Special thanks to The Barn for extending this food review invitation.

The Barn is a chain of rustic restaurants and wine bars from Kuala Lumpur. There are 8 branches in total; all but one are located in Klang Valley. The sole Penang outlet operates in Gurney Plaza.

The Barn specializes in Western dishes such as steaks, burgers, pizzas and pastas. In addition, the restaurant serves alcoholic beverages like wine, beer, liquor and cocktails. The Barn has over 200 wines in its collection.

Since this is Christmas season, The Barn is offering À La Carte Roast Turkey (RM42.00) for a limited time. As per tradition, the turkey is served with cranberry sauce and honey grain mustard sauce. The dish also comes with chestnut terrine, pigs in blankets, roasted chat potatoes, Brussels sprouts and garden vegetables.

Meanwhile, Meat Lovers Platter (RM92.00) is the perfect choice if you wish to sample multiple small plates. The platter comprises of crispy pork belly, marinated fried chicken wings, char-grilled magro, pork satay, sausages (dynamite chili chicken and smoked chicken cheese) and luncheon fries. Dijon mayonnaise and satay sauce are provided.

We also enjoyed a half rack of Flaming Pork Spare Ribs (RM62.00). The ribs are glazed with orange barbecue sauce, which gives a lovely combination of sweet, tangy and savory flavors. The delicacy is roasted to perfection and finished with whisky flambé.

As for pasta, Fettuccine Carbonara (RM33.00) is a good choice. In this dish, al dente fettuccine is complemented with bacon strips and cheese-based creamy sauce. The egg yolk is meant to be stirred with pasta while the latter is still warm. I cannot recommend this dish highly enough.

Moving on to desserts, Crème Brulee (RM19.00) is a vanilla-flavored custard with caramelized sugar on top. Meanwhile, Chocolate Lava (RM25.00) comes with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Chocolate syrup oozes out as soon as the cake is punctured.

After a hearty meal, a nice glass of wine is well deserved. The Barn has fine wines from around the world, including labels from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States, Argentina and Chile. Customers enjoy house pouring wine for only RM15.00 during Happy Hours, which run from 12:00pm to 9:00pm every day and all night on Tuesdays.

Are you celebrating Christmas at home? The Barn’s Whole Stuffed Turkey (RM380.00) weighs approximately 4 kilograms and comes with side dishes like chestnut terrine and pigs in blankets. The turkey must be ordered 72 hours in advance so that it is properly marinated. Here is an inside scoop: Get a free bottle of wine when you order through The Barn’s mobile app!

Speaking of which, The Barn has rolled out a new mobile app that gives exclusive discounts and privileges. Simply download it from this link and register an account to get free coupons right away! The app is absolutely free to use.

The Barn serves Executive Lunch on weekdays. Customers enjoy free flow of soup and salad from the buffet counter. Meanwhile, the Weekend Brunch menu offers lighter meals like Open Face Sandwiches and Focaccia Melts. Be sure to take advantage of special offers through The Barn’s mobile app!

Name: The Barn
Address: 170-G-43, Plaza Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-229-0763
Business hours: 12:00pm-12:00am
Website: http://www.thebarn.com.my
Coordinates: 5.43751 N, 100.30977 E
Directions: The Barn is located at Gurney Plaza’s outdoor piazza, directly facing G Hotel. Gurney Plaza has basement and multi-level parking garages.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Opened in August 2019, Big Glass is one of the newest restaurants in Auto-City. The eatery occupies a peculiar-looking structure near Shop-In d’ Park.

Stepping inside the restaurant, Big Glass presents a family-friendly dining atmosphere. The combination of red brick walls and wooden tabletops give the dining area a rustic touch.

Al fresco dining is also possible; there are additional tables at the veranda and under the trees. Be sure to check out a Mini Cooper on display; the car is part of the owner’s antique collection.

Big Glass has a couple of private rooms with interesting seating arrangements. For instance, this octagon-shaped room allows all diners to face one another easily. Customers can use the private rooms without extra charge as long as they spend at least RM180.00 on food and drinks.

The dining tables in the restaurant are provided by a local furniture dealer, which specializes in high quality timber such as Laotian rain trees. If interested, customers may purchase any handcrafted furniture in the restaurant. So in a way, Big Glass doubles as a furniture showroom.

In terms of food, Big Glass specializes in Western cuisine such as steak, pasta, pizza, burger and salad. In addition, the menu covers a number of Asian dishes like cheese-baked rice. Vegetarian options are available too. As for drinks, the restaurant serves coffee, juices and alcoholic beverages.

