Memory Cafe 回忆 @ Permatang Tinggi, Seberang Perai, Penang.

Hidden away from the main road, Memory Cafe (回忆) is one of the best-kept secrets by the cafe hoppers at Seberang Perai. The secret spot is housed in one of the old, wooden houses at the residential area of Permatang Tinggi (behind Permatang Tinggi food court)... the lack of a proper sign board makes it even tougher for visitors to look out for the place. But don't let it deter you from checking this place out... especially if you are a big fan of Coffee and Cakes. The unique proposition of this cafe is its home-made cake and that includes... Watermelon Cake. Set in a classic but comfortable environment, this place is an ideal spot for Cakes over a cup of Joe.

The Breakfast Shop @ Seang Teik Road, Georgetown, Penang.

More option for early risers as Tong Sui Po has expanded its business operations... covering breakfast and lunch. With a name like The Breakfast Shop, you would expect to see the localized Western breakfast (the classic, timeless combo like Sausage, Ham, Sunny Side Up and Toast) with an additional variety of noodle options as well as Toasts/ Sandwiches. Prices are fair but the choices might not be too attractive for some.

Tasty Kitchen (张记味道) @ Tanjung Bungah, Penang.

For an inexpensive Chinese Sze Chuan dining experience, make your way to Tasty Kitchen (张记味道)... a newly opened but rather quiet, unpretentious eatery that specializes in offering authentic Chinese Sze Chuan-influenced delicacies. The restaurant at Jalan Tanjung Bungah (a stone's throw distance away from Tanjung Bungah market) has a huge seating space; with its simple and homey decor, the place is suitable for casual meals or family eat-outs. The menu is extensive... featuring some uncommon China-Chinese dishes as well as some familiar local stir-fry dishes. Diners have the option to choose between rice dishes or noodles... or even a warm, filling Chinese Bun. A good place to try something different without putting a dent on the wallet.

Raku Ichi Sushi @ Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang.

A completely unexpected encounter at this friendly neighborhood of Raja Uda... it's the type of place where you would not even notice its existence despite passing by for many times. But Raku Ichi is known to the nearby folks as one of the decent Japanese restaurants in the vicinity. The brand is popular for its fresh and inexpensive Sushi on the kaiser belt as well as... Japanese Ramen. The Ramen menu is legit... with choices of different Ramen broth; though the prices are on the higher side but they commensurate with good quality. One of the few places in Penang that serves decent Ramen.

Kim Seng Koay Teow Th'ng (金星茶餐室) @ Kampung Benggali, Butterworth, Penang.

Koay Teow Th'ng has always been Penangites' favorite local food- it can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The folks at Kampung Benggali love their Koay Teow Th'ng... and it started from Kim Seng (金星) before the rival appeared. Nevertheless, patrons still flock to Kim Seng... making it one of the busiest breakfast places around. The place is known to pair Koay Teow Th'ng with Roasted Pork (Sio Bak)... the locals like to slather their rice noodles with plenty of home-made Chili paste. Not exactly the best one around though.

Blooms @ Tye Sin Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Just as we thought the millennial pink trend is quietly fading away, Blooms strikes Georgetown with this striking color. Newly opened in 2019, this aesthetically pleasing cafe occupies the upper floor of the now defunct Dream Mansion at Lebuh Tye Sin. Traipse up the stairs and you will find yourself in a pink space... the most eye-catchy thing would be the pink pool filled with balloons right in front of you... walk until the end and you will find the fridge displaying an array of sweet treats. Visitors actually gather at the pink pool; hipsters would love to do the stereotypical post in the pool. But it is not only about the pink hue here, the menu comprises of some solid options as well. The dessert and beverage menu is especially popular and could make a perfect, Instagram picture. 

Chinese New Year Buffet 2019 @ Eastin Hotel Penang.

Usher in a prosperous Lunar New Year with festive creations at Eastin Hotel Penang as the hotel rolls out Chinese New Year Buffets 2019. Prepare for a year of abundance as you feast on traditional Chinese delights specially crafted for their Chinese New Year Buffets... exclusively available for Reunion, Chinese New Year Day 1 and Day 2. The Chinese New Year Buffets boast an extensive range of classic Chinese dishes like the luxurious Abundance Treasure Pot, toss-to-prosperity Salmon Yee Sang and various promising delights.

Many Thanks to Eastin Hotel Penang for hosting us that evening.

Aroi Thai Food @ Prangin Mall, Georgetown, Penang.

If Prangin Mall is one of your usual lunch places then you should not be new to this Thai food stall previously located at the center atrium. It has since relocated to a shop lot on the same floor (4th floor)... offering more options to the public. Expect the classics like Mango Sticky Rice, Tom Yum, Som Tam, Tab Tim Krob to be included; the new additions would be the Thai-styled rice dishes. Though it is relatively new (since its relocation), the place is fast becoming a popular lunch place for those working nearby. Apart from its authenticity (this place is manned by Thai), the inexpensive price tag is one of the reasons why the regulars keep returning to this place. 

Look Yuen (乐园) Chinese Restaurant @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Located at the border of Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth, Look Yuen (乐园) has been the communal dining space for the nearby folks; not only that the long-established Chinese restaurant offers a big menu but most of their items are reasonably priced either. It does not have a proper menu but the servers are knowledgeable enough to advise on the choices. Parking is not an issue here but the heat-intolerant might be disappointed with the absence of air-conditioners... not the place for special occasion but if you are up for a casual family meal, this is one of the decent choices around. 

