KEN HUNTS FOOD: All You Can Eat Dim Sum Semi-Buffet @ Golden Phoenix, Equatorial Hotel Penang.

Thursday, October 10, 2013

All You Can Eat Dim Sum Semi-Buffet @ Golden Phoenix, Equatorial Hotel Penang.

With the year 2013 is coming to an end and approximately 5 weeks away from the year-end school holiday, organizing family gathering is inevitable. If you are looking for a classy place for a family-get-together or friends-meet up session, especially when you are an ardent fan of Dim Sum, you might want to consider Golden Phoenix at Equatorial Hotel Penang. Situated at the peak of Bukit Jambul, Golden Phoenix (of Equatorial Hotel Penang) is somewhere relatively quieter from the buzz of town and it's a place where you can satiate your cravings for Dim Sum. Priced at Rm42++ (Adult) and Rm 23++ (Child), diners will be offered All You Can Eat Dim Sum Semi Buffet (Promotion period starts from 1st of October until 30th of November 2013) where diners can enjoy as much Dim Sum dishes as possible, followed by some "Buffet" dishes (Mains and Desserts etc). While the menu is not extensive but there are more than sufficient choices to please every diner.

*Many thanks to Debra (PR Manager of Equatorial Hotel Penang) and Hanson Li (Assistant F&B Manager of Equatorial Hotel Penang) for extending the invitation.*

All You Can Eat Dim Sum Semi-Buffet Lunch (Pork Free):

1st October 2013 until 30th November 2013

12pm to 2:30pm

Rm 42++ (Adult) and Rm 23++ (Child) *Prices are subject to 10% Service Charge & Prevailing Government Tax*

Excluding Weekends & Public Holidays

For reservation, please call +604 632 7166

Lor Pak Gou/ Pan-Fried Carrot Cake (美味萝卜糕)

Sin Har Fu Pei Guen/ Deep-Fried Beancurd Skin with Shrimps (鲜虾鲜竹卷)

Not being a huge fan of Fried Dim Sum, I had a small piece of the Deep Fried Beancurd Skin with Shrimps. I love the bouncy texture with a slight resilient Shrimp filling, the dish was good on its own but even better with to go with some Mayonnaise and Mustard. Deep Fried food lovers will find it hard to stop at one. However, the dish was left there for quite some time for photo-shooting, it looses its crunchy and crisp texture.

Lap Mei Siew Mai/ Steamed Chinese Chicken Sausage Dumplings (腊味烧卖)

Hoi Tong Gor/ Steamed Dried Scallop Dumplings (干贝海棠果)

Siew Mai/ Minced Prawn and Chicken Dumplings with Crab Roe (蚧皇蒸烧卖)

XO Sauce Siew Mai/ Minced Prawn and Chicken with XO Sauce (XO酱烧卖)

Siew Mai, being one of the quintessential items when it comes to Dim Sum, is one of the must-order dishes here. Served piping hot, albeit it was not out-of-the-world-good, it was a pleasingly comfort dish I could possibly ask for. Being a Pork-Free hotel, Golden Phoenix serves no Pork. I was impressed by their ingenious idea of replacing Chinese Pork Sausages ("Lap Cheong") with Chicken Sausages while maintaining its subtle flavor.

Chun Pak Mai/ Steamed Tian Jin Cabbage (蚝油津白卖)

Heong Sai Char Yu Yin/ Deep Fried Fish Balls with Coriander (香茜炸鱼丸)

Pak Fa Yong Hai Low/ Stuff Crab Balls (百花酿蚧柳)

Tian Suan Yuan Yang Xia/ Steamed Prawn Dumplings with Two-flavors Sauce (甜酸鸳鸯虾)

Hak Chiew Chup Foong Chao/ Braised Chicken Feet with Black Bean Sauce (柱候酱凤爪)

Pao Choy Gau/ Minced Chicken, Prawn and Cabbage Dumplings (鸡冠包菜饺)

Intrigued by its presentation, the Steamed Prawn Dumplings were basically Fish Balls covered with plump and succulent Prawns doused with their home-made sauce; well, I thought the name was a misnomer as I don't seem to be able to taste the sauce with two flavors.

I was especially enamored for the dish Steamed Tian Jin Cabbage, together with the refreshing crunchy Cabbage, this Dim Sum dish was light and tame on the palate.

Hak Chiew Kwei Mei Gai/ Steamed Chicken with Black Pepper Sauce (黑椒怪味鸡)

Hitting the top notch was this well-executed dish- Steamed Chicken with Black Pepper Sauce, the silky smooth yet fork tender Chicken pieces were able to resonate among the guests. Adequately marinated, together with speckled of Black Pepper, it was extremely delectable and lip-smacking, awakening my taste buds with its piquant flavors. A must-have dish in Golden Phoenix.

Char Siew Bao/ Minced Barbecue Chicken Bun (蜜汁叉烧包)

Another quintessential item for Dim Sum, a Dim Sum meal is never said to be completed without Char Siew Bao. Three Char Siew Bao in a basket, this tummy-filling dish was served to us piping hot. The Bun was fluffy and the filling was palatable, however, the filling was slightly insufficient in my opinion. It would be better if they are able to stuff in more for a meatier bite.

Jin Yong San Bo/ Braised Stuff Vegetables with Fish Paste (煎酿三宝)

Sin Har Cheong Fun/ Steamed Rice Flour Rolls with Shrimps (鲜虾肠粉)

It was simply too futile to resist Steamed Cheong Fun, with fresh and plump Shrimps being sandwiched between the layers, doused with their sweet and flavorful Soy sauce, further enlivened with their home-made Chili paste. However, my only gripe was the Cheong Fun was slightly too thick and wasn't smooth enough to my liking. I thought the dish was mediocre.

If you are worried that having Dim Sum alone can be monotonous, then you may consider to help yourself at the buffet counter. Both Fried Rice and Stir Fried Singapore Bee Hoon/ Vermicelli Noodles were equally good but there was a slipshod in preparation- not warm enough and texture was dry, particularly the Bee Hoon. Flavor-wise, they were reasonably flavored and possessed sufficient "Wok Hei" to enhance the flavor to the brim. Golden Phoenix also offered a refreshing crunch of healthy greens- Yau Mak Choy/ Romaine Lettuce to diners, my only gripe was the Yau Mak Choy were over-cooked and not as crunchy and juicy as supposed to.

Sze Chuan Spicy and Sour Soup

Chicken Porridge

How can one misses their hearty Chicken Porridge? I adore the silky smooth texture of the Chicken Porridge and agreed on the amount of seasoning, however, extra marks will be given if they were able to provide some Century Eggs/ Salted Eggs to further enliven the dish. I did not find myself enjoying the Sze Chuan Spicy and Sour Soup though, it lacked of a "kick" in my opinion. No, it possesses the necessary spiciness but not the sourish-factor unfortunately.

We had our sweet endings of an array of Pastry Cakes, Egg Tarts as well as some Fresh Fruits. One of my favorites was their Honeydew Sago, not too sweet, a sense of simplicity without unnecessary frills. Just the way I like to end my meal.