Big Glass’ signature dish is the Fried Laksa (RM18.90). Inspired by asam laksa, thick rice noodle is stir-fried with tamarind to give the dish a hint of sourness. Much like the classic recipe, Fried Laksa also contains pineapples, cucumbers, shallots and ginger flower. A fried mackerel is included too.

Big Glass has a substantial range of finger foods to complement alcoholic beverages. A good example is Crispy Salmon Belly (RM15.00). The salmon chunks are made saltier than usual because they are meant to go with beer.

Another mouthwatering snack that deserves special mention is Salted Egg French Fries (RM10.90). The savoriness of salted egg yolk is gratifying indeed! Meanwhile, curry leaves impart soothing aroma to the already addictive fries.

Big Glass pours Tiger and Guinness beer fresh from the tap. Draft beer comes in various serving sizes. The largest, Big Glass, contains 2 liters of booze! Meanwhile, choices of bottled beer are Anchor, Heineken, Tiger Crystal and Apple Fox.

As a family-friendly dining establishment, Big Glass serves non-alcoholic beverages too. Cafe Freddo (RM12.00) is a favorite among regular customers. Prepared using 2 shots espresso, the drink is chilled but is surprisingly ice-free. And if you prefer hot drinks, Salted Caramel Macchiato (RM13.00) is infused with a pinch of salt to give the coffee a heightened taste.

A 2-piece band performs live music from 8:30pm to 11:30pm every evening, except on Friday and Saturday when the live performance is from 9:30pm to 12:30am instead. Furthermore, Big Glass can host private parties for up to 150 people. The menu can be customized according to the organizer’s needs.

Name: Big Glass
Address: A-3, Jalan Perusahaan, Auto-City, 13600 Juru, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-502-3236
Business hours: 11:00am-12:00am (Sunday-Thursday), 11:00am-2:00am (Friday-Saturday)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/bigglassatautocity
Coordinates: 5.33709 N, 100.42825 E
Directions: From the North-South Expressway, take the Bukit Mertajam exit and head west. Turn right at the end of the road, and then take the next left turn to arrive at Auto-City. Big Glass is located near Shop-In d’ Park. There are plenty of parking spaces throughout Auto-City.

SPG By Bijan is a chic bar at the Bukit Ceylon neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur. SPG stands for “Sarong Party Girls”, a tongue-in-cheek term for local women who prefer to date Caucasian men. While its sister outlet next door (Bijan Bar & Restaurant) serves fine Malay cuisine, SPG specializes in Malay tapas with modern twists.

Although SPG has been operating for several months, the drinking establishment is having its grand opening today. The theme this evening is “A Night Of 1950’s Glamour”. Besides having 1950s pop oldies, the organizers also urged guests to dress in colonial Malayan costumes.

This evening, SPG is serving an exotic cocktail called Stinkini. Like Martini, Stinkini is concocted from vermouth and gin. But instead of olives, Stinkini is infused with pickled petai (stink beans).

The barbecue station is where grilled meats like lamb, chicken and squids are prepared. Chicken satay is available too.

SPG also serves light bites, bakar-bakar (barbecue) and desserts. However, we are only able to cover a small fraction of the food menu. We are looking forward to savoring more food items in the future.

Name: SPG By Bijan
Address: 3A, Jalan Ceylon, Bukit Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03-2022-3575
Business hours: 12:00pm-11:00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/spgbybijan
Coordinates: 3.14847 N, 101.70584 E
Directions: SPG By Bijan is situated at Jalan Ceylon, right across the street from 6 Ceylon condominium. There are parking spaces along the uphill road next to the restaurant.

Perched on Level 25 of Lexis Suites Penang is Sky Lite Bar, the hotel’s sole drinking establishment. The lounge is furnished with cozy lounge chairs for patrons to relax and enjoy the evening.

Customers can also step outdoors to enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. If the weather is good, one can also watch the mesmerizing golden sky as the sun sets in the west.

Sky Lite Bar serves alcoholic beverages, afternoon tea and light snacks. Carlsberg draught beer is dispensed fresh from the tap. Topped with a frothy head, the frosty glass of beer is quite satisfying as it trickles down the throat.

The bartender is well versed in a large variety of cocktails. For instance, mojito is concocted from lime juice, muddled mint, rum, brown sugar, soda water and crushed ice. As for mocktails, Sky Wakanda is a fizzy blend of orange, mango, pineapple and grapefruit juices with banana and strawberry purée.

