A STABLE OF CNY SPECIALS BY THE ORIENTAL GROUP

A playful yet auspicious centrepiece – a horse head-shaped ceramic pot by Color King – cradling the Takeaway Poon Choi steals the limelight at The Oriental Group’s recent Chinese New Year preview.

 
Priced at RM688 inclusive of the charming keepsake pot, this festive indulgence requires a minimum three-hour pre-order. Lift the lid and you’ll find a layered bounty to level up your family reunion meal.

 
Whole five-head abalone, sea cucumber, fish maw and dried scallops anchor the poon choi with deep umami accents. Dig deeper to uncover delectable chunks of free-range chicken, roast duck, roast pork, prawn balls and squid.

 
Rustic and comforting treasures: dried oysters, fatt choi (black sea moss), lingzhi mushrooms, yam, Chinese cabbage and gluten complete the picture — each ingredient chosen not just for symbolism, but for how it absorbs and enriches the broth. Collectively, the poon choi emerges as a tasty communal dish.

 
No CNY table is complete without loh hei, and diners are spoilt for choice with seven variations of Yee Sang. From Crispy Fish Skin (Medium RM118, Large RM158) and Soft Shell Crab (M RM138, L RM178) to Salmon & Anchovies or Grilled Iberico Pork Neck (both M RM138, L RM178), each version leans into palate-pleasing textures and flavours.

At the preview, a surf-and-turf pairing of soft shell crab and grilled Iberico pork neck stood out. Crisp, succulent and meaty elements intertwined seamlessly, unified by a house-made,  sweet and tangy plum sauce.

In homage to the Year of the Horse, culinary craftsmanship results in Roast Treasure Duck (RM78 half, RM148 whole), deftly carved and creatively reassembled into a galloping steed. Beyond its visual flourish, the duck impresses with crisp, lacquered skin and juicy flesh. A delicate stuffing of lotus seeds and chestnuts adds soft, nutty contrasts to temper the richness.

 
Equally impressive is the ‘Prancing Year of the Horse’ Farm Chicken (RM168 each). Smoked over fragrant pu-er tea leaves, the free-range chicken is tender and aromatic with the muted tea smoke lending a refined bitterness that showcases chef’s restraint and understanding of balance.

 
My personal favourite has to be the stellar Iberico Golden Pork Cheek (RM88 per portion). Pan-fried until meltingly tender, the pork cheek is coated in subtly sweet, glossy chef’s special sauce (industry speak for house-made saucy recipes). Cubes of Californian honeydew provide a refreshing counterpoint, cutting through the richness with its natural juicy sweetness.

 
Designed to spark joy around the table, the Abundance Claypot Rice (RM188 for four persons) came crowned with sizeable freshwater prawns, fried garlic mince and spring onions. Each grain of rice exudes enticing prawny sweetness and heady aromatics, making the whole pot of rice irresistibly moreish.

 
Traditionalists will appreciate the Evergreen Blooming Cabbage (RM118), a dish symbolising continuous growth and prosperity. Those tender braised pork tendons, soft beancurd sheets and dried scallops wrapped within tender cabbage leaves are deeply satisfying, elevating a humble vegetable dish into an epicurean delight.

 
The Steamed Nian Nian You Yu Soon Hock (seasonal price) also left a lasting impression with its notable garnishing of chopped Chinese black olives, three types of aged radish and preserved vegetables. 

Mildly salty and umami-laden, edged with subtle hints of aged mandarin peel, the condiments enhance the fish’s natural sweetness — a mark of confident Cantonese cooking.

 
To end on a sweet note, the customary Deep-fried Nian Gao with Yam & Sweet Potato makes its appearance. Crisp on the outside while remaining soft and chewy within, the festive treat carries heartfelt wishes for progress and success, appealing equally to the young and the young at heart.

 
The Oriental Group’s Chinese New Year set menus range from RM1,888 to RM9,888 per table of ten. Smaller families and intimate gatherings can opt for Individual Set Menus priced between RM198 and RM598 per person (minimum two persons). Thoughtfully crafted and rich in symbolism, this is a celebratory feast honouring tradition while showcasing culinary finesse.

