Saturday, 22 September 2012

Enjoy the best of fine dining at chic bistro

Enjoy the best of fine dining at chic bistro in Bay Avenue

PRIMED for those who appreciate the finer things in life, Vino Vino Bistro represents a confluence of worlds where seemingly contrasting elements strike a harmonious, culinary chord.

The swanky establishment, located in Bay Avenue near Queensbay Mall, Penang, finds pre-eminence in its distinctive yet unlikely juxtaposition of time-honoured western staples with dainty, eastern flavours.

As its moniker implies, juices of the vine and prized spirits are its forte. But the most surprising aspect is what it dovetails with — contemporary Japanese cuisine, in particular, Yakitori.

The skewered meats, seafood and vegetables are a best seller, mainly because they are done the right way. They are cooked over a grill lined with a special compacted type of charcoal.

As executive sous chef Steven Kong explains, the embers maintain a constant, moderate temperature that ensures everything is cooked evenly, without being overly charred, thus remaining tender and juicy.

Infused with a distinctive aroma, the skewers’ appeal also lies in their simplicity.

Among the comprehensive selection, the Tebasaki (chicken wings) is perhaps the most popular.

Crispy on the outside and tenderly moist on the inside, it is so good that one helping is never enough.

Equally great are the Sunagimo (chicken gizzard), Kaki Kushi (oysters), Momo (chicken thigh), Bonjiri (bishop’s nose), Sasami Mentai Mayo (chicken fillet with fish roe mayonnaise) and Tsukune Cheese (chicken meat balls with cheese).

Regardless of the order, the Yakitori skewers make a great complement for Vino Vino’s vast selection of around 500 wine labels and 30 types of single malt and blended whiskies.

It is a unique pairing that pleases the palate.

Apart from the Tapas-like bites, the outlet also features a good selection of delicacies from the Land of the Rising Sun, which ranges from sushi to udon, and ramen to rice dishes.

Connoisseurs will find the Assorted Sashimi Platter, which may feature salmon, tuna, yellowtail and cold water sweet prawns, among others, a delightful burst of fresh, aquatic flavours.

On Tuesdays and Fridays, there is a 30% discount on the raw fish selection.

Among the more modern creations is the Wasabi Cheese Smoked Duck, which comprises delicate slivers, to be lathered with the special horseradish-based spread and eaten with crackers.

Another, the Burger Cheese, is a hearty slab of ground beef and chicken, oozing with melted cheese.

All these also go well with any of the premium Japanese sake and shochu lineup.

Currently, the outlet offers affordable lunch and dinner sets, priced from RM17++ and RM29++ respectively.

There is also a Buy-2-Free-1 promotion for red and white wine, available in different sized portions by the glass. These are dispensed from their automated Vino Tech system, which utilises argon, an inert gas, to keep opened bottles fresh for up to 21 days.

Located at Block H-10-1, Lorong Bayan Indah 2 at Bay Avenue in Bayan Lepas, the bistro seats up to 40 pax and also has a karaoke room upstairs for those who would like to belt out a few numbers after meals.

Opening hours are from noon to midnight (Monday to Saturday), and from 5pm to midnight on Sunday. For more information, look up Vino Vino Bistro on Facebook, or call 04-6459922 for reservations.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Sunday, 19 August 2012

Hawker museum for Penang

A tribute to hawkers, Hawker museum for Penang in the offing, says Chang Yeow


A hawker museum will be set up here to reflect the state’s appreciation of this group of people for making Penang food famous globally.

The museum would be a reality should Barisan Nasional regain control of the state in the coming general election, said Penang Barisan chairman Teng Chang Yeow.

Teng said that the museum would showcase the role the hawkers played in turning Penang into an internationally recognised food pa-radise.

“Neither Barisan nor Pakatan Rakyat should claim credit when the state’s hawker food was listed by a global travel website as the third best global street food destination. Praise should be accorded to the hawkers themselves,” he said.

In a posting dated July 21 on VirtualTourist.com, a write-up with a Los Angeles deadline entitled ‘Travel Picks: Top 10 cities for street food’, Penang emerged third behind Singapore while Bangkok was first.

