REVIEW – EA BISTRO AND PUB

You may have pass by this restaurant always but maybe you did not pay much attention as it is hidden at the end of a lane. This restaurant is actually right with the premises of the Penang Eurasian Association. That’s how it got its name as EA Bistro & Pub. Not only does the restaurant serve Set Lunch (RM9.90) daily (except Monday), it also served one of the best Western Food as well as Japanese Meals around the area and everything in this restaurant is freshly cooked daily. Even the soups are prepared with the freshest ingredients and the Japanese meals are prepared with imported Japanese products.

My friend and I discovered this place on our way to Tanjung Tokong area a few days back and decided to try out this place. We ordered the BBQ Chicken (RM16.90) and Blackened Chicken (RM16.90). The Blackened Chicken is actually grilled cajun spiced chicken breast meat served with black pepper sauce. Every piece on the plate is well prepared and tasty. The portion served is extremely large.

The BBQ Chicken on the other hand is a grilled cajun spiced chicken drumstick served with sweet fragrance-rich BBQ sauce. Absolute delicious too!

For every order of an Ala Carte Western Dishes, you are can upsized to Set Dinner with an additional RM7.00. You will get a glass of soda of your choice, a fresh Mushroom Soup, a spicy green salad, and coffee or tea. This is recommended for those big eaters. You should also try out the smoothness of their Vietnamese Coffee. This is such a great offer!

There will also be different Live Bands performing from Thursday until Saturday. Thursday would be Jazz Night, First and Third Friday would be Country Night, Second and Fourth Friday would be Retro Night and Saturday would be Oldies Night. This is not a bad place for group gatherings or party but you will expect dimly lighted place with some smoke since this is a bistro cum pub.

There is also a list of Teppanyaki and Sashimi dishes, Spaghetti and Pasta, and finger food available for your hungry tummy. The boss recommended their Yaki Udon, Yaki Mesi, Spaghetti Marinara and Chicken & Mushroom Fettuccine for our next visit.

If you are coming from town towards Gurney Plaza along Jalan Kelawai, you will reach a traffic light. Go straight and turn into the second lane on your left. The restaurant is just at the end of a no-through road, right in between the Brahma Kumaris Raja Yoga Malaysia building and Arcadia Apartment. Hunzaland Project Office is just directly opposite the lane. The will be parking space inside.

Name: EA BISTRO & PUB
Address:
107-A, Jalan Kelawai (Solok Serani), Pulau Tikus, 10250 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-228 2406, 016-422 6688 (Pauline)
Opening Hours:
11.30am - 3.00pm (Lunch)
6.00pm – 10.00pm (Dinner)
6.00pm – 1.00/2.00am (Pub)
6.00pm – 12.00/1.00am (Live Band – Thursday - Saturday)
GPS: 5.434593, 100.310315

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

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REVIEW – FACES STEAK CORNER

Who would expect Julia Roberts to accompany us for dinner? I actually wanted to get Britney Spears, David Beckham, Andy Lau or Lee Hom but in the end I just got myself a glass of Iced Lemon Tea (RM2.90). You are right! Those are the names of some of the beverages available in this restaurant. Julia Roberts (RM4.50) is actually a cocktail comprising watermelon, cucumber and honeydew juices. This drink is meant for those weight watchers.

My friend and I started our dinner with Cream of Mushroom Soup with 2 slices of garlic toasts (RM4.50) and Seafood Tomato Soup (RM4.50). The Mushroom Soup tasted fine but was not as creamy as I have expected. On the other hand, the Seafood Tomato Soup has lots of seafood in it but a bit too sweet for my liking.

Seafood Mixed Grill (RM14.90) and Chicken Aux Champignons (RM7.90) followed as our main courses. The Seafood Mixed grill was with lots of mussels, prawns, fish and cuttlefish. It came topped with black pepper gravy. The dish tasted good but I would prefer to have thicker gravy for that. The Chicken Aux Champignons came with some sliced button mushrooms on top of a grilled and deboned chicken drumstick. Not bad but there was nothing spectacular about the gravy. Both the dishes came with lots of French fries, mixed vegetables, broccoli and some salad.

