CRIZ BON APPETITE

The Iconic Hotel Penang has outshone many others again this year by being the first in the region to convert its car park into a comfortable venue for diners to break their fast in a cool air-conditioned environment. Moreover, you will also be entertained by a live band. With the theme of “Luxurious Middle East”, the Cita Rasa Warisan promotion is priced at RM78+ per adult and RM39+ per child (6-12 years old)/senior citizen (60 years old and above) from 7.00pm until 10.00pm, from 6 May 2019 until 3 June 2019. The hotel would be contributing RM1 from each adult purchase to charity. For reservations, please call +604-505 9988 to make your reservations. There would also be a special promotion of RM68+ for each adult purchase if you booked by 12 May 2019. Terms & conditions apply. For reservations, please call +604-505 9988 to make your reservations.

For appetizer, salad and soup, you could check out the section for various choices starting with various crackers in tins, fresh greens, Ulam-Ulam Kampong, Ikan-ikan Masin, not forgetting various soups such as Soto Ayam, Tomyam Seafood, Sup Daging Utara, Bubur Lambuk and more.

As for main dishes, some of the highlights would include their Dajaj Mashwi (Arabian Grilled Chicken), Beef Tagine with Chickpea, Ketam Masak Lemak, Kepah Masak Paprik, Nasi Kabsa, Nasi Tomato and more.

The action stalls have some interesting items which could be really delicious, namely Kambing Golek, Satay, Asam Laksa, Char Koay Teow, Ikan Goreng Bawal, Shawarma and so on.

Desserts could be quite an abundance with choices such as local kuih-muih, assorted cakes, Bubur Durian, Bread Pudding, Lai Chi Kang, jellies, puddings and more.

Check out the menu available for the buffet dinner during the promotional period as below.

Iconic Hotel Penang is located at Icon City, opposite of Juru Autocity. Just use the North-South Expressway towards south and upon reaching the traffic lights to Juru Autocity, turn left into Jalan Kebun Nenas until you see the Petron petrol kiosk on your left. Turn left into the road before the petrol kiosk, Lorong Nenas. Drive on and you can see the hotel on your right. Park your car at the hotel’s car park as it could be rather hard to find public parking space during peak period. Parking rate is RM3 for the first 2 hours and RM2 for each subsequent hour. The venue of the buffet dinner is located at Level 6 of the building.

Name: 6TH FLOOR CAR PARK @ ICONIC HOTEL PENANG
Address: 71 Jalan Icon City, Bukit Tengah, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: +604-505 9988
Business Hours: 7.00pm-10.00pm
GPS: 5.342106, 100.432846
Promotion Period: 6 May 2019 – 3 June 2019
Price: RM78+/pax (Adults), RM39+/pax (Child/Senior Citizen)

RATING:
Ambience: 9/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 8/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 7/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 7/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

About Iconic Hotel Penang: Iconic Hotel is owned by Iconic Group of Companies, one of the successful property developments based in Penang. In the past two years, Iconic Hotel has won up to 9 awards including CTrip Chinese Preferred Hotel, Tripadvisor, Agoda.com, Booking.com, Expedia, Hotels.com, Luxury New Hotel, Luxury Design Hotel and Travel and Hospitality award winner. Iconic Hotel located in the heart of Icon City Bukit Mertajam, one of the hottest and lively areas at Mainland Penang, Iconic Hotel is accessible within 5 minutes from Juru Toll Plaza and 10 minutes from Penang Bridge. The 195 stylishly designed rooms are to deliver an “Impressive, Incomparable and Inspiring” experience with its three unique themes – Modern, Urban and Contemporary. All rooms are equipped with a 40-inch LED TV, stylish workspace with high-speed internet access, safe deposit box, minibar, digital health machine and coffee and tea-making facilities with Harney & Sons Teabags and Segafredo capsule. Iconic Hotel also has 5 function rooms which can accommodate up to 400 guests, 1 conference room, business centre, and 1 VIP dining room. The hotel recognized the need of a healthy lifestyle with leisure services such as swimming pool, 24 hours’ gym and sauna are available for guests to rejuvenate after a long tiring day. When we say we make our guests stay ICONIC, that also extends to looking after their broader needs for their travels in the modern age. We are committed to providing our guests with the best premium facilities. The new BMW i-Charging and SOCAR Facilities as a new milestone for the hotel. The hotel has 2 F&B outlets offering a wide selection of flavours. Mezza 9, an all-day dining restaurant which serves variety cuisines for buffets and ala-carte menu. Crumbles & Cream, a café offering pastries, coffee ice cream and other delicious desserts.

