KEN HUNTS FOOD

Talk about Chinese restaurants and many Penangites will be psyched up to share about their favorites. Somewhere relatively quieter from the buzz of town, Sea Palace at Taman Pekaka has proven to be one of the local favorites when it comes to authentic Chinese dishes. The place is one of the popular choices when it comes to wedding dinner as well. It has a comprehensive menu, teeming with myriad of selection and options for diners to explore. The restaurant is most crowded during dinner hours, especially on weekends; advanced booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment. To find Sea Palace, turn into Taman Lip Sin (opposite to Tesco Sungai Dua), Sea Palace is on the first floor of Bangunan Lip Sin, on top of Maxim Dim Sum.

Many Thanks to Sea Palace for hosting us that evening.

We started off with Treasures of the Sea (Rm 40.50/ small), which was beyond amazing. The seafood broth was boiled for hours to extract the essence of the crustacean and golly good, it was brimming with flavors! Sea Palace was not miserly at all, evidently seen from the extremely generous amount of voluptuous seafood swimming in the soup! The thickness was at its perfect form- not too thick nor watery. Complete the soup with a dash of Chinese Black Vinegar and fresh Parsley for a tinge of acidity and a touch of herbaceous aroma.

Could be as light as an appetizer and as heavy as an entree- Roast Duck with marinated Jelly Fish (Rm 35.50/ small). The tantalizing Jelly Fish-salad has a nice crunch and refreshing tilt, certainly adds an interesting twist to the otherwise predictable flavors.

A short respite from meat, we had Qing Long Vegetables/ Green Dragon Leaves (Rm 15.50/ small) served with sprinkles of toasted Dried Halibut/ Flatfish. The sensational touch of Dried Halibut completes the dish with its distinguished yet delightful aroma. The crunchy Qing Long Vege has texture akin to the Chives family; double crunchiness when paired with the juicy Sprouts. It would be an enthralling dish to order and to share amongst family members.

The Chef at Sea Palace introduced the dish- Sea Palace Steamed Red Snapper in Special Home-made Vege sauce (Rm 65.50) with aplomb. The emerald green sauce with a unique personal touch has a balanced medley of sweet, sour, salty and spicy notes in it. It derives the sweetness and salinity from pickled Vege, sourness from Lime, spiciness from Bird's Eye Chilies, enhanced with generous amount of Spring Onions and Parsley. The pristine white flesh of the Fish gave us an idea on the freshness of the fish; a refreshing, creative yet appetizing way of savoring Steamed Fish.

Tummy-filler was Stir Fried Emperor's Noodles (Rm 14.50/ small); it possessed the quintessential alluring aroma of Wok Hei. Noodle-lovers will definitely find it hard to stop at one bite- perfectly cooked noodles reasonably seasoned with a touch of Parsley, resilient and fresh Shrimps sans the undesired greasiness. A perfect dish to fill the tummy.

Additional Information:

Service Charge: No

Non-Halal

Address: 2-1-9, 1st Floor, Bangunan Lip Sin, Lebuh Pekaka Satu, Sungai Dua, 11700, Gelugor, Penang.

Business Hours:

Contact Number: 604- 659 3826

Jeeves is one of the latest addition to the clamoring Love Lane (Cupido Cafe is another new member), Jeeves sees itself as a place specializing in offering brunch. Undoubtedly, the place proffers a substantial brunch menu, covering the classic brunch orders as well as new favorites by the younger generation. The menu, however, relies heavily on the use of Pork/ Bacon. The cafe does not have fanciful decoration- simple chairs and tables, a couple of murals and some hemp bags as decorations. The dog murals have got nothing to do with the cafe/ menu, purely the owners' interest in the pet. If you are in the vicinity, Jeeves might be the place that you want to drop by for a leisure weekend brunch. Jeeves is few doors away from Wheeler's Coffee and opposite to Love and Latte Cafe on the same road.

Pork lovers will be glad to see Jeeves' rendition of Egg Benedict (Rm 20), a generous amount of Bacon beautifully laid on top of a soft, airy bread and fresh greens, ladled with a creamy, bright mustard-yellow Hollandaise sauce. They were running out of English Muffin, after which replaced by Six-Grain Loaf. The poached eggs were perfectly done- egg yolk with golden hue started to ooze out at the slightest prick of fork. The Hollandaise sauce had all the boxes ticked as well- creamy, reasonably seasoned with a gentle acidic tilt. Everything amalgamated perfectly, something that I would love to order again.

Ratings:

Taste: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good) *judging based on ONE dish only*

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: 5.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

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

Service Charge: No

Non-Halal

Additional Information:

Address: 71, Love Lane, 10200, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 9 am to 10: 30 pm. Kitchen opens from 9 am to 3: 30 pm only. Closed on Mondays.

Contact Number: 604- 251 9120

Jeeves Facebook Page

Avid fans of Hokkien Mee should not be new to the name- "Ah Soon Kor Hae Mee"; one of the popular Hokkien Mees in town. They are famous for the extra "ingredients/ toppings", namely Mantis Shrimps, Spare Ribs, Roasted Pork etc. The newly opened branch at Perak Road (opposite to Padang Brown food court of Dato Keramat) occupies two shop lots, offering a more spacious and comfortable seating. Hokkien Mee is a popular choice but many would want to go for their "lor cham th'ng" (Prawn broth with gooey/ thickened Lor Mee gravy). Which side are you on? The pure Hokkien Mee or "Lor Cham Th'ng"?

A safe choice to test the depth of the water, we sampled Ah Soon Kor's signature Mantis Prawn Hokkien Mee (Rm 6/ Regular), generously topped with Roasted Pork, sliced Hard Boiled Egg, deep fried Mantis Shrimp and Shrimps. The glowing orange hue of the broth sees a thin layer of fats floating on the surface of the broth. It has the quintessential sweet seafood essence, though not as overwhelming as I would have hoped; the broth was reinforced by the rich, meaty Pork stock. The broth alone was okay but it started to wow us after the addition of their home-made Chili paste, which appeared to be thicker than the ordinary ones. Quite a contrary to Seang Lim's, Ah Soon Kor's comes with deep fried Mantis Shrimps. The former one serves their Mantis Shrimp in a boiled, soft and squashy form; the later one has a firm, slightly dry texture. Both are equally great but I would prefer the former one if you must know.

