Asian BBQ at Komtar Penang

Steam boat is never on my Favorite Page, unless its an all pork spare part affair, & i can get to cook what i want, Not all dump in to the Pot at one go. Frankly speaking Goh Huat Seng is the place to go for steam boat for me.

There is this restaurant in Komtar Penang that has put together Steam Boat with Korean BBQ, Its call Asian BBQ, to me a perfect Match. My In laws can have steam boat, I can have my BBQ.

I ordered 2 sets, One Steam boat set, the other a BBQ set, for 4 adults, 5 children, with drinks that came up to RM98, to me a very reasonable price, considering what has been offered, Prawns, Bacon, Chicken, Fish on top of the usual fish ball etc. Nicely presented, though I find that they can put more noodles on the Set.

One thing that is disappointing for me is that Water is charge at RM1 per small glass, the same price as Chinese Tea. If you want to charge for water, that fine, provide those 500ml bts.

The Photo Above is the Steam Boat Set, While the one at the bottom is the BBQ set, What the difference? Just that the meat and fish is thinly slice for the BBQ set to make it easier cooking.

The Difference in this Restaurant, Over the other BBQ Steamboat Restaurant is the Griller, (forgot to take photo) is that the usual restaurant it that you have a pot in the center and the grilling part is at the side. This Restaurant it the other way round, you have a grill in the center which is half a sphere, with the soup in a small, narrow rim at the side. Juice, Fats of items you grill will run down in to the soup.

Also Provided is a pot for the steamboat, you can have a choice of Clear Soup or Tom Yam Soup. However at my table it seems not to be working properly, takes too long to come to boil.

if you are feeling Cold walking around in Komtar, this will be a nice restaurant for you to drop by, its not too pricy for the Average Man in the Street for a Family treat.

Fatty Loh Chicken Rice Nagore Road "Branch"

Located in a Prewar Shop House (actually a house) along Nagore Road, (Not too far from New World Park) is a "Branch" of the Famose Fatty Loh Chicken Rice, which is operated by one of the Sons of the Original Fatty Loh. It's Seems there is 3 of this Branch in Penang.

Some 30 plus years back, Fatty Loh Chicken rice, was located at a Shack, and the corner of Fettes Roads, and Jalan Tanjung Tokong. It was one of My family favorite eating spots, as it has one of the best chicken rice in town.

Once the shop close (due to a complex being built there), the 3 brothers split up (I think) each operated their own Fatty Loh Chicken Rice Shop!

Well I drop by at this branch, and had lunch here, Not Bad, still among the top chicken rice, but somehow i still prefer the chicken at the Fettes Road Outlet. However the Service here is much better.

Lye Lye Kopitiam / Food Court

On of my favorite makan place, due to the following, ample parking, wide, airy (thanks to a roof that can open), not pricy, large verity of food, not too congested, hawkers that listen to your order. - Places like this is getting less and less, do not know how long the lease will last at this place.

its location is just off the Jalan Ayer Itam and Jalan Masjid Negeri main roads, Located at Jalan Terangganu, just behind Free School or Hang Chiang School

Delicious Wan Tan Noodles, one of the few stalls that offer the broad noodles instead of the thin narrow ones. Some how more satisfying. This hawker listen to you when you want a DRY version instead of the semi soup version that most hawker does for you. This come with a load of "Kachang / Peanuts" of deep fried pork lard!

Now at most food courts you will find a stall offering western dish, like speghetti

Ok Curry Mee Penang Style of Course !

Penang Poh Piah, Non Fried version of Spring roll

Koey Teow Soup, OK not bad

Lima tingkat Restaurant, Nibong Tabal & Test of Samsung Galaxy W camera

Got tired of being at home, so took the family out for makan, at one of my usual makan place at nibong tebal, penang main land, its also a opportunity to snap some food photo and test out my new hand phone camera.

