My Reunion Dinner - Reviewed

Every year this time, i have 3 dinners to go and for this first dinner, we ate in Tong Hoi Seafood Restaurant (东海鱼翅酒家). I knew this restaurant because it shares the same name with those in Ipoh (The Chermoh branch particularly) which i had really good experience with. So we decided to give it a try for this Penang's branch. And now I'm skeptical if this is the real branch. Find out more why it is so in below paragraphs. 

When we first knew there is a 'branch' in Penang we were so happy that it is also possible to eat their signature dishes in Penang which i think it is rather hard to get the same taste in Penang. Those dishes are made so Cantonese style that so far i only can get the same taste in Ipoh, KL's are rather similar but definitely not Penang's.  So for the reunion dinner last night, we made it there for a try. Located within the Lone Pine Club right next to the Lebuhraya Thean Tek, the restaurant is very obvious to be found (click here to be seen in Google Map).

My happy mode was immediately turned down when i was ordering. The signature dishes, i.e. Sesame Chicken (芝麻鸡), Steam Grass Carp with Ginger Paste (姜蓉蒸皖鱼腩) are not available in this 'branch' !?!? Luckily still managed to get one stir fried veg (i think it is available in Penang), the 清炒青龙苗 (sorry guys i really dont know how to translate this name). The waiting time was ok and below are the foods served:

Stir Fried Veg, 清炒青龙苗

Cod Fish Steamed with Soy Sauce, ‘清蒸’雪鱼

 Fried Chicken with Plum Sauce, 酸梅鸡

The presentation of all dished were decent. Nothing special about it at first glimpse. However we soon discovered there are problems when we 'uncover' the tops. (1) The corianders above the cod already wilted (2) The bean sprouts were SIGNIFICANTLY MORE than the green veg. I mean this is a full service restaurant so it should not make such 'mistakes'. Not to forget they 'are' the branch of a renowned restaurant chain in Ipoh.  

As for the taste wise, the vegs was ok. The cod itself was not fresh so the entire dish ruined. If only they have the ginger paste, maybe it can covered the not-fresh-fishy smell but they didn't. And then the plum sauce of the chicken were too salty and heavily mixed with MSG. I think they buy the premix plum powder. 

So below are the rating:

(-1 = no good; 0 = neutral; 1 = good, making full score = 5 and -5 = lowest point)

Food Presentation = -1

Taste/Texture = 0

Service = 0

Price = -1

Overall Atmosphere = 0

Total Score = -2, will not go back again.

The verdict: Charged at RM 90.70, i'd expect a full service dining experience but maybe because there demand is low in that area so the food/service level cannot be maintained. Im not saying this is not a good restaurant but just that for the same price, i can have a far better dining experience in Penang. 

Useful Tips:

(1) Ample of carpark without charge as it is located within a club house

(2) located on the 1st floor (no lift) of the building

(3) No menu, can ask for recommendations from the captain. 

(4) Can bring your own beverage but not sure if they have service charge on that. I saw people bring cartons of beers. 

Other Pictures:

The rice portion is small and the quality is a no-no. 

The saucer remained empty even after we finished the dinner. Nothing provided to fill it up so whats the point of putting them in the first place?