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)

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

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

Service Charge: No

Non-Halal

Additional Information:

Address: 80, Perak Road, 10450, Georgetown, Penang. (opposite to Dato Keramat's Padang Brown food court)

Business Hours: 7: 30 am to 5: 30 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 6012- 435 9933

Map of 80, Jalan Perak, Georgetown, 10450 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

An explosion of Korean restaurants opened in Pulau Tikus/ Tanjung Bungah area lately. A continuation from my quest to check out all these new Korean food outlets, Han Sang Korean Well-Being Food is a hidden gem that awaits to be unearthed. Unlike the conventional sit-down Korean restaurants, Han Sang skews towards the semi fast-food version instead. The restaurateur operates the mini Korean market next door as well; it has a small kitchen and that justifies the limited variety on their menu. It specializes in serving Bibimbap and a couple variants of Toppoki. Prices are generally more affordable than the upscale Korean establishments and we were also given advises on how we should eat the Korean delicacies (though I am quite well-acquainted, I can't say no to the hospitable host can I?). Han Sang's location is rather obscure, well-hidden on the first floor of Prima Tanjung, on top of Korean E Mart; facing the same side as K Pot Korean Food.

Cheese Toppoki Set (Rm 19) was served on a sizzling pan, together with Korean Fish Cake and a hard-boiled Egg. The Toppoki/ Korean Rice Cake was carefully cooked to the right texture- slightly resilient but not hard to the bite. However, we thought the sauce could be slightly thicker. The diluted Toppoki sauce barely clung to the Rice Cake, as a result of that, flavors were a little soft. Also, the sweetness in the sauce was somewhat pallid either.

I was blown away by their Sashimi Bibimbap Set (Rm 20), a Japanese-influenced dish. Generously cut Tuna and Salmon Sashimi were placed atop of White Rice, completed with julienned greens and jeweled with Shrimp Roe. Han Sang was trying to keep things simple by adding some sweet Korean Chili sauce with a gentle heat to the Bibimbap. Boy oh boy, it was golly good! The fish Sashimis were fresh and sweet, even better with the juicy crunch of greens. The trick is to mix everything together so that the Roe could infiltrate into every bite of the Rice. One bite of the Sashimi Rice allows you to understand the word: Umami. A dish not to be missed by Sashimi lovers.

Complimentary Drinks that come together with the Set

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: 7.5/10 (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

Additional Information:

Address: 98-1-43A, Prima Tanjung, Jalan Fettes, 10470, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Business Hours: 11 am to 9 pm. Closed on Sundays.

Contact Number: 604- 890 3800

Enjoy quality Chinese Tea amidst of serene greenery at the foot of Cherok Tokun Hill, Bukit Mertajam. The Tea Spa House was initially set up to provide a rest stop for hikers but it was popularized by the locals for its simple, healthy and inexpensive light snacks. No fanciful interior decor, unnecessary frills, embellishments... just a few simple rattan chairs and wooden tables. All you can hear is the chirping sound from birds, erratic sound from bugs, wind whistles through the leaves. This is definitely one of the few places worth checking out- as close to the nature as you can get. To find Tea Spa House, drive along Jalan Kulim until you reach the entrance to the foot of Cherok Tokun Hill, Bukit Mertajam. Keep driving up until the second car park, Tea Spa House should be few minute-walk away and to the right of the car park.

Herbal Eggs (Rm 1.40/ each)

Sweet Potatoes (Rm 2.20)

Green Tea Kuaci (Rm 3.50)

Herbal Eggs seem to be one of the well-received dishes at Tea Spa House. They were slowly cooked till all the herbaceous flavors were well-absorbed by the eggs; evidently seen from the dark brown hue of the yolk. The Herbal soup that comes along with the Egg was however, veering towards the salty side. Another great alternative to go with the Chinese Tea would be their steamed Sweet Potatoes. Tea Spa House uses the Japanese purple Sweet Potatoes, resulting in a smoother texture and more pleasant bite. We also had an additional order for Green Tea Kuaci, which serves as good nibbles. They were jam-packed with leafy-tea flavor but we thought that the Kuaci could be crunchier, probably left outside and were long-exposed to air.

Fill your tummy with Vegetable Pasta (Rm 5), lightly drenched in a soy-based sauce. The pasta was nicely cooked the right texture, completed with julienned Carrots, Cucumbers, Chinese Pickled Mustard, Mock Sausage and sprinkles of crushed Peanuts. The real draw of the dish was the dollop of fiery hot Chili paste. It has a nice savory flavor packed with chili kick, well-balanced by refreshing crunch of greens. Good for light snack but might be insufficient as a meal alone.

Ratings:

Taste: 7.5/ 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: 6.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

Pork-Free

Service Charge: No

Additional Information:

Address: At the foot of the Cherok Tokun Hill, 14000, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Business Hours: 11 am to 6 pm on Weekdays; 9 am to 6 pm on Weekends. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: N/A

Raja Uda has seen heaps of interesting cafe openings, almost catching up with the roaring cafe scene in the heart of Georgetown. Opened for more than three months, Coffee Venture is proven to be one of the popular brunch places, for the folks at Butterworth. It is hard to miss Coffee Venture, drive along Jalan Raja Uda, somewhere opposite to Curry Noodles House, the cafe occupies two shop lots with a bright facade and huge signage. No, not that they proffer an outstanding menu but we thought their interior decor was somewhat impressive- homey and comfy setting, in shades of wooden beam. If you are lucky, you might get to sit on the comfortable couches, enjoying your plate of hearty brunch and sipping on their freshly brewed cup of Joe.

