SOOD By Chef Ton @ Farquhar Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Penang’s vibrant food scene takes an exciting leap forward with the arrival of SOOD by Chef Ton. Located in a beautifully restored 150-year-old heritage building on Farquhar Street (right across the street from E&O Hotel), this unique dining destination brings together Penang’s storied history and bold, modern Thai flavors. Created by Bangkok’s culinary maestro, Chef Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn—better known as Chef Ton, the visionary behind the Michelin-starred Le Du in Bangkok; SOOD by Chef Ton offers an intimate dining space for 50 guests on the ground floor, where heritage charm meets contemporary flair. Upstairs, the lively SO-OD Bar (So Overdose) invites up to 100 guests to enjoy fun dining, live bands, and DJ performances, creating an unforgettable experience that blends culture, flavor, and energy.

Many Thanks to SOOD By Chef Ton for hosting us. 

LE VENUE by Petr Fehér @ Lebuh Tye Sin, Georgetown, Penang.

Le Venue is a popular choice when it comes to fine-dining in Penang, the restaurant is helmed by Chef Petr Fehér whom has trained and worked in different countries all over the world. Before Le Venue, Chef Petr was working in a 5-Star Hotel in Penang as the Executive Chef. Bringing with him the expertise and experience, Le Venue has proven to be a success after a few years since the opening of the restaurant. The European-inspired menu melds various elements and cuisines to create dishes that will delight the palate as well as the senses. Early reservation is recommended for big group of diners.

Many Thanks to Le Venue for hosting us that evening.

Bón Wine and Dine @ Penang Heritage Club, Penang.

A place not to be missed by meat-obsessed foodies; the newly opened French-European restaurant Bón Wine and Dine at Penang Heritage Club is one of the latest and best places to hit up for fine dry-aged Beef cuts. Not many restaurants in Penang offering dry-aged cuts as the dehydration process causes lesser yield and therefore, costlier to restaurateurs; but the process improves its texture and intensifies its flavor... for that reason, it is loved by many beef lovers. Bón Wine and Dine has a dry-aging cabinet beautifully displaying the dry-aging meat, showcasing the premium steak selection that would make your mouth water. Apart from the beef option, there are other non-beef items which cater for all range of diners... as well as carefully picked wine labels (some uncommon ones even from Syria). For those who wish to sample more, the 5-course prix-fixe menu offers great values in return... priced at RM288+ per pax (extra RM80 per pax for wine pairing- 3 glasses). It is also worth mentioning that Penang Heritage Club offers complimentary parking with ample parking lots. 

Many Thanks to Bón Wine and Dine for hosting us that evening.

Curioscity @ Georgetown, Penang.

Embark on a mystical gastronomical journey with Curioscity, a fairly new joint offering modern cuisine in town. Curioscity started its business operations slightly before the nationwide lockdown in 2021 but words spread as soon as the social bans being uplifted. The menu is handpicked by the owners and carefully designed to honor and describe their reverence to the proud Penang flavors. Ingredients are as local as possible where they try to source the freshest seasonal Penang produce- from Balik Pulau to Tanjung Tokong even to Batu Kawan; just to present the best of Penang flavors.... in a dazzling reinterpretation of classic, popular Penang dishes. The interior decor is one of its kind- a beautiful marriage of modern cuisine in present space but presented in old-vintage setting. Curioscity currently serves one menu at RM328+ per pax and the dishes regular change in every couple of months. One day of advance reservation is required. It is also note-worthy that interested parties can book the entire event space with customizable menu from RM200+ per pax, with maximum up to 50 pax. 

Many Thanks to Curioscity for hosting us that evening.

Japanese Wagyu A5 (120 gm/ Potato Puree/ Chinese Kale/ Jus)- Supplementary of RM230

Wild Caught Brown Marbled Grouper (Potato Puree/ Seasonal Vegetable/ Crustacean Reduction)

Open Food- Sourdough with Truffle Butter

Foie Gras (Pain Perdu/ Eggplant Mousse/ Fluer De Sel)

Hokkaido Scallop (Prawn/ Corn Puree/ Caviar)

Japanese Miyagi Oyster (Pickled Chili Granita/ Calamansi/ Caviar/ Cucumber)

Blue Swimmer Crab (Tomato Tartare/ Granny Smith Apple/ Avocado/ Caviar)

Risotto (Confit Prawn/ Prawn Broth/ Cured Yolk)

Bird Nest (Jujube Gelato/ Rose/ Jasmine Tea)

We started off with a crusty warm Sourdough served with their own-made Truffle Butter with a bold earthy flavor as well as a good salty touch. The official first course was a beautiful presentation of Foie Gras. Instead of the usual slab of fatty liver, the Chef cubed it and served with Eggplant Mousse and French Toast. The concoction was silky smooth with a burst of fragrant, creamy texture; a rather creative way to serve Foie Gras. We enjoyed the next course a lot- Hokkaido Scallop and Prawns served with Corn Puree and Caviar; the Corn Puree had not aid much in providing flavors but a thin layer of silky smooth texture for the crustacean to swim in the mouth. The seafood was well-seasoned and the winning recipe was the light torch which offered a delightful scorched aroma. 

