Arowana 11 Cafe @ Taman Arowana, Permatang Pauh, Penang.

Operating food outlets in residential neighborhood seems to be the trendy thing to do presently (law and regulations aside)... not only on Penang island but at mainland as well. Arowana 11 Cafe is known to the nearby residents as one of the best places for Hokkien Mee at Permatang Pauh. It does take some effort to locate the place, it is hidden in rows of terraces and linked houses. The absence of signage increases the difficulty but the reward is alluring. Arowana 11 Cafe offers a small variety of local delights daily (the menu changes daily), at reasonably-affordable prices. A good pit stop to recharge or fuel your day but not a place that I would go all out for a breakfast.

A Comfortable Stay Guaranteed @ The Excelsior (怡东酒店), Causeway Bay (铜锣湾), Hong Kong (香港)

UPDATE: Yee Tung Heen is awarded a One Michelin Star by Michelin Guide Hong Kong & Macau 2018

Officially opened for business in 1973, The Excelsior (wholly owned and managed by Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group) has long stood and well-anchored as one of the luxurious business hotels in the busiest business districts and heart of entertainment in Hong Kong- Causeway Bay. For more than 4 decades, the strategic location has driven The Excelsior as one of the most preferred hotels for business and leisure travelers. Combining finest in comfort, The Excelsior offers the ultimate affordable luxury amongst the hotels in Causeway Bay- not only that the hotel sits on the waterfront of Victoria Harbor and opposite to the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, The Excelsior is also surrounded with shopping and commercial districts of Hong Kong Island (walking distance to Sogo Department Store, Times Square, Lee Gardens and Hysan Place).

Though The Excelsior has a rich history traced back to the 70's, the hotel has undergone major upgrade and refurbishments in the recent years, giving the hotel a modern outlook. The Excelsior boasts over its 869 guest rooms and suites, making it the largest hotel on the Hong Kong Island. With its outstanding service, unbeatable location and full-fledged facilities, The Excelsior makes a convenient yet comfortable temporary 'home' to globetrotters.

Many Thanks to The Excelsior for hosting us.

Miscela by Woosh Coffee @ Aspen Beacon Concept Gallery, Sungai Pinang, Penang.

Miscela by Woosh Coffee is one of a kind cafe, the location for both Miscela and Woosh Coffee has been weird.... Miscela is housed in one of the property showrooms at Jelutong (Aspen Beacon Concept Gallery) while Woosh Coffee can be found in a Penang college (INTI International College Penang). But the setting of Miscela is somewhat impressive (probably part of the showroom), the place is clinically clean with bright setting and surrounded by colorful LED displays. Customers whom are keen on the properties are often invited to the tables for sales-talk, the atmosphere is designed for business meetings over coffee. Miscela does offer a small menu with main and they take that seriously. Though the place does not have complete kitchen setting, it manages the food well (at least we did not feel shortchange). Aspen Beacon Concept Gallery is located at Sungai Pinang, right next to the Japanese School. 

Senya Japanese Dining and Bar @ Mitsui Outlet Park, Sepang, Selangor.

Shoppers at the deserted Mitsui Outlet Park at Sepang can explore Senya Japanese Dining and Bar, one of the few restaurants in Mitsui Outlet Park. The outlet in Mitsui Outlet Park is an extended branch, there are quite a few branches across Klang Valley. The menu appeared to be quite extensive, featuring most of the classic Japanese eats- Tempura, Soba/ Udon, Nabe, Teriyaki etc. While the price points are relatively higher than some Japanese restaurants, they commensurate in terms of quality. It can be a decent place to fill up the tummy or to stretch your shopping legs. 

[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Macau (澳门) 2017

With less than 100 km away from the Asia's Business Hub- Hong Kong, Macau (otherwise known as Special Administrative Regions SARs of the People's Republic of China 澳門特別行政區) is a popular destination for tourists visiting Hong Kong. Macau consists of the peninsular and two islands- Taipa (where the international airport is located) and Coloane but all are easily accessible by cars due to the linked bridges across the peninsula. Flying in from Malaysia is easy, Air Asia offers direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Macau International Airport; otherwise, you may opt to fly in from Penang to Hong Kong International Airport (via Cathay Pacific/ Dragon Air) and take the Turbo Jet from the airport to Macau. Macau was previously colonized by Portugal and hence, the place is full of the Portuguese traces- from architecture, culture to its food. Cantonese is the major population in Macau and generally, people understand Mandarin so there is no language barrier.

