Wonderland Village Restaurant

Special thanks to Wonderland Village Restaurant for extending this food review invitation.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Wonderland Village Restaurant (食家庄餐厅) is a Chinese restaurant at Fortune Park. It is one of the shops at the row which faces the newly refurbished Fisherman's Wharf. There are plenty of parking spaces in front of the restaurant, which is a huge convenience for customers.

The dining section presents a suitable setting for both family dining and business meals. Fancy tablecloths and upholstered chairs provide an upscale ambience - perfect if one intends to impress guests. In addition, the restaurant has more dining tables on the upper floor.

Wonderland Village Restaurant serves Chinese banquet-style dishes. The menu covers pork, lamb, poultry, seafood, tofu and vegetables dishes. Beef is not served here. Today's meal covers some of the restaurant's signature dishes on its à la carte menu.

Deep Fried Pork Rib With Coffee (咖啡排骨, RM12.00 per piece) has been introduced just recently. Each piece consists of two rib bones and the flesh in between. Coated with sweet-savory glaze, the ribs are blessed with sweet fragrance of coffee. This dish is absolutely gratifying.

Sautéed Baby Lamb Chop (香草羊仔骨, RM30.00) is another red meat dish that deserves special mention. Marinated with herbs, the lamb carries unique aroma of mutton - one that some people may feel uneasy with. However, I feel that the pleasant marinade reduces this effect to a certain extent. Served with shimeji mushrooms (白玉菇) and red onions, this dish is tantalizing to the palate.

As for fish, Steamed Red Lion In Nyonya Sauce (黄汁蒸红狮, RM70.00) is a sound choice especially for people who are fond of turmeric (黄姜). This dish bear a respectable degree of spiciness, so go easy with it. Also known as red snapper, the fish has a delectable texture which benefits from the appetizing Peranakan-style gravy.

Pan Fried Prawn In Vietnamese Style (越式焗明虾, RM30.00) is another interesting seafood delicacy. Influenced by Vietnamese flavors, the juicy shrimps are stir-fried with sweet-tangy hoisin sauce. This makes the shrimps literally finger lickin' good.

I also recommend the Cheese Baked Crab (芝士蟹壳, RM12.00 per piece). Flower crab (花蟹) is used here. The crab's meat is mixed with cheese and seasoning, stuffed back to its carapace, and then baked with a crumbly crust. It takes some time to prepare this dish, so advanced ordering is advised.

The Cantonese-style Roasted Chicken (手撕鸡, RM42.00) is sometimes also known as "rotisserie chicken" (吊烧鸡). This is because the chicken is presented on a vertical spit. Excess fat from the roasted chicken is allowed to drip to the pan of salad below, enhancing the latter's taste and aroma.

The chicken is cooked reasonably well. The flesh is tender and peels off the bones very easily. Spicy and non-spicy dipping sauces are provided. This poultry dish also comes with a serving of crackers. Owing to the lengthy food preparation process, it is recommended to order this dish one day in advance.

The menu at Wonderland Village Restaurant is designed around creativity and uniqueness. Many of its dishes are seldom found elsewhere. Taste wise, the restaurant's cooking is quite balanced and appeals to the mainstream palate. There is also a strong emphasis on food presentation.

Wonderland Village Restaurant also serves set lunch on weekdays. Customers are allowed to choose from a list of dishes on a special menu. Meals are priced at RM90.00 and RM180.00 for 5 and 10 persons respectively. Rice, soup, Chinese tea and dessert are included.

Name: Wonderland Village Restaurant (食家庄餐厅)
Address: 43, Jalan Perusahaan Jelutong 3, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-281-8133
Business hours: 12:00pm-3:00pm, 6:00pm-10:00pm, closed on Wednesdays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/wonderlandvillagerestaurant
Coordinates: 5.39488 N, 100.32460 E
Directions: Wonderland Village Restaurant is located at Fortune Park. It is one of the shops at the row which faces Fisherman's Wharf. There are lots of parking spaces in front of the restaurant.