Jemput3

Cute name isn't it? Jemput3~ We were actually poking fun at the name. "Jemput" means "invite" in Malay. Why is it called "Invite 3" anyway? Can't we just invite more? And coincidently, the tables in the area that we sat (which is quite similar to that of a traditional Malay house's verandah) has only 4 seats each. Well, that would mean a table for four, YOU and the other THREE that you have INVITED. Make sense doesn't it? Ya, I know I'm not making any business sense. Its a food blog, not an economic blog anyway. My perfect little excuse. XD

Although its only the two of us, we still do the things we do best... Picking tables fit for, erm, 6? No better reasons to pick the table except for the pretty decorations IN the table. A square block have been carved out from the wooden table. The space is then filled with sand and decorated with various seashells and lines of little lightbulbs. Ambiance makes the food look better. So do lighted tables, from beneath!

The lights are basically just lightbulbs, but with a twist. Jemput3 actually ripped the paper/cloth cover off a traditional Chinese tanglung (lantern) and made it a decorative piece for the lonely lightbulb. Many more details that we came across while walking around in Jemput3 (yes, the place is open air and rather spacious with beautiful landscaping), one of it is a little bridge connecting the front part of Jemput3 where the entrance is, with the inner part of the dine where the rest of the seats are.

Well what can I say, it was a pretty dark night. The lightings in Jemput3 are mostly dim except for those in the kitchen and behind the cashier counter (in case they give an RM50 change for a RM50 meal). As you can (roughly) see, there is a cosy little hut with flowy curtains. Beneath it is a pond with carps swimming around in it, and beside it, a piece of artificial miniature waterfall. The cosy little hut is also a dining area, with a low table and woven mats as seats... Ah, just like the olden days in Malaysia. Rather Zen don't you think?

The theme of Jemput3 is basically traditional Malay, with the oh-so-P.Ramlee little ponds, huts and pebbled paths. However, the menu do offer some basic western cuisines, some as entree (eg: fish and chips) and some as appetizers (calamari rings). The drinks however are rather creative. That includes their names...

mermaid n rainbow
Guess who's who.

The rainbow consist of mango juice, kiwi juice and orange juice to top it off. The mermaid is a regular strawberry soda topped with a scoop of icecream - an island for the mermaid to take a breather if she's sick of the pink ocean. Who knows?

Well, as the mermaid's icecream island melts away, my rainbow got quite confusing as well after approximately 10 minutes. *LaughDieMe* Still delicious nonetheless! It took me quite a long time and a number of brain-freezes to finish the whole drink. Its not small, mind you.

Nasi Goreng Special Jemput3

This is my order for the day. Was starving when my meal reaches me. They probably expect us to loiter around the place, admire the little details and happily chit chat before they are suppose to serve the food. Erm, not much of a talker when I'm starving. Need to reserve my energy to hold my fork and spoon you know.

This, my dears, is a slightly spicy nasi goreng (fried rice) topped with a mata kerbau (bull's eye). cough*friedegg*cough

And we have some fried chicken wings, cuts of fresh raw crunchy vegetables and some crispy fish keropoks (crackers). I love love love the keropoks. Wonder if they bought it from Kelantan... Sedap la wei~!

Verdict: Good dish in a good portion. It didn't fill me up to the brim and yet left me thoroughly satisfied. I understood the reason having raw vegetables instead of any cooked or pickled ones, because the sweetness and freshness of the raw crunchy vegetables balance up the taste of the fried rice and other side dishes which tilts more to the salty side.

Nasi lemak temasik

When you go to a diner who portrays to serve Malay cuisines, their nasi lemak should ALWAYS be put to the test. This nasi lemak temasik is one of the most original nasi lemak around, judging from the ingredients. Side dishes for the nasi lemak are sambal ikan bilis, half a hard-boiled egg, rendang kambing and a fried chicken wing (the awkward one out).

Verdict: I'm a rendang lover, and this rendang is satisfactory I would say. Not exactly the best I had, but because my best rendang is not for sale (gotta love thy neighbours...especially when they're great cooks), I would say this rendang is pretty good. I came from a small town dominated by Malays, so having this dish from Penang, and finding its taste to be like those at home is in fact a pleