KEN HUNTS FOOD: Zest Bar & Cafe @ Glow By Zinc, Macalister Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Zest Bar & Cafe @ Glow By Zinc, Macalister Road, Georgetown, Penang.

While most of us are trying to save ourselves a penny by cutting our dining costs, many businesses are coming out with wallet-friendly dining set meals to attract and vie for business. One of the more attractive ones will be none other than Zest Cafe's Weekly Set Lunch. One can now enjoy quality food (3-course Set Lunch) with cozy ambiance and impeccable service without putting a dent on the wallet. Priced reasonably at Rm 15+/ set, Zest Cafe's Weekly Set Lunch includes a complimentary Iced Lemon Tea, an Entree, a Main and a Dessert. The only limitation will be the menu is fixed and the changes to the dishes are not possible.

Zest Cafe is nestled within the building, traipse yourself up to the second floor and you will be greeted by a brightly-lit and fully air-conditioned cafe, with a great view of the bustling Macalister Road. A great place to spend an afternoon with your business associates or friends and family. There are, of course, many other available choices on their ala-carte menu but the worth-the-value Set Lunch caught my attention and I was tempted to try it out. Their spread of Pastries and Cakes are worth-checking out at the display fridge too. For the uninitiated, Glow By Zinc is a newly opened hotel along Macalister Road, facing the junction to Abu Siti Lane and Red Rock Hotel.

Served at the right temperature, their Roasted Onion Soup with Basil however was a let down. No, the flavor was there but it was way too sweet to my liking, as though I was having a dessert instead of an Entree. The aroma of Basil and flavor of the Roasted Onions were present but the sweetness was overpowering the whole dish. I didn't find myself enjoying this.

As I was not convinced with the Entree, I was delighted to see the well-presented main course- Thai Roasted Honey Glazed Chicken with Mashed Pumpkin and Steamed Vegetables. The Chicken was well-executed, perfectly cooked through while maintaining its tenderness and juiciness within. It was so tender that little effort was necessary to detach the meat. The Thai Sauce was sweet, with a hint of spiciness while the Mashed Pumpkin was a lovely side. Mixed with Butter and Onions, the Pumpkin has the buttery aroma with a perfect balance of the sweet and savory. The carefully cooked Steamed Vegetables were perfect for the health-conscious in you, reasonably flavored but maintaining the crunchiness. A pleasingly delectable main I must say.

The dessert- Sweet Potatoes with Coconut Cream may seem deceptively simple but it was a lovely dessert. The dessert was sweet but not overly so, the real draw from the Coconut Cream was the touch of saltiness which enhances the flavor to the brim! However, I thought they could add more variety to the dessert though, perhaps something like Bubur Cha-Cha would be great.