We had our early lunch so we dropped by for a cup of Joe. I wanted something light to feature for blog post and so, I thought I should go for their French Toast (Rm 12.90). Three slices of French Toast were served together with some sliced Banana and Strawberry, completed with roasted Almond flakes. I was expecting Maple Syrup but it turned out to be ordinary Honey. The French Toast was nicely executed, with an attractive golden-brown hue. The texture was soft and fluffy while the honey introduced a delightful sweetness, beautifully complementing the eggy aroma entrapped in the toast.

Flat White (Rm 7.90/ Front) and Long Black (Rm 7.90/ Back)

Ratings:

Taste: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good) *judging based on ONE dish ONLY*

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

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

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

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

Service Charge: No

Non-Halal

Additional Information:

Address: No. 23, Jalan Raja Uda, Pusat Perniagaan Raja Uda, 12300, Butterworth, Penang.

Business Hours: 8 am to 12 am. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 6013- 582 3388

Coffee Venture Facebook Page

Map of 7-eleven @ Pusat Perniagaan Raja Uda, Butterworth

Break fast at Eastin Hotel Penang in this year's holy month of Ramadhan as the hotel rolls out its annual Ramadhan-themed buffet- Eastin Ku, Kampung Ku. Be spoilt for choices at Swez Brasserie's amazing variety, continuing from previous years' success, Eastin Hotel Penang has more to offer this year (claimed). Some of the notable highlights are Ulam-Ulaman, Kerabus, Sambals, Serundings, Nasi Lemak Kukus, Bubur Lambuk, Shawarma, Sup Gearbox, Roasted Whole Lamb etc. Eastin Ku, Kampung Ku Ramadhan Buffet Dinner is made available from 18 June to 18 July 2015.

Eastin Ku, Kampung Ku Ramadhan Buffet Dinner:

Available from 18 June 2015 to 18 July 2015
7 pm - 10 pm

Rm 104 (adult); Rm 52 (child).

50% discount of Senior Citizen, aged 60 and above.
15% discount for AEON members.

Early Bird Promotion: Ramadhan Voucher for Rm 80 nett each.
Citibank: Rm 88 nett for Ramadhan Buffet Dinner.

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

Roasted Whole Lamb

Sup Gearbox

Chicken Shawarma

Spiced Pilau Rice

Nasi Lemak Kukus with Condiments

We could not wait to jump into queue to try their highlights for this year's Ramadhan Buffet. We first had Nasi Lemak Kukus- piping hot Nasi Lemak served with their lip-smacking and sweat-inducing Chili Paste. We completed ours with a couple of Ayam Goreng Berempah/ Spiced Fried Chicken, Ikan Bilis, Hard Boiled Eggs and sliced Cucumbers. The Chili paste was teeming with flavors, though veering towards the sweeter side; complemented the crispy-succulent Fried Chicken perfectly. Another must-try item would be their Roasted Whole Lamb. It was expertly executed to the right doneness and flavors. We had a few juicy cuts, paired with their home-made Brown sauce (though we would prefer Mint sauce). It is a sin to miss the invigorating Sup Gearbox, packed with a flavorful and herbaceous punch. Get the right piece and one might get to suck the marrow up. Shawarma was great but we had it sans the Pita bread. The tender Chicken pieces were good to go with a handful of greens; we had it as though we were having salad.

Ulam- Ulaman Serantau

Fish Salad

Jelatah

Seafood on Ice- Spanner Crabs, Prawns, Mussels, Scallops

Ketupat and Serunding Ayam

The usual Seafood on Ice fare was there but we thought the Shrimps could be fresher. Expect no less from the culinary team of Swez Brasserie when it comes to Sambal and Serunding. The flaky meat floss with a hint of Coconut was the perfect condiment to the soft and chewy glutinous rice Ketupat.

Wok Fried Prawns with Butter Sauce

Stir Fried Crab with Basil Leaves

Grilled Fish with Basil Pesto Sauce

Thai Yellow Chicken Curry

Pucuk Ubi masak Lemak Putih

Ayam Pongteh

We were left underwhelmed by the mains. Ayam Pongteh did not appeal to us from its soft brown hue. As expected, flavors were pallid and certain cuts of the Chicken were too rough and hard to the bite. Pucuk Ubi Masak Lemak was a misnomer, the greens were not Tapioca leaves. The texture was too rough and can be easily recognized by first glance. Both the texture and flavor did not shine either. Daging Masak Hitam on the other hand, was delicious. Somewhat akin to Beef Rendang, the meat was nicely spiced and carefully cooked. The meat was at the right texture and flavors were amazing. Equally delectable was Grilled Fish with Basil Pesto sauce. The pristine white Fish was fresh and tender, dove tailing perfectly with the herbaceous sauce. It would be better if the dish appear to be less-greasy.

Assorted Kuih Muih

Cream Puffs

Fruit Tarts

Mini Pavlova

Tiramisu/ Coffee Mousse

Assorted French Pastries

Banana Tart

We ended the meal with a sweet note. Choices were aplenty and we did not manage to try every single item on offer. Banana Mille Feuille (not shown in photo) left me with the deepest impression, it possessed the quintessential Banana flavor, sheathed under a thin sheet of Mille Feuille. We were overwhelmed by the buttery-flaky Mille Feuille and not overly sweeten Banana filling. It was served to us warm but we recommend to serve it with a scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream.

