The Haven Harbour Cafe @ Chime Heritage, Georgetown, Penang.

The newly revamped Chime Heritage along Jalan Bawasah welcomes a spade of new tenants which comprises of cafes and restaurants. The Haven Harbour Cafe took the prominent spot, a corner lot of the premise. I would classify The Haven Harbour more of a restaurant in lieu of a cafe as it serves quite a selection of Pasta dishes and some mouth-watering home-made desserts. Prices may be a little higher as compared to other cafes, but they commensurate with higher quality ingredients. More items and dishes are to be added onto their menu soon. They may not have the perfect setting or dining atmosphere, but their attentive service and sturdy menu are worthy for your visit. 

Boon Kee Chicken Rice (巫记鸡饭) @ Air Itam, Penang.

Tucked within a terrace house along Jalan Air Itam, opposite to BHPetrol station, is a newly opened Chicken Rice specialist- Boon Kee. The fully air-conditioned restaurant provides a comfortable, spacious and clean seating for diners, which explains why it stands out amongst the ubiquitous Chicken Rice stalls. Albeit the place provides a better and new level of dining experience, but Boon Kee charges their customers at unbeatable and affordable prices. The service was friendly and attentive but finding a place to park near the area can be a headache. We did not find the foods here outstanding but this place is definitely worth a visit considering its wallet-friendly price tags and comfortable environment. 

Magnificent Malaysia @ Swez Brasserie, Eastin Hotel Penang.

Buffet fanatics will be glad to know that the culinary team of Swez Brasserie (Eastin Hotel Penang) plans to take diners to a gastronomical gourmet adventure, showcasing some of the thoughtfully chosen Malaysian delicacies. Diners can expect to see a buffet spread featuring some traditional dishes of the Malay, Chinese, Indian or even Eurasian specialties. The aforementioned buffet theme will be made available from 1st of August 2014 until 31st of August 2014. 

Many Thanks to Eastin Hotel Penang for extending the invitation.

Prices for the buffets are as follow: 

Lunch: Monday - Friday

12:00pm - 2:30pm

Rm 50++ (adult) Rm 25++ (child)

Hi-Tea: Saturday and Sunday

12:00pm - 4:00pm

Rm 68++ (adult) Rm 34++ (child)

Semi Buffet Dinner: Sunday - Thursday

6:30pm - 10:00pm

From Rm50++ per person

August Credit Card Promotions:

American Express, Standard Chartered Bank, UOB Bank, OCBC Bank, CIMB Bank, Citibank, Maybank and MasterCard Worldwide card members, guests can enjoy 15% discount for Semi Buffet Dinner (Sunday to Thursday) and Weekend Buffet Dinner (Saturday) from 6:30pm to 10:00pm.

For inquiries or reservations, kindly contact Eastin Hotel Penang, Swez Brasserie at +04- 612 1128.

67 Coffee Mansion @ Irving Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Tucked within a bungalow along an alley behind the bustling Macalister Road, 67 Coffee Mansion is a worth-visiting cafe that has conceived a solid menu. Interestingly, 67 Coffee Mansion places great emphasis on Pork dishes. The brightly lit and spacious cafe offers ample seating areas while the use of wooden tables exudes an enormously pleasing sense of tranquility. The management takes the initiatives to take in a renowned international brand (coffee beans)- PURO, which seeks to protect the environment and contribute to environmental sustainability. Great food, reasonable prices, good initiative; I see no reasons for not visiting this cafe again. 

Grumpiez Green Pepper @ Hillside, Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

Penang is such a blessed island with so many good foods, not only the traditional hawker foods but we are getting more and of course, easier access to international cuisines as well. Grumpiez Green Pepper is yet another hidden gem that deserves more recognition. The place serves unabashed authentic Mexican cuisine at unbelievably affordable prices and huge portion. The menu is simple and earnest, featuring most of the signature dishes from Mexico- Enchiladas, Burritos, Tacos, Quesadillas, Guacamole, Salsas... etc. Michele, an expat from Texas, once shared with me that she thinks the foods here are pretty authentic; I guess that reaffirms how authentic the dishes are. It may not have the perfect romantic setting for your date but if you wish to have a taste of Mexico, be sure to visit this place. Grumpiez Green Pepper is located at Hillside, adjacent to Gusto Cafe and next to The Hillside Cafe.

Wheeler's Coffee @ Love Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

Bicycle-themed cafe- Wheeler's Coffee is yet another new cafe to burst on the Penang cafe scene. Interestingly, the cafe uses countless of bicycles as decorations. On the menu, it does serve some interesting dishes, however, some of them are not available throughout the day. Prices, on the other hand, are unbelievably affordable (lunch/ dinner ranging from Rm 7 to Rm 14). While we like the interior decoration of the place but the orders we had were somewhat disappointing. We wondered if the meal did not go well because we did not order the right dishes (their pasta dishes seem more convincing) but considering the cafe is still very new, it is still worth a second look. Wheeler's Coffee is located at Love Lane, opposite to Love and Latte Cafe.

