The Eastern & Oriental Hotel, or better known as E & O Hotel is a significant landmark in Penang. The building of E & O Hotel itself tells many stories which dated back more than a century. E & O Hotel has stood as a testament to the grand elegance of the British colonial era. This Hotel has served many rich and famous from all around the world.
The E&O Hotel has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. It is very easy to locate E & O Hotel. It stands at the intersection of Farquhar Street and Penang Road. The hotel is about 20 kilometres from the Penang International Airport and if you are driving from Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, keep driving until you pass Farquhar Street at the junction that will lead to one way street. Keep driving for a few metres and you will see E & O Hotel is on your left.
For those who visited E & O Hotel before, you surely will know there is a place for chill and relax in the name of Farquhar’s Bar. This place is named after Robert Townsend Farquhar who used to serve as Penang’s Lieutenant-Governor.
With its deep armchairs and long dark wood bar, Farquhar’s Bar exudes an exclusive private club room atmosphere – the perfect setting for another round of sundowners.
Farquhar’s Bar is a place dedicated for those looking for relaxation and chit chat with friends with a mug or two. There will be some soft jazz music playing at the background which is perfect for winding down after a hectic day.
For those who prefer a quieter or non-air-conditioned place, the tables by the pool side is a good place to drink and dine at.
The quiet pool side at night is located few steps away from the open sea. Therefore, you will be able to enjoy some fresh cool sea breeze while having a cup or two.
Starting 28th Feb 2014, E & O Hotel proudly present their new 3-piece band, Sweet Tone. They will be performing at the Farquhar Bar from Thursdays to Saturdays between 8pm to 11pm until 26 April 2014.
The 3-piece band comprises of Mahazan Jalaluddin, Mohd Akhir bin Abdul Rashid and Haidee Lim. The band repertoire includes jazz and old favorites from the 60’s to 80’s.
In conjunction with the debut of Sweet Tone, Farquhar Bar is offering a special promotion on selected drinks. Guests can enjoy selected beverages ranging from house pouring brands, house wine, draught beers, cooktails, mocktails, soft drinks for just RM12++ per glass.
For those looking for some food before clicking the wine glasses, below are some of the food worth to be tried:
Grilled Grass Fed Beef Tenderloin – RM78, served with Herb Roasted Potato, Wild Mushroom Ragout, Shallot Sauce
If I were to judge the standard of a Western restaurant, usually I will order steak. To know the Chef’s skill of heat-controlling while grilling the beef, the best is to have the first bite without any sauce. My verdict for the steak at Farquhar’s Bar is, it is perfect in terms of marination and also grilling. The sauce which accompanied the beef blended very well with the steak while the sides were as delightful as well.
Garlic Marinated Rack of Lamb – RM65, the racks of lamb were marinated with garlic and herbs, then grilled to perfection and served with homemade sauce.
The grilled lamb is also one of their signatures. However, comparing it with the steak I personally still prefer the steak. Probably due to the lamb and the sauce just couldn’t blend well.
Fish & Chips – RM35, grilled lemon, Remanlade sauce, Tossed Petit Salad.
The taste of the fish and chip was just regular. The only difference is the tartar sauce tasted more appetizing and delightful. The grilled lemon also added a fruity aroma to the fish and chips.
Calamari Rings and Fries – RM23 for duo bowl serving.
If you are looking for some finger food rather than heavy meal, try out the calamari and fries here. They are prepared fresh and hot.
Luis Felie Edwards Pupilla Chardonnay – RM26 per glass/ RM118 per bottle, this is a very good starter. Very fruity and appetizing. It paired very well with fish and chips or any salmon steak if served.
Cranswick Lakefield Cabernet Merlot – RM26 per glass/ RM116 per bottle, a creation from the best of 2 wines (Cabernet and Merlot). Cabernet is a bit towards the strong taste and slight fruity whereas Merlot is the mild type. I still prefer Shiraz which contains strong fruity flavor and packed with some peppery ending.
Farquhar’s Classic – RM42 per glass. A mixture of Bacardi Oro, Otard VSOP, Amavello, Pineapple Juice, Orange Juice and Lime Juice. For those who is not a fan of wine there are also a lot of cocktails and mocktails here. One of the signatures is the Farquhar’s classic where the drink is appetizing and yet easily knock off a person as the mixture contains more than 2 alcohol types.
Overall, this place is great for relaxation after a hectic day. This is the place to chill with a nice live band. Besides the drinks and live band, this place serves good food too. Although the price of the food is on the high side, with such quality of food and ambiance it is worth to pay. Parking here is not a problem as there is a multi-level carpark just next to the hotel.
Editor’s Review (5 Stars Rank):
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Quick Facts:
| Family Friendly |  |
| Parking |  |
| Pork Free | |
| Alcohol | |
| Credit Card | |
| Smoking | |
| Reservation | |
| Private Room (Private Area) | |
| WIFI Available | |
Operation hours: 11:00am – 12:00am (7 days a week)
Contact: 604-222 2000 ext 3177
Address: Eastern & Oriental Hotel, 10, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 Penang
GPS: 5° 42′ 33.46″ N, 100° 33′ 58.91″ E