Via-Pre Tavern on Habour

 
Via-Pre…. Is an authentic Italian Restaurant that is talked of the town right now. Whoever asked what to go for dinner, for farewell, for lunch, or for gathering. This is definitely the place that I would recommend. All the foods are imported, even their chefs are from overseas, and at least I could spot a few of the good looking Italian folks!

   
You know you will just get pretty annoying when you know your other half has been to this new place for couple of times, and none of these you were in the dining opportunity. When you know at times you gotta make use of your Ace and demand for one. Well… it wasn’t a bad idea if you demand a good dinner on your anniversary, right? In fact, recommended this to one of my colleague, and he texted me while dining, and commented, the food is absolutely thumb up for its quality!

Sometimes a food review doesn’t have to write a lot about its food but to share its picture and its presentation of the food. Of course, this little corner main objective is to write down that is something I didn’t want to forget when I age. You will never know what will happen when you’re old, whether your kids will be with you or overseas, or you’ll be in the old folks home and making new friends. Thus, the blog does serve it purpose of writing the day to day journal.

I believe I have written a few of my anniversary’s dining out experience… can never forget our favourite place, Feringghi Grill in Rasa Sayang, Hard Rock Café in Hard Rock Resort, Vintage Bulgaria Restaurant, etc. Each year, we’ll have something to try out eventhough Ferringhi Grill is our all time favourite place, and a stay in Hard Rock was to celebrate the 10^th Year Anniversary, Vintage Bulgaria was a last minute place for dinner cuz, we both took it for granted for not making any reservation in Ferringhi Grill.

 

This year, we opted for Via-Pre because this is something that reminds me of Peppeno where it used to be in Golden Sands Resort. It was another authentic Italian restaurant that could find in Penang Island. Since Golden Sands Resort was closed down for renovation, I believe they have made away the restaurant for others.  For a regular like anyone would definitely miss those hot from the oven Pizza, Hand Made Pasta, and other dishes.

  
Via-Pre… do not have a spectacular dining area, but, it came with a simple place with a few chairs and tables. A bar counter that cater for all sorts of wines, and a table that place all the imported food like olive, pasta, anchovies, etc.  I’ve been searching for Parma Ham for a longer period since I know how to cook, it’s not easy to find it in Penang, am sure it’s easy obtain in Kuala Lumpur. Parma Ham is something that I know that has marinated for a long period of time and slices the meat as thin as a piece of tissue paper. Some will eat with cheese, all types of cheese, some will eat with rock melon. Think I’ll opt for rock melon cuz, it gives me a refreshing taste, sweet plus salty taste.

Heard so much about their most expensive pasta, that’s Aglio Olio Seafood Spaghetti which costs RM78 per plate. Many will say what is that so special, Aglio Olio is only needed olive oil and garlic and stir fry the pasta that’s all. Well, what costs the expensive noodle is all the seafood that’s on the plate, you can find big fresh scallops, prawns, mussels, squids, octopus, etc…

Next… thin slice of pork meat wrap with ham. Well, this dish is not in their menu, it was a special dish for that day. It was something special, but the meat was too hard, perhaps it was over cooked.

 
Minestrone Soup literally call Big Soup, is a thick soup of Italian origin made with vegetables, often with the addition of pasta or rice. Common ingredients include beans, onions, celery, carrots, stock, and tomatoes (source: Wikipedia).

It’s always good to end with a good dessert, eventhough you do not have enough room anymore in your stomach. Ever since Bakerzin has ceased its operation in Penang, I can’t find any good Tiramisu till I found it here in Via-Pre. I could taste a strong coffee and liquor in it, and the aroma of the dessert is so strong. How can I decline such a good offer, isn’t it?

Sachertorte … a long time cake that I want to try all these while. Though I know it’s not that difficult to make, however, it gives me an impression that is something should not be missed in your life time. I guess it has his history, it’s invented from a Vienna chef Franz Sacher in 1832.

While my eyes are on these desserts, but I also found some other desserts catching my attention, I could see Ricotta Cheese Cake, Apple Pie, Lemon Pie, Black Forest, etc… I think I will come back for more!!

Other Review

Life Without Boundaries

Chowhound

Love to Eat

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© Love Me Self ©

悠游之鱼

Ameblo.Jp

Address & Contact Number

5 Weld Quay

Georgetown

10300 Penang

Tel: +604-2619 800

Fax: +604-2630 560

Email: info@via-pre.com

Note: Bistro/Lounge will be opening in end Jun’12

Bella Marino

If it’s not my friend that sent me a text yesterday, perhaps I won’t be visiting this place. A mall by the sea – Straits Quay.

My 1st time stepped foot into this place, immediately it was a love at first sight kind of feeling, I like the colonial design, and also the pleasant feeling it gives me. It was a pleasant surprise that we have in this place. Not to mention is around the corner for Christmas, but it’s something that any Penangite would proud of this piece of ‘art’.

