Chiak Penang @ Eastin Hotel Penang

Hehe, I guess some of the readers here would know that after a hiatus of 9 months, Im now back in Penang. Taiwan was a enjoyable experience and I guess there is still alot of writing about that place for me to complete. Still have not share alot of yummilicious places but hope I will soon.

But in terms of flavor and variety, I have to say it still can't beat Malaysia. No doubt there is alot of great and high end food, but if you are looking for a rendang or nasi lemak, good luck there in Taiwan.

So this May and June 2015, Eastin is bringing you a Chiak Penang fiesta as their theme where they will have a bunch of yummy local dishes to savour your taste buds. From local appetizers such as various kerabu and gado-gado to fruit rojak, main courses from western, asian and local flavors to various desserts, this buffet lunch will appeal to many with its great value for money pricing.

Available every weekday from noon to 2.30pm, and priced at RM66 nett per adult and RM33 nett per child, this buffet is really worth it. There is also a senior citizen discount of 50% so if you are retired but like to enjoy a buffet, this is bang for the buck. There is also an ongoing promotion for Citibank credit card holders where there is a buy 1 free 1 campaign. Also if you own a Maybank or Citibank credit card you are also entitled to a 15% discount for their buffet dinner. So head on over to try this buffet. You can check out the photos for some of the highlights. 

With a colorful theme, its only fitting that the food is served on colorful platters :)

Ramadan Buffet and Peranakan Cuisine at Eastin Hotel Penang

For the month of Ramadan which is from 29 June - 27 July  2014, Eastin Hotel's Swez Brasserie is having their highly anticipated Ramadan Buffet Dinner and it is an event or should I say feast which many will not want to miss!

As usual, Chef Bakri and Chef Fauzi will be bringing lots of traditional flavors to the table and some with a modern twist. One of the items which will be making headlines will be their whole roasted lamb (whole lamb will be available once there is over 50 pax for the buffet else it will be a roasted leg of lamb). The succulent lamb which is roasted daily will be irresistible.

Now, the buffet is starts daily from 6.30pm till 10.00pm and priced at a very affordable RM88++ (adult) and RM44++ (child). Those using Bank Islam credit/debit card are entitled to a 15% discount while Citibank and Maybank card users can enjoy a Pay for 5 and the 6th dine for free!

As for lunch, they will be having a Peranakan Cuisine theme and thus one can savor different flavors for both lunch and dinner! How awesome is that right? The lunch buffet is priced at RM50++ (adult) and RM25++ (child).

So do check out some of the highlights below.

The chef proudly presenting their creations!

Sensational Sakura @ Swez Brasserie, Eastin Hotel Penang

What a month it will be this March 2014 at Swez Brasserie of Eastin Hotel as they are bringing in HAPA Masterchef (Asian) - Chef Ricky Hui Eng Keong all the way from Eastin Hotel Petaling Jaya to showcase some fine Japanese cuisine, for their Sensational Sakura theme this month.

Chef Ricky Hui is a multiple award winner and has a host of experience serving many important people and dignitaries from around the world. Based at Eyuzu Japanese Cuisine Restaurant located at Eastin PJ, its not everyday such a high calibre chef makes his way up North for a month to showcase his delicacies. Thus, for those Japanese cuisine fans, head over to Eastin Penang now! Do check out the mouth watering sampling that was prepared, and I have to say, some I find it really yummilicous!

As always, there are some perks to using a credit card and getting a discount is what counts.

The lucky users of Maybank, Standard Chartered, CIMB, Citibank and Mastercard Worldwide credit card members are entitled to a 15% discount as well! So check it out.

Lunch: Monday-Friday

(12noon-2.30pm)

RM50++ Adult, RM25++ Child

Hi Tea: Saturday-Sunday 

(12-4.00pm)

RM68++ Adult, RM34++ Child

Semi Buffet Dinner: Sunday-Tuesday, Thursday 

(6.30pm-10.00pm)

From RM50++ per person 

When I saw these dolls, it really reminded me of some authentic Japanese music

Herbs & Spices Flavors @ Eastin Hotel Penang for November 2013

For the month of November, Eastin Hotel Penang is having its Herbs & Spices theme for their buffet spread and they strive to bring dishes that has been infused with lots of these herbs and spices. These are flavor additive that has been used for centuries and since its also Deepavali month, there are of course some influence of Indian flavors as well.

This time round, we have Chef Buvanes and Khalil leading the menu and they try to bring a new twist to some tried and tested recipes. So do read on to see what I think of the menu for November. 

Its also good to note that the pricing is still the same as stated below. Best part is Maybank, Standard Chartered, OCBC, CIMB and Citibank credit card members are entitled to a 15% discount as well for the dinner menu! So check it out.

Lunch: Monday-Friday (12-2.30pm)

RM48++ Adult, RM24++ Child

Hi Tea: Saturday-Sunday (12-3.00pm)

RM55++ Adult, RM28++ Child

Semi Buffet Dinner: Sunday-Thursday (6.30pm-10.00pm)

From RM48++

So to start of, we have some Appetizers and Soup

First we have the Achari Paneer which is a homemade cheese which I initially thought was tofu. It has a very soft texture and really almost like tofu but just that the flavor has a more milky taste to it. The use of the spices to cook it makes this an interesting item on the menu. One thing I learnt was that compared to tofu, this cheese does not break down when cooked in a wok and thus it still retains its chunky form.

