Ayataya By Piccadilly @ Central Gurney Penang.

Joining Central Gurney Penang is Ayataya By Piccadilly, opened in January 2024; Ayataya boasts a casual, lively and tropical ambiance. The large glass windows allow natural light to flow into the space, creating a warm-homey vibe. The selection of furniture is brilliant- with a good harmonization of rattan chairs and couches in shades of light brown; creating a relaxed, easy-going mood. The menu features a good selection of cafe offerings, exquisite main courses and an array of alluring desserts as well as specialty drinks. The price points are slightly on the higher side but Ayataya is definitely a good option for any casual dining, meet ups or occasions.

Many Thanks to Ayataya By Piccadilly for hosting us.

Tosca Pâtisserie @ Lebuh Cintra, Georgetown, Penang.

Canelé, a type of French pastry that has characteristics like caramelized crust with soft-custardy center; it boasts a delightful contrast of textures and subtle blend of flavors. Not many cafes/patisseries/restaurants in Penang are able to offer Canelé due to its tedious craftmanship but Tosca Pâtisserie nails it. Named after Tosca- a popular Scandinavian cake, the Canelé specialist in town churns out fresh, delicious Canelé as well as its signature Tosca cake. Do check the place out if you are keen to savor these unique indulgence.

For this Chinese New Year, Tosca Pâtisserie rolls out a special gift set in the spirit festive joy. The CNY + Golden Classic Set features 4 specially curated Canelé (Golden Salted Egg, Jujube, Citrus Opulence and Earl Grey) and 4 pieces of the classic Canelé brushed with edible gold dust. Guests can also choose to purchase the special CNY Canelé for RM60. Pre-order starts today and ready for collection as early as 1 February 2024. 

Many Thanks to Tosca Pâtisserie for letting us to sample the Canelé

Thai Tut Tut @ Southbay Plaza, Batu Maung, Penang.

Thai Tut Tut at Southbay Plaza, Batu Maung has been around for a few good years. The place has been dishing out authentic yet wallet-friendly Thai delights since its opening. It is a popular spot for those who work/live in the area for a quick Thai fix. The menu is fairly big, featuring many Thai dishes familiar to Penangites. There are some hits and misses but the price points are very affordable, especially it is a proper, air-conditioned Thai restaurant. 

Prosperity Reunion Chinese New Year Buffet @ Amari SPICE Penang.

Complete the joy of the Lunar New Year with an extravagant feast at Amari SPICE Penang as the hotel rolls out its Lunar New Year food promotions. The auspicious Dragon Year dining at Amari SPICE Penang starts from 9 February 2024 to 12 February 2024, featuring specially curated Chinese New Year buffet that honors tradition and festivities with every dish. Uniquely at Amaya Food Gallery (the buffet hall- level 4 of Amari SPICE Penang), lively Chinese traditional instruments and music will entertain guests during dinner with a contemporary repertoire of auspicious New Year songs.

Prosperity Reunion Buffet Dinner

- 9 February 2024 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

- RM158 nett per person & RM118 nett per child/ senior citizen

- Early Bird Promo (valid until 31 Jan 2024) RM138 nett per person

Auspicious Good Fortune Buffet Lunch

- 10 to 12 February 2024 from 12 noon to 3 pm

- RM138 nett per person & RM98 nett per child/ senior citizen

- Early Bird Promo (valid until 31 Jan 2024) RM118 nett per person

Good Wealth Buffet Dinner

- 10 to 12 February 2024 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

- RM158 nett per person & RM118 nett per child/ senior citizen

- Early Bird Promo (valid until 31 Jan 2024) RM138 nett per person

Many Thanks to Amari SPICE Penang for extending the invitation.

River Tropics Food Court 雨林饮食中心 @ Permatang Pauh, Butterworth, Penang.

It's easy to miss River Tropics Food Court 雨林饮食中心, the food court is a little hidden from the main road. To reach River Tropics, take the exit to Permatang Pauh from North-South Highway and upon turning into Permatang Pauh, take the sharp left turn and follow the signage to reach to the restaurant. In the mornings, the restaurant offers Dim Sum and it serves Thai food starting noon. The Thai selection is fairly small as compared to some well-established Thai restaurants. The food quality is alright but it is the river view that makes this place stands out. 

Chinese New Year Buffet 2024 @ G Hotel Penang.

Indulge in a diverse spread of classic and modern dishes that capture the Chinese New Year spirit as we welcome the majestic Year of the Dragon with an extravagant Chinese New Year Buffet. This year, G Hotel and G Kelawai Penang proudly present the Chinese New Year Buffet featuring a delightful array of dishes, each meticulously crafted to bring prosperity and joy to your festivities.

CNY Eve Reunion Buffet Dinner @ Cafe 168 G Hotel

- 9 February from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

- RM238 nett per person & RM168 nett per senior citizen & RM118 per child

- Add On RM88 nett for Free Flow of House Beer and Wine (Buy 3 Free 1)

CNY Day 1 & Day 2 Buffet Lunch @ Cafe 168 G Hotel

- 10 & 11 February from 12 noon to 3 pm

- RM208 nett per person & RM148 nett per  senior citizen & RM88 per child

- Add On RM88 nett for Free Flow of House Beer and Wine (Buy 3 Free 1)

CNY Day 1 & Day 2 Buffet Dinner @ Cafe 168 G Hotel

- 10 & 11 February from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

- RM238 nett per person & RM118 nett per senior citizen & RM118 per child

- Add On RM88 nett for Free Flow of House Beer and Wine (Buy 3 Free 1)

CNY Eve Buffet Dinner @ SPOON G Kelawai

- 9 February from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

- RM238 nett per person & RM168 nett per senior citizen & RM118 per child

- Add On RM88 nett for Free Flow of House Beer and Wine (Buy 3 Free 1)

CNY Day 1 & Day 2 6-Course Set Lunch @ SPOON G Kelawai

- 10 & 11 February from 12 pm to 3 pm

- RM138 per pax (no minimum pax required)

CNY Day 1 & Day 2 6-Course Set Dinner @ SPOON G Kelawai

- 10 & 11 February from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm

- RM168 per pax (no minimum pax required)

Many Thanks to G Hotel for hosting us.

