Invited: Bora Bora by Sunset @ Batu Ferringhi, Penang.

Late January 2011, we kissed the fabulous beachfront joint, Sunset Bistro which had been doing a roaring business for the past 15 years goodbye just because of an arson attack. The fire not only brought down the bistro but also roasted an adorable parrot named Tiger alive (i grabbed his pic from the net). However, the owner of the bistro, Miss Melynda Soon bent on making a comeback by means of relocating, refurbishing and rebuilding which altogether resulted in the reborn of Sunset Bistro with the new name, Bora Bora by Sunset in the end of May. This new bistro is hidden in the 2 Ferringhi Streetwalk Bazaar, facing the soft golden sand and clear blue sea. I will be using Tarbush Restaurant as a landmark here and upon seeing its large, tall standing neon light billboard, the sheltered concrete-floored bazaar should be in sight now. Just walk past every stalls, to the very end of the bazaar and you will find Bora Bora by Sunset.

The bistro equipped with greenery, thatching, dim lights, DJ platform, Shisha bar, pool table, beers, antique and vintage decorations to give it a lively Bali nightlife-like ambiance. In addition to the lovely Reggae background music or sometimes broadcasting of sports events, you will find the bistro a perfect intimate venue for a romantic dining experience with its private, more dimly lighted corners. Outdoor seats are also available at wood decks overlooking the beach and sea. You will have a clear view of the heart-stilling intoxicating sunset at around 7pm if the weather is good.

What's coming up in October is their set dinner promotion in which you will get a starter (Bora Bora Papadum with Salsa Sauce OR Wild Mushroom Soup), a main course (Spaghetti Fettucine with Chicken and Wild Mushroom Ragu OR Vietnamese Noodle Soup with Beef/Chicken and Prawns OR Grilled White Fish with Citrus Lemon Butter Sauce OR Stir Fried Beef or Chicken served with Rice, Salad, Papadum and Egg), a scoop of ice cream as well as a drink (Ice Peach Tea OR Ice Lemon Tea) for a bargain of RM36 nett, what a steal! Credits to Criz for designing this ad.

With the invitation to review the promotional set dinner, I finally got to plunge into the thick of the buzz around the bistro's quick rise to fame. Do take note that the bistro does serve non-alcoholic beverages.

Banana yogurt drink.

Kiwi & vanilla ice blended.


Ice peach tea & lemon tea.

The Wild Mushroom Soup was mouth-watering with its enticing aroma of cooked mushrooms and flawless creaminess. However, it could definitely be better if it was less salty.

Papadum, a giant round crackery thing is actually is a thin, crisp Indian cracker that you can get at any Indian restaurants including Mamak stalls. In other words, serving Papadums are pretty common here but what if i say Papadums with homemade Salsa sauce? It sounds mind-blowing and so do the odd combination. The sauce formed a perfect union with the Papadums, creating a lip-smacking good appetizer. Highly recommended!

Fettuccine is actually a flat thick form of pasta. In my case, the Fettuccine was cooked to an awesome springy, velvety texture before being cooked in a white rich yummy wild mushroom sauce. Other than that, a juicy grilled chicken breast was served along and it simply sparked up the pasta with its black pepper as well as spice flavours. The Spaghetti Fettucine with Chicken and Wild Mushroom Ragu is undoubtedly the odd one out among the main dishes.

As you can see, a generous amount of fresh shrimps and meat (beef or chicken, your pick) was given and the portion was considered big. The Koay Teow was soaked in a starchy slightly spicy gravy which had an egg's taste. Taste wise, it was palatable especially the tender beef but i personally felt that the soup was not enough.

Unlike ubiquitous restaurants which use cheaper, convenient Dory fish fillets, Bora Bora by Sunset uses white fish which is thicker. Two pieces of white fish fillets were very well-grilled with lemon butter sauce before being presented along with cubes of baked potatoes plus salad. The Grilled White Fish with Citrus Lemon Butter Sauce turned out to be delectable but it could be even better if the fish odor was removed.

Last but not least, the normal tasting Stir Fried Beef or Chicken served with Rice, Salad, Papadum and Egg was quite Malaysian. A combination of white rice, stir fried meat, salad, Papadum and egg? It can easily feed one heavy eater. For your information, their signature Salsa sauce is also offered in this main.

Don't you agree that a bit of dessert is always the perfect way to end a meal? A scoop of ice cream with some dressings is included in the set dinner.

The rating below is made based on this set dinner promotion.

Address:
Lot 415, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Penang
[google map]

Operation hours:
Sunday to Thursday 12pm - 1am
Friday, Saturday and Eve of Public Holiday 12pm - 3am
Happy hours 4pm - 7pm

Contact no.:
012 - 553 1313 (Miss Melynda Soon)

Facebook:
[click here]

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I Mum Mum Restaurant @ Pengkalan Weld, Penang.

When it comes to Pan Mee, the first thing on my mind is Face to Face Noodle House which is a noodle specialty restaurant and i patronize it at least once a week.
Hidden among the flats, i got to know I Mum Mum Pan Mee Restaurant only via reviews but what's worst is to locate the restaurant.
As you drive through Lebuhraya Tun Dr Lim Chong heading to Penang bridge from Weld Quay, keep to your left and you will approach a row of shoplots after passing through the turning to Gat Lebuh Macallum.
Now, slow down and keep your eyes on the coming frontage road which leads to the shoplots parking area.
There is a green-coloured Maxis centre and congratulations, just follow the I Mum Mum signs.

