Maroon Fusion Cuisine @ Arena Curve, Bayan Lepas, Penang.

Maroon Fusion Cuisine is the latest Muslim-friendly eatery at Arena Curve... offering an array of Malaysian's favorites. Expect to find some Mamak stall-focused dishes on the menu like Nasi Kandar, Maggi Goreng, Nasi Kandar... as well as Nasi Lemak and sides. The bright side- you get to enjoy these delicacies in a clean, air-conditioned and comfortable environment. Dishes are also reasonably priced with generous serving portions.

Pure Lotus Cafe 净莲素食馆 @ Jalan Utama, Georgetown, Penang.

Enjoy a delicious plant-based meal for a good cause at Pure Lotus Cafe 净莲素食馆 Jalan Utama, right across the Penang General Hospital. The name Pure Lotus will surely ring a bell, they are known to run charity care services to terminally ill cancer patients. Apart from churning some proceeds to Pure Lotus, the cafe also employs staff with health conditions or impairments (OKU according to their website). The cafe is manned by Tina's Kitchen, offering a Nyonya-inspired meat-free menu. Expect to pay slightly more at this place but for a good cause of course...

初二 Chu Er By Fusion Taste @ Victoria Street, Georgetown, Penang.

初二 Chu Er By Fusion Taste is a new brunch spot in the heart of Georgetown that offers hearty Malaysian delights at budget-friendly price tags. Located at Victoria Street, a short walk from Boston Coffee; it is easy to miss Chu Er By Fusion Taste due to the small facade and entrance. But as you enter the place, you will find yourself in an air-conditioned, well-spaced restaurant. The menu features Malaysian delights with some Chinese-influenced rice/noodle sets. Chu Er is definitely an inviting space for those seeking decent and inexpensive meals. It is note-worthy that Chu Er By Fusion Taste is a pet-friendly restaurant.

DUAN 二杬 @ Beach Street, Georgetown, Penang.

DUAN 二杬 at Beach Street is a one-of-a-kind restaurant, it is fairly new but many are lured by its unique food offering- contemporary Malaysian cuisine that preserves local flavors yet, introducing an interesting twist to the classic dishes. The restaurant serves no pork; menu-wise, you will find many familiar local Malaysian dishes... from Nasi Biryani to various Curries, Satay etc. The interior decor is however, nothing Malaysian at all. It has a modern take on simplicity with a little industrial vibe. The price points are of restaurant-standard but the food quality is there. Worth checking out if you are up for a sweat-inducing, rich-flavored Malaysian Curry journey.

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.

The Pomelo Restaurant & Bar Rolls Out New Pizza Menu @ The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat, Ipoh, Perak.

The nation's best luxury natural hot springs wellness retreat- The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is merely 20-min drive away from Ipoh city center and offers great facilities to guests to recharge and rejuvenate. But many do not know that the retreat is well-equipped with dining options. The Jeff's Cellar is one of the city's top fine-dining destinations, only did it bag multiple awards; the restaurant also offers unique ambiance and setting second to none. But many do not aware that the retreat has another cozy, casual all-day restaurant- The Pomelo. The Pomelo serves ala-carte buffet breakfast to the retreat's guests in the morning and the all-day menu commences after noon; the restaurant welcomes public to dine-in but early reservation is required to enter the property premise. As for dining ambiance, The Pomelo presents a cozy indoor and al-fresco dining within any one of the three Gazebos that extend over the hot springs. 

Many Thanks to The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat for hosting us.

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.

Pin Xin Vegan Cuisine @ 4th Street Club, Georgetown, Penang.

The vegetarian world can be as colorful as the non-vegetarian's and Pin Xin Vegan Cuisine is one of the many plant-based restaurants in Penang trying to prove the statement. Housed in one of the shop houses at 4th Street Club, Pin Xin Vegan Cuisine is a new vegan/ vegetarian restaurant in Penang. The plant-based restaurant offers a vegan-friendly menu with local twist. Non-meat eaters may now enjoy local delights such as Hokkien Mee, Jawa Mee, Assam Laksa without jeopardizing their diets; additional dishes to look forward to are Tom Yum Noodles, Aglio Olio or Burgers. Their range of rice dishes would fit for those with stubborn Chinese palates. Price tags can be a little steep but given the fact that vegan food requires a lot of effort and innovation, it is justifiable.

