Passion Restaurant @ Argyll Road, Georgetown, Penang.

The space previously occupied by Arte at Argyll Road is now taken over by the management team from Club J Restaurant, an expansion plan from their existing business. The place retains its sophisticated charm with beautiful art creations still around but Passion (the name for this place) seeks to offer something different than its sister restaurant Club J. Diners can now enjoy their meals at a place with completely different ambiance. Group diners (of 10 pax and above) may make advance booking for the private space on 1st floor to enjoy better privacy and complimentary usage of karaoke system (with visuals). The change to the menu is minimal, with a few dishes exclusively to Passion; the wine list however, remains unchanged. There are set menus available, which offer better values in return; diners may opt for ala-carte with better flexibility. Excellent consistency in food quality, full of surprise-menu, attentive service are some of the great reasons why you should put this place on your radar. 

Many Thanks to Passion Restaurant for hosting us.

[Main] Japan Wagyu A5 Sirloin (Market Price/ Requires Booking)

[Main] New Duo Prawns- Thai Style and Cheese Baked (Rm 140 ala-carte/ Rm 225 set dinner)

[Side] Homemade Mashed Potato served over Black Olive Mayo

[Amuse Bouche] Salmon Croquette

[Appetizer] Smoked Salmon Salad

[Appetizer] Mushroom and Duck Salad

[Soup] Chicken Soup with Chicken Ricotta Cheese Ravioli and Bacon

[Pre-Main] Pan Seared Hokkaido Sashimi Grade Scallop

[Pre-Main] Foie Gras on Fruit Compote (Rm 58 ala-carte/ top up Rm 15 for set dinner)

[Dessert] Tiramisu 

With prices from Rm 145, Passion's set dinner features 5-course menu... from starter to soup, pre-main, main and dessert. Diners may opt to top up a little to go for more premium options. Each 5-course set dinner shall start with a serving of Amuse Bouche and may vary each time. The Salmon Croquette (an Amuse Bouche of Passion) is deep fried in sphere shape with chunks of Salmon and served with Honey Mustard for the touch of sweetness as well as Japanese Seaweed for the crunch. For appetizers, there are 2 variants available- Smoked Salmon Salad and Mushroom and Duck Salad; both are dressed in the same sour-sweet citrus dressing but the former choice offers a smokier touch while the latter one has an earthy flavor with meaty texture.  

Continuing the feast is a serving of their home made Soup- Chicken Soup with Chicken Ricotta Cheese Ravioli and Bacon, served with a piece of warm, crusty Ciabatta. The Chicken Soup is creamy but not overly so, just thick and rich enough to cling onto the Ravioli. Moving on to the Pre-Main, the Pan Seared Hokkaido Sashimi Grade Scallop is one of the default options available with no additional top up. It has a couple of carefully seared Hokkaido Scallops served with Konjac Noodles with Thai Sauce. The combination may seem awkward at first but start with the luscious Hokkaido Scallops and end with the crunchy, bouncy Konjac Noodles with spicy-acidic sauce would set your appetite for the main. To add a little luxurious touch to your set dinner, go for the Foie Gras on Fruit Compote... generous portion of Foie Gras served with Fruit Compote, a classic interpretation of Foie Gras works with fruity, refreshing elements to cut through the creamy fats. 

Moving on to the mains- Japan Wagyu A5 Sirloin and New Duo Prawns- Thai Style and Cheese Baked are some of the highlights. The Japan Wagyu A5 Sirloin is seasonal and subject to availability. The well marbled Sirloin is carefully seared on the outer layer, locking the juices within. Minimal seasoning is required and a touch of salt is more than sufficient. With the pockets of fats in the Sirloin, the texture is soft, juicy and basically just melts in the mouth in a jiffy. For Prawn lovers, the New Duo Prawns is a must-try. Presenting the gigantic Prawns in 2 ways- one is to be grilled, served with Thai sauce; and another to be baked with cheese. Both are equally delicious in its own ways- how could fresh, succulent gigantic Prawns could possibly go wrong? All mains are to be served with a side of home made mashed Potatoes. The set dinner is concluded with a serving of dessert, either Tiramisu or Creme Brulee. The Tiramisu is served with a scoop of Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream. 