Jazz Feast Restaurant at Jazz Hotel Penang has recently unveiled its latest promotion – Jazzy Sunday Brunch Buffet, a specially curated buffet spread filled with the very best of local and international cuisines. The promotion would be exclusively available on every Sundays from 12.00noon to 2.30pm. It’s priced at RM68nett (adult) and RM48nett (Senior Citizen: 65 years & above/Child: 4-11 years). Child below the age of 3 is entitled to dine for free. Terms and conditions apply. Prior reservations are advised to avoid any disappointment. For any inquiry or reservation, please contact +60 4 375 3333.

From hot and cold appetizers to local favorites such as assorted crackers like Papadom, Keropok Ikan, Keropok Udang and Keropok Sayur will bring back memories of a simpler time. Of course, they would be the section for cold-cuts and salads for those health-conscious diners.

As for main dishes, do expect eight chafing dishes of Western, Malay and Oriental hot dishes to such as Fish Curry with Okra, Mussels in Spicy Tomato Coulis Gravy, Beef Stroganoff and more.

The Live Action Kitchen aka Jazz Kitchen is one place you should head to for more favorites such as Satay, Roti Jala & Murtabak Ayam with sides of Chicken Curry and Pickled Onion, not forgetting the well-loved Pasta Station featuring the 4 different types of pasta and sauce. There’s also the Auto Sham stall within the kitchen to serve you with Chinese classics such as Steamed Dim Sum and Pao. The main highlight would be their addictive bowl of Nyonya Lemak Laksa, a recipe perfected over generations courtesy of their Executive Chef.

To end your meal with some sweet desserts, there are many available such as the Penang Famous Teow Chew Cendol, Ais Kacang, Assorted Nyonya Kuih, four types of ice cream with condiments and an assorted of jelly in a cup, along with an assortment of cakes and mixed tropical fruits.

Jazz Hotel Penang is located along Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, a stone’s throw away from the opposite Tesco Seri Tanjung Pinang. Though you could reach the hotel by turning right from Jalan Tanjung Tokong at the Tesco’s traffic lights and by making a U-turn in front of Straits Quay Marina Mall, it advisable to turn right at the Island Plaza traffic lights and follow the flow until you reach the hotel entrance on your left. There are ample parking spaces in front of the hotel as well as within the premises. Just walk into the hotel lobby and head on to the hotel’s elevator and press for level 2, where the restaurant is situated. More parking lots are available at Level 3-6A&7 near the Jazz Suites entrance on the left of the building. Parking rate is RM3 for the first 2 hours and RM2 for each subsequent hour.

Name: JAZZ FEAST RESTAURANT @ JAZZ HOTEL PENANG
Address: No. 1, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang, Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-375 3333
GPS: 5.458091, 100.309252
Business Hours: 6.30am-11.00pm

RATING:
Ambience: 9/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 9/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 8/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

About Jazz Hotel Penang: Ideally located in a residential suburb, Jazz Hotel Penang is a leisure stroll to Straits Quay and marina, whilst family attractions, shopping, and dining at Gurney Drive’s famous street food are just minutes away. Stay pampered, in one of the luxurious 255 rooms and suites in the 30 stories hotel; optimized for the tech-savvy traveler with a free secure high-speed internet connection and 24-hour security. Experience New Orleans style soul-food @ Jazz Feast, bursting with the flavors of Southern comfort recipes and the ultimate must-eat Penang food. Savor Japanese cuisine @ Kitano, a unique taste of subtle fresh clean flavors and delicate texture. Celebrate smooth jazz, blues, swing, and ragtime @ String & Sax, a perfect jump-starts for the fitness-enthusiast, prioritize morning ‘me-time’ with gym and a dip in the infinity pool against a backdrop sea view on the highest floor. Where there is Jazz, there is Life. Jazz is Life!

