Kim Haus

Special thanks to Kim Haus for extending this food review invitation.

Kim Haus is a boutique hotel at Campbell Street (Lebuh Campbell). The hotel operates a restaurant on the ground floor. Also called Kim Haus, the restaurant serves Western dishes, burgers, pasta and a handful of Asian fare. While customers can enjoy al fresco dining in front, Kim Haus has an air-conditioned dining section at the back for diners who prefer a more comfortable setting.

Kim Haus' breakfast menu is available between 9:00am and 12:00pm. One of the recommended breakfast choices is Florentine (RM17.90), a baked dish that contains spinach, button mushrooms, shimeji mushrooms and Béchamel sauce. Savory cheese crust and poached eggs cover the creamy mixture. The meal also comes with a fresh bran roll from the bakery. The Florentine a sound choice if you enjoy the rich taste of cheese.

Served on a large wooden board is The Full English (RM18.90). This humongous breakfast platter comprises of scrambled eggs, sautéed mushrooms, chicken sausage, potato croquette, rye bread and a generous serving of salad. The salad is elegantly sweetened with pomelo pulps.

Nothing starts the morning with as much energy as caffeine. To this end, Kim Haus serves espresso-based coffee like Cafe Latte (RM11.90) so that everyone can get their morning fix. The coffee's creamy consistency is soothing as it trickles between my lips.

Moving on to main dishes, the Grilled Lamb Shoulder (RM28.90) is served with mushroom brown sauce. Cooked reasonably well, the succulent lamb strikes a chord with my palate. Also included are mashed potatoes and thin slices of zucchini. A rosemary sprig serves as a garnish.

As for pasta, Kim Haus Special Aglio Olio Chicken (RM22.90) is the chef's signature dish. Angel hair, known as "capelli d'angelo" in Italian, is thinner and softer than spaghetti. Sautéed al dente with olive oil, the pasta is seasoned with tantalizing spices that cause a mild numbness on my tongue. Overall, this dish demonstrates an impressive fusion between Italian pasta and Eastern flavors.

Diners who have an affinity for Indian spices should go for the Traditional Chicken Masala (RM19.90). This spicy dish is served in a 3-tier tiffin carrier. Indeed, this is how food was packed before the advent of disposable plastic containers. This old-fashioned tiffin carrier certainly brings back a sense of nostalgia.

The Traditional Chicken Masala contains chicken slices, eggplants (brinjals) and curry leaves. Seasoned with pungent spices from the subcontinent, this dish is moderately spicy by Malaysian standards. Also included are papadum (Indian crackers), acar (pickled cucumber and onion) and steamed white rice.

As for beverages, Red Rose Lips (RM14.90) is a fruity blend of beetroot, carrots, green apples and lemon juice. This tangy drink with a foamy top is satisfying to my taste buds. Besides coffee and juice, Kim Haus also serves tea and alcoholic beverages.

Kim Haus has its own bakery to produce fresh bread and pastries. Pork is notably absent from its menu. To cater the dietary needs of vegans, Kim Haus provides several vegetarian options too. Finally, in-house guests enjoy 10% discount on all food items and drinks excluding alcoholic beverages.

Name: Kim Haus
Address: 9, Lebuh Campbell, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 016-330-1515
Business hours: 8:00am-12:00am (Sunday-Thursday), 8:00am-1:00am (Friday-Saturday)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Kim-Haus-912505328827678
Coordinates: 5.41713 N, 100.33523 E
Directions: Driving along the one-way Campbell Street (Lebuh Campbell), Kim Haus is located on the right between the junctions with Rope Walk (Jalan Pintal Tali) and Carnarvon Street (Lebuh Carnarvon). Limited street parking is available along these roads.