Live music is performed at the Sky Lite Bar every evening except on Mondays. Starting performance from 8:30pm (or 9:30pm on Fridays and Saturdays), the 2-piece band from the Philippines entertains the nighttime crowd with a medley of pop songs.

Mark your calendars for Friday evenings because the Sky Lite Bar has a Pre-Weekend Party promotion. Customers enjoy special discounts on draught beer, house wine, liquor, cocktails and mocktails between 6:00pm and 9:00pm.

Taking advantage of the captivating view from high above, the Sky Lite Bar makes a perfect venue for romantic candlelight dinner. The 4-course Western meal is priced at RM230.00 net per couple and comes with a pair of cocktail or wine.

Name: Sky Lite Bar
Address: 28, Jalan Teluk Kumbar, 11920 Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-628-2888
Business hours: 11:00am-12:00am (Sunday-Thursday), 11:00am-1:00am (Friday-Saturday)
Website: https://www.lexissuitespenang.com/dining/sky-lite-bar
Coordinates: 5.28677 N, 100.23258 E
Directions: From Bayan Lepas, drive along Jalan Teluk Kumbar towards the intersection with Jalan Gertak Sanggul. Lexis Suites Penang is the tall building on the left just before the intersection. Sky Lite Bar is located at Level 25 of the building. There are parking spaces inside the hotel.

Special thanks to Copthorne Cameron Highlands for extending this food review invitation.

Cricket Lounge is the drinking establishment inside Copthorne Cameron Highlands. The lounge is located at the Lobby Level, right next to 18° Celsius Cafe. Cricket Lounge is named after the insect whose chirping can be heard around the resort.

Open in the evening, Cricket Lounge affords a cozy place for guests to unwind and mingle with others. The dining section is furnished with lounge chairs and high stools by the bar. Cricket Lounge serves alcoholic beverages and light snacks. We ordered a couple of cocktails this evening.

The Rainbow is concocted from grenadine syrup (red), crème de menthe (green) and blue curaçao (blue); the yellow layer is due to premature mixture of red and green liqueurs. Meanwhile, Long Beach Iced Tea is similar to Long Island Iced Tea but with cola being substituted with orange soda.

Besides cocktails, Cricket Lounge also serves beers, wines and liquors. Non-alcoholic beverages include mocktails, juices, coffee and tea. Thanks to the spacious setting, Cricket Lounge is also a popular venue for Copthorne Cameron Highlands’ 5-course Candlelight Set Dinner.

Name: Cricket Lounge
Address: Copthorne Cameron Highlands, Kea Farm, 39100 Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Contact: 05-496-1777
Business hours: 4:00pm-12:00am
Website: Click here
Coordinates: 4.50523 N, 101.40887 E
Directions: Copthorne Cameron Highlands is located at Kea Farm, a small farming village halfway between Brinchang and Tringkap. Cricket Lounge is located at the Lobby Level of the hotel. Customers may park in the hotel’s basement levels.

The Mandarin (甘) is the latest bar to hit George Town’s nightlife scene. Barely open for a week, this new drinking establishment occupies a two-floor house at Jalan Irving. The place hides behind an unassuming facade reminiscent of a speakeasy. To attract customers, neon lights and Chinese lanterns will be installed soon.

Past the old-fashioned wooden doors, a chic bar takes up a third of the dining hall. Against the wall are liquor racks supported by steel pipes. The Mandarin serves beer, wine, liquor and a host of cocktails. Manning the bar is a seasoned bartender who constantly pushes the limits of perfection.

The bartender’s latest creation is Mandarin Senorita. The cocktail is concocted from Jameson Irish Whiskey laced with lemon and lime juice. Shaken in a mixer, the drink is served on the rocks and then topped with dry ginger ale. A cinnamon stick, charred with a propane torch, is added for the finishing touch. Mandarin Senorita has a fruity tang with a touch of smoky cinnamon.

During Happy Hours (3:00pm-9:00pm daily), customers enjoy special prices for draught beer and bottled beer. Apart from alcoholic beverages, the pub has a decent food menu too. The kitchen is open for lunch from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, and for dinner from 6:00pm to 12:00am.

Two types of soup are served today: Mushroom Soup and Pumpkin Soup. They come with garlic bread and potato wedges respectively. The Mushroom Soup is made of actual mushrooms as evidenced by its grainy consistency. Meanwhile, the Pumpkin Soup leaves a satisfying creaminess on the lips.

