Dong Dong Korean BBQ @ Karpal Singh Drive, Georgetown, Penang.

Dong Dong Korean BBQ is a new addition to Karpal Singh Drive, and they seem to specialize in aged pork meat, which gives their BBQ offerings a richer flavour and tender texture. Aside from the BBQ, their menu is generous — you’ll find Korean favourites like Bibimbap, Japchae, Tteokbokki, Kimbap, and Fried Chicken. When I visited, the food quality was good overall, with the meats well marinated and the sides satisfying. The prices are reasonable too, considering the portions. The only downside was the service, which felt a bit lacklustre — probably first-day jitters. With some improvements in that area, this spot has strong potential among Korean food lovers in the area. 

Shu Da Xia Hotpot 蜀大侠火锅 @ Karpal Singh Drive, Jelutong, Penang.

With its wide variety of ingredients and steaming soup bases, Shu Da Xia Hotpot 蜀大侠火锅 is one of the alternatives to big Hotpot chains like Hai Di Lao and Xiao Long Kan. The new Hotpot restaurant is perched at the top floor of Karpal Singh Drive's Automall, offering a nice sea view to diners. The menu is pretty much China Chinese-inspired, offering a wide variety of meat (and organ meats) as well as other popular Hotpot ingredients. Likewise, the layout is also quite "Chinese"; step in the place and you will be instantly transported to ancient China- with traditional Chinese knick-knacks and in shades of red. Service is top-notch but expect to pay a premium to dine-in here. 

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.

Fisherman's Wharf (槟城渔人码头)- Great Cheap Eats @ Karpal Singh Drive, Georgetown, Penang.

Penang is a State blessed with myriad of street and hawker food; hawker centers are part of our lives and we are never bored of getting excited to visit all these hawker centers! If you are one of us or intend to indulge in a great variety of local food (this is the best way to savor authentic and yummy local delights), make your way to Fisherman's Wharf.... one of the largest food courts in town. The place is not new but was recently taken over by a new management (since last quarter of 2017) and therefore, given a new face to the place. It is now more organized, cleaner with more food choices  available (Fisherman's Wharf houses more than 40 food stalls). The locals' favorites- Curry Mee, Hokkien Mee, Char Koay Kak, Koay Teow Th'ng, Lam Mee, Lor Bak, Bak Kut Teh etc are all there but if you or your guests prefer a little international variety, there are Pizza, Shawerma, Burgers, Japanese and Korean dishes as well. Rest-assured, all items are reasonably priced to the "hawker" standard and will not put a dent on your wallet. It's also worth mentioning that at certain hours, there will be live band performances.... imagine spending your weekend evenings on great food, chilled Beers and live performances at the beach front. Ample Free Parking space too if that's your concern.

This post is brought to you by Fisherman's Wharf.

Le Harlequin Cafe @ Maritime Automall, Karpal Singh Drive, Penang.

With a name like Le Harlequin Cafe, one would expect the place to serve up Coffee or Cakes but in actual fact, it brings stir-fried Seafood to the table. Like some of the restaurants in town, the Seafood will be first cooked and seasoned, then serve on the table. Diners will then wear gloves to pick up their choice. Not so much on the variety but the thrill to explore the mass together with a group of dining-mates. Prices are generally more affordable than some establishments in town but the lack of choices makes it a place more for novelty than absolute taste. On a side note, the servers did not seem to be flexible enough to accommodate our requests (on rearranging our seating and placing orders).

Bingsu 9 Korean Dessert Cafe @ Maritime Automall, Karpal Singh Drive, Penang.

The sultry tropical heat strikes and Penangites do know where and how to beat the heat. Bingsu 9 Korean Dessert Cafe has got to be the busiest cafe during this Chinese New Year holiday, visitors thronged the place and it was packed to the brim as late as midnight. It only sells Bingsu (Korean Shaved Ice) and Waffles but still making some bank. Visit in the evenings and likely you will have to wait outside, the queue to get a table requires wait as long as 1 hour. The cafe has a Bingsu-focused menu... in addition to the standard Pat Bingsu and Injeolmi, there is also a slew of other flavors like Matcha, Chocolate, Mango, Strawberry etc (9 flavors in total thus, the name of this place) as well as an array of Waffle-treats. Unless you have ample time, this place is not suggested for the time-sensitive or those dining in a group, hoping for a comfortable-cozy atmosphere.

Hero Pot (火锅英雄) @ Karpal Singh Drive, Georgetown, Penang.

Consider yourself incredibly lucky if you are a fan of Sze Chuan food, more options for you right now with the opening of Hero Pot at Karpal Singh Drive. Belongs to the "Mix", a convenient store that sells fancy imported goods from China, Japan, Korea etc, Hero Pot offers Sze Chuan-influenced dishes and of course... Sze Chuan "Mala" Hot Pot. But everything is designed to be ostentatious here, when you are about to enter the premise, you will be greeted by servers wearing traditional Chinese outfit. They will bring you to your table and before you are seated, they will shout "heroes are coming"... an awkward start to a meal. The menu is Hot Pot-centric, with a few classic Chinese snacks. Service is attentive but do not expect things to be cheap here, expect to fork out at least Rm 50 per pax for a decent meal here. Not particularly impressive as far as taste is concerned... if you must know.

