Restaurant: The Boatman - Batu Ferringhi (Top Pick)

I am indebted to my friends Jonathan and Sandy here for highlighting what I have found to be a real little gem of a restaurant which is tucked away in the centre of Batu Ferringhi, not far from the Ferringhi Garden Restaurant.





The restaurant is called 'The Boatman' and places like this are such a treat to come across.  It is in a good location, has seating both inside and out and serves a wide variety oriental and western food for lunch and dinner and also serves a good selection of breakfast treats, including a full English with real bacon for those that crave it.  Opening at 9am I have had breakfast there a few times now, with orange juice and lashings of fresh hot coffee, a great way to start the day.

Chilli Chicken

For me though, it's the lunch and dinner menu that makes the restaurant really stand out.  Dining there recently we had a superb fried rice with mixed vegetable, red chilli chicken, curried fish fillet, stir fried mixed vegetable and prawns with asparagus and each dish was superb with everything being freshly prepared and cooked.  They also have a good desert menu and I have to say that my firm favourite is the pancakes, either honey, lemon or banana. Served with ice cream they are a fine and satisfying way to round off a great meal.  However, when you consider that this meal, together with 2 large bottles of Tiger and an ever so healthy carrot juice came to only around RM 100 it really does become very good value, but good value with great quality.

Vegetable Fried Rice

I have now eaten there many times and the people that accompany me (all local) are always impressed with the food, the restaurant and the friendliness and helpfulness of the owner May and her staff.  I am sure none of the dishes there would disappoint and some of those I have tried, in addition to the above, that I would highly recommend include the beef rendang, sczechuan style stir fry pork (or chicken), kailan with oyster sauce, and the bean sprouts with salted fish.  There are many other dishes on the menu that I have yet to try and I am sure that many of these too will become firm favourites, esp when you consider that most are priced between RM 12-18.

Fish Fillet Curry

The Boatman is about 100m past the Ferringhi Garden Restaurant on the right hand side as you drive or walk through Batu Ferringhi, away from Georgetown.  It is open daily (except Monday) from 09:00 to 2:30 pm and then from 6:00pm to 11:00pm.  At times, especially if you are looking to seat several diners at the busier weekends for example, it might be advisable to call ahead and reserve a table: +60 16 448 6369 / +60 12 483 3157.  They can also be contacted by email.

Honey Pancakes

The Boatman really is a cracking little restaurant serving great food at great prices which is well worth a visit and it earns a very well justified 'Top Pick'.