The Eatery

This article is part of my Ramadan 2018 compilation.

Special thanks to Four Points By Sheraton Penang for extending this food review invitation.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Four Points By Sheraton Penang is a 4-star hotel between Tanjung Tokong and Tanjung Bungah. The beachside hotel is currently owned by Marriott International, the largest hotel chain in the world.

Four Points' main restaurant is called The Eatery. Located next to the lobby, The Eatery has indoor and al fresco dining sections. The outdoor patio offers a scenic view of the blue sea especially during sunset. Today, The Eatery gives a sneak peek of the Magical Ramadhan Buffet Dinner, which will be held from 17 May 2018 to 14 June 2018.

During the festive month, the patio will feature several action stalls. One of the popular delicacies here is chicken and beef satay. Marinated with spices like turmeric (kunyit), the meat is skewered and roasted over burning charcoal for the toasty taste. In addition, the charcoal grill also churns out a constant supply of lamb steak and chicken sausages.

Salmon Laksa is Four Point's signature dish that enjoyed rave reviews during the recent Penang International Food Fair (PIFF). Instead of the usual mackerel (ikan kembung), the hotel uses salmon to produce a sweeter broth. Other ingredients for asam laksa are thick rice vermicelli, pineapple, cucumber, shallot, cabbage, red chili pepper, mint and shrimp paste.

Nasi Khabsah (كبسة‎) is a mixed rice dish from the Middle East. In fact, it is the national dish of Saudi Arabia. Using long-grain basmati rice, the dish is elegantly flavored with spices, nuts and raisins. Dajaj mashwi (دجاج مشوي) or grilled chicken is also included. Another interesting dish from the Arab world is Moroccan Lamb Pizza.

Rendang Daging Minang was originally a Minangkabau recipe, but this dish is now popular throughout the mainstream Malay community. To prepare this dish, beef is slow-cooked with coconut milk and spices for several hours until most liquid has evaporated. What remains behind is a delicacy of unsurpassed savoriness.

Gulai Tulang Kambing is a thick curry which contains chunks of mutton ribs and potatoes. Since the mutton is cooked sufficiently long, it is saturated with spicy flavors. This appetizing curry goes particularly well with rice.

Diners who fancy quail meat may want to get their hands on Puyuh Goreng Tiga Rasa. Sautéed with onions, the fried quails have a texture reminiscent of chicken.

Singapore Chili Prawns features reasonably large shrimps cooked in sweet-spicy sauce. The prawns are juicy and succulent; a hallmark of freshness. The cooking style is somewhat similar to Singapore Chili Crabs.

Light snacks include appetizing crackers such as keropok lekor, keropok ikan (fish crackers) and papadom (black gram crackers). Also included are pandan chicken and chicken rolls. Meanwhile, diners can also help themselves to fruit rojak and pasembur.

Several types of kerabu (Malay salads) are served today. Interesting choices are Kerabu Kacang Botol Dengan Ayam (winged bean and chicken salad), Kerabu Taugeh Dengan Kerang (bean sprout & cockle salad) and Kerabu Mangga Muda (young mango salad). Meanwhile, I am also fascinated with the Greek Salad; it comes with crumbly feta cheese.

Ulam-Ulaman is an assortment of vegetables like daun selom (selom leaves), winged beans, cucumber and tomatoes. The raw vegetables are typically consumed with condiments like air asam (tamarind sauce), sambal belacan (spicy shrimp paste) and sambal kicap (spicy soy sauce).

Moving on to desserts, my personal favorites are Peach Cheese Tart and Sago Gula Melaka. The latter is often flavored with gula melaka (palm sugar) and coconut milk. Other sweet treats include Pengat Pisang (banana & coconut milk soup), assorted Malay kuih, dodol (durian candy), kurma (palm dates) and kacang tumbuk (peanut candy).

As for something more Western in nature, the dessert counter offers sweet treats like Apple Crumble Tarts, Chocolate Brownies, Mango Pudding, Corn Pudding, Crème Caramel and Pandan Custard Cake.

Four Points' Magical Ramadhan Buffet Dinner is priced at RM69.00 net for adults, and at RM40.00 net for children and senior citizens. Until 18 May 2018, the hotel is rewarding early birds by offering adult vouchers for RM59.00 only.

Name: The Eatery
Address: 505, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Tanjung Tokong, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-371-8706
Business hours: 6:30am-10:30pm
Website: http://www.fourpointspenang.com/eatery
Coordinates: 5.46372 N, 100.30193 E
Directions: Four Points By Sheraton Penang is located along the main road between Tanjung Tokong and Tanjung Bungah. Driving from Tanjung Tokong, turn right at the traffic lights when you reach the hotel. Parking spaces in front of the hotel are extremely limited. Valet service is provided to assist with parking.