Gartien Pineapple Cakes- Mid Autumn Edition

As the mid-autumn festival hovers over the horizon, kiosks selling a myriad of traditional and playful sweet festive treats will be sprouting in shopping malls. For a twist of change, why not try out Gartien's Pineapple Cakes? Using locally grown Pineapples and devised recipe, the hearty, sweet and toothsome Pineapple Cakes are ideal to be sent as gifts for your loved ones in this auspicious season. Gartien uses a playful and adventurous design (for its packaging) for this year's Mid Autumn Festival; a rather old-fashioned storage box in Lime Green color with a catchy purple packaging. If you wish to know more about Gartien's Pineapple Cakes, my previous blog entry can be found here.

Many Thanks to Gartien for extending the invitation. 

Farquhar Mansion @ Mission Place, Lebuh Farquhar, Georgetown, Penang.

An enthusiastic, passionate and energetic management team took over the newly refurbished Mission Place along Lebuh Farquhar. The place was vacant for quite some time and has since, given a new facelift. The French fine-dining restaurant named Farquhar Mansion, is housed within one of the two buildings of Mission Place. Not only seeks to provide unabashed quality fine-dining experience but it seeks to provide diners a comfortable and casual place to enjoy a meticulously designed gastronomical adventure. The second floor of the restaurant, however, pursued a different path. The Royal interior design suggests the sense of luxurious and upscale experience(only diners with Nobleman and Royale member cards are invited to dine-in on the second floor). 

Prices are of fine-dining range but it is worth to splurge a little more for the premium quality of food as the prices commensurate with the quality of the ingredients. We were very pleased with the dining experience and the sedulously choreographed courses; the 5-course Chef's Tasting menu ranges from Rm 168++ to Rm 198++. Not cheap so it would not a regular-casual outing place but this is definitely one of the places top on my list when it comes to occasion.  

Many Thanks to Farquhar Mansion for extending the invitation. 

Chilled Cauliflower Mousse with Dehydrated Shimeiji Mushrooms

Deep Fried Cod Fish Ball with Aioli Sauce and Salmon Roe

Air Dried Duck Breast with Caviar, Chicken Liver and Foie Gras Parfait

Ah Leong Laksa @ Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang.

Hidden behind the ubiquitous food lane of Raja Uda, Ah Leong Laksa at Taman Melur is truly a hidden gem; not only the location is unnoticeable and inconspicuous but it does not have a clear sign board indicating the place, so the patrons who find their way here are generally in the know. Nestled within a terrace house, Ah Leong Laksa is not a one-trick pony, it sells many home-made delicacies too. For instances, Prawn Crackers, Chai Kueh (Steamed Vegetables Dumplings), Ice Kacang and Cendol. Diners can now appease all cravings (of Cendol and Assam Laksa) at one go. 

Directions to Ah Leong Laksa:

From Jalan Raja Uda, locate Pangsapuri Melur (Butterworth) and you should be able to see a traffic right right in front of the flat. Take a right turn into the housing area (of Taman Melur) and take a left turn at the FIRST junction after turning into the road. Drive until the very end of the road and you should be able to see a Chinese Temple on your left and Ah Leong Laksa on your right shortly. 

Ramadhan Buffet Dinner @ The Eatery, Four Points by Sheraton Penang.

Break fast with The Eatery housed within Four Points by Sheraton Penang in this holy month of Ramadhan with their carefully designed menu which comprises of both locals and international flavors. The Ramadhan Buffet Dinner is priced at Rm 78+ (for adult) and children aged between 3 to 12 years old will be entitled for a 50% discount. The Buffet runs from 28th of June 2014 until 27th of July 2014. As usual, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members get to enjoy a 20% discount off the total food bill while cards members of UOB, Maybank and CIMB get to enjoy discounts up to 50% (kindly inquire within). 

Many Thanks to Starwood Hotels and Resorts for extending the invitation. 

The ManGoes Cafe @ Beach Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Tucked within a heritage pre-war house along Beach Street, The ManGoes is a newly opened cafe cum boutique hotel. It occupies two houses while the cafe is nestled within the hotel. It is not to be confused with The ManGoes Tree at Jalan Phuah Hin Leong, although both are under the same management but the cafe is only available at The ManGoes at Beach Street. The quaint and snug little cafe provides unabashed home-made desserts (though choices are very limited); we love the cozy interior and of course, the comfortable couches though we'd prefer a larger seating space. The inviting and artsy space has its own unique personal touch, with traces of their photographs and antiques adorning the walls. Advance reservation is encouraged as the cafe's seating is not too accommodating for the larger groups. 

Official Launching of Tree Bar @ G Hotel, Penang.

Tree Bar nestled under the 80-year old Rain Tree is a delightful addition to G Hotel as guests can now take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city with a glass of well-chilled Beer and watch the world goes by. The newly launched Bar took the prominent spot of the al-fresco dining area between G Hotel and Gurney Plaza, the simple and minimalist decor channels a calm and pleasing sense of tranquility. We like the Bar being spacious but without any traces of ostentation, just perfect to spend an evening with your loved ones or to have some sweet talks. On the menu, guests can expect to see an array of Draught Beers, Cocktails, Whiskeys and assorted Liqueurs; apart from the alcoholic drinks, a selections of Coffees and Teas are also available as well as some mouth-watering snacks and gourmet Burgers.  

Many Thanks to G Hotel for extending the invitation.