Special thanks to Hotel NEO+ for extending this food review invitation.
Hotel NEO+ is located at the corner of Jalan Gurdwara and Lebuh Presgrave, just within a stone’s throw from Hin Bus Depot. Managed by Archipelago International, this 3-star hotel is known for its hipster-style hospitality. At the front desk, male staff members wear black trilby hats while their female counterparts don their iconic silver wigs.
There are 2 restaurants in the hotel, namely Art & Soul Cafe and Lemongrass Restaurant. The latter is where in-house guests are served buffet breakfast. From 19 May 2018 to 10 June 2018, Lemongrass Restaurant is hosting a Malay-style dinner themed “Mustika Rasa Buffet Dinner”.
Starting at the carvery, the Roasted Lamb is seasoned reasonably well. Mint sauce and raita (yogurt sauce) are prepared as condiments. In addition, fried potato wedges are served on the side.
Nasi Beriani Kambing is flavored with mutton stock and various spices, making the rice dish quite appetizing. I also love the fluffy texture that the rice presents. The dish is garnished with tomato and orange slices along its circumference.
Meanwhile, Fried Noodle uses a type of egg noodle called yi mein (伊面). The noodle has a chewy texture which I find most appealing. It is cooked with vegetables. Next to it is a poultry dish, Ayam Masak Kurma.
As for Ikan Tiga Rasa, fish fillets are fried with a coating of flour batter, and then dressed in sweet and sour sauce. I feel that the fish’s texture is not as delicate as I hoped it should be. Should diners prefer, Ikan Bakar (grilled fish) is also available at the action counter.
Gulai Daging Ubi contains beef slices and potato chunks in red curry. The curry is rich in coconut milk, making it creamy and rather appetizing. On the other hand, I feel that the beef slices are too tough for me.
Hotel NEO+’s Bubur Lambuk gives a good balance between savory, salty and sweet tastes. I feel that the rice porridge is appetizing down to the last morsel. As for soups, Sup Ayam (chicken soup) and Chicken Tom Yam Soup are prepared today.
Chicken and beef satay are marinated with spices such as turmeric. Satay is typically served with shallots and sweet-and-spicy peanut sauce. While the chicken satay is quite appealing, I feel that the beef version ought to be tenderer.
Pasembur is a mixture of cucur udang (prawn fritters), hard-boiled eggs, tofu, sengkuang (jicama) and cucumber. This local salad is dressed with sweet-and-spicy peanut sauce.
The pastry section provides a modest choice of butter cakes, chocolate cakes, red velvet cakes and cheesecakes. There are also several types of flavored jelly.
Malay kuih includes karipap (curry puffs), seri muka (glutinous rice with pandan custard), kuih ketayap (pandan crêpes rolled with coconut butter), kuih lapis (layered cake) and kuih keria (glazed doughnuts).
Chilled drinks like air soya (soy milk), air jagung (corn juice) and teh bunga kekwa (chrysanthemum tea) are served in dispensers. Instant coffee and tea are provided too. Upon request, Cendol is also available.
The Mustika Rasa Buffet Dinner is priced at RM58.00 net per adult. Children and senior citizens enjoy discounted prices of RM28.00 and RM38.00 respectively.
Name: Lemongrass Restaurant
Address: 68, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-255-1000
Business hours: 6:30pm-10:30pm
Website: Click here
Coordinates: 5.41226 N, 100.32853 E
Directions: Hotel NEO+ is located at the junction of Jalan Gurdwara and Lebuh Presgrave of George Town. Lemongrass Restaurant is located on Level 1, just above three flights of stairs from the lobby. Multi-level parking is available. Guests of the restaurant can get their parking tickets validated at the front desk for flat rate of RM6.00 per entry.
