Miraku Japanese Restaurant (味乐) at G Hotel

It's been awhile since tasting Japanese food, it has been mostly Italian dishes. There is this Japanese restaurant at G Hotel first floor serving Japanese cuisine.


The name suggests 'Happy Taste' or in Japanese, 味乐


The front facade of Miraku restaurant.


Decorative chandelier ?


The sake menu serves spirits, sake, wines from Rm40 - Rm400, rather expensive


Ceramic condiments containers almost Zen styled.


Pickled Japanese red potato with honey and sesame


Satoimo karaage, Konyaku jelly(yam jelly) served with dried bonito(Katsuobushi, かつおぶし) (RM 10.00 )


Oyakudon, rice steamed with chicken meat and eggs ( RM 18.00)


Unadon, rice served with unagi in shoyu sauce ( Rm26.00 )


Salmon sashimi sushi, thin sliced salmon with wasabi ( Rm 9.90 )


Cold cha soba on a decorative zaru ( RM 20.00 )


Tsuyu(Cold soba sauce) with scallions, wasabi, raw quail egg, minced daikon with ginger


Konpiri, Yam balls with salt and edamame

Overall, we find Miraku as an uprated version of Sushi King chain restaurants. However as a resident restaurant of G hotel, it has much room for improvement. The service is not up to the par of similar stature Japaneses restaurants in Penang. With the decorative ambience, Miraku lack proper ventilation especially at the Teppanyaki counter. There are other better Japanese restaurant in Penang.

(Best of 5 stars)
Food quality: 2 stars ( slightly better quality than Sushi King outlets )
Service: 2 stars ( understaffed, our ocha required reminders to fill up )
Food portion: 3 stars ( portion wise, the food is okay )
Value: 2.5 stars ( there are better Japanese restaurants with similar price )

Louis Cafe at Jalan Argyll

Decided to visit Louis Cafe at Jalan Argyll right smacked opposite Hotel Mingood opened no so recently but less than a year. Some online, blog, food critic has mentioned that Louis Cafe serves good italian dishes ... hmm ...


The facade of Louis Cafe.


Interior of Louis Cafe


The main door overlooking Mingood Hotel

Located at Argyll road, the area is rather quiet and parking is not a problem in this area of Penang city. Looked at the menu, the price is at par with most italian offerings in Penang.


Ice peach tea ( RM3.80 ), a bit expensive with rather bland taste


Fresh orange juice ( RM3.80), still juice albeit diluted.


The set dinner is going for RM26.90, I didn't take the set though.


Ordered appetizer, salad and scallop with home-made apple sauce ( RM20.00 )

The testing of the scallops, in overall, is okay, but rather dry. There are a few improvement areas, toast the scallops on butter to bring out rich taste and smell. Scallops are neutral in taste. Toasting in butter will also cook the scallops while retaining the moisture. Served with the home-made sauce will be perfect.


The ordinary thousand island dressing salad. Some alternative dressings can be explored, french dressing or salad dressing with virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.


Fettucine arrabiata, tomato based pasta ( RM 16.90 ), served with chinese mushrooms and chicken ham.


Seafood mariana, tomato based pasta ( RM19.90), served with fresh prawns and chinese mushrooms.


Seafood scallop closeup.

An interesting note is the fettucine arrabiata tastes the same with seafood mariana, although both pastas are tomato based, it shouldn't have the similar taste. Another note is both pastas were served with chinese mushrooms (香菇) but not the typical white button mushrooms normally served with italian dishes. Both pastas were served using typical chinese herbs but not the ordinary herbs like sweet basel, rosemary or chives.

(Best of 5 stars)
Food quality: 2.75 stars ( would be better with white button mushrooms, garden herbs )
Service: 3 stars
Food portion: 3.00 stars
Value: 2.75 stars ( beverages quite expensive )


The damage so far ...

In conclusion, there are some other restaurants that are serving better value, but visit this place if you prefer privacy and some ambience

Ecco cafe at Chulia Street

Ecco Cafe, recommended by local online food critic, is situated at Chulia Street. Housed in the pre-war shoplots, Ecco Cafe decor is unadorned, almost bare with a hint of an antiquity. Ecco Cafe serves italian dishes ranging from pasta to pizza.


Ecco Cafe simple with just a good range of choice.


Is this real food or just fake food ? I think it's real

With the size constraint of a pre-war shoplot, I think Ecco Cafe has only about 10-12 tables. The place was cosy and it wasn't hot or humid eventhough it is not an air-conditioned restaurant.


Peeling paints, is this an art form ?


Settings with 'kopitiam' taste


Some old fan with not so new stuffs


Rows of cups reminiscent of 'kopitiam' style


Some old antique decor


Small kitchen with a small crew


Pesto bread (RM 7.50)


The mastermind at work


The helper working hard


Pasta ala Lorenzo, tomato based with herbs and olives (RM 15)


Pasta ala 'Truz', chicken cajun in cream sauce with banana. Yup, with banana ...(RM 17)


Cream brulee with strawberry sauce, just so-so ... can skip this ...

Overall the food quality is good with good portion, the drinks are not expensive but require improvement. The home made pasta texture is exquisite, reminds me of authentic italian pasta, however given the price, the ingredients can be improved on ... ( some prawns, clams and etc). The tasting is quite good, no hint of MSG used, didn't feel thristy ... at least it's not to the point where I feel thirsty after meal. The verdict is :

(Best of 5 stars)
Food quality: 3.25 stars ( ingredients can be improved on ... )
Service: 3 stars
Food portion: 3 stars
Value: 3 stars

Good visit if you want to experience its home made pasta.