With the appointment of Chef Rizal Masir, a chef with more than 25 years of culinary experiences, locally and overseas, as the resort’s Executive Sous Chef, you would get surely get a boosted-up dining experiences at the Golden Sands Resort. You would also get to experience his culinary skills using the freshest ingredients, herbs and spices available to pep up sumptuous local dishes in the current Selera Kampung Buffet Dinner Promotion. The promotion is priced at RM98nett per adult and RM49nett per child from 6.00pm until 10.00pm on every Monday until Saturday, excluding eve of public holidays and public holidays. The good news is, there would be a BUY-ONE-FREE-ONE offer for Monday until Thursday for all adults. Senior citizens would get a 40% off from the actual price on Friday and Saturday. Terms & conditions apply. The hotel would also contribute RM2 per purchase to charity. For reservations, please call +604-886 1911 (Direct Restaurant Line).

You would be expecting Appetizers and Salads such as Ulam-Ulam Tempatan (Petai, Timun, Tomato, Daun Ceylon,Ulam Raja,Terung Pipit, Kacang Botol, Jering, Daun Pegaga ,Ulam Rebus, Terung, Jantung Pisang, Kacang Panjang, Pucuk Ubi, Pucuk Gajus, Nangka dll), Salad Segar dan 3 jenis Dressing), Kerabu Ayam, Kerabu Sotong, Kerabu Taugeh, Chinese Salad, Sides such as Tempeh Sambal, Serunding Kangkung, Paceri Nenas, Acar Buah,Acar Rampai, Jelatah & Mango Chutney, Gado-Gado, Pickles and Condiments such as Jeruk Mangga, Jeruk Betik, Jeruk Kelubi, Jeruk Cermai, Jeruk Pala, Jeruk Halia, Jeruk Kedondong, Jeruk Kundang,Jeruk Jambu Air, Sambal Bajak, Sambal Belacan, Sambal Tomato, Sambal Goreng Berlada, Sambal Tempoyak, Cencaluk, Budu, Various Crackers and Salted Fish such as Keropok Ikan, Keropok Udang, Keropok Sayur, Keropok Lekor, Keropok Melinjau, Ikan Masin Kurau, Ikan Masin Tenggiri Jeruk, Ikan Kembung Masin, Ikan Masin Sepat, Ikan Gelama Kering, Garing-garing, Telur Masin. On top of that, you would also get Lemang, Lemang Pulut Hitam & Ketupat Daun Palas, Serunding Daging dan Rendang Pedas, plus Pasembut (Cucur Sayur, Telor Rebus, Timun, Sengkuang, Kentang, Bebola Ikan, Kepingan Ikan, Sosej, Isi Ketam), Mee Ayam dan Wantan Goreng.

The Main Dishes would include Cili Ketam, Kambing Maisore, Ayam Panggang Bumbu Bali, Beef with Dry Chili and Cashew Nuts, Crispy Catfish in Garlic Soya, Taugeh Goreng Ikan Masin, Dhalca Sayur, Kueh Teow Mamak, Nasi Puspasari, Nasi Jagung, Nasi Kukus Daun Pandan, Sup ‘Gear Box’, Nasi Briyani Tulang Rawan.

There would also be various grills outdoor at the garden, namely Kambing Panggang Bawang Putih with condiments such as Air Assam, Pudina Krim Masam, Acar Bawang Ros, Ayam ‘Pasu’, Panggang Ikan (Kembong, Pari, Selar, Cencaru, Tenggiri, Kerang, Sotong with condiments such as Air Assam, Cili Kicap dan Sambal Mentah.

As for Desserts to end the meal, you would be expecting items such as Tapai Ubi, Kek Pisang, Talam Ubi, Kuih Lapis, Buah Melaka, Ketayap, Onde-Onde, Puteri Ayu, Kuih Gelang, Kuih Bahulu, Sajian Kek dan Manisan Barat, Bubur Sumsum, Pengat Nangka, Buah Kurma, Pilihan Biskut dan Kuih Raya, Jeli Buah-Buahan, Puding Gula Hangus, Buah-Buahan, Ais Batu Campur, Cendol dan Ais Krim (3 perisa), Teh Tarik dan Kopi Tarik, Mata Kucing, Jus Kurma, Sirap Selasih.

The restaurant is just located within the premises of Golden Sands Resort. Drive all the way up towards Batu Ferringhi. When you see the Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa on your right, slow down and watch out for the Golden Sands Resort entrance which is right after the Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa. Park your car at the ample car park there and walk into the main lobby of the resort. Head towards the left side of the lobby and you would see the Garden Café there.

