Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts

Sunday, April 30, 2023

SERENE STAYCATION AT AMARI SPICE PENANG


Connected to SPICE Arena (Penang's newly renovated indoor sports arena and preferred MICE venue), the Amari SPICE Penang hotel in Bayan Baru is easily accessible via the second link from Butterworth. It's about 20 minutes away by car from  Georgetown but you won’t miss much of the hurly-burly pace.

Tastefully designed with a minimalist, arty approach, the 453-room hotel boasts a spacious lobby with lofty ceiling. Gigantic modernist sculpture of the nutmeg, shelves of bric-a-bracs and potted palms add visual interest and splashes of colour.
A smiling frontline team welcomed us upon check-in and formalities were swiftly dispensed with, allowing us to go straight to our Deluxe room. 
Spacious with neutral tones, the floor-to-ceiling window accords an expansive view of the SPICE arena 
and nearby buildings against a verdant green hilly backdrop.

The executive desk gave ample elbow room and together with an ergonomically design chair, made working a breeze. We give extra brownie points for the USB-type ports and international traveller-friendly plug points. My favourite is the cushy chaise lounge with ottoman, ideal for reading or power napping.

Like the lobby and public spaces, artworks by local artists adorn the rooms. A mini coffee brewing machine with a box filled with tea bags and accoutrements, a smart flat-panel TV with a wireless sound bar are the in-room conveniences.

I like the practical, sizeable bathroom with brightly-lit mirror and vanity top. The rain shower is powerful and its easily adjustable flow made us reluctant to step out whilst the wardrobe comes with an iron and ironing board, a weighing scale, a hairdryer, slippers and bathrobes.
The bed with just the right degree of firmness and fluffy pillows ensured we slept like logs.
Amaya Food Gallery – the all-day dining restaurant on Level 4 – comprises lots of seating space and dedicated live action kitchens. 
The generous spread of East-meets-West breakfast and dinner buffet selections draw inspiration from Penang, Malaysia, and Asia; leaving diners utterly spoiled for choice.


Outside patio seating overlooks nicely landscaped water feature, plenty of semi-alfresco and outdoor seating. Easy access to the purpose-designed jogging/walking path adjacent to SPICE Penang makes it a boon for exercise buffs.
Ascending a short flight of stairs from the patio, we found ourselves at the 25m salt water swimming pool. Insta-worthy nooks abound as the poolside cum sun deck area is surrounded by greenery and nice view. Breeze Spa and the 24-hour, well-equipped Fit Centre gym are mere steps away.

If there’s one compelling reason to stay at Amari SPICE Penang, it would be the heavenly massage therapies at Breeze Spa. The two spa consultants who attended to us are so patient and well-versed in their skills, my daughter and I couldn’t believe when our one-hour session flew past in the blink of an eye.

From the various Signature Mood Massages available, I chose Dreamy – a combination of hypnotic aromas and long, flowing massage strokes ideal for alleviating tension from a busy day, a long flight or life’s daily hustle. My daughter chose Serene – soothing long strokes and palm pressure techniques to get rid all the knots and kinks in her stiff muscles.
We surrendered to the petal-strewn foot wash and scrub before we were ushered to one of the dimly-lit spa treatment rooms. Employing our preferred choice of essential oil, the ladies gently yet firmly worked on us until we succumbed to a blissful state of mind. It was well-worth the price as we felt instantly invigorated and relaxed post-therapy.
For reservations at Amari SPICE Penang, tel: 04 683 1188. Address: 2 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang


Wednesday, July 12, 2017

CULINARY CHARMS OF CHINA HOUSE



Gluttony should be a virtue for those who enter the threshold of China House. Go on, cut yourself some slack and simply succumb to the siren’s call of this unique F&B haven. A brainchild of Narelle McMurtrie who founded the now defunct Bon Ton restaurant in KL then the restaurant and resort in Langkawi, China House spans 3 heritage buildings linked by an open-air courtyard in Penang.




First-timers are encouraged to enter through the 155 Beach Street entrance where the Kopi C Espresso Café & Bar is decked with a long table laden with an eye-opening parade of cakes and sweet temptations.

