Having stayed for a good portion of 3 months in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland when I was in my twenties opened my eyes to the fact that the English enjoys having their Sunday roasts, which is typically served during Sunday, consisting of roasted meat, roast potato, and Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, vegetables and gravy…

And since the Eastern & Oriental Hotel is a Heritage Colonial Hotel, I guess it is only expected that they have their Weekend Roast…

It is on Saturdays and Sundays that most family and friends do not work and get to meet up for some nice meal or so, so Farquhar’s Bar, which has been named after Lieutenant-Governor Robert Townsend Farquhar brings the traditional English Sunday Roast to all who want to indulge in it for the weekends.

Stepping in to Farquhar’s Bar is like intruding into some exclusive private gentleman’s club room as it is a very masculine room with its deep armchairs and long mahogany bar, tables and flooring…

Since I was parched, having just arrived and hungry, I got some mocktails to try.. which were the Shirley Temple made from lime juice, grenadine syrup and topped with Sprite; Veline which was made from peach syrup and topped with ginger ale and Citrus Blass which is grapefruit juice, mint syrup and Sprite mixed together, at RM15 each… and if you are asking me, I do like the Veline and Shirley Temple…

The Weekend Roast menu is pretty straight forward.

You can of course, start off with some tummy warming soup, bread and salads with a several different dressing…

Or head straight for the selection of Roast Side of Beef, Roast Chicken Breast (with sage & onion stuffing)  and Slow-Cooked Lamb Shoulder.

These well- flavored meat which have been marinated lovingly with fresh herbs are served on trays with accompaniments such as Yorkshire pudding, goose-fat roast potatoes and seasonal vegetables under the heat lamps that keep them warm

The roast chicken breast was really fragrant and flavourful with the sage and onion stuffing..

My daughter loved the Lamb Shoulder which was moist, tender with a bit of crispy edges and the goose-fat roast potatoes….

And when it comes to the accompaniments, I have to confess to something.. I am not quite a green pea type of person, and would shy away from it or pick it off my dishes, but with that mushy peas with ample onions, I really actually enjoyed the peas… yes, it was really yummy…

And for a sweet ending to your meal, what else can be more perfect then a perfectly spiced bread pudding drenched in lovely vanilla sauce!

You can enjoy the Weekend Roast @ Farquhar’s Bar (Heritage Wing) every Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-4pm…

Eastern & Oriental Hotel, 10 Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Penang

TEL: 04-222 2000 Ext 3177

http://www.eohotels.com/