*Conclusion: Having tasted Swez Brasserie's Ramadhan Buffet Dinner two years back, we thought this year's selection paled in comparison to a couple years back. We thought they could do better and hope that they are able to fine-tune their offerings before the actual Ramadhan Buffet Dinner.*

Additional Information:

Halal
Service Charge: No. Prices are nett.
Address: Swez Brasserie Eastin Hotel Penang. 1, Solok Bayan Indah, Queensbay, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Contact Number: 604- 612 1128

Website: http://www.eastinhotel-penang.com/

Eastin Hotel Penang Facebook Page

Nestled amidst the serene neighborhood of Sungai Ara, Three Kingdom Koay Teow Th'ng proves to be one of the favorites by the locals. Business is brisk even on usual days but the place will be thronged with crowd especially on weekends as they served Herbal Duck Mee Sua. While we did not think the Koay Teow Th'ng here is especially outstanding or out-of-the-world good, we thought that it might be good idea to share out this simple, casual place to find a bowl of pleasing, heart-warming Koay Teow Th'ng. To find Three Kingdom Koay Teow Th'ng, turn in Jalan Sungai Ara 1 from Jalan Tengah, you should be able to find Ah Niu Wanton Mee on your right. On the first junction, turn right again to Jalan Sungai Ara 2. Three Kingdom Koay Teow Th'ng should appear on your right shortly.

Three Kingdom's rendition of Koay Teow Th'ng (Rm 5/ Large) comes in a simple, rich, sweet-meaty broth that exhibits Duck and Chicken notes; a reflection of the tedious process in accentuating full flavors of the poultry. The compulsory Fish Balls, Koay Teow and sliced Meat (Duck and Chicken) were seen in action; the clear broth was gratifying, best enjoyed with chopped Bird Eye's Chilies.

We had an extra side order of their Blanched Chicken (Rm 4) but it was nothing out of the ordinary. We asked for Chicken Breast. Not only did they not serve any Chili Paste but the Chicken was rather bland and tasteless. Not quite a good choice to order I guess.

Ratings:

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

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

Service Charge: No

Non-Halal

Additional Information:

Address: No. 5, Jalan Sungai Ara 2, 11900, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Business Hours: 7 am to 4 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.

Contact Number: 6016- 497 9771

Three Kingdom Koay Teow Th'ng Facebook Page

Map of 5, Jalan Sungai Ara 2, Kampung Pagar Buluh, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang

Quench your thirst at Juice Me by having a bottle of their freshly juiced Cold Pressed Juice. The health conscious might be interested to pick up a couple of these, the juice bar has more than 12 types of fruit juices for you to choose from. Now... you might be wondering: What exactly is Cold Pressed Juice? Unlike centrifugal/ ordinary juicers, cold pressed juicers use pressure to grind and extract the juices. They do not generate heat and thus, retains the nutrients and minerals in the juices (but they are all fruit juices anyway). The cons... it takes more time to juice and users need to slice the fruits/ vegetables into smaller sizes before juicing them. Juice Me asserts that no sugar, preservatives and coloring are used in their juices and they are made freshly on a daily basis. They do free delivery service either, subject to availability.

I was there early in the morning, not all flavors were available. I had Green Monster (Rm 9/ bottle of 250 ml) which consists of Kale, Broccoli, Celery, Cucumber and Green Apple. To my surprise, the juice was pretty tasty. It was well-balanced; they played well in juggling the proportion of the greens (it would be disastrous if more Celery were to be added). The texture was fine and the juice slides down the throat easily. It carried a tinge of acidity and leafy greens flavor. A perfect thirst-quencher for those who wish to enhance their immune system and to detoxify their bodies. Juice Me's Cold Pressed Juices are available in bigger bottles too; priced at Rm 16/ bottle of 500 ml.

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)

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

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

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

Pork-Free

Non-Halal

Additional Information:

Address: 65, Lebuh Melaka, 10400, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 10 am to 9 pm. Closed on Sundays.

Contact Number: 604- 228 7300

Juice Me Facebook Page

Map of 65, Lebuh Melaka, Georgetown, 10400 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

The vacant land at Nagore Square was brought back to life by the management, transforming the area into an inaugural al-fresco dining and drinking area. A new spate of tenants moved in, including Bars, Cafes, stalls selling ornaments. The place is quiet in the day time but it attracts lively crowd in the evening, where you can see hipsters thronging the area. Not only bar snacks and alcohols are available but you may find some interesting local delicacies as well, for instances, Yong Tau Foo and Eggette. If you are in need to get a quick fix for dinner, Ardor Bar & Coffee and Sang by TCG do offer a small Western menu. The place does have a very nice and romantic setting in the evening, with small light bulbs hanging in the air, soft music as background and just watch the world goes by. The lack of air conditioners can be a little frustrating for the heat intolerant if the weather gets a little warm and humid. Nevertheless, the place makes a good spot for gathering.

Choices are aplenty when it comes to nibbles but we decided to give Mini Lamb (Rm 12.90) a try. There were a total of 6 pieces, beautifully char-grilled with a delightful burnt edges. Flavors were great, the meat was carefully marinated with a hint of spices. Certain cuts were, however, slightly harder to the bite. These make great snacks and accompany to Beers nevertheless.

Lovely Evening (Rm 15.90) was a disappointment, it was basically cordial drinks with sweeten-flavored syrup. Too sweet and overpriced to my liking.

Further down the area, there is a stall named 90's Yummy Station which sells fresh made-to-order Eggette (Rm 6.50). We could not resist the temptation and we had one. It was served to us warm but the texture was somewhat different from what we were expecting. It was denser than the ones we had, the edges were not as crispy as we would have hoped either. Some refinement to the recipe is needed.

Ratings:

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

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

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

Price: 7/10 (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: No

Additional Information:

Address: 41, Nagore Road, 10050, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 7 pm to 1 am on Weekdays; 7 pm to 3 am on Weekends. Ardor closes on every Monday while 90's Yummy Station closes on Tuesdays.

Contact Number: 6012- 449 7798 (Ardor's)

Ardor Bar & Coffee Facebook Page

Junk Cafe, as the name might have suggested, the place gathers "junk"; junk as in not ordinary junk but sell-able ones. I did not expect them to serve healthy food as that would be kinda irony- a huge contrast to the name of the place. They have a small menu, specializing in serving Gourmet Burgers. The snug, narrow little space does not have comfortable seating but a couple of small tables with plenty of knick-knacks hanging around the place. The absence of air-conditioners would frustrate the heat-intolerant as well.