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These are some commonly asked questions for tourists visiting Macao:

1) Is Uber legal in Macao?

Ans: Uber is illegal in Macao but due to complications in transportation system, Uber is still one of the preferred mode of transportation. Macao has quite a fair amount of small alleys so catching a cab might not be an easy task, especially when you are out of the tourist areas. Not that taking Uber is a cheaper option but we have had a fairly bad experience with the taxi- the taxi driver refused to send us to our destination due to massive traffic jam and perhaps, not lucrative enough for him; also, most of our taxi drivers were rude and snobbish (though there were a few friendly ones) . Typically, passengers/ customers of Uber are safe but the drivers are not. We were also informed that Uber drivers caught by the authority will be penalized as much as MOP 30,000.

2) The best Casino to gamble visit in Macao?

Ans: It all depends on what you are looking for. Typically, the famous ones (like the Venetian, Parisian, Studio 8 City etc) yield lesser return and the bets are higher. If you are looking for cheaper bets or slot machines to pass time, go for the non mainstream ones. We stayed in Rio Hotel (利澳酒店) and Casa Real Hotel (皇家金堡酒店); both were good and famous to the locals. For cheaper slot machines, Casa Real Hotel right next to the Macao Outer Ferry Terminal is a good option.

3) Is Hong Kong Dollars usable in Macao?

Ans: The official currency in Macao is Macanese Pataca (MOP). Though Hong Kong Dollars (HKD) are widely traded, it is recommended that you change your HKD to MOP; there is still a slight difference between those two. Customers paying in HKD will receive change in MOP and thus, slight lose due to currency values. Also, do note that all casinos in Macao only receive HKD, MOP is only for shopping and dining.

Enjoy 360 Degree Views of the City from Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck

Tokyo has Tokyo Tower, Seoul has Seoul Tower while Taipei has Taipei 101 but what about Hong Kong? Catch the best view on the metropolitan at Sky100 Hong Kong Observation Deck, sits on 100th floor of the International Commerce Center, the tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong so nothing stands in the way of your view. At 393 meter above sea level, it offers breath-taking 360 degree views overlooking the skyline of Hong Kong territory and the very beautiful Victoria Harbor. The entrance to Sky100 is on the 2nd floor of Metal Zone at ELEMENTS, once you are there, the high-speed elevator will whisk you up the 100th floor observation deck in 60 seconds! 

La Juiceria- Cold Pressed Juices Is In Penang!

Get your daily boost of nutrients and drink your way to better health by visiting one of the local juice bars; La Juiceria has become the de-facto purveyor for fresh cold-pressed juices especially in central region since its humble establishment in 2013. As you walk pass La Juiceria, you will be greeted by the bright and vibrant colors of the freshly pressed juices and healthy drinks. With more than 20 types of nourishing drinks available, La Juiceria is set to please any palate- whether you are the hardcore health-freaks or just looking for something to quench the thirst. All drinks are juiced fresh daily using natural ingredients with no water and sugar added. The drinks menu is standardized across the nation but healthy foods are only served in La Jucieria Superfoods at Mont Kiara and Avenue K as well as Goodness Greens Cafe in TTDI KL.

Hai Wei Seafood Restaurant (海味海鲜中餐厅) @ Precinct 10, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Gourmands residing in the neighborhood of Tanjung Bungah will not be new to the name- Hai Wei Seafood Restaurant. The well-established Chinese restaurant was previously housed under a low-cost flat in the vicinity but has since moved to Precinct 10. The place is known to churn out some of the best Claypot Crab Rice and Seafood dishes. The new place at Precinct 10 is huge and could easily accommodate more than 25 tables (a mix of big and small ones). The menu is pretty huge, with familiar Chinese stir-fry dishes suitable for both budget-watchers or those with deep-pockets. Though regular patrons would like to re-visit their favorite restaurant but the lackluster service tells them otherwise. The serving speed on our visit was extremely slow and many could not wait for their turn and eventually left. Fortunately, the food quality did manage to compromise the dissatisfaction....

Kraffmen Cafe @ Zainul Abidin, Georgetown, Penang.

It's always a good sign when you can't decide what to order. It's a relatively common issue here at Kraffmen Cafe, where the breakfast/ brunch selection is a cut above the rest. Located along Jalan Zainul Abidin, off Macalister Road, the cafe is like an oasis in the middle of the town; offering some of the best Australian-influenced brunch items. The menu is somewhat exciting and unusual in a good way; it does take us a while to figure out what to order... probably likewise for the indecisive. The interior space is covered in shades of grey and white, seemingly a lofty space to chill. But the focus should be on the reliably good food, on par with some of the better cafes in town. 

