Ming Garden Restaurant at Penang Times Square

There is a new Chinese restaurant in town. Recently opened at the Penang Times Square, Ming Garden Restaurant is undoubtedly one of the largest restaurants on the island. Built in 20,000 square feet of space, Ming Garden can accommodate up to 100 banquet tables or 1000 pax.

The restaurant has an impressive décor, most notably for the colourful and modern lantern-shaped pendant lamps adorning the ceilings of the restaurant. Those who opt to dine in private will also not be disappointed because it has an abundance of elegantly designed private dining rooms, equipped with AV or karaoke systems for their singing pleasure.

We were impressed with the food. The cooking style was simple yet creative and the ingredients used were fresh, to note a few. This is definitely one Chinese restaurant to watch out for in Penang.

The restaurant offers set menus which are reasonably priced including birthday set menus starting from RM398++ and wedding packages starting from RM378+.



Private dining room



Longevity Buns

Roast Duck with Two Special Taste

Steamed Soon Hock Fish

Fried Fresh Water Prawn with Special Bean Sauce

Golden Special Vegetables

Braised La Mian with Minced Meat

Peanut Rice Ball

Yam with Sago Cream

Happy Birthday Grandma and Grandpa

 
Ming Garden Restaurant
2nd Floor, Lot No 77-2-28
Penang Times Square
Jalan Dato Keramat, 10150 George Town Penang
Tel: 604-226 9977, 6016-661 0777, Fax: 604-226 3977
Website: www.minggarden.com.my
Email: enquiry@minggarden.com.my

Master Choo Kitchen

We stumbled upon Master Choo Kitchen while checking out the latest shopping sensation in Georgetown city - the 1st Avenue Mall. It was lunch time and this establishment stood out from the limited and usual food joints at the mall.

It was later found out that this restaurant orginated from Sungai Petani where it's famous for the egg tarts. This is their first restaurant in Penang. The Oriental themed decor is quite elaborate so we decided to check the place out. The menu did not fail to impress with its variety of offerings - dim sum, porridge, noodles, soup etc.

Cheese Tart (RM2)

Braised Chicken Drumstick with Shanghainese Noodle

Black Sesame Mixed with Brown Rice Powder (RM6.30)

Stone Steamed Oat Porridge (RM12.90)

Shanghai Crab Soup Dumpling (RM5.30)

Golden Bun and Curry Chicken

Fresh Crystal Prawn Dumpling (RM4.30)

Overall, the food somehow fell a bit short of my expectations. Unfortunately they ran out of their famous egg tart. The Shanghainese Noodle and Golden Bun are worth a try though. You will most probably find something that you like from the extensive menu.

Master Choo Kitchen

Lot 3-12, 1st Avenue
182 Jalan Magazine
10300 Penang
Tel - 604-2616 826
Business Hours - 1000 - 2200 (daily)

Sumptuous Lunch at Maple Palace Restaurant

If you saw from my previous post, I had a good Mother's Day lunch at the new Maple Palace restaurant. I had the opportunity to go back to the restaurant again recently for a department lunch.

Four Seasons Platter

The Four Seasons platter was rather unique with what I think were barbecued chicken drummets sprinkled with white and black sesame, dumpling, scallop with dried prawns and stir fried venison. I also liked the unconventional presentation of the platter.

Sharks Fin Soup with Crab Meat, Fish Maw and Sea Cucumber

Though guilty I may feel for consuming sharks fin, I have to say the soup tasted good. The flavours of the fish maw and sea cucumber were fully immersed in the soup.

Stuffed Boneless Chicken with Prawn Paste coated with Almond Flakes

The way the chicken was prepared was also unconventional with prawn paste, seaweed and almond flakes.

Steamed Garoupa Teowchew Style

Abalone with Mushroom, Fish Maw and Brocolli

This dish was laden with mushrooms, brocolli and three pieces of abalone which were cut into smaller pieces for sharing.

