OLE ... Or is it OH ME POOR LEG ...

APOLOGIES FOR THE LONG SILENCE ... it's not that I've had nothing to report - on the contrary there's been TOO much to write about: I've been to many places to eat, and more places to eat, including dinner at a "t'ng tok" (long table) with Gordon Ramsay when he was filming in Penang, to trying out the new dishes at Kopicine (Bonton Pg), and last night, the fantastic Ole - a Spanish Extravaganza, organised by the Pg Soroptimists, at the E&O.

The Spanish Embassy flew in Chef Fernando Martinez from Valencia specially for the occasion, and together with Chef Bob, he cooked up a seafoody storm in his enormous paella pan, which we had with our aperitifs at the pre-dinner cocktails in the garden, with freeflow Spanish wines, sherry and champagne. Very civilised indeed.

After that everyone made their way to the ballroom, very elegantly done up in the red and beige colours of the Spanish flag.

Speeches were by Organising Chairman Anita Pater, Soroptimist President Dato' Dr Shuba and the Spanish Ambassador.

Once all that necessary "official stuff" was out of the way, the food was served - the E&O as always did a good job; the creamy seafood soup was served piping hot which was incredible considering how many people there were, and the steak was quite acceptable too.

Highlight of the evening was the entertainment: "Tirititran", a Spanish group from Granada, with Raquel La Monica whose incredible voice warbled out some plaintive rustic notes, and Cristina Candela who did some amazing flamenco dance routines, all backed by classical guitarist Raul Corredor.

it was after all that "culture" that we were able to let our hair down - dancing the evening away. I'm paying for it now though ... the old bones can't take much of this revelling any more!! And of course the freeflow meant one didn't quite stint on the drinks too ... I think it's a quiet night in tonight, for a change.

However, it was a great evening, and even better to know that it was all in aid of charity: Penang Home of the Infirm and Aged, Asia Community Service and Penang Shan Children's Home.

Well done to the Soroptimists who care enough to take the trouble to raise funds for these organisations. Even more amazing was the fact that they did it all within a month or two.

SMC - Special Makan Centre!!!

IT'S BACK!!

YES, the Spice Market Cafe's very popular and very special 1-for-1 offer is back once again. As I think it's probably one of the best buffets we have in town if you're looking at quality food and ingredients then it's a fantastic offer.

I like the spaciousness of the place, and the choice, the salads, hot courses and the Theatre Kitchen (talk about amateur dramatics!).

The seafood is excellent, the salmon sashimi is creamy as milk, and their satay is not bad either; the desserts, of course, are after all why one eats the rest first - so we don't eat too much pudding! (In fact, the only problem I have with it is I eat too much. And of course with all this eating for the new book, I'm going to have to let out some of my skirts and trousers I think. Thank goodness I'm nearly at the end - the book closes this Friday. )

BUT I digress.

As the special offer starts this Sunday, and runs only from Sundays through to Thursdays, and only valid until 30 June so don't delay - see you there!

CHEF WAN TO THREE

I'M DELIGHTED TO SAY THAT the second edition of my restaurant guide "Great Dining in Penang 2" will be coming out soon - and launch date is now confirmed for end of June. HOWEVER that has meant additional pressure on me to get everything ready. It's mostly there, but still a lot of chasing left.

One lamentable result is lack of time to do things like update blogs, although today I was moved to do so because I attended an unusual event at 2pm this afternoon: Chef Wan (aka Redzuawan Ismail) officially "opened" the Golden Sands Resort's herb and spice garden just outside Sigi's. Cheffie, who is of course now a "Datuk", being one of Malaysia's most important ambassadors, was on top form as usual. He's here to film his new series "Glorious European Food" with Executive Sous Chef John Brock which will be aired on AFC and TV2.

(What do you think they're whispering to each other?)

1000 sq ft plot now has about 28 types growing on it including some rare varieties like Sawtooth Coriander, Daun Salam and Stevia, black pepper, galangal, Daun Kaduk etc. According to Bruno, the home-grown herbs, set up under the guidance and expertise of the Tropical Spice Garden in Teluk Bahang, will be used in Sigi's dishes, so diners can expect "enthralling twists" to well-known offering soon, he promises us. I look forward to some tropical cum exotic flavours ... Turmeric and Cardamom-flavoured pizza, maybe?

Chef Wan gave a short (for him) sweet speech about how important it is to use herbs in cooking: the flavours, colours and aromas being so varied, then together with GM Bruno Cristol he officially "cut" the ribbon and Bob, as they say, was your uncle. He also signed the plaque and even took the trouble to doodle a little figure of himself presumably on it. After that there was a (very) short walk around the garden whilst he "labelled" a few of the plants.

Everyone scuttled into the cool of the air conditioning where refreshing cold drinks were served and Cheffie gave a press conference.

ANOTHER FOODIE HITS PENANG ...

IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I UPDATED THIS. Partly because of sloth although having said that I've actually been very busy, but partly because I've not been to many hawker centres recently. However, last night I finally managed to visit a place I've been meaning to for a while: the famous 888 Hokkien Mee Stall in Presgrave Street (Sar Tiao Lor).

I was taking another fellow foodie on a Penang Street Food Tour: this time Joaquin Persson, a Swede who writes for Travel & Lifestyle Magazine. Of course one had to introduce him to our favourites and seeing as he was staying at Traders in town, where better to start off than this place which was just a short walk away (although truth be told the traffic was a bit hair-raising, so close did it come to us sometimes!).

So we trotted off down Magazine Road and came across the place; as it was still fairly early (6ish) it wasn't that busy and we were able to get a table after ordering the HKM and a plate of Ong's konlow meen (wantan noodles) with a separate bowl of wantons in soup. I have to say the latter two were excellent; just like the old Tok Tok Mee I used to know, down to the pieces of yummy chee yao (pork crackling) in the minimal gravy that goes with it. And cheap too: the two cost just RM5.60.

HOWEVER the HKM left much to be desired: it was quite bland, and if it hadn't been for the chilli boh it would probably have been completely tasteless. Disappointing, considering they are supposed to be one of our better known ones - they were certainly busy, and not quite prepared to talk.

So on we went, this time to the famous hawker stalls at Macalister Road's New Lane, just outside the Sunway Hotel. It was packed as usual, the stalls lining both sides of the "lane". I took him for a quick tour up and down, introducing him to some of our more famous dishes, then we sat down and ordered a few for him to try: must haves like our inimitable Chee Cheong Fun, full of heyko like nowhere else in the world, let alone Penang; Char Kuey Teow but of course, our heritage item, and Laksa, which was again a bit of a let down.

England they have a saying, "You know you're getting old when all the constables look young" ... well here it must be, "You know you're getting old when all the hawker food doesn't taste like what it did"! Having said that the CCF was very good, the sauce dark, thick and gooey.

Even though Joaquin is currently based in Thailand, where this sort of street food is so prevalent, he found it fascinating enough to take lots of photos - to the extent of almost squatting on the road in the face of oncoming cars! However, I think (and hope) that he agrees that he got a fairly good grounding of many of our favourites, but like I said to him, this is just the tip of the iceberg! There are SO many more for him to sample! Welcome to Penang!