TOLK Cafe @ De View Hotel, Air Itam, Penang.

Taking over the prominent lot previously occupied by Modern Asia Kitchen at De View Hotel (Air Itam) is TOLK Cafe, a cafe that offers a standard cafe menu with a a couple of special dishes of theirs. Wan Ton Mee (known as Tolk Tolk Mee here) is one of the unusual items. Apart from the Wan Ton Mee, the offering is pretty much nothing out of the ordinary (the usual cafe fare). Price range wise, pretty much the standard cafe-charges, not exactly too pricey. Also, not much changes on the interior decor though. 

Wholesome Thai Experience with Marrybrown Malaysia!

Celebrating their 40th Anniversary this year, Marrybrown- the largest homegrown Halal fast-food chain has been bringing fans "around the world" starting with Korea and Italy earlier this year, introducing delicacies inspired from those countries. The third destination of Marrybrown's Around The World themed meal in celebration of their 40th Anniversary this year is Thailand... bringing the essence of our neighborhood country nearer to you. To complete a wholesome Thai experience, Marrybrown offers a series of new Thai-inspired delicacies which include the Tom Yam Chicken, Tom Yam Chicken Burger, Tom Yam Chicken Nuggets, Tom Yam Porridge and Tom Yam Fries that are available in both combo and single. 

Tian Yun Vegan Restaurant 天雲蔬食 @ Farlim, Penang.

Tian Yun Vegan Restaurant 天雲蔬食 might not be new for those on regular vegetarian diet or those living in the neighborhood but many have not even noticed its existence. The place is quite hidden on the upper floor of a shop lot at Farlim, the signage is not easily noticeable either. But don't mind the entrance, the restaurant has an interesting vegan menu... featuring many Japanese-inspired vegan dishes yet, without too grueling to the wallet. The dining area is quite spacious and comfortable, with a few Japanese short-legged table for those who prefer to be seated on zabuton. The serving speed however, can be better improved (we waited for more than 40 minutes for our food to be served). Tian Yun Vegan Restaurant's menu can be found here.

OoriDoori Korean Restaurant @ The Promenade, Bayan Baru, Penang.

Craving for some authentic Korean food ever since the lockdown in May 2021 (after math for watching too many Korean dramas)? You would be delighted to learn that there is a newly established Korean joint at The Promenade (Bayan Baru). Manned by Koreans, OoriDoori is definitely worth a place in your food radar. Unlike most Korean restaurants, the menu at OoriDoori is slightly unusual. You can't find the usual Korean Hot Pots here or the classic barbecue meat over the stove... not even Dakgalbi but more like home-cooked Korean dishes with a few additions of Korean-Chinese dishes (like Jajangmyeon, Jampong or Tangsuyuk etc). The classics like Tteokbokki, Gimbap however, are still available. Reasonable price points, comfortable dining atmosphere... would be even better if they can improve on the serving speed. 

The Seven Restaurant and Bar 七号笼门 @ E-Gate, Gelugor, Penang.

A new venture by The Six group-  The Seven Restaurant and Bar 七号笼门 at E-Gate Udini has a fresh new concept- marrying authentic Hunan and Cantonese dishes with local elements... making them friendlier to local palates. The newly opened restaurant can be found right next to Coffee Bean at E-Gate, with bold Chinese interior decor. The menu is big and offers a wide range of Chinese dishes... while retaining some of their previous signature dishes (such as Ramen). There were some hits and misses for the dishes but given the comfortable dining atmosphere, affordable price points and family-friendly menu, this place is still worth a try (especially for family eat out). 

A Bijou Coffee & Eatery @ Transfer Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Found at one of the most unexpected corners of a no-through road in Georgetown, A Bijou Coffee & Eatery is probably one of the latest, hidden spots for cafe hopping. The place is only a couple weeks old and has yet to open for dine-in at the point of writing (dine-in available from 11 November 2021 onwards). It's easy to miss the place, especially with its small and hard-to-notice signage; the space is limited inside as well, making it hard to accommodate for larger groups. The menu on the other hand, is not shabby at all. While the options may be a little limited, but some of their food offerings are worth checking out... definitely one of the spots that you should put on your cafe radar. 

Hungry Ranch @ Jalan Sungai Ujong, Georgetown, Penang.

The name- Hungry Ranch may paint a picture, the concept is simple and straight-forward... dishing out quality grilled goodness while keeping prices affordable. The restaurant has been there for a while, their opening was slightly before the lockdown in May 2021. While their main focus remains in grilled meat, the menu extends to offer All Day Breakfast, Western Dishes as well as some Asian delights; they are currently revamping the menu and expecting to have more grilled goodness added to the menu. Regardless, staying affordable is one of their main strengths. It's easy to locate Hungry Ranch, the restaurant can be found at Jalan Sungai Ujong, as soon as you turned in from Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, you will find the restaurant shortly on your right. 

Many Thanks to Hungry Ranch for hosting us. 

Time Out Cafe @ Stallions Apartment, Jelutong, Penang.

Decked out in Basketball elements, Time Out Cafe positions itself as a Basketball-themed cafe... with some Basketball-related wallpapers around, some knick-knacks and a dedicated mini Basketball field. The food offering or menu has got nothing related to Basketball though, merely the interior decor. It does not have a big menu but a simple one featuring some Western dishes with some local Asian dishes as well as some home-made sweet treats. Prices are slightly on the higher side considering the portion and its location but the place is very spacious with free parking... ideally for business talks or casual meet ups. Time Out Cafe is located right next to the main entrance or lobby of Stallions Apartment (use navigation app if you are not familiar with the neighborhood).