As a finger food, the Chicken Cutlet goes especially well with alcoholic beverages. The bite-size chicken bites, seasoned to perfection, are satisfying to the last morsel. Dried chili peppers and curry leaves enhance the overall aroma.

Patrons who desire proper meals can opt for Chicken Chop. The boneless chicken thigh is elegantly marinated and then fried to golden perfection. Enhancing its flavor is a homemade sauce with soothing savoriness. On the side are crinkle-cut fries and fresh rocket with balsamic vinegar.

The Mandarin will be introducing pastries in due time. For the purpose of today’s preview, I am given samples of Chocolate Walnut Cake and Baked Cheesecake. Both are delectable indeed.

To maintain freshness, The Mandarin prepares each dish from scratch upon order. Judging from the taste, I can tell that a great deal of effort has been expended in fine-tuning the recipes.

Name: The Mandarin (甘)
Address: 3B, Jalan Irving, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 019-465-8887
Business hours: 12:00pm-1:00am
Website: https://www.facebook.com/The-Mandarin-411207172815898
Coordinates: 5.41332 N, 100.32507 E
Directions: The Mandarin is located at Jalan Irving. When arriving from Jalan Dato Keramat, the bar is one of the first shops on the left. There are parking spaces along Jalan Irving and New Lane (Lorong Baru).

Lobby Lounge is one of the two F&B outlets in Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang; the other is Café Laurel. While Café Laurel serves mainstream customers, Lobby Lounge entertains the nightlife clientele.

Lobby Lounge has cozy lounge chairs for patrons to relax and hang out in a casual setting. Customers can also choose to be seated at the bar where alcoholic beverages are prepared. Smoking is allowed in the nightclub.

I ordered Screwdriver on the rocks. The fruity cocktail is concocted from vodka and orange juice. Besides cocktails, the beverage menu also includes beer (draught and bottled), wine and liquor. Non-alcoholic choices are fruit juice, soft drinks, coffee and tea.

A 2-piece band entertains the audience with live music every evening except on Monday. Performance runs from 8:00pm to 12:00am with a 15-minute interlude between 45-minute segments. If you are in the mood, feel free to hit the dance floor in front of the stage!

Name: Lobby Lounge
Address: 53, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-222-9988
Business hours: 4:00pm-12:00am
Website: https://www.evergreenlaurelhotelpenang.com/dining
Coordinates: 5.43117 N, 100.31801 E
Directions: Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang is located at the eastern end of Gurney Drive (Persiaran Gurney). Lobby Lounge is located next to the lobby. Evergreen Laurel Hotel has multi-storey parking, which is accessible from Gurney Drive and Kelawai Road (Jalan Kelawai).

Citi Lounge is a drinking establishment at the Mezzanine Level of Cititel Penang. The pub is directly above the hotel reception counter, and can be reached by a spiral staircase at the lobby.

Furnished with cozy lounge chairs, Citi Lounge provides a secluded spot for patrons to wind down after a long day at work. Light music in the background allows people to mingle and engage in casual conversations. Smoking is permitted in the Citi Lounge.

Next to the dartboard is a chic bar where alcoholic beverages are prepared. The drinks menu covers beer, wine, liquor and cocktails. Non-alcoholic beverages are coffee, juice and mocktails. Light snacks are served too.

Margarita (RM25.00) is a mixture of tequila and triple sec with a splash of lime. The cocktail can be served frozen (blended with ice), on the rocks (shaken with ice) or straight up (without ice). Margarita is traditionally served in a margarita glass with salt on the rim. Salt helps to heighten the drink’s sweet and sour tastes.

Meanwhile, Penang Sunset (RM26.00) is beverage of Cititel’s own creation. The cocktail is concocted from pineapple juice, tequila, apricot brandy and grenadine. Penang Sunset is presented in a Hurricane glass with a slice of orange for aesthetic appeal.

From now till November 2019, Citi Lounge is having Happy Hours all day long. Customers enjoy 20% discount on all drinks except liquors.

Name: Citi Lounge
Address: 66, Jalan Penang, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-291-1128
Business hours: 2:00pm-12:00am
Website: https://www.cititelpenang.com/en/facilities.html
Coordinates: 5.42118 N, 100.33295 E
Directions: Cititel Penang is a 16-floor building at Penang Road (Jalan Penang). Citi Lounge is located at the Mezzanine Level. Walk up the spiral staircase at the lobby. To park, drive past the lobby and up the ramp to Level 2. Parking is charged at RM6.00 per entry.