Next there is the Deep Fried Pakoras which to be is one of the best items of the day! The Pakoras were so crunchy and flavorful that you just had to have more of it. Topping it with fried curry leaves helps to give it the added oomph to the taste but again, try to control the intake of fried items :)

German Galore Promotion at Eastin Hotel Penang

Time really flies and before we know it, October is here and for that, I'm also a year older. For the month of October, I guess somehow, everything seems to be about the German festivities and Eastin Hotel Penang through their Swez Brasserie is having a German Galore where they try to bring some German inspired food to the table for all to sample.

Now, I guess most would agree that for the authentic German food, you have to have pork and beer. But since this is a pork free hotel, thats not possible and the chef's here need to be abit more creative to have the taste and authenticity yet keep it pork free. I have to say that this is one challenge which is almost impossible to solve though and its really a good effort by some of the award winning chefs here are doing. 

So for the month of October, the buffet and semi buffet will have German inspired dishes to whet ones appetite and I find the buffet interesting as always as you will get to try many different varieties of food versus the semi buffet where the main courses is served full plate.

Its also good to note that the pricing is still the same as stated below. Best part is Maybank, Standard Chartered, OCBC, CIMB and Citibank credit card members are entitled to a 15% discount as well for the dinner menu! So check it out.

Lunch: Monday-Friday (12-2.30pm)

RM48++ Adult, RM24++ Child

Hi Tea: Saturday-Sunday (12-3.00pm)

RM55++ Adult, RM28++ Child

Semi Buffet Dinner: Sunday-Thursday (6.30pm-10.00pm)

From RM48++

The chefs presenting their creations

Mooncake & International Cuisine Promotion ~ Eastin Hotel Penang September 2013

Its coming into the 8th Month in the Chinese Calendar and as most will know, this is the time where the Mooncake or Mid Autumn Festival is celebrated! This year, it will be on 19th September 2013 and Eastin Hotel Penang in conjunction with their KL peers, have decided to bring in their signature mooncakes for Penangites to savour. To keep things simple, they have prepared only 6 flavors and frankly to me, this is more than enough. Main point is keep it simple and keep the quality high.

The flavors are Red Bean, Jasmine Cheesy Citrus, Low Sugar White Lotus, Precious Black Wolfberry Lotus Paste, Pure Lotus Double Yolk and Supreme Mixed Nuts which range in price from RM17 to RM20 each. The mooncakes are already available and one can call to make reservations in advance to avoid disappointment (+604-6121128 Swez Brasserie)

At the same time from September onwards, Swez Brasserie will be having an International Cuisine theme for their buffet and this features a more global tastes with dishes inspired from Germany, Japan, Mexico and even Thailand. There are a variety of great Appetizers, Main courses and Desserts to choose from and I'm sure diners will find something to their liking. Do check them out!

 6 Flavors of Mooncake!

The mooncakes have a thin crust layer and lots of  filling! The fact that its not very sweet makes it even more delectable! This is the Red Bean and Double Yolk version.

Flavors of Malaysia at Eastin Hotel Penang ~ August 2013 Promotion

Right after Hari Raya and their Ramadan themed buffet, Eastin Hotel Penang is surely not resting as they have now prepared the Flavors of Malaysia theme for their August promotion at the Swez Brasserie! This series of buffet strives to highlight some of the culinary delights that is somehow so deeply rooted in us that is almost like comfort food for the soul. The buffet encompasses some good variety of favors and it covers the food from appetizers, main courses and even Malaysian styled desserts.

Thus, one will find Penang Famous Pasembur, Kerabu Mee Hoon and even Sup Ekor for appetizers, followed by Ayam Percik, Kambing Masala, Rendang Tok Kelantan, Nasi Hujan Panas and Johor Laksa for mains, and finally there is the delectable Bubur Cha Cha and Ais Kacang for desserts!

Do catch this great chance to sample some of Malaysia's culinary delights all at one place for the month of August. Its also priced reasonably from RM48++ for adults and half price for children. 

Hmm, some spoon samples?

Checking out the desserts first

Aussie Tucker Semi Buffet January 2013 Promotion ~ Swez Brasserie

Well its the end of the year of 2012 and the New Year is upon us already. With January just a few days away, Swez Brasserie located at Eastin Hotel Penang is bringing a twist to their monthly special. The theme for January 2013 will be Aussie Tucker where one will get to savor some Australian favorites. Actually at first I was expecting a meat fest but was thoroughly surprise by the amount of seafood that was featured and then it reminded me that Australia also has lots of seafood offering and I'm happy to see that there is lots available to try for their Aussie Tucker theme.

So without ado, do have a look at some of the specials for this January theme and as always, these are in addition to their standard buffet lines ya!

The chefs presenting their creations for Aussie Tucker!

Swez Brasserie Buffet Lunch at Eastin Hotel Penang

It happened that there was a training session which was held at Eastin Hotel Penang today and lunch was held at the Swez Brasserie. I understood from fellow bloggers that they were having a Vietnamese themed menu and I guess I was pretty lucky to get to try it first hand. Now, this is the first time that I have actually ate at Eastin Hotel and prior to this, has always been with the feedback that the spread was not up to par. But I guess that is why I was truly surprised that the food that I got to eat today was very satisfying. For RM48++ for lunch, I feel that its good value for money and I also understand Maybank cardholders get 15% discount too. With this said, do have a look at some of the photos and feel free to leave a comment. Hope you all give this place a try ya!

The desserts spread! There is a good choice of cakes as well as local nyonya kuih and fruits

The row of fried and cooked dishes all lined up