Mashitta K Food @ Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

Mashitta K Food is a new spot where Korean food lovers get to explore in the Bukit Mertajam neighborhood. The restaurant offers quite a big Korean menu, from the usual street food fare like Tteokbokki to Kimbap, Fried Chicken or even Jeon but there is one particular item on the menu that is unique. Mashitta K Food is probably the only Korean restaurant that offers Dak Han Mari (Korean One Chicken Soup), a popular delicacy at Dong Dae Mun Seoul. The place is air-conditioned and suitable for any occasion, the prices are slightly on the higher side though.

Fenix Restaurant 鳯记 @ Gohtong Jaya, Genting Highlands, Pahang.

Associated with Loong Kee Restaurant at Gohtong Jaya, a well-established Chinese restaurant in the same area; Fenix Restaurant 鳯记 is one of the newest restaurants at Gohtong Jaya. Opened its doors in September 2023, the Chinese restaurant offers a classic, big Chinese menu fits for all diners of all age range. Signature dishes include Organic Free-Range Chicken, various freshwater fishes, river Prawns etc. The restaurant offers a cozy dining atmosphere... coupled with the chilly mountain breeze, it offers a comfortable dining experience. Dishes are priced reasonably with generous portion, worth checking out if you are in the vicinity.

Senyuman Daun Cafe @ Ayer Itam, Penang.

For a healthy-organic vegetarian quick fix, make your way to Senyuman Daun Cafe at Ayer Itam. On the ground floor, Senyuman Daun Cafe carries various organic, healthy products as well as some Microgreens for sale. The cafe is on the upper floor of the shop; it offers a small vegetarian menu in which some dishes will have their home-grown microgreens included. After orders are being placed, the server will pluck, wash and prepare the microgreens to serve; freshness is guaranteed. Comfortable space with inexpensive, healthy options; do check it out if you are into vegetarian food. 

Dotori Korean Restaurant @ Arena Curve, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Those seeking for no-frills, classic Korean delights will not be disappointed with Dotori Korean Restaurant, a fairly new K-Restaurant at Arena Curve, Bayan Lepas. Apart from the Korean grills, Dotori also offers a big Korean menu featuring classics like Tteokbokki, Jjajangmyeon, Naengmyeong, Jigae and Bibimbap. Unlike some popular establishments in town, we found Dotori's prices to be very affordable considering the generous portion. The only downside is the poor ventilation in the restaurant, they do not have a proper ventilation system so the barbecue odors tend to spread all over the restaurant. Other than that, we thought the food quality is good and can't wait to head back for more. 

Yun Xiang Steampot Fish 云香蒸汽石锅鱼 @ Gurney Paragon Mall, Penang.

Gurney Paragon Mall welcomes a new tenant- Yun Xiang Steampot Fish 云香蒸汽石锅鱼, a restaurant that serves Yun Nan-style one-of-a-kind pressure-steamed fresh fish. Unlike any usual steamboat or hotpot, Yun Xiang uses special-made granite stone pot from Yun Nan with an extra function to allow steam gushing through the broth while boiling them at the same time, extracting all the flavors and essence in the tasty broth. Yun Nan cuisine often features fresh local ingredients, this particular cooking method is perfect to highlight the natural flavors and sweetness of the ingredients. Apart from the signature clear fish broth, Yun Xiang also offers other options like Peppercorn Fish Broth, Ma La Spicy Broth, Sour Pickled Mustard Green Fish Broth, Tonic Herbal Soup and Sweet and Sour Tomato Broth. Yun Xiang Steampot Fish can be found at Level 5 of Gurney Paragon Mall, you will find the restaurant via the exit from MODE Aesthetic on the same floor.

Many Thanks to Yun Xiang Steampot Fish for hosting us.

Longrain @ Raja Uda, Butterworth, Penang.

A curious restaurant at Raja Uda, Butterworth- Longrain has little or no relationship with its food offering; the restaurant's location on an upper floor unit making it more mysterious and hidden. But words of mouth spread out as well as positive reviews on social media, Longrain has since received quite a fair bit of attention. Longrain specializes in home-made Pasta, along with some Western-Fusion dishes, the menu is not too big but good enough to suit diners of all age-range. Reasonable prices, good food quality and comfortable air-conditioned space are some of the few good reasons why you should check out this place.

Xiang Yue 湘约 @ Ivory Plaza, Bukit Gambir, Penang.

Xiang Yue 湘约 is a new spot near USM (University Science Malaysia) where you can get your spicy, Ma-La Hunan Cuisine cravings fixed. The newly opened Hunan Restaurant offers a big Chinese menu, featuring many Hunan highlights as well as a small Noodle list. While there are some spicy, Ma-La dishes, the menu features mostly China Chinese home-cooked dishes... suitable for all age range. The kitchen follows authentic recipes from China so the flavor-combo is as close as it gets. Items are reasonably priced with generous portion. The place is air-conditioned and offers a comfortable dining space for a casual, quick fix. This place is worth a look if you are in the vicinity.