This lovely Island of Penang is famous for its hawker food - Laksa, Hokkien Mee, and Char Kuey Teow - to name but a few. However, as this book will demonstrate, Penang has far more culinary delights to offer then hawker food alone - far, far more.
The idea of Great Dining started when, as a food writer and restaurant reviewer, people began asking me where they could go to eat something other than Laksa or Char Kuey Teow; where they could go for good western food; or which outlet was big enough to host a large party etc. And it wasn't only visitors to the island who asked, but many Penangites too. It was then that I realised that there wasn't such a guide available - and that we needed one!
So this book was put together not just to answer those questions, but also to give more useful information about eating out in Penang. For example, the Fast Facts panel has been designed as a quick reference to help you make your dining choice - before ringing up to reserve a table.
The author's intention is to reveal information about an outlet, its characteristics and some of the personalities behind it. One man's meat can indeed be another man's poison, so deciding what's good and what's not is really down to individual taste. Although the author sometimes ventures an opinion, you must try the restaurant for yourself to make the ultimate decision.
The F&B industry is somewhat fickle and outlets do tend to come and go. So I intend to update this guide on a regular basis. Indeed, plans are already afoot for the next issue, due out in 2010.
Penang, once famous for its spice trade, used to be a stop-off point for ships to replenish their food and drink supplies. It can now resurrect that role. I hope that you enjoy some Great Dining in Penang - and keep coming back for more!
Editorial Reviews
Review
Helen Ong is a well-known writer who has been working hard to promote Penang food to the rest of Malaysia and beyond. I was therefore delighted to be asked to pen a few words for her restaurant guide - "Great Dining in Penang". Much has been written about Penang's delicious hawker food, but little about its restaurants. Like the rest of Malaysia, the Penang palate has become more sophisticated, and this long-overdue book reveals many of our world class chefs and restaurants. I know that many people are like me, tending to stick to tried and tested places where we have eaten before. So this book is most welcome, as it gives information about an outlet before we even step into it. Tourism Penang is proud to be co-sponsor of this guide, as it will support our burgeoning restaurant industry. It is both a souvenir and an informative guide, perfect for locals and visitors alike. I wish Helen the very best in this exciting and innovative project. --YB Danny Law Heng Kiang, Chairman, Penang Tourist Committee
Penang has long been associated with good food, but mainly of street or hawker delights. In recent years though, like the rest of Malaysia, with better education, access to information and cheaper travel, the Penang palate has become more sophisticated. This has resulted in a restaurant industry which has slowly but surely flourished in the past decade. The Chefs Association of Malaysia, Penang Chapter, with its membership of 550 professionals in the food and beverage industry, was set up specifically to create a strong network among chefs which enhances friendship, professionalism and camaraderie. "Great Dining in Penang" will give a definite boost to restaurants and outlets on the island, as it collates much of the information in one publication which will be regularly updated. As Chairman of the Chefs Association of Malaysia, Penang, I am delighted to endorse this innovative, much-needed guide to many of our great restaurants by one of Penang's foremost foodies, Helen Ong. --Audee Cheah, Chairman, Chefs Association of Malaysia, Penang Chapter
Helen Ong, April 2008
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