How to get to Lamma Island (南丫岛) from Hong Kong and Things to Do/Eat on Lamma Island

Visiting outlying islands of Hong Kong is one of the favorite things to do for the local Hong Kies, especially during long weekends. Since we have been to most Hong Kong tourist attractions and did not feel like doing so for this trip, we wanted something unique and more 'in-depth'. Naturally, visiting all these islands is a good choice. There are a few big islands- Lamma Island, Cheung Chau, Peng Chau etc but we picked Lamma Island for this adventure, mainly because it is larger and has more exciting things to explore (particularly food). 

Mey Wey Char Bee Hoon (美味炒米粉) @ Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Char Bee Hoon (Fried Vermicelli Noodles) has rooted deeply in the city's culinary consciousness, Penangites can have it anytime in the day- whether morning for breakfast, afternoon for lunch or between meals snack. The newly opened Mey Wey at Tanjung Tokong takes the local delicacy a step further by offering a huge variety of add-ons to it. Housed in one of the semi-D houses opposite to Daorae Korean Restaurant, Mey Wey has the standard setting of an economy rice- diners can choose their preferred add-on to top up to their choice of noodles/ rice. Prices are wallet-friendly and there are plenty of choices; good as a pit stop to recharge or fuel the late afternoon. 

Gua Gua's Store (呱呱小铺) @ Machang Bubuk, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Close to the border of Penang and Kedah, Machang Bubuk is a quiet neighborhood within Bukit Mertajam but the food scene is not as vibrant as compared to the town center of Bukit Mertajam but with the opening of Gua Gua's Store, the cafe scene gets a little more exciting. Operating in newly refurbished annex attached to a classic wooden village house, the space at Gua Gua's Store is rather limited and could only accommodate a maximum of 12-15 diners at a time. It does not offer any main but a small dessert-focused menu featuring a few types of the proprietor's home-made cakes. The snug little space feels as comfortable as home (otherwise if it gets crowded); it can be quite an Instagrammable space especially suitable for hipsters.

Dragon Door Fresh Water Food (龙门河鲜餐馆) @ Bagan Samak, Kedah.

Claimed to be the first restaurant in Bagan Samak, Dragon Door Fresh Water Food was established in 1994 serving homey-unpretentious home-cooked dishes specializing in river food but with the recent expansion of the neighborhood, many new competitors have sprung up; Dragon Door has since been left behind. The pioneer offers a big menu, focusing primarily on Chinese delights but the river food variety paled when comparison to its competitors. Also, we thought the taste did not shine either. This maybe one of the options if you wish to dine-in at a quiet restaurant sans the clamoring crowd.

Le Carbonara @ Arena Curve, Bayan Baru, Penang.

More options for the Muslim diners in Bayan Baru area- Le Carbonara is a newly opened Western-Italian restaurant that offers Italian-inspired Western dishes (run by Muslim Chef). The place looks simple and the interior setting is basic; we were really concerned if our calories will be wasted. But we were glad that everything turned out well; in fact, Le Carbonara sets the bar high. Prices may not seem wallet-friendly at first glance but if you were to check out carefully, they offer some uncommon dishes (like Ravioli) at acceptable rates. The budget-watcher or lunch-crowd may watch out for their Set Lunch, economically priced at Rm 20.90 nett, it includes a serving of Soup, Main, Dessert as well as a drink. While the dishes did not disappoint, it did take them a while to serve our orders. Those who are in a rush may wish to have their dishes pre-ordered to avoid disappointment. Le Carbonara at Arena Curve is facing Arang Coffee. 

KTM Electronic Train Service (ETS) from Butterworth, Penang to Sentral, Kuala Lumpur

There are plenty of options for one to travel south from Penang- by way of car or air but for a hassle-free journey down south, taking the new high-speed Electronic Train Service (ETS) may be a good option too. Started in July 2015, the train runs north to Padang Besar or south to Gemas (via Kuala Lumpur). For Penangites intend to travel south (KL-bound), there are 5 trains in a day (different time slots) with 2 different price points- the Platinum (Rm 79 nett/ per way) and the Gold (Rm 59 nett/ per way). Travelers intend to take the ETS must get on board at the KTM Butterworth Station and the travel time will depend on the train-class (whether Platinum or Gold). 