I asked for recommendation and as expected, the server recommended their Crab Roll (Rm 22) to me, which only available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Since I had nothing in mind, I decided to go for that. Ordinary Bun, buttered and pan fried to golden brown; stuffed with a generous amount of fresh Crab Meat and served with their home-made Fries. The flesh was lightly seasoned with Black Pepper. The Bun was way too greasy for me, I would prefer them to serve the Bun fresh, instead of pan frying it with Butter. Fries were good, not fully cooked, leaving a crunchy-juicy bite in the middle with crispy edges. The Crab flesh bits were awesome, extremely delicate and fresh that one can literally taste the seafood-sweetness lingering in the palate. However, I would prefer them to include more healthy elements such as more greens; might not be part of the set but at least make it optional for those with different preference.

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)

Parking: 5.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)

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

Service Charge: No

Pork-Free

Additional Information:

Address: 401, Chulia Street, 10200, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 12 pm to 10 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.

Contact Number: 6016- 438 3205

Junk Cafe Facebook Page

Map of 401, Lebuh Chulia, Georgetown, 10200 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

The new iconic building at Kelawai, a chic and elegant edifice- G Hotel Kelawai is taking on Ramadhan with panache, offering Ramadhan Buffet with a unique-distinctive flair. Unlike traditional-conventional Ramadhan Buffet, Spoon Cafe's comes with an Indonesian touch. The serving style is somewhat different in Spoon Cafe either- expect no manic portion in the buffet line up as freshness is what they concerned. Servings maybe smaller than usual but rest-assured, they are committed to replenish the dishes fast.

Jamu Selera Ramadhan Buffet Dinner:
18 June to 16 July 2015.
6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Rm 115 nett per adult.

Riang Raya Buffet Lunch:
17 July and 18 July 2015.
11:30 pm to 2:30 pm.
Rm 92 nett per adult.

Riang Raya Buffet Dinner:
17 July and 18 July 2015.
6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

Rm 115 nett per adult.

Many Thanks to G Hotel for hosting us that evening.

Kerabu Taugeh

Assorted Cheeses and condiments

Rustic Loaves

Kerabu Tembikai

Seafood On Ice- Scallops, Mussels and Shrimps

We started off with their appetizer line which consists of Kerabu Ayam and Taugeh. The Kerabu Ayam was jaw-dropping good, speckled with a generous amount of Chilies which gives a fair whack of heat. If you are not into spicy stuff, delve into Kangkung Sotong, Pasembur, Nasi Impit with Serunding Ayam. For those with foreign palate, the usual spread of Smoked Salmon, Chicken Ham, Greens and Seafood On Ice awaits you.

Roasted Lamb

Bubur Lambuk

Daging Paprik Padang Besar

Sotong Berempah Kuala Perlis

Tofu Goreng Kacang Buncis & Udang

Kambing Masala

Kurma Telur

Ketam Bercili

Kailan Goreng Ikan Masin

Deep Fried Fish Fillet

Items from the Grilled Station

Curries are must when it comes to Buka Puasa, expect a range of Curry dishes in Spoon Cafe as well, though not quite extensive. Daging Paprika was great, I had it with some greens. The meat was slightly rough in texture but it did not really matter as they were cut to smaller pieces; the flavors packed a punch. Another notable dish would be Sotong Berempah, not quite spicy though the Curry was as red as a Cherry; the texture was just alright- slightly resilient but not hard to the bite. Deep Fried Fish Fillet, however, was a little too dry and hard to the bite. Other mains include Ikan Kurau Goreng Berlada Batu Gajah, Gulai Ayam Pantai Merdeka, Udang Goreng Sambal Petai etc

Swiss Roll

Red Velvet

Gelatomio Ice Cream

Almond Tart

Waffle

Black Rice Cheese Cake

Bread Butter Pudding

Sweet treats are mandatory to justify the occasion and we were deeply amazed by the quality of the desserts. Bread Butter Pudding hit us with its evocative flavors, unbelievably soft and fluffy, adequately immerse in Butter and Milk; the dessert exudes a warm and delightful milk-buttery flavor. The surface was beautifully caramelized to perfection either, adding marks to its physical appearance. The addition of Vanilla sauce did not make a huge difference; the pudding was good to go on its own. Equally lip-smacking was Black Rice Cheese Cake. The sweet-savory Cheese Cake has the quintessential cheesy element, well-enhanced by the chewy Black Rice. The Black Rice barely registered any flavor but it does make a huge difference in terms of texture. Waffle was great but eat it lest it turns into a piece of soggy pastry; we recommend top it with a scoop of Vanilla Gelatomio Ice Cream. Other desserts that may possibly appear are Sago Gula Melaka, Pengat Pisang, Bubur Kacang Hijau etc.

*Conclusion: The Buffet spread might not be as extensive as we'd expected but we were very happy with the above-par food quality.*

Additional Information:

Pork-Free

Address: 2, Persiaran Maktab, 10250, Georgetown, Penang.

Contact Number: 604- 219 0000

At a secluded corner/ end of a village at Bagan Lallang is a stall selling Koay Teow Th'ng; the humble set up right in front of the owner's house draws a huge crowd on weekends. The regulars who patronized the place know where to find a bowl of good and affordable Koay Teow Th'ng; not just ordinary Koay Teow Th'ng but with a zingy twist- Lemon. Unlike the one we had at Kafe Kam 88, theirs does not come with a slice of Lemon. The Lemon Juice will be added to the soup before dishing out to diners. It is not advisable to dine in here if you would prefer your dining hall clinically clean as the floor gets a little muddy on rainy days. Not too shabby for a change but not entirely the place that I would drive all the way there for a bowl of Koay Teow Th'ng. *Direction to find the place can be found at the bottom of this blog post.*

Lemon Juice will be added to the Koay Teow Th'ng (Rm 3/ small) here by default, if you so wish to have an ordinary Koay Teow Th'ng, without the zingy touch, you should inform them beforehand. Like most Koay Teow Th'ng, their rendition comes with minced Pork, clear broth, silky smooth flat Rice Noodles/ Koay Teow and Fish Balls. It was nothing out of the ordinary except with a jolting sourness added into the broth. However, with the magical mix of their home-made Chili paste, it turned into a delectable hot and sour soup. It was certainly very appetizing and comforting but I am not too sure if I am willing to travel all my way there just to have a bowl of hot and sour soup.

