Penang Food For Thought

Special thanks to Beer Garage for extending this food review invitation.

Beer Garage is a new drinking establishment in Bandar Sunway. This eatery-cum-bar is within a short driving distance from Sunway Pyramid. Beer Garage obviously caters to the night-time drinking crowd.

The premises of Beer Garage was previously an automobile workshop. Red brick walls, metal roof, tool carts and tires are remnants of the former garage. Occupying an end lot, the sports bar has plenty of dining space on the side.

Beer Garage's food menu consists of Western grill, Thai barbecue and local wok-fried fare.

At open kitchen, meats are grilled over burning charcoal. The dishes here are generally heavy in taste because they are meant to go with alcoholic beverages.

The Charcoal Grilled New Zealand Lamb (RM20.00) is basted with sweet-savory barbecue sauce. Mint sauce is provided as the condiment. The dish includes a side of customer's choice: Caesar salad, mashed potatoes or French fries. The Caesar salad comes with hard-boiled eggs and croutons.

As for poultry, the Charcoal Grilled Chicken Chop (RM14.00) is highly recommended. Compared to the lamb chop, the deboned chicken thigh is substantially tenderer. This dish also comes with a choice of side. Shown here is a serving of hand mashed potatoes.

Moving to Thai food, my favorite dish this evening is the Grilled Skewered Milk Pork (คอหมูย่าง, RM12.00). This skewered Thai snack is thoroughly marinated with coconut milk, making the pork scrumptious to the last morsel.

The Chicken Feet Salad (ยำเล็บมือนาง, RM15.00) has an intense tanginess that some people may not be comfortable with. Nevertheless, the rubbery texture of chicken feet is craved by many. The salad is garnished with coriander and cherry tomatoes.

Red tilapia is used for the next dish, Salted Crusted Grilled Fish (ปลาเผา, RM5.00 per 100 grams). The fish is stuffed with lemongrass, galangal and pandan to enhance its flavor. Its crispy skin is too salty on its own but goes pretty well with beer. As for condiments, nam chim thale (น้ำจิ้มทะเล) and nam chim chaeo (น้ำจิ้มแจ่ว) are provided.

Steamed Squid With Spicy Seafood Sauce (ปลาหมึกนึ่งมะนาว, RM20.00) is another pungent Thai dish. The squids are flavored with bird's eye chili, garlic, lime slices and lemon juice. Be prepared to have your taste buds tantalized by the combination of sour and spicy flavors.

As for local seafood fare, Salt & Pepper Crispy Soft Shell Crab (盐椒软壳蟹, RM15.00) is an interesting choice. The crabs' shells are sufficiently soft enough to be eaten entirely.

Deep Fried White Pomfret (香脆小白鲳, RM16.00) comes in six pieces per serving. In my opinion, it would be better if smaller fish were used. Ideally, the pomfret should be crispy enough to be eaten with its bones.

Hakka Fried Pork (客家炸肉, RM16.00) is prepared by marinating pork belly with fermented tofu (南乳). Unfortunately, the taste of this dish does not line up with my expectation. In addition, I feel that the pig's skin is too chewy instead of being crispy.

Customers who are fond of offal may want to try Fried Pork Intestine With Dried Shrimp & Chili (虾米爆生肠, RM20.00). Actually the "intestine" is the sow's oviduct (生肠), not the guts. This delicacy is cooked with garlic to enhance its aroma and taste.

Fried San Mee (炒生面, RM9.00) contains shrimps, chicken, egg, bean sprouts and cabbage. The noodle's mild spiciness comes from red chili peppers. Fried San Mee is best enjoyed while it is warm.

Beer Garage offers draft beer for a mere RM10.00 per glass. There are four choices: Asahi, Connor's, Kronenbourg Blanc and Carlsberg. If you are hanging out with friends, go for a beer tower (RM98.00) instead.

The atmosphere at Beer Garage is pretty lively especially after sunset. There is a pool table for patrons to enjoy the evening. Meanwhile, electronic entertainment includes iPong (electronic pong) and electronic darts. A game of iPong (RM58.00) comes with a jug of Carlsberg beer. The loser pays for the winner's drinks!

Name: Beer Garage
Address: 2, Jalan PJS 11/14, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: 017-319-9836
Business hours: 4:00pm-2:00am
Website: https://www.facebook.com/beergaragemalaysia
Coordinates: 3.07054 N, 101.60158 E
Directions: Driving westward on New Pantai Expressway (NPE), turn left after the pedestrian bridge near Sunway Clio Hotel. Continue driving for 200 meters and then turn right onto Jalan PJS 11/8. Turn left onto Jalan PJS 11/3. Beer Garage is one of the shops on the right. Street parking is available.

Special thanks to Morganfield's for extending this food review invitation.

Morganfield's is best known for its signature Sticky Bones, which is slang for Hickory Smoked Spare Ribs. This American-style grillhouse has only one outlet in Penang: Queensbay Mall.

The restaurant is easily recognized by its red brick walls and old-fashioned wooden tables. There is also an outdoor section to cater customers who prefer al fresco dining. Overall, Morganfield's presents a rustic ambience that is typical of the American Midwest.

For a limited time, Morganfield's is promoting the Baby Back Ribs (RM69.90) using Ibérico pork that is specially sourced from Spain. The ribs are slow cooked in the oven until they become tender, and then grilled over fire to produce a smoky aroma. Each full rack comes with two sides of customer's choice.

There are 3 available flavors for Baby Back Ribs. The Jim Beam BBQ Baby Back is probably the most aesthetically appealing one. As expected, the pork is delightfully tender and peels off the bones with ease. Meanwhile, the Jim Beam barbecue sauce delivers a combination of sweet and savory tastes. The side dishes are French fries and mac and cheese.

However, my personal preference goes to the Jack Daniels Glazed Baby Back. This time, the ribs are basted with mouthwatering Jack Daniel's barbecue sauce. Besides being sweet, the sauce has a tantalizing hint of Cajun spices too. This lovely dish comes with garden veggies and flat chips.

The most peculiar version among the trio is Citrus Mojito Baby Back, whose recipe is inspired by the titular cocktail. Flavored with tangy apple syrup, the ribs are topped with diced green apples, lime and mint leaves. The crunchy toppings seem to complement harmoniously with the ribs. Served on the side are coleslaw and onion rings.

As for drinks, Morganfield's recommends Somersby Elderflower Lime to go with Baby Back Ribs. The cider is sold by the bottle for as low as RM9.90 each. In addition, the bartender has concocted 2 new cocktails using the cider: Garden Of Eden (RM18.90) that contain frozen chunks of Blue Curaçao, and Señor Elderflower (RM16.90) that has chili flakes and salt on the glass' rim.

The Ibérico pork Baby Back Ribs and Somersby Elderflower Lime are only available for 2 months: September and October 2018. Having enjoyed Morganfield's Spare Ribs for a while, it is nice to savor some Baby Back Ribs for a change. Who knows, the latter's meatier texture may suit your palate better!

Name: Morganfield's
Address: GF-121, Queensbay Mall, 100, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-643-5049
Business hours: 11:00am-1:00am
Website: http://www.morganfields.com
Coordinates: 5.33421 N, 100.30668 E
Directions: Morganfield's is located on the Ground Floor of Queensbay Mall, right next to Starbucks Coffee. Queensbay Mall has a multilevel parking garage and several outdoor parking spaces.

Special thanks to Kim's BBQ for extending this food review invitation.

Kim's BBQ (킴스) is a Korean restaurant at Straits Garden, spanning the length of two shops. Kim's was previously operating at Arena Curve and just moved here 10 days ago. It is operated by ethnic Koreans, so you can expect the recipes here to be as authentic as they can be.

The dining section is rather spacious and presents a family-friendly atmosphere. Wood is featured heavily, as evidenced by timber floor and furnishings. Built into each table is the most cutting-edge stone grill from Korea. Compared to an iron plate, a stone grill retains heat better and allows food to be cooked more thoroughly.

Kim's is no longer serving buffet, but is instead focusing on à la carte dishes. Korean barbecue (고기구이) continues to be Kim's forte. There are several set meals to choose from. Like in many Korean restaurants, pork and beef are the most popular choices of meat.

