KEN HUNTS FOOD: Route 9 @ Bishop Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Route 9 @ Bishop Street, Georgetown, Penang.

Finding a good restaurant that serves delicious and inexpensive Western food has always been a daunting task for me but things will be easier with the opening of Route 9. Situated right smack in the heartland of Georgetown, diners can now satiate their cravings for a better quality Western dishes without putting a dent on the wallet. Opened for just a couple of weeks, the place has already proven to be a popular dining place in the neighborhood. Decor is minimalist in Route 9, in shades of white with some grey accents but what makes the place stand out is the extremely affordable prices. You may find a dish (ala-carte order) from as low as Rm 13.90 or to grab a decent steak at Rm 22. To find Route 9, locate Goh Kaki along Bishop Street, or Sentral College on the same road. Route 9 is located next to Goh Kaki.

Grilled Salmon with Creamy Cumin Sauce (Rm 15.50/ ala-carte)- Pan Fried Salmon with a slightly puckered and crispy skin served atop of Fresh Greens and a dollop of buttery creamy Mashed Potato. Nothing to shout over for the Fish but the Cumin Sauce with Curry Leaves adds an interesting twist to the dish. Portion may be a little small for big eaters like me but no, I am not complaining for that price. In spite that this dish may not be out-of-the-world good, but I thought the Chef did put a good extra effort in making the dish presentable and by adding a unique personal touch. On a side note, diners can top up an additional Rm 2 for a glass of Peach Tea/ Iced Lemon Tea and Dessert (Ice-Cream); while adding Rm 6 brings you an extra Mushroom Soup, with a glass of Peach Tea/ Iced Lemon Tea and Dessert (Ice-Cream).

I must confess that I have fall in love with this dish- Creamy Herbed Steak (Rm 22). I have made a request to have my steak cooked at Medium Rare and I thought it may be a little overcooked but it was perfectly fine since the slab of hefty Steak was very tender. It was charred perfectly but the real draw of the dish was the tantalizing Creamy Herbed Sauce. It was absolutely lovely and sublime, Raw Garlic blended with Mustard and fresh Parsley with a touch of Black Pepper (or maybe more Herbs that I could not discern). The pungent, peppery, aromatic, savory and creamy sauce complemented the juicy hunk of steak perfectly. Perfecto!