CRIZ BON APPETITE

For the holy month of Ramadan this year, Swez Brasserie @ Eastin Hotel, Penang, would be having its Ramadan Buffet Dinner from 29 June until 27 July 2014 (6.30pm – 10.00pm). Price per head for adults would be at RM88++/pax while a child would be at RM44++/pax. The Ramadan Buffet Dinner would consist of delicious authentic Malay cuisine the traditional kampong style under the experienced hands of the Jr. Sous Chefs, Chef Mohamad Bakri and Chef Mohd Fauzi.

One of the more notable dishes for more energy and stamina would be their signature Sup Gearbox (牛骨煲汤), one great dish that I would always look forward to every year during their promotion. The spices and herbs used in slowly simmering the bull’s thigh bones combined with some potatoes and carrots were indeed “powerful”. A bowl of this heavenly dish would surely keep the body energetic and rejuvenated for any activities during the fasting month.

Another of the appetizers would be the Kerabu Nangka (Young Jackfruit Salad/凉拌菠萝蜜). The young jackfruits were specially cooked in such a way that the flesh remained tender such, almost similar to the texture of young coconut flesh. These would be then tossed with some ginger flowers, kerisik (toasted desiccated coconut), toasted belacan (shrimp paste), boiled chicken breast meat, etc, with a light squeeze of lime juice. I love the unique flavors a lot.

The next dish which was the Kerabu Udang with So Hoon (马来式凉拌虾和冬粉) was something very appetizing. It had the similar spiciness and sourness as the former dish but with the tossing in of some glass noodles. It was super delicious with the usage of juicy prawns in abundance.

Next in the list was the Gado Gado (马来式冷盘), an Indonesia originated salad dish with thick and mildly spicy peanut base dressing. Instead of the usage of crackers, it had deep fried tempeh added as one of the choices. The crispy tempeh blended in real well with the rest of the ingredients.

A “buka puasa” meal would not be complete without the Ulam-ulaman (assorted fresh greens/凉拌各式马来风味小菜). This combination of raw vegetables and herbs went well with the provided sambal belacan condiment. Occasionally, you might get other condiments such as the Sambal Cincaluk (Salted Baby Shrimps Sambal) and Sambal Mempelam (Mango Sambal).

They do also serve Acar Buah (马来式甜酸水果腌渍), a Malay style of spicy sweet assorted fruit pickles. This pickle would go well with fried items especially fish.

As for main course, you would get to try out their Seafood Bubur Lambuk (香浓海鲜椰浆粥), a porridge of various combinations, which contained coconut milk that would normally be distributed to the public for free by those surrounding mosques. This version came with rich flavors from sliced prawns, squids, mussels and vegetables.

For sure, you won’t want to miss out their Nasi Tomato with Raisins (Tomato Rice with raisins/葡萄干番茄饭). You can taste out the rich flavors from each rice grain with has fresh tomatoes, cloves, star anise, cardamom, curry leaves with chopped almonds, green peas and raisins as garnishing. The tomato rice texture was fluffy with added fragrant from the toasted almonds and sweetness from the added raisins. Thumbs up!

To go with the rice, there would always be some nicely pepped up meat dishes such as the Ayam Masak Merah (传统马来咖喱鸡), a traditional Malay red curry with tomato puree plus a combination of herbs and spices. It had thick gravy which I love a lot from the usage of lots of blended onions. This dish is not spicy at all and would suit all ages.

For seafood, we had the Udang Masala (马萨拉虾), basically prawns stir fried with chilies and spices with a light tad of sourness. The dish was quite similar to those you see at the Nasi Kandar shops. Taste wise, I prefer another species of prawns rather than the hard-shelled prawns they were using.

Sometimes, simplicity would surely rule. I immediately felt in love with their Vegetables Dalca (咖喱扁豆蔬菜). This popular Hyderabadi dish, in which contained lots of dal, spices and vegetables, slowly simmered to get the full richness of the pulses, complimented truly well with just any type of spiced up rice such as the tomato rice, nasi briyani or plain steamed rice.

For lamb and mutton lovers, do watch out for their Gulai Kambing Kerutuk Pantai Timur (马来式东海岸闷羊咖哩). Not many people outside Kelantan had tasted this delicious lamb dish which is a big sweeter than the sister-like rendang as it uses gula Melaka or brown sugar in the recipe.

As for dessert, we had an assortment of Malay Kuih (各式马来糕点) which would be served based on availability.

You can also try out their Bubur Kacang Hijau (绿豆椰奶), a sweet mung beans porridge with coconut milk. Who knows since it’s durian season and they might add in a light touch of fresh durian flesh? 😛

They would also be some Western cakes added into the menu such as the Red Velvet Cake (红丝绒蛋糕). I’m sure you would like to try it out as it would be made by their in-house experienced pastry chefs.

Overall, the Ramadan Buffet Dinner spreads have always been one of my favorites, considering that the dishes were flavorfully prepared by the two experienced Malay chefs. Their dishes are always very family-oriented with a nice touch of kampong style cooking. Well done~ 🙂

Bank Islam credit and debit card members are entitled to a 15% discount of total bill during Ramadan Buffet Dinner (Monday – Sunday, 6.30 pm – 10.00pm) while Citibank and Maybank credit and debit card members can enjoy a Pay for 5 persons and the 6th person dines for FREE during Ramadan Buffet Dinner (Monday – Sunday, 6.30 pm – 10.00pm).

The Swez Brasserie is located at the ring wing of Eastin Hotel, Penang (next to Queensbay Mall). If you are coming from Georgetown towards Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone via Bayan Lepas Expressway, do watch out for the Pulau Jerejak signboard (leading to Pulau Jerejak jetty). Ignore the turning and drive on to the next left junction. Turn left into Jalan Aziz Ibrahim and drive on until you a roundabout. Turn 3 o’ clock and drive on until you see a big Eastin Hotel signboard at the first right junction. Turn right and drive on. Park your car at the basement car park. Take a lift to the first floor lobby and you would see the restaurant there.

