Malaysian Artisan Heritage Ramadhan Dulang @ Courtyard By Marriott Penang.

Courtyard by Marriott Penang's all day dining restaurant- Penang Kitchen is a stellar choice to break fast this Ramadhan. The restaurant has a slightly different approach this year- introducing a special Buka Puasa Dulang Set. Unlike the regular Iftar Buffet Dinner. Penang Kitchen serves some of their signature dishes ala Dulang style (makan berhidang/ serve-in-a-tray concept). The Buka Puasa Dulang Set- Malaysian Artisan Heritage offers an array of delicious and wholesome authentic Malay delights around Malaysia; on top of that, guests can enjoy unlimited servings of exquisite dishes from the live cooking station as well as the dessert buffet line. 

Ramadhan Dulang Experience- Malaysian Artisan Heritage

• Available from 24th March 2023 to 22nd April 2023
• Time: 6:30 PM to 10 PM
• Price: RM168+ (for 2 pax)  

Many Thanks to Courtyard By Marriott Penang for hosting us.

San By The Three Wines @ Gurney Walk, Penang.

San By The Three Wines at Gurney Walk may seem like a curious little wine retailer but in actual fact, it is a full-fledged restaurant that serves a European-Mediterranean menu. The concept here is a little different as compared to its sister restaurant- The Three Wines at Bay Avenue where the place is more wine-focused (more classic wine labels). San By The Three Wines at Gurney Walk on the other hand, has a bigger food menu and carries natural wine labels. On the food menu, San By The Three Wines offers an array of premium ingredients (including Wagyu and Oysters), small plates and mains. 

This post is brought to you by Gurney Walk Penang.

Ascott Gurney Penang Celebrates 1st Year Anniversary with The Grand Opening of Glass Bar

Overlooking the beautiful waterfront promenade at Gurney Drive, Ascott Gurney Penang has recently celebrated its first year anniversary, marking a successful year of providing world-class accommodation to guests from all over. The 37-storey Ascott Gurney Penang caters well to both business and leisure travelers; the strategic location of the property is a key drawing factor. With Gurney Walk right next to it, the property offers great convenience to its guests. While the property has already offered a range of versatile and accommodative facilities, Ascott Gurney Penang is also proud to announce the opening of their new poolside bar- The Glass Bar. The Grand Opening event for The Glass Bar was hosted in conjunction with the hotel's first anniversary celebration earlier.

Many Thanks to Ascott Gurney Penang for extending the invitation.

Juadah Nostalgia Buffet Dinner @ AMAYA Food Gallery, Amari SPICE Penang.

Can't wait for the iftar feasting? With the holy Ramadhan period around the corner, it is the time to look for the best places or buffets to break fast. As for Amari SPICE Penang, the hotel welcomes its first fasting month this year, since its opening last November. For the upcoming Ramadhan 2023, the culinary team from Amari SPICE Penang (led by Executive Sous Chef Yusry Yusoff) prepares a feast consists of approximately 100 Malaysian favorites and international delights for dinner, nightly. The Juadah Nostalgia Buffet Dinner features a wide buffet spread with menu on daily rotation. It is note worthy that there will be 15% Early Bird Discount promo for bookings before 20 March 2023. In addition, separate male and female prayer rooms are available for the Muslim guests. 

Juadah Nostalgia Buffet Dinner

- 27 March 2023 to 19 April 2023 from 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM

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

- 15% Early Bird Promo till 20 March 2023

Many Thanks to Amari SPICE Penang for hosting us.

Moonshine Bakehouse @ Pulau Andaman, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.

A new urban development project by the E&O Group, the man-made island is currently under development but things are moving rapidly on the island. The place is now open to the public and right next to the property showroom is Moonshine Bakehouse. The newly opened cafe occupies a sweet spot and offers magnificent view over the artificial island (and back to the mainland). View-aside, the cafe has a small menu... mainly on some simple brunch items, pastries, desserts and drinks. It's a nice spot for casual meet ups over light meals. To go to Pulau Andaman, make your way to the new link bridge right next to Straits Quay Retail Marina. Register at the guardhouse and you will gain access to the island, simply follow the signage and drive towards the Showroom. The cafe is right next to the Showroom (literally a stone's throw distance away). 

