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Archive for the ‘penang’ Category

T-JAY CAFÉ @ THE GARAGE

Posted by Criz Lai On September - 12 - 2008

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SORRY! THIS RESTAURANT HAS CEASED ITS OPERATION EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 2008

T-Jay Café would be an ideal place for hangout since it’s located within The Garage, a place filled with endless flow of people going for a drink or some partying. You would see a lot of tourist enjoying themselves there too. What I like most is their flexibility of dining hours. I usually find it hard to dine out after 10.00pm (due to having to work up to after 9.00pm most of the time) as most of the restaurant would be closed by then. I recently paid them a visit after looking through all the menus of other restaurants and found their price list amongst one of the more affordable ones around that area. Moreover, much to my surprise, they do not charge any taxes.

Two of us went for dinner around 10.15pm. We were presented with a menu with so many dishes to choose from ranging from Western to Oriental. They have lamb, chicken, fish, beef and sausages in the Western food sections and local hawker delicacies such as Curry Chicken Rice, Kong Poh Chicken Rice, Fried Noodles and so on. We ended up ordering some of the recommended dishes. As for appetizer, we had soup of the day which was Mushroom Soup (RM4.90). The soup was creamy and had a bit of the herb taste. Very tasty compared to others that I had tasted before.

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We were then served the Caribbean Cheese Baked Fish (RM19.90). Although the fish (Dory Fish) size was not as big as I had expected, it was baked with lots of Mozzarella, Cheddar and Parmesan Cheese. The dish tasted great with lots of salads and fries to fill up the tummy.

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The Chicken Breast Supreme (RM12.90) came next. Two tender pieces of chicken fillet was served. Not big but the taste was great with the special sauce by the chef. The sauce tasted like BBQ sauce but had a milder taste with a combination of tomato and onion puree.

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As for drinks, we order a Kickapoo Fizzy Soft Drink (RM3.90) and Oreo Chocolate Milkshake (RM8.90). In fact the Oreo drink was our own creation as there only offered Oreo Coffee Milkshake.

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After resting out filled tummies while watching Astro’s Asia Food Channel, we decided to try out their recommended Choc Cake Ala Mode (RM6.90). The dessert came with a small piece of moist chocolate cake (a bit of Brandy taste in it) with a large scoop of Nestle’s vanilla ice cream topped with Hershey chocolate syrup and chocolate rice. It was real yummy.

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Visiting this restaurant won’t be hard as it is within the compound of The Garage along Upper Penang Road. The only problem would be the parking as the place would be packed during weekends. The nearest place with ample car park would be the car park along Penang Road, opposite Cititel. Anyway, it’s good to take a stroll and watch for any happenings along this hot night spots area of Penang. On top of that, you can easily get access into the many bistros and pubs surrounding that area such as Fame, Slippery Senorita, Momo, Mois and so on after having your meal there.

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Name: T-JAY CAFÉ @ THE GARAGE
Address:
LotA22, The Garage ( Upper Penang Road),
2 Penang Road, 10000 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-261 2188, 012-499 9311 (Mr. Terry Tan)
Opening Hours: 12.00pm – 3.00pm, 6.30pm – Late Night (Monday – Saturday)
GPS: 5.422955, 100.335088

RATING:
Ambience: 7/10 (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)

Popularity: 1% [?]

I HAD PIZZA FOR SUPPER!

Posted by Criz Lai On September - 10 - 2008
After a long weekend of heavy down pour which caused my area being flooded, I finally had some relieves to be able to get out to grab something sensible to put into my tummy. Although I had some tummy problems the day before, the 5-pagoda Thai Powder did help solve it. Well, I better don’t get the post too disgusting as I’m still recovering from Sciatica which made my whole body aching in pain. Anyway, thanks to foodpromotions for sending over some discount vouchers for Domino’s Pizza’s new outlet in Krystal Point which had started their operations since 23 August 2008. It indeed saved me a lot.

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What I like about Domino’s Pizza is the way they handle their customers. They are real professional. They even have my name printed on the order chit and pizza boxes. Although I was asked to wait for 15 minutes for my pizzas, both were ready within 12 minutes.

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The amount you see there is correct. It was only RM23.90 for TWO regular 9” pizzas? First one was at RM23.80 and the second one was at 10sen only. Well, you need to have the special voucher for that and you should know who to ask for that right? 😛

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Anyway, eating in would be better for pizzas but the offer only applied for takeaway. Even though I went to the nearest place within 10 minutes to take my pizzas, the crust wasn’t that nice as it should be. Here are the shots of the pizzas I had ordered.