Hanmalu Korean Restaurant @ Vantage Desiran Tanjung, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

While it's wise to visit those established big players in town when it comes to Korean food, it does not mean you should give up on those relatively quieter new comers. Hanmalu Korean Restaurant at Vantage Desiran Tanjung (level 1) is one good example... opened for less than a month and manned by a Korean couple, this is the place to come for home-style Korean cooking at its best. It does not have flashy signage, overly designed interior decor or a big menu to impress but a list of comprises of commonly seen and unusual Korean delicacies. The classics are available with a selection of meats done in various ways (hot pot, grills, fried or soup)... reasonably priced with sizable serving portion (and good quality).

Celebrate Chinese New Year with Penang Queensbay Mall's "Spring Splendour"

With the Spring Festival fast-approaching, many incredible Chinese New Year-themed decorations and displays have begun to pop up in every corner of Penang, especially the malls. One of the fashion-leading malls in Penang- Queensbay Mall has transformed its Central Atrium to a Spring Splendour... Garden of blooming flowers.  Pink is the theme color for the Spring Garden where pink Lanterns can be seen all over.... hanging elegantly. The setting is further beautified with giant Butterflies flying all over... which they are put in place to symbolize Love and Freedom. Apart from the Garden look, the place has also gathered some traditional decorative to suit the theme. Photo opportunities are guaranteed at every corner. 

Many Thanks to Queensbay Mall for hosting us at the launching party.

Burger Society @ Leith Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Burgers are something sprawled across millions of fast-food chains across the world and it's a type of food loved by Malaysians. If you are one of them (the burger lovers) would like to satiate your cravings, make your way to this new burger joint in town- Burger Society... taking over the corner slot previously occupied by Subway along Leith Street, Georgetown. The menu comprises of a list of unconventional burger treats with a little Asian influences. Unusual treat as compared to the classic ones but not as addictive as we would have expected.

Jaged Cafe @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Jaged Cafe is a place where you can escape the same old crowded touristy cafes and enjoy some quiet moments; the newly opened cafe is a little off the beaten track... housed in a new commercial shop lots along Jalan Murphy Palaniappan. The shop lots facing the main road are busy but this particular cafe is at the back, making it seems surreptitiously hiding from the public. That's not all, the cafe is on the second floor; once you found it you will need to traipse up the steps to reach it. Push the door open and you will find yourself in a snug but comfortable space with limited seats, but the whole place feels homey and pleasant. The menu is quite small but watch out for the daily bakes; a cozy place suitable for chats and meetings... not so much on meals.

Arteasan Cafe @ Edgecumbe Road, Georgetown, Penang.

There seems to be a trend amongst the cafes in Penang... to paint things pink. Putting up the attractive feminine color seems to be working for cafe hoppers. Housed in a bungalow along Edgecumbe Road (behind UOB Bank Kelawai), Arteasan Cafe exudes a comfortable, homey vibe as soon as you enter the place... with plenty of pink couches and marble tables; at the end of the place is a private, spacious room overlooking the house compound. While the color combo may seem a little too feminine, we must agree that the eccentric choice is the reason that makes this place unique. As suggested by the name, the place has a great variety of Tea choices... with a blend of Western and local Chinese offering. 

BBQ Bar (串越時光) @ Icon City, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

A new addition to Icon City, BBQ Bar takes barbecue to a new height. Set in an igloo-like atmosphere, the barbecue restaurant adopts new technology in the aid of barbecuing the meat.... automatic-rotating barbecue machine. The carefully chosen Charcoal plays an important role as well... even temperature with minimal smoke. This allows the meat to be cooked evenly and thoroughly... not forgetting the thrill of barbecuing your own meal. The brand is established in Klang Valley and this is their first branch in Penang. Apart from barbecue, diners can opt for steamboat as well; the menu covers both and offers a wide variety of meats, seafood and vegetables. Prices are generally on the higher side but they do commensurate with the quality.

Logs Smoke House @ Phuah Hin Leong Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

This new smoke house in town churns out beautifully brown smoked Chicken cooked over real wood. It's not common to find a smoke house that uses real wood to smoke its meat in Penang and this new kid on the block is one of a kind. Accordingly, the chickens are marinated for 24 hours and it takes more than 3 hours to smoke. The entire restaurant only offers a smoked chicken-focused menu... with some simple sides like Coleslaw, mashed Potatoes, Garlic Butter Rice and Garlic Bread. Not too shabby for a change though it did not sweep me off my feet; just a usual roast chicken with a discernible smokiness I reckon. 

Beauty In The Pot (美滋锅) @ SkyAvenue, Genting Highlands, Pahang.

One of the latest additions to SkyAvenue at Resorts World Genting is Beauty In The Pot (美滋锅) which hits the spot- the resorts' all year round chilly weather would be perfect for hotpot, a go-to method to warm up. The newly opened hotpot specialist however, woos female guests with its name and special emphasis to "Beauty", offering Collagen-filled hotpot broth in a unique way. Set on the highest floor of SkyAvenue, guests visiting the hotpot restaurant will be awarded with fantastic view overlooking the hilltop, with occasional mist and hill fog painting the picture. But be prepared for a long wait if you are planning to visit this place during this holiday season, do queue and take the number earlier (at least an hour before your actual visit). It's also noteworthy that the hotpot restaurant offers 20% discounts on all hotpot ingredients after 10:30 pm (only applicable on Mondays to Fridays, excluding weekends and Public Holidays).