The FOUNDERS Hutton — Restaurant in George Town

The people and place: The Founders brought in #goodfood, taking us on a tasty ride from Johor to Penang.

Hiding out from the busy shophouses along Hutton Lane, kind of sneaky behind an old tree, The Founders kicked it in a cool Indo-Malay bungalow from the late 19th century. Even though it had a close call with fire in 2003, the building's bones held up, keeping the good vibes alive.

Still finding their groove during the soft launch and soaking up those Penangite vibes, The Founders kept it simple with a limited menu. The service crew gave the lowdown on the options before #darlings decided if they were up for the full dining experience. Once you were chillin' in your seat, they hooked you up with some sky juice flowing freely from bottles. You could grab a physical menu, but ordering had gone high-tech with QR code. Service crew had your back, like when all the coffee played hard to get during my visit—turned out it was just a glitch. Picking between bagels and brunch, I rolled with a latte, the OG quesadilla (their top pick!), and a peanut butter banana bagel (they swear it’s the World’s Best Bagels!). The quesadilla was a good-sized feast, rocking Tomyam scrambled eggs, chicken ham, sliced tomatoes, Alexa's Sriracha aioli, coriander & cheddar cheese sandwiched between tortilla sheets, topped with grated parmesan, pomegranate, and a drizzle of pesto oil. Not sure if it was just good service, but my bagel slid in after I crushed the quesadilla. Ate a quarter, packed the rest nice and neat (they even tossed in a paper box and a rad carry-bag). The latte held its own too. Oh, and they pitched a yearly membership for RM150, scoring you 20% off the first bill (max RM100), RM150 in vouchers (in 8 sweet denominations), free-flow coffee (with the fine print), and other cool perks.

Everybody sniffing around was on the lookout for "The Founder" himself. Caught him in action, serving and casually flipping his hair.

And photos? Yeah, everyone was snapping away 'cause the spot was seriously photogenic. Peep the wood furniture and merchandise, of salvaged and reclaimed timber, a collaborative project with Chengal House. The landscaping and that big ol' tree were on point too. Shallow pool vibes, but hey, parents, keep an eye on the little ones—the pool's full, and there ain't no signs or barricades.

So, yeah, I checked in, and I'm...

Here are some of the greatest places in George Town, Penang, Malaysia, where you can relax and enjoy delicious meals: Cafés and Restaurants: Jawi House Cafe Gallery: This charming café offers a delightful selection of Malaysian and Jawi Peranakan cuisine. It's a great place to relax and enjoy a leisurely meal in a beautiful setting.

China House: This stylish complex houses several restaurants, bars, and shops. It's a great place to explore and find a spot to relax and enjoy a meal.

Hin Bus Depot Cafe: This unique café is housed in a renovated bus depot. It's a great place to relax and enjoy a meal or a drink, surrounded by art and culture.

The Safe Room: This cozy café offers a variety of delicious food and drinks. It's a great place to relax and enjoy a quiet moment.

Kebaya Dining Room: This elegant restaurant offers a fine dining experience with a focus on Peranakan cuisine. It's a great place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy a delicious meal.

Street Food: Gurney Drive Hawker Centre: This bustling hawker center is a great place to sample a variety of delicious street food. It's a great place to experience the vibrant food culture of Penang.

Little Penang Street Market: This night market is a great place to find a variety of delicious street food, snacks, and drinks. It's a great place to experience the lively atmosphere of Penang at night.

Other: Penang Hill: This hilltop retreat offers stunning views of the city and a chance to escape the hustle and bustle. There are several restaurants and cafes on the hill where you can relax and enjoy a meal.

Batu Ferringhi Beach: This beautiful beach is a great place to relax and soak up the sun. There are several restaurants and bars along the beach where you can enjoy a meal or a drink.

These are just a few of the many great places to relax and enjoy meals in George Town, Penang. With its diverse range of restaurants, cafes, and street food stalls, there is something for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet and relaxing meal or a lively and festive atmosphere, you're sure to find it in...

Environment is great and so is the food.

But staff need serious retraining in professionalism in handling situations. I understand there may be SOP’s the staff must follow, but how they implement them in front of a customer should be re-evaluated.

I came in with a party of 2 and eventhough there was an availabile table for 4, we were told we could only be seated at the sharing table. At first, we agreed, as we thought it made sense they would hold that larger table for a 4 person party. But within 5 minutes, they seated a party of 2 ang moh who were right behind us in the queue. I won’t make any accusations and I’ll choose to believe there is no preferential treatment going on.

After which, I kindly asked if any 2 person table were to open up, if we could possibly switch. They did help me check but in the end they shut me down quite coldly saying there were no such tables available. Not much of an issue for this still, it is what it is.

But the main kicker is that shortly after, a 2-person table opened up right behind us. Seeing as such, we decided to switch and inform the staff straight away. Take note our food had not been served. When we informed the staff of the switch the reaction was quite dramatic, and they had a little but loud group discussion as if we had ruined their day. Mind you at this point there were already 2 other empty tables available that sat empty for nearly 10 minutes after our switch.

This should have been a non issue, and a very simple situation that could have been handled fast and easily. Other than that, food and atmosphere is great as has always been. It’s just small things in customer service that added up and brought the whole experience down, leaving...