Camera was set at 3.2mp, (can go up to 5), on auto setting with out flash. The Result is as below, much better then my Nokia 5800 and even my Fuji S700 super compact in low light / night condition even without special settings! Some of the photos have been crop, all have been resize, other then that no adjustments

Restaurant Lima Tingkat, Nibong Tebal, Jalan Sungai Daun near the Pasar Malam site

Breakfast 2nd Day at Concord, Tg Bungah.

We stayed 2 night, the 2nd day breakfast was at Concord, near the Temby International School. this row of houses is slowly converting to business premises, with the above school, TAR college pg campus located around here, and of course Food! the Food we had here is better then the Market Food court.

Sausage and Eggs

Char Koey Teow

Wan Tan Mee

Siew Mai

the converted house to a food court

Breakfast at Tg Bungah Market Food Court

My favorite haunt for Breakfast,

Luncheon Meat and Eggs

Hong Kong Style Chee Cheong fun, with prawns , the best and at RM2.60 per plate

Wantan Mee

and some thing new, Sabah Mee, basically Wan Tan Mee with Fried Mince Pork Meat for RM2.60 Now all the 3 section of the food court stalls are open! More choice!

Dinner at Near Perkaka Square, USM, Penang Island

Dinner at Near Perkaka Square, USM, Penang Island

Was over on the Island at night due to some chores, as such I indulge my self and my family with my favorite pastime, Kopit Tiam Food.

Did not get the Name of this kopi tiam but its near the Tesco Extra near USM / Bangunan Lip Sin or Perkaka Square, located at the corner shop house. Parking you can find in this area, this is one of the important criteria for me when looking for food. What struck my attention was right infront of the kopi tiam is 2 malay stall, one selling satay (normal) and the other one selling steam rice with ayam goring berempah (never seen this at a kopi tiam) and one Indian lady selling char koey kak, which is unusual. Will have to come back for this two dish!

We had, Chicken Rice, (with extra rice) RM4.50 from the Chicken Porriage Stall, the Chicken serve is debone, overall pass. Cheese Omelette, to me dry, its cook the normal Malaysian way, Char Koey Teow, Wife say it’s good, Loh Mee, the Gravy was very sticky! , Young Tau hu, with some noodles, Boleh makan,

Deep Fried Chicken skin as appetizer

Overall up to Penang Standard, But I have a feeling that we did not order the best the kopi tiam can offer.

"Giant" Group of Bikers at around noon at Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway

While driving over to the Island around Noon yesterday 30/11/2011, there was this big group of bikers crossing the bridge, (occupying around 1/2 a lane), when approaching Tesco (after the bridge) along Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway, these biker join a massive group of bikers already there.

This Massive group was blocking the approach road to Tesco, the slip road out, as well as the emergency lane.

I was wondering what this big assembly of bikers is there for (at that time). When reading the news today I heard that there was a demonstration at Komtar. Now I am wondering if this giant group of bikers has anything to do with this demonstration.

Fatty Loh Chicken Rice at Jalan Fettes, Penang

Last time I eat here at this outlet was 3 years back.

Then this place has a car park at the side, the eating area is just like a kopi tiam. Now the car park is a 3 story building with James Foo & Family Western Food at the Ground Floor (open at night only), the other 2 story is to be rented out.

The Chicken is as good as before, just like what it was 20, 30, 35 years back when we first started eating here. (same road, different location)

But there are much changes, its now aircon, decorated with antiques, food serve in stainless steel plates & bowl, manmar waiters, however chicken is still as good as ever, the chilly sauce is divine, the rice quality use to be slightly better, the braised chicken leg is ......... different to say

Anyway Chicken Rice one person set, extra rice, one bowl of soup, one bowl of braised chicken leg = RM7.60, One Barley ice (in a stainless steel glass) = RM1.20, no can drinks ......... Affordable.

Perak Lane Char Koey Teow

I discovered this "shack" on Perak Lane, near the Jalan Julotong Junction (sorry no GPS as my garmin is giving me some problems) where you can have Good Char Koey Teow, among other things for a afternoon snack.
the Char Koey Teow is good enough that we have to wait around 15 min for him to cook the takeaways orders, so we indulge our self with Loh Bak, Pretty good also !

