Farquhar Mansion

Special thanks to Farquhar Mansion for extending this food review invitation.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Farquhar Mansion is a fine dining restaurant near Eastern & Oriental Hotel. The upscale, two-storey building was restored from a colonial-era mansion. While the ground floor is where most diners are seated, the upper level is exclusively reserved for members only.

Farquhar Mansion specializes in contemporary French cuisine. Today's visit is to review the latest rendition of the Ultimate Chef's Tasting Menu. While waiting for the meal to begin, diners are served multigrain bread rolls with aromatic truffle butter.

The amuse-bouche is presented over a bed of roasted coffee beans. The first of the 2-piece appetizer is Bonito Arancini. The deep-fried rice ball is filled with skipjack tuna, eel and mozzarella cheese. Next to it is a Potato Soufflé that contains pickled cucumber and dill. The crispy croquette is garnished with paprika aioli and microgreens.

Aubergine Oreo consists of garlic cream cheese sandwiched between pieces of eggplant and prune chutney. This delicacy is meant to be dipped in ten don shooter. The latter's foamy consistency is achieved through the use of an espuma.

The next dish, Tropicana, is centered on sweet mango custard. Serving as companions are pecan nuts, ginger crisp, glazed Roma tomato, dried pineapple and grated coconut soil. The overall sweetness is quite pleasant to the palate.

Chicken Roulade is rolled with mushrooms and nuts, and then served with thick, savory fungi purée. The roulade's outer layer consists of jelly-like skin. Two succulent morels are served on the side. Popcorn is also present but I feel that it is disconnected from the rest of this dish.

Duo Foie Gras is an exquisite French delicacy. The goose liver must be seared gently in order to preserve its delicate texture. It is served with a slice of charred brioche and Granny Smith apple sauce. The buttery flavor of foie gras makes it gratifying indeed.

Taking a detour to the marine kingdom, the Ocean represents a seafood ensemble of grouper, abalone, clam and sea cucumber. The plating also incorporates slices of white radish and ginger jam.

Angus Beef Loin is cooked to medium rare, which is the ideal doneness for premium beef. The steak is served au jus and with black garlic aioli. On the side is a tartlet filled with slow-cooked beef cheeks. Also featured is a crispy slab of homemade tofu.

Moving on to the dessert, the Chestnut Mousse is presented over a bed of almond crumble. However, I am more fascinated by the presence of miniature coffee pearls. Also present are brown bread and vanilla sauce.

The 8-course Ultimate Chef's Tasting Menu is priced at RM278.00++. The menu may be revised as the season progresses in order to take advantage of the freshest produce. To cater vegetarians, Farquhar Mansion also offers the Chef's Tasting Vegetarian Menu for RM178.00++.

Name: Farquhar Mansion Fine Dining & Lounge
Address: 33, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 019-528-8933
Business hours: 12:00pm-1:00am
Website: http://www.farquharmansion.com
Coordinates: 5.42309 N, 100.33472 E
Directions: Driving eastward along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, follow the road as it curves left to Lebuh Farquhar. Mission Place is located on the right. Farquhar Mansion is the main building in the compound. There are parking spaces within its compound.