Café Jen

Special thanks to Hotel Jen Penang for extending this food review invitation.

Located at the Lobby Level, Café Jen is one of two eateries in Hotel Jen Penang; the other is Lobby Lounge. In line with the hotel's modern image, Café Jen has a sleek decor that involves wooden tables and potted plants.

Starting November 2019, Café Jen serves Sea & Grill Buffet Dinner every Friday and Saturday evening. As the name implies, the menu features two crowd favorites: seafood and meats. Two alternating menus allow the kitchen crew to present a wider range of dishes.

The Sea & Grill Buffet Dinner centers on the live cooking station. This is where beef medallions, lamb chops and chicken are meticulously cooked on a griddle. Other favorites are chicken satay, beef satay, tiger prawns and stingrays wrapped in banana leaves.

Other highlights this evening are Slow Roast BBQ US Spare Ribs and Baked Whole Sea Bass Pak Munir. These delicacies are signature dishes of Executive Chef Afifi, a 26-year veteran who joined Hotel Jen several months ago.

Seafood on ice comprises of snow crabs, mussels, yabbies and tiger prawns. Raw oysters are notably absent from the ensemble. In addition, it would be nice if chilled seafood were accompanied by condiments like cocktail sauce and garlic aioli.

Moving on to chafing dishes, Teochew-Style Steamed Sea Bass is served with shiitake mushrooms, pickled mustard and tofu. The fish has a scrumptious texture that is the hallmark of freshness.

Baked Oyster is one of my personal favorites this evening. The unique blend of tomato concasse works harmoniously with the oysters' soft flesh.

Presented in ceramic pots are Mutton Dalcha Curry, Asam Pedas Ekor (sour & spicy oxtail) and Sotong Masak Pitong (pitong-style squids). Among the trio, Asam Pedas Ekor truly strikes a chord with my palate. Diners can also help themselves to fish crackers, melinjo crackers and papadum.

Dauphinoise Potatoes are potato slices gratinéed with creamy béchamel sauce. Despite its rustic nature, the French dish is surprisingly appetizing.

The next dish is Braised Broccoli & Mushrooms in savory oyster sauce. Two types of mushrooms are present: shiitake and shimeji mushrooms.

The salad section has Chicken & Avocado Salad, Thai Prawn & Mango Salad, Roasted Mushroom, Tuna & Olive Salad, Poached Salmon Fillet With Orange Velouté Cream Sauce, and Italian Antipasto. Meanwhile, cold cuts include Smoked Salmon, Beef Salami and Chicken Pastrami.

Spicy Gazpacho is a classic Spanish soup. The chilled soup is prepared in fun-size shots and consumed through straws. On the other hand, hot soups are Cream Of Mushroom Soup and Fish Maw & Fungus Soup.

Sweet confections this evening are Red Velvet Cake, Baked Walnut Cake, Pandan Kaya Cake, Carrot Cake, Marble Cheesecake, Chocolate Mango Cake and Green Tea Yogurt Mousse Cake. Cocoa lovers can also savor Chocolate Brownies and Chocolate Balls.

Speaking of cocoa, the buffet spread includes a Chocolate Fountain too. Food items like marshmallows and wafer rolls are provided. Café Jen uses milk chocolate, which is sweeter and creamier than dark chocolate.

Café Jen's Sea & Grill Buffet Dinner is priced at RM120.00 per person. Children and senior citizens enjoy reduced prices of RM60.00 and RM90.00 respectively. Golden Circle members also get 25% discount on the adult price.

Name: Café Jen
Address: Hotel Jen, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-262-2622
Business hours: 6:00am-11:00pm
Website: https://www.hoteljen.com/penang/georgetown/taste/restaurants/cafe-jen
Coordinates: 5.41372 N, 100.33009 E
Directions: Hotel Jen is located at Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine), next to 1st Avenue Mall and just opposite of The Wembley. Café Jen is located at Lobby Level of the hotel. The hotel provides parking in its basement levels.