The proposed museum would feature the historical facet of hawkers in the past 60 years.

“It is important to educate the younger generation and foreign tourists about the hard work and contribution of our hawkers here,” he said during a ceramah session organised by Barisan Nasional Jelutong division last night.

The three-hour ceramah which addressed several pressing issues such as the increase in property prices and traffic congestion.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Saturday, 26 May 2012

Chowrasta Market: One step closer to new look

One step closer to new look


THE proposed upgrading of the Chowrasta Market in George Town has taken a step towards reality.

The Penang Municipal Council (MPPP) has approved a budget of RM12.07mil for the project, said its financial management sub-committee alternate chairman Tan Hun Wooi.

He said the project’s architect would have to submit the paperwork for the project in a month or two.

Tan was, however, unable to say when the project would start as the paperwork had to be reviewed after submission.

“The project is expected to be completed in three years after work starts,” he said at an MPPP full council meeting at the City Hall yesterday.

It was reported earlier that the market would sport a refreshing new look under the project which, among others, would include a five-storey car park with 153 parking bays.

Other proposals include travelators, a small bank with automated teller machines, a post office and an urban farm on the rooftop where hydroponic plants could be grown.

The original Chowrasta Market was built in 1890 by the George Town Municipal Council and was last upgraded in 1961.

On another matter, MPPP councillor Muhammad Sabri Md Osman said the road heading from Jalan Sekolah La Salle towards Jalan Lumba Kuda via Jalan Kuda would be turned into a one-way street from Monday to Friday (6.30am to 8am and 12.30pm to 2pm) to alleviate traffic congestion.

“Part of Jalan Ibbetson (from the junction of Jalan Grove) to the entrance of SM Teknik Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra will also be turned into a one-way street during the same periods,” he said.

He said a three-month trial of the one-way street system on the two roads would be implemented from next month.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Monday, 19 March 2012

Japanese touch to street market

Japanese touch to street market

THE Japanese expatriate community will be showcasing their homeland’s traditional arts, craft and food at the Little Penang Street Market (LPSM) in Upper Penang Road on March 25.

There will also be a cosplay competition and a photography exhibition on the earthquake and tsunami tragedy that hit Japan last year on March 11.

Japanese pottery will be on sale and visitors will also be treated to a demonstration on how to make udon noodles.

The cosplay competition, which is limited to 15 participants, will see the winner walk away with RM500.

The LPSM that day is in remembrance of the first year anniversary of the tsunami tragedy, held in the spirit of ‘kizuna’, which means bond of friendship in Japanese.

The LPSM will be held from 10am to 5pm.

For more information, contact 017-4290806 or e-mail www.littlepenang.com.my

~News courtesy of The Star~

Friday, 16 March 2012

Flood woes at airport will be over soon

Flood woes at airport will be over soon

THE flood problems at the Penang International Airport will soon be over once work on the main terminal’s water discharge point is completed.

An airport spokesman said expansion work of the discharge point was expected to be completed in a month’s time.

He said underground pipes and electrical cables needed to be moved before the expansion work could be carried out.

The spokesman said the current discharge outlet was too narrow and was causing the level of rainwater in the area to rise each time it rained heavily.

“Besides that, the location of the airport which is at a low-lying area, is also a contributing factor to the flood problems,” he said.

The spokesman also said a report was submitted to the Transport Ministry about the situation.


Slight delay: The expansion work at the Penang International Airport is 3% behind schedule

He was responding to an online portal report that the airport is in a ‘state of distress’.

In the report, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng claimed that it ‘flooded’ up to one inch at the airport terminal each time it rained heavily due to ‘defective’ expansion project that was being carried out at the airport.

Lim had also sent a letter together with photographs of the situation to Transport Minister Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha.

On the progress of the airport’s expansion work, the spokesman said it was 3% behind schedule.

“However, we believe we can still catch up as it is only a slight delay,” he said

He added that the delay was due to ongoing renovation works at the main terminal.