Ratings:

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

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

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

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

Ambiance: 5.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)
Service Charge: No

Non-Halal

Additional Information:

Direction: From Penang, drive and exit at Sungai Dua exit on the North-South Highway. Go straight until you see Bagan Lallang on your left, make a turn into the road. Drive passed Ong Cheng Huat Seafood on your right, there will be a small alley leading to small factories/ workshops shortly (on your right). Turn into the alley and go straight, make right turn on the second junction into a housing area with wooden houses. You should be able to see the stall from there.

Business Hours: 7 am to 11 am/ sold out. Closed on Mondays.

Contact Number: N/A

Map of Ong Cheng Huat Seafood Restaurant

Housed in Time Capsule Hotel, the largest Capsule Hotel in Penang is one of the latest additions to the Penang cafe scene- Little Nap Coffee Bar. The cafe occupies a corner of the hotel's lobby; not entirely spacious but good enough to fit four small tables with seating capacity of 15 to 20 pax. The place was not fully launched yet on our visit, thus, we did not get to try their brunch or main menu. Little Nap Coffee Bar offers the usual-standard cafe fare at average prices. The contemporary design of the cafe may be one of the reasons for cafe hoppers to try their luck here. Time Capsule Hotel can be found at Chulia Street, a stone's throw distance away from Subway near Penang Road.

Little Nap Coffee Bar's Home-made Yogurt (Rm 9) hits the right spot for us, after a heavy meal. It has a nice balance of sweetness and acidity; completed with the crunchy Corn Flakes, Raisins, Dried Cranberries, and Blueberry compote. Unlike the usual Yogurt that strikes the palate with a jolting sourness, Little Nap's poise a comforting balance between sweet and sour. If I had to nitpick, I would prefer the portion to be slightly bigger for that price and perhaps to replace Raisins with other nutty elements (personal preference).

We were tempted to try their Chocolate Lava with Ice Cream (Rm 9), the temptation resulted in a disappointment. The Chocolate Lava was not nicely done, the outer layer was too thin, thus, affecting the entire texture of the dessert. Additionally, the Chocolate flavor was a little too weak to my liking, they need to use a different brand for a more chocolaty experience. The Ice Cream was nothing out of the ordinary but we did not like the extra squiggles of Syrup, we thought the combination was way too sweet for our palate.

Salted Caramel Latte (Rm 12)

Green Tea Latte (Rm 10)

Ratings:

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

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

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

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

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

Pork-Free/ Wifi-Available

Service Charge: No

Additional Information:

Address: 418 & 420, Chulia Street, 10200, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 8 am to 12 am. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 604- 263 0885

Little Nap Coffee Bar Facebook Page

Map of 420, Lebuh Chulia, Georgetown, 10200 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Explosion of buffet places opening up in Penang but Sarkies (of E&O Hotel) remains as one of the well-favored places for buffet. To commemorate the one-month long holy month of fasting, the restaurant debuts a special Buka Puasa Buffet for the month.

Jamuan Berbuka Puasa: (available from 18 June to 16 July 2015)

6: 30 pm to 10: 30 pm, Monday to Sunday.

RM 128.30 nett (Adult), Rm 55.95 nett (Children)

Many Thanks to Eastern & Oriental Hotel for hosting us that evening.

Teh Tarik

Roti Canai

Roasted Whole Lamb

Diners can savor a wide range of local favorites and traditional dishes as well as Ramadhan delights in the buffet spread. Similarly, Sarkies welcomes a few action stalls- Roti Canai, Satay, Rojak, Roasted Whole Lamb etc; not forgetting the quintessential Malaysian Kampung dishes and carefully crafted sweet endings.

Stuffed Tau Kwa with Peanut Sauce

Rojak

Sushi Rolls

Spanner Crabs

Shrimps and Oysters

Salmon Sashimi, Butterfish Sashimi and Tuna Sashimi

Acar

Spicy Chicken Salad

Kerabu Chicken

Cheese Platter

Assorted Ulam

Ignite your taste buds with their substantial variety starters. Do not miss their Kerabu corner, we enjoyed their Acar and Kerabu Chicken much; the former one had a crunchy and nutty texture while the latter one carried a zingy acidic twist to whet up the appetite. Stuffed Tau Kwa with Peanut sauce may seem a little too filling but the thick and creamy Peanut sauce complemented the Tau Kwa well; the Chef did a great job in removing the excess water from the Cucumber and Carrots; the Tau Kwa would be a slouchy piece otherwise. Many returned to the Seafood On Ice counter but we did not see anything exciting there, probably the usual Seafood spread.

Roasted Beef

Lamb Stew with Carrots and Potatoes

Chicken Tagine with Green Olive and Lemon Zest

Tom Yum Squid Rings

Mutton Curry

Fu Yong Fried Egg

Roasted Chicken

Roasted Potatoes

Chicken Kebab

Carnivores would go gaga for their meaty buffet spread. Feast on their renowned Roasted Duck, Lamb, Beef and Chicken; as well as an array of Curries. Lamb Stew hit the right spot with the robust flavors; bite-sized cut and tender pieces, complemented by the sweet and savory gravy. Also not to be missed would be their Chicken Tagine, succulent and well-marinated but we thought the Shimeiji Mushrooms were more outstanding than the Chicken. Other notable highlights are Ayam Percik, Rendang Daging, Daging Masak Merah, Kurma Kambing, Gulai Ketam Kampung style etc.

