Anniversary Celebration @ Heaven Gate, Penang

The best place to celebrate anniversary? Heaven Gate, hands down! That's the best dining restaurant located at Lebuh King, Penang, that we had our 1st anniversary celebration. Heaven Gate offers guests a gastronomic feast for the senses with their stunning atmosphere and pleasant dishes. Coincidentally, they are launching their new menu as well. So where could be better place to celebrate our love and welcome another wonderful year of togetherness right? 

Anniversary Celebration at Heaven Gate!

Music Playing: tonight~~ I celebrate my love for you~~~

(Peabo Bryson - Tonight, I celebrate my love)

Heaven Gate - Very sweet right? =D

Needless to say, Heaven Gate is elegantly decorated, especially with cupid statue, water fountain and romantic portraits. With the comforting dim yellow light, love is all around me and so the feeling grows! The newly launched menu consist of soup, appetizer, main and dessert, which is thoughtfully designed and carefully prepared menu that fit for a delectable dining. 

Heaven Gate's complimentary soft roll that is steaming hot was served with butter. The butter melted instantly in between the crispy skin with soft bread filling. The observant waitress is really thoughtful to help us reheat the soft roll since we were busy taking photos before eating! 

Heaven Gate - Exotic Asian Pumpkin Veloute (RM16.90)

Veloute is a white sauce made of chicken along with added pumpkin to get the color and the sweetness. Then added with Parmesan before removing from the heat. The pumpkin Veloute also served with seared marinated basil prawn to further enhanced the aroma. 

Heaven Gate - California Chicken and Corn Chowder (RM16.90)

Creamy corn chowder with added diced carrot, baby bean sprout and finely chopped basil. Bite sized chicken was being pan-seared to seal the sweetness before adding into the chowder. Yum yum!   

Heaven Gate - Appetizer

Heaven Gate - House Specialty Garden Salad

Heaven Gate - Pan Seared Diver Scallops (RM17.90)

Darling and I ordered one appetizer each so that we could get to try both! I believe that's the way for everyone else too, especially greedy eatery like me! Heaven Gate's house specialty garden salad was topped with crispy tempura soft shell crab, wakame (seaweed) and ebiko (fish roe). While pan seared diver scallops was topped with peeled shallot and Parmesan crisp. Diced sun-dried tomato and mango add on the sourness to the cauliflower purée which was brilliantly appetizing!

Heaven Gate - Line-Caught Barramundi (RM42.90)

Heaven Gate - Served Herb Sauce

You would not be surprised to see the word "Poisson" in the menu as it means fish in French. We tried the Barramundi which is the Asian seabass. It is served with beetroot carpaccio, potato cream, mango relish and herb sauce. The green-tea-latte-color of herb sauce was kinda attractive as it is mainly made of basil and chive. I spread it on top of the fish, looks like pandan kaya too right! Well, not forgetting to compliment the crispy skin that seasoned with salt, could bring out the freshness of the fish. Beet root salsa and mango chutney make it colorful and different layer of taste as well. 

Heaven Gate - House Specialty Duck (RM58.90)

Heaven Gate - Duck breast

I believe if it is written "house specialty", it must be something that you should try! And I was right! Heaven Gate's duck breast caught me off guard! I never expect duck breast could be so delicious. The shinning outer layer that you see in the photo was coated with honey that makes it sweet, sticky and crispy. Then, pork wine sauce is added onto the duck breast as well. Dumpling in the middle is absolutely brilliant as it was wrapped with cheese and mushroom inside. Roast pumpkin was very soft and Shimeji (mushroom) was added for extra texture. 

Way to a man's heart is through his stomach, 

but way to a woman's heart is through her sweet tooth!

Music Playing: All I hear is raindrops~~ I am officially missing you~~

(Tamia - Officially Missing You)

Heaven Gate - Classic Italian Tiramisu (RM18.90)

Heaven Gate - Thick and firm layer of mascarpone

Tiramisu as per standard one, bottom layer of espresso, middle layer of mascarpone with alcohol and topped with bitter sweet cocoa powder. The espresso was quite mild so that it doesn't cover the aroma of the alcohol, but yet the amount of alcohol was just nice so that you would not get drunk!  