Additional Information:
Non-Halal

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: No

Address: 25, Argyll Road, 10050, Georgetown, Penang.

Business Hours: 11:30 am to 2:30 pm, 6 pm to 10 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.

Contact Number: 6017- 257 0173

Passion Restaurant Facebook Page

Heh Cafe @ Air Hitam, Penang.

Found in an unusual spot of Air Hitam... a stone's throw distance away from the entrance to Kek Lok Si, Heh Cafe is one of the latest hang out spots in the neighborhood. The cafe is very spacious and cozy inside, with minimalist design and a lot of windows to allow natural light to bask in. The seating capacity is quite big but not all tables are comfortable, some stools can be unbelievably low and uncomfortable so that entirely depends on your luck (it's perfectly fine if you are just ordering drinks). On the food offering, it has a display fridge and corner that showcase all the pastries and cakes available- from Tarts, Cakes, Brownies to French Pastries. No mains are offered though. Quite a cozy space for a drink but the choices can be a little limited. 

J Bar Be Q @ Air Hitam, Penang.

Quietly tucked away in one of the many shop lots of Farlim, J Bar Be Q might not have the location advantage as compared to those established Korean joints in town but you will often find this place packed during dinner. The new kid on the block gained the popularity from those living in the neighborhood mainly due to its extensive food offer and affordable price range. Like most Korean restaurants in Penang, J Bar Be Q offers a big Korean BBQ meat menu, with some familiar-popular Korean dishes.  Comfortable dining space with chic, modern interior decor; this place is suitable for those who yearn for a Korean quick fix without putting a dent on the wallet. 

Sia Boey Dim Sum Restaurant 社尾茶楼 @ Lot33, Prangin Mall, Penang.

A new spot for late risers to enjoy Dim Sum in a comfortable setting- Sia Boey Dim Sum Restaurant 社尾茶楼 is a new comer at the Lot33 space in Prangin Mall. Interestingly, the Dim Sum restaurant is manned by a team of Chinese Lion Dancers, so most of the servers are dressed in Chinese Lion Dance outfits. There are also quite a number of "Chinese Lions" on display around the restaurant. The Dim Sum menu is fairly large, with most familiar traditional items included; there is also a main menu featuring noodle dishes (available after 11:30 am). With such comfortable setting (air-conditioned and in a mall), the price points are considerably low... though there are rooms for improvements in terms of food quality.

Mayura Kitchen @ China Street, Georgetown, Penang.

The exterior of this place suggests little about the place- it does not have colorful entrance like any other Indian restaurants; the newly opened Mayura Kitchen at China Street has a simple, minimalist entrance. Step in the place and you will find yourself in a sophisticatedly decorated space- with simple but tidy tables and chairs. Mayura offers an Indian-fusion menu, while it is still heavy on Indian elements, there are some non-Indian dishes like Char Hor Fun, Hokkien Char, Fish and Chips etc. As confusing as it seems, the non-Indian dishes are only available for dinners. The lunch menu only features Rice dishes with curries (Briyani, Banana Leaf etc). The place has a surprisingly cozy-clean atmosphere and the prices are unbelievably affordable, definitely worth checking out if you are up for some Indian food. 

Jikaya Ramen 自家屋日本拉面 @ Farlim, Penang.

Jikaya Ramen 自家屋日本拉面 had a humble beginning- the brand started from a hawker stall (in a coffee house) in Farlim and today, they have moved into a shop, completely managed by their own. As suggested by the name, Jikaya Ramen is a Japanese Ramen-focused restaurant... serving various types of Japanese Ramen as well as Japanese-influenced dishes. The menu is fairly big for a restaurant at their size so need not worry on the selection availability. Likewise, the price points are very affordable, almost cheaper than most established Ramen shops in town. 

Farmer's Market @ The Promenade, Bayan Baru, Penang.

Another new option for the folks at Bayan Baru- Farmer's Market is a new restaurant that offers an affordable Western menu; accordingly, the restaurant would source fresh ingredients directly from the farm to serve. Healthy options are some of their highlights as well- most items are quite familiar here and each main (consists of protein) shall come with 2 different side dishes with no extra charges. Cozy dining atmosphere, affordable price points and no-frills menu are some of the reasons why you should put this place on your radar. Farmer's Market can be found at The Promenade, below Mesiniaga office and next to Mr. DIY.

