Why some restaurants cannot survive in Penang | Food, travel, recipe & sights

Why some restaurants cannot survive in Penang

ed

This may come in useful to anyone who thinks of opening a restaurant in Penang. Just my thoughts.

BTW, the object in my previous post is actually the serviette holder. The metal thing holding the tissue papers? You can see it in the photo above. Nice ya when it is captured up close?

Anyway, yesterday we had lunch at ED in Pulau Tikus, Penang. We had often by-passed this place for a nice roasted duck rice next door and sometimes, go for the Hongkong restaurant or the Japanese noodle place two doors away. I saw a huge sign hanging outside about discounts for the month of July for German pork knuckle. After reading James review of ED in Kuala Lumpur, I decided to give the Penang branch a chance.

The good points
1) Very cosy place with nice warm, homely decor
2) Huge range of food for the meat lovers
3) Well-trained staffs
4) Price reasonable
5) Huge portion
6) Some unique menus not found at other western restaurants (except Mr. Ho’s)
7) Set lunch for only RM18.90

The reason why we are the only family for lunch! (later one Japanese group came)

1) Located at a badly congested place (no parking)
2) Located too far away (for those people without transport)
3) Western food is not a choice for Chinese families because they are rice urns!
4) RM18.90 for soup, rolls, main meal, one drink (either ice tea or coffee) and dessert is TOO expensive for most families
5) The competition is too keen. Everyone is into Hongkong and Japanese (and upcoming Korean) foods because they watched it on TV! It is the latest craze or trend.
6) The roasted duck and char siew rice next door is truly nice and they served great soup. For the price of one plate of pork-knuckle, one can feed a whole family of 6!
7) Penangites are well-known for being thrifty and going to a western restaurant only happens on special occassions.

This is not a review about Ed’s Deli so I shall not comment on their food.

Posted by on July 4th, 2005 under Eating places

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No Responses to “Why some restaurants cannot survive in Penang”

  1. boo_licious Says:
    July 4th, 2005 at 6:31 pm

    That is why I notice that places like Chilis won’t open in Penang as no one will pay the money to eat there as they got cheaper hawker or chinese food alternatives.

  2. Makan Kings Says:
    July 5th, 2005 at 12:23 am

    Lillian,

    Tried the Euro Deli in KL before. Must say the food there is quite good. Have to agree on you that its a little on the pricey side. But any price is worth it if its good food right?

    -Makan Kings-

  3. Annie Says:
    July 5th, 2005 at 2:53 am

    I agree with boo licious. Places like Chilis or TGI Friday or Italiani( 1 Utama PJ) wont open in Penang as Chilis’s foods can be expensive and mostly cater to expats community in KL. I loves Chili’s famous big mouth burger with the inches thick beef patties with blue cheese but can’t always eat as it cost 19 bucks with the big burger with some thick home made fries. However, Penang is the second ‘city’ after KL as you can’t even find a Starbucks or Coffee Beans for my fav decaf latte in Alor Setar. I am sure certain restaurant is cater to certain market. Penang people are rich! Look at those multi millions dollar condos along the Gurney drive. Would be great if we can sample Lilian’s food at her down-to-earth sea front mixed restaurant one day.

  4. rb Says:
    July 5th, 2005 at 12:01 pm

    penangites kiam siap,tats y kenot survive.

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