When the Char Koey Teow finally came, it was worth the wait! Now I have another spot for Afternoon Char Koey Teow at Penang Island.

First Time trying out Nando Peri Peri Chicken

Nando Peri Peri Chicken@ Quensbay Mall, Penang

Had a late lunch today 2pm, after a few private meeting and attempting to see an Andriod (Mid) Tablet, at Queensbay Mall. I decided on Roast Chicken as it was a long time since I had roast chicken in Restaurants. Of the 3 Roast Chicken Place, at the mall I went to the only Roast Chicken Place I have not tried out before, Nondos.

I ordered the Peri Peri Soup, with Garlic Bread, The ¼ chicken (Lemon and mild flavor) with 2 sides of Potato Salad and Coslaw, and a Bottomless Ice Lemon Tea. Damage came up to RM32+, to me its a tad expensive for a chicken meal for one person.

The Peri Peri Sauce was unusual, I tried the garlic one (not enough garlic ummph – to me that is, it was Spicy! enough) The chicken was well cook, but not tough or dry (I was serve the breast part) So it got a high rating for me, the sides, coslaw was the vinegar type, but its nice not complaints though I am more use to the mayo type, the potato salad was skin on covered with a thousand island type of sauce. The bottomless Ice Lemon tea was the usual commercial type, and was indeed bottomless once the service staff hit their stride, They refill my glass 3 times, even after I ask for the bill.

Would I choose Nondos over Kenny Rogers and Dave Deli. Yes I would, if only for the sit down service provided. Thumbs up, and Keep it up

Good Nasi Lemak at BM

On of the rare good food finds at a Air Con Commercial Food Court is this Nasi Lemak Stall at Tesco Bukit Mertajam, (Alma), Penang Main Land. (i usually find food at Air Con Food Courts not up to the mark)

Cost RM4.50 for a Plate of Nasi Lemak with Ayam Berempah (Fried Chicken with spices) with the usual condiments. Its Burning Spicy Hot, (the Sambal) Just nice for me (Be warn, go easy on the sambal, if you cannot stand it.)

What make it out standing the a very rare and exceptionally good Fried Chicken, Most Fried Chicken is usually stone cold and hard, very hard, which is a sign of multiple frying and reheating. The Fried Chicken here succulent (8 of 10 time) and is never hard, well marinated. Shopping Here will mean a Plate of Nasi Lemak with Ayam Berempah for me.

Hardwicke House, Penang Daily BBQ Buffet Only Restaurant

Attention Update: When I pass by a few day ago, It seems that Harwicke House BBQ is now close. Jan 2011.

Blog (Viral) marketing works, this can be seen at the Packed Hardwicke House Nightly BBQ buffet, after it had invited around 10+ blogger to a free dinner at the Restaurant. When my colleague call for a reservation (around lunch time) of 3 person for a sat nightwe were inform that there is only a small corner table for us. At 30 min before the reservation time the restaurant call to confirm if we are coming.

Hardwicke House is a old mansion, now housing a restaurant within a compound/car park of a Skyscrapper just off Gurney Drive, Penang Nite Hang Out area. The Restaurant does not do alacarte, What it does is Buffet, There is a daily lunch buffet at RM18 ++ per person and there is a daily night buffet at RM38++ per person (I was thinking RM38++ is a very reasonable rate for a BBQ) and with all the Photos show, I and my colleagues were interested enough to travel over the water to partake the buffet, and to see what all the fuss is about.

Ambiance of the Restaurant is good, wine celler type of bar, and the rest was just like a colonial government servant house of yesteryears, ( I should know, I stay in 3 of those for a total 14 years)

So ladies and gentlemen, this is not a paid for post or a invited post ie makan free or you get paid for posting this, I spend RM131.10 for 3 persons, 5 hours of my time, and petrol and toll money coming over from the main land, so I will not post photos of the buffet as there are many already out there. (thankfully there were no traffic jam on this sat night)

The Buffet is shoe horn in to the restaurant tiny lobby, so when you step in the food is all there, there are alot of food verity with some of the cheffing dish sharing 3 individual items, the BBQ seafood were all dump in to one cheffing dish as well, and well non lineal laid out, all the sauce were with the salad, even sauce like mustard, the accompaniments (a lot) for the bar be que were place quite a distance from the BBQ items, the Roast Lamb were next to the desserts and fruits though not too far away from the main dish.