“We want to ensure that airport operations remain smooth and will not cause inconvenience to the passengers,” he added.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Fest aiming for the high notes

Fest aiming for the high notes

THE Plenitude World Music Festival 2012 (PWMF) is set to break new ground on its return after a three-year hiatus.

Highlight of this year’s extravaganza will be the Orang Temuan troupe who will be out to promote their cultural songs and dances using traditional handmade instruments.

Hailing from Negri Sembilan, the group known as Rentak Balai is one of the five Malay-sian groups that will be performing at the Quarry Recreational Park, Botanic Gardens, from March 30.

The other groups are Aseana Percussions Unit, Geng Wak Long, Didit Dinai, and Penang Dhol Blasters.

Also look out for Mongolian folk rock band Altan Urag who will perform traditional tunes infused with contemporary influences.

Their music has been featured in Mongolian movies such as ‘Khadak’ in 2006 and ‘Mongol’ in 2007.

They will be out to serenade the crowd with their traditional instruments such as the morin khuur (horse head fiddle), ikh khuur (grand horse head fiddle), bishguur (traditional horn) and yoochin (a type of hammered dulcimer).

The band will also give music lovers a basic idea of what khoomii (throat) singing is all about.

The other bands that will also be performing at the festival are Beoga (Ireland), Grace Nono and Bob Aves Group (Philippines), Kalja Riddim Clan (Vanuatu), Will Crummers & The Rarotonga (New Zealand), Tor Ensemble (South Korea), Gus Teja World Music (Indonesia), Griff Trio (Belgium), Phong Nguyen Ensemble (Vietnam), Loyko (Russia) and Beoga (Ireland).

Tickets to the festival are now available online at www.ticketxpress.com.my and at both the Penang State Tourism Development and Culture and the Discovery Overland Holidays offices nationwide.

The one-day tickets cost RM90 (adults) and RM45 (children five to 12) while three-day passes are RM220 (adults) and RM120 (children five to 12).

There will also be a daily musical workshop from 2pm to 5pm and the Kidzworld workshop from 5pm to 6pm. The night concert will kick off at 7pm with six bands taking to the stage each night.

Two previews will be held, the first at Hard Rock Hotel on March 28 and the second at Straits Quay on March 29, both at 8pm.

Some 12,000 people are expected to attend the PWMF from March 30 to April 1.

~News courtesy of The Star~

Monday, 5 March 2012

Sizzling carnival to hit Penang shores again

Sizzling carnival to hit Penang shores again

FOLLOWING its success last year, Braille On The Beach will be back in Penang again on March 10.

Co-organised by St Nicholas Home Penang and Disted College Penang, the event will be held at the Teluk Bahang beach from 7.30am to 5pm.

Visitors will enjoy a host of beach games such as sandcastle building, seashell colouring and tug-of-war.

But the highlight of the event will be the forming of words with large dots in the sand in specified sizes at the inter-tidal zone (the area between high and low tides) along the beach.

Unlike in the previous year, participants will be free to sculpt a five- word sentence of their choice.

Points will be given on the accuracy of the translation from the words to Braille and its originality.

Participants in the main event need to be teams of 10 people with a donation of RM1,000 or more per team.

Besides the Challenge Trophy, there will prizes such as medals and cash up for grabs.

Meanwhile, participation for the beach games is RM12 for those 13 years and above and RM6 for children up to 12 years.

St Nicholas Home executive director Daniel Soon said the event had a good con-cept, which was promoting knowledge about Braille.

“Sighted people who have very little understanding of Braille can learn more through this activity,” he said.

The head of Disted College’s Business School Dr Liew Yueah Cin also said that the college encouraged staff and students to reach out to the community through its initiative, Disted Connect.

“We are looking to cultivate a sense of belonging and caring in the Penang society,” he said.

Those who wish to participate in the main event can obtain and submit entry forms at St Nicholas Home.

Closing date for registration is March 7.

For more details, visit www.snh.org.my or call Mary at 04-2290800.

~News courtesy of The Star~