Lobby Lounge is one of the two eateries in The Wembley that are directly managed by the hotel; the other is Wembley Cafe. Lobby Lounge serves alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as light snacks such as cakes.

The atmosphere here is pleasant indeed. Cozy chairs and couches afford an excellent setting for customers to relax and hang out with others. There is even a small room for patrons who need more privacy.

For people who cannot get through a day without caffeine, Lobby Lounge serves espresso-based coffee like Cappuccino (RM12.00). The choice of coffee beans is commendable. The drink comes with a couple of chocolate cookies.

Chocolate Fudge (RM12.00) is well received even by hotel staff members. The cake is especially appealing if you appreciate the rich taste of cocoa. Other cakes today are Opera Cake, Red Velvet Cake and Marble Cheesecake. Fruit Tarts and Chocolate Tarts are available too.

Prepared in a drink mixer, Iced Green Tea (RM19.00) is made of milk, ice cubes and a spoonful of premium matcha powder. The soothing aroma of green tea certainly calms the mind. The drink is served in a Hurricane glass.

Long Island Tea (RM29.00) is an alcoholic beverage concocted from 5 liquors (gin, rum, vodka, tequila and triple sec) and a splash of cola. The drink was thought to be invented in Long Island, New York in the 1970s. Contrary to popular belief, this cocktail does not contain tea.

Lobby Lounge is open to in-house guests and walk-in customers. The tranquil ambience here makes it a family-friendly place. However if you prefer a livelier atmosphere to spend the evening, DSRT Sky Room on Level 31 is where you should be.

Name: Lobby Lounge
Address: 183, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-259-8129
Business hours: 12:00pm-12:00am
Website: https://www.stgileshotels.com/hotels/malaysia/penang/stgiles-wembley/lobby-lounge
Coordinates: 5.41328 N, 100.32985 E
Directions: The Wembley is located at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine), just opposite of Hotel Jen and 1st Avenue Mall. Wembley Cafe is located at Level 2 of the hotel. There is a multilevel parking garage at the hotel. Patrons to Wembley Cafe can get their parking tickets validated for a flat rate of RM6.00 per entry.

Master Of Spirits 61 (酒匠61) is a hidden bar at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine). There are absolutely no signboards on its facade. This drinking establishment was restored from a dilapidated shop while retaining its original architecture. It specializes in molecular cocktails, which is the main focus of today’s review.

Cocktail sampling kicks off with Poison Potion (RM68.00), which is presented in a skull-shaped glass. The drink is concocted from Apple Fox cider, pomegranate juice and whisky. Upon closer inspection, one notices edible glitter suspended in the drink. Poison Potion has a sweet-sour fruitiness, making it the ideal choice for casual drinkers.

Next, Whisky Shower (RM38.00) is obviously a parody of Whisky Sour. Like the popular mixed drink, Whisky Shower is prepared from whisky, lemon juice, egg white and honey. The floating honey foam is an impressive handiwork of molecular gastronomy.

Moving on, Old Fashioned (RM38.00) is a mixture of whisky, bitters and sugar. A piece of honeycomb is allowed to dissolve in the full body cocktail. Unfortunately honeycomb is not available today, so the bartender had to improvise with honey-glazed apple.

Alcoholic beverages go well with finger foods. To this end, the bar offers a tapas menu which covers familiar snacks like Truffle Fries (RM15.00), Chicken Popcorn (RM15.00), Deep-Fried Calamari (RM15.00), Smoked Duck Breast and Fish And Chips. Some of these dishes come with dipping sauces like tartar sauce, horseradish sauce and sour cream. The tartar sauce is surprisingly good.

Besides cocktails, Master Of Spirits 61 also pours draft beer and liquor like whisky, rum and gin. Further from the bar is the lounge area and a private room. Smoking is permitted, but unlike Magazine 63 next door, the air here is surprisingly fresh. A two-piece band performs every Friday and Saturday evening starting 11:00pm. While you are here, do check out Platform 9 3/4 at the back section of this drinking establishment.

Name: Master Of Spirits 61
Address: 61, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 016-526-8187
Business hours: 6:00pm-3:00am
Website: Click here
Coordinates: 5.41221 N, 100.33206 E
Directions: Master Of Spirits 61 is located at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine), approximately 200 meters from the junction with Jalan C.Y. Choy. The bar is located on the left side of this one-way street. There is an outdoor parking space on the opposite side of Magazine Road. The parking fee here is RM3.00 per entry.