Tiramisu

Green Tea Trifle

Chocolate Walnut Brownie

Fruit Skewers

Fresh Kiwis

Raspberry Cheesecake

Save some tummy space for desserts; we enjoyed their Raspberry Cheesecake, though the outer layer with a pink hue may seem gruesome; it gives a sweet (though artificial) flavor to the cheesy and creamy dessert. Tiramisu was equally great, jam-packed with sturdy coffee flavor while the silky smooth mousse slides down the throat easily. Green Tea Trifle may seem unique at first but we were disappointed with its monotonous texture; the vegetative Green Tea flavor was present but the whole dessert was somewhat too flat to our liking. Some Azuki Red Bean paste might be great? We were on the look out for fruits and there, we spotted fresh Kiwis; nicely peeled from its hairy skin- extra effort that worth a few additional marks.

*Conclusion: Sarkies maintained its high-standard in dishing out their food but the Ramadhan element was somewhat weak in their buffet spread. The restaurant might be an ideal choice if you are looking for a wide and extensive buffet spread, if not otherwise.*

Additional Information:

Address: 10, Lebuh Farquhar, Georgetown, Penang.

Contact: 604- 222 2000
Website: http://www.eohotels.com/

Eastern & Oriental Hotel's Facebook Page

Enjoy a relaxed dining experience amidst the tranquil environment at Botanical Garden; a new establishment that proffers Japanese-Fusion menu has opened its doors to the public recently. It has the typical cafe setting as well as an outdoorsy dining area, overlooking the small river in the vicinity (be cautious of the aggressive, ravenous mosquitoes though). Garden Paradis starts to serve brunch menu as early as 8 am to cater for the morning park walkers. To find the place, locate Botanical Garden Horticulture Centre (where the famous Big Ben Breakfast place is located). You should be able to find the eye-catching facade of Garden Paradis from there.

We did not have anything in mind that we particularly want. We asked for recommendation and we were introduced to Yaki Soba (Rm 15.80). To make it a set, top up Rm 2.50, inclusive of a serving of Miso Soup, Salad and Fruits. To my surprise, the Yaki Soba was wholly delicious; though it exhibited a strong buttery flavor but the sweet-savory Yaki Soba sauce went well with the noodles. Best part of all, the noodles were carefully cooked to the right texture as Soba is often and easily overcooked. We enjoyed the generous amount of crunchy vege added- Cabbage, Scallions, Sprouts and Carrots. One of the best Yaki Sobas I've ever tasted.

We had an extra order of Yaki Gyoza/ Japanese Dumplings (Rm 8 for 6 pieces) which turned out to be amazing. The Chicken dumpling filling was well-executed, sheathed under a thin layer of dumpling skin and beautifully charred till golden brown. It was served to us piping hot, the dumpling was bursting with meat juices though slightly on the greasy side but it was well-balanced by the refreshing savory Gyoza dip.

Ratings:

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

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

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

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

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

Pork-Free/ Wifi-available

Service Charge: No

Additional Information:

Address: Botanical Garden Horticulture Centre, 3654, Annex D, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350, Penang.

Business Hours: 8 am to 9 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 6016- 412 9568

Garden Paradis Facebook Page

Penang has seen many openings of Korean restaurants after more and more Penangites professed their love for Korean food. One of the newest players would be Ssambap at Krystal Point, Bayan Lepas. The Korean restaurant proffers the standard Korean fare, at quite reasonable prices. Service was fast on our visit and we need not to cook the meat ourselves; though owing to limitation in language, the foreign workers did not seem to quite understand our needs and thus, could not accede to our demands. Orders were wrongly recorded, meat was overcooked by untrained server... are definitely some areas for improvements. Ssambap Korean Restaurant is right next to La Mei Zi Steamboat at the same commercial building- Krystal Point.

If you are into Korean Barbecue Meat, you will need to order a minimum of 2 sets. We had Samgyeopsal/ Grilled Pork Belly (Rm 25) and Yangnyeom Dwaeji Galbi/ Marinated Grilled Spare Ribs (Rm 30). Portion was standard-average for Pork Belly but the Spare Ribs could easily fit 2-3 person. Unfortunately, the inexperienced server whom served us over-cooked the meat a little (he was very friendly though). Not too shabby but not outstanding either. On a side note, we paid extra Rm 5 for the "Steamed Egg" (appeared beside the grill pan); which has 2 small partitions to cook the eggs. Somewhat unique but they may have forgotten to season the egg....

For noodles, we had Yeolmu Bibim Buksu/ Spicy Noodles with Young Summer Radish Kimchi (Rm 15.90) and boy, it was disappointing! There was nary a taste! As though the Noodles were soaked in plain water and garnished with pickled Kimchi and julienned Cucumber. The noodles were carefully cooked to the right texture, though not slouchy but they barely registered any flavors. The entire bowl of noodles relied on the crunchy Radish Kimchi with a jolting sourness. Spicy? You asked. Not at all, at least by my standard; everything was just too bland to my liking. Had I known about the quality of the dish, I would not be bothered to order at all (duh?).

Complementary refillable Ban Chan/ Korean Side Dishes

Ratings:

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

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

Price: 7/10 (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: Yes 10%

Additional Information:

Address: 1-1-24, Krystal Point, Jalan Tun Dr. Awang, 11900, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Business Hours: 11 am to 3 pm; 5 pm to 10 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 6016- 471 2133

Ssambap Korean Restaurant Facebook Page *Full menu available on their FB page.*

Somewhere relatively quieter from the buzz of town, Udini Square is a new commercial building right next to Tesco E-Gate. The building is somewhat vacant at present but a new spate of tenants (particularly F&B) has moved in. Frank Laurent Coffee Roasters occupies one of the most prominent lots at Udini Square, facing the bustling road of Lebuh Tunku Kudin. Visit the place on a day time and you will find it brightly lit, thanks to the glass window which allows the natural sunlight floods in; the place is spacious and exudes a harmonious aura. It has some characteristics of being a hipster cafe, mainly due to its contemporary interior decor and seemingly Instagram-perfect furniture. The place was quite new on our visit (a couple weeks back), they did not have much to offer back then but one thing that is for sure, their prices are very down to earth; the type of cafe that one would spend a whole afternoon chit-chatting with each other.