The Pork Lover Set (돌판돼지고기바비큐) comes with sliced pork, scallops, shrimps, mushrooms (eryngii and enoki), sausages and Korean rice cakes (떡). Vegetables include fried kimchi (김치볶음), onions, bean sprouts, broccoli, pumpkin and potato. Cheese corn and egg are cooked separately. The Pork Lover Set is ideal for 2 (RM69.00) or 3 (RM98.00) persons. For larger parties, go for the BBQ Family Set instead.

The 2-person Pork Lover Set includes 2 servings of pork of customer's choice. We opted for Garlic Pork Belly (마늘삼겹살) and Spicy Pork Belly (고추장삼겹살). The latter is marinated with spicy gochujang (고추장) and suits my palate better. A popular way to enjoy Korean barbecue is by wrapping a bite-size portion of meat, garlic and ssamjang (쌈장) in lettuce. Another way to savor the meal is by dipping cooked pork into a cheese fondue (치즈퐁듀, RM7.90).

Next, Kimchi-Jeongol (김치전골, RM49.00) is a sour-spicy stew in a large iron pot. The stew contains numerous ingredients like kimchi (김치), pork slices, dumplings (만두), fish cakes (어묵), crab sticks (게맛살), Korean rice cakes, enoki mushrooms, tofu, leek and ramyeon (라면). Jeongol (전골) is similar to jjigae (찌개) except the fact that the former contains more ingredients.

Cheese Dak-Gangjeong (치즈닭강정, RM35.00) consists of fried chicken chunks and rice cakes. The chicken is glazed with sugar and spicy sauce. Crushed peanuts and sesame seeds are sprinkled on top. I love the chewy texture of the rice cakes. Molten mozzarella cheese on the side serves as a dipping sauce.

Jap-Chae (잡채, RM28.00) uses a translucent, springy glass noodle that is made from sweet potato starch. As per tradition, it is stir-fried with pork, assorted vegetables and soy sauce. The dish is sweet and savory, much to my palate's delight. Regarded as a symbol of longevity, Jap-Chae is typically served during auspicious occasions like birthdays and weddings.

Moving on, Haemul Pajeon (해물파전, RM28.00) is a pan-fried seafood pancake that is made from wheat flour and eggs. The pancake is topped with shrimps, scallions, and chili peppers. Spicy soy sauce serves as the condiment. Haemul Pajeon is usually consumed as an appetizer or a snack. The pancake is also popular as an anju (안주), i.e. food that is consumed with alcohol.

Banchan (반찬) refers to small plates of food that go with main dishes. The number of banchan dishes varies from restaurant to restaurant. The five that are served today are pickled napa cabbage (배추김치), pickled cucumber (오이무침), mashed potato, water spinach and sausages. At Kim's, banchan is complimentary and refills are free of charge.

After finishing the main dishes, it is popular among Koreans to order Pan-Fried Rice (돌판볶음밥, RM9.90) to conclude the meal. Using the stone grill, cooked rice is pan-fried with seaweed (김) and grated cheese (RM3.00) with a small amount of oil. Koreans like their fried rice to be slightly browned and crispy.

As for beverages, Ginseng Tea (인삼차, RM7.00) is highly recommended due to its pleasant bitterness which soothes the throat. Other hot drinks are Maesil-Cha (매실차, RM5.00) and Yuja-Cha (유자차, RM5.00); the teas are prepared from plum and yuzu respectively.

Kim's has several popular brands of canned drinks from Korea. For instance, Podo Bondbong (포도봉봉, RM5.00) contains chunks of white grapes. This sweet, fruity drink is irresistible to children!

Should customers prefer private dining, the restaurant has three small rooms with sliding doors. Each room can accommodate 8 people. Individual rooms can be combined to form a larger one.

Besides mouthwatering Korean barbecue, Kim's also excels in serving authentic Korean dishes. The staff's attention to detail is exemplary. This restaurant is definitely a great choice if you seek a true taste of Korean cuisine. Last but not least, Kim's has a sister outlet at Jalan Tavoy, George Town.

Name: Kim's BBQ (킴스)
Address: 349-01-07, Straits Garden, Jalan Jelutong, 11600 Jelutong, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-296-4058
Business hours: 11:30am-3:00pm, 5:30pm-10:00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/hotstonebbq
Coordinates: 5.39517 N, 100.31743 E
Directions: Straits Garden Suites is a building along Jalan Jelutong. Kim's is one of the shops at the front. There are several parking spaces in front of the restaurant. Alternatively, customers can also park at the multistorey parking garage and enter the restaurant from its back door at Level L1. Kim's reimburses customers for their parking expenses.

Sakurajima Japanese & Chinese Restaurant (桜島) is located inside Penang Golf Club (PGC). It is a little known fact that the eatery is open to the public. Besides serving Japanese and Chinese cuisine, Sakurajima also serves pastries and high tea.

The dining hall of Sakurajima is quite spacious. Timber walls, pillars and beams give the place a rustic appearance. In addition, there are also several private dining rooms. Today's visit is to savor the Sunday Brunch Buffet.

The weekly buffet mainly features cooked dishes that Malaysians are familiar with. Shown here are Rendang Chicken, Fried Winged Beans and Char Koay Teow (炒粿条). The Rendang Chicken is reasonably good; its spicy gravy is rich in coconut milk.

My next helping consists of Salted Egg Mantis Prawns, Fried Fish Fillets and Oriental Fried Rice. I enjoy the savoriness of Salted Egg Mantis Prawns.

There are several poultry dishes: Roasted Chicken, Grilled Chicken and Fried Chicken. They are all acceptable in terms of taste.

Curry Mee is available at the à la minute counter. Unfortunately, the curry is not as rich as I hoped it to be; more coconut milk is preferred. On the other hand, I think the boiled cuttlefish, tofu puffs and chili paste are commendable.

Ais Kacang is essentially shaved ice flavored with gula melaka (palm sugar), rose syrup and evaporated milk. The dessert also contains other ingredients like red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly and green jelly noodle.

Sakurajima's buffet covers a modest variety of pastries like croissants and cupcakes. My personal favorite is chocolate grissini.

The Sunday Brunch Buffet is served from 11:00am and 2:30pm. The meal is priced at RM38.00++ for adults, RM25.00++ for senior citizens and RM19.00++ for children (ages 6-12). PGC members enjoy 15% discount. The food here is entirely pork-free.

Address: 2, Jalan Bukit Jambul, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-644-2255
Business hours: 11:00am-10:00pm

Taste

Presentation

Ambience

Hospitality

Value

Special thanks to Cha Yen for extending this food review invitation.

Cha Yen (ชาเย็น) used to run a stall at Armenian Street several years ago. Today, it operates an air-conditioned shop at i-Avenue. The restaurant specializes in popular beverages from Thailand including the titular drink, Cha Yen. In addition, Cha Yen also serves a modest variety of Thai dishes.

There are not many dining tables in Cha Yen, so the place is reasonably spacious and comfortable. Towards the back of the dining hall is a drinks counter where customers place their orders. As for customers who prefer outdoor dining, there are also several tables just outside the restaurant.

The bestselling drinks here are Cha Yen (ชาเย็น, iced milk tea, RM5.90), Kafae Yen (กาแฟเย็น, iced coffee, RM6.90), Cha Keao Yen (ชาเขียวเย็น, iced green tea, RM5.90) and Coco Yen (โกโก้เย็น, iced chocolate, RM5.90). To keep the drinks as authentic as possible, key ingredients such as tea leaves, coffee beans and evaporated milk are imported from Thailand.

Kaeng Som Pla (แกงส้มปลา, RM23.80) is served with a fish curry that is immensely spicy. You will likely need a jug of iced drink to go with this dish. This curry is similar to Kaeng Som Gong (แกงส้มกุ้ง) that I tasted during my previous visit, except that shrimps have been substituted with fried fish. This particular variant of kaeng som (แกงส้ม) is more popular in southern Thailand.