Marrybrown Malaysia Rolls Out Mala Fried Chicken!

Challenge your taste buds by having the newly introduced Marrybrown's Mala Fried Chicken; Marrybrown, Malaysia's largest homegrown Halal fast-food chain, has been constantly rolling out new products to entice its regular patrons. Their recent creations involve the Mala-Tup series which features the widely welcomed, mouth-numbing sensation- Mala. The concoction of spices include a combination of Sichuan Chili Peppers with Dried Chilies... an addictive but powerful punch of flavors backed by intense fiery sensation is ensued. Malaysians can now enjoy the hot and peppery Marrybrown Mala Fried Chicken in four different ways, the promotion is only valid from 28 October 2020 until 13 December 2020. 

Many Thanks to Marrybrown for hosting us.

Catch By DAM D' Chef Dining @ Le Embassy Hotel, Burmah Road, Penang.

Housed in Le Embassy Hotel, a sharp-looking boutique hotel at the junction of Burmah Road and Transfer Road; "Catch" is a new venture by DAM D' Chef Dining, offering a big Western-styled Seafood menu (with a small Non-Seafood choices). The interior decor and setting is as neat and tidy as a restaurant should be, with tables are well-spaced apart. There is also a bar counter in the middle with a few seats for those who prefer to be seated near the bar. The place however, is dimly lit and offers a cozy-romantic setting to diners. On the menu, diners get to choose the main with a choice to upgrade it to a 4-course meal (a-la carte is available nevertheless) which features a Salad, a Soup, a Main and a Dessert (usually Cakes); the menu has a good selection of mains which cover mostly Fish and Seafood, with a few choices of meat. The alcohol menu is relatively big too, if you must know. 

Gurney Plaza Introduces The New Gurney Food Hall

Filling empty bellies while out for shopping is a common practice but do not let the chain restaurants or fast food joints in the mall limiting your options. One of the fashion leading malls in Penang- Gurney Plaza has recently launched a new space- Gurney Food Hall, a 33,000 square feet food hall that can accommodate up to 600 diners at one go. It is arguably the largest upscale food court on Penang island. The brand new Gurney Food Hall has a fresh, modern and cozy interior; it gathers a wealth of food vendors not only limiting to Penang Street Food but a vast variety of international delights as well (all pork-free). The Gurney Food Hall houses 4 different zones... with each zone representing important landmarks around Penang- The Pier (highlighting the Penang Free Industrial Hub which revived the economy in the late 20th century), The Palm (natural wonders of Penang), The Pier (innovative design paired with interactive elements) and The Patio (a cozy sunshine corner that shies away from the crowd). There are a total 25 physical stalls housed in the food hall... which strive to provide a comfortable space to stretch your shopping legs or for a munch break. 

Exclusive Gifts and Redemptions for Gurney Food Hall Grand Launch:

1. Gurney Food Hall Grand Opening Celebration: 25 Oct 2020 onwards at Extension Wing Atrium Ground Floor- spend RM150 and above (max 2 combined same day receipts) at any outlets in Gurney Plaza to stand a chance to Spin & Win exciting goodies or vouchers.

2. Early Birds Giveaway: 15 & 16 Oct 2020 onwards at Gurney Food Hall- Free Gurney Food Hall Foodie Voucher and exclusive merchandize for 1st 100 CapitaStar members in queue on 15 & 16 Oct.

3. Gurney Food Hall Limited Edition Non-Woven Bag Redemption: 16 Oct 2020 onwards at Information Counter- spend a min of RM100 (max 2 combined same day receipts and 1 receipt must be from Gurney Food Hall) to redeem a Gurney Food Hall non-woven bag. 

4. Tapao-Where Redemption: 20 Nov 2020 onwards at Information Counter- spend a min of RM200 (max 2 combined same day receipts and 1 receipt must be from Gurney Food Hall) to redeem a food container.

