Special thanks to CO- for extending this food review invitation.
Update: This business has ceased its operations.
Opened just a month ago, CO- is the latest restaurant in Icon City. This semi fine dining establishment specializes in Western cuisine with elements of Asian cooking. CO- is simply pronounced “co”, as in “cooperation”. It is named after CoHere, a coworking office space on the first floor.
As the kitchen is located upstairs, the dining area on ground floor can comfortably seat up to 30 diners. A drinks bar is where wine and champagne are poured. Meanwhile, light music on the background presents a relaxing ambience.
To accommodate customers who prefer to dine in a private setting, CO- has a small room at the mezzanine that overlooks the main dining area. The room is accessible by an elevator inside the restaurant itself.
Bread rolls are served before the meal begins. To ensure freshness, bread is baked in-house. The type of bread varies from day to day. Salted butter, balsamic vinegar and olive oil are provided.
Today’s 3-course set lunch begins with Miso Butter Poached Tiger Prawn Salad. The salsa dressing is formulated perfectly, presenting a soothing taste that does not overwhelm the palate. Meanwhile, the shrimps are sweet and juicy, making them succulent to the last morsel. Lastly, crispy almond flakes put on the finishing touch.
My choice of main course is Sous Vide Chicken Breast. Served au jus, the chicken is flavored with truffle mustard, balsamic reduction and basil oil. Also included are sautéed mushrooms and tomatoes. Overall, the chicken is well seasoned and tender throughout. In addition, the large serving size makes it quite filling for lunch.
Moving on to the dessert, Smoked Milk Panna Cotta is sweetened with fresh strawberry coulis. With the right amount of sweetness, the coulis allows the panna cotta‘s rich taste to take the center stage. Also included are vanilla sorbet, pickled strawberry, julienned apples, pomegranate and edible flowers.
The meal concludes with a cup of coffee or tea. After a satisfying meal, I appreciate the coffee’s pleasant bitterness as it cleanses the palate.
The 3-course set lunch is priced from RM58.00. In the evening, 4-course set dinner and à la carte dishes are served. Considering the food quality and serving size, the food pricing at CO- is justified. As a pioneer of semi fine dining in Seberang Perai, CO- aims to bring quality food to the table at reasonable prices.
Name: CO-
Address: 53, Jalan Icon City, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-502-3755
Business hours: 12:00pm-3:00pm, 6:30pm-10:30pm, closed on Tuesdays
Website: https://www.facebook.com/theco.malaysia
Coordinates: 5.34317 N, 100.43337 E
Directions: From the North-South Expressway, take the Bukit Mertajam exit and head east. Turn left at the next traffic lights. Turn left into Icon City on the left. CO- is located on the right side of the road. There are parking spaces in front and the back of the restaurant.