The way they served the Japanese Miyagi Oyster was very daring so it's either you like it or you don't. The Oyster was served with icy cold Pickled Chili Granite which offered the right flavor and combo but unfortunately, we did not like the icy cold texture when it hit our palate and we were struck by the contrast in temperature. Combo-wise, not bad. A respite from the shock, the Blue Swimmer Crab offered a more refreshing and calming touch. It was something like Crab Cake served with refreshing Salad to let the palate settle down before welcoming the mains. 

For main course- the Wild Caught Brown Marbled Grouper was pretty straight-forward. The fish was generously cut and perfectly seared. We loved how meaty and succulent the fish was. For those who would appreciate premium cuts of Beef, the Japanese Wagyu A5 would fit for the spot. Diners are required to top up RM230 for this option. Needless to say, the quality was top-notch and the perfect pockets of fats was the exact reason that the meat melted in the mouth. Additional seasoning was not necessary, the quality of the ingredient spoke for itself. 

Continuing the high note was the Risotto served with a humongous Prawn; the real draw was of course the juicy crustacean with a nice scorched flavor. The Risotto was made to suit the local palate- both texture and flavor wise. It can be quite hot to some but the spiciness was intimating... as the dish resembled shades of the popular Penang Hokkien Mee. We concluded the meal with Bird Nest, a concoction of Jujube Gelato, dried Rose petals and refreshing serving of Jasmine Tea over it. 

Additional Information:
Non-Halal

Service Charge: Yes 10%

Government Tax: No

Address: 164A-B, Lebuh Victoria, 10300, Georgetown, Penang.
Business Hours: 6:15 pm to 10 pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Contact Number: 014- 210 5236

Curioscity Facebook Page

Yè Yàn Private Dining & Bar 夜宴 @ Abu Siti Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

The concept of Private Dining has been all the rage in Penang in recent months- the novelty experience and excitement waiting for the Chef to dish out their expertly crafted dishes. Yè Yàn Private Dining & Bar 夜宴 is one of the latest spots where you can enjoy your Private Dining experience in town. The menu is constantly changing and there is no fixed theme, the Chef brings out the best he could on the day (depending on the supply sources). There are 2 different types of pricing- the RM108 is a 3-course meal for walk-in diners whilst the RM128 is a 5-course menu with possible add-ons; the premium add-ons has a wide range and could cost up to RM688 (expect to see Iberico Steak, Wagyu Beef, Atlantic Cod etc), a minimum 3 days booking in advance is required. On top of the Private Dining menu, Yè Yàn offers a big Cocktail menu too.

Many Thanks to Yè Yàn for hosting us that evening. 

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

Béni @ Sky Avenue, Resorts World Genting, Genting Highlands, Pahang.

Béni, a one-starred Michelin restaurant from Singapore has recently extended its business operation to Malaysia... opening a branch at SkyAvenue of Resorts World Genting. According to its official website, Béni's menu integrates French fine-dining cuisine and Japanese produce... a Japanese reinterpretation of French cuisine. The restaurant at SkyAvenue has limited seating, probably could accommodate less than 6 tables... with an open kitchen and a display fridge with selected Wines. The price points are of fine-dining range but if you are keen to try their offering without putting a dent on the wallet, the 3 Course Set Meal (starts from Rm 68 per pax) is definitely a good choice. The 3 Course Set Meal is available daily, all day long.

Gēn 根 @ The Prestige Hotel, Georgetown, Penang.

The name Gēn 根 (refers to "roots" in Mandarin) gives an idea about the place and its concept- appreciating quality local produce with familiar yet nostalgic flavors from childhood memories. Helmed by Chef Johnson, the place is ready to take you on a journey through flavors with his interpretation of Malaysian Stories- a reminiscent of the past for those who can relate, a new expedition of flavor combo through the creative dishes. At Gēn 根 (unlike its sister restaurant- Communal Table by Gēn 根 at Lebuh Presgrave), the restaurant only offers Chef's Tasting Menu... be it lunch or dinner. A 7-course Lunch is priced at RM 180 whilst the 12-course Dinner is priced at RM 300, subject to service charge. The menu changes every 2 months, we had the privilege to try their June 2020 Dinner menu.

Many Thanks To Gēn 根 for hosting us

Platform 9&3 Quarter Fine Dining and Cellar @ Magazine Road, Georgetown, Penang.

A dreamy surprise for Harry Potter fans as there is a new magical dining spot in town that offers diners to dine-in amidst the wizarding world. Established in late 2018, Platform 9&3 Quarter is rather obscure and first-time visitors may have a sense of mysterious as they will need to walk in a shop next to the bustling street but without signage, go through a narrow walkway and to discover the whole new world. The front part of the space is converted into a bar, which will turn lively after 10 pm; keep walking and you will find yourself in a classy dining space with comfortable velvet chairs and spacious dining tables; there are also books flying around and wizard-themed knick-knacks on the tables for diners to play with. Though the theme is fairly obvious but the food offering is totally irrelevant to the interior decor. Like most fine-dining restaurants, Platform 9&3 Quarter offers a European-Fusion Chef Tasting menu along with some ala-carte dishes. Definitely a place for occasions or surprises.

Many Thanks to Platform 9&3 Quarter for hosting us.