The whole restaurant was dimly lighted with an oil lamp on every table. I would say it’s quite a romantic place for courting couples. Haha! I went the with the intention of getting a whole heart but the temptation was too great. I ended up breaking the heart apart. Why not? Isn’t a Heart Shaped Fried Ice Cream (RM2.50) meant to be broken into two before consuming? :P Well, this dessert was real nice with Rum & Raisins Ice Cream inside. The skin is actually made of white bread and fried in hot boiling oil while the content still maintains it coldness. This is a must try for those who have yet to try out this dessert.

Finding the restaurant is real easy. If you are coming from town towards Tanjung Tokong, just watch out for a traffic light on your right with Subaidah Nasi Kandar at the corner lot. Turn right into the traffic light and you will see the restaurant there. There is free parking next door.

Name: FACES STEAK CORNER
Address: 4D Jalan Pantai Molek, Tg. Tokong, 10470 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-8900998
Opening Hours: 6.00pm – 1.00am daily
GPS: 5.444408, 100.305948

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: 7/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 expensive)

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

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KIMBERLEY STREET DUCK KOAY CHIAP

Penang has many Duck Koay Chiap stalls from Lebuh Melayu, Lebuh Kimberley, Jalan Macalister, Jalan Air Itam up to Lorong Kucing in Pulau Tikus. The one that I like most is still from Lebuh Kimberley. The soup is just right for my taste without too much of bitterness from the herbs that are used in the braising of the duck. On top of that the amount of duck meat given is much more than any of the other stalls I have been to.

On top of the Koay Chiap, you can even order the braised duck just by itself or served with rice or broth. Here are the snapshots of the food.

BRAISED DUCK KOAY CHIAP (RM4-RM6)


BRAISED DUCK BROTH (RM4-RM6)


BRAISED DUCK RICE (RM4-RM6)


BRAISED DUCK MEAT WITH EGG (RM5-RM6)

As you drive into Jalan Dr. Lim Chwee Leong from Penang Road, turn left in Lebuh Carnavon. Drive further until you see a small mamak stall on your left and turn into that road. That is Lebuh Kimberley. The stall is just further up on your left by the road side.

Name: KIMBERLEY STREET DUCK KOAY CHIAP
Address: Lebuh Kimberley, Penang, Malaysia.
Opening Hours: 6.30pm – 11.30pm (Closed Thursday)
GPS: 5.416200, 100.332717

RATING:
Ambience: 5/10 (1-4 cheap, 5-7 average, 8-10 classy)
Food Choices: 6/10 (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: 7/10 (1-4 bad, 5-7 average, 8-10 excellent)

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REVIEW – HOCK LYE SEAFOOD VILLAGE

Whenever we thought of having seafood by the beach, we would always think of Teluk Bahang, Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Bungah, Gurney Drive, Gertak Sanggul, Batu Maung without knowing that there is another shop right in the heart of Georgetown overseeing Penang Bridge. Hock Lye Seafood Village has been operating their present shop for almost one and a half years and many Penangites do not even know that it even existed.

My friend and I decided to drop by the place after seeing the roof sign many times as we were using the Jelutong Expressway towards Penang Bridge. The restaurant is actually hidden behind some shoplots / flats within the Gat Macallum Street area. Although the restaurant specialized in seafood dishes, we only managed to order a few mixed dishes to be taken with rice. There were also many varieties of noodles served.

The first dish that came was the Thai Style Homemade Tofu (RM8). This is a must to try as the tofu was real smooth accompanied by lots of dried shrimps, cili padi, onions and mint leaves.

Next was some Spicy Deep Fried Squids (RM8). It came with a saucer of mayonnaise. Common but it was great!

Golden Fragrant Chicken (RM8) followed next. Chunky pieces of chicken meat were dipped in frying flour and stir fried with lots of curry leaves and mayonnaise. It tasted crunchy and nice. I would recommend that the dish be eaten fast as it will become soggy after too long.

The much awaited Cereal Buttered Prawns (RM20) finally came. Eight big prawns cooked perfectly to our liking and they were real generous with the amount of cereal given.

Overall, the food were good and we paid RM50 for the dishes, 4 bowls of rice and 3 glasses of their Homecooked Lo Han Guo drinks. I was surprised to find out that they do also serve lunch from 11.30am until 2.30pm daily. Next visit, I would try out their meat crabs as I saw almost all the tables ordered that. The crab must be good.

Just remember that the restaurant is behind some shoplots within the Macallum Street Flats area by following the map I have drawn out. Do enjoy your experiences there.

