TANJUNG TOKONG, Feb 21 — There has been such a surge of new eateries up here lately that we tend to forget the older, more established ones, which is a shame because, on the whole, these places have survived for two reasons: they serve good food, and, just as importantly (especially in Penang), with accompanying good prices.

One such is the jauntily-named No Eyed Deer in Tanjung Tokong, which has been going since 2000. The reason for its longevity? The menu comprises popular dishes, both local and international, which have come about as a result of close monitoring of customer likes and dislikes.

“When my business partner Elfina Ng and I first started this place,” explained proprietor and former quantity surveyor Ken Low, “we just put in as many dishes as possible. Those our customers liked we kept, and what they didn’t rave about, we removed from the menu.”

After some time of whittling down, what has remained is still a pretty respectable list of favourites which have become staples, enticing loyal customers back time and time again.

Although not a trained chef, Ken does most of the cooking himself, managing the delicate balance between preparing what he can beforehand during the day — they are only open at night on weekdays – and keeping an eagle eye on his kitchen help as they serve it up whilst he looks after customers out front in the evenings.

There’s Chicken Parmigiana, served with their home-made mashed potatoes and salad, and I know some people who rave about their pastas, which come with different sauces including a palatable green pesto, and also their crispy battered Fish ‘n Chips. Meat lovers will adore their steaks, sausages and chops, and if you are up for it, have a go at their “Caveman’s Platter”, a ginormous helping of all three, guaranteed to satisfy the most carnivorous appetite.

His set meals are also very popular; simple starters — usually a home-made soup of the day — and dessert (their Upside Down Ice Cream) with a good choice of mains, priced accordingly, although very reasonably. There’s also a Special on every weekend; it was British Fish Pie when we were there, although other dishes may include Braised Lamb Shank and Filet Mignon with Red Wine Sauce.

They’ve also become quite well-known for being one of the few places, if not the only place, in town which serves a spicy Laotian Laksa, and at weekend lunchtimes, fans can also enjoy the aniseedy Vietnamese Pho there, with chicken or beef, served with a large handful of fragrant Thai basil.

What I like about the place is that it’s cosy and unpretentious, and if like me you have a family with dysfunctional tastes, there’s no arguing over where to go: the menu will cater to most palates. They also do some great smoothies and shakes — the Chunky Monkey is excellent, rich banana smoothie with ice cream and chunky peanuts, so thick you get jaw ache trying to suck it through the giant straw.

Also, like their tongue-in-cheek tagline says, “Beer’s not dear at the No Eyed Deer” — a bucket of five cans of Carlsberg costs just RM36+ which is not going to break the bank. As it’s on the first floor of Prima Tanjung, it’s a perfect place to sit and enjoy them along with the view of busy Tanjung Tokong and Fettes Roads.

No-Eyed Deer
98-1-26 Prima Tanjung
Jalan Fettes, 11200 Tanjung Tokong, Penang
Tel: 604-899 0488
www.noeyeddeer.com
Opening Hours:
Mondays to Fridays 6-11pm
Saturdays and Sundays 12-3 pm for lunch, 6-11pm for dinner
Closed on Tuesdays.