Next, Gai Yang Namjim (ไก่ย่างน้ำจิ้มแจ่ว, RM14.90) is highly recommended due to an excellent sauce called nam chim chaeo (น้ำจิ้มแจ่ว). Prepared from roasted glutinous rice, the condiment accentuates the delectable juiciness of the grilled chicken. In addition, I also enjoy the intense sourness that the sauce imparts on my tongue.

For customers who prefer something light to go with drinks, Cha Yen has a snacks menu too. The Chicken Popcorn (ไก่ป๊อป, RM7.90) comes in a basket and is ideal for sharing. Coated with crispy and spicy batter, the chicken chunks go well with sweet chili sauce.

Nam Pla Wan (น้ำปลาหวาน) is a new snack that has not been included on the regular menu yet. The condiment is made from fermented fish sauce (น้ำปลา), palm sugar (น้ำตาลปี๊บ) and chili peppers. This gives the snack a unique combination of salty, sweet and spicy flavors. Nam Pla Wan is often eaten with unripe mangoes (มะม่วง).

As for dessert, Cha Yen offers several flavors of homemade ice cream (RM7.90). Four types are shown here: black sesame, Thai tea, egg yolk and strawberry. The ice cream is made using premium ingredients such as black sesame seeds from Hokkaido. I also love the intense tanginess of the strawberry ice cream. Each scoop of ice cream comes with a wafer stick and a miniature shovel as the spoon.

Considering the fact that most ingredients are imported from Thailand, Cha Yen offers one of the most affordable yet authentic Thai drinks in Penang. As for customers from Seberang Perai, the proprietor has hinted an expansion in Butterworth in the near future.

Name: Cha Yen (ชาเย็น)
Address: 1-1-53, Medan Kampung Relau 1, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 017-441-0041
Business hours: 10:00am-10:00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/chayencafemy
Coordinates: 5.33332 N, 100.29368 E
Directions: Cha Yen is located at i-Avenue, just several shops away from Mr & Mrs Fruit. Street parking is available in front of the shop.

Special thanks to The Barn for extending this food review invitation.

The Barn is one of the several eateries at the exterior section of Gurney Plaza. It is a combination of a wine bar and a grillhouse. While The Barn has several restaurants in Klang Valley, this is the sole outlet in Penang.

The dining section presents a comfortable ambience for casual dining. The place feels welcoming even for families with children. Meanwhile, the back section uses dimmer lighting to present a more secluded setting. As for customers who prefer al fresco dining, there are also several dining tables outside the restaurant.

The Barn is renowned for its fine range of wines, boasting over 200 labels from around the world. Although most wines are sold by the bottle, house wines are also poured by the glass. The Barn aims to make wines more affordable to the general clientele.

For a limited time, The Barn is having the Meat Indulgence promotion. This seasonal menu features 3 exquisite beef dishes: Porterhouse Steak, Prime Ribs and Little Joe's Tomahawk Steak. Using premium Australian beef, each dish comes in a humongous portion and is ideal for sharing among 4 or 5 people.

For instance, the Prime Ribs (RM429.00) packs 1,000 grams of scrumptious meat. The beef is first baked in a preheated oven for over an hour, and then gently grilled over fire so that it retains most of its juiciness. The meat near the rib bone is exceptionally delectable.

Served on a large wooden steak board, the Prime Ribs are gradually oozing natural juices from within. Meanwhile, the accompanying meat sauce has a rich, savory taste that is extremely gratifying. Other side dishes are grilled vegetables and baked chat potatoes. A rosemary sprig serves as a garnish.

The Porterhouse Steak (RM169.00) is another interesting choice. Also known as T-bone, the porterhouse has a distinctive T-shaped bone at the center. Compared to the ribs, this beef cut has a denser texture as it contains more lean meat. The recommended doneness is medium.

The Porterhouse Steak is flavored with truffle butter to impart an earthy aroma. On the side, there are grilled pumpkins, eggplants, cherry tomatoes and baby potatoes.

As for diners who do not take beef, the BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs is a recommended alternative. The pork ribs are flambéed just before they are served. In addition to the awesome spectacle, this tableside presentation also gives the pork a touch of toastiness. The lovely pork ribs are basted with sweet-tangy barbecue sauce, making them succulent to the last morsel.

Red meats are customarily paired with red wines. The Barn pours house wines by the glass for as low as RM19.00. Today's choice of red wine is Copperstone Creek Shiraz from Australia. The berry-like sweetness of the wine keeps the palate attuned to the flavors of beef.

The Meat Indulgence menu was originally meant to run for a month, but due to overwhelming response, the promotion has been extended through November 2018. Because it takes over an hour to prepare and cook the steaks, advance ordering is highly recommended. I urge the devoutest carnivores of the land to visit The Barn and savor the fine Australian beef here.

Name: The Barn
Address: 170-G-43, Plaza Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-229-0763
Business hours: 11:00am-12:00am
Website: http://www.thebarn.com.my
Coordinates: 5.43751 N, 100.30977 E
Directions: The Barn is located at Gurney Plaza's outdoor piazza, directly facing G Hotel. Gurney Plaza has basement and multi-level parking garages.

Sushi Ya (寿司屋) is a new chain of Japanese restaurants in Penang and Kedah. Headquartered in Raja Uda, there are currently 5 outlets in total. One of them is located at Solaria Square in Bayan Lepas.

Sushi Ya literally means "sushi shop" in Japanese. Like Sakae Sushi, the restaurant specializes in conveyor belt sushi (回転寿司). In addition, Sushi Ya has an à la carte menu which covers sashimi, bento and set meals.

The price of sushi is indicated by the color of the plate: pink (RM1.90) or red (RM2.90). Shown here are Chuka Idako Gunkan, Ebiko Gunkan, Kani Fumi Sweet Mayo, Salmon Sweet Mayo, Tamago Mentai, Futo Maki, Kamo Sweet Mayo, Ebi Panko Sushi and California Maki.

As for Green Tea (RM1.50), sencha (煎茶) is provided in tea bags. Sencha is prepared by steeping whole tea leaves in hot water, unlike matcha (抹茶) where the leaves are ground into powder form and dissolved in hot water. Sushi Ya also sells sencha by the box for home consumption.

Address: 2-G-16, Medan Rajawali, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-293-0815
Business hours: 11:30am-10:00pm

Taste

Presentation

Ambience

Hospitality

Value

Special thanks to Century Bay Private Residence for extending this hotel review invitation.

Century Bay Private Residence is a serviced apartment at Sungai Nibong. The property is conveniently located within a short driving distance from Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, Penang Bridge, Penang International Airport, Sungai Nibong Express Bus Terminal and Queensbay Mall.

Century Bay has several categories of apartment units, ranging from one- to three-bedroom suites. Penthouse and studio apartments are available too. The unit that I am staying covers 1,100 square feet and has 3 bedrooms. It can comfortably accommodate 5 guests.

Each apartment is fully furnished with elegant, stylish decor. In-room amenities include flat-panel television with satellite channels and high-speed Wi-Fi connection. There is air conditioning in every room, so smoking is strictly prohibited in the apartment.

The apartment's kitchen is equipped with a stove, refrigerator, rice cooker, microwave oven, electric boiler, coffee maker, toaster and other kitchen appliances. Cooking utensils and tableware are provided too. Meanwhile, the laundry area contains a washing machine and a drying rack.

The master bedroom has a king-size bed, a large wardrobe and another television set. The room also has an ensuite bathroom.

Meanwhile, the second bedroom is furnished with a queen-size bed, a wardrobe and a dressing table which also doubles as a reading desk.

Third bedroom is the smallest one of all. It contains a single bed, a wardrobe and a dressing table. This room is just the right size for one occupant.

My apartment unit has 2 bathrooms: one is attached to the master bedroom, the other is shared. The former has a bathtub too - not something that I often see nowadays. Heated water is available in both bathrooms.

The common areas of Century Bay are beautifully landscaped. An artificial stream flows through the building's lower levels, culminating in a small waterfall which splashes near the main entrance. Fish feed is provided for guests to wish to feed koi fish in the ponds.

