Food Review

When I got my very first digital camera back in Sep 2007, I remember the first food picture I took is from Chili’s. I was ordering Firecracker Fish Fillet (RM28.95++) that time. I was informed that the dishes there are usually big. Unfortunately, this is not the case for the fish fillet I ordered. Kind of unfortunate for the first visit.

Firecracker Fish Fillet

Chili's Dining Area

Another uniqueness in Chili’s is that you can enjoy “bottomless” soft drink, fruit juice, and potato chips. Just call for waitress and they will help you refill the glass.

Time flies by and I had entered Chili’s 4 times. During my 2nd visit (Jan 2008), I ordered “Fajita Quesadillas” (RM 24.95++). I was asked to whether or not to add rice + black bean. Chinese man like me sure say “yes”. I regretted later as I underestimated their dish size. It consists of 8 slices of “kebab ayam” a-like fajitas (and rice! and bean!) and I had to take away some as my dinner that day. This is what we called “BIG”.

Chocolate Banana Smoothies

Tequila-Lime Fish Steak

Bottomless Apple Juice

Chicken Crisper

For 3rd visit, I ordered “Tequila-Lime Fish Steak” (RM26.95++) and again is a small dish (taste okay anyway). I ordered Chicken Crisper on my latest visit on August.

Overall, all the food mentioned tastes good even though it is at expensive side. You should visit Chili’s if you have big stomach and look for big dishes. In fact, their burgers are quite big as well. Many foreign visitors like to visit the place due to “bottomless” drinks and big dishes. I heard that their reservation system is kind of weird as they don’t entertain non-full party and you are not allowed to bring in food from outside. Also, the official website don’t have local menu, which is a minus for cheap slave class like me to prepare enough coins for the meal.

As a result, while waiting for the food to arrive, I copied down some menu items and created a PDF file here so that readers can take a look on the items and prices. It is incomplete and I am not intended to finished it. Always refer to the restaurant’s menu for the latest update. Thanks.

Chili’s menu/price list compiled by me

Name: Chili’s Grill and Bar
Address: Gurney Plaza, Persiaran Gurney, Georgetown, Pulau Penang 10250, Malaysia.
Tel: 04-2101111
Web: http://www.chilis.com/

Few weeks ago I talked about a foodstall in Queensbay Mall called Shilin Taiwan Street. Before the foodstall is opened, there is actually another Taiwanese restaurant at the same floor called Taiwan Bull. My first dish there is seafood stone rice back in 2-Apr-2008, in which personally I feel it is slightly dried (lack of a tasty sauce… a BBQ or kimchi sauce would be nice) even though it has variety of ingredients. The prawns and mussels are fresh anyway.

Recently, thinking of comparing the XXL Crispy Chicken between Taiwan Bull and Shihlin, I revisited the shop again and I ordered the stuff. Most workers are our friends from neighbour country and I hope they are hygiene enough as I “detected” usual odour when the waiter pass the menu to me. Strangely, even though there are many waiters around, you still need to fill in the form and walk to the counter by yourself to pay for the bill first. Even though it follows Taiwanese culture, I feel it is better to let the waitress handles the task and pay after the meal due to different environment and culture here.

I also ordered a dessert called Papaya Coconut Sago 木瓜椰糖西米露 (RM4.50), which tastes like cendol and is quite nice. You should give it a try if you are okay with santan (coconut milk). When I placed my order, I was asked whether or not to include a rice for my XXL Crispy Chicken 超大鸡排 (RM6.90) for additional RM1.00. Chinese likes rice so hell yes! I was worried the dishes will be too dried but luckily there is a soup provided when the dishes arrived.

Papaya Coconut Sago

XXL Crispy Chicken 超大雞排

XXL Crispy Chicken (served with rice and soup)

When the crispy chicken arrived, however, it was chopped into pieces (DUH!) so I can’t compare the size of it. When I tasted the first pieces, immediately I felt that Shihlin’s one is better than this as this one is too dried and not fragrant. It may due to the fact that it had been kept in refigerator for quite some time. Shihlin’s one is juicer and the meat is more tender. Since Shihlin is RM0.90 cheaper, definitely I will go for Shihlin.

However, Taiwan Bull provides more choices in the menu, including the stone rice, noodles, desserts, etc I mentioned about. The dining hall is ample as well compared to Shihlin in which you have to squeeze your balls and bumper to get a seat. By focusing on improvement on existing specialties, Taiwan Bull can be an excellent restaurant around that area.

Name: Taiwan Bull Restaurant
Address: LG45-46, Queensbay Mall, Persiaran Bayan Indah, Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: ??
Web: ??

I noticed this shop at Jalan Hutton when I look for lunch in New Word Park during my birthday. It was nearly 3PM and the lunch hour almost finished so I plan to visit it in other day. When I walk away I noticed a young girl dressed in pink maid custume… uh… uniform walked out thanking leaving guests. 8o I wonder whether there is Sailor Moon inside….

Anyway, here came Friday (15/Aug/08) in which I snake out earlier at 11:30am (in fact, consider “normal” as that is my usual lunch time… wahahaha) and went to the shop to have a try. There is no customer there yet and probably I was their first customer that afternoon… *gulupp* After flipping the simple menu I ordered Nabeyaki Udon & Salmon Temaki Set. At the mean time I snapped some photos…

KissA Koyotei Cafe (Bar Counter)

KissA Koyotei Cafe (Dining Hall View)

Nabeyaki Udon & Salmon Temaki Lunch

The dining hall is spacious with a bar counter serving sake as well. I managed to snap a photo of the maid preparing temaki for me 😳 The girls is wearing short pink maid dress which make this place probably a nice place for guys…. *woohoo*

Getting back to business, the set lunch (RM23.00++) I ordered is not bad as they come with 2 x salmon temaki, nabeyaki udon, chawan-mushi, and fruit. The maids are friendly as they greet you when you arrive, and “arigato gozai masu ta” when you leave.

An area of improvement is perhaps the menu itself to make it informative and attractive enough. For example, I was not aware that green tea is actually free until I received the bill. In the menu, it says additional RM2.80 is required for coffee, english tea, and fruit juice (set lunch), but never mention about green tea which is common in every Japanese restaurant. However, with the attractive maids, who care how much is the addtional cost. Just order Hennesy V.S.O.P and drink with the maids! 😆

Name: kissA Koyotei cafe
Address: No. 148, Grd Flr, Jalan Hutton, 10040 Georgetown, Penang.
Tel: 04-2266272, 04-2264272 (Fax)
Web: http://kissa-koyotei.com

After having a nice hiking this Monday (25-Aug-2008), I took a bath and quickly went out to cure my empty stomach. Thinking of it had been a long time since I tried Red Chopstick Restaurant at i-Avenue, Penang, I planned to try it again that night.

In my opinion, previously the food is just okay. This time, the restaurant decoration seems improved. Also, the restaurant seems “diversify” itself to include even more cuisines. I even saw pasta in the menu even though it looks like Chinese restaurant. Anyway, after flipping through the thick menu, I ordered rice wine chicken claypot set meal (RM9.90), otak-otak poh piah (RM6.00), and cendol with atap chee (RM4.90).

Red Chopstick Restaurant Trademark

Cendol with Atap Chee

砂煲米酒鸡 Claypot Rice Wine Chicken

Otak-Otak Poh Piah

The cendol came first. The ice, however, is not properly shaved as it became an ice ball and I have to use spoon to “dig” it… if versus with the one at Thai Station, I still prefer the later one. For the rice wine claypot, unfortunately it tastes like chicken cooked with sweet ginger soup. I am expecting it to have little wine+spicy taste but it is too sweet. For the otak-otak poh piah, even though the skin is well fried, the otak-otak, including the fish, was tasteless. Perhaps the chef should make it juicier.

As a whole, even though the menu items had been increased, Red Chopstick should focus on identifying their specialties, and improving them from the feedback of customers.

Name: Restaurant Red Chopstick

Wikimapia

As mentioned in my previous post, I had my lunch at Gurney Driver during my birthday… alone. It is Mr. Pot at Gurney Drive. When I arrived there at 3PM, there are quite a number of customers there, with some of them bring a laptop surfing net and some of them meeting friends… talking business.

Sandwich Cordon Bleu

Mocha Banana Smoothie

After flipping through the menu I ordered one Sandwich Cordon Bleu (RM 12.50++) and one Mocha+Banana+Hazelnut+Vanila Smoothie (RM9.80++). The Cordon Bleu is just an average chicken Cordon Bleu stuffed with cheese and ham.

However, judging on the fact that this restaurant is running 24 hours, it is expected the price to be slightly expensive. The menu comes with other local cuisine as well as variety of toasts good for breakfast. It should be a place for friends to hang out and chit chat.

Gurney Drive (Tunnel)

Gurney Drive (Skinny Birds)

Gurney Drive (Low Tide)

After leaving the restaurant, I took some photos on ugly beach of Gurney Drive. When I was small, my parents used to bring me here for food, especially chestnut. The food is sold along the Gurney Drive but now is no longer available.

Last Friday (22/08/2008), again, I was not sure where to venture for lunch. Thinking of buying a sandal * as my existing one already worn off, plus I can’t find an affordable one nearby, I decided to go to Prangin Mall and look for the item and at the mean time enjoy my lunch there. After walking around, I found a restaurant called Thai Station. Walked in there at 12PM sharp and I am the first customer… to “operate” >:)

Thai Station (View from Dining Table)

Cendol

Thai Fried Tang Hoon (Seafood)

Stuffed BBQ Squid

After flipping menu few times looking for specialties and trying to avoid spicy stuff (most of them are), I ordered one Thai Fried Tang Hoon (RM 11.90++) after confirming with the waitress that it is not spicy and is one of the new specialties (not yet appear in the thick menu, just a leaflet). It has two favorites – Seafood or Chicken, and I chosen Seafood. Thinking of having a snack, I ordered BBQ Squid served with Thai sauce (RM 9.90++). Also, I ordered a cendol – my favourite.

The cendol is very good even though the price is at slightly expensive side (RM 3.50). I can get a bigger one at roadside stall in Sungai Petani at RM1.20… but since this is a shopping mall’s restaurant, so It is ok. The Thai Fried Tang Hoon is very yummy. Prawns are big and there are overall 4 of them if not wrong. It is fragrant also since it was fried with mixture of vegetables.

The food tastes so good that I almost finished it before the last dish comes. Luckily I performed an emergency break and continue with my cendol. Finally, here comes the BBQ Squid. I was surprised that the squids (overall 4 of them if not wrong) are actually stuffed with meat (chicken/pork) and prawn chunk, which made my stomach full after finishing all of them.

After paying the bill, I finally got a sandal at RM39.90 in one of the shoe retail shops…. far cheaper than those branded sandals (e.g. Hush Puppy, Croc, Camel Active, etc). I can’t imagine one buying a sandal for RM1xx, while sandals can easily stolen in this city.

As a whole, you should try Thai Station if you love spicy food. I will definitely try it again in future.

* It appears that “sandal” and “slipper” can be used interchangably. Initially, “slipper” refers to light indoor footwear. Since nowaday those footwears can be worn both indoor and outdoor, “sandal” and “slipper” are actually refer to the same thing in some countries, whereas “flip-flop” refers to the sandal with Y-shape strap.

Name: Thai Station
Address: 33-01-118A, Prangin Mall, Komtar, Jalan Lim Chwee Leong, 10100 Georgetown, Penang.
Tel: 04-2628080

Those living in Malaysia and owning a car sure knew that RON97 fuel price had increased to RM2.70 last month. Even though yesterday PM announced that the price is dropped to RM2.55 (down 15 cents) starting today, it is still at expensive side. For food stores out there, it is common to see their price increase as well. I remember once Fillet O’Fish in McDonald is selling at RM4.00. Now, you can only enjoy it at RM4.00 in McSaver menu.]

Clam Chowder Soup

Salmon and Mushroom Pasta

Swensen Cool Temptation

It is not my first time visiting Swensen’s at Queensbay Mall, Penang. Last Thursday, I visited them again after about a year. The menu is changed and there are more choices nowadays. The management in Queensbay’s branch seems changed also. There is 20% discount if you present student card (from any school I believe) when ordering…. ala carte only (Fxxx!). I noticed that the price is kind of expensive. Anyway, I ordered set lunch, which is RM20.90++ and by adding RM2.00, you can add a soft drink or ice lemon tea. The set lunch comes with clam chowder soup and one single scoop ice cream. I order salmon and mushroom pasta and it tastes just okay. I hope it comes with oyster instead of mushroom.