Victoria Green Corner @ Jalan Padang Victoria, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Victoria Green Corner is a house turned artsy cafe, the cafe is dedicated to serving Nyonya-influenced menu. There's no clear signage out the front but the interiors are sparkling and stunning. It displays a great amount of antiques, ranging from the ancient Chinese toga to the recent Nyonya's collection of crockery set. The decors are eye-pleasing, with some of them designed by the daughter of the restaurateur. The menu is small and some of the offering is common but the real pull factor is the homey ambiance. If you are into Nyonya-inspired dishes, this place is worth a look. Victoria Green Corner can be found behind Union Primary School, opposite Westlands Secondary School.

[Year 2015] My Itinerary for One Day Trip to Ipoh, Perak.

Ipoh, the capital of Perak makes an awesome one-day trip from Penang; the reason is simple... the town is overwhelmed with delicious delicacies with wallet-friendly price tags, the only possible hindrance is the limited tummy space. Approximately 1.5 hrs drive away from Penang, Ipoh is of a complete different vibe than Penang- an old town with a relaxed pace, travelling from one location to another is easy and hassle-free. Better if you have Cantonese-root, the entire town feels more intimate with the Cantonese-flare; traditional Cantonese delicacies can also be easily found in any corner of the town. 

We've made a short visit there earlier ago and below were the places we visited:

1) Yoke Fook Moon (玉福满酒楼) Restaurant

Non-Halal

Prices shown are exclusive of GST

Address: 67-69, Jalan Leong Sin Nam, 30300, Ipoh, Perak.

Business Hours: 6 am to 1:30 pm; 6:30 pm to 10 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: 605- 241 6589

Cheong Fun Dumplings

Daily Buffet Dinner @ 59 Sixty, KOMTAR, Georgetown, Penang.

Relish an exquisite dining experience at 59 Sixty, a relaxed urban restaurant perched dramatically above the iconic building of Penang- KOMTAR (Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak) in the heart of the city. Enjoy your meal amidst the scenic view and stunning vistas of the isle of Penang; take in flavors of local specialties and a vast selection of Japanese, Middle Eastern, Nyonya, Western and Hong Kong-influenced dishes showcasing through the extensive buffet stations. Diners can also walk around the restaurant scouting for their pick as well as to enjoy the 360 degree panoramic city views. There are different themes as to the decorations of the seating- some with simple and unnecessary frills; some meant for couples in love while some are for family occasions. 

While 59 Sixty has been receiving unfavorable comments since its opening earlier this year, many changes have been made, including a new management team headed by executive Chef, Chef Jason H. The culinary team consists of a vast background of Chefs that specializes in churning out different International dishes; expect to see more than 100 dishes available in their buffet spread. 

[Suggested Itinerary] Bangkok, Thailand Food Guide 2015 of Street Food and Restaurants

A gastronomical paradise for food lovers, Bangkok is indisputably famed for its food, not only the ubiquitous street food but also renowned for its myriad of restaurants offering international cuisine. It is nearly impossible to go through and narrow down everyone of them. We might not have tried a very extensive selection of restaurants/ street food but we do have a list of interesting food places here; whether you have a tight budget or deep pocket, you will always find a place that suits you in Bangkok, Thailand.

P/S: If you are looking for an eloquent tour guide who speaks fluent English and Mandarin, you may contact Pinky at +6681-372 9848 or email her at pinky_9848@hotmail.com. She is one of the best tour guides I have ever met- extremely friendly and knowledgeable. One of the many reasons to why we enjoyed our tour so much. Also, many thanks to Richard Lim, Marketing Manager of Tourism Authority of Thailand in Malaysia for showing us around.

*This post is brought to you by Tourism Authority of Thailand.*

1) Kuang Heng Pratunam 

Address: 960- 962, Phetchaburi Road, Ratchathewi, Bangkok, Thailand.

Business Hours: 6 am to 1 am. Opens Daily.

Direction: 10 min walk from Ratchathewi BTS station, the place can be found across the street to Platinum Fashion Mall.  

Dried Fish Maw Soup (50 Baht)

Sangkaya with Steamed Bread (40 Baht)

Buka Puasa Buffet Dinner @ Sarkies, Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang.

Explosion of buffet places opening up in Penang but Sarkies (of E&O Hotel) remains as one of the well-favored places for buffet. To commemorate the one-month long holy month of fasting, the restaurant debuts a special Buka Puasa Buffet for the month. 

Jamuan Berbuka Puasa: (available from 18 June to 16 July 2015)

6: 30 pm to 10: 30 pm, Monday to Sunday.