Name: GARDEN CAFE @ GOLDEN SANDS RESORT
Address: Batu Ferringhi Beach, 11100 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: +604-886 1911 (Direct Restaurant Line)
Business Hours: 7.00pm-10.00pm (Ala Carte: 6.30am-11.00pm)
GPS: 5.477405, 100.251657

RATING:
Ambience: 9/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 8/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 8/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 8/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

About Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts Group: Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns and/or manages 90 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 37,000. Shangri-La hotels are five-star deluxe properties featuring extensive luxury facilities and services. Shangri-La hotels are located in Australia, Canada, mainland China, Fiji, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sultanate of Oman, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at www.shangri-la.com.

For the holy month of Ramadan 2019, Spice Brasserie @ The Light Hotel, Seberang Jaya, Penang, would be serving Khazanah Sajian Nusantara Ramadan Buffet Dinner from 8 May 2019 until 4 June 2019 from 7.00pm until 10.00pm. The prices would be at RM110nett per pax (adult) and RM88nett per pax (child & senior citizen). For reservations and enquiries, please contact +604-382 1111 or email to info@thelighthotelpg.com

Note: You would also be entertained by the Ar Rayyan Band with a medley of Arabic, Malay’s oldies and contemporary music nightly. For the convenience of all Muslim guests, The Light Hotel Penang has made conducive arrangements for separate male and female prayer rooms with Imam for Tarawih prayer too.

On top of that, there would also be two more promotions available at Flavor@3, Level 3 of the hotel, such as the Biryani Dome Set, comprises of Biryani Rice, Ayam Bawang, Kambing Kari Pekat, Sambal Sotong, Egg Kurma/Dalca, Sayur Goreng Masala accompanied with a serving of kurma, desserts, a jar of beverage of the day for a minimum of 6 persons at RM50nett per person or the A La Santai Buffet Dinner with a feast of mouth-watering array of our local favourites with stall concept at the air-alfresco dining area of Garden Terrace @ Level 3 at RM88nett per pax (adult) and RM68nett per pax (child & senior citizen).

There are also other customized packages available. Private Ramadan Meeting Package starts from RM90nett per person. Ramadan Room package from RM230+ which is inclusive of breakfast/sahur for 2 persons and from RM380+ which is inclusive of breakfast/sahur and Ramadan Buffet Dinner for 2 persons. Terms & conditions apply. For Group Berbuka Puasa gatherings of 100 persons or more, the hotel could offer specially tailored buffet menus for those interested in organizing private or special get-togethers during the festive month of Ramadan. The Hotel would be able to arrange for events to take place at the pillar-free The Light Grand Ballroom that seats over 1,200 persons, or in any of the other function rooms. Buffet menus are priced from RM90nett onwards depending on the menu selections.

The dishes presented by The Light Hotel Penang during their Ramadan Buffet has always impressed me with their creativity and innovation to come out with something unique yearly to pamper its guests. This year, you would get to savor home-style dishes from the various states in Malaysia with the main highlight being the Minangkabau dishes from Negeri Sembilan. The Kitchen team would arrange more than 170 dishes which would include 6 live action stalls, 2 types of carving, 6 types of Gulai Kawah, up to 20 main dishes, 2 types of savory rice, and more than 15 types of desserts to get your saliva dripping from the minute you stepped into Spice Brasserie.

Let’s have a tour on what are the items available for your Ramadan buffet dinner experiences. We would start off with Salad, Appetizer, Soup, Selection of Breads & Rolls including Roti Benggali, Grill Station, Roast and ‘live’ action station such as carvery, noodles, deep-fry, Indian Station, Chinese Station as well as Western favorites that will certainly satisfy your palate. Perennial favorites of Nasi Impit drizzled with sweet peanut sauce, and Lemang accompanied with Serunding and delicious rendang will be part of the arrays too. Wide variety or traditional salads or locally known as ulam, a popular main dish in traditional Malay villages and a variety of aromatic spicy sambal to give it that extra zing.

