Monday, August 19, 2013

Swee Ang Restaurant - 瑞安炖汤美食馆 at Jalan Kuning, Taman Pelangi - Johor Bahru

Swee Ang Restaurant 瑞安炖汤美食馆 (N1.48416 E103.77502) is located along Jalan Kuning of Taman Pelangi, which is just behind the Leisure Mall of Pelangi and sit next to Food Republique Restaurant.

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The restaurant is famous with their 'Crab Ball' and its been operating since more than 60 years ago. It's one of the longest food business in Johor Bahru. According to the owner, they had been swifting around Johor Bahru started from the JB old town and now its settled down here at Jalan Kuning for about 12 years ago.

The environment is simple and clean with air-conditioning. The boss took our order and he was friendly.

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Our order :-
*  Crab Ball (signature dish) 瑞安蟹碗
*  Pork tendon cooked ginger (signature dish)
*  Bean paste fish

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The popular Crab Ball

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Pork tendon with ginger

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Bean paste fish

The Crab Ball was unique and so far I haven't come across other restaurant selling this within Johor Bahru. It had a mild taste soup with full of compressed crab meat in it. It's good for those who lazy to take crab because of the hard shell and enjoying the crab without dirty your hand.
You can feel the crab meat on your every bite. Special and Nice!

The Crab Ball from Swee Ang Restaurant 蟹碗

The Pork Tendon was nicely cooked and taste delicious. This is one of the unique dish hardly can find the city too. Have you ever try it before?
The Bean paste fish was tasty and goes well with plain rice. Taste was special but if has it alone might be over salty, so the best way is to goes with rice...

The dishes serve by the restaurant mostly are tasty and acceptable, if you haven't try their signature Crab Ball, please drop by and taste the different!

Swee Ang Restaurant 瑞安炖汤美食馆
70, Jalan Kuning,
Taman Pelangi.
Tel : +607-3337828
Operating hour : 8am - 9pm daily
GPS coordinates : N1.48416 E103.77502

Location map of Swee Ang Restaurant 瑞安炖汤美食馆 at Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru.


Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle - 槟城福建虾麵 stall along Jalan Sutera, Taman Sentosa - Johor Bahru

The Penang Hokkien Prawn Noodle stall (N1.49305 E103.77090) is located along Jalan Sutera of Taman Sentosa - Johor Bahru. It's easy to locate if you aware of previous Elextrolux office and opposite the current 7-Eleven convenience shop. The stall started since the late 80s, it was about 25 years in business till now which run by a owner from Penang.

I started to patronized the area since year 87, and yes...until today and the taste of the noodle is 'Still' same as before, well maintain!

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The Penang Prawn noodle stall along Jalan Sutera, Tmn Sentosa

We ordered few type of the noodle that evening...
*  Penang prawn noodle - standard. (with the curly instant noodle) 槟城福建虾麵
*  Penang 'Loh' mee - (dark braised gravy, the local dialect called 'Loh') 槟城卤麵
*  Penang prawn noodle mixed with 'Loh' - the common way of the Penang peoples enjoy the noodles where the local named it - Hokkien Loh mee. 槟城福建卤  -  麵。

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The standard Penang prawn mee with instant noodle 槟城福建虾麵

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Penang 'Loh' mee 槟城卤麵

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Penang prawn noodle mixed with 'Loh 槟城福建卤

All the 3 types of noodles above were served with a spoon of vinegar + minced garlic to make the gravy (or soup) more appetizing, you can noticed it from the photo above. These type of combination is the common way where the Penang peoples enjoy the meal, and some of the Johorian might not get used to it.

We liked 3 types of the noodles above! Satisfied with the gravy and the taste.
The Penang Hokkien prawn noodle does not serve with a Big size prawns, but oppositely...only small prawns. And the soup will not have a strong rich taste of prawn, but just normal...I like the fried garlic aroma too! It went blended well with the noodles.

I won't use the word - "Authentic" to describe the popular Penang food, because the definitions of 'Authentic' taste are very wide...the hawker food is prepare and cook by many different Penang peoples and more or less having similar taste, but might Not be the same...these are the debates always been around us. For me, whether you like it or hate it...as long as the food is 'Tasty'! 'Authentic' is not really A priority...
The noodles above cost RM5 each.

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The owner of the Penang Hokkien Prawn noodle

The owner is a friendly guy and we will have a short chat every time I visit the stall. After all, I've been seeing him since young till now...haha!

If you are fan of Penang Hokkien Prawn noodle or craving for Penang Loh mee, don't forget to drop by the stall from 6pm - 12am (Tue - Sun)...you might love it just like me...:)

Penang Prawn noodle  - 槟城福建虾麵 at Taman Sentosa
Jalan Sutera (opposite 7-11),
Taman Sentosa, Johor Bahru.
Operating hour : 6pm - 12am (close on Monday)
GPS coordinates : N1.49305 E103.77090

Location map of the Penang Prawn noodle stall along Jln Sutera, Taman Sentosa


Friday, August 16, 2013

Eastin Hotel at Waterfront of Queensbay, Penang Island

Eastin Hotel Penang (N5.33657 E100.30635) is located along the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Highway in  Sungai Nibong, Penang Island. The area is really convenience because the huge Queensbay Shopping Mall is just sitting next to it, and I also noticed there's a 24 hours convenience shop behind the hotel.

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Eastin Hotel Penang

"Eastin Hotel Penang in Penang, Malaysia proves that not all accommodations are created equal. While other business hotels give you just the usual offerings, we make sure we bring our service a notch higher. That’s why at our hotel, located along the waterfront of Queensbay, you get to indulge in top-caliber enjoyments, whether you’re holding corporate affairs or celebrating personal milestones. Indeed, we are the perfect example of what a business hotel should be: a place that addresses every aspect of your comfort and convenience. This is what sets us above the rest." from Eastin Hotel, Penang.

We (me and Robin) were in Penang for 2 days 1 night foods hunting trip. Once we stepped into the lobby, we were greeted by their friendly smiles from the door till the front counter. The reception area is spacious and be able to cater more peoples during the peak hour.
Our checking process was fast and simple...

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The Lobby of Eastin Hotel Penang

Thanks to the warm hospitality from Ms Selene Yeap - Assistant Marketing Communications Manager and her colleague. She introduced us the area surround with her professionalism and her 'trademark smile'.

The Lounge is at the left side of the reception counter...

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The Lounge of Eastin Hotel Penang

They have a live band performance during the evening session...if you are visit on the Ladies night every Wednesday, the lady will get a free Margarita or Daiquiri who accompanied by a guy, beside this...the Buy 3 Free 1 House Wine is available daily from 6pm - 11pm.

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The counter of The Lounge of Eastin Hotel, Penang.

And on the right side is the restaurant - Swez Brasserie where the hotel guests having their breakfast, lunch and dinner.

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The Restaurant of the Hotel

"Take part in their culinary adventure into a world of diverse dining with an assortment of distinctive German, Japanese, Mexican, Thai and many other exotic cuisines from around the globe."

Lunch with Vegetarian Corner (Mon- Fri), Hi-Tea with Kids Corner (Sat, Sun and Public Holiday) and Semi Buffet Dinner (Sun - Thu).

The Swez Brasserie are having a Mid-Autumn Mooncake Festival from 12th Aug - 9th Sep 2013. You can buy the delightful mooncakes in their custom designed gift box with your favorite flavors from pure lotus with double yolk to precious black.

If you are looking for place to celebrate your children birthday party, they have a Birthday Bash Package where you can enjoy the delectable selection of scrumptious food while having a delightful time with their tailor-made, fun filled games.

There's a GYM & SPA beside the swimming pool for guest to relaxing themselves.

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On the level 2 & 3, there are total of 6 function rooms and 3 boardrooms.
As for meeting and seminars, they provided 2 packages (or more) to their clients, and the facilities are :-
*  2 multi-purpose function rooms and 3 boardrooms
*  Innovative cuisine and flexible menus for coffee breaks
*  Wi-Fi Internet Access
*  Audio-visual conferencing services available
*  Writing materials, flipchart and whiteboard
*  Flexible and mobile platform
*  LCD projector with screen
*  Customized signage
*  Pre-event publicity via Eastin websites, banners and digital signage

As for the weddings, banquets & celebrations, the function room can accommodate up to 650 banquets. And they provided all the necessary included the complimentary stay and others.
For booking and enquiries, please contact their Sales and Marketing Team at +604-6121111 or email info.pg@eastin.com

We stayed in the Eastin Deluxe room - 56-square meter (total of 33 rooms), which is a suite room. Let me show you the photos below...

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The living hall of the suite room

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Safe is provided

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Mini bar's drinks are complementary

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Mini bar's drinks are complementary

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The King size bed configuration in the room
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The bathroom has a glass where you can see each other from the bedroom, well...there's a curtain in between...

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Spacious bathroom with bathtub

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The room has a magnificent view from the windows, the Pulau Jerejak is clearly appeared. The Queensbay Mall is situated at the right side from the room's window...

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Nice view from our room's window...

The room was spacious and it has another small bathroom beside the living hall area. We were satisfied with the room included the amenities & services.

Let me show other types of rooms in Eastin Hotel Penang...

Deluxe room (Hillview & Seaview with total of 234 rooms)

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The Deluxe room with a queen bed

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The Deluxe room with 2 single beds

Both type of the rooms above having same configuration of the bathroom.

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Bathroom of the Deluxe room

SOHO Duplex room (total of 12 rooms) - it has a mezzanine floor where the bedroom located.

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SOHO Duplex room

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The living hall of the SOHO Duplex room

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Nice garden view from the window

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The bedroom on the mezzanine floor

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The bathroom on the mezzanine floor beside the bed

The Friendly Suite room (only 1 room available) also has the same configuration except one extra bed at the living area and more hand support in the bathroom, let me show you the bathroom...

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The single bed of the Friendly Suite room, with the nice garden view

The bathroom of the Friendly Suite room...
I'm impressed where the hotel provide this room for the less effort peoples, the called OKU (Orang Kurang Upaya) in local.

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Beside the photos above, The Eastin Hotel Penang also has Club Deluxe room (hillview & seaview with total of 47 rooms) and the Family Duplex Suite (only 1 room).

The Guest Room Amenities & Services
*  Complimentary Wi-Fi internet access
*  LCD TV including CNN channel
*  In-room safe
*  Mini-bar
*  Coffee/tea making facilities with kettle
*  Private bathroom with shower area
*  Hair dryer and shaving mirror
*  Writing desk with speaker telephone
*  Complimentary daily local newspaper
*  Individual-controlled air-conditioning
*  IDD telephone with voicemail
*  Iron and ironing board
*  Adjustable reading lights
*  Complimentary bottled water

Executive Floor Benefits
*  Choice of either :
     -  International breakfast at the Executive Lounge (level 14th) from 7am - 10.30am
     -  Buffet breakfast at Swez Brasserie from 6am - 10.30am
*  Pre-dinner cocktails at the Executive Lounge from 5pm - 7pm.
*  Promotions on the hotel facilities :
     -  10% off at all food and beverage outlets on food and non-alcoholics drinks
     -  10% off laundry services
     -  15% off business centre facilities
     -  15% off IDD and mobile number calls
*  Complimentary beverages - fruit juice, soft drinks, coffee and tea served thoughout the day at the Executive Lounge from 10.30am - 10pm.
*  Complimentary pressing of 1 suit per stay
*  Complementary daily local newspaper
*  Complimentary incoming and outgoing faxes
*  Complimentary local calls (area code : 04, except mobile phone numbers)
*  Complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access
*  Complimentary mini-bar

After a short while rest in the afternoon, we join their Ramadan buffet dinner in the evening at Swez Brasserie.

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The buffet dinner was Full of varieties! The Chef introduced us their Nice beef bones - Gear Box.

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The Chef with the 'Gear Box'

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The Gear Box (beef bones)

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You will see this nice roasted baby lamb in every Ramadan buffet dinner

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The appetizers

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Well presented appetizers

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The main course area
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The deep fried 'popiah' - local snacks

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The Seafood area - my favorite corner!

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The dessert area

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The chocolate fountain for the fondue

After looking at so many foods around, I chose mine...

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My buffet dinner at Eastin Hotel Penang

The buffet dinner was nice and satisfied. We were overloaded again! :)

The staffs here were really friendly and we felt comfort with their smile, it was a Nice stayed with the Eastin Hotel Penang, I will dropby again if I'm happen to be around at that area.

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EASTIN HOTEL PENANG
1 Solok Bayan Indah, Queensbay,
11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia
Phone Number: +604-612 1111
http://www.eastinhotel-penang.com

Location map of Eastin Hotel Penang Island