Heaven Gate - Chocolate Fudge Cake (RM18.90)

Heaven Gate - Served with Vanilla Mixed Berries Ice Cream

I bet all dessert lover must like this! It could simply solve a massive chocolate craving! Every spoon of dense chocolate fudge requires a scoop of vanilla ice cream to round out the richness, yet giving the hot and cold sensations to your body! Not just that, the crushed cookie underneath the ice cream provides a crispy texture to the soft chocolate fudge. This is just heavenly good!

Heaven Gate - Lava Chocolate (RM18.90)

Again, it is a mixture of hot and cold, but it offers additional texture! As usual, one would need to cut it and let the lava chocolate erupted! (I'm not sure if is just me that likes to play with my food >.<) Heaven Gate's Lava Chocolate was so sophisticated that it is also served with caramelized banana and fruit compote! Banana and chocolate are always the perfect match with their different type of sweetness complementing each other! Furthermore, the crispy caramelized added another different texture! 

Heaven Gate - Served with Vanilla Mascarpone Ice Cream

Surprised to see the third dessert? Well, that's why they said 1 + 1 = 3! =p It's funny but it is just the way we are. We will always order additional one to try it out! Lava Chocolate as the last will never be wrong! So I could confidently conclude that Heaven Gate is the best place for anniversary celebration!

No matter what we have been through, 

we always make sure we end on a high note! 

Music playing: I love you~~~ 

(David Tao - Love, Very Simple)

Heaven Gate - Not forgetting to take a photo as memory!

Heaven Gate has always been a common place for wedding proposal and many other romantic celebration. It's not just about the decoration or the food, but the ambient where they would play some really nice love songs that quickly let mood kicks in! All the "Music Playing" written above were actually the song playing when we were having our meal. I just could not praise enough, you just have to pay a visit yourself to truly experience! 

Heaven Gate

1A, Lebuh King, 

10200 Georgetown, 

Penang.

Reservation Tel: 012-488 5979

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CNY 2015 Gartien Pineapple Cakes

This year Gartien offers Chinese New Year Limited Edition of pineapple cakes! Gartien has been so successful that every year they would come out with special edition for the festive season. Check out last year CNY 2014 Gartien Peony here. However, this was my first time to visit to Gartien new shop in Penang road. 

CNY Limited Edition 2015 Gartien

Gartien - Free Car Park

With the help of darling, she went back to my old post to find out this Free Car Park map. It's quite easy to find the Free Car Park since it is actually the car park of Hotel Central. But since the car park is located behind that row of shop houses, you might want to drive slowly to look for the entrance of Lorong Bertam on your left. 

Once you parked your car, do remember to bring along the ticket to Gartien. (1) From the car park, the fastest way would be walking thru Hotel Central using their back door. (2) Then it would leads you to their front door where you will see Guardian Lion (石獅). (3) Turn left at the Hotel Central front door and walk further down. (4) Among all the old shop houses, you will notice a new modern Gartien.

Gartien - Entrance

The entrance of Gartien could be easily found with the light bulbs beautifully hanging down from the ceiling. The bunting is also very catchy placing right beside the door!

Gartien - Consist of two shop houses side by side

Coincidentally captured this pretty lady that sitting inside while I took the photo! Hopefully she would not think that I was stalking her. (>.<)

Gartien - Front counter

It's a simple and spacious shop. You will be greeted by this lady at the counter upon entering the shop. All their products could be seen easily at the counter.

Gartien - Transparency view of the kitchen

Ms Miki told us that they had changed into new modern kitchen which is more efficient and a lot more cleaner! I would say this is a good change! In the recent years, many shops and even factory such as the bread factories were ordered to closed down due to the failure to comply to cleanliness level. The transparency of their kitchen definitely could increase the level of confidence from the consumers. 

Gartien - 2014 PIE Award

At the counter, Gartien showcasing their 2014 Pinnacle International Excellence award under Emerging Class for Tourism Souvenir! So yes! 

Don't tell anyone you have been to Penang 

if you did not bring this back as souvenir! 

Gartien - CNY Limited Edition Gartien Pineapple Cakes - RM45

The Chinese New Year Limited Edition Gartien Pineapple Cakes consists of 10 pieces in each box. This year their box is in Tiffany Blue color, which is quite trendy! I guess they are trying to open up their market to younger generation too! 

Gartien - Paper Bag

No matter what you have changed, never forget to keep the precious tradition! Red is still a must-have color while a short wishing message was added creatively. In year 2015, a box of Chinese New Year Limited Edition Pineapple cakes costs RM45 for normal price. The selling period would be starting 12/1/2015 to 16/2/2015.

Promotion:

1. Buy 10 Free 1

2. Shipping Fee - RM10

3. First 100 pre-order customer get a FREE handmade pineapple jam 

Gartien - Handmade Pineapple Jam

Well, if you compare side by side between Gartien pineapple jam and normal one, you would see that it is totally different. Gartien pineapple jam uses 水晶黄梨 (crystal pineapple?) which is relatively sweet! Unlike conventional pineapple jam, Gartien uses pure fresh pineapple without using other chemical or preservative, which you could still see the pineapple chunks.

Gartien - Box of 6 Pineapple Jam

Gartien - Pineapple Jam
Regular (120g) - RM11.80 (1 bottle) | RM63.00 (6 bottles)
Large (190g) - RM12.80 (1 bottle) | RM68.00 (6 bottles)

Here she is! The pretty lady! =D

On the other side of the shop, there are sofas for the customers. The customers could choose to try out on a sample as well at sofa area. 

Gartien - Sample for customer to try out

A cup of tea would also be served together with the sample of pineapple cake and pineapple jam. It is recommended that the pineapple cake is a good pairing with warm tea. Meanwhile, the pineapple jam would be tasted together with Marie biscuit. 

Gartien - Pretty lady trying out the pineapple cake!

Gartien - 2015 Theme 

Gartien - Toilet

Gartien - Relaxing afternoon

It's kinda fun to sit down and enjoy a cup of tea and a piece of pineapple cake while witnessing the busy street. But of course, it would be perfect to have someone by your side, especially a pretty one! ;) 

Order now while the stock last!

Gartien

380, Jalan Penang, 10000 Penang, Malaysia. 

(next to Kek Seng Coffee Shop/格成茶室)

9.00am-6.00pm Daily

Tel: 604-229 0068

Email: info@gartien.com

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Farquhar Mansion @ Lebuh Farquhar, Penang

Farquhar Mansion, opened last year, has set the fine dining bar high with its top-notch, exquisitely selected menu. This is a place for a jet set that has not forgotten that the dining place is an essential part of the social identity(learned from MBA subject =p). Since opening, Farquhar Mansion has been showered with well-deserved praise, rapidly earning the elegant fine dining restaurant with an enthusiastic following. However, Farquhar Mansion is not just a best fine dining French restaurant in Penang, it is also the city's most superior lounge at the upper floor - perfect for relaxation as you sink into comfortable leather chairs.

Farquhar Mansion Lounge

Farquhar Mansion - Right opposite of E&O Hotel

Farquhar Mansion is frequented by the riches because they know this is the most stunning and exclusive place to eat, drink and enjoy the luxury. Yes, Farquhar Mansion Lounge is specially for members only! 

Here are the membership details:

Nobleman - RM 3, 000
- Credit of RM 3, 000 (to be redeemed for in house dine in and lounge spending)
- A complimentary glass of welcoming drink/ House Pour
- A complimentary bottle of Whiskey or Wine Selection
- A complimentary birthday treat (to be chosen by member)
- Entitled Special Discount on Festive or Special Set Dinner

Royal - RM 5, 000
- Credit of RM 5, 000 (to be redeemed for in house dine in and lounge spending)
- A complimentary glass of welcoming drink/ House Pour
- A complimentary bottle of Higher Range Fine Wine
- A complimentary bottle of Higher Range Whiskey or Wine Selection
- A complimentary birthday treat (to be chosen by member)
- Entitlement to use the Private Dining Room
- Invitation to Monthly Grand Appreciation Event
- Entitled Special Discount on Festive or Special Set Dinner

Members will also be the first to know any great promotions!

