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| Living Room, Macalister Mansion |
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| Entrance |
Living Room, Macalister Mansion
The Living Room at Macalister Mansion is a happy start to the day. Bright and cheery, it provides all day refreshment and a casual spot to escape the Penang heat. Hanging plants, whites and greens, stenciled walls and natural light, fashion a relaxed café ambience. The food and beverage too mimic the hotel’s classic style with a refreshing modern twist.
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| Outdoor Seating Area |
Both local and international cuisines are available, with pastries, drinks and expertly prepared espresso based coffees, hot items warranting attention. Healthy Juices, Chilled Infusions, Smoothies, TWG teas and a rockin’ espresso are enticing reasons to visit on their own.
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| Cute Interior |
When Kishan is behind the machine this is THE spot for an awesome cup of coffee. Trained in Melbourne, this barista has perfected the art of espresso based drinks and you can be assured delight with his skill. The TWG range of teas offers a quality selection of black, green, white and herbal infusions for those preferring a lighter beverage. Tea or coffee paired with a slice of their Carrot Orange Cream – an elegantly light cake with a delicate layer of cream cheese icing, sprinkled with sunflower seeds – is a must.
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| Kishen – this THE guy that makes one of the best cups of coffee in Penang! |
Breakfast is served in the Living Room from 8am till 10:30am as part of the accommodation package for hotel guests. The breakfast menu however is available for purchase all day long for anyone who would like to pop in.
We tried a number of delicious Healthy Juices (RM12) and Chilled Infusions (fresh juice mixed with various herbs and spices soaked overnight served in funky individual bottles, RM12) during our stay. None could be faulted and all presented as joyful refreshment: Hangover Cure – apple, carrot, celery, ginger, berries; Pineapple, Ginger, Lime; Orange, Lemongrass, Chilli and Mint; Pineapple, Lemongrass and Cardamom Crush and; Grapefruit, Basil and Strawberry Crush.
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| Chilled Infusions |
As already mentioned, do not miss the coffee. Hubby downed an uncountable number of lattes and cappuccinos (Bristot beans), while I refreshed with iced coffee and experimented with local Kopi-O – the perfect choice when you need an extra wake me up punch.
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| Latte |
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| Kopi-O |
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| Iced Coffee |
The breakfast menu, presented as a hard cover book, showed a couple of local favourites such as Nasi Lemak and Hokkien Prawn Mee alongside Western selections. We love a good Western breakfast so focused our attention on these comfort foods. We found each dish beautifully presented, without being over the top and, portioned well enough to provide a filling meal:
Brioche with Truffle Oil Scrambled Egg (RM22) – arrived as a beautiful pale yellow and green artwork. A round of springy brioche held the creamy mushroom infused egg and a black blob of caviar tinted the top. Upon cutting the tank, the molten scramble flowed onto the plate. I had to fight hubby to ensure my equal half of this one.
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| Brioche with Truffle Oil Scrambled Egg |
MM Big Breakfast (RM30) – came with a choice of egg (scrambled, fried or omelette), bread (brioche, ciabatta or rye bread) with sausage, sautéed mushroom, grilled tomato, baked beans and relish. Home made baked beans and relish set this dish apart from many other ‘big breakfasts’ we’ve had in the country.
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| Big Breakfast |
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| Omelette |
French Toast (RM19) – extra thick slices of bread were lightly toasted and tossed with raisins, fresh fruit, apple compote, and mascarpone cheese. Apple syrup added moisture to the toast, and while an artwork for the eyes, we found the bread a little dry without the syrup topping.
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| French Toast |
Toasted English Muffin – was covered with a poached egg, smoked salmon and a lime hollandaise – proving another dish we’d order again… and again.
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| Toasted English Muffin |
The egg dishes came out the overall winners of breakfast explorations and, even if not staying Macalister Mansion, we’d consider this as a delicious option for brunch. We’ll most definitely return for our coffee fix next time we’re in Penang, even if it means traveling all the way from Batu Feringgi.
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| Cappuccino |
Reasons to Visit: cheerful setting in which to enjoy a snack or light meal at any time of the day, excellent espresso based coffees, eggalicious breakfasts.
Living Room
Macalister Mansion
228 Macalister Road
10400 George Town
Penang, Malaysia
+6 04 2283 888
Open daily from 8am – 1am