Lok Thye Kee, affectionately known as the Love Boat (no doubt a reference to its boat-shaped architecture) is Penang’s oldest restaurant. It’s recently been restored and its three floors offer very different experiences. The ground floor is a coffee shop where you can pass the day with local dishes and games. The middle level is finer dining (but without alcohol) and the Bridge, where the May mingle was held, is two storeys up and has lovely views of the heritage zone. Sadly there’s no lift at the Lok Thye Kee, but this didn’t deter minglers who arrived very thirsty and ready for the delicious food and drink that awaited them.

Lok Thye Kee has just refurbished six suites to a very high standard and some minglers were treated to a preview of the new facilities. These are just round the corner from the restaurants in Penang Road. They are also beginning cooking classes in Nyonya and Hainanese food – and if the superb offerings on the evening are anything to go by – the results will be delicious.

Josh Lee released his new perfume, “Oud”, a companion to his popular scent, “George Town” during the previous week. Two lucky women went home with bottles which they won as a door prize. But, as “Oud” is unisex, they could share it with their husbands or significant others, I suppose. Josh Lee describes it as “a woody oriental fragrance, with a medley of indigenous spices, unfurling the elegant exotic oud accord of its precious trees.” Oud is well-known in Arabia – and is burnt to welcome visitors.

We are grateful for the volunteers who helped at the welcome desk: Marlene Fox and Kathy Roper. Marlene Martin took the photographs. There will be a short break over the summer as so many people travel during June and July and we plan to have our next mingle towards the end of August.

Join us for our next Penang Mingle. Details here.

Read This: The Expat Penang Mingle at Hillside Cafe

Source: The Expat magazine June 2015