Name: HOCK LYE SEAFOOD VILLAGE
Address: 130A, Jalan C. Y. Choy, Bridge Street Foreshore, 10300 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 604-262 7524, 012-525 1874
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 2.30pm 5.30pm – 10.30pm
GPS: 5.404451, 100.330689

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

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REVIEW – 113 FRIED PORRIDGE SHOP

Most of you will exclaim “What? Porridge is porridge. How could it be fried?” Well, there is such a thing as that, although it is not the in-thing in Penang. Cooked porridge is stir fried in a wok with some herbs and spices, together with pork, prawns, cuttlefish strips, dried shrimps and Chinese leek (koochai). In fact, it looked just like dark soy sauce porridge but the taste is unique. Here is how the dish looks like.

Four of us visited this shop which has relocated there from Jalan Burma (next to Ribs Restaurant). We spent barely RM31 on all the food we had ordered and RM5 for the drinks. Firstly, we tired out on of their set meals, which was the Sweet and Sour Pork set (RM4.50). You can order any one dish from their list of food in the menu and rice for only RM4.50. My recommendation would be the Curry Wild Boar set which will always be fresh as the owner hunt the boar himself.

The next dish which I would always order when I am there would be the Moonlight Hor Fun. A fresh raw egg would be added onto the hot steaming Hor Fun. Upon served, you have to mix the egg thoroughly. This dish may look raw to some but once you have a taste of the dish, you would not regret ordering it during your next visit.

Next on the list was the Oyster Omelette (RM6). Most shops would add starch to their Fried Oyster and scramble it. This shop will just use big juicy oysters and fried them together with fresh eggs. This dish is yummy!!

Another dish which you should try is the Black Four Seasons Beans (RM7). Young long beans are deep fried and then stir fried with dried shrimps in dark soy sauce. Real yummy when taken with hot steaming rice.

Lastly, another dish which you should not miss out will be their house speciality – the Yunnan Tofu (RM6). Fresh soft tofu is mashed and mixed with eggs, dried shrimps and chopped wood fungus and then steamed again. The cooked steamed tofu will then be dip into tapioca flour and deep fried to perfection.

Do watch out for their latest lunch offer – One bowl of rice + one dish of your choice + one bowl of soup = RM4.50

The road to Batu Maung is not as confusing as before after the Government had built an expressway (Jelutong Expressway) straight into the town. To get to the shop, just drive towards Batu Maung from the Jelutong Expressway. As you reach the last traffic lights in Batu Maung, turn right. You will see World Fish Centre on your right. When you reach the traffic light, turn left and you will see a stretch of shophouses. The shop is just a few shops away within Seong Iping Café premises.

Name: 113 FRIED PORRIDGE SHOP @ SEONG IPING CAFE
Address: 47, Laya Batu Maung, 19300 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 016-428 9113
Opening Hours:
11.30am – 3.00pm, 6.00pm – 10.30pm (Closed Alternate Thursday)
GPS: 5.285879, 100.282495

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

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REVIEW - ANYTHING AND WHATEVER

There is something new in the market that will take over the beverage industry by storm in no time. ANYTHING and WHATEVER was launched on 3 June 2008 at Armada Hotel, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. The idea and creative came from Out Of The Box Pte. Ltd. from Singapore and the beverages are being distributed by Tongee (KL) Sdn. Bhd. in Malaysia.

What makes these products so unique is that you will never know what drink you will be having until you open up the can and test it out. There won’t be any more problems in deciding what beverage to have again next time. That’s the thrill of getting surprises and I’m sure lots of people would like to try them out.

ANYTHING which is carbonated has six flavors such as Cola, Cola with Lemon, Apple, Fizz Up, Cloudy Lemon and Root Beer.

On the other hand, WHATEVER which is non-carbonated has also six flavors such as Ice Lemon Tea, Peach Tea, Jasmine Green Tea, White Grape Tea, Apple Tea and Chrysanthemum Tea.

I immediately got hold of half a dozen of each when I was at 7-Eleven recently. I just love surprises. It’s selling at RM1.80 per can. So far I had the Apple, Root Beer, Jasmine Green Tea and Peach Tea and the tastes met up with my expectations. They were great! What an ideal beverage for parties, picnics, BBQ, etc! I am sure your guest will love all the surprises you are giving them. Presently, you will see the ANYTHING and WHATEVER posters at all the 7-Eleven outlets all across Peninsular Malaysia. You can even get them in Jusco. Within the next few months, I am certain that most cafés, bistros, kopitiams, mamaks and convenient shops will have them available for the public.