5. Portable Cutlery Set Redemption: 01 Dec 2020 onwards at Information Counter- spend a min of RM200 (max 2 combined same day receipts and 1 receipt must be from Gurney Food Hall) to redeem one portable cutlery set.

6. Foldable Mask Holder Redemption: 15 Dec 2020 onwards at Information Counter- spend a min of RM30 in a single receipt during weekdays to redeem a Gurney Food Hall mask holder.

Many Thanks to Gurney Plaza for hosting us.

Midnight Cat Noodle 夜猫下面 @ Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

Found in an unassuming spot within walking distance from the Tua Pek Kong Temple at Tanjung Tokong, Midnight Cat Noodle 夜猫下面 is one of the latest spots in Penang to get yourself a bowl of fiery hot, sweat-inducing Sze Chuan-influenced noodles. It is housed in an intimating old-school setting, walk in the place feels like taking a tour into someone's residence; the place is as homey as it gets. On the food offering, Midnight Cat Noodle offers noodle menu (not a big menu)... featuring an array of Chinese-influenced noodles, available in various dressing and toppings. Prices are generally affordable and the quality is of satisfactory but the place is not too accommodating for bigger groups of diners. 

Sincerely Crafted Cuisine @ Chow Thye Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Unlike any usual Vegetarian restaurant, Sincerely Crafted Cuisine seeks to defy how traditional vegetarian food is served- using some specially chosen ingredients to craft out some creative combinations that are uncommon to the market. Found at Chow Thye Road, the exterior of the place may not be as impressive as it seems but the interior is definitely eye-pleasing. It adopts the minimalist concept- offering a comfortable, well-lit dining space to its diners. The menu however, is rather small. The restaurant only offers Rice Bowls, available in 7 options... along with some sides. The beverage menu is relatively larger but the price points may raise some eyebrows. Despite the price points are slightly above the odds, we concur that the quality is of better than average and the flavor combination is unusual. Definitely worth checking out especially if you are on plant-based diet. 

Petit Cafe @ Argyll Road, Georgetown, Penang.

There is no need to travel to Vietnam for some really good Vietnamese food, Penang now has plenty of Vietnamese eateries with a range of food offering across Vietnam. One of the latest additions is Petit Cafe at Argyll Road... prior to opening this brick and mortar restaurant, the team behind Petit Cafe focused on doing delivery of home-made Vietnamese dishes. Now, the menu has expanded... offering more variety to its customers. Familiar Vietnamese dishes like Beef Pho, Spring Rolls, Salad and Rice Sets are on offer; while the menu is not as big as compared to established Vietnamese restaurants, the selection is good enough to fix cravings for Vietnamese food. Comfortable dining space (air-conditioned), modest price points and good quality, worth checking out if you are a fan of Vietnamese food.

Sieng Kee Restaurant 翔记饭店 @ Simpang Ampat, Penang.

Sieng Kee Restaurant 翔记饭店 can be found a little deep inside of Simpang Ampat, slightly off the beaten track (of the main streets in Simpang Ampat). The restaurant has been there for a while and is one of the favorite go-to-places for those staying in the neighborhood. Most regulars walk in just to order some simple stir fries for takeaways. But Sieng Kee offers way more than the usual Chinese stir fries, it is also a Seafood restaurant; the menu features a big range of Seafood dishes with the most popular ones being the Crabs. There are 2 parts to the restaurant- diners can opt for the outdoor seating or the indoor air-conditioned space; tables on both sides are spaciously arranged. As for the price tags, food items are reasonably priced... pretty decent for a Seafood place in Penang state.

Affordable Korean Food- Food Dimension @ Fortune Court, Farlim, Penang.

Sharing the same place with Dim Do Duc Dim Sum at Farlim (near to Sunshine Farlim), Food Dimension is taking Korean food more down to earth... operating using a cart and serving the dishes in hawker style. But that does not mean the food quality is compromised, the proprietor is doing a good job in managing the quality, serving speed and variety. The menu features many familiar Korean street food delicacies, including but not limited to Kimbap, Tteokbokki, Korean Fish Cakes, Korean Pancake, Fried Chicken etc. The items are affordably priced, at least cheaper than most established Korean restaurants; a good alternative to satisfy your crave for Korean food.