Name: SWEZ BRASSERIE @ EASTIN HOTEL
Address: 1 Solok Bayan Indah, Queens Bay, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-612 1128, 604-612 1138
Business Hours: 6.30pm-10.00pm (Ramadan Buffet Dinner only)
GPS: 5.33643, 100.306345

RATING:
Ambience: 8/10 (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)

HIGHLIGHTS:
Jamuan Buka Puasa: 28 June 2014 to 27 July 2014 (7.00pm – 10.30pm)
Sundays – Tuesdays: RM96++ (adult)/RM48++ (child)
Wednesdays – Saturdays: RM110++ (adult)/RM65++ (child)

‘Salam Aidilfitri’ Hi-Tea: 28 & 29 July 2014 (Monday & Tuesday: 12.00 noon-2.30pm)
Price: RM78++ (adult)/RM39++ (child)

‘Salam Aidilfitri’ Buffet Dinner: 28 & 29 July 2014 (Monday & Tuesday: 7.00pm-10.30pm)
Price: RM110++ (adult)/RM65++ (child)

Sarkies @ E&O Hotel (Eastern & Oriental Hotel) will kick off their “Jamuan Buka Puasa” effective 28 June 2014 until 27 July 2014 from 7.00pm until 10.30pm daily. Please take note that the pricing for each day might be different as shown above as there would be a whole roasted lamb on certain days.

Unlike other hotels or restaurants which would serve an almost 100% Ramadan month dishes, E&O Hotel would still maintain their signature dishes on each night. Some of those dishes would include their famous Char Koay Teow, Roasted Duck, Sushi & Sashimi, Grilled Beef, Grilled Lamb, Grilled Seafood, Cold Seafood corner and of course their wide selection of pastries and cakes.

Other than the standard dishes as stated above, you would get some spread of delectable Malay cuisine during the holy month of Ramadan, starting with Appetizer such as Ulam Ulaman, Pelbagai Kerabu, Cucur Udang, Pasembur, Bergedil, Acar Rampai and more with Dressings and Condiments such as Sambal Belacan, Budu, Tempoyak, Cincalok, Nam Pra, Pickled Fruits, Salted Egg, Salted Fish and Assorted Crackers.

Of course there will be the Sup Ekor, a spicy version of oxtail soup and Main Dishes such as Nasi Putih, Nasi Tomato, Daging Masak Kicap, Kari Kambing dengan Ubi Kentang, Ayam Goreng Berempah, Telur Dadar, Sayur Campur Goreng Kunyit, Ikan Panggang, Udang Rempah Kering, Bubur Lambuk. Ayam Percik Padang, Daging Rendang Tok, Kambing Masak Hitam Belanda, Sambal Tumis Sotong Petai, Udang Lemak Nenas, Gulai Puyuh Daun Selasih, Lemang dan Serunding and more.

On top of the usual spread of Western Desserts, you would also expect to see some Assorted Malay Kuih, Bubur Kacang, Buah Kurma, Goreng Pisang, Rojak Padang Kota, Buah-Buahan Tempatan (Local Fruit Cuts) and more.

Overall, Sarkies @ E&O Hotel has a more international spread of dishes compared to the many hotels I have been to, thus catering more to those international house guests and visitors whom might not be too use to cuisine which are too spicy and pungent such as the Malay cuisine to their taste buds.

Eastern & Oriental Hotel, Penang (next to Penang Bowl) is located along Lebuh Farquhar. If you are coming from Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah towards Weld Quay, keep to your left immediately after passing by CitiBank. When you see the Penang Bowl building on your left (UMW Toyota opposite), please slow down. Turn left immediately after the Penang Bowl entrance. The E&O Hotel car park is situated just inside the Victory Annexe building. Parking charges would be a maximum of RM6 (weekdays: Monday-Thursday) and RM12 (weekends: Friday- Sunday)

Name: SARKIES @ EASTERN & ORIENTAL HOTEL
Address: 10 Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-222 2000
GPS: 5.423624, 100.334988

RATING:
Ambience: 8.5/10 (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)

* Published in HungryGoWhere Malaysia Food Guide: HUONG QUE VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT @ Penang

With lots of factories in Penang employing Vietnamese workers, more and more Vietnamese restaurants are popping up on the little food paradise island. The latest would be Huong Que Vietnamese Food located a stone throw away from the Penang Times Square. Quietly tucked within one of the colonial-style houses along Lebuh Melaka, Penang, you could find the humble restaurant bustling with regulars. As it’s quite a normal practice in Penang that if you see crowds, the food must be good. Well indeed, the dishes served here are very homely style and at times you could find some exotic choices too. The menu here could be quite simple. However, there would be a photo album menu for you to choose your meal since most of the items are labeled in the Vietnamese language. All prices are nett.

The first thing to check out at any of the Vietnamese restaurants would be the quality of their signature Huong Que Pho (Vietnamese Beef Noodles – RM8.70). I’m impressed with their rich stock which has obviously gone through many hours of simmering. It had sweet and flavor spices-spiked boney rich flavors with some magical touches of their fish sauce. The noodles’ texture was silky smooth with the right al dente. The portion served was also quite huge with generous amount of beef slices for the price paid. Each set would come with a basket of fresh basils, bean sprouts and a slice of lime. This is the far best pho I had taken in Penang.

Alternatively, for those non-beef takers, you can always opt for their Hu Tieu Gio Heo (Vietnamese Pork Noodles – RM8.70). The taste is almost similar to that of the local Koay Teow Th’ng but with the extra fragrant from their added fish sauce. The big bowl of noodles would come with some minced meat balls, bean sprouts, prawns and some innards. You can always request to omit the innards since most Vietnamese dishes would surely have them.

Another item in their menu would be quite exotic for the palate of major diners but it could be the staple food of another. That would be the Hot Vit Lon (Boiled Fertilized Developing Embryo Duck Egg – RM3.00 each) or also known as Balut. These commonly found street food of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Philippines are quite rare in Penang. I was having the phobia of consuming something not in my daily diet. However, being a food writer, it’s a must to try out anything that’s edible. I would say, the outlook could be quite deceiving as the taste was something like a boiled hard-boiled egg with distinctive duck flavors, though some parts could have a bit of oozy raw aftertaste. Basically, it’s more like chewing the cartilage of a stingray, which was not too bad. The duck egg came with a condiment of pounded chilies, some spiced salt and lime. My advice would be to consume the Balut while it’s warm plus the provided condiments to prevent the strong flavors of rawness from emitting further. For those courageous newbies, quickly pop it into your mouth with as much sauce as you could, give it a few fast chews before swallowing the mass and do ignore the sneaking suspicion that your tongue might detect faintly the fibrous tickle of feathers. Try not adding in the basil leaves as it would require more chews. To the natives of those countries, Balut can be considered a natural source of Viagra to prove your manliness. Is it? LOL~

Huong Que Vietnamese Food | Address: 37 Lebuh Melaka, 10400 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia. | Tel: 604-228 8727 | Opening hours: 12.00pm-11.00pm (Closed on Tuesdays) | GPS Coordinates: 5.413001, 100.323058 | Non-Halal

During the month of Ramadan, the holy month for Muslims to break their fast or buka puasa, diners can enjoy scrumptious traditional Malay buffet spreads at all the Vistana brand name hotels nationwide. Under the theme “Tok Wan 101 Recipes”, the promotion which would start from 29 June 2014 until 27 July 2014, would be priced at RM48++ per adult and RM30++ per child (aged 4-12 years old). If you have a great appetite for great authentic Malay cuisine, this is one place you should not miss out for varieties and taste.

Let’s have a look at all the sections catered just for this occasion. Please take note that some of the dishes might be replaced with another dish based on the local availability of raw ingredients or products. Firstly, you would have the outdoor area for grills. There would be Chicken Satay, Beef Satay, accompanied by condiments such as the fragrant satay peanut sauce, cucumber, onions, nasi impit (lontong/Malay rice cake) and Muar-style Otak Otak. Moreover, there would also be a Whole Roasted Lamb, served with black pepper sauce and mint yoghurt sauce. For Char Koay Teow lovers, you sure won’t want to miss out a try on Penang’s famous delicacy.

As for the indoor area, let’s start with the basics. On the starter’s spread would be the Ulam-ulaman Tempatan (local raw salad herbs and vegetables) such as Ulam Raja (cosmos caudatus), Ulam Pegaga (asiatic pennywort), Daun Selom (water dropwort leaves), Cucumber, Yardlong beans, Kacang Botol (four-angled beans), Tomato, Cabbages and Daun Kaduk (wild betel leaves), together with condiments such as Sambal Belacan Asli, Sambal Belacan Mangga Kampung, Sambal Belacan Nenas Madu, Budu and Cincalok. There would also be a Western salad section with capsicum, onions, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, purple cabbage and carrots, accompanied by dressings such as thousand island, Italian, French and balsamic vinaigrette.

You should also check out the appetizer’s section for dishes such as Kerabu Ulam (spicy mixed salad herbs), Kerabu Mangga (spicy mango salad), Acar Jelatah (cucumber, pineapple and carrot pickles), Tempe Ikan Bilis (anchovies tempe salad), Kerabu Sotong (spicy squid salad), Kerabu Ikan Tuna (spicy tuna salad), Kerabu Taugeh (spicy bean sprouts salad), Kerabu Ubut-ubur (spicy jelly fish salad), Kerabu Kaki Ayam (spicy chicken feet salad), Cucumber & Mint Raita and Cucumber Salad.

On top of that, there would also be the Pasembur, Taukua Sumbat (stuffed bean curd), a variety of deep fried salted seawater and fresh water fish (Ikan Masin Goreng) such as Ikan Gelama (common jewfish), Ikan Sepat (gourami/trichopodus trichopterus) and Ikan Bulu Ayam (anchovy family/thryssa mystax/moustached thryssa).

You can also check out the assortment of fruit pickles (pelbagai jeruk) and crackers (Keropok Ikan, Keropok Udang & Papadum) too.

Before starting off with the main dishes, let’s have a look at the action counters for lighter palate of local fares. You would have the Murtabak Ayam, served with Chicken Curry and Dhaal Curry; the Bread & Rolls section with assorted soups such as Soto Ayam (Indonesian chicken soup), Sup Kambing Berempah (spiced mutton soup) & Sup Daging Utara (beef soup); and the Noodles section where you would have soup based such as prawn, chicken and curry.

The Main Dishes section would be a spoil for options as you would have dishes ranging from Malay cuisine with a light mix of Chinese cuisine. Dishes to watch out would include Nasi Putih, Nasi Beriyani, Nasi Tomato Ayam Goreng Madu Berbijan, Daging Rendang Tok, Masak Lemak Ketam Bunga, Ikan Goreng Berempah & Daun Kari, Ayam Percik, Sotong Goreng Kunyit Berkuah, Gulai Itik Serati Kelantan, Kambing Kurma Ala India, Pajeri Terung, Sayur Kobis Goreng Kunyit, Kailan Masak Ikan Masin, Sambal Kangkung, Ayam Masak Rempah Hijau, Daging Masak Lada Hitam, Kepah Masak Cili Kering, Ikan Tilapia Masak Manis Masam, Kacang Panjang Goreng Sambal Udang Kering and Sayur Campur Ala Cina. There would also be an action counter serving your fresh fish in their signature Kari Ikan Dengan Bendi Ala Mamak.

To end your meal, you can always start with the fruit sections. You would have the Rojak Buah (fruit rojak) with local tropical fruits options, served with thick and delicious rajak sauce, crushed peanuts and toasted sesame seeds. There would also be a fresh fruit cuts section where you could also savor some seasonal fruits such as the mangosteens. Coffee and Tea would also be available here with options such as Teh Tarik and Nescafe Tarik on top of the availability of Air Sirap Ros on each table.

As for those with sweeter tooth, there would be 2 sections of Desserts areas serving you a mixture of Western and local delicacies. The varieties would include Bubur Kacang, Bubur Gandum, Bubur Pulut Hitam, Bubur Jagung, Chinese Pancake, Sesame Balls, Assortments of Puddings and Jellies, Tartlets, Pandan Layer Cake, Cheese Cake, Bread Pudding, Sago Gula Melaka, Floating Island, English Trifle, Crème Brulee and Herbal Jelly.

Local delicacies would include the Malaysian Kuih-Muih such as Karipap, Popiah Goreng, Donut, Kuih Ketayap, Kuih Cara Manis, Kuih Keria, Kuih Puteri Ayu, Kuih Bingka Jagung, Kuih Lapis and more.

There would also be a counter for your favorite Penang Ais Kacang, Cendul and a selection of Ice Cream flavors.

Overall, the spread of dishes for the Ramadan promotion was indeed overwhelming, considering that its offered price is also very attractive. Moreover, there would also be prayer rooms to further cater to its Muslim guests celebrating this blessed month. The “Tok Wan 101 Recipes” Ramadan Buffet is priced at RM48++ per adult and RM30++ per child (aged 4-12 years old) from 29 June 2014 until 27 July 2014. The ballroom can only cater up to 500 pax at one time, so do call in +604-646 8000 to make your advance reservations to avoid any disappointment.

The ballroom is located at the left side as you enter the hotel lobby of Vistana Hotel Penang along Jalan Bukit Gambir. Just follow your nose and it would surely lead you to the aromatic section of the hotel. You can park your car in the basement which would require you to get a token from the receptionist to scan your way out.

Name: GROUND FLOOR BALLROOM @ VISTANA HOTEL PENANG
Address: 213 Jalan Bukit Gambir, 11950 Bukit Jambul, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604- 646 8000
Business Hours: 6.30pm-9.30pm (Ramadan Buffet from 29 June 2014 until 27 July 2014)
GPS: 5.336334, 100.291527

RATING:
Ambience: 7.5/10 (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: 6/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

What are your plans for Fathers’ Day which would fall on 15 June 2014 this year? Instead of celebrating this memorable day the traditional way of dining out during dinner, why not celebrate the day earlier for lunch so that you can have more time for more family activities after the meal? Do check out ZEST Bar Café @ GLOW by Zinc, a cool and comfortable café within a modern and chic hotel, located right in the heart of George Town. The café would be promoting its Fathers’ Day 3-Course Set Lunch at RM35nett per pax on 15 June 2014 from 11.30am until 5.00pm. As the promotion is value for money, do make earlier reservation to avoid disappointment. Do call +604-226 0084 now to make your reservation~ 🙂

Let’s have a look at the Fathers’ Day Set Lunch Menu at ZEST Bar Café @ GLOW by Zinc, Penang below.

You would have the Starter which would be the Grilled Prawn with Caviar Cream and Salad Roll. You would have two well marinated king prawns grilled to perfection and topped with some “caviar” cream and served with a salad roll, accompanied by some honey mustard sauce topped with some black sesame and Thai chili sauce. Though the prawns were grilled with a nice aromatic burn flavors, the “caviar” cream were however a bit deceiving in my opinion. It was basically mayonnaise with some ebiko (prawn roe) which did not fall into the caviar category (fish roe). Instead of using the expensive black caviar from the sturgeon or red caviar from salmon, at least proper caviars should be used such as the black caviar from a less expensive lumpfish. I do hope the kitchen do get their terms right to avoid disputes from the public.

As for the Main Course, there would be 2 options, either beef or fish. Firstly, it would be the Yin & Yang Tenderloin,a thick slab of grilled beef tenderloin on a slice of roasted pumpkin, served with black (black pepper) and white (coconut plus crème) sauce. For beef lovers, this dish would be the ideal choice, especially if you ordered it as medium-rare. The meat pieces would just melt in your mouth. Though some of the bloggers considered the black pepper sauce to be overwhelming, thus covering the true taste of the beef, I found the sauce to be just nice for my palate. However, the so-called “white” sauce did not give that extra flavor as it was too mild to be distinctive. It could merely be for decorative purposes only. To bring more justice to the white sauce, maybe a combination of béchamel sauce, toasted shitake mushroom plus some herbs might be a better choice.

The second Main Course would be the White Pan-Fried Fillet Sea Bass. It was two generous pieces of pan-fried Sea Bass fillets on a bed of potato wedges, served with béchamel sauce (butter, flour & milk) and Thai chili sauce, garnished with some citrus flavored cucumber pickles. Overall, it was still a reasonably good combination.

As for Dessert, there was the Avocado Chocolate Trifle, a large serving indeed. Though the dessert was quite nice with the uniqueness of the added avocado pudding layer, chocolate ganache and milky crème plus some nicely roasted pistachio as topping, the amount was sort of a bit too much after a heavy meal. It ended up being too surfeit for the consumption of the lighter diners. It would be great if some Graham crackers or digestive biscuit crumbles being added at the base to cut down on the heaviness of the serving. Alternatively, a fruit trifle might be a better choice as it’s a lighter dessert to end a heavy meal.

As for Beverages, you also have the option to choose from Coffee, Tea or Ice Lemon Tea. All the beverages would come with free refills. However, you could also request for other beverages such as Cappuccino or Latte and that would also be on the house as well.

Instead of dropping by just for the Fathers’ Day Set Lunch Promotion, you could also drop by the café anytime to savor their ala carte dishes. One of the more notable ones would be their GLOW Signature Beef Burger (RM22+), served with some potato wedges. Indeed the in-house made beef patty was one of the top ones on the market. It had just the right combination of minced beef, marinates, bread crumbs, herbs and spices to give the patty the right texture and flavors. Thumbs up for this burger!

Another alternative would be their GLOW Signature Chicken Club Sandwich (RM18+). The dish had layers of cheese, omelette and grilled chicken plus greens sandwiched in between 3 thick slices of wholemeal bread slices. This dish was also served with some potato wedges. However, I personally found this dish to be too dry to my liking, mostly because of the bread being too thick as my ideal choice.

Please also take note that during the Ramadhan month, Ramadhan Buffet can be arranged for groups with a minimum of 30 pax booking at RM49nett/pax. Please contact +6017-488 2108 for further information.

Overall, the dishes served here had an almost fine dining style of experiences. The dishes here were presented beautifully with quite a large portion given. Taste wise, the quality is there plus the innovative of the chef to come out with excellent flavors. Though there are still some further improvements needed to be rectified by the kitchen, I do find the café to be quite a nice place to relax and dine while admiring the scenic view of George Town.

ZEST Bar Cafe @ GLOW by Zinc is located at the 1st floor of the hotel along Jalan Macalister just opposite Red Rock Hotel. There are about 20 car park spaces in this hotel with 10 spaces available right in front of the hotel and another 10 spaces behind the hotel via Jalan Naning (opposite Sum Sum Motors). There are also many coupon based parking spaces available surrounding the hotel. Please make sure you have your parking coupons ready as you would need to pay between 9.00am and 5.00pm. However, effective 1 July 2014, valet services would be available for your convenience.

Name: ZEST BAR CAFÉ @ GLOW BY ZINC
Address: 101 Jalan Macalister, 10400 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-226 0084
Business Hours: 11.30am-5.00pm (Fathers’ Day), 11.30am-10.30pm (Normal Days)
GPS: 5.416638, 100.322952

RATING:
Ambience: 7.5/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 7.5/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 7.5/10 (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)

If you think that all the surrounding 24 hours eateries are some of the venues convenient to kill your hunger at odd times of the day, then Barista @ Vistana Hotel Penang will be your next haunt. Either you are in a rush for a morning coffee boost, a quick breakfast or soothe your hunger in the middle of the night, you can also drop by at the Barista as it would be opened 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Whether you are a hotel guest or a walk-in customer, the little kiosk like Barista would have something to you convenience. The good news is all items are at nett price.

Let’s look at their All Day Menu to get an idea on what you could get at Barista. You can click to enlarge to photo for a better view.

For those healthy diners, you can go for their Healthy2Go Set (RM13.00 per set) which would include an energy bar, fruit of the day, a piece of Danish pastry, your choice of yoghurt and your choice of coffee, tea or juice.

On the other hand, they also have the Local2Go Set (RM13.00 per set) which would include your choice of local dish (Nasi Lemak or Mee Siam), a piece of Curry Puff and your choice of coffee, tea or juice. I quite like the flavors of the Chicken Curry as it had a touch of the Nyonya Curry Kapitan.

There are also options for Sandwiches (RM11.00 each), namely Egg Mayo (Wholemeal Bread with Egg Salad and Lettuce), Roman Chicken Caesar (Wholemeal Bread with Grilled Chicken, Cheese, Lettuce and Caesar Dressing), Creamy Tuna (Croissant with Tuna, Lettuce and Mayonnaise), Classic Corned Beef (Ciabatta Bread with Corned Beef, Rocket, Lettuce, Gherkins and Mayonnaise) and Crunchy Wrap (Vegetarian – Flour Tortilla with Mixed Lettuce, Beans, Aubergine and Carrots). For beef lovers, you should try out their Classic Corned Beef as the kitchen had prepared the filling rather nicely without the overpowering beefy taste.

For a lighter palate, you could always opt for their Salads selections such as their Mixed Green Salad (RM10.00), Thai Papaya Salad (RM10.00), Soba Noodles Salad (RM10.00) or their Rojak Buah (RM8.00). I quite like the Rojak Buah which consisted of tropical fruits such as Guava, Water Apple, Mango, Starfruits and Pineapple, all cut into a bit too small bite sizes. I won’t mind too if they could come out with another option with added vegetables such as jicama (sengkuang) and cucumber as the accompanied rojak sauce was quite compatible to those hawkers’ version to ease my rojak craving.

Alternatively, there are also the Quickies if you are in a hurry such as catching a flight or rushing to a meeting. The choices include Yoghurt (RM2.50), Muffin (RM3.50), Danish Pastry (RM3.50), Energy Bar (RM5.00), Instant Nissin Noodles (RM8.00), Mee Siam (RM10.00) and Nasi Lemak (RM10.00).

As for your coffee or tea booster, there are many options as shown in the menu above. Basically, they are serving BonTea and BonCafe, 100% Arabica Coffee beans hailing from Central & South America and Africa, medium roasted with a slight sourness. I tried the Espresso (RM6.00) which was infused with rich, bittersweet and slightly sour characteristics of an Italian espresso. On the other hand, their Caramel Cappuccino (RM10.00) had a rounded mouth-feel with a slight nuttiness and bittersweet aftertaste. For a not so sweet option, you should try out their Vanilla Cappuccino (RM10.00) which I quite like for its creamy yet mild sweetness taste.

You can also try out their Signature Crushes (RM11.00 each) such as Vibes (Watermelon, Lychee and Orange), Verve (Tropical Mix, Mango and Banana) and Value (Apple, Lychee, Lime, Carrot and Cucumber). Somehow, I quite like the Verve Crush as it had that creaminess of my choice.

We also tried out their Frappe (RM10.00 each), namely Vanilla and Chocolate. I kind of like the Vanilla version here.

They do serve Smoothies (RM10.00 each) as well. We tried the Mixed Berries, Mango and Mix & Match. Well, I’m a berries lover, so you know which one was my favorite~ 😛

On top of that, there are also other options of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks for you to choose.

Who knows you might end up having a sip of their Cabernet Sauvignon (RM18.00 per glass or RM80.00 per bottle) while having a short meeting over there?

Overall, the dishes served here belonged to the fast food category as almost everything would be heated up with a microwave. The only drawback would be the dryness of the food in certain dishes. I guessed the staff has yet to learn how to master the usage of the microwave. Ideally, half a mug of hot water should be placed inside the microwave while heating up the food as this process would help in maintaining the moisture within the food.

The Barista is located right after you enter the hotel lobby of Vistana Hotel Penang along Jalan Bukit Gambir. It has a long table in front with more sitting places at the bar counter. There are a few cubicles with nice sofa for your quick meeting and light internet usages. You can either park your car right at the side and go in to grab your food or park your car in the basement which would require you to get a token from the receptionist to scan your way out.

Name: BARISTA @ VISTANA HOTEL PENANG
Address: 213 Jalan Bukit Gambir, 11950 Bukit Jambul, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604- 646 8000
Business Hours: 24 hours
GPS: 5.336334, 100.291527

RATING:
Ambience: 7.5/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 7.5/10 (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: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

I’m sure T.G.I. Fridays (TGIF) is no longer a new name in the F&B industry as it’s an international chain of casual dining venues spread all over 58 countries. In Malaysia alone, there are 18 outlets in four major states such as Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Johor and Penang. Penang itself has two outlets located at Queensbay Mall and Gurney Paragon Mall. So what’s so great about visiting TGIF? It’s famous for mouthwatering American classics ranging from appetizers to memorable burgers and delicious desserts. It’s also a great venue to hang out with family and friends as their serving portions can be real huge, not forgetting its distinctive and different spread of choices on its menu.

To start off, it would be great if you could order a starter to share out prior to waiting for your main dishes to arrive steaming hot from the kitchen. Great food would need some time to be prepared to perfection right? Let’s start with the Fridays Three-For-all (RM41.90++), a favorite amongst diners. It’s one big platter with their famous Loaded Potato Skins with beef bits (You can request to opt for chicken bits if you are not a beef consumer), Fried Mozzarella and their spicy Buffalo Wings, served with sour cream & green onions, marinara sauce and celery sticks with Bleu cheese dressing.

The Americans love steaks and what would be the best than to order their recommended Australian air-flown grain-fed beef. The Sirloin Steak (RM47.90) was seasoned well and fire-grilled based on my preference of medium-rare texture. The steak was topped with my choice of black pepper sauce and served with my choice of 2 side dishes which were broccoli with garlic butter and cheddar cheese mashed potatoes. Other choice of sauces include wild mushroom butter and chimichurri pesto while side dishes options may also include grilled New Orleans corn cob, crispy fries, herbed rice and bean 7 broccoli blend.

For a lighter and less meaty meal, you may also opt for their Key West Whitefish (RM32.90++), a mildly roasted whitefish topped with a sparkling citrus splash, served with seasonal vegetables and herbed rice. The tanginess of the sauce went well with the herbed rice.

A meal won’t be complete minus desserts. Of course, I would surely go for their all-time favorite of Brownie Obsession (RM18.90++). The oozy warm brownie covered in chocolate-fudge and caramel sauce, served with vanilla ice cream was something any sweet tooth diner won’t miss.

Overall, the dishes served at both the Penang outlets were up to par. The portions served were huge for an Asian appetite. Moreover, there were quite a lot of options even for burgers, pastas and desserts lovers.

Name: T.G.I. FRIDAYS
Gurney Paragon Mall Branch:
Address: Lot 1-32, Level 1, Gurney Paragon Mall, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-228 7554
GPS: 5.436491, 100.311398

Queensbay Mall Branch:
Address: Lot GF 131 & 139, Ground Floor, Queensbay Mall, 100 Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Lepas, 11900 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-641 3363
GPS: 5.334331, 100.306709

RATING:
Ambience: 8/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 7.5/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 7.5/10 (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)

Kali Orexi! Bon Appétit! Welcome to the Greek Grandeur Promotion for May 2014 (1-31 May 2014) at Swez Brasserie @ Eastin Hotel, Penang. Jr. Sous Chef, Chef Mohamad Bakri with the help of his team members. The Greek cuisine has a history of thousands of years with the usage of fresh ingredients from the land and sea from the Mediterraneans.

We started with some appetizers namely the Greek Mezze Platter (希腊小吃拼盘) which consists of assorted vegetables, risotto and minced lamb wraps, crispy tortilla and three type of dipping sauces, namely tuna yoghurt, cheesy dressing and Madras curry mayo. It was a total experience for many as we hardly had this type of almost similar middle-east appetizer.

We also had the Classic Greek Salad (传统希腊沙拉), a basic salad with olives, capsicum, tomatoes zucchini and feta cheese dressed in olive oil, herbs and a light sprinkles of salt. It was simple but yet refreshing. Sometimes, this dish is also known as Horiatiki Salata.

We were also served with the Garides Saganaki (虾仁与番茄羊乳酪), another variant of Greek salad with added shrimps and a heavier usage of tomatoes. However, it was a bit different compared to the ones I had taken as ripened tomatoes were used instead to give the dish a more puree tomato like sweetness.

Next on the list was the Avgolemono (希腊鸡汤与蛋), a Greek Chicken Soup with Egg Lemon Sauce. As for taste, it really has the flavors those Campbell’s canned chicken mushroom soup. The soup somehow lacked the sweetness from the added vegetables and some fragrant from the usage of more bay leaves. By right there should be some risotto like rice texture in the soup but they could have been blended and mixed into the soup. Though it’s just a simple soup to cook, some adjustments are needed to perfect this soup.

Basically, the Greek Beef Bifteki (希腊铁板牛肉) tasted like the beef burger but a roll-up version. It had more herbs infused in it with a mild cheesy flavor from the added feta cheese. This dish was served together with the Spanakorizo. The Spanakorizo (Traditional Spinach and Rice/传统菠菜与米) on the other hand is a Greek vegetarian dish which has a Risotto creamy and al dente type of texture. As for an Asian who’s so used to consume a softer texture of steamed rice, you may need some time to get use to this dish.

The main dish of Classic Greek Moussaka with Eggplant (希腊慕沙卡茄) is the Greek version of Lasagna-like dish with added eggplant. If you are a fan of lamb, you would surely like the strong flavors in the dish.

For pie lovers, you would surely like the Spanakopita (Spinach Pie/菠菜馅饼). It was filled with spinach and flavored with some eggs and feta cheese. Combined with the buttery crust, it was one dish I would love to have while watching movies. Haha~ 😛

Who said the Greeks never skew grill their dishes? One lovely dish would be their Greek Chicken Souvlaki (希腊鸡肉蔬菜串). The skews had small chunks of well marinated chicken pieces and vegetables and grilled to perfection. These were served with a condiment of sour mint sauce.

As for dessert, we were served with Baklava (果仁蜜饼), a nice flaky textured dessert made from layers of phyllo sheets and chopped nuts plus some honey.

There was also the Amygdalota (Almond Cookies/杏仁曲奇). However, all of us found them to be of a harder texture which made biting a bit tough without dipping in a cup of hot beverage.

The Galaktoboureko (Greek Custard Pie/希腊蛋奶饼) on the other hand tasted like a grainy and soaked up butter cake without the presence of added phyllo sheets for that crispiness. Though it was not the perfect dessert to my liking, it had a zesty flavor with a very light touch of added spices.

Overall, the dishes served in the Greek Grandeur Promotion 2014 would suit those cheese lovers more as Greek cuisine utilized quite a lot of cheeses, olives, olive oil, eggplant, zucchini, yoghurt, mixed herbs, etc.

Here’s the summary of the promotion.

GREEK GRANDEUR PROMOTION 2014 (1-31 MAY 2014)
Lunch (12.00 noon – 2.30pm): Monday – Friday
RM50++ (adult), RM25++ (child)
Hi-Tea (12.00 noon – 4.00pm): Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays
Normal weekend: RM68++ (adult), RM34++ (child)
Festive Occasion: RM78++ (adult), RM39++ (child)
Weekend Buffet Dinner (6.30pm – 10.00pm): Friday & Saturday
Friday (Free Flow Friday with Wine): RM128++ (adult), RM48++ (child)
Saturday (Pirate Seafood Night): RM80++ (adult), RM48++ (child)
Semi Buffet Dinner (6.30pm – 10.00pm):
Sunday – Tuesday & ThursdayRM50++ per pax
Wednesday (Wine & Dine)RM95++ per pax

For American Express, CIMB Bank, OCBC Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, MasterCard Worldwide, Maybank and UOB Bank card members, you can enjoy 15% discount for the Semi Buffet Dinner (Sunday to Tuesday & Thursday) and Weekend Buffet Dinner (Saturday) from 6.30pm-10.00pm.

