Showing posts with label bartender. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bartender. Show all posts

Sunday, July 12, 2020

TIPPLES & TREATS AT FARQUHAR'S BAR

Lovers of Happy Hours and discerning bon vivant who yearn to slake their thirst can make a beeline for the much-loved Farquhar’s Bar. Remodelled as a vintage cocktail bar, Farquhar’s Bar at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang is relocated further down the marble and French doors walkway at the newly refreshed Heritage Wing.
Subdued, mellow lighting coupled with deep teal blue hues and white cornices evoke a rarefied atmosphere similar to a gentlemen’s club and private study. The oak and brass-finished long bar serves as a focal point near the entrance whilst the inner sanctum boasts studded leather Chesterfield sofas, retro arm and wing back chairs, antique fittings, and collections of monochrome prints. Scenic views of Penang’s waterfront beckon beyond its expansive picture windows.
Cocktail o’clock has never been more atas...the resident mixologists are adept at whisking up classic and contemporary tipples. To wet our whistle, we opted for Gin Setengah (RM45) – London Dry Gin with Grand Marnier, longan and a splash of pineapple juice (3rd pix below); Pink Lady (RM50) – London Dry Gin with Applejack, lemon juice, housemade grenadine and egg white (2nd pix below); and Moscow Mule (RM45) – Vodka, lime juice and spicy ginger beer (pix below).
Moscow Mule
Should you wish to chase your drinks of choice with light refreshments, the snack creations are worth the calorie intake. Simplistic in approach but lush and big on flavour is Potato & Caviar (RM28), airy-light potato crisps with sour cream and caviar dip.
Heartier but a definite palate-pleaser is the sumptuous and melty Gruyère Cheese Sandwich (RM28). Savoury rich with a smoky aftertaste, the brioche toast triangles were sublime and satisfying.
Delectable options to stave off hunger pangs include Peranakan Sliders (RM20) of braised duck breast sandwiched in crispy mantou with chilli dip, and
Beef Lollipop (RM28) – superbly tender and juicy marinated beef cubes with saffron and garlic aioli. 
Having sampled them, the snacks hit the spot well. We even ordered additional portion of the Beef Lollipop and Gruyère Cheese Sandwich.
Note: Farquhar’s Bar is open daily from 230pm to midnight during the pre-Covid19 days. To sample the Sundowners' Tapas mentioned above, head over to Palm Court from 4pm to 7pm daily (refer below pix).
For more information and reservations, please call Eastern & Oriental Hotel Penang, tel: 016-419 8923 or visit:


Tuesday, August 27, 2019

THE FILL-UP GAME AT THE STICKY WICKET


 
Cricket enthusiasts will be seventh heaven when they step into this quintessential British pub where prized cricket memorabilia takes pride of place.
A cosily furnished VIP lounge and intimate private dining room tucked away upstairs are ideal for special events or celebratory parties. With Happy Hours taking place Monday to Saturday from 12noon to 7pm and around the clock on Sunday, The Sticky Wicket is just the place to wet your whistle with a Gin & Tonic (RM9.80++ per glass).
Also helping to keep spirits up is the Gin Buffet (RM75++ for 3 glasses, RM120++ for 5 glasses) featuring a choice of 8 premium gin: Hendrick’s, The Botanist, Gin Mare, Citadelle, Rutte, St George Spirits, Poli 1898 and The Bitter Truth — you can enjoy it neat, on the rocks or mixed with tonic (RM9-RM17).


Otherwise, resident bartender S.Roy is always happy to rustle up a Whisky Sour (he bowls a mean one too) or a cocktail or two to ensure things go with a smooth flow.
 

My personal pick of the crop is Somerset (RM29), a gin and tonic reminiscent of a boozy, liquidy apple pie — it’s spiked with fresh green apple juice, organic apple cider vinegar and house-made cinnamon syrup.

Fancy a tall one as how legendary cricket umpire Harold Dickie Bird likes it? Then stump up for Dickie Bird (RM39), a crisp and dry marriage of Monkey 47 sloe gin and Campari balanced with fresh lemon juice, Yorkshire tea syrup and a splash of apple juice.
More batty tipples to slake the thirst of cricket-mad fans include The Bowler (RM39) and The Record Breaker (RM48). The former is named after Australian cricketer Sydney Barnes; a concoction of pear infused vodka, Campari, guava, candy floss cloud and Peychaud bitter shower whilst the latter comprises Beefeater, elderflower, honey-infused beer, fresh grapes and pineapple juice.
 
Classic pub grub with subtle Asian tweaks is the name of the game here. Designed for easy eating and as accompaniment for a cold beer, crowd-pleasing nibbles such as Salted Egg Yolk with Calamari (RM35), and Pulled Beef or Chicken Poutine (RM36) are conceived for sharing.

Tossed with salted egg yolk sauce and curry leaves, the deep-fried squid rings prove on-point whilst the pulled beef brisket or shredded chicken over chips smothered with cheese and gravy seems hearty enough to be a meal on its own. Although we have some misgiving about the runny egg on top, other patrons may like the extra richness it bestows.


Partial to a Pommie fry-up? Then go the whole hog with The Full English (RM38), the house all-day brekkie with the works: 2 sunny side up eggs, beef bacon, sausages, mushroom, tomatoes, fried bread and baked beans. Had it not been for the chucks of beef bacon and shrivelled mushroom, it would have been a full toss.
The captain’s innings on this occasion comes from the scrumptious Fish & Chips (Cod RM60/Pollock RM36). Served piping hot with thick-cut chips and mushy peas, the sweet, flaky beer-battered cod fillet is easy bait to fall hook, line and sinker for.
Comparable to a marvellous display of glovesmanship, The Sticky Wicket Beef Rib Burger (RM42) is worth making tummy space for. Instead of regular burger patty, you get a delectable mound of braised beef short rib pulled and placed on a burger bun alongside caramelised onion, fresh rocket and a mac & cheese waffle.

De Silva’s Crab Kottu (RM36) also strikes a resonant chord as Sri Lanka’s kottu roti with zingy-hot crab meat curry and crispy soft shell crab isn’t your average pub bill of fare.


 
 

Playing on to tempt punters are Fried Leg Stump (RM32), juicy golden brown chicken leg smothered with mushroom sauce, mashed potato, salad and mixed vegetables; Crispy Lamb Shank (RM58) served on herb-infused mash and naughty bean sauce; and Springbok Boerewers (RM69), half a kilo of chunky sausage meat sizzling in spicy curry sauce.
 
For a sweet taste of victory, plump for Sticky Date Pudding (RM22) with Madagascar vanilla bean sauce crème anglaise or Sweet Appam (RM8), crisp and delicate Sri Lankan pancakes with a fluffy soft centre, drizzled with coconut milk and gula Melaka or a scoop of chocolate ice cream (RM5).

For reservations at THE STICKY WICKET, call tel: 03-2011 5378 or 012-444 2957. Address: 34, Plaza Damansara , Medan Setia 2 , Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur. Business hours: 12 noon to 2 am daily.

Featured Post

EXPLOSIVE SURPRISE FROM CAKE RUSH

Whimsical. Fun. Impactful. Imagine a flock of butterflies fluttering up once you open Cake Rush’s latest Explosion Gift Box. We were thrille...