Nonya Delights@Terrace Bay

My Ratngs: 3 Stars
Cuisine: Nonya

Location: Terrace Bay Restaurant, Copthone Orchid Hotel, Penang
Halal
RM30 nett
Contact: +604-8923333

Nonya cuisine has seen a revival recently which many restaurants around Penang offering Peranakan food reminiscent of the good old days, just like mums cooked it. Now the F&B team at the Copthone Orchid Hotel is offering diners to experience the Peranakan heritage at their Terrace Bay Restaurant with more than 25 authentic and scrumptious Nonya dishes on the table.

The restaurant located on Level 7, a level below the reception or lobby area. It offers seatings both inside the restaurant and pool side which is able to cater up to 230 people. And at just the right moment. you can even catch the stunning sunset rays at the cornet of your eye. Simply rustic and beautiful.

The dishes changes weekly so that diners gets to experience something new every time the dine there but the old exotic favourites like Jiu Hu Char (Wood ear fungus salad), Kelabu Hai Tay (Jelly fish salad), Acar Awak (Mixed vegetable pickles salad), Pai Tee (Stuffed shredded chicken meat with vegetables) and Acar Huan Cheo Bokwa (pickled chilly with shredded papaya).

For mains, they have the Kapitan Chicken Curry, Assam Prawns (Tamarind Prawns), Assam Pedas Ikan Pari (Hot & Spicy Stinray), Kari Kiam Hu (Salted Fish Curry), Belacan Fried Chicken, Otak Otak, Kiam Chye Ark Th'ng (Duck with Salted Mustard soup), Chicken Lor Bak (Chicken Wrapped in clear tofu skin) and Assam Laksa noodles.

And finishing off the meal with desserts like Pulut Tai Tai (Blue glutinous rice cake), Ang Koo Kuih (steamed red glutinous rice cake), Onde Onde (Coconut coated glutinous rice ball with gula Melaka fillings), Bee Koh Moi, Bubur Cha Cha and Kuih Talam.

The restaurant specially hired a Peranakan trained chef to train their chefs to re-create the authentic taste to Nonya cooking. It is served buffet styled for just RM35nett for adults and RM21 nett for children. But the best is that Malaysian senior citizens gets to enjoy the food at a discounted rate of only RM25nett. It is truly value for money family gastronomic adventure.

The buffet available every Saturday from 7pm - 10pm and do call to reserve as the themed buffet is very popular.

Maakoa's Koopuwa Health Drink is packed with super anti-oxidants!

Invited Review: Tree Monkey

My Ratings: 3 Stars

Cuisine: Asian/Thai/Western

Location: Tropical Spice Gardens

(Lone Craig Villa, Lot 595, Mukim 2)

Jalan Teluk Bahang

Pork Free

Tel:+604 8813494
RM40 - 50 person

Nestled in the edge of the jungle and perched on a hill slope, Tree Monkey Restaurant by the nature is a perfect eat away and get away place from the hustle and bustle of city life where the food and ambiance is as authentic as it can be

Tree Monkey is located inside the Tropical Spice Garden however the entrance to the restaurant is through a gate next to the Tropical Spice Garden main entrance. Getting to the restaurant seemed like an adventure with a little walk up a slight incline of the hill's edge. When you reached the restaurant, you are greeted with friendly staffs and an ambiance of North Thailand where timber construction is everywhere

The food is mainly Asian, Western and Northern Thai cuisine. The restaurant deck offers alfresco dining while other areas offered tatami seating and regular seating. We were served with a welcome drink called Sunrise and I am pretty sure there wasn't any tequila in it

The first dish was the Asian Tapas. A selection of Asian bite size portion of vegetables, chicken meat and seafood to wet the appetite. Then we were served the Thai Tapas of Pandan chicken meat, mango salad, Otak, vegetables and chilli egg

On the side, we were serve both clear and spicy tom yam soup and turmeric rice. The owner has a chain of other food and beverage outlets around Penang and other parts of the country. For this restaurant, they brought in chefs from Northern Thailand to keep the food as authentic as possible. However, the heat of the spice is keep to a minimum to cater to food gourmet who like it mild. The spice for the food is harvested fresh from the Spice Garden. Furthermore, there is a spice shop behind the restaurant for those who like to bring back home the local spices

Great place to chill out with a great view of the sunset. Close to nature but with the comfort of modern dining. Occasionally, you may see wild animals and birds in nearby trees. Elderly patrons may need help with the small hike up to the restaurant and with illumination once the night is dark. A good place to experience Thai hospitality. We ended the night with a cup of spice coffee (Cinnamon)

Thanks to CK Lam for organizing the review