BM Prawn Mee Cafe 虾面给你吃 @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Located at Taman Bayu Mutiara, right across the very happening Icon City of Bukit Mertajam, BM Prawn Mee Cafe 虾面给你吃 started out with a funky name that vies for attention... its strategic location is also one of the winning factors. What the place offers is very direct and straight-forward... like what suggested by its name, the place is a Hokkien Prawn Mee specialist that specializes in churning out Penang-styled Hokkien Prawn Mee with thick, sweet Prawn broth. Gourmands can also opt to top up additional toppings like huge Prawns, Fish Balls, Pork Ribs etc; a decent place to fill up the tummy especially during midnight (the place opens until 4 am in the morning).

The Busy Monet @ Vantage Point, Jelutong, Penang.

Tucked away in a quiet top-floor unit of a commercial lot along Perak Road (Vantage Point Jelutong), The Busy Monet has been there for few weeks but many have not noticed it due to its rather obscure location. Found at the corner lot of Vantage Point Jelutong, one will need to traipse your way up to the 3rd floor to find the cafe... which has a pleasant, modern forest interior decor- with hanging trees adorning the walls and greens filling up the space. There's also a huge balcony with big piece of glass... allowing natural sunlight to flood in; quite a picturesque place to dine in. The tables however, are in odd shapes... making the place less-accommodating for larger groups. On the menu, it has quite a fair bit of Western choices- from brunch items to mains like Spaghetti or grills. Both brunch and dinner menus are slightly different but one thing for sure, the prices are very reasonable. 

REVE Kitchen & Dessert Bar @ King Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Decked out in a garden-like setting, the newly opened REVE Kitchen and Dessert Bar is a profusion of greenery and calm. The cafe uses white color as the theme... with all tables and chairs are in white hues while the colorful plants make up the space, turning it into a lovely, picturesque space. The menu on the other hand, is a little weak. It has quite limited choices of mains with only a handful of desserts. Different menu will be rolled out for both lunch and dinner sessions. The serving portion is fairly small while the price points are on the higher side. Worth trying but more for novelty experience.

Deli Menue By Le Venue @ Automall, Karpal Singh Drive, Georgetown, Penang.

In the mood for some cold cuts and cheeses? Make your way to Deli Menue, a new venture by Le Venue that focuses in offering some of the finest cold cuts and cheeses imported by the proprietor directly from Europe. Like a classic deli, there is a counter in the restaurant that displays the available products- from exquisite cheeses to seemingly lavish hams, Jamon Serrano, Salami etc. Making it merrier is that Deli Menue also carries imported brands for Pasta (like De Cecco), various uncommon spices and dips (like White Truffle Oil, Spanish canned Sardines, Olives etc). While the meat variety is impressive, the restaurant has a fully functional kitchen that churns out delicious main dishes as well (Pasta, grills, Burgers etc). Don't be taken aback by the potential damage though, the price range at Deli Menue is surprisingly affordable. 

Many Thanks to Deli Menue for hosting us that evening.

Superbest Restaurant 好犀利茶餐厅 @ Prangin Mall, Penang.

One of the latest additions to Prangin Mall is Superbest Restaurant 好犀利茶餐厅, a new Hong Kong-styled Cha Chan Teng-concept restaurant. The proprietor is related to Max Gourmet and this is one of his latest ventures... offering something different than the usual Dim Sum dishes. Situated on 3rd floor of Prangin Mall (Atrium A), the newly opened restaurant has a Hong Kong-styled menu... featuring some familiar dishes like Wan Ton mee and an array of Hong Kie delights (such as Egg Tarts, Polo Bun, Dim Sum dishes etc). The main menu is rather limited- a few rice dishes and some Wan Ton Mee or Sze Chuan-styled noodles. But the prices are surprisingly wallet-friendly- with a huge bowl of Wan Ton Mee priced at Rm 5.90 only. Good value of money and decent quality, a good stop for a quick fix. 

Carnavon Cafe @ Prangin Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

A seemingly curious cafe along Prangin Lane- Carnavon Cafe has a small signage that is not too visible and the entrance door is always closed. Step in the place and you will find yourself in a heritage old house of Georgetown, surrounded with old wooden antiques of chairs and tables; the atmosphere is certainly one that you can only find in a heritage city like Penang. The cake menu is big here but the mains are weak, so it's more like a Coffee over cake place instead of a place that fills the tummy. Quite a cozy place to spend the afternoon but not so much if you are looking for some savory items to munch on. 

Chinese New Year Festive Offerings @ Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel Penang

Looking forward to usher in the New Year by having a big feast? Enjoy a convivial reunion at Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel Penang... there is everything you need for an extravaganza start to the New Year- whether a buffet with sumptuous spread or feast on the quintessential bubbling hotpot. For the Year of Rat, the hotel offers 2 types of buffet- the Chinese New Year Steamboat Dinner and Fa Cai Prosperity Buffet. 