I saw their TVCs and was laughing all the way. Here are the two TV Commercials directed by the acclaimed Mr. Thononchai Sornsriwichai who was a highly awarded director in the world in 2006.

ANYTHING COMMERCIAL:

WHATEVER COMMERCIAL:

Name: TONGEE (KL) SDN. BHD.
Address:
No. 3 & 5, Jalan Segambut Pusat, Segamut Industrial Area,
Segamut, 51200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Tel: 603-6253 1111
Fax: 603-6253 0000
Email: jeremy@tongeeklsb.com
Website: http://www.anything.com.my/

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

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REVIEW – PASTA & PIE @ NORTHAM BEACH CAFE

“Hey Jon! Where’s my lasagna?” Hmm… Where have I heard this before? Yea... it’s me! Haha. I felt like I have a part of Garfield hidden inside me as I am always craving for lasagna. After searching in many Italian restaurants for lasagna that’s good and affordable, I ended up in Pasta & Pie at Northern Beach Café again and again. Why? It is because the dish can be ordered as ala carte or in a set which will cost you not more than RM16.90. I ordered the set as I can get an appetizer, a main and a dessert at a much lesser price.

You have a few choices to choose from and I chose the Mushroom Carrot Soup. The soup is thick and creamy and it comes with a breadstick. This is how I always love my soup to be. Yummy!

“Thou shalt not touch my lasagna!” Right! You got it! The lasagna is my favorite but the portion is too small to be shared with anyone else. The smell from the melted cheese and the smoothness of the meat and lasagna pasta has always sent me craving for more. It’s a must to try.

As for dessert, I chose the Pumpkin Cheese Pie as it was not too filling compared to the many varieties of chocolate cakes and apple pies the stall has. The top of the slice of Pumpkin Cheese Pie was baked with crunchy almonds slices and accompanied with yummy custard sauce.

There are many other pies which I have tasted before such as the Chicken Pot Pie, Shepherd’s Pie, Mushroom Chicken Pie and many other sweet pies that are really good as well. In fact, you can even custom ordered your birthday cakes, wedding cakes, dessert & sweet for your tea party by contacting Tony days before your function.

To get there is real easy. Just drive along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah where the Northam Hotel is and turn left into the Northam Beach Café. The stall is strategically located within the dining area.

Name: PASTA & PIE @ NORTHAM BEACH CAFE
Address: 58, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: 016-555 0317 (Tony Cheah)
Opening Hours: 6.00pm – 11.00pm
GPS: 5.427159, 100.323522

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

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AGOGO WAN THAN MEE

Penang produces so many different versions of delicious Wan Than Mee (sometimes called wonton noodle) that most of the time we get confused with what style of the noodles to consume. We have the Cantonese, Hokkien, Hakka, Teochew even Hong Kong styles of Wan Than Mee, not forgetting that the different style of how other states prepare the dish such as the versions from Johor, Pahang, Perak, Sarawak and Selangor. The dish comes in two versions, the dry and the soup. We also have the boiled wonton and the deep fried wonton, fine noodles and thick noodles, served with sambal and/or pickled green chillies.

One of the regular Wan Than Mee stall that I frequent is right in the heart of Georgetown. Somehow I like the taste of it compared to a few famous ones in Penang. I gave the stall the name Agogo as the boss will always shake vigorously when he shook the noodles dry. The noodles come in three sizes, small (RM2.40), medium (RM2.90) and large (RM3.40). If you want to try out the noodle, be prepare to wait for awhile as the customers will come in nonstop. After all, there are selling only for 5 hours or less per day, except for Sunday.

You have to drive towards Lebuh Pantai to get into Lebuh Melayu as it is a one-way street. You can see the stall on you right at the junction of Lorong Toh Aka. Ample parking spaces can be found on the left road ( Lorong Ikan). If you find that the stall has no more places to sit, you can always move to the coffee shop opposite, which is cooler.

Name: AGOGO WAN THAN MEE
Address: Junction of Lorong Toh Aka / Lebuh Melayu
Opening Hours: 12.30pm – 5.00pm (Closed Sunday)
GPS: 5.414032, 100.336300

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

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