The Bungalow Lone Pine Hotel Batu Ferringhi

The Bungalow, Lone Pine Hotel, Penang

Monica Tindall

The Lone Pine Hotel’s all-day-dining restaurant provides an air-conditioned interior or alfresco dining by the pool. Beginning with a buffet breakfast in the morning, the menu continues with Colonial-inspired cuisine and local Penang favourites for the rest of the day. Backed up by a compact cocktail and wine menu, one could easily pass the day here nibbling, dipping, sipping and feeding.

Buffet Breakfast Lone Pine Hotel

The most important thing for me at breakfast is coffee, fresh fruit and a well-done egg. The rest as far as I’m concerned is a bonus. Here, beans supplied by Coffex, provide a decent cup from an automized machine, four types of fresh fruit are on the buffet and there’s a live cooking station making eggs to order. Noodles, curries, pastries and hot western items fill the rest of the plates. The offerings are a simple start to the day.

The Bungalow Lone Pine Hotel Batu Ferringhi
Breakfast at Lone Pine Hotel

All-Day Menu at The Bungalow

With refurbishments planned for The Bungalow, the best way to take advantage of the setting is with a sun chair by the pool. The pool area is lovely and a chair here avoids the sound of the watersports trailers that go up and down the side alley next door to the restaurant. Staff will deliver a menu of western and local favourites to your chosen place of relaxation.

Starters

Salads and soups provide simple recipes to begin. Baby spinach (RM33.50) and Romaine lettuce (RM22.50) feature leaves dressed with a few extras. The mushroom soup (RM22.50) is a basic combo of fresh blended mushrooms.

Beach Bars Penang
Romaine Salad
The Bungalow Lone Pine Hotel Batu Ferringhi
Mushroom Soup

Mains

Mains are made to order and guests are told to expect anywhere between 15 – 30 minutes of waiting time depending on the order. If you have a glass of wine and a starter, that’s really not too long to wait – especially if you’re nested on one of those poolside recliners.

Hubby reports that the braised beef short rib (RM46) is satisfying, flaking at the touch of the fork and sweet and juicy in the mouth. A cauliflower puree, Parisian vegetables and crispy potatoes balance the plate. The red snapper (RM40) I try is cooked in a banana leaf in a spicy sauce and sided with white rice, cucumber, tomato and extra sauce. The best dish we sample though is the Lone Pine fried chicken (RM28.50). It’s not the healthiest of recipes, but they have created a juicy tender middle of boneless chicken thigh encased in a crunchy coating. Kochujan (a Korean chilli sauce) spicy mayonnaise makes delicious dipping.

Beach Bars Penang
Short Rib
The Bungalow Lone Pine Hotel Batu Ferringhi
Lone Pine Fried Chicken
Beach Bars Penang
Spicy Red Snapper

Dessert

I knew before the order had been placed, that hubby would not be able to resist the coconut pannacotta (RM16). Two of his favourite ingredients – coconut and cream – in one dish would be simply irresistible. The pannacotta is indeed velvety smooth and vibrant with the flavour of coconut. Salted coconut crumble and a delicious mixed berry compote complete the dish with a contrast of textures. A popular local recipe is the sago gula Mekala (RM18). Frog’s eyes (our childhood name) or sago pearls are cooked together with coconut and topped off with a palm sugar syrup. Both desserts get a thumbs up.

The Bungalow Lone Pine Hotel Batu Ferringhi
Coconut Pannacotta
The Bungalow Lone Pine Hotel Batu Ferringhi
Sago Gula Melaka

Drinks Menu

On the drinks menu, two red and two white wines are available by the glass (RM27 & RM33). Tempus Two Silver Sauvignon Blanc provides a crisp refresher that seems to match the sound of the waves lapping the shore and the gentle ocean breeze perfectly.

Deals Too Good To Be True

Wednesday nights you can get a steamboat buffet dinner for RM58, Saturday a flaming roast and grill buffet for RM80 and on Sunday a roast for RM68. But, that’s not even the best part. Add a tiny supplement of RM50 and get a free flow of wine, sparkling wine and beer at any of these!

Reasons to visit The Bungalow Lone Pine Hotel: seek out a sunchair and enjoy the pretty poolside setting; friendly service team; the best dishes were the Lone Pine fried chicken, the coconut pannacotta and the sago gula Melaka; cheap free-flow alcohol on certain days.

The Bungalow
Ground floor by the pool
Lone Pine Hotel
97 Batu Ferringhi
11100 Penang, Malaysia
+60 (4) 886 8686
[email protected]
www.lonepinehotel.com

The Bungalow Opening Hours
Daily
Breakfast: 6:30 am to 10:30 pm
All-day-dining: 11 am – 11 pm

More on gourmet travel in Penang here.

5 Comments

  1. You got me at the price, those are really attractive for buffet! Wish I could still eat like a teenager.

  2. I always have a soft spot for sago gula Melaka but I sure would want to try their coconut pannacotta!

  3. What a medley to enjoy for a breakfast buffet!! The red snapper looks delish and colorful.

  4. The steamboat buffet sounds like a bargain.

  5. Breakfast outside is an ideal option.

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