite. It comes with some Deep Fried Dory Fish cutlets, Prawns and Tomatoes; with the aid of Coconut Milk in adding the sleek of sweetness and creaminess to the Tom Yum.

A less-common dish in Penang, Petai-Prawn Rice (Rm 14.90) was toothsome. It comes with a sunny-side up as well. The Petais were well-executed to the right texture, I do not like my Petais too raw nor over-cooked but Tok Tok's comes with a pungent but acceptable Petai flavor. The Prawns were very fresh and all of them were deveined. Not too shabby but I thought the portion could be bigger. No, not the rice, more Prawns and Petais for that price.

Ratings:

Taste: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Price: 6/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap)

Service: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Ambiance: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Parking: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Non-Halal

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: Yes 6%

Additional Information:

Address: 2-G-5, Bangunan Lip Sin, Lebuh Pekaka Satu, 11700, Sungai Dua, Penang.

Business Hours: 11 am to 2 am. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 6017- 781 6689

Email: Toktokcuisinesb@gmail.com

Tok Tok Cuisine and Wine Bar Facebook Page

It's easy to miss D' Chef Dining at Lebuh Presgrave but the positive comments of the restaurant spread rapidly via words of mouth over the world of internet. Opened for just a few weeks, the place has already gathered an appreciate following. The popular space is manned by Chef Davine, a very talented Chef returned from Singapore. Due to shortage of manpower, the restaurant could offer a small menu at present but all of the dishes on the menu were meticulously designed. The menu will be changed once a month so stay tuned over their Facebook Page . Interior decor is minimalist, nothing fancy, no frills; but we could tell that the competitive advantage of D' Chef Dining will be the honed culinary skills of Chef Davine and her masterpiece, every single dish is a work of art.

Lamb lovers will feel weak in the knees, Chef Davine's Herb-Crusted Lamb Rack (Rm 35) was gloriously good. The Lamb Rack was cooked till perfection. I've made a request for mine at Medium Rare and she did a wonderful job here- succulent, juicy and tender. The Lamb Rack was lightly spread with Garlic, Herbs and Mustard; to go with boozy Red Wine Brown Sauce. Chef Davine added some unique personal touches to the dish- by adding oven-baked Olives, Pink Peppercorns and Capers. Her idea was simple but brilliant- you get to taste spicy, savory, sweet and sour at one go. No lackluster in the sides, Chef Davine's Mashed Potato was gorgeous either. Buttery tender with a mellow buttery-milky flavor. My only complaint was the portion could be larger.

A usual fare at restaurants, Chef Davine sets another standard to Seafood Aglio Olio (Rm 24.90); the Spaghetti was perfectly cooked till al-dente texture and beautifully tossed with Herbs and Spices. The essential flavor- Garlic was all over the plate and the use of Clams/ LaLa further strengthened the seafood-sweetness and added another layer of dimension to the dish.

A haven for Chocolate lovers, its a mistake if you miss their Chocolate Lava (Rm 12.90). It took Chef Davine some time before she perfected the recipe of her Chocolate Lave; using the French luxury Chocolate- Valrhona, the Chocolate Lava was divinely lip-smacking! The outside was carefully baked to a slight crisp while the inner part of the dessert maintained its liquid form. The Chocolate oozes out at the slightest prick; ineluctably chocolaty but it was not sweet on its own. The dessert derives its sweetness from the Ice Cream while the sprinkles of Chocolate Pops added a bit of crunch to the dessert. One of the best Chocolate Lavas I've ever had!

Tiramisu was on the house, well-whipped Mascarpone Cheese atop of beautifully soaked Sponge Fingers and Corn Flakes. The flavor was a little too mild and light to my liking, probably slightly sweeter would be better as a meal-finisher.