The main menu would be rotated daily throughout the Ramadan month with flavourful cuisines comprising of the key highlight such as Lamb ‘Percik Minang” (Kambing Percik Minang), Coffee-Crusted Beef Tenderloin (Daging Lembu Tenderloin Dengan Salutan Kopi Istimewa), Chilli Crab (Ketam Bercili), Field Beans & Drumstick Salted Fish Curry (Kari Ikan Masin Dengan Kacang Bidang & Murunggai), Duck Egg Bird’s Eye Chilli Coconut Gravy (Telur Itik Masak Lemak Cili Padi), Hot & Spicy Assam Stingray (Ikan Pari Asam Pedas), Beef Rendang “Nogori” (Rendang Daging Nogori), Pineapple with Dried Shrimp in Sweet-Spicy Coconut Curry (Pajeri Nenas Udang Kering), Lamb Keema in Pita Bread (Kambing Keema Dengan Roti Pita), Gearbox Soup (Sup Tulang Daging) and special Lamb Char Koay Teow (Koay Teow Kambing). A must-try for Minangkabau dishes among others, Daging Rendang Nogori, Gulai Lemak Nanas Ikan Talang Masin, Sambal Gesek, Gulai Pisang Muda, Gulai Pucuk Ubi Ikan Bilis, Gulai Ikan Sembilang Salai, Gulai Daging Salai Pucuk Ubi & Terung Telunjuk and more.

To completing the Ramadan culinary journey, sink into the sweet stuff, the dessert assortments of more than 50 types, including traditional Malay Kuih-Muih such as Kuih Seri Muka, Karipap Pusing, Lepat Pisang, Tapai Ubi, Apam Kelapa Kuih Bahulu, Kuih Tiram and Jeli kelapa are among some of the desserts along with our famous Bread & Butter Pudding, Warm Apple Crumble, Bubur Durian with Roti Benggali, a host of sliced and whole seasonal local fruits, cakes and cookies. Do not forget to check out their Teh Tarik section, where you would get to savor one of the best beverages in this region.

Moreover, the hotel would also be collaborating with Merry Me, an ice cream parlor with “Malaysian Inspired Ice Cream” since 2016, to have a stall at the lobby to sell their signature ice creams at RM8.90nett per scoop. Do check out two of their signature flavors such as Gula Melaka and Salted Egg Cookies & Cream.

Thanks to the management of The Light Hotel Penang for having us over for the review.

The Light Hotel is located along Lebuh Tenggiri 2 at Seberang Jaya, Penang. Upon entering the main entrance of the hotel, just drive around to find your parking space at the front of the premises. Walk into the lobby of the hotel and you can see Spice Brasserie on your left.

SPICE BRASSERIE @ THE LIGHT HOTEL PENANG
Address: Lebuh Tenggiri 2, Bandar Seberang Jaya, 13700 Seberang Jaya, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: +604-382 1111
Business Hours: 7.30am-11.00am (Breakfast), 12.00pm-2.30pm (Set Lunch), 7.00pm – 10.30pm (Set Dinner)
GPS: 5.394646, 100.397951

RATING:
Ambience: 8/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 9/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 9/10 (1-4 tasteless, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)
Pricing: 8/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

About The Light Hotel: The Light Hotel Penang is wholly owned and managed by The Light Hotel (M) Sdn Bhd. It is located within a fast-developing industrial area of Seberang Jaya, Penang. The 5-star Hotel offers a luxury resort-style experience with a total of 303 rooms of 6 different categories. Its private and fully equipped meeting facilities and boardrooms offer high class stylish business environments which cater to all business needs. Meet your partners or hold your business gatherings in the comfort of our function rooms. Expand the possibilities in fascinating surrounding and ultra-modern interior of The Light Grand Ballroom with 1200 banquet seating or choose from any of the 12 other meeting rooms that caters for a small intimate affair to larger scale events. Opt for a casual all-day dining at Spice Brassiere or an exquisite experience at Flavour@3 that caters for in-door and Al fresco style dining whereas Lumino Lounge serves refined food and beverages as well as fine cigar brands and vape supplies like G2vape. The beautiful outdoor landscaped swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna room, yoga studio, kid’s playroom, are namely some of the facilities on the 3rd floor, whereas the Spa is located on the Mezzanine floor. The Light Hotel Penang represents the perfect combination of luxurious destination of Delightful Mix of Business and Comfort for a truly unique experience. Visit www.thelighthotelpg.com for more information.