Farquhar Mansion - Upstairs

Thankfully I was being invited by my friend to spend my Saturday night there with darling. It is such a great opportunity for us to be amused by the magnificent environment of Farquhar Mansion. Of course, I would definitely fully utilized this chance to take as many photos as I could and share it here! You would not know how awkward it is, as I was like a kampung boy that goes into the city(阿牛出城)! LOL!

Farquhar Mansion - Decorations

We were astonished by the whimsical interior design, especially the wall and even the ceiling, which full of decorative paintings. In Farquhar Mansion, wherever you turn to, there will be something that would impress you. The lounge has been divided into open area and private room. As you would expect, the private rooms are only for the Royal members.

Farquhar Mansion Lounge - Open Area

Farquhar Mansion Lounge - Private Room with Long Dining Table

Farquhar Mansion Lounge - Private Room with Royal Seats

We truly enjoyed our night with the live band which was performed by The Mister Walker. Well, here are their performance schedule:
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday : 9.45pm - 12.45am
Friday & Saturday : 10.15pm - 1.15am

The Mister Walker will be performing different genres on different day, ranging from Pop, Pop-Jazz, Sentimental, Cover Songs, Top 40 and many more. All the announcement on the genre will be posted on their Facebook Page. FYI, The Mister Walker is the hottest live band in Penang where they regularly perform at numerous functions.

Farquhar Mansion - Lovely singer isn't she?

Lucky for us, they were performing all our favorite sentimental songs. I have to give compliment to The Mister Walker as the performers are really great! Not just one or two, but all of them are equally pleasurable! Farquhar Mansion Lounge is very thoughtful as they set up the audio system all around the mansion and even in the toilet, just so that you would not miss the best part of it.

Farquhar Mansion - Wine & Music - Perfect Combo!

Farquhar Mansion - Santa Alicia Carbernet Sauvignon

For total enjoyment, the house wine is a must to be fully indulged in the wonderland. We were served with Central Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Santa Alicia, year 2013. This 14% vol. red wine is  rich of aroma and taste more towards to dry flavor.

Farquhar Mansion - Fried Onion Ring

Farquhar Mansion - Fried Onion Ring

To further enhanced our dining experience, Fried Onion Ring was served as Tapas to pair with the red wine. It is really crispy and tasty to go with the tartar sauce. Definitely goes well with the wine!

Farquhar Mansion - Creme Brûlée

Later on, we were served with Creme Brûlée. Guess what? It caught us completely off guard!

Farquhar Mansion - Creme Brûlée

We thought that it was just another simple Creme Brûlée.

Farquhar Mansion - Creme Brûlée

It really pulls off the nifty trick of not only cleverly remaining its original inspiration but actually bettering it by adding blueberries underneath. A fine layer of crystallized caramel crust on top, sealing the rich-creamy-smooth custard and a surprising-sourish blueberries which could tantalized your taste bud!

By then, I was so drunk that I even cheered with the Queen on the wall! Ops, I mean the Queen next to me! As the night goes by, I was getting drowsy and tipsy with blurred vision. LOL Gratefully, Farquhar Mansion does provides some sofa seating at the outdoor! As usual that they would remind you, don't drive drunk!

If the sophisticated fine dining at Farquhar Mansion is not reason enough to go, Lounge, located upstairs of the mansion, certainly is! Words can't describe how awesome it is and you just gotta find it out yourself! 

Farquhar Mansion

33, Lebuh Farquhar, 

10200 Penang.

Tel: 013-3188933 (Ms Celine)

Email: farquhar.pg@gmail.com

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