RM 128.30 nett (Adult), Rm 55.95 nett (Children)

Many Thanks to Eastern & Oriental Hotel for hosting us that evening.

Teh Tarik

Roti Canai

Roasted Whole Lamb

INCH @ Muntri Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Alcohol devotees can have a drink at this newly opened Tapas Bar, tucked in one of the rustic heritage houses along Muntri Street. The three-week old Bar has a sister restaurant in front, named Plates, which will open its door to the public in early March 2015. Inch, an abbreviation of Indo China, gives a hint that it serves a wonderful assortment South East Asian light meals. The management wishes to preserve the heritage building and to add a splash of their creativity; the bar's retro vibes are then boosted by the colored wooden furniture and hanging light bulbs. The bar has quite an extensive list of alcoholic drinks, ranging from the commonly found Beers to Inch's very own creations, carefully curated to complement the nibbles and light dishes. Inch can be found at Muntri Street, opposite to Purrfect Cafe and a stone's throw distance away from Mish Mash.

Many Thanks to Inch for hosting us that evening.

Neua Satey (Rm 16/ 3 sticks)- Beef Skewers marinated in Coconut Milk, Curry Powder and Coriander Roots, charcoal-grilled and served with home-made Peanut Sauce. 

Kai Yang (Rm 16/ 3 sticks)- Chicken Thigh skewers marinated in Garlic, Pepper Coriander Roots, charcoal-grilled and served with Jim Jaew. 

Friday Evening Poolside Barbecue Buffet Dinner @ The Royale Bintang, Weld Quay, Penang.

Welcome the weekend by treating yourself to a sumptuous meal at one of the new hotels in the heartland of Georgetown- The Royale Bintang. Spaces are very limited in the colonial building but the management managed to have a pool built right beside a restaurant on second floor; and right now, the hotel is rolling out their first Friday Evening Poolside Barbecue Buffet Dinner. Choices are aplenty though not as extensive as some establishments in town but this particular buffet theme is definitely well-designed for meat lovers.

Friday Night Poolside Barbecue Buffet Dinner:

Price: Rm 83+ (adults); Rm 40+ (senior citizen and children).

Time: 7 pm to 10 pm; available on every Friday. *available until the end of March 2015*

Venue: Poolside on Level 2

Many Thanks to Royale Bintang for hosting us that evening.

Magnificent Malaysia @ Swez Brasserie, Eastin Hotel Penang.

Buffet fanatics will be glad to know that the culinary team of Swez Brasserie (Eastin Hotel Penang) plans to take diners to a gastronomical gourmet adventure, showcasing some of the thoughtfully chosen Malaysian delicacies. Diners can expect to see a buffet spread featuring some traditional dishes of the Malay, Chinese, Indian or even Eurasian specialties. The aforementioned buffet theme will be made available from 1st of August 2014 until 31st of August 2014. 

Many Thanks to Eastin Hotel Penang for extending the invitation.

Prices for the buffets are as follow: 

Lunch: Monday - Friday

12:00pm - 2:30pm

Rm 50++ (adult) Rm 25++ (child)

Hi-Tea: Saturday and Sunday

12:00pm - 4:00pm

Rm 68++ (adult) Rm 34++ (child)

Semi Buffet Dinner: Sunday - Thursday

6:30pm - 10:00pm

From Rm50++ per person

August Credit Card Promotions:

American Express, Standard Chartered Bank, UOB Bank, OCBC Bank, CIMB Bank, Citibank, Maybank and MasterCard Worldwide card members, guests can enjoy 15% discount for Semi Buffet Dinner (Sunday to Thursday) and Weekend Buffet Dinner (Saturday) from 6:30pm to 10:00pm.

For inquiries or reservations, kindly contact Eastin Hotel Penang, Swez Brasserie at +04- 612 1128.

Jamuan Buka Puasa [Buffet] @ Sarkies, Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O Hotel), Penang.

The name Sarkies (of Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang) is synonymous with good quality and consistently good food. It is again, the time of the year where diners get to indulge in some gloriously good Malay food as the month of Ramadhan ushering in. For the year of 2014, Sarkies of Eastern and Oriental Hotel Penang debuts a series of Ramadhan menu in conjunction to the Puasa month. Diners can look forward to a wide variety of traditional Malay delicacies as well as the regulars' favorite dishes.

Jamuan Buka Puasa: (available from 28th of June to 27th of July 2014)

7 pm to 10: 30 pm, every Sunday to Tuesday.

