THE VIEW's really fantastic from here...

I'VE ALWAYS LIKED THE EQUATORIAL HOTEL PENANG. From its commanding position on top of Bukit Jambul, it is a real haven - for once this is the correct usage of the word; quite often it is incorrectly used to describe Penang as somewhere with good food when the word should be HEAVEN and not a SAFE place, protected from the rest of the world - because as soon as you walk in, you literally leave the noisy hustle and bustle behind.

Every time I go there I delight in its four f&b outlets, and the other evening was no exception, when I was invited to try the new menu at their aptly-named "The View" Restaurant. There are not many places left in Penang where you can tuck into some good French/Mediterranean food courtesy of Executive Chef Junious and his local Sous Chef Looi , and yet be able to enjoy gorgeous scenery at the same time.

Whether you go for lunch or dinner, it's the same excellent standard. However, at night the view is stunning - it really lives up to its name then - and there's a muted elegance about the place which the efficient service enhances, and the pianist tinkling on the ivories just adds that much more charm.

I particularly delight in the fact that it is a semi-buffet, so you can have a selection of starters (salads and seafood etc) to put you in the right mood. After a light cleansing sorbet, a "soup of the day" is served a table, then your main course is brought to you.

There's a good but not overly large choice, which is important because too big and I start to wonder how they cope. There's Les Poissons, fish, but of course, as France is famous for its seafood, Les Grillades (grilled items), and some hand-made pasta - the Foie Gras Ravioli, a sort of very upmarket wantan, is well worth a try.

Apart from the popular steaks and cod, they're very proud of their L'Assiette de Canard: duo of braised duck confit with smoked duck breast served on mashed potatoes flavoured with truffle oil and quite rightly so - it was delicious (I had to try it of course after such recommendation): crisp on the outside and soft and tender on the inside.

Desserts are also served buffet style, again an excellent idea as far as I am concerned - how could one limit oneself to just one sweet when there are so many delicious ones to try! The price depends on which main coursse you go for.

The key word here is semi - the choice is not huge, but what there is is good. I definitely recommend it especially if you want to go somewhere for a special night out. Come Valentine's Night, they're offering a romantic six-course dinner. It will be heavenly. Hmmm ... I wonder how I'm going to hint to my Old Man about it ...