Showing posts with label Gurney Drive. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gurney Drive. Show all posts

Wednesday, 21 August 2019

Penang Asian Food & Culture Festival


𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭? Penang Asian Food & Culture Festival
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧? 13-15 September 2019
𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞? Gurney Paragon Mall, 1st Avenue, Gurney Plaza, Sunway Carnival Mall, Queensbay Mall

Friday, 29 November 2013

Tranquil suburb under threat

Tranquil suburb under threat

THE sunsets on Gurney Drive -- the island's famed seafronting promenade -- are still spectacular.

The pink and orange hues at dusk do not faze daily strollers or joggers who consider themselves blessed to live on an island which offers many Kodak moments.

The question of how much longer these stunning sunsets can be enjoyed by residents of Pulau Tikus (where Gurney Drive is located) and visitors, remains to be answered, as development threatens to claim the view of Penang's skyline soon.

A massive reclamation project on the outskirts of Pulau Tikus, has seen its developer being made to surrender part of the land it reclaimed to the state authorities. The sad part is that the reclaimed plot of choice happens to include the almost 2km stretch of Gurney Drive.

Apart from daily exercise buffs being deprived of their picture-postcard view of Penang's skyline, owners of posh, sea-fronting condominiums on the strip are also likely to end up with obscured views of blue skies, the Penang channel and Kedah Peak which they have been waking up to.

To say that the peaceful existence enjoyed previously by predominantly middle-class dwellers in the tree-lined Pulau Tikus neighbourhood has been altered, would be an understatement.

Rampant and indiscriminate development, teamed with almost daily traffic snarls have ended in an upper-class neighbourhood where peaceful drives, leisurely strolls to the market or hawker stalls are a thing of the past.

The presence of two shopping malls located almost side by side, the conversion of many residential properties into commercial ones and a handful of hotels and hospitals are now choking the roads and turning peaceful side-streets and avenues into instant racing tracks for motorists.

Property prices continue to sky-rocket and affordable housing in the area is fast becoming a figment of one's imagination.

In a bid to bring some sense of order to the traffic congestion, traffic flow has been diverted into one-way routes along certain major roads in Pulau Tikus.

This has resulted in side roads suddenly becoming thoroughfares.

Besides having to contend with increased noise levels and strangers parking almost in front of one's home on a daily basis, pedestrians have found an acute shortage of pedestrian crossings in the area a source of concern.

Picture this: a wheelchair-bound medical tourist needing to navigate her way across a four-lane road to reach a shopping mall.

Even the elderly are sometimes seen clutching to the hands of strangers to cross the road to safety, due to the absence of speed bumps and pedestrian crossings.

Some small business operators in the area have claimed that trade has been affected by the rerouting of certain roads and also the mushrooming of the malls and decreasing number of parking spaces.

An online survey seeking views on how to improve the quality of life in Pulau Tikus has been launched and appears to be a feeble attempt in trying to obtain public opinions well after major decisions have already been made and taken for the neighbourhood.

The defensive stance adopted by some quarters in relation to the state of affairs in Pulau Tikus is made up mainly of finger-pointing or staying mum by those who are in a position to make a difference.

Future generations growing up in Pulau Tikus do not deserve a legacy of not being able to wake up or end the day with great sunrises and sunsets, shady trees or peaceful strolls.

~News courtesy of New Straits Times~

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

Penangites celebrate all things French

Penangites celebrate all things French

SHOPPERS walking into Gurney Plaza in Penang will have a chance to be seduced by French culture.

They will be greeted by a 5.5m wooden model of the Eiffel Tower in the atrium of the new wing.

The structure is part of the shopping mall’s French Festival till June 2, which also saw the launching of a French Film Festival to complement the experience.

The festival was launched with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by state Domestic Trade, Consumer Affairs and Religious Affairs Committee chairman Abdul Malik Abul Kassim, Alliance Francaise Penang president Datuk Renji Sathiah, and Gurney Plaza central manager Lawrence Teh.

“Penang is aiming to be an international city, and this festival has come at the right time to show that we are not only a tourist destination but also a place for investors,” said Abdul Malik.

The French Film Festival from Thursday to May 31 will showcase six films from a variety of genres such as action and romance.

“This festival is a great way to promote French culture,” said Renji.

Gurney Plaza will also be holding a ballet and dance performance by MyDance Station and individual talents at 3pm followed by live strolling musicians at 4pm this Saturday and Sunday.

A living statue performance from 4pm to 8pm will also be held on both days.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Friday, 28 January 2011

Serving up New Year joy

Serving up New Year joy

WITH so many venues and options for Chinese New Year feasting in Penang, deciding on a suitable one is never easy.