I must say that there is a lot of verity, (expensive and cheep) but even with the tiny lobby one could have a more lineal flow of the food, with the accompaniments being place next to each other.

What disappoint me is there is no appetizers other then salad and a generic from the can/tub cream of chicken soup, (not even bits of chicken in it) However there is a very large verity of salads, with a large verity of sauce and accompaniments provided. There is also a verity of fresh bread with butter.

Next were the main course, (I went 3 time to keep things separated) , first I took the Roast Lamb Leg drench in Brown sauce, I had mustard and mint sauce as well. Bake Salmon fish, I had the spaghetti with out the beef bolognaise sauce provided. topped with (Fresh) Parmesan cheese, and about the last piece of tandoori chicken. Ok I suppose, the lamb is tender thought a bit tasteless. The Salmon is slightly rough, But the Tandoori was superb.

Next were the BBQ items, No more Tandoori, I had the grilled lamb (sorry forgot to take a photo), some small bbq prawns, baby crab, (no squid left) and there were only shells of the shellfish left) , Lamb with the mint sauce is good, prawn though small is excellent in taste and freshness.

My third round of the main course were concentrated on the indian food. I took Naan bread from the BBQ section, and had it the the brinja sambal, dhall (sorry photo not so good) chicken curry, and the mutton curry. Suberb all of them. ( think that the chef specialize in India cusine) - After a long wait finally manage to get two pieces of chicken tendoori, fresh from the oven so to speak, very nice, tasty, tender, very definite not dry like some other places.

By the time we hit the wide verity of dessert, the buffet were almost out of the cake and jelly, there were a buffet of 6 verity of ice cream with 3 sauce, fruits as well, I had some nice ice cream, black forest and a piece of jelly.

Free Non Alcoholic Beverage, Now all this (and alot more) came to RM38++, with 6 verity of non alcoholic drink, Service in general is ok, not fantastic, there were some small hic cups here and there but generally satisfactory considering its full house, but what disappoint me was with all the bloggers talking about the wine and beer, no one bother to ask us if we wanted wine or beer.

Photo of a wine country (france) poster in the WC!

Pro

• service generally attentive though at time not so good, took 10 min to get the bill, saw a cook playing with his hand phone,
  
• Reservation reconfirmed
  
• Good Ambiance
  
• Food in General OK, though certain refill was slow
• No problems with parking, plenty of parking space. In fact the whole car park is yours even with a pack restaurant, good place to have a gathering.
  
• Large verity of food and drink

Cons

• Air Condition in my corner table is not so good as compared with the rest of the restaurant
• The main dining area have a slight cafeteria feel, (due to cramming in table and chairs) but the corner I was in is damm good for romantic dinner with a few right touches.
• Refill may be a bit slow for the buffet.
• no appetizers
  

Possible Improvements

I may be picking at small little things, I feel Hardwicke house can be further improve with a few more small touches.

• Firstly this is suppose to be a barbeque, and they also have a open outdoor space, so why dont do a open air bbq where passes by along the busy main roads can see?
  
• Reserve the corner I was in for Intimate Dinners, and rectify the air flow there for more coolness (there is a big split unit air con there)
  
• More Lineal flow for the buffet.
  
• Utilize the open air area and the Poach area for smokers dinners and space out the tables in the main dinning room a bit.
  

Conclusion

• A nice and affordable BBQ dinning Experience
  
• Good Crowd, Nice Ambiance
  
• Keep up the good work. i was just pickie on small little things.
  

Restaurant C ordinates N 5,25,39, E 100, 19, 13 cutesy of wikimips

all photos by Nokia N82