Stroll further in and you’d find BTB & Restaurant and Bon Ton the Shop II. The Reading Room is popular with bookworms and families − the bookcases are filled with mags and reading materials including children’s books. In addition, a small colouring and painting space here keeps the young ones occupied.

Off to the side is Vine & Single, a cosy wine and single malt whisky bar. Also onsite is 14 Chairs, a private dining space for small groups, guest chefs’ pop-up events and cooking classes.




Stepping out into the Courtyard Café & Burger Bar, this al fresco space with a pond and leafy mango trees is an oasis of calm amidst interesting wall murals. Right at the end of the outbuilding walk is the Canteen & Bar, a hot spot for music and drinks at dusk. Ascend upstairs beyond the Beach St Bakery and you’d find art galleries and a multi-purpose performance space.


 


Such a colourful and intriguing cornucopia makes China House a popular outpost with foreign and domestic visitors to Penang. When we visited on a weekday, the place was buzzing and occasionally, customers even had to wait for tables to be vacated.
 
Friends in the know already warned us ahead of time China House is a cake haven prior to our visit. A double decked bakery table beckons with no less than 30 cakes daily. Of course, it was hard for sweet-toothed peeps like us to decide so finally, we settled on two distinctly different choices: Lemon & Raspberry 3 Milk Cake (RM18+) and Pineapple Chocolate Upside Down Cake (RM12+).




Happily, my maiden encounter with this famous Mexican tres leches cake, so-called because whole milk, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk are used to make it, was a pleasurable experience. Despite the cake’s somewhat dry appearance, we found it nice and moist. Also the lemon-raspberry accent worked like a charm and served lightly sauced, we devoured the hefty wedge down to the last crumb.




Pineapple upside down cake has always been an evergreen fave of mine but eating a chocolatey version was another first. It was agreeable taste-wise but the purist in me believes the classic recipe takes the cake anytime.

Consciously trying to fit in more greens into our meal, we then picked on a healthy serving of Avocado, Cashewnuts & Feta Salad (RM40+) as our meal opener. It proved a great choice as the substantial serving also has grapes, cranberries and peppery rocket leaves in the equation. Tossed in pomegranate dressing and crowned with a crisp slice of savoury parmesan biscotti, it was a munch-worthy speciality we’d gladly return for.




Another inspired option was Laos Chicken & Pumpkin Curry (RM40+). Similar to nasi lemak minus the unabashedly lemak-richness, the delicious platter paired a banana leaf cone of coconut rice with piquant pumpkin-chicken curry studded with pumpkin seeds. Sidelines of green mango-coconut kerabu, zesty acar, small dishes of sambal and chilli jam with fried crackers added to the homespun flavours of the meal.




I was flummoxed by the house speciality of Hokkien Spaghetti Bolognese (RM37+). The al dente spaghetti Bolognese was agreeable but I found it underwhelming for my palate, in spite of the textural and taste dimensions provided by cucumber ribbons with minced chicken, eggplant ginger bud sambal, and caramelised peanuts. Still, we were told this was a big hit with customers so you should be the best judge on whether it’s a hit or a miss.



If you have reached the tipping point with local hawker fare, find comfort in familiar Western offerings such as a decent Beef Burger (RM23+). Few can fault the decent 150g beef patty topped with melted cheese, Japanese mustard aioli, caramelised onion, and pickled Japanese cucumber with the serving of chunky fries on the side.

Non-alcoholic drinks are given ample attention here. Besides the usual gamut of canned carbonated drinks and fruit juices, it pays to peruse the lengthy beverage menu for inspiring thirst-quenchers like Gula Melaka Shake (RM20.80+), reputedly the most ordered drink in the house; a sublime, slightly nutty milkshake whipped with almonds and gooey, caramel-thick palm sugar syrup.

Other viable family-friendly options range from Oreo Milkshake (RM20.80+) to the bohemian-sounding Rainbow Juice (RM14.80+) with pineapple, strawberry and mango or freshly made Mint Lime with Cranberry (RM12.80+).
 Note:  Prices quoted inclusive 6% GST & subject to 10% service charge


For reservations, call China House, tel: 04-263 7299. Address: 153 & 155, Beach Street and 183B Victoria Street, George Town, Penang. www.chinahouse.com.my


 


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