CHINAHOUSE, PENANG

I've been here once last year, and remembered their delicious looking array of cakes that they had, so I was definitely due for a visit back here.

ChinaHouse is a traditional compound of 3 heritage buildings, linked by an open air courtyard and converted into 14 spaces comprising shops, cafes, restaurants, galleries and live music and bakery. 

We entered from the Beach Street entrance, into Kopi C Espresso Cafe & Bar, to get our coffee and cake fix.

 

My favourite part of ChinaHouse is obviously the bakery table, that has 30 different cakes daily (!), all of which are made on the premises.

 

 

I had a hot chocolate (because the Chinese doctor said that I should avoid coffee due to my cough, apparently) whilst mum had her usual latte. We also ordered a tiramisu cake and a carrot cake slice to share - really nice and moist.

 

 

 

 

The Canteen, right at the other end of the building, is a hipster bar with live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

 

There's quite a lot going on here, so it's definitely worth looking around. I've only ever had a quick dinner, and a cake and coffee break here, but am curious to check out what else it has to offer on my next visit.

Address: 153 & 155 Beach Street and 183B Victoria Street, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Tel. No.: +604 263 7299

Opening hours: 09:00-00:00 (Sun - Thurs) ; 09:00-01:00 (Fri - Sat)

The Cheekster, signing out x

THE MUGSHOT CAFE, PENANG

After having a satisfying dim sum brunch with mum and dad, we went to have a coffee at The Mugshot Cafe on Chulia Street.
It is housed in a narrow heritage shop house, formerly a budget hotel.

 

They have a basic menu consisting of a yoghurt with a variety of toppings, drinks, and bagel muffins with different fillings, for which they source their baked goods from the Rainforest bakery next door.

 

 

We sat in the bright courtyard, on chairs that resembled the ones we used to have in our classrooms in primary school. I remember those days when we used to get into class early just so that we could swap our chairs for the sturdier and less rickety ones (!)

Mum and dad had a latte whilst I had a mocha. Somehow I don't think that they have quite mastered coffee art here yet...

 

The sound of their homemade yoghurt with jackfruit and gula melaka intrigued me, so I ordered one to share with mum. Mum wasn't quite a fan of it. I quite liked it - or that may be because I only had half of my sense of taste functioning... 
Something different with a bit of local flavour.
It came served in a cute glass jar - decent portion size and pretty filling, but then again, we did pay RM10 for this...

 

Mum had the bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon whilst dad had the turkey ham and cranberry sauce filling.
I had a cheeky nibble of their bagels which were pretty good.

 

 

They had some props by the side that I played around with - mum and dad 'directing' me around whilst they helped to take some shots for me!



And here's dad looking happy on his foldable bicycle!



Overall, it had a really cosy and rustic feel to it, with decent food - great if you're looking for somewhere to chill out and have a light snack.

Address: 302 Chulia Street, 10200 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

Tel. No.: +604 405 6276

Opening hours: 08:00 - 21:00

The Cheekster, signing out x

KAFFA ESPRESSO BAR, PENANG

Had a quick meet up with Grace for brunch on a sunny Monday at the branch in Georgetown, just a few minutes walk from Dewan Sri Pinang.
I've been quite out of touch with what's around Penang, but I do have a thing for nice cafes.
We entered from the back entrance, passing by (a mural of) Marilyn Monroe along the corridor, and a retro-looking room, before arriving at the coffee bar.
We ordered our coffees and sandwiches at the bar before seating ourselves on the comfy sofas at the front by the windows.

 

 

 

Nice high ceilings, and another quirky mural of The Beatles.

 

 

Latte and flat white coffee....
I did like those tin cups...very old school.

| Grilled Chicken, Swiss Cheese & Avocado Triple-Decker Sandwich RM 17.90++ |

Described as being a 'tower with two levels of goodness'...
More like dried pieces of chicken sandwiched between dried toasted bread and held together by measly satay sticks to prevent it from collapsing...
But I guess that wouldn't have fit in the box.
It came with a side of salad and a pot of mashed potato, which was quite herb-y but maybe again too dry. The drought must be affecting the food...



| Turkey Ham, Brie & Apple Triple-Decker Sandwich RM 16.90++ |

Described again as a 'tower of two levels of goodness - the first level is the healthy one where it houses thin apple slices and brie; whilst the second levels comes with a generous portion of turkey ham'.
Both levels looks pretty much the same to me...another impractically sized tower of dried toast...

 

As demonstrated by Grassy below...

 

CHAOS...

Still with happy smiles!

 

I liked the ambience of the place which seems like a nice place to chill out with drinks.
I believe that there is also an al fresco dining area upstairs, which may be worth checking out next time.
 
Just don't order the sandwiches...

Address: 22 Green Hall, Georgetown, 10200 Penang, Malaysia

Tel. No.: +604 262 2822

Opening hours: 08:00 - 22:00

The Cheekster, signing out x