Artfully arranged and presented, Chocolate Luxury (Rm 6) caught our immediate attention. It was a thick, rich Chocolate concoction sans the saccharine sweetness. It possessed the instantaneous melt-in-the-mouth effect but it may be a little monotonous for one to finish it entirely on his/her own. If you must know, those were candied Lime, caramelized Macadamia Nuts and smithereens of Chocolate granite. Though not out of the world good, we have no complains for the wallet-friendly price tag.

Long Black (Rm 8)

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

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

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

Pork-Free

Service Charge: No

Additional Information:

Address: Block 2-10-20, Lebuh Tunku Kudin, 11700, Gelugor, Penang.

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

Contact Number: 604- 376 2610

Icon City is a newly developed area at Bukit Mertajam, located strategically near to Autocity, Juru. The commercial district sees a new spate of tenants moving in, including one of the famous franchise chain- Tokyo Kitchen. As the name might have suggested, Tokyo Kitchen specializes in serving Japanese food. The restaurant is beautifully and appropriately decorated according to the theme; hanging Japanese lanterns, wooden tables and chairs, Japanese drawing adorning the wall; the harmonized combination exudes a "zen" experience. The restaurant has a bible-thick menu, which covers an extensive range of Japanese delights. Not a place that I would go all out to visit but if you are in the vicinity, the place is worth a look.

A slightly different variant- Chicken Katsu Curry Udon (Rm 23.80) was amazing. The curry has the right thickness, the Udon was well-executed (not slouchy nor under-cooked) while the Chicken Katsu was delectable either. The Curry carried a hint of sweetness but not to the extent that the sweetness overpowered the entire dish. The Chicken Katsu was half-dipped in the Curry and it was not crispy the moment it was served to our table. It has a tender and juicy bite but extra marks would be given if the Chicken Katsu was able to maintain its crispiness.

Side order of Chuka Hotate (Rm 9.80) was disappointing. Unlike the ordinary ones that we can find elsewhere, we believed Tokyo Kitchen made theirs freshly. However, the flavors were a little soft to be discerned, the Scallops need a tinge of sweetness to bring out the flavors. The crunchiness was there but they will need to go beyond that to justify the price.

We were in the mood to try something special and so... we ordered their Sushi Set (Rm 43.80). The seemingly ordinary Sushi Set has a hidden bomb inside; one of the 12 pieces of Sushi was filled with butt-load of Wasabi. The five of us played a simple game and we took turns to pick the Sushi. It was sheathed under the Maguro Sushi; though the amount of Wasabi was a lot more than the other pieces but it was still, nevertheless, lesser than what we were expecting. Nothing to shout over for the Sushi, some refinement might be needed for the texture of the Rice, which turned out to be a little dry and hard at the end. Nonetheless, we enjoyed the game and we would not mind to go for another round.

Tempura Udon (Rm 23.80)0)

Ratings:

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

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

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

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

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

Pork-Free

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Additional Information:

Address: 45, Jalan Icon City, Icon City, 14000, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Business Hours: 11:30 am to 3 pm; 5:30 pm to 10 pm. Randomly closes on Monday/ Tuesday on alternate weeks.

Contact Number: 604- 505 7282

Those with a sweet tooth can now satiate their sweet cravings by having a cup of Honey Creme's Soft Serve Ice Cream along with their grand opening on 4th July 2015. The Ice Cream parlor debuts its inaugural appearance this Saturday, at lower ground floor of Gurney Plaza Penang. The brand has many branches outside of Malaysia- Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Indonesia but the newly opened branch at Gurney Plaza is the first branch in the country. The brand believes in using premium quality ingredients, including but not limited to its Milk, Honey Comb and various healthy organic toppings. Those with stubborn sweet tooth could go for the safer options such as their signature Honey Comb Soft Serve or Affogato Soft Serve; while the adventurous ones could go for some playful and frisky combination such as Organic Cotton Candy Affogato. Honey Creme is having its opening promotion- Buy 1 Free 1 on 4th July (Saturday) and 5th July 2015 (Sunday).

Many Thanks to Honey Creme Malaysia for hosting us that evening.

Organic Cotton Candy Affogato Soft Serve Ice Cream (Rm 14.50/ Cup)

Honey Creme's signature Honey Comb Soft Serve Ice Cream (Rm 14.50/ Cup)

Organic Mixed Grains Soft Serve (Rm 13.50/ Cone)

Popcorn Soft Serve (Rm 12.50/ Cone)

We started off safe with Honey Creme's signature Honey Comb Soft Serve; the soft serve has a velvety smooth texture, a result of infusing Whipped Cream with fresh Milk; the soft serve was not as sweet as expected. It was rather light on its own, sans the heaviness that one would normally associate. The sweetness of the Honey Comb, on the other hand, was way past my sugar tolerance level (I'm a dude). The idea of including Honey Comb into Soft Serve, according to Honey Creme, is to provide the natural sweetness from the Comb, omitting the artificial sugar sweetness in the conventional Ice Cream.

Coffee lovers might want to go for their Affogato (Rm 13.50) or to further garnish with Organic Cotton Candy. The pleasant tartness of the fine coffee counterbalanced the richness and sweetness of the soft serve. However, my favorite of the evening goes to Organic Mixed Grains. Soft Serve thinly coated with their Organic Mixed Grain powder (consists of Soy Bean, Brown Rice, Black Sesame Seeds, Flax Seeds, Black Beans, Oats, Rye, Black Glutinous Rice and Pearl Barley); though it may possess a grittier texture but it outshines other flavors, for a milkier, vegetal and long-lasting oat-flavor. A calorific combination but well-worth the guilt. Other toppings include Popcorn and Dark Chocolate.