Browsing through the old self-printed laminated two-pages menu, they only offered 6 varieties of Pan Mee with 3 choices of noodles: thin, thick or pinched, price ranging from RM3 to RM5.20.
Besides that, add-ons such as dumplings, meat balls, fish cakes, dried anchovies and fish cakes are available.
The place is not air-conditioned but you could cool yourself down with their home made refreshing herbal tea (RM1.30 each).

It took some time for them to prepare my noodles.
The Fried Dumpling (RM0.80 each) should have been better with such price tag.
A layer of golden brown light crisp enveloping some minced meat.
The outer layer should be thinner and the filling given should be more generous, more moist.

Obviously, the Dumpling Soup (RM0.80 each) was way better than the fried version.
The steamed dough was firm and the filling was perfectly compact, moist.

Next, it was the Dry Pan Mee (RM3 small / RM3.50 big) which was served along with a small bowl of anchovy soup.
The ingredients given were more and less like ordinary Pan Mee: dried anchovies, minced meat and wood ear fungus.
However, the noodle was mixed with some dark soy sauce and sesame oil.
It was very disappointing and i have to say that it is no where near the standard of Face to Face Noodle House's one.

I highly recommend the Crispy Pork Pan Mee (RM3.70 small / RM4.20 big).
The noodle was stirred in a sweet gravy, accompanied by some wood ear fungus and mouth-watering sliced crispy pork chop, topped with some chopped spring onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Honest speaking, the gravy did not go well with the noodle but what amazed me is the pork chop.
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside with a mild sweet and sour taste, fantastic!

My visit ended up in disappointment as i had high expectations on the restaurant after going through a few reviews but they were written two years ago.
Still, my vote goes to Face to Face Noodle House despite higher price.

Address:
No. 294, PDC Flats, Pengkalan Weld,
11300 Georgetown, Penang

Operation hours:
7am – 3pm (closed on alternate Mondays)

Contact no.:
012 - 518 1827

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Hot Bowl Nyonya Delights @ Abu Siti Lane, Penang.

Here is the question: Have you ever heard of White Curry Mee?
Hot Bowl Nyonya Delights gained its reputation for its very unique White Curry Mee.
Just because of this specialty, the owner of Hot Bowl not only appeared in numerous local newspapers but was also featured in 8TV Ho Chak programme.
'No pain no gain', Hot Bowl began as a pushcart business at Rangoon Road before moving into a comfortable air conditioned multifans-equipped shoplot which is situated almost at end of the Abu Siti Lane.
Abu Siti Lane is a one-way road located just next to Red Rock Hotel, Macalister Road.
Their lipstick red signboard can be seen from far away and the parking spaces there are quite limited.

I have never eaten Curry Mee in a cool air conditioned surrounding in my life before and i broke the record today.
Other than their signature White Curry Mee and steamed chicken, they do also sell Vinegar Prok Trotter (RM8.00 onwards), Fish Head Curry (RM20.00 onwards), Spice Dumplings (RM4.50), Special Dumplings (RM0.80), Spice Loh Bank (RM1.80), Otak-otak (RM2.40), Yam Cake (RM2.00), Chai Kuih (RM2 for 3 pieces) as well as assorted fritters and pastries (RM0.60 each).
Besides, homemade spicy paste and cooking ingredients such as light soy sauce are being exhibited for sale.
The open kitchen enabled me to spectate the process of cooking White Curry Mee, but what's more i got to snap and share it with my dear readers.

The homemade Organic Soya Bean (RM1.60) was alright but not the so-called homemade Winter Melon (RM1.40) which was overly sweet until i have to dilute it with some plain water.

Here comes the major character of the day, the famous White Curry Mee (RM3.50 small / RM4.50 big) which appeared and tasted completely just like ordinary Curry Mee subtracting chili.
You know what? I used to have Curry Mee this way when i was young, when i can't tolerate spicy food.
The white soup was full of thick coconut milk aroma and it tasted pretty sweet as it was based on chicken soup.
Besides that, you could add in chili paste which is made from dried shrimps, dried chili, tumeric and ten other spices as much as you want for your desired spiciness but do take note that the chili paste is pretty spicy.
The White Curry Mee will then lose its white apperance and will now look exactly like normal Penang local red hot Curry Mee.
In my case, after adding the chili, the Curry Mee was simply awesome.
You can also go for add ons like prawns (RM2.00) and crab sticks, fish balls, meat balls (RM1.00).
It was overpriced as you can see in the picture below, no prawn was given in my RM3.50 bowl of White Curry Mee.
After all, i still prefer Sungai Pinang Curry Mee.

Apart from White Curry Mee, Hot Bowl is also popular for its Deboned Steamed Chicken (RM5 small / 9 medium / 16 half-chicken).
The smooth tender flavoursome chicken was topped with spring onions and coriander as well as being bathed with sesame oil plus soy sauce.
I saw the staff sending a few steamed whole chickens into the fridge, i guess it was to ensure that the chicken remains smooth and tender.
The gravy was too salty even i ordered a plate of rice to go with the gravy.
Still, the spotlight was on the chicken.

The prices stated above are nett prices.

Address:
16-A, Lorong Abu Siti,
10400 Penang.
[google map]

Operation hours:
8am - 3pm, Closed on Mondays

Contact no.:
04 - 2273168

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