The Swez Brasserie is located at the ring wing of Eastin Hotel, Penang (next to Queensbay Mall). If you are coming from Georgetown towards Bayan Lepas Free Trade Zone via Bayan Lepas Expressway, do watch out for the Pulau Jerejak signboard (leading to Pulau Jerejak jetty). Ignore the turning and drive on to the next left junction. Turn left into Jalan Aziz Ibrahim and drive on until you a roundabout. Turn 3 o’ clock and drive on until you see a big Eastin Hotel signboard at the first right junction. Turn right and drive on. Park your car at the basement car park. Take a lift to the first floor lobby and you would see the restaurant there.

Name: SWEZ BRASSERIE @ EASTIN HOTEL
Address: 1 Solok Bayan Indah, Queens Bay, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-612 1128, 604-612 1138
Business Hours: 12.00pm-2.30pm (Lunch), 6.30pm-10.00pm (Dinner)
GPS: 5.33643, 100.306345

RATING:
Ambience: 8/10 (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: 8/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)
Service: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

Sunday might not be the same again if you were to visit Four Points by Sheraton Penang to savor their Sunday Buffet in style. Under the leadership of the newly appointed Executive Chef, Israel Lazaroo, this Sunday Brunch would surely be a carefree family gathering for all to enjoy good times, great food and casual fun, whether within the indoor dining area or at the scenic alfresco outdoor areas. Furthermore, kids as well as young-at-heart adults would get to be in a carnival-filled ambience with ongoing activities with the presence of clowns and magicians. Priced at RM60+ (per adult) or RM30+ (per child 12 years old & above/per senior citizen 55 years old & above) per pax, there are many more discounts in store such as 20% off for Starwood Preferred Guests (SPG) members and discounts for selected credit card holders as high as 45% off. You can check out the dining offers at the hotel’s website. Terms and conditions apply. Children below 3 years old get to eat for free.

The layout for the buffet spread for the Sunday Brunch differs compared to many hotels I have been to. Dishes would differ from week to week on a rotation basis. At the Appetizer Section where you would have dishes such as the International Salad Bar with selected greens and choices of dressings such as Thousand Island, Mayonnaise, Italian, Herb Basil. On top of that, there would also be some pre-prepared salads such as Seaweed in Sesame Oil, Thai Chicken Salad, Beef Salad, Crab Stick Salad and so on.

For a lighter eater, you would be impressed with their Live Sandwich Bar where you could create your own sandwiches. There would be a selection of breads such as Plain White, French Baguette, Whole meal and Croissant with selections of fillings and toppings such as Tuna, Eggs Mayo, Beef Bacon, Chicken Toast, Sardine, Smoked Salmon, Cheese, Tomato, Lettuce, Cucumber and more.

Noodles lover would surely like their Noodles Station where selected hawker fare spreads would be available. The highlight for the day was Prawn Noodles, an impactful Penang favorite hawker dish filled with rich aroma and flavors.

There would also be the “Under the Sham” station where you could get a quick bite of Mini Chicken Burgers, Mini Seafood Pizza and more.

As for starter, you would have the Soup Station with Soups of the Day such as Herbal Soup and Tomato Basil Soup, accompanied by fresh breads and butter. On top of that, you would also have the Steamed Basket with a selection of Dim Sums.

Now let’s dig into the wide selections of hot dishes. Firstly, there’s the Chicken Rice Station where you would have some Steamed or Roasted Chicken Rice with Condiments served with tactfully prepared aromatic steamed rice. This buffet line would continue with more plain steamed rice and other hot dishes such as Chicken Piccata, Beef Stew, Sheppard’s Pie, Baked Pasta, Braised Lo Han Chai Vegetables, Chicken Curry with Roti Jala, Sweet & Sour Fish Fillets and Vegetarian Chicken Masala with Coriander. I would say all the dishes served here had the impactful flavors from the usages of different types of herbs and spices.

Last but not least, dessert lovers would love their Chef Eddie’s Dessert Collections where you would find items such as Tropical Fresh Fruit Platter, French & Danish Pastries, Assorted Malay Kuih, Bread & Butter Pudding, Green Beans Sweet Porridge, Chilled Iced Longan, Ice Cream & Ice Kacang with Condiments, and so on.

Overall, the dishes served had improved tremendously ever since Chef Israel Lazaroo, a Malaysian and maestro in Italian, French & Fusion cuisine, took over as the Executive Chef of Four Points by Sheraton Penang. With his two decades plus culinary experiences serving various hotels throughout Asia, he’s set to bring more surprises to the F&B sectors of the hotel.

The Eatery @ Four Points By Sheraton is located along the main road of Jalan Tanjung Bunga. To get there, just use the road going towards the beaches of Batu Ferringhi. As you reach a curving part of the road, keep to your right after the first traffic lights (Chinese Swimming Club on your right). At the second traffic lights, turn right into the hotel’s premises to find a car park. Walk straight into the lobby and you can find The Eatery located at the ring wing of the hotel.

Honest and uncomplicated, Four Points by Sheraton Penang is located on the main road connecting UNESCO World Cultural Heritage city Georgetown and Batu Ferringhi, a popular beach area. The hotel is situated on a stretch of white sandy beach overlooking the shimmering sea of Tanjung Bungah. Ideal for leisure and business travelers looking for a peaceful, yet convenient getaway, the hotel is 12 minutes from the bustling city center and 45 minutes from the Bayan Lepas International Airport by bus or taxi.

Known as the “Pearl of the Orient”, the what-to-do-list on the island of Penang is plenty. It attracts visitors with its flavorful cuisine, vibrant culture and rich history. For those who are interested in the history and heritage of this island, the UNESCO World Heritage Site is just 15 minutes away from the hotel with numerous old architectures, shops and cafés to admire. Alternatively, take in the spectacular views of Georgetown and the iconic Penang Bridge from a distance on top the Penang Hill, via a cable car ride up. For more information or to make reservation please call +604-371 8888 or email reservations.03947@fourpoints.com or visit www.fourpoints.com/penang.