Meanwhile, the swimming pool at Level 2 is surrounded by palm trees, sunloungers and canopies. There is also a smaller children's pool for kids to wade in. Clean towels are provided for the convenience of guests.

Next to the main swimming pool is a playground to keep the young ones occupied during their stay.

Sports facilities at Century Bay include badminton and basketball courts. In addition, a table tennis table is located indoors. As for guests who wish to explore the surrounding neighborhood, bicycles can be borrowed from the management at no extra charge.

Century Bay's fitness center is equipped with a dozen pieces of exercise equipment. Meanwhile, guests who prefer the easier way to sweat may take advantage of sauna and steambath facilities here.

As for entertainment, there is an area where guests can enjoy movies and video games. Several computer terminals are available for guests to browse the Internet. Furthermore with board games and reading materials at every corner of the common area, there is no shortage of things to do to pass the time.

Be sure to check out the pool tables at Chill Lounge. This is the perfect opportunity for one to show off one's precision shots. Why not enjoy a round of beer during the game? A glass of draft beer or bottled beer only costs RM12.00 at Chill Lounge.

Burgers & Bites is Century Bay's in-house eatery. It serves burgers, hot dogs, finger foods, coffee and other drinks. The menu is entirely pork-free. Burgers & Bites is open from 12:00pm to 10:30pm.

Throughout the day, guests may help themselves with complimentary snacks and drinks. There are usually cookies, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and squashes.

Breakfast is served at Burgers & Bites between 7:00am and 11:00am. In most cases, breakfast has been included in the price of the room. Otherwise, breakfast vouchers can be purchased on the spot for RM12.00 each. There are 3 choices for the breakfast platter; I opted for the Full Breakfast.

Burgers & Bites also serves semi-buffet breakfast. The buffet counter presents other breakfast items such as toast, breakfast cereals, noodles, cakes, fruits and drinks.

Thanks to its strategic location and comprehensive amenities, Century Bay is a popular choice for expatriates and business travelers, especially those who are with their families or staying for an extended duration. Room reservations can be made through Century Bay's official website.

Name: Century Bay Private Residence
Address: 5, Lintang Pantai Jerjak, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-659-1515
Business hours: 24 hours
Website: https://www.centurybayprivateresidence.com
Coordinates: 5.34505 N, 100.30533 E
Directions: Driving southbound on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, turn left at Persiaran Batu Uban. After 300 meters, turn right at the crossroads and drive another 300 meters. Century Bay is located on the right. Century Bay provides complimentary parking for guests.

Special thanks to Century Bay Private Residence for extending this food review invitation.

Burgers & Bites is the sole restaurant inside Century Bay Private Residence. It is located at Level 2, adjacent to the koi pond. This eatery is also where in-house guests are served breakfast in the morning.

Burgers & Bites has a modest menu which covers burgers, hot dogs and other finger foods. Drinks include espresso coffee and hot chocolate. Meanwhile, bottled beer and draft beer only cost RM12.00 each for the entire day.

The gas-fueled barbecue grill is where most of the action takes place. The Salmon Burger (RM20.00) consists of a salmon fillet sandwiched in a burger bun. Also included are lettuce, cheese, mayonnaise and ketchup. Side dishes are rocket salad and French fries.

Each serving of Grill Chicken Wings (RM12.00) contains three pieces. The wings are basted with tangy-and-spicy sauce, and then barbecued until they turn golden brown. This snack goes particularly well with beer.

As for drinks, the Iced Chocolate (RM7.00) gives a strong taste of cocoa. Make sure that you stir well before drinking!

Burgers & Bites is open to walk-in customers. Pork is not served in the restaurant.

Name: Burgers & Bites
Address: Century Bay Private Residence, 5, Lintang Pantai Jerjak, 11700 Gelugor, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-659-1515
Business hours: 12:00pm-10:30pm
Website: https://www.centurybayprivateresidence.com
Coordinates: 5.34515 N, 100.30534 E
Directions: Driving southbound on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, turn left at Persiaran Batu Uban. After 300 meters, turn right at the crossroads and drive another 300 meters. Century Bay is located on the right. Burgers & Bites is located on Level 2. Century Bay provides complimentary parking for customers.

Special thanks to Peranakan Passion Nyonya Restaurant for extending this food review invitation.

Today's dinner brings me to Peranakan Passion Nyonya Restaurant (娘惹餐厅) at D'Piazza Mall. The Peranakan (Nyonya) community primarily comprises of descendants of Chinese immigrants who settled Southeast Asia between the 15th and 17th centuries. In addition, there are also smaller Peranakan communities of Indian, Arab and Eurasian lineage.

Peranakan Passion is operated by a Peranakan family from Malacca. The family-owned restaurant features the portrait of the matriarch, from whom many of the recipes are derived from. To present a homely Nyonya atmosphere, the dining area is decorated with classic Nyonya ornaments such as traditional attire, porcelain ware and tiffin carriers.

Peranakan Passion specializes in authentic, home-style Peranakan cuisine. Like many traditional Nyonya households, the recipes were inherited from generation to generation. Peranakan Passion's food menu combines signature Nyonya dishes from Malacca, Penang, Singapore and Indonesia.

The restaurant's bestselling dish is Assam Pedas Tau Teh, a renowned delicacy from Malacca. The curry strikes a delicate balance between sour and spicy flavors. The choice of fish is Chinese silver pomfret (斗鲳), a premium choice that is sought-after in seafood restaurants. The dish is also garnished with tomatoes, shallots, mint and bunga kantan (torch ginger).

Fried Rempah Squid is also delectable to the last morsel. In this dish, bite-size squid is stir-fried with a special blend of herbs and spices, giving it a touch of spiciness that tantalizes the palate. The squid is remarkably fresh as evidenced by its delightful springiness.

Another recommended seafood dish is Assam Sauce Prawns. The white shrimps are marinated with savory tamarind sauce for several hours, allowing the sauce to soften the shells and penetrate the crunchy flesh underneath. The prawns may be eaten entirely to savour the true tanginess of tamarind.

Moving on to poultry, Chicken Pongteh (RM20.00) is a popular choice for children and the elderly due to its pleasant taste. Stewed with a rich gravy, the chicken dish contains potatoes, shiitake mushrooms and fermented soybeans. Chicken Pongteh carries a hint of sweet aftertaste due to the presence of gula melaka (palm sugar).

Itik Tim (RM20.00) is a rich soup that contains duck, pickled mustard greens and sour plum. The soup becomes substantially saltier as it cools down, so it should be consumed while it is piping hot.

Despite its simplicity, the appeal of Chincalok Omelette (RM10.00) should not be discounted. Hailing from Malacca, cincalok is made by fermenting a type of shrimp called udang geragau with rice and salt. Pink in its uncooked form, cincalok is extremely pungent and salty. This makes it go particularly well with the eggs.

Meanwhile, Ju Hu Char (RM18.00) is an appetizer of Penang origin. The salad is a combination of shredded jicama (sengkuang), carrots, mushrooms and dried cuttlefish. The cuttlefish is responsible for the dish's characteristic savoriness. Ju Hu Char is usually wrapped in lettuce and eaten by hand. A small amount of chili paste helps to enhance flavor.

Nasi Bakar (RM10.00) is a relatively recent invention from the Indonesian Peranakan community. Although there are over a hundred different variants, Nasi Bakar typically consists of cooked rice that is wrapped in a banana leaf and then grilled over fire. This allows the banana leaf to impart fragrant aroma to the rice.

Peranakan Passion uses premium jasmine rice for Nasi Bakar. The blue coloring is a natural extract of butterfly-pea flowers (bunga telang). Unlike most restaurants, Peranakan Passion uses lots of flowers in order to produce the deep blue color. The flowers are nearly tasteless on their own, so the rice is infused with a variety of herbs to produce the desired aroma and flavor. Also included with Nasi Bakar are omelette and sambal (chili paste).

As for drinks, Peranakan Passion uses honey in lieu of refined sugar. The subtle sweetness of honey delights the taste buds without the surfeiting sensation on the tongue. Shown here are Blue Pea Lemon (RM6.00) and Lemongrass Lime (RM7.00). Both drinks are prepared from genuine ingredients such as butterfly-pea flower, lemongrass, lemon and lime.