Emily Darling Cafe @ Penang Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Haven't had some fresh, delicious pastries since the beginning of lockdown in May 2021? Check out Emily Darling at Penang Road. It's hard to miss the place- it occupies the prominent red shop lots (previously occupied as Dear Dino Cafe) in the middle of Penang Road (facing the junction to Kampung Malabar). The cafe started its business operations in June 2021, offering an array of freshly baked pastries to pastry lovers. At the time of writing this blog entry, Emily Darling Cafe accepts walk-in takeaways and deliveries only (not ready for dine-ins). For now, they continue to offer freshly baked pastries, Brownies and Sourdough loaves. Be there early if you are serious in grabbing some of their freshly baked goodies as they tend to sell quick (probably limited quantities during this partial lockdown period). It is also a good idea to ring them up to reservations. 

Nutra By Pantai @ Pantai Hospital Penang.

Working hard to achieve the healthy and fit body goals before the year end festive season? While its important to increase physical workouts, changing the daily food routine would be a great help too. Healthy foods often give people the impression that they are bland, dry and boring but the team at Pantai Hospital Penang has put in great effort to make things interesting. "Nutra By Pantai" is a new division of service established by the hospital which aims to provide a continuity of care to patients after hospitalization and to take care the wellbeing of the community by offering them suitable healthy food options. All meal recipes are carefully screened through and prepared by a team of experts and are prepared from fresh ingredients with stringent quality control measures to ensure food safety.  Amongst the 4 major services provided by "Nutra By Pantai" are Therapeutic Meals, Get Fit Meals, Healthy Snacks and Bakery. 

Disclaimer: while the below food was shot on-site, I have personally paid and joined their Get Fit Program and genuinely thought their food was good and worth-trying.

Yuu Shabu Shabu Cafe 勝火锅小品餐厅 @ Hutton Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

Every diner gets their own hotpot at Yuu Shabu Shabu Cafe 勝火锅小品餐厅, a new hotpot joint at Hutton Lane (a stone's throw distance away from New World Park)... so there will be no fighting over which soup bases to order or any fuss over the toppings. The brand is not new in Malaysia and has presence in other states; this is their first outlet in Penang though. With 7 types of Japanese-inspired soup bases available- whether spicy or non-spicy, everyone gets to choose their own desired soup bases. The Shabu-Shabu set is fixed but add-ons are available at additional costs. The Express Lunch Set is more wallet-friendly though the usual Shabu-Shabu Set offers better variety. 

Experience A Taste of Italy with Marrybrown's Eatalian Series!

Craving for Italian flavors while waiting impatiently for the lockdown restrictions to be uplifted? Marrybrown, the largest homegrown Halal fast-food brand takes its fans on the second trip Around The World for the latest gastronomical journey. Italy is the second destination of Marrybrown's Around The World themed meal in celebration of Marrybrown's 40th Anniversary this year. The new Marrybrown Eatalian meals seek to provide something different- featuring the all new Italian Cheesy Rice Bites, MB Spaghetti with the option to pair with their signature MB Crispy Chicken and creamy Mushroom Soup. 

Amico Dining & Social House @ Nagore Road, Georgetown, Penang.

While it is not hard to find Italian food in Penang but this restaurant in the heart of Georgetown is something that you should try. Amico Dining & Social House opened its doors in late April 2021 and can be found occupying a prominent corner lot at Nagore Road. The exterior decor barely tells what the restaurant is offering. While it is place suitable for wine lovers (they carry a wide range of labels), the Italian-inspired menu is definitely worth-trying.  The selection ranges from appetizers to main course and desserts... with reasonable prices. We were satisfied and happy on what we had the other day- the quality has been quite promising and we are looking forward to another revisit.

La TAO Cakes @ 1Place Many Cuisine, Hutton Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

Many might have not noticed the existence of 1Place Many Cuisine at Hutton Lane, previously the space was occupied as a Hotpot restaurant; like the name would have suggested, 1Place Many Cuisine is a space that comprises of a few proprietors offering different types of food. The menu is quite confusing- offering specialties from Korea, Japan and Western dishes. Put that aside, the highlight of this post is to share more about La TAO Cakes. The brand has been here for quite some time but was previously focusing on deliveries and cake supplies to cafes and restaurants. It takes up a space at 1Place Many Cuisine, with a small display fridge showcasing their fresh bakes of the day (their popular items are those alcohol-infused cakes). While the selection might be limited, the quality and delicacy make up for it. A very comfortable, spacious place to enjoy a delicate serving of alcohol-infused cake without putting a dent on the wallet. 

Lim MaMa Taiwanese Food 林妈妈台式手作美食 @ Carnarvon Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

Filled with minimalist furniture and homey peaceful dining atmosphere, Lim MaMa Taiwanese Food 林妈妈台式手作美食 at Lorong Carnarvon is the place where you can find classic, home-cooked style Taiwanese delights in town. The menu is small but good enough to satiate your cravings for Taiwanese food- dishes are affordably priced and the serving portion is hearty. The seating capacity is limited and less accommodating for big groups at Lim MaMa's place so if you are planning a group visit there, do make your reservations earlier.