While strolling around, we were excited to see so many food and beverages outlets down here, and we told ourselves, we will surely visit this place more often.

Bella Marino was our first outlet to try out while others were under some renovation. I was told there are many more outlets to check out, apart from Dome, Blue Reef, Starbucks and so on.

Anyway, after a quiet days and weeks, am going to start off with this simple post, at least am not completely out of the blogging world, but just too busy and too loaded with work. When you down in such place, you would not go wrong with pizza and pasta… and that’s what exactly we had this afternoon.

Le Zuppa (Soup) – a home made fresh cream of mushroom soup that starts with today’s lunch, RM12-80.

Followed by Le Pizze (Pizza) - Pizza Con Pollo that has roasted chicken meat, turkey ham and pineapple as topping, RM26-90.

Le Paste (Pasta) – Linguine Marinara was my choice, the fine strands of flat pasta cooked in tomato sauce with assorted seafood, RM31-00.

Added Iced Lemon Tea RM6-50 and Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice RM6-50 for the lunch for two.

Currently Bella Marino is having a opening promotion, if you dine in there will entitle for 10% discount. Come 1st December 2010 will have new menu as well.

Address & Contact Number
Bella Marino
Ristorante & Pizzeria
Lot No 3A-G-11 Straits Quay
Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang
Tanjung Tokong
10470 Penang
Tel: +604-899 0277
Fax: +604-890 9277


Business Hour
Open Daily
Lunch: 11am to 3pm
Dinner: 6pm to 11pm

Note: Snacks in between hours. After hours al fresco casual wine drinking, also cater for take-aways.

Amelie Cafe

Many had written about Amelié Café that located in the historical town – the Armenian Street. What caught my attention and eager to find out what do they have when I first read Lingzie’s post. I kept bugging hubby to bring me there, well, he should know the place pretty well, not because of anything, because he’s a native Penangite and he knows all the streets in town.

The 1st visit with hubby honestly I was thrilled, and it’s full of surprises, and the 2nd visit that I have was basically with my other 2 buddies. The 2nd visit was merely pleasant and enjoyable moment. So, I would conclude this place is full of surprises yet pleasant and also tranquilizing.

I remember during the 1st visit, I got to know a lot of history about Penang, about Armenian Street. How would this name came about? And got to know many of Malaya’s Armenians came from the country around New Julfa, Isfahan, in what was then Persia, today’s Iran. This location had been a thriving Armenian trading settlement since the 16th century (sauce: The E&O Hotel – Pearl of Penang by Ilsa Sharp).

Honestly this place is full of surprises in a sense that they fully recycle that needs to be, for example, glasses for drinks, they used jam bottle. Even plates, some looked pretty old, but they still used it to serve dishes. Cups and saucer is not matching at all, perhaps another re-cycle product. Chairs and tables were also recycle… I could see school chair during my time. I was very excited sitting on it.

Wooden tables, baskets that hanging to store fruits, etc. To me these are creative ideas and also environmental friendly too. Looking at the flower pots are not those fancy pots, but using cooking pot to plant plants, or mints herbs.

That’s why when my buddies suggested for a gathering, without second thought I recommended this place to them. First of all, the price is definitely reasonable, and the food is very home cooked feel. Though the place is rather small, can only cater 4 tables, but it’s definitely a place for a nice homely meal.

In fact, when I 1st came, I thought this couple must have been to overseas and now decide to return home for good. To my surprise, the down to earth Yen told me that they both have not been to any overseas countries before. And I got to know from other bloggers that she’s a journalist too. A café that only open since 6 months ago could gain such a reputable feedback from tourists, bloggers and many Penangites, think that’s nothing go wrong with it.

Risotto Pork Bacon (RM14-90)

Tomato Classic Homemade Pasta with Pork Sausage (RM14-90)

Aglio e Olio Homemade Pasta with Pork Sausage (RM14-90)

Scramble Egg & Parmesan Sandwich (RM14-90)

Risotto Pork Sausage (RM14-90)

Passion Fruit & Banana Lassi (RM8-50)

Orange and Ginger Smoothie (RM6-50)

Caffe Americano Cold (RM5-50)

Espresso Macchiatto – Double Shot (RM4-50)

Cappuccino – Double Shot (RM5-50)




Other Review
Lingzie’s Tummy Treats
My Food Fetish
Bearbee Footstop
JenC’s Little Corner
What’s Up with F?
What2Green
Ed & Cher
Food Mice
Fusionacs
My Food Obsessions
Painting with Light
My Warm Nest
大小通 吃

Address & Contact Number
No 6, Armenian Street
10200, Penang
(next to Cheah Kongsi)
Tel: +6012 496 7838
Email: ameliecafe@yahoo.com