Seafood Noodle

I liked the texture of the noodle which was chewy and done al-dente.

Salted Egg Prawn

The total bill came to RM1,070+ for 14 pax inclusive of a Chilled Mango Sago with Pomelo dessert.

The Maple Palace restaurant is ideal for entertaining guests and organizing team meals with its rather elegant decor and cozy ambiance.

Maple Palace Restaurant
(Supervisor: Ms Khaw)
47, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Penang, Malaysia
04-2279690
Website: maplepalace.com

Hai Boey Seafood Restaurant Teluk Kumbar

Our friend Siri from Singapore was in town so we took her to Hai Boey Seafood Restaurant at Teluk Kumbar.

I am quite sure Hai Boey needs no introduction. It is one of the more famous seafood establishments in Teluk Kumbar / Gertak Sanggul.

Famous Claypot Fish

Stir Fried Brussel Sprouts

House Special Steamed Prawns with Garlic

"Ba Li Tong"

Stir Fried Vermicelli

Deep Fried Brinjal with Meat

Stir Fried 'Mee Tiao'

Salted Egg Crab

The total bill came to RM167 for 5 pax, including drinks. As usual, the seafood was fresh and tasty and the service prompt and good.

Hai Boey Seafood
29, Mk-9, Pasir Belanda, Teluk Kumbar, 11920 Penang, Malaysia.
Phone: 013-4881114, 019-4791114
Opens daily 5.30pm - 11pm

Du Viet, KLCC

The name "Du Viet" means to "do Vietnamese" for a meal. The "Du" is a play on sound as well as to imply the French influence in Vietnam.

Traditional Mixed Beef Noodles (Pho Bo Dac Biet) RM15.90
Imported tenderloin beeffillet, stewed beef brisket, balls, tripe and clear beef soup

He loved the Pho coz it's clear and light just the way he liked it :)

Special Seafood Soup Noodles (Pho Hai San) RM15.90
Fresh prawns, fish fillet, squid & cuttlefish in mildly spicy seafood soup

I absolutely loved my seafood soup noodles coz it is indeed very special. It is close to Tomyam and yet not sour and has a tinge of spicyness to it. The seafood was very fresh and they were very generous with the serving. Went very well with the fresh bean sprouts and basil. Highly recommended.

Fresh Summer Rolls - Prawns (2 rolls) RM9.90
Choice of chicken / beef / prawn

We have always loved summer rolls and the ones here are exactly how we would have loved it. We loved the chewy transparent spring roll skin, fresh prawns and herbs.

Chicken Wings (6 pieces) RM19.90
Choice of Baked durian wings / Stuffed wings / Cambodian lemongrass wings

We opted for the baked durian wings since we are durian lovers and baked durian wongs definitely sounds very special. The wings took a while to be served coz it has to be oven baked slowly. But it is definitely worth the wait coz the wings are simply excellent. It has a certain sweetness from the durian and the durian taste was fragrant and yet subtle thus not too overpowering.

Homemade Lemongrass Ginger Tea RM7.90

Very strong ginger flavour. Absolutely loved this drink.

Special Drip Coffee with Ice Cream RM9.90
What's a Vietnamese meal without the famous drip coffee? ;)

Ginger Flavoured Creme Brulee RM8.90

The ginger flavour blended very well with the sweet creme brulee

Three Colours Delite
Green grass jelly, cendol & red beans & gula melaka & low fat cream topping (soya base) RM8.90

I liked the fact that it was not too sweet with a strong soya flavour. Very special drink indeed

To us, the most important aspect of a Vietnamese restaurant is the Pho Bo Dac Biet (beef noodles). The Pho served at Du Viet was light and clear which was exactly what we liked in a good Pho. The service was fast the friendly. Definitely a thumbs up for a good Vietnamese meal. Their durian pancake is supposedly their bestseller but we didn't try because we just had the baked durian wings.

Du Viet, KLCC
Phone Number: 603 - 2166 3630