Peranakan Passion has extra dining space upstairs for hosting private events. Catering service is also available. To remain faithful to its Nyonya roots, the restaurant does not cut corners when it comes to the authenticity and freshness of ingredients. MSG is notably absent in the food here. It is also important to note that Peranakan Passion is a pork-free restaurant.

Name: Peranakan Passion Nyonya Restaurant (娘惹餐厅)
Address: 70-1-19, D'Piazza Mall, Jalan Mahsuri, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 018-462-5608
Business hours: 11:30am-3:00pm, 6:00pm-9:30pm (Tuesday-Friday), 5:00pm-10:00pm (Saturday-Sunday), closed on Mondays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/peranakanpassion
Coordinates: 5.32661 N, 100.28311 E
Directions: Peranakan Passion is located at D'Piazza in Bayan Baru. The restaurant is several shops after Sweet-i. Outdoor parking and basement parking are available at D'Piazza.

Special thanks to The Northam All Suite Hotel for extending this food review invitation.

Coffee House is the main restaurant of The Northam All Suite Hotel. Located next to the hotel lobby, Coffee House is also where in-house guests are served breakfast.

Coffee House serves Nasi Campur from 12:00pm to 2:00pm every day except on Sundays. The promotion features several of the chef's signature dishes. Meals are charged based on the number of dishes taken. In general, there are more dishes on weekdays in order to accommodate larger crowds.

Key to Malaysian mixed rice is obviously rice itself. Two types of rice are provided: Nasi Minyak and Steamed White Rice. The former is cooked with ghee and spices, resulting in lovely fragrance that pleases the nose.

The main highlight today is Lamb Kurma, which I enjoy very much. The savory gravy does a great job in masking the smell of mutton. Meanwhile for Daging Rendang, beef is cooked with coconut milk and spices for several hours until most liquid has boiled away.

Ayam Panggang is the poultry dish today. Unfortunately, I feel that the grilled chicken is not as flavorful as mutton or beef. I think the chicken needs more seasoning.

Other notable dishes today are Steamed Egg, Stir Fried Bean Sprout With Tofu, Fried Petola With Vermicelli and Siew Pak Choy. The actual dishes varies from day to day.

The "Ulam" section presents raw vegetables such as okra (lady's fingers), winged beans, tomatoes and cabbages. The vegetables are often eaten with condiments such as sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste), air asam (tamarind sauce) and sambal kicap (spicy soy sauce).

Egg salad and sausage salad are served today. As for sweet desserts, enjoy a warm bowl of Bubur Kacang Merah.

All customers enjoy complimentary soup and drinks. The Northam has certainly read the minds of most people!

In lieu of Nasi Campur, diners can opt for Nasi Lemak instead. Nasi Lemak's rice is infused with coconut milk and pandan extract. The rice's oily texture makes it quite appealing. Another key ingredient for Nasi Lemak is sambal bawang. The spicy condiment is one of The Northam's strongest suits!

Nasi Lemak also comes with chicken rendang, roasted peanuts, fried anchovies, cucumber slices and hard-boiled egg. If the basic Nasi Lemak (RM8.00) is insufficient, customers can supplement the meals with dishes from the Nasi Campur section.

There are also several à la carte dishes to choose from. For example, Fish Head Claypot (RM10.00) presents a satisfying curry that is not too spicy. Besides fish head, the claypot also contains okra and eggplants (brinjals).

Next, Sotong Goreng Kunyit (RM8.00) contains fried squid in turmeric-based gravy. I appreciate the springy texture of squid. As for Udang Masak Lemak (RM8.00), the shrimps are cooked in a gravy that is rich in coconut milk.

The à la minute action stall serves Char Koay Teow (RM8.00). This Malay-style noodle dish is not as dry as its Chinese counterpart. Other key ingredients are fish balls, fishcake, egg, bean sprouts, garlic chives, fried shallots, chili paste, soy sauce and garlic. Customers can always customize the level of spiciness.

The Grab & Go stall at Coffee House's entrance offers a cup of coffee or tea plus two pieces of pastries for only RM8.00. This promotion is available daily from 7:00am to 5:00pm. This is perfect for customers who prefer a lighter meal or need to hit the road.

Pastry choices for Grab & Go are croissants, muffins and Danish pastries. Customers can also opt for nasi lemak in lieu of pastries.

The food pricing at Coffee House is very affordable; a proper lunch can cost as low as RM6.00 only. To stretch the dollar further, take advantage of The Northam's loyalty program. For every 10 meals here, the next one is on the house!

Name: Coffee House
Address: 55, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-370-1111
Business hours: 6:30am-10:30pm
Website: https://www.northamhotel-penang.com
Coordinates: 5.42728 N, 100.32127 E
Directions: The Northam is located on Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, right after Vouk Hotel Suites. Coffee House is right next to the lobby. There is a multilevel parking garage in the hotel.

Special thanks to San Francisco Coffee for extending this food review invitation.

San Francisco Coffee has several outlets in Klang Valley, but currently has only one café in Penang. Located at the exterior section of Gurney Plaza, this outlet is sandwiched between Starbucks Coffee and Hoshino Coffee.

Stepping into San Francisco Coffee, the most prominent feature inside is a large, painted mural. Meanwhile, dining tables are placed sparsely from one another, giving the café a spacious appearance. There are also outdoor tables for customers who prefer al fresco dining.

The bestselling beverage here is the Golden Gate (RM12.30). Named after the famous Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the drink is concocted from espresso, milk, chocolate and orange. On the other hand, Bay Bridge Sunrise (RM14.20) is served iced and carries substantial notes of citrus. Its name refers to another bridge in San Francisco which connects it to Oakland.

San Francisco Coffee has a collection of merchandise on sale. Shown here are special edition tumblers designed by Marty Woods, a local Malaysian artist. Customers who use a San Francisco Coffee tumbler enjoy RM2.00 discount for every handcrafted drink.

As for food, San Francisco Coffee serves sandwiches, pastries and breakfast. Unfortunately, I am not able to sample these food items yet. As for coffee addicts from Seberang Perai, the staff has hinted that San Francisco Coffee will be opening another outlet in Auto-City soon.

Name: San Francisco Coffee
Address: 170-G-40, Plaza Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: N/A
Business hours: 8:00am-12:00pm
Website: http://www.sfcoffee.com
Coordinates: 5.43780 N, 100.31001 E
Directions: San Francisco Coffee is located at Gurney Plaza's outdoor piazza, directly facing G Hotel. Gurney Plaza has basement and multi-level parking garages.

Special thanks to Morganfield's for extending this food review invitation.

Oktoberfest is an annual celebration in the German city of Munich. The 2-week festival is marked by costumed parades, live music, Bavarian food and endless flow of beer. In the spirit of Oktoberfest, Morganfield's is rolling out a limited-time Porktoberfest menu. The word "Porktoberfest" is obviously a word play on "pork" and "Oktoberfest".

Viewed from outside the mall, Morganfield's is one of the more prominent restaurants in Queensbay Mall. Besides the air-conditioned dining area, Morganfield's also sports a large al fresco section where customers can enjoy the cool evening breeze.

The ultimate spread this month is the Porktoberfest-Feast! (RM209.90). The meal comprises of Crispy Pork Knuckle, Octo-Hotdog, Sticky Bones Spare Ribs, sausages and other side dishes. The enormous platter is meant to feed 3 or 4 people. If the portion is too large, go for the Mini Porktoberfest-Feast (RM109.90) for 2 persons.

Crispy Pork Knuckle is probably the best known German delicacy to most Malaysians. This dish is called Schweinshaxe in German, and also known as Schweinshaxn in Bavarian dialect. Using the hock section of the swine, the pork is roasted to perfection. As per tradition, it is served with sauerkraut and goes well with bacon onion gravy.

The platter also includes an Octo-Hotdog. Sandwiched inside a white bread roll is bratwurst, a type of German sausage made from pork. The bread roll is also filled with coleslaw, onions, chili con carne (spicy meat stew) and cheese. Sliced jalapeños are added on top.