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The shop is located at the last unit of the second phase of Krystal Point Complex. Make sure that when you come in from the main road leading to the Jelutong Expressway, you turn in the second turning on your left. Getting to the place should not be a problem. It’s the getting out that might cause some concern for those people not staying there. Since it’s a one-way street, you have to drive on and turn into the second turning on your left (Lebuh Bukit Kecil 3). Drive on until you see a playground and turn left into Jalan Bukit Kecil 2. Just follow the road all the way until the end. You will reach a “T” junction, turn left into Jalan Bukit Kecil 1 and it would lead you all the way to the Sungai Nibong main road. You can also check out the many restaurants such as Goh Teo Kee, Dav’s Corner, etc around this area too.

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Name: DOMINO’S PIZZA BAYAN LEPAS
Address:
1-1-33, Krystal Point Corporate Park, Lebuh Bukit Kecil 6,
Bayan Lepas, 11900 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 1-300-888-333 (Delivery)
Opening Hours: 11.00am – 11.00pm
GPS: 5.330928, 100.299339

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: 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)

Popularity: 2% [?]

BENG HEANG BAK KUT TEH

Posted by Criz Lai On September - 4 - 2008

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Beng Heang is another famous Bak Kut Teh shop located by the service road of Jalan Air Itam. Originated from the Klang style of Bak Kut Teh recipe, they have been operating at the present premises for over ten years. Although the soup base has a milder herb taste compared to those from Klang, this restaurant still maintained its steady flow of customers each night. Recently, I was there with 3 other friends for dinner and we had ordered a claypot of Bak Kut Teh (RM18). As we were there quite late, most of the choice pieces were already sold out, leaving us without the normal yao char kwai, soy bean stick, pig stomach and soft rib bones. I won’t blame them as we were there after 11.00pm.

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One thing good about the boiled Cameron lettuce (RM7) which they served was that it had a generous amount of meat floss garnished on top.

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On top of that you can also try out their side order such as braised chicken legs (RM2.50). The meat was tender and the taste was not bad at all but I would prefer the sauce to be thickened slightly more.

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The restaurant also served two types of rice – the dark oil rice as well as the plain rice. Most shops would have charged a bowl between RM1.20 and RM1.50 but they were still maintaining each bowl at RM1. Overall the bill came out to RM37, inclusive of the rice and drinks.

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If you are driving from the Penang State Mosque towards Penang Hill, you would pass by Chung Ling High School and Chung Ling (Private) High School on your left. Drive on until you had reached the traffic light (turn left would lead you to Sunshine Farlim). After moving about 20m, you will see an Indian temple on your right. Turn right into the service road and you will see the restaurant on your left.

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Name: BENG HEANG BAK KUT TEH
Address: 554-S Jalan Air Itam, 11400 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-829 1906, 012-475 5903 (Mr. Teh)
Opening Hours: 5.30pm – 2.00am (Close Alternate Friday)
GPS: 5.404891, 100.290220

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

Popularity: 1% [?]

HOCK LOK SIEW BISCUIT TRADING

Posted by Criz Lai On August - 31 - 2008

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Most people would just visit the many “branded” shops in Penang for buying some local products back home. Thus, with so much of publicity and advertising charges incurred by the companies, the products would be rather expensive. There is this shop called Hock Lok Siew Biscuit Trading within the heart of Georgetown itself that produces quality local products and market them at a cheaper price. In fact, they are the main shop that supplied 40%-50% of their products to the food industry. Here are some of their products (about 40% shown) available throughout the year.


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Since today is Malaysia’s Independence Day as well as the 1st day of the 8th Month in the Chinese Lunar Calendar, it also marked the start of the Mid Autmn Festival. Traditionally, on this day, many Chinese households would gather family members and friends to celebrate this festival outdoor while admiring the bright mid-autumn harvest moon. Children would be playing with colorful lanterns lighted with candle (nowadays battery operated too). Moon cakes and biscuits would be in abundance as desserts.

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The shop would also produce such tasty delicacies during this festival. They have many paste fillings such as red bean, green bean, coconut, lotus seed, durian, red plum, pandan lotus, green tea, mixed nuts, and also mixed nuts with ham. All would be priced between RM4.00 and RM7.00. You will have the option to add in a salted egg by paying only RM1.00 extra per egg yolk. If you feel that one big moon cake would be too sweet for you to consume, they do have the mini size moon cakes (red bean and lotus seed paste only) at RM4.00 per box. That’s for two red bean paste and two lotus seed paste mini moon cakes. It’s a great bargain. All the moon cakes come with a simple yet great plastic box to present as a gift to your family and friends.

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On top of that, they do have moon biscuits (Gong Zai Pheang) for sale too. The plain, melon seed, red bean, lotus seed and coconut moon biscuit would be available throughout the year while the durian paste moon biscuit are seasonal. Prices ranged between RM4.00 and RM7.00 for 10 pieces or per 500grams.

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If you are coming from Trader’s Hotel along Jalan Magazine, keep to your left and drive on until you have reach the second traffic light. Turn into the first road on your left (Jalan Gurdwara) and then the first left turning into Lebuh Noordin. The shop is just somewhere in the middle on your right within a row of heritage houses. By the way, please give them a call prior to going as some of the products might be available only at certain time of the day.

