Monday, June 27, 2016

Paper Lobster Bistro @ Bayan Baru, Penang.

Surfing the tide with one of the latest dining concepts- serving Seafood on the table, Paper Lobster Bistro is one of the latest associates that supports this messy affair. The new seafood restaurant is located at Olive Tree Commercial lots, those shop houses right beside Olive Tree Hotel and same row as Arang Cafe. The concept is similar to Crab & Lobster's but the menu's slightly different, as well as the offering on sauces and dips. The restaurant is brilliantly spaced with comfortable seating while the ambiance sets the correct tone. As far as balanced diet is concerned, Paper Lobster has a Salad Bar for diners to fill in the diet-gap, everything's free-flow and complimentary but choices are limited. 



Set 2- Yabby Island with Louisiana Boil (Rm 98)


Opening Promo- Extra Lobster for Rm 60


The basket-load of Seafood was trashed on the table and we were given plastic hand gloves to dig in. We were delighted by the variety- fresh catches such as Yabbies (or Crayfish), Scallops, Black Mussels, unopened Clams, tiny Squid, under-cooked Shitake Mushrooms, Corns, Cocktail Sausages, Nachos and Deep Fried Mantou. Since it was our first visit, we asked for recommendation and the server gladly suggested their signature Louisiana Boil. 

There were a nary of sauces that comes along with the Seafood (probably a spoonful but we could not be bothered) and the flavors were weak (the Seafood was probably "boiled" in a type of broth). We were hoping for some thick and rich sauce that could cling onto the Seafood and make a very awesome dip for the Mantou but no, we did not get that. The Seafood was alright (still fresh) but some of the items did not meet our expectation. One of such items would be their fresh Shitake Mushrooms; probably under-cooked, the Mushrooms possessed a peculiar woody texture with an odd bitter-after taste. Squids on the other hand, were too small in sizes and potentially overcooked, the texture was a little tough. 

We took advantage of their opening promotion and requested for the additional Lobster (at the cost of Rm 60). It was our mistake but not clarifying but another wave of disappointment comes in shortly. We were served an ordinary local Lobster in lieu of Boston Lobster (shown in the menu) and there were only a few bites of flesh. Adding salt to the wound, the Lobster was not even cooked together with other ingredients, it was probably steamed or boiled separately. All in all, we thought it was an okay-average meal that probably did not leave us a very strong impression (especially the food); perhaps our untrained taste buds have yet to learn and appreciate the taste. Not too sure if it's new business-jitters but there are rooms for improvements to say the least. 


Burrito (Rm 19.90)


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: 6/10 (1-3 expensive, 4-7 average, 8-10 cheap) *They charged us Rm 2+ for a glass of Plain Water*
Parking: 7/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)
Ambiance: 7.5/10 (1-3 bad, 4-7 average, 8-10 good)
Pork-Free
Service Charge: Yes 10%
Government Tax: No

Additional Information:
Address: 66 G, Olive Tree Commercial Lots, Persiaran Mahsuri 2, 11950, Bayan Baru, Penang.
Business Hours: 11:30 am to 3 pm; 6 pm to 10 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Contact Number: 604- 637 0228

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