Name: THE EATERY @ FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON PENANG
Address: 505 Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-371 8888 (General), 604-371 8707 (The Eatery)
Business Hours: 6.30am-11.00pm (Daily), Sunday Brunch: 12.00pm-3.00pm
GPS: 5.463681, 100.301836
Please refer to: The Eatery Menu

RATING:
Ambience: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 7.5/10 (1-4 limited, 5-7 average, 8-10 many choices)
Taste: 7.5/10 (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)

I heard a lot about the many cat cafes around the world, with the opening of the first cat café in Taipei in 1998 (Café Dog & Cats/貓花園) and subsequently went viral in Japan, which received tremendous responses from the public. I was hoping all these while that they would have one here in Penang though there’s already one being set up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, not long ago. Finally, someone caught up with the concept and set up one such café in Penang. Since the end of last quarter in 2013, the news had spread to my ears that there would be a cat café opening soon in Penang. Being a pet lover ever since my childhood days and also as a cat blogger during the days when most of my little furry angels were still here running around on earth, the amazing news was something to be happy about. Finally, Purrfect Cat Café was officiated by our Penang Chief Minister, YAB Lim Guan Eng, on 26 January 2014. It’s the first of its kind in Penang, located along Lebuh Muntri, within the buffer zone of the UNESCO World Cultural City of George Town, Penang.

Here’s a video clip on the Grand Opening by our Chief Minister, YAB Lim Guan Eng.

Unlike the one in Kuala Lumpur which also provides pet supplies, pet hotel and also pet grooming, Purrfect Cat Café basically sells cat related merchandizes at the ground floor and the café would utilize the top floor. The merchandizes range from T-shirt for both genders, bags, stationeries, soft toys, mugs, cute cat figurines, earrings, key chains and more. I do hope that they would also sell some cat supplies as well in the near future. Here’s a peep at what you would be expecting upon entering the premises.

Currently, Purrfect Café is charging a minimum spending of RM18/pax. Depending on what their menu are on that day, there will be a fuss-free range of cakes, pastries, coffee and tea for you to choose from. The cakes at times would include crepe cakes and would be priced at RM11.90+/RM13.90+ per piece. The pastries on the other hand might include puff (RM6.90+ to RM8.90+/pc), pies (RM9.90+/pc to RM11.90+/pc), quiches (RM12.90+/pc) and pizzas (RM13.90+/pc). Beverages would include Brewed Coffee (RM7.90+ to RM10.90+), Germany’s Ronnefeldt Tea by the Pot (RM12.90+), Dark Chocolate (RM12.90+), Fruit Champagne (RM8.90+) and Sparkling Ice Signature Drinks (RM12.90+). You would surely be impressed with the cat shaped teapots and mugs they utilized.

Prior to visiting the cats, you have to sanitize your hands and take off your shoe before moving upstairs where the cats are. Moving up the white wooden stairways of the premises would lead you to an enclosed area where there would be two segregated zones. One zone would be cat-free where you could sit down and enjoy your food and beverages while watching the adorable cats in their play room. The other zone would be the cats’ personal play room and guest room where they would mingle with the guests while showing off their cuteness. Please take note that the cats’ play room is out of bound for unauthorized humans.

There’s also the Terms & Conditions (as shown in photo below) while patronizing the cat café. Do take some time to digest the information stated within before moving into the cats’ play room. Failing to do so, you might get yourself slapped with a heavy fine of RM100. Another new term would be that children below 10 years old cannot go into the room by themselves, unaccompanied by adults.

The cat café has 8 cats at the moment. They are the café mascot, Snowy, Orange, Bear, Teddy, Leo, Molly, Marble and Nala. To find out more on the breed and characteristics of the cat, please check out CRIZ CATS SANCTUARY.

Generally, there are many complaints by the locals on the exorbitant charges of minimum RM18 for a two-hour session, which would be based on the accumulative cost of the food and beverages you have ordered. Just to be fair before I pass on any verdict, let’s study the other cat cafes’ charges in Malaysia as well as from overseas. In Kuala Lumpur, the “Country Cat Café” is charging RM14.90 per person per hour inclusive of one drink. In Japan first cat café, “Cat Store @ Neko no Mise”, is charging RM5 (USD1.50) for every 10 minutes, meaning RM30 (USD9) an hour and they do have a special three-hour plan for RM72 (USD21.50). In Korea such as in the “Cat Attic” in Gangnam, no entrance fee or minimum hours limitations but you have to purchase at least one RM19 (USD6) worth of drink. Most patrons would spend around 1-2 hours of their time there. In Singapore, there’s also the entrance fee of SGD14 (about RM36) plus a drink but unlimited time frame. So, you see, Purrfect Cat Café is not overcharging exorbitant fees compared to the rest of the same themed cafés throughout the world. Much like renting a pet, people do need to pay a surcharge to spend time with the cats and rules may vary from cafe to café. After all, such cat cafes would need to find ways to survive with the high cost of maintenance, especially when most of their cats are pedigrees. A true animal lover would understand this well. On top of that, it’s also a way to keep away cheapskates and curious visitors, thus to avoid unwanted attention, distraction and stress towards the welfare of the cats.

However, it would be great if Purrfect Cat Café would have an hourly rate instead or maybe a minimum purchase of a drink. This would generate more turnovers and at the same time would cut down with the unnecessary overcrowded situations resulting in the lack of sitting spaces. Sadly, this also means that regulars such as yours truly would have to spend more by the hours. I do hope they have special memberships for regulars in the near future too. Overall, I love the café a lot but it won’t do much good to my pockets if I were to visit those cute cats in a long run.

Purrfect Cat Café is located just 2 shop houses away from the Camera Museum along Lebuh Muntri. Finding a parking space along the narrow heritage stretch of road can be rather painstaking. The most practical way to get to the café would be by parking your car opposite the Cititel car park (Jalan Penang/Lebuh Muntri corner), along Leith Street or along Lorong Love (next to the St. Xavier’s Institution) and go by foot towards the café. Please remember to buy your parking coupons or you would be slapped with a parking fine.

Name: PURRFECT CAT CAFE
Address: 53 Lebuh Muntri, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-261 1197
Business Hours:
Merchandize: 10.00am-7.00pm
Café: 11.00am-9.30pm
Cat Entry: 12.00pm-9.30pm
GPS: 5.419947, 100.335707
FB: www.fb.com/penangcatcafe

RATING:
Ambience: 7.5/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 7/10 (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: 8/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)