Sam Gye Bab @ Golden Triangle, Relau, Penang.

Probably the first and only Sam Gye Tang specialist in Penang, Sam Gye Bab at Golden Triangle has been around for quite a while. The place is well-received by the folks staying in the neighborhood, with plenty of take-outs and delivery orders throughout the day. The small Korean menu features their signature flame-grilled Korean Chicken and Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup as well as some Korean delights (like Toppokki, Doenjang Jigae etc). Price points are lower than most established Korean joints but don't expect top-notch dining experience here. More like a place for a quick, inexpensive and casual Korean fix in the neighborhood. 

ChinChin Gastropub @ Lintang Burma, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

ChinChin Gastropub needs no further introduction, the Gastropub has been dishing out some creative, quality Fusion dishes since its opening in Pulau Tikus, Penang. It serves up fusion fare food with a clear direction in mind- to use as much local produce as possible. The long-standing restaurant is known for using premium and fresh ingredients in its cooking; it is constantly on the look out to revamp its menu, adding more exciting and new elements to it. The focus remains unchanged- to highlight on the natural flavors of the fine ingredients as well as to offer creative way of enjoying the food. The Chef hopes to break free from the mundane and let the diners to enjoy his dishes in a more inventive way. ChinChin Gastropub now changes its menu on a monthly basis, check out their Facebook Page for more updates.

Many Thanks to ChinChin Gastropub for hosting us. 

[Travel/ Food Guide] Itinerary to Bali, Indonesia (巴厘岛，印尼) 2023

Touted as one of the best travel destinations in Indonesia- Bali is famous for its sheer natural beauty, exciting nightlife and culinary delights. The hospitality is extraordinary, whether you are traveling solo, with a partner or with children; there is always a perfect room/ hotel to fit your requirements. It's easy to travel to Bali from Malaysia, AirAsia offers direct flight from Penang/Kuala Lumpur to Bali. The public transportation in Bali is erratic so renting a car or motorcycle would be a wiser option (unless you plan to chill in the hotel room/ villa. But do consider which area you are staying at as the traffic in Bali can be (extremely) terrible (we basically spent hours on the road a day). Finding an accommodation with strategic location and signing up for day tours can be very helpful.

Renting A Car in Bali:

It's easy to find many car rentals over the internet but we recommend looking for reliable service providers. Indonesian is famous for notorious scams, make sure you take sufficient, clear and visible photos of the car condition before accepting and signing the agreement. Or you will put your deposit at risk; ours tried to "scam" us by saying we dented the car but in actual fact, the dent was already there and fortunately, we had photos to prove it. We booked ours through Traveloka and the service provider- Jayamahe was okay only (quite bad in management and the car condition was mediocre/ one of the the cars ran out of battery and we had to contact them to switch another one for us). 

1) Ulekan @ Canggu

Pork-Free

Address: Jl. Tegal Sari No. 34, Canggu Berawa Bali, 80361, Indonesia.

Business Hours: 11 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.

Contact Number: +62 821-4594-8624

Price is subject to 16% Service Tax

Ulekan Bali Facebook Page

The North @ Kinta Lane, Georgetown, Penang.

The North at Kinta Lane is one of the latest additions to the Penang cafe and dessert scene, specializing in Dacquoise, a French dessert made from nuts and Meringue. But the cafe has more than desserts to offer, they have a fairly big menu featuring All Day Breakfast items, Pasta dishes as well as some Asian delights. The price points are higher than average but the quality is there. The interior decor is simple but cozy, with 2 floors of air-conditioned seating areas available. For those who are driving, there are a few available parking lots right next to the hotel... complimentary parking for cafe guests. Strategic location and quality food, this place is worth a look (if you don't mind paying a little bit more). 

