The Blue Mansion is a popular tourist destination at Leith Street (Lebuh Leith). Bearing a distinctive hue of blue-indigo on its exterior walls, the mansion is one of the many protected heritage buildings in George Town.
The Blue Mansion was the former residence of Cheong Fatt Tze (张弼士, 1840-1916), an industrial magnate and prominent statesman in the British Straits Settlements. He was also responsible for establishing the Chung Hwa Confucian High School (孔圣庙中华中学) which still exists today.
Today, The Blue Mansion is a museum with guided tours at scheduled hours. With 18 rooms in total, the mansion also provides bed & breakfast for tourists who prefer an alternative form of accommodation in George Town. The large hall with architectural embellishment gives a nostalgic sense of how privileged oversea Chinese lived at the Southern Ocean (南洋).
Cheong Fatt Tze Restaurant is the sole eatery in The Blue Mansion. On the helm of this Cantonese-style food establishment is Executive Chef Maurice with 25 years of experience under his belt. Chef Maurice has worked in many prestigious restaurants in Singapore, Maldives and the Philippines.
Our meal starts with a light appetizer, Golden Fried Mango Prawns With Cheese Pillow. Succulent prawns are enveloped in batter coating, then deep-fried to scrumptious crispiness. The fritters are further flavored with diced mangoes and mayonnaise.
The main dish is Steamed Chicken With Jiang Zheng Sauce & Egg Fried Rice. While the reasonably tender chicken is not necessarily the sharpest sword that I have encountered so far, it is the savory fermented soy bean paste (炸酱) which sets it apart from its equals. On the side is a bowl fried rice, stir-fried with garlic and eggs for the delectable appeal.
As for dessert, Green Tea Crème Brûlée With Ice-Cream is the choice today. The green tea custard under the caramelized layer is highly commendable. I appreciate the rich creaminess that the custard is trying to present. Meanwhile, on top the caramelized layer are blueberry, strawberry and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Cheong Fatt Tze Restaurant does not serve pork nor alcohol. In line with fine dining pricing, the food here is of premium quality. The upscale ambience also presents the right setting for a romantic dinner. However, I feel that the waiting service is not as attentive as expected in such fine food establishment. This is one area which the management should look into.
Address: 14, Lebuh Leith, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-262-0006
Business hours: 12:00pm-6:00pm (Monday), 12:00pm-10:00pm (Tuesday-Sunday)Taste