Morganfield's signature sausages are also featured in the Porktoberfest-Feast! meal. Three types take the center stage: Footlong Farmer's Bratwurst, Herby Hog and Spicy Devil. The Spicy Devil is my favorite. Despite its infernal name, the sausage is not terribly spicy. It is interesting to note that Morganfield's stuffs sausages at its own central kitchen.

Porktoberfest-Feast! comes with half a slab of Sticky Bones Spare Ribs. Customers can choose any of the five flavors: Hickory BBQ, Garlicky BBQ, Smoked Peppercorn, Asian Charred and Rib Rub. We opted for Rib Rub today. This is a classic dry rub recipe that does not use barbecue sauce.

Also included are three pieces of corn bread; I love their crumbly texture. In addition, grilled corn on the cob, red skin mashed potato, flat chips, garden salad and garden veggies serve to complement the meat-heavy Porktoberfest-Feast! meal.

Porktoberfest-Feast! does not cover Candied Bacon (RM15.90), so this snack has to be ordered separately. The crispy bacon strips are grilled with a caramelized layer of brown sugar, resulting in a gentle sweetness with delights the taste buds. To add flavor, the basket of bacon strips is given sprinkles of chili flakes and spices. This finger food goes well with beer.

Speaking of beer, Oktoberfest will not be complete without endless kegs of booze. In conjunction with the festive season, Morganfield's is pouring draft beer by the glass for only RM9.90 each. The German beer, Erdinger Weißbräu, is unfortunately not available today. Therefore, we substituted it with Hoegaarden and Kronenbourg Blanc instead.

Morganfield's Porktoberfest promotion runs throughout the entire month of October 2018. It is available in all outlets in Malaysia, but the prices may differ for Genting Highlands and Kota Kinabalu restaurants.

Name: Morganfield's
Address: GF-121, Queensbay Mall, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-643-5049
Business hours: 11:00am-1:00am
Website: http://www.morganfields.com
Coordinates: 5.33421 N, 100.30668 E
Directions: Morganfield's is located on the Ground Floor of Queensbay Mall, right next to Starbucks Coffee. Queensbay Mall has a multilevel parking garage and several outdoor parking spaces.

Special thanks to Royale Chulan Penang for extending this food review invitation.

Special offer: Mention "RCPPGFFT7C" to get 20% discount off the total bill.

Sri Tanjung Cafe is the main restaurant in Royale Chulan Penang. The coffeehouse is located at the ground floor of Boustead Building. This historical structure along Weld Quay (Pengkalan Weld) was meticulously restored as part of the hotel's construction.

Effective October 2018, Royale Chulan Penang is introducing the 7 Continents Buffet Dinner to replace the Friday Night Poolside BBQ. The dishes in the new menu are the brainchild of the hotel's Executive Sous Chef, Chef Khamarul, who amassed a diverse range of recipes while serving on a luxurious ocean liner several years ago. The 7 Continents Buffet Dinner is held at Sri Tanjung Cafe; the indoor setting makes the dinner more resilient to inclement weather.

One of the buffet's main attractions is Roast Beef Striploin. The striploin is cooked to medium doneness, resulting in a pinkish middle that retains the meat's natural juiciness. Black pepper sauce is provided. The beef is also served with grilled vegetables and mashed potatoes. In addition, there are also à la minute counters that serve local dishes like Mee Rebus and Char Koay Teow.

Chilled seafood is meant to represent the frozen continent of Antarctica. Served on ice are flower crabs, spannar crabs, shrimps and bay mussels. A variety of condiments such as tartar sauce and Thousand Island are provided to go with seafood.

İmam Bayıldı is an exquisite Turkish dish. Whole eggplants are stuffed with tomatoes, onion and garlic, and then cooked with olive oil for a lovely aroma. I love the juicy texture of eggplants and how they blend with the stuffings.

There are a variety of salads from around the world. For instance, Caprese Salad is a combination of mozzarella cheese, tomato and basil; these three ingredients represent the tricolored Italian flag. Also from European cookbooks are Mediterranean Squid Salad and French Mesclun Mix. As for local salads, there are Sotong Kangkung and Nyonya Prawns Kerabu.

For a taste of local Malay cuisine, Dhalca Kambing highlights the prevalent use of spices in the region. The pungent gravy is necessary to mask the strong smell of mutton. This spicy dish is cooked with potatoes, carrots, onions and tomatoes.

Meanwhile, Stuffed Chicken Kiev is a popular poultry dish from Russia. It is known in Russian as котлета по-киевски, which literally means "Kiev-style cutlet". Made from chicken breast, the cutlet is rolled with butter and coated with eggs and bread crumbs. The roll is then fried to golden crispiness. The resulting dish is somewhat similar to Chicken Cordon Bleu.

An iconic dish in Louisiana cuisine, the Seafood Jambalaya brings green-lipped mussels, clams and shrimps together in an appealing presentation. The shrimps are particularly succulent. Other seafood delicacies this evening are Crispy Nestum Prawn, Stir Fried Squid With Dried Chili & Black Pepper and Baked Oyster Sabayon.

As for Asian style Stir-Fried Vegetables, the fresh ingredients here are broccoli, cauliflower, carrot, baby corn, capsicum, button mushroom and straw mushroom. The vegetables are cooked with light oyster sauce in order to accentuate their natural sweetness. This vegetarian dish serves to counteract the heavy flavors of previous dishes.

Moving on, the pastry section presents a variety of sweet treats to delight the taste buds. Western confectionery is represented by bread & butter pudding, strawberry pudding, chocolate moist cake, chocolate truffle and homemade cookies. On the other hand, Asian treats are longan jelly, strawberry jelly, sago gula melaka and sago & honeydew coconut cream. I am particularly fond of the cookies; they carry a gentle touch of sweetness in a non-surfeiting manner.

Last but not least, fresh tropical fruits like papaya, pineapple and watermelon serve to end dinner on a sweet note.

Royale Chulan Penang's 7 Continents Buffet Dinner is served from 6:30pm to 10:00pm every Friday. The buffet is priced at RM75.00 net for adults and RM50.00 net for children and senior citizens. For every 3 paying adults, the 4th person's meal is on the house.

Royale Chulan Penang is offering an exclusive discount to my readers. Simply provide the promotion code "RCPPGFFT7C" to get 20% discount off the total bill. You can just show the flyer below using your phone; there is no need to print on paper. This special code is valid until 2 November 2018. It cannot be combined with other ongoing promotions.

Name: Sri Tanjung Cafe
Address: 1 & 2, Pengkalan Weld, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-259-8888
Business hours: 7:00am-10:30pm
Website: http://www.royalechulan-penang.com/dining
Coordinates: 5.41700 N, 100.34401 E
Directions: From the ferry terminal at George Town, turn right and drive along Weld Quay (Pengkalan Weld). Royale Chulan Penang is located shortly on the left, at the same block as Made in Penang Interactive 3D Museum. There is a small lane right after the hotel, which leads to the main entrance and multi-level car park. Guests who dine in Sri Tanjung Cafe can get their parking tickets validated for a flat rate of RM5.00 per entry.

Special thanks to Hotel Equatorial Penang for extending this food review invitation.

Hotel Equatorial Penang is a prestigious resort next to the 18-hole Penang Golf Club. This 5-star hotel welcomes arriving guests with its spacious concourse that rises to the height of nearly 10 floors. Vines hang gracefully from the upper floors, while an artificial stream flows within the hotel's expansive grounds.

Hotel Equatorial has 5 eateries in total. Located right above Golden Phoenix, The View serves French cuisine in a fine dining setting. Smart casual attire is expected.

As the restaurant's name rightly implies, The View provides a breathtaking view of the surrounding areas. The scenery is particularly mesmerizing with the setting sun casting from the back.

This evening, The View is hosting the Flametree Margaret River Wine Dinner in collaboration with Évian, Badoit and The Wine Shop. This 5-course meal takes diners on a gastronomical journey while savoring several wine labels from Flametree.

Flametree is a renowned winery in Margaret River, Australia. Located on the west coast of the continent, Margaret River is surrounded by the Indian Ocean on three sides. The region's temperate Mediterranean climate produces some of the finest wines in the country.

While waiting for dinner to be served, diners may help themselves with a basket of bread rolls to keep the appetite up. Salted butter is provided.

The first course is Sesame Crusted Hamachi. Also known as yellowtail, the fish is served raw à la sashimi. The sesame-coated crust gives the fillet a scrumptious touch of crispiness. The fish is served with tomato salsa, spicy-sweet plum sauce and microgreens. The paired wine is Flametree Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon 2017, which carries a burst of nectarine sweetness with hints of fresh herbs.

The next course, Pan-Seared Foie Gras, is cooked to absolute perfection. The buttery goose liver virtually melts upon contact with my tongue. I also appreciate the use of Melba toast, baby spinach, grape relish and fig infusion for the plating. This evening's foie gras is meant to go with Flametree S.R.S. Wallcliffe Chardonnay 2015. The wine's fruity flavors shrouds a touch of salinity - a hallmark of Margaret River's unique soil.

Seafood Cappuccino Provençale Olive Oil is a lovely soup that combines rich flavors of seafood with olive oil and truffle. Its light and foamy consistency is the result of an espuma. The soup is served in a coffee cup alongside a grissino (breadstick).

The subsequent dish is Oven-Roasted Australian Grain Fed Beef Tenderloin. Flavored with port wine emulsion, the steak rests on a bed of crispy potato noodles. Baby-cut carrot and microgreens serve as icing on the cake. I feel that the beef is on the dry side; medium doneness might have been a better choice. Assigned to this dish is a red wine, Flametree Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015.

On the other hand, the Pistachio Nut Crusted Young New Zealand Rack Of Lamb is substantially juicier. The tangy grain mustard sauce also does a great job in accentuating the succulent flavors of lamb. Served on the side are roasted honey pumpkin and sautéed wild mushrooms. Another red wine, Flametree S.R.S. Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, is paired with this delectable lamb dish.

Cheese holds a special place in my heart, so I am thrilled to sample the exquisite Cheese Platter. Today's cheese selections are Gouda, blue cheese and cheddar. Accompanying the cheeses are Fuji apple compote, fig, apricot, pecan, almond and walnut.

As for the dessert, Ice Cream Bon Bon consists of vanilla ice cream with white chocolate coating. Dry ice vapors present a mystifying illusion. Also included is an assortment of butter cookies and pralines. These sweet treats are paired with a dessert wine, Flametree Botrytis Sémillon 2017. The wine is fermented from grapes that have been deliberately infected by a fungus called noble rot, resulting in more concentrated sweetness.

Last but not least, a cup of coffee concludes the dinner on a high note.

The View serves à la carte dishes on normal days, but course meals like the one this evening can be arranged upon request. It is important to note that pork is absent from the food menu. Vegetarian options are available too.

Name: The View
Address: Hotel Equatorial Penang, 1, Jalan Bukit Jambul, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-632-7000
Business hours: 6:30pm-10:00pm
Website: https://penang.equatorial.com/dining/the-view
Coordinates: 5.33736 N, 100.28512 E
Directions: Hotel Equatorial Penang is located near the intersection of Persiaran Bukit Jambul and Lebuh Bukit Jambul. Jalan Bukit Jambul is a small offshoot from Persiaran Bukit Jambul near this intersection. The View is located at the same level as the main lobby. The hotel provides multilevel parking for RM10.00 per entry.

Special thanks to Flamingo Hotel By The Beach, Penang for extending this food review invitation.

Flamingo Hotel By The Beach, Penang is debuting an all-new Penang Lang Porridge Fest today. Held at Flamingo Café, the meal is served in a buffet setting. Although the main emphasis is on rice porridges, the menu also covers à la minute action stalls, cooked dishes, snacks and desserts.

An important aspect of congee is the variety of condiments. Flamingo Café provides nearly 20 types! Popular ingredients are anchovies, silver fish, salted fish, fermented bean curd, salted eggs and century eggs. In addition, douchi (fermented black soybeans), pickled lettuce, preserved radish and braised peanuts add flavor in different directions. Roasted peanuts, fried shallots, scallions, sesame oil, garlic oil and soy sauce are essential too.

Meanwhile, the rice porridges themselves are served in large pots. 4 types are available: Plain Porridge, Chicken Porridge, Sweet Potatoes Porridge and Goji Berries Porridge. I think the sweet potato version is my personal favorite.

The buffet also includes several action stalls outside Flamingo Ballroom. Be sure to sample the Ayam Golek. The chicken is marinated thoroughly and then roasted over burning charcoal. Condiments are provided but I think the rotisserie chicken is already tasty on its own.

There is another stall which serves deep-fried mackerel. For diners who enjoy vegetables, another stall cooks stir-fried cabbage, French beans and Chinese kale. Other popular food choices are Mee Rebus, Roti Canai, Roti Tisu, Murtabak, Chinese Herbal Soup and Hot Soya Bean Milk.

While waiting for food to be cooked at à la minute stalls, help yourself with cooked dishes at the buffet line. Seafood lovers may want to try the Clams Cooked With Preserved Beans & Ginger. I enjoy the tantalizing spiciness that this dish imparts to the tongue.

The Dried Style Curry Chicken is also presented in a large wok. The gravy has extremely rich taste as it is saturated with coconut milk.

Stir Fried Golden Chai Por Eggs is enjoyable despite its simplicity. Sometimes, even the simplest dishes can delight the palate.

Since rice is the staple crop of Malaysia, rice dishes are essential in any buffet menu. Today's rice dish is Village-Style Seafood Fried Rice. Although the rice is mild in terms of taste, it nicely complements with the saltiness of fried anchovies.

Malay salads include Kerabu Mangga and Acar Timun Nenas. Children will also enjoy deep-fried snacks like pandan chicken, oyster rolls and century egg rolls.

Pasembur and Rojak are popular street foods here in Penang. The former is dressed with sweet-and-spicy peanut sauce, while the latter uses a thick sauce that is based on belacan (shrimp paste).

The desserts section gives a good combination of local Malaysian kuih and Western pastries. There are also several types of puddings and fruit jellies. Meanwhile, warm soupy desserts include Bubur Pulut Hitam, Bubur Kacang Hijau and Bubur Gandum.

Ais Kerim Goyang is prepared in a specially-made machine. Each cylindrical mold is filled with flavored syrup and a skewer. Since the bottom compartment is filled with ice, the syrup becomes frozen after some time. The machine is shaken back and forth in order to speed up the freezing process, hence the name "goyang" (shaking).

Once frozen, the popsicles are removed from the molds and served immediately. There are three flavors: corn, sirap bandung and Milo. My personal favorite is the corn version.

The Penang Lang Porridge Fest is served every Sunday from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. The price is RM28.00 net for adults, and RM18.00 net for children (4-11 years), making this promotion among the cheapest buffets in Penang. Due to overwhelming response, prior reservation is highly recommended. Meanwhile on Saturdays, Flamingo Café serves High Tea Buffet and Flavours Of Meat & Seafood BBQ in the evening.

Name: Flamingo Café
Address: Flamingo Hotel, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-892-7167
Business hours: 7:00am-12:00am
Website: http://penang.flamingo.com.my/dining
Coordinates: 5.46739 N, 100.28891 E
Directions: Traveling westbound on Jalan Tanjung Bungah, drive past the pedestrian bridge near Dalat International School. Make a U-turn at the next traffic light-controlled junction and immediately turn left to Flamingo Hotel. Flamingo Café is one level below the lobby. The hotel provides complimentary outdoor and indoor parking.

Special thanks to Flamingo Hotel By The Beach, Penang for extending this food review invitation.

Barely a week since my preview visit to Flamingo Hotel, I am returning to this 4-star hotel to review the Flavours Of Meat & Seafood BBQ. Held at Flamingo Café, this buffet dinner is served between 7:00pm and 10:30pm every Saturday.

As the theme implies, the main highlights of the menu are barbecued meat and seafood. The charcoal-fired grilling station is located outdoors. Marinated meats include chicken, beef and lamb, while grilled seafood items are kembung (mackerel), prawns, mussels, clams and squid. Grilled sausages, kebab and vegetables are available too. As for condiments, there are barbecue sauce, mushroom sauce, seafood chili sauce, tamarind sauce and French mustard.

Chicken Ballotine is a French dish of lean chicken stuffed with ground meat and seasonings. Ballotine is shaped like a large sausage in a similar manner to galantine. This poultry dish goes well with sweet apricot sauce.

Diners who crave for chilled seafood can help themselves with marine delicacies like flower crabs, green-lipped mussels, scallops, shrimps and octopus. Garlic chili sauce and lemon wedges are provided.

The platter of smoked chicken and smoked duck is captivating indeed. I think smoked duck suits my palate better. The cold cuts are served with tangy mango salsa.

Meanwhile, the sushi platter presents several types of maki-, nigiri- and gunkan-type sushi. Traditional sushi condiments like wasabi, pickled ginger and soy sauce are provided.

I am also attracted by the platters of cold cuts and cheeses. The cheese platter contains cheddar, camembert, blue cheese, nuts, fruits and crackers. I like the creamy sensation of camembert in particular.

As for hot dishes, Fried Salted Eggs Flower Crabs are cooked with butter and curry leaves. Flower crabs do not offer much meat. Instead, the main enjoyment of this dish comes from the savory seasoning.

Next, Udang Berempah is a Nyonya-style dish where prawns are cooked with sour and spicy curry. Also included are eggplants (brinjals), carrots and tomatoes. In addition, the Crispy Fried Squid is pretty appetizing too.

Served in a wok is another spicy dish, Curry Lamb. The delectable chunks of lamb go well with the spicy gravy. Potato chunks take advantage of the delectable curry too.

Moving on, Crispy Beef Cutlet is deep-fried and then cut into bite-size pieces. The beef is served with rosemary reduction and assorted vegetables on the side.

A variety of cakes, Malay kuih, jellies, mousses, puddings and tartlets serve to satisfy one's sweet tooth. Should diners prefer soupy desserts, there are Bubur Pulut Hitam and Foo Chok Barley as well.

Flamingo Hotel's Flavours Of Meat & Seafood BBQ is priced at RM88.00 net per adult, and RM48.00 net per child or senior citizen. The hotel is offering "Buy 1 Free 1" for adults, which effectively means that the buffet only costs RM44.00 per person! Besides this buffet, Flamingo Café is also serving High Tea Buffet every Saturday, and Penang Lang Porridge Fest on Sundays.

By The Sea is a beachfront property along the main road of Batu Ferringhi. It is located between PARKROYAL Penang Resort and Hard Rock Hotel.

Wendy's has recently opened a new outlet here. This American fast food franchise is the third largest burger chain in the United States. Founded in 1969 by Dave Thomas, Wendy's logo depicts the owner's daughter whose name is, as you might have guessed, Wendy.

Like McDonald's and Burger King, Wendy's specializes in good old American burgers. The fast food restaurant uses self-service model to keep operating costs low. Customers place orders over the counter, and then collect their food once their respective numbers are called.

This Wendy's outlet has both air-conditioned and al fresco dining sections. The eatery is quite spacious and cozy. My only complaint is the lack of sound damping; the place becomes quite noisy whenever there is a large crowd.

Wendy's is known for using square patties for its signature burgers like the Beefanator (RM18.60). Sandwiched in the toasted bun are two beef patties, chicken strips, cheese, mayonnaise and ketchup. I enjoy the succulent taste of beef.

Another popular burger is Mushroom Melt Supreme (RM12.90), which contains chicken bacon and cheese. Customers can choose either chicken or beef patty; I opted for the former. The main appeal of this burger is the cheesy mushroom sauce which contains portobello mushrooms.

As for Crispy Cheesie Chicken (RM6.80), the chicken patty is coated with crispy crumbs. This burger feels drier than the previous ones. Fortunately, it comes with some lettuce and mayonnaise.

Each burger can be upgraded to a combo meal which includes a side dish and a drink. There are also several ongoing promotions that are specific to this outlet. Meanwhile, other Wendy's outlets in Penang are located at Sunrise, Juru and Design Village.

Address: 1A & 1B, By The Sea, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Pulau Pinang
Contact: N/A
Business hours: 10:00am-2:00am

Taste

Presentation

Ambience

Hospitality

Value

Special thanks to The Ship for extending this food review invitation.

The Ship is a chain of ship-themed restaurants in Klang Valley and Penang. According to the Malaysia Book of Records, it is the longest operating Western restaurant chain in the country. Today's lunch brings me to the George Town outlet at Jalan Sri Bahari, which has been operating for more than 3 decades. The front section of the restaurant resembles a ship's bow.

The Ship is designed in the likeness of a seafaring vessel. Extensive use of wooden elements makes the dining area reminiscent of a ship's cabin. There is also a large room that can accommodate 100 diners for private events. In addition, staff members are dressed in white naval uniforms with rank insignias, keeping in character with the theme of this restaurant.

Before the meal commences, diners are given freshly baked bread rolls with butter to keep the appetite up. As for the salad, it comes with a choice of dressing: French, mayonnaise or Thousand Islands.

The Ship is renowned for its premium Australian steaks. The bestselling beef cut is the Charbroiled Rib Eye Steak (RM71.90). The recommended doneness is medium in order to retain the beef's juicy and tender texture. The steak is indeed succulent to the last morsel.

The Charbroiled Rib Eye Steak is served with baked potato, corn on the cob and assorted vegetables. I am particularly fond of the baked potato. It is elegantly garnished with chicken bacon, sour cream and chopped scallions.

As for drinks, today's choice is Premium Ice Blended Cappuccino (RM13.90). This chilled coffee drink is topped with whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

The Ship is definitely one of the best steakhouses in Penang. According to the staff, other signature dishes here are seafood and poultry, which I am sure that I will order during my next visit. Last but not least, it is important to note that The Ship does not serve pork.

Name: The Ship
Address: 42, Jalan Sri Bahari, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-263-9532
Business hours: 11:30am-12:00am
Website: https://www.theship.com.my
Coordinates: 5.42149 N, 100.33195 E
Directions: From either direction of Transfer Road (Jalan Transfer) turn to Jalan Sri Bahari. The Ship is approximately 100 meters ahead on the left. Street parking is available on both sides of Jalan Sri Bahari.

Laksalicious is a small eatery near the intersection of Hutton Lane (Jalan Hutton) and Transfer Road (Jalan Transfer). As the name implies, the restaurant specializes in assam laksa.

I ordered the Nyonya Assam Laksa With Prawn Cracker (招牌古早味槟城娘惹亚参叻沙, RM8.50). The fish broth's recipe comes from Seberang Perai. It is not as sweet as typical ones on Penang Island. In fact, the broth feels sourer due to liberal use of tamarind.

As for the noodle, customers can choose between traditional rice noodle (传统叻沙粉) and lai fun (濑粉). Other ingredients are pineapples, cucumber, shallots, lettuce, torch ginger and mint leaves. Shrimp paste (虾膏) may be added but I think it is unnecessary.

I also ordered Crispy Cempedak Roll (招牌炸尖必拉脆卷, RM4.90) as a snack and Dried Bean Curd Barley With Ginkgo Nuts (白果腐竹薏米糖水, RM5.90) as a dessert. For the former, I think the aroma of cempedak is not sufficiently prominent.

Nyonya Sago Gula Malacca (蝶豆花纯椰糖西米, RM7.90) is another signature dish here. The sago pearls appear blue because they are dyed using butterfly-pea flowers. As sago is nearly tasteless on its own, gula melaka is provided to provide sweetness. The dish is also served with grated coconut and coconut milk.

Laksalicious has several more versions of assam laksa, but I have yet to taste them this round. By the way, the restaurant has a second outlet at Queensbay Mall.

Address: 123, Jalan Hutton, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-229-9178
Business hours: 11:30am-7:30pm, closed on Wednesday

Taste

Presentation

Ambience

Hospitality

Value