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.

Nero Nero Penang @ King Street, Georgetown, Penang.

A brand started in Kuala Lumpur, Nero Nero has expanded its business operations up north to Penang recently... opening a new branch at King Street, right next to Wisma Great Eastern near Esplanade. Known to dish out hearty Italian fare, Nero Nero Penang has drawn a great crowd since its opening with relentless walk-ins and big reservations. Our visit on Saturday Noon was without reservation and we had to resort to a bar seat, the dining hall was full! The 'bistro Italian' concept of the restaurant places great emphasis over the freshness of ingredients, with an aim to offer value for money meal in a modern-comfortable setting. The menu is fairly big, featuring many Italian delights... with some uncommon ones as well as some familiar names. Price points are definitely above average but expect to be served with big serving portion as well as beautiful Italian flavors. If you are coming in a big group, make sure you make your reservations. 

AMARI SPICE PENANG- A Luxury Hotel Fit For A Romantic Stay

Looking for a quick getaway in town or a special bonding time with your loved one but unwilling to go through the hassle of multiple flights, accommodation and restaurants? Fortunately, we can find plenty of romantic hotels and restaurants in Penang- closer to home and skip the hassle of international travels. Located at the centre of Penang's central business district in Bayan Lepas, Amari SPICE Penang is only a mere 5 km drive away from the Penang International Airport. With its strategic location, the hotel is surrounded with many eateries and restaurants; Queensbay Mall, one of the more happening malls in Penang is also a short 10 min drive away from the hotel. It is also noteworthy to mention that Amari SPICE Penang is directly connected to the SPICE Convention Centre. 

About Amari:

The Amari collection of hotels and resorts by the ONYX Hospitality Group brings to life a contemporary reimagining of Thailand's rich cultural roots and the influence of its dynamic creativity to locations both near and far. Amari's network of properties spans across Thailand and beyond; including Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui, Bangkok, Buriram, Dhaka, Maldives, Johor Bahru, Vang Vieng, Yangshuo, Penang and Kuala Lumpur. For more information, visit www.amari.com.

Many Thanks to Amari SPICE Penang for hosting us.

5 Best Cheap Hotels In Singapore

Finding cheap hotels in Singapore is very easy. Although the country is famous for its high cost of living, you can still find many cheap accommodations that even the facilities they offer are very attractive.

Staying in cheap hotels in Singapore can also be a good option, you can save on spending while in Singapore. There's nothing wrong with staying in a cheap hotel, let alone a cheap hotel located in Singapore, surely you can still enjoy interesting facilities as well as good service.

Viet Garden @ Kimberley Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Vietnamese food lovers can look forward to an authentic, delicious Vietnamese meal at the newly opened Viet Garden at Kimberley Street. The new kid on the block offers a big Vietnamese menu with many familiar Vietnamese delights on the list with mid-average price points (thought portions are smaller than expected). Limited seating space on the ground floor but the upper floor dining area could accommodate bigger crowd. Service was a little slow on our visit but probably because of new operation jitters. Worth a look if you do enjoy a good Vietnamese meal. 

Yin's Sourdough Bakery @ Gurney Walk, Penang.

Bread lovers should not be new to the name- Yin's Sourdough Bakery, the brand has strong presence across the Penang state and has recently expanded its business operations to the central region. For the uninitiated, Yin's had a humble start as a bakery and it slowly expands its food offering to introduce more mains and desserts... even roasting their own Coffee beans now. But one thing does not change- their menu is still Sourdough-based with many healthy options. The branch Gurney Walk occupies a prominent lot, right next to the main entrance to the community hub. While most of the offering is similar to other branches, this particular outlet focuses more on healthy fermented products like Kombucha or Kefir. It also has a bigger spread of Pastries and classic loaves due to the demand in the neighborhood. It is also noteworthy that the menu has got many options for those practicing plant-based diet. 

This post is brought to you by Gurney Walk Penang.