If you still haven’t finalised your plans, it’s worth giving the Corner Club Restaurant on Gurney Drive a try.

The seafront outlet which recently underwent a facelift has a reputation for dishing up delicious fare.

Conveniently located and with ample parking space, it’s a popular haunt for both locals and tourists on the hunt for Chinese offerings at reasonable prices.

For Chinese New Year, the restaurant is offering two special eight-course dinners priced at RM468+ and RM588+ per table of 10 pax. Although both menus start off with Prosperity Yee Sang as the first course, the remaining dishes vary.

Some of the notable ones are Braised Superior Sharks Fin Soup with Dried Scallop or Seafood, Braised Pig Trotter with Waxed Meat, Roasted Suckling Piglet, Steamed Grouper Fish, Prawns in Two Preparations and Braised Sea Cucumber with Black Mushrooms and Dried Oyster.

In addition, there’s also the popular ala carte menu with over 100 items, each available in small, medium or large servings according to diners’ needs.

Though the menu is set to be revamped after Chinese New Year, most of the crowd favourites are set to remain.

One of the star items is the Steamed Fish in Chef’s Specialty Sauce. The savoury gravy has a mellow garlic flavour which nicely accents the neutral flavours of the steamed fish.

Another seafood offering, the Thai-style Buttered Prawns, should appeal to many. After all, what’s not to like about chunky prawns coated in a spicy and tangy sauce?

The Marmite Chicken is another popular dish that children and adults can enjoy.

Other offerings are Homemade Beancurd with Dry Scallops, Shrimps and Mushrooms; Brinjal in Kam Heong Sauce and Bitter Gourd with Black Bean Sauce and Minced Pork. There’s also Sliced Chicken with Lemon Grass Sauce.

Those looking for a satisfying breakfast or lunch can head to the restaurant for dim sum from 7.30am to 2pm daily. Patrons will be spoilt for choice with over 40 items on the pushcarts to choose from.

On weekends from 3pm to 5pm, take a break for afternoon hi- tea with up to 50% discounts on selected dim sum items.

Currently, there’s a limited time Year End Appreciation Menu priced at RM338+ and RM518+ that comes with a complimentary bottle of red wine per table.

Those getting married can choose from three wedding dinner menus starting from RM338+.

The restaurant can cater for banquets up to 25 tables.

Corner Club Restaurant is located at 55, Gurney Drive (beside Ever-green Laurel Hotel), and opens daily from 7.30am to 3pm and 6pm to 10pm.

For reservations, call 04-2282888 or 04-2275764.

-News courtesy of The Star-

Friday, 10 September 2010

A treat by the seaside

A treat by the seaside

THE halal-certified Oriental Seafood in Gurney Drive, Penang, has indeed withstood the test of time having been around for over two decades pleasing taste buds all over the world with its signature seafood interpretations.

This ‘floating’ restaurant is popular not only for its extensive seafood and Chinese dishes but also for its seafront dining under the stars.

Lining one side of the premises are tanks filled with all kinds of live seafood which are an attraction in itself.

The lunch menu features dishes which are fast, good and value for money. Choices include nasi lemak (RM5.50), tomyam maggi mee (RM4.50), fried hor fun with fish meat (RM12 for two persons) and buttered mantis shrimp with mixed vegetable rice (RM6.50).

More varieties in the form of homemade Hailam choon pneah (spring roll), which is a delight with every mouthful, aromatic curry fish head and yummy mee udang are also available.

Dinner is a sumptuous affair with dishes such as grilled mutton, deep fried salted mantis shrimp, sang yue soup (steamboat style), kam heong crab, loong tan (potato grouper) cooked in two styles and crispy deep fried soft shell crab.

The mutton is nicely done minus the usual gamey smell while the sang yue served with beehoon, vegetables and bean curd is a pot full of oceanic sweetness.

Best complemented with cold beer, the mantis shrimp is fragrant and tasty. The grouper with its luscious and succulent meat is delicately sweet and simply delicious.

Besides its innovative interpretation of dishes, there is no compromise in the ingredients used and the seafood are caught daily by local fishermen. Thus, it is no wonder that the restaurant is so popular especially at dinner time.

In fact, Oriental Seafood with its strategic location in Gurney Drive is almost a landmark of Penang. Mention seafood and the outlet will immediately come to mind.

It also caters to tourists by the busloads and this has given rise to the wrong impression that the food here is overpriced. The management would like to state that they only charge RM10 per person for student groups and RM13 for tourist groups for six dishes and a soup.

The restaurant has six VIP rooms equipped with karaoke systems and is able to host functions and weddings. Diners are also assured of warm and friendly service.

Business hours are from 11am to 11.30pm daily. For reservations, call 04-8904500.

-Info courtesy of The Star-