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Name: HOCK LOK SIEW BISCUIT TRADING
Address: 120, Lebuh Noordin, 10300 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-2622162, 016-472 4565
Opening Hours: 9.00am – 7.00pm (Daily)
GPS: 5.412253, 100.329745

RATING:
Ambience: 7/10 (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)

Popularity: 1% [?]

LOOK YUEN RESTAURANT

Posted by Criz Lai On August - 28 - 2008

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Since Aeon Jusco Bandar Perda had already opened since 22 August 2008, we decided to pay the place a visit for some Big Apple donuts. LOL! But on the way there, we ended up at one of my favorite restaurants there when I was working in the Bukit Minyak Industrial Area. Look Yuen Restaurant has been serving many of the workers as well as residents there for years. It’s almost always packed during lunch and dinner hours. In fact, this is the only restaurant that has its kitchen stationed upstairs in another shoplot. It was interesting to see how they transfer food from upstairs using the mini automated elevators.

The first dish served was their house specialty – Steamed Glass Noodle (Tang Hoon) with Homemade Fish Balls (RM5). The simple combination of sauce, big onions and spring onions went well with the noodles. The fish balls were fresh and springy.

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Next was another of their specialties, the Honeyed Fried Chicken (RM7). Choice pieces of chicken were fried to perfection. The meat was well marinated and was very tender to my liking.

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As usual, I love to try out every restaurant’s Spicy Buttered Prawns (RM14). Eight big fresh and juicy prawns were served. It was very yummy and the best part was that it was not over oily at all. I would recommend this dish as it’s worth the amount to have fresh prawns that cost barely RM2 each.

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As for the pricing, RM29.60 inclusive of rice and drinks was not expensive at all. Since some are you are not familiar with the road to get to the restaurant, I will show you the easiest route here. If you coming from the Penang Bridge, keep towards your right and turn into the North-South Highway towards AutoCity / Ipoh / Kuala Lumpur. After you have passed the Juru Rest Area, keep to your left and turn left into Jalan Juru (Turn right and you will reach AutoCity). When you reach a traffic light at a “T” junction, turn left Jalan Bukit Tengah which will lead you to Bukit Mertajam town. Drive on. I will show you how to get there next as highlighted in the red box.

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You will pass by two traffic lights (the 2nd traffic light will lead you to Aeon Jusco Bandar Perda). Drive on but keep to your left until you will see an overhead bridge to Permatang Pauh. DO NOT GO OVER THE OVERHEAD BRIDGE! Turn left into Jalan Kerjasama (about 50m before the overhead bridge) and right into Lorong Kerjasama 1. You can actually see the restaurant at the far end with huge signboards at the junction of Tingkat Kerjasama 4.

If you are planning to pay a visit to Aeon Jusco Bandar Perda, there’s a U-turn further up under the overhead bridge. When you reach the first traffic light, just turn left into Jalan Kebun Sireh. You will see the Jusco signboard from a far. When you reach another traffic light at Jalan Padang Lalang, turn left until you reach another traffic light. Turn right and drive on and you will see Bandar Perda on your left. Aeon Jusco Bandar Perda is just inside the township.

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Name: LOOK YUEN RESTAURANT
Address: 2 Tingkat Kerjasama 4, Taman Kerjasama, 14000 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-507 4785
Opening Hours: 11.30am – 11.00pm (Daily)
GPS: 5.361289, 100.425586

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)

Popularity: 1% [?]

HOMEMADE KAYA @ WANG CAFE

Posted by Criz Lai On August - 21 - 2008

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If you are a coffee lover, you should not miss out the stall along the outskirt of Tanjung Tokong. This is one of the best stalls which served good thick and creamy local Hainanese coffee. You can have it either iced or hot. The great thing is that you only pay as you would as in any local coffee shops.

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On top of the aromatic coffee, you can also savor their famous “Roti Kiap” aka Toasted Bread with Coconut Jam (Kaya) and Butter. It comes with many versions. You can spread it on top of the toasted bread, in between the bread or even taken with hard boiled eggs. A great choice for tea time.

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The kaya is homemade to perfection as you can taste the richness of the eggs in it. You can buy back the kaya in a small plactic container (RM3.00) or in a big one (RM4.00).

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If you are driving from town towards Tanjung Tokong, you will pass by the traffic light with Island Plaza on your right. Drive further until you reach another traffic light (Tari Burger is on your left). Drive further and you will reach a curve with another traffic light. Keep to your right and turn right into the road. Turn right again and you will see some stalls. Wang’s Café is just at the corner.

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Name: HOMEMADE KAYA @ WANG CAFE
Address: J-6, Gerai UDA Fasa 3, Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Penang, Malaysia.
Contact: 604-898 2318
Opening Hours: 12.00pm – 9.00pm (Closed Sunday)
GPS: 5.461840, 100.307547

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

Popularity: 3% [?]

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