1) Chinese New Year Steamboat Dinner

Venue: Planters Lounge

Date: 24th to 26th January 2020 (Friday to Sunday)

Time: 7 pm to 10 pm

Price: RM138 nett (Adult)/ RM88 nett (Child/ Senior Citizen) | Add RM99 nett for free flow of Wines, Beers and House Pouring Spirits

Hong Xing No. 1 Dim Sum Restaurant 鸿星1号点心茶楼 @ Precinct 10, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Sharing the same place with Lobster and Beef Hotpot but operating in the morning is Hong Xing No. 1 Dim Sum Restaurant 鸿星1号点心茶楼, a popular and well-established Dim Sum brand from Ipoh. The interior decor remains unchanged, but do not expect to see classic Dim Sum carts around; instead, diners will need to submit their orders and they will served individually. Choices are rather limited compared to some and prices are slightly on the expensive side but the Dim Sum dishes commensurate with serving portion and quality. One of the few decent options if you are seeking for a comfortable, fully air-conditioned place to enjoy piping hot Dim Sum dishes (but don't mind paying a little more).

GDGN Vintage Cuisine 廣東姑娘 @ Bishop Street, Georgetown, Penang.

One of the many reasons why Malaysians love Hong Kong-styled Cha Chaan Teng is due to theirs eclectic yet extensive menu, featuring a wide range of classic and familiar delights. Joining the clamoring food scene is GDGN Vintage Cuisine 廣東姑娘, a new Hong Kong-styled Cha Chaan Teng-concept restaurant. The menu features the typical Cheese-baked rice, instant noodles, burgers, traditional Hong Kong eats and their signature Pork Lard noodles. Prices are of mid-range but the portion may be too small to justify for the prices. There are rooms for improvements but given that the visit was during the soft-launch period, let's hope the place will improve over time. GDGN Vintage Cuisine can be found opposite to Public Bank Bishop Street.

Phuah Hin Leong Road Koay Teow Th'ng @ Fu Xiang Cafe, Pahang Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Established for more than 40 years, the popular Koay Teow Th'ng stall previously found at Phuah Hin Leong Road has recently relocated to Pahang Road. The stall was previously located near to the junction of Phuah Hin Leong Road and Burmah Road, with a couple of tables and chairs but was well-received by those staying and working in the neighborhood. It is known for its classic, authentic Penang Koay Teow Th'ng... the type of clear, clean-tasting broth served with meat, fish balls and finished with Pork Lards and Garlic Oil. The new place is known as Fu Xiang Cafe and it is fully air-conditioned- same taste as before but with better dining atmosphere. 

Mun Thung X Soon Huat 满堂 x 顺發 @ Campbell Street, Georgetown, Penang.

For classic and old-school dishes, make your way to Mun Thung X Soon Huat 满堂 x 顺發 at Campbell Street, the place dishes out familiar timeless delights like Hainanese Toasts, Stir Fried Vermicelli Noodles, Curry Chicken, Pork Lard Noodles etc. The name of the eatery is Mun Thung whilst Soon Huat is a long-established brand in Penang that sells alcohols and liquors. The young proprietor is combining two brands together by taking up a corner of the place to serve food. The seating arrangement is very simple... with some tables and chairs but the good thing is, the place is equipped with air-conditioners. Pretty straight-forward menu with wallet-friendly prices, a place worth-checking out.

Banh Mi Kitchen 越南法棍 @ Jalan Zainal Abidin, Georgetown, Penang.

Banh Mi Kitchen 越南法棍 may not be operated by true blue Vietnamese but the Banh Mi is of certainly quality. The proprietor has managed to source authentic, flaky, light yet substantial Vietnamese-styled Baguette. The newly opened Banh Mi specialist only has one menu- Banh Mi, but comes with various toppings and fillings. Though the signature is a Pork-based filling, other non-pork options include Chicken, Fish Cake and Fried Egg; the offering is as simple and straight-forward as it is. The interior decor is equally simple... with some dining tables and chairs but the good thing is the place is fully air-conditioned. Worth the visit if you do enjoy a decent Vietnamese Banh Mi. Banh Mi Kitchen can be found opposite to the UMNO building, few doors away from Kraftmen Cafe.

Dim Do Duc Pro Dim Sum 点都得 @ New World Park, Penang.

The latest addition to New World Park is Dim Do Duc Pro, a premium branch from the Dim Do Duc brand. The brand has existence in several areas, including Air Itam and Relau... all offering Dim Sum dishes but this particular one at New World Park offers the best dining atmosphere (though the same food with a hike in price). It occupies a big lot opposite to Passion of Kerala, there are plenty of tables available and all are widely spaced. The place is also fully air-conditioned, making it ideal for those who seek to spend some quality dining time with family and friends. While we appreciate the good dining atmosphere, we thought the prices are way too high and the food did not quite justify for what we are paying for. 

Fruit & Juice Bar 水果铺 @ Alma, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Tucked away in a residential area of Alma, Fruit & Juice Bar 水果铺  is one of the neighborhood cafes that is well-received by the cafe-hoppers living in the neighborhood. The place has a simple but cozy interior decor... with comfortable couches and lounge chairs. The menu is equally simple and straight-forward... offering some of the fresh fruit juices as well as their home-made cakes. One great pulling factor of this place is its natural home-cake made from real fresh fruits. Though limited choices, the quality does not disappoint. The cafe can be found at Taman Budiman, the residential area right behind AEON Mall Alma. 

Oriental Cravings @ One Utama, Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

Oriental Cravings is probably one of the oldest and most popular family-styled restaurants in One Utama. Through various channels, it seems like the place is infamous for its service but we did not have any bad experience there. The restaurant has a big Chinese menu... featuring a lot of familiar local eats and Chinese stir-fry dishes. One particular thing that caught our attention was the heavy usage of Petai. Prices are of standard restaurant-pricing. Though the serving portion was huge, we did not find the meal exceptional (not that it was bad but really nothing special).