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

 

DINE IN STYLE AT E&O HOTEL PENANG

Afternoon Tea At 1885

Guests can feast like kings and queens when they stay at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O Hotel). Five out of the six F&B dining outlets on premise are open to the public while the sixth - Planters Lounge - caters exclusively for guests of the E&O Hotel’s Victory Annexe.  

As tribute to the year the E& Hotel was established, 1885 serves classical dishes with modern inflections in a sophisticated setting that oozes posh exclusivity harking back to the colonial era of yesteryears.

 

We were hosted by the E&O Hotel's genial marcomm director Eileen Chong for a la-di-da English Afternoon Tea (RM65.30 nett per person) in the spacious Gold Room. Many VIPs including the current President of the US (you know who-lah) have dined in this posh space before...so can you with a minimal spend of RM1K.

 

Gilt trims on white walls, plush floral carpet underfoot and French doors looking out to landscaped gardens accord plenty of privacy in the room. It was fun, slipping into tai tai mode for that afternoon, trying to decide on which of the 16 types of tea we should order.

Since I was intrigued by the idea of boozy nuances in my tea, I chose the Irish Whiskey Cream -- malty Assam autumn tea with faint smoky cocoa husk & aroma which was brewed for 4 minutes. Hubby's choice of Jasmine Gold had the scent of freshly plucked jasmine petals rounding off the fine Chinese tea, brewed for 3 minutes.

Special mention must be made of the savoury array of finger sandwiches. Here, the magnificent seven varieties include roast beef with grain mustard mayonnaise on village bread, cucumber with cream cheese & dill on white-brown bread, chicken breast with horseradish cream on white bread, Scottish smoked salmon with lemon butter on poppy seed bread, egg mayo with chopped shallot & alfalfa sprouts vol au vent, soft cheddar cheese & ripe tomato on whole wheat bread, and lemon chicken salad with celery in puff pastry. A good testament to their deliciousness is when both kids and adults reach out for second helpings.

Forget about canned whipped cream and run-of-the-mill jam as 1885 only proffered housemade strawberry jam and real clotted cream to accompany its warm, oven-fresh Raisin and Plain Scones. A decidedly sublime treat that went splendidly with our cuppa.

Despite their dainty portions, the selection of Cakes & Tea Pastries was ample tummy fillers. Depending on the chef's choice for the day, the luscious line-up may include mini fruit tartlets, brownies, macarons, cheesecake and a pudding of sorts. Decadent but hey, you only lived once so forget about the guilt trip and just enjoy!

Buffet Takes Centrestage at SARKIES

Buffet is a top draw at Sarkies, a charming colonial-style restaurant adorned with black & white floor tiles, rattan wrought cane chairs and marble topped tables. A popular culinary oasis with Penang folks especially for its expansive buffet spread, a meal here traverses tempting choices from east to west, local to international.

 

 

Unless you have a gargantuan appetite, it pays to be selective when you hit the food parade. Recommended specialities from reliable friends range from Roast Duck and Char Kway Teow to the a la minute Grilled Fish and assorted Curries.

Prowling around the different counters devoted to a myriad of cuisine, my top picks include a turmeric-yellow chicken curry (above), chilled seafood, mutton curry, the vast salad bar and roti canai made on the spot.

 

Kid-friendly options abound too. The maki sushi was a riot of colours and appetising flavours as are the pizzas and noodles available. Of course, reserve stomach space for the bewildering variety of dessert if you have a sweet tooth.

Opened from 6.30pm to 10.30pm daily, Sarkies serves buffet breakfast (6.30am -10.30am), buffet lunch (12noon - 2.30pm) and buffet dinner (7pm - 10.30pm). The restaurant is at the Victory Annexe and distinctly separate from Sarkies Corner which proffers a la carte specialities from 10am to 11pm.

For more information on 1885 or Sarkies, please visit: http://www.eohotels.com/