RM 96++ (Adult), Rm 48++ (Children)

7 pm to 10: 30 pm, every Wednesday to Saturday.

Rm 110++ (Adult), Rm 65++ (Children)

Salam Aidilfitri Hi-Tea: (available on 28th and 29th of July 2014 ONLY)

12 pm to 2:30 pm on Monday (28th of July 2014) AND Tuesday (29th of July 2014) ONLY
Rm 78++ (Adult), Rm 39++ (Children)

Salam Aidilfitri Buffet Dinner: (available on 28th and 29th of July 2014 ONLY)
7 pm to 10: 30 pm.
Rm 110++ (Adult), Rm 65++ (Children)

Many Thanks to Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang for extending the invitation.

Seaside Barbecue at Pinang Restaurant and Bar @ Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa, Batu Ferringhi, Penang.

In the need of a charming spot to enjoy a sumptuous seafood dinner? Do check out Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa at Batu Ferringhi as the resort rolls out a special Seaside Barbecue feast. The Friday Asian Barbecue By The Sea proffers a wide range of grilled seafood with oriental seasonings and some Asian influence. Apart from the plethora of Seafood and Mains, diners can expect a salad bar and dessert counter, as well as a Char Koay Teow action stall (it will be Fried Ice Cream action stall on Saturdays). Buffet diners may also enjoy their house wines (Chardonnay and Shiraz) at happy-hour-prices to pair with the wonderfully prepared Seafood (not included in the buffet). Having a glass of White and some fresh Seafood in the middle of a stunningly breath-taking sunset view and a sea of glistening stars is indeed a memorable and enjoyable life moment. 

Many Thanks to Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa for extending the invitation.

Prices for the Seafood Barbecue buffets are as follows:

Asian Barbecue By The Sea: Every Friday

From 6:30pm to 10:30pm.

Rm 108++ (Adult), Rm 54++ (Child)

Seafood Barbecue By The Sea: Every Saturday
From 6:30pm to 10:30pm
Rm 108++ (Adult), Rm 54++ (Child)

For inquiries or reservations, kindly contact Shangri-La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa at +604- 888 8788.

Marinated Chicken with Ginger, Garlic, Lemon Grass, Chilies and Thai Basil

Nona Bali Restaurant @ Sungai Pinang, Jelutong, Penang.

Finding authentic Balinese eats has never been easy in Penang but with the opening of Nona Bali, Penangites can now have an easy access to some authentic Balinese dishes. This is indeed, an interesting and delightful addition to the food scene in Penang. Walking into the restaurant is like going through a portal where it is possible to feel transported to Bali especially with the Balinese Dolls decorating the shelves and Balinese Drawings adorning the walls. Their menu could be overly simple and limited for some but they are definitely offering some of their best to the diners. Prices are on the higher side for their Ala-Carte dishes but their Set Lunch is definitely worth every single penny. However, I thought the place worth a second visit probably more for novelty instead. Nona Bali Restaurant is located at IJM Jelutong Promenade, where the Ubah Bird was previously held. 

Bintang Rock Buffet 2013 & Rock Platter @ Hard Rock Hotel, Batu Ferringhi, Penang.

Bintang Rock Buffet @ Starz Diner, Hard Rock Hotel Penang.

In conjunction with the fasting month of Ramadhan, Hard Rock Hotel Penang is offering a buffet dinner spread at very affordable prices, the buffet dinner is only available from 9th of July until 9th of August 2013 at their restaurant- Starz Diner. The restaurant opens from 5:30pm every evening but the buffet dinner will only be ready by 6:30pm (until 10:30pm). The buffet dinner is priced at Rm 68++ (per adult) and Rm 34++ (per child); for every booking of 10 diners, the 11th person gets to eat for free during this promotional period of their Ramadhan buffet. 

*Prices are subjected to 10% service charge and prevailing government tax.*

Just to list some of their signature items (will be rotated on a weekly basis):

• Bubur Lambuk (Ramadhan Congee)
• Udang Masak Hijau Putik Pisang (Slow Cooked Spiced Sweet Soy Beef)
• Ketam Masak Kicap (Braised Blue Crab in Turmeric Coconut and Pineapple)
• Pari Assam Pedas (Hot & Sour Stingray Fish, Chili, Okra & Eggplant)
• Assam Laksa Johor (Tamarind Laksa Noodles- the Johor style)
• Sambal Tumis Udang & Petai (Prawn Sambal with Petai)
• Gulai Kambing Serai (Lemongrass Mutton Curry)
• Ayam Percik (Percik Chicken)