For reservations and further information, please contact The Oriental Group of Restaurants through the official website: https://www.orientalrestaurants.com.my/
 
 
 

RELAXING YEAR-END GETAWAY AT AMARI SPICE PENANG

A splendid haven to revel in. The Executive Lounge on level 25 of Amari SPICE Penang is not only a serene breakfast spot but also a great place to get some work done anytime of the day.

The team on duty is courteous and friendly, quick to attend to your every need; from serving breakfast to whipping up an evening cocktail, they’re ever-ready to lend a hand.

 

This time we stayed in an Executive Deluxe room which accorded us access to the Executive Lounge. We love lounging by the floor-to-ceiling windows where expansive views of the nearby golf course and the park adjacent to the SPICE Convention Centre and SPICE Arena are visible.

 

We were stoked to find an in-room coffee machine in addition to the regular kettle for tea-making. In addition to complimentary Penang tau sar pneah (mung bean biscuits) and nutmeg sweets, we discovered the mini bar stocked with water and soft drinks were on the house.

The smart workspace with international plug-points and Wi-Fi proved to be a boon when I needed to tackle some work. For a spot of reading, the cushy chaise lounge with ottoman was perfect.

 

As Executive level guests, we have the luxury of enjoying breakfast at Amaya Food Gallery or ordering our choice of complimentary breakfast in the Exec Lounge. We barely needed to lift a finger as the team pampered us at every turn; plying us with coffee and tea and serving our choice of breakfast.

Whether it’s Nasi Lemak and Fried Kway Teow to Welsh Rarebit and Breakfast Egg Set, guests can order from the a la carte selection listed.

Out of curiosity, I had Welsh Rarebit – basically a sandwich of rye bread with Cheddar cheese, fried egg, Worcestershire sauce, mustard and salad. Simple but I liked it. My hubby’s Boat Noodles passed muster.

Laid out on the counter are assorted cold cuts, cheese, cereals, dried fruit and nuts, fresh fruit slices, French pastries and condiments: butter, jams, honeycomb, etc for toast. Bottled juices, detox water, yoghurt and muesli are found in the chiller.

Opened from 6.30 am to 10.30 pm, light refreshments are served throughout the day. From 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm, you can order classic cocktails and creative mocktails, house pouring wine and selected liquor drinks to complement hors d’oeuvres whilst enjoying the view at dusk from the lounge.

Other privileges for Executive level guests include private check-in and check-out services, complimentary pressing of 3 garments on arrival and complimentary meeting room use (maximum 2 hours, subject to prior booking and availability).

Dinner at the spacious Amaya Food Gallery, the all-day dining restaurant on Level 4, also made our stay truly memorable. During our visit, Amari SPICE Penang hosted Thai chefs from its sister hotel in Bangkok for a promotional stint so the dinner buffet highlighted a myriad of delicious Thai specialities.

Among the tempting dishes we tried were stir-fried glass noodles with prawns, miang kham (wild betel leaves with condiments), som tam salad, mee krob, seafood tom yam, green curry, Thai iced tea, ‘crying tiger’ grilled beef with chilli dip and tom yam fried rice.

The hotel location is also strategic. Just a short drive away, we enjoyed watching the sunrise and went for a nice morning walk along Karpal Singh Drive, visited the Chew Jetty and as usual, went to eat our fill of local food.

Local life is best experienced at Chowrasta market and its surrounding environs: there’s a wet market, lots of mom-and-pop shops around the vicinity, hawker’s stalls and street-side vendors selling household stuff, casual wear, footwear and toys.    

   
For the year-end school and festive holidays, Amari SPICE Penang has been all decked up with pretty decor and a special 'gingerbread house' selling festive goodies. If you're keen to bring your family for a staycation, Amari SPICE Penang currently has some great packages online:

https://www.amari.com/penang/special-offers/hotel-packages

For reservations at Amari SPICE Penang, tel: 04 683 1188. Address: 2 Persiaran Mahsuri, Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang.