Kazumasa Japanese Cuisine, marked with quality ingredients and artistry

With a giant crab scaling the facade of the building at Fettes Park, it is quite difficult not to miss Kazumasa Japanese Cuisine. It is here that the omakase menu was first brought to the shores of Penang. Besides the omakase and ala carte possibilities, set lunches are also available.

Thai cuisine at Bukit Genting Hill Leisure Park and Restaurant

As long as the meal is not meant to take centre stage, I highly recommend a trip up to Bukit Genting. Here, one can enjoy al fresco dining with amazing views of the Straits of Malacca and the South Channel. Surrounded by forested hills, the breathtaking vistas of the rustic village of Balik Pulau below come complete with paddy fields. The view at sunset when the sun dips into the ocean is even more spectacular!

A mini reunion at the Book Sandwich Café 

“When it comes to crafting a dish, each mouthful is meant to be savoured, like how it is when one reads a book. There are many layers to be explored and with every bite, we hope to bring you a surprising burst of flavour.” – The Book Sandwich Cafe

All about duck and more at What The Duck Restaurant

What The Duck Restaurant specialises in both Western and Asian-styles duck dishes among others. Claiming to be "the best duck specialist in town", my family and I had to sample its creations to see if this held water. The contemporary setting of a conducive casual dining was welcoming. The restaurant has two outlets in Penang, one in Setia Spice Canopy and the other in the heart of George Town at 40, Nagore Road.

My memorable birthday dinner at The View

I am happy that my birthday which falls on the 2nd of January every year offers me the opportunity to start off each new year with a celebration. Turning 52 this year, I headed to The View at Hotel Equatorial for a delightful evening.

La Vie's splendid cuisine to celebrate life's treasured moments

Appetisers are delicate petit morsels that tantalise our taste buds to increase our appetite. A well-planned menu would select appetisers that would coordinate and lead up to the flavours of the main dishes in a meal. In short, appetisers should give you an idea about the main course. Great appetisers put you in the mood; they get you excited about what else lies in store for you. We started our dinner at La Vie with an alluring march of four appetisers – crispy unagi, prawn salad, crab meat croquettes and clams in Thai-style sauce. Such an incredible quartet that kept us clamouring for more.

The elegance of Japanese cuisine at Miraku

One country that truly elevates food to an art form is Japan. When dining at Miraku you would be able encounter such an art form as soon as you are served, so much so that you are compelled to feast with your eyes first. Here, food preparation is such a delicate craft that it is pursued with passion and executed to perfect artistry.

Truly authentic, truly Thai at Chili Head

Chili Head Social Bar and Eatery, a cool and hip Thai restaurant overlooking the beautiful marina at Straits Quay serves excellent authentic Siamese food. Here is a place where Thais themselves would love to eat.

The Leith Hotel Penang – A New Chapter Unfolds at No. 13 Leith Street

Situated within the UNESCO World Heritage site of George Town, Penang, The Leith Hotel Penang emerges as an exciting new boutique destination, seamlessly blending historical significance with contemporary sensibilities. Formerly known as the Waldorf Hotel, this landmark, recently leased in 2023, has been thoughtfully reimagined, offering a fresh perspective on its storied past while providing guests with an exceptional blend of comfort and cultural immersion.

PARKROYAL Penang Resort – a tropical paradise to luxuriate in

For two consecutive years, my daughter has requested the same birthday gift – a weekend at PARKROYAL Penang Resort. The Resort has been one of her favourite places to kick back and lose herself in a tropical paradise.

Living in Penang, we are indeed fortunate that we can just take a 35-minute drive from home to Batu Ferringhi sans the arduous plane and taxi rides (e.g., my cousin from Toronto took some whooping 23 hours to reach Penang).

E&O Hotel, timeless charm of the British colonial era

The Eastern & Oriental, popularly known as the E&O, is an all-suite luxury hotel that exudes a timeless charm of the British colonial era.

Located along Jalan Farquhar with a seafront in the heart of George Town, the hotel has an interesting history established by the famed Sarkies brothers – Martin, Tigran, Aviet and Arshak. Although the family name was Ter Woskanian, the brothers adopted their father's first name Sarkies as their surname. Their firm Sarkies Brothers dominated the hospitality trade in the East for nearly half a century.

Golden Sands Resort – a tropical haven for the entire family

Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La in Malaysia, Penang is the epitome of premier resort getaway for families, groups and individual travellers. Opened in 1979, the Golden Sands Resort was the fourth hotel in the Shangri-La chain and is one of the first hotels along the famed tourist enclave of Batu Feringgi beach in Penang.

Rocking at Hard Rock Hotel Penang

The distinctive rock and roll themed décor of the hotel is plastered with memorabilia, a white statue of Michael Jackson sitting on a throne, a mosaic wall of the Beatles as well as autographed platinum records. Throughout the hotel, one would also come across display cabinets exhibiting outfits worn by famous music legends including a black leather jacket, jeans and scarf by Bon Jovi and even red robot shoes by Elton John.

Shangri La's Rasa Sayang Resort & Spa – the jewel in the crown that lies beneath a majestic canopy

Centuries-old rain trees rise up above us. Majestic and lush, the foliage reaches for the ground, like falling rain suspended in the form of vibrant green leaves. The natural beauty accentuates the grandeur that surrounded us at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, Penang.

The charming Clove Hall

Clove Hall is a privately-owned Edwardian Anglo-Malay bungalow set in an oasis of tropical gardens. It is just ten minutes by trishaw from the vibrant living culture of the world heritage enclave of George Town. To venture further, rent a motorcycle or hire a taxi and explore Penang's exotic sights, sounds and tastes.

Bernard Lim – a friend, a brother, a blessing

Bernard Lim Peng Aunn (right) holding up the custom photo book I designed for him in 2017.

On 26 January 2025, Bernard called me while I was busy making thau chang kuih (ribbon biscuits) for Chinese New Year. He was at the stunningly lit Kek Lok Si Temple that evening with a few sisters from the Little Sisters of the Poor, hoping to enter the pagoda – but it was closed to the public. Of course, I could not help him with that, but what mattered was hearing his familiar, jovial voice. He sounded full of life, his laughter warm and genuine, as always. Little did I know, that would be our last conversation.

Tan Sri Datuk Seri (Dr) Ahmad Nawab Khan, Seniman Negara

Celebrating six decades of contribution and achievements in the music industry

On 13 August 2017, the legendary Ahmad Nawab offered an intimate glimpse into his extraordinary musical journey during a dialogue session with Gareth Richards at the Penang House of Music. Over a career spanning six decades, Ahmad has composed more than 2,000 songs, with nearly 70 singers from across the region bringing his compositions to life. Many of these have become timeless standards. Besides ‘Bintang Malam’ (subsequently recorded by Zaharah Agus and Uji Rashid), other songs include ‘Kau Kunci Cintaku Dalam Hatimu’, ‘Setulus Hati Mu’, ‘Sabar Menanti’, ‘Tiada Maaf Bagi Mu’, ‘Antara Matamu dan Mataku’ and ‘Wajah Kesayanganmu’.

Michael Quah’s Solo Art Show 2024

Life on Canvas & Island Resonances
21 September – 20 October 2024
SXI Heritage Centre, St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang

Tze Whay: charting a path of purpose through life's labyrinth

Dr Stefan Phang Tze Whay and I were moulded by the same hands, shaped by the same brilliant and dedicated teachers at La Salle School in Penang, Malaysia. Those formative years, shared with some of the most inspiring educators, laid the foundation for our lives. We were taught to think critically, to understand that our actions impact those around us, to hike, to camp and to revel in the embrace of nature. Our education transcended the classroom, preparing us for life at large. "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire," as WB Yeats once said. Our teachers ignited that fire within us.

Stitching Through Hardship: A Nyonya's War-Time Chronicle

At the Church of the Assumption, nestled amidst the charming streets of George Town, the hearts of Louis Michael Martin and Emily Elizabeth Surin became forever entwined. Their love story, like a cherished melody, found its harmonious crescendo on that memorable day of 7 August 1926. Officiating their marriage was Rev. Fr. P. Lerond. The church must have looked different from what we see today as it underwent a major renovation in 1928 when two wings were added.