Differences between Platinum and Gold Class:

Platinum- Rm 79 for one way/ Rm 44 for children:

• Shorter travel time- 4 hours 5 minutes
• Meal and drink provided
• Lesser stops
• Two trips per day

Gold- Rm 59 for one way/ Rm 34 for children:

• Longer travel time- 4 hours 30 minutes
• No meals or drinks provided
• More stops
• Three trips per day

The Ais @ Chulia Street, Georgetown, Penang.

With sultry hot tropical weather all year long, it should be no surprise that Penang is swimming with amazing Ice Cream. The endless sweltering heat in Penang means non-stop cravings for a good serving of the icy sweet treat but forget the commercial ersatz brands that offer either Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry Ice Cream. For 4 years (since end of 2013), The Ais has been quietly serving some of the most delicate and healthy artisan Ice Cream in town. Co-founders Jonathan and Lydia's belief in healthy-eating cemented the core principal of The Ais; all products are made with care and low sugar content. The Ais was merely an online business but has since established its brick and mortar outlet in Pulau Tikus earlier (attached with an organic shop). In March 2017, It has now moved into a new location at Chulia Street and offering more options to its patrons. With more than 40 flavors available (not your usual boring flavors), there will be at least 3 alcohol-based Ice Cream and 16 types of Ice Cream on offer at all times (on rotation basis- you might not get some flavors on certain days); for those who concern, Vegan Ice Cream is also available. 

Many Thanks to The Ais for hosting us that afternoon.

Warung Tok Mat Mee Udang @ Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

No matter how many times you have been to Tanjung Bungah, there's a deliciously hidden side to the beach front town; some are even unknown by the locals. Ardent fans of Mee Udang need not travel all the way to Teluk Kumbar or Sungai Dua to curb the craving. Warung Tok Mat Mee Udang is one of the secrets well-kept by the locals but the place is well-hidden from the bustling Jalan Tanjung Bungah. To reach there, one needs to travel a path less-traveled (refer to the bottom of this review for the directions); those who made their way there are those who are in the know. It is known to serve some of the freshest Mee Udang in the neighborhood- the restaurant sits by the beach side, offering spectacular beach view to its diners. The owner is related to a fisherman and it explains the source of supplies. 

Zi Wei Yuan Steamboat (紫薇园鱼头火炭炉) @ Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang.

Grouper Fish Steamboat (Rm 60/ medium)

Fish Balls (Rm 4/ small), Enoki Mushrooms (Rm 6/ large), Vermicelli Noodles (Rm 2) and Crispy Bean Curd (Rm 5)

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

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

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

Non-Halal

Service Charge: No

Government Tax: Yes 6%

Additional Information:

Address: 6526 & 6527, Jalan Raja Uda, 12300, Butterworth, Penang.

Business Hours: 5 pm to 11 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.

Contact Number:  604- 331 2736

Foong Yean Cantonese Restaurant (方源粤菜餐厅) @ Jalan Tengah, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

The main reason why regular patrons keep coming back to Foong Yean has got nothing to do with the dining atmosphere- though fully air-conditioned, the ventilation seems to be weak inside; they come back for the consistently delicious food, at unbeatable rates. The decade-old Cantonese Restaurant has quite a variety of dishes to offer- from the classic Cantonese stir fry to local-Malaysian cuisine; whether you are in a celebratory mood or just drop by over a casual meal, it has something for you. Foong Yean has always been the de-facto Chinese restaurant to visit in Bayan Lepas, especially for the Chinese investors/ management working in the organizations nearby the industrial zone. One of its most glamorous dishes includes the Indonesian Prawns... a dish that many sang their praises on. The experienced and well-trained staff is incredibly friendly, making it one of the most hospitable restaurants to visit in Bayan Lepas. 

Artsy Sip @ Seventy Seven Bar, Nagore Square, Penang.

Unleash your creativity and join the gang behind Artsy Sip- a paint and sip concept class that offers you to unwind and dive into the creative side. Probably the first and only paint and sip studio in Penang (first floor of Seventy Seven Bar along Nagore Road), the relaxing painting class is absolutely designed for both beginners and aficionados alike; the experienced proprietor runs the studio like a professional artist, offering step-by-step instructions. Even if you have no sense of arts, you can walk out the door with a beautiful paint in your hand (you can take home the completed paint- stretch Canvas with frame). For Rm 88 (3-hour session) nett, one gets to unwind in an artsy-casual ambiance with a boozy treat (a glass of Wine) and join others in a fun-interactive stress-free painting class. In case you are wondering, all painting-materials are provided. 

Many Thanks to Artsy Sip for arranging the session.