When I returned to my office, I found a brochure forwarded by my colleague more than one year ago. It is regarding Swensen’s Promotion, and the set lunch that time is only RM16.90 including soft drink. It even has 10% discount for Jusco Card members. The later is no longer available now. Definitely, you can’t get this price nowadays.

As a whole, Swensen’s should make its price competitive with other retail chains, such as Baskin Robbin and Haagen-Dazs. An advantage for Swensen’s is that it provide western food as well. If it is able to create more specialty on its western food, and create new marketing strategy on ice-cream business (such as opening an ice-cream counter outside of the restaurant or somewhere else), I see no reason why Swensen is unable to compete with Secret Recipe, Breeks, Baskin Robbin, Haagen-Dazs, etc.

Name: Swensen’s
Address: 2F-50 2nd floor Queen’s Bay Mall, Persiaran Bayan Indah, Sungai Nibong 11900, Pualu Pinang, Malaysia.
Tel: 04-6466593
Web: http://www.swensens.com.sg

Traditional Caesar Salad	Oven-baked Half Chicken with BBQ Sauce	Fish N Chips
Baked Seafood Rice	Buffalo Wing

In case you are bored with roasted chickens from Kxxny Rogxx, Dxxx’s Deli or Nxxdos, there is actually another shop you can try for – Breeks. The half chicken is at reasonable price and my friends recommended me to try. In my opinion, however, the chicken is just okay. On my second visit, I ordered baked seafood rice. Even though the cheese is very nice, the mussels and prawns could be better as they were overcooked and becoming hard. My last visit is actually quite a long time ago in September 2007 and things may become better now. The half chicken and Fish N Chips are their signature dishes. It would take a while for the dishes to arrive.

Breeks should be under a Singapore company but unfortunately not much information is available online for Malaysia customers.

Fried Fish Fillet Neptune	Dessert	Dutch Pea Soup
蜜汁柠檬鱼柳	Roasted Chicken With Curry Sauce	Seafood Spaghetti

If you are looking for a western + chinese cuisine restaurant with reasonable price near Penang International Stadium Arena (PISA), then you might consider Gastronomic Kopitiam at Sunway Tunas, Penang. Each day it has different kind of Western/Chinese set lunches. For example, with RM12.80 you can get fish fillet set lunch including soup, a drink, and dessert. Prawns are fresh there and you can ask for bigger plate on fried rice if your stomach is hungry. However, I noticed that recently the portion becomes smaller.

Update 08-Aug-2008: Went to the shop again and ordered Drunken Prawn Fried Noodle (醉虾生面). Usual price is RM6 but I requested for a bigger plate (RM7) due to hungry tummy, and it really is BIG! Fortunately I was able to finished it. The dish really worth the value as it comes with 7 fresh prawns. It would be better if the soup is mixed with rice wine.

XXL Crispy Chicken 超大雞排

Happy! Rice Box Set

Happy! Rice Box Set (Box View)

Recently I noticed a new small shop opened right opposite of Jusco basement (nearby Kenny Roger restaurant) called Shihlin Taiwan Street Snacks. During a weekday this week, after did a grocery shopping at Jusco, instead of buying usual Jusco sushi set, I plan to try out the food there.

The shop is kind of small and I think it can accomodate less than 10 persons along the counter. Initially I ordered one Happy! Rice Box set. My instinct told me that it may not fill my stomach so I ordered an XXL Crispy Chicken (in chinese is called 鸡排… say it 3 times in front of a local Chinese girl and you will receive free slaps).

Luckily my instinct is correct. Happy! Rice Box Set (RM9.00 Nett with a drink) served with portion of crispy chicken comes with rice, tofu, and preserved egg (皮蛋). XXL Crispy Chicken (RM 6.00 Nett) is by far the biggest fried chicken I ever eat. Half of the chicken is there. Surprisingly it is not oily and the fragrant filled my car making me can’t wait to enjoy it at home. Judging on the price, I rather choose XXL Crispy Chicken.

As a whole, if you are looking for a nice quick lunch or dinner, you should try its XXL Crispy Chicken as it is not oily and can easily fill your stomach.