The Hard Rock Cafe has been around since 1971 and as they expanded and changed ownership over the years they have always stood for excellence in offering authentic American fare.
38 years after they opened in London, Hard Rock opened here in Penang and ever since then have grown a crowd of loyal fans from both near and far.
Had the pleasure of a Sunday afternoon tea at Rasa Sayang Shangri La hotel in Batu Ferringhi, but one with a difference.
This one was based around a traditional Malay dance known as a Joget (which originated in Malacca and was influenced by the Portuguese Branyo). This, just like most places in times gone by, had an element of a place where boys could meet girls under supervision.
We had the opportunity to visit the recently refurbished Campbell House which in its short few months has attracted attention and rave reviews from the likes of Conde Naste and The New York Times. Not without just cause I might add.
The fabulous renovation of this boutique heritage Hotel is much more than the excellent design features which take you back to the opulence of a bygone era.
Figo’s, Jalan Sungai Kelian, Tanjung Bunga Hillside, is rapidly becoming one of my favourite eateries.
I have always been a lover of Tex-Mex food, it dates back to my early days in London and the opening of the very first TGI Friday. Fajitas, Burritos, Chimichanga, not to mention frozen Margheritas, they just sound so darn good!
China House opened its doors third quarter 2011 and has gone from strength to strength ever since.
One half of the Australian couple who own China House, Narelle, is one of those amazing people who recognized the potential of Penang, and fell in love with its people, it’s life style and it’s vibrant mix of cultures. I just wish I had discovered this gem of an Island years ago too.
The idiom of ‘chalk and cheese’ implies the clash of two opposite things and their inability to embody one another. Why we don’t say ‘giraffe and gorilla’ or ‘pirate and maiden’ instead, but this seemingly obvious saying certainly gets to the point.
Many of us who go to restaurants do so because of the ambience, yet we still desire high quality food that is reminiscent of great home cooking. On so many levels we have been left disappointed and vow never to return to certain places again.
Having done this on numerous occasions, I was so happy to have been invited to sample the cuisine at 32 @ The Mansion, a restaurant just a stones throw away from Penang’s famous E & O, housed in an exquisite Italianate style mansion with beach front access.
There are many hawker stalls on Penang and many of them deserving of the title of ‘best in its type’ but there is one food court or night market that is truly deserving the title of largest, most centrally located and some would say best.
Red Garden has been a fixture on the visitors to Penang’s ‘must eat at’ locations since it was opened 5 years ago. The managing Director, Albert Loh, has transformed the concept of Night Market Hawker Food by gathering together in one very central location the ‘very best of the best’ under one roof.
For those of you who have never visited Suffolk House it’s high time that you did. Another reason for visiting or revisiting has just been added by the excellent culinary team at Suffolk House Restaurant, the introduction of a thoroughly researched menu from yester-year.
It is certainly a novel idea, but is a trend that is apparently picking up pace in the US, and has been brought to Penang by one of her partners.
“We believe we are the first outlet in Malaysia to cook and pair with beer,” she said. The chic outlet opened its doors in Precinct 10, Tanjung Tokong, at the beginning of this year.
One draw could be the extensive number of beers they serve: their menu lists no fewer than 17 different types, local and imported from Belgium, Germany, Japan, Denmark, and even as far away as Mexico and the US.