Cafe Droptop @ Maritime Piazza, Karpal Singh Drive, Penang.

If you are tired of the usual franchise cafes around, it's high time that you pay a visit to Cafe Droptop, a Korean-franchise brand that has recently landed on Penang. Cafe Droptop has heavy presence in Korea and in recent years, it has expanded its business operations to other Asian countries. Its first outlet in Penang can be found at Maritime Piazza. Like most franchise brands, Cafe Droptop offers a standard cafe menu with a Korean touch. The menu has a delicious mix of beverages and sweet treat; notable items include Maple Honey Toast, Bingsu (Korean Shaved Ice) and Sweet Potato Latte. Prices are on the higher side but the modern-chic atmosphere is comfortable and cozy, definitely a place where you can spend some leisure time with your friends or family. 

Bao Culture @ Maritime Piazza, Karpal Singh Drive, Penang.

Gua Bao (刈包) is commonly known as the national burger for the Taiwanese; though they are quite common in Penang but the Taiwanese delicacy does not seem to have stirred up the interest of the gourmands. With the Gua Bao-scene going on for a few years, Maritime Piazza sees the opening of a new Gua Bao-specialist. It settles in the slot right next to Milkcow Soft Serve, 1st floor of the building. The place is not fully air-conditioned but one could enjoy the natural sea breeze, though it can be quite warm in the sultry afternoons. The menu is pretty Gua Bao-focused, though there are a few sides that diners can order.

Arabica Estate Cafe @ Automall, Karpal Singh Drive, Penang.

Arabica Estate Cafe occupies the vacant spot right next to Milkcow at Auto Mall, Karpal Singh Drive; an established brand that has branches across the country. The decor at Auto Mall is modern with industrial vibe in shades of wooden beam; the place is airy and diners get to enjoy the natural sea breeze but it can get extremely warm in the afternoon. The menu is small... covering a few types of Pizza and Pasta. The place is new and clean... and with the soul-touching sea breeze, it can be an ideal spot for an evening meet up. 

Milkcow Soft Serve Ice Cream @ Automall, Karpal Singh Drive, Penang.

An unprecedented wave of new shops serving artisan Ice Cream arriving in town but it should expected in a town with year-round sunshine. The people from South should not be new to Milkcow, the Korean Soft Serve has stormed KL and Ipoh; the branch at Automall is the state's first outlet that serves the brand's creamy goods. The addictive Soft Serve boasts about its smoothness and creaminess, brilliant paired with their carefully sourced toppings such as Honey Comb, Macarons with some items carrying the organic status. The location's a little odd though, occupying a corner lot (1st floor) of Auto Mall at Karpal Singh Drive, opposite to Starbucks and facing the sea view. Al-fresco dining is adopted in lieu of a comfortable air-conditioned enclosed space (the heat intolerant might not be impressed); it may be ideal to enjoy the evening sea breeze but it may get a little stuffy and warm in sultry afternoons. We were there on an afternoon and it appeared that our Soft Serves melted faster than usual... also, we need not wait for our queue as there was not even one. 

Iyara Thai Cuisine @ Automall, Karpal Singh Drive, Penang.

Ardent fans of Thai food need not to take an arduous journey out of town just to find a decent Thai restaurant. Iyara is a new Thai establishment housed in Automall, Karpal Singh Drive. It is a simple, homey space with uncomplicated Thai-influenced setting. The place has a clear and straight-forward menu; not the fancy Thai-seafood menu but rather, traditional and authentic Thai delicacies and desserts. A place most suitable for family dine out. 

*A reader of mine shared her experience with me: she ordered the same Cendol but it was served differently- the portion was a huge difference. It appears that there might be a tendency of inconsistencies in Iyara.*

Coffee Smith (咖啡史密斯) @ Maritime Piazza, Karpal Singh Drive, Georgetown, Penang.

Opened for just a few days, the place has already proven to be another popular cafe cum restaurant for hipsters. Coffee Smith had fans licking their lips in anticipation, evidently seen from the long queues and the crowd that thronged the place over the past few days. It is also the first restaurant opened for business in the new commercial building- Maritime Piazza at Karpal Singh Drive/ Jelutong Promenade. Coffee Smith is a franchise restaurant from Taiwan and currently, the only one here in Malaysia. The first thing that amazes you after you have stepped in the restaurant would probably be their contemporary design (exposed pipes and floating light-bulbs) and their fun-lively furniture. Coffee Smith specializes in serving Western-Italian food, though prices might be on the higher side but they commensurate with the quality of the ingredients. However, service was a little lackluster and slow probably they are still new. Nevertheless, this restaurant is definitely going to be the "talk of the town", make your reservation fast if you are planning on a visit soon!