up date : Butterworth Raja Uda Branch have been shut down
There is nothing i like better then a Restaurant that has manage to pull up the boots and get better what more reinvented it self.
James Food Western Food started at Fettes Park, Penang Island, some time back, in a kopi tiam, when it upgraded it self, to a nice shiny bright cafe my family use to eat there and patronize its butterworth branch, but however over the time the food and services standard drop over time, we stop going, some of their branch did close down in fact.
Recently I heard they have rewamp their menu, and James Foo Butterworth reopen at Aroma Hotel F&B Area, So I desided to drop by in early June however they were running full house!
So this fine night in August after the fuss has died down, its time to drop by once again
James Foo Raja Uda Butterworth is house in a triple story lot in a corner of the F&B Area of Aroma Hotel, currently they are running only the bottom lot, which can seat in the region of 60 persons split between some external seats (smoking) and indoor air condition seats.
They have gone for an Industrial & cozy look, with dim lighting, which gave me a bit of trouble looking at their black menu. My eye sights is getting bad. In my opinion they are quite heavily staffed, with attentive young staffs, all equip with walkie talkie sets. they are open for lunch and dinner, Credit Card is accepted. Service is quite prompt but simple. You take your own order with the checklist order pad provided, the Server will go through it with you to clarify a few items.
Their New Menu, is pleasing and self choice orientated, eg My Lamb Chop has 5 choice of sauce and 3 choice of donsness, and choice of 3 sides, so you can certainly customize your order here.
this is their Apple Tuna Salad, Interesting dish, Apple slice, onion slice, bit of tuna, mix with mayo on coral 7 red leaf ? lettuce, my taste bud could do with more onions, tuna and mayo, and if they could add in some black pepper or chili flakes I would consider it perfect!
my main is the lamb chop which i order medium, well i certainly got medium, Malaysia Kopi Tiam Style Medium, which i consider almost well done. (Sad - but this is typical western food in kopi tiam and basic cafes in malaysia. Look like next time i will order it rare to get real medium). My customization goes Medium, Black Pepper Sauce, with Coleslaw, and the Meal arrive with more lettuce as a garnish, perfect. the Black Pepper sauce could be with a bit more punch. I requested for some Tobaccos sauce (Not available) & Salt n Pepper. Anyway the lamb chop is Lamb Loin not Lamb Shoulder which most place give now. I would definitely consider this the best in Butterworth I have eaten.
This their Smoky Fish did not taste no comment
Service is attentive and fast, and they got it almost down to clockwork, no room for error as the order is right at the table for them to check, and all those walkie talkies means fast communication among all the wait staff.
Price wise, overall it has gone up one notch over the old James Foo, that to be expected in the current economic environment.
Comment: Overall they have almost got everything perfect, bit more touch here and there, they have certainly redeem them self from the old comment, "the tastiest dish is the Squirrel Chili Sauce" Lots of tought have gone into it, what needed is understanding what "Western" food is actually all about, not the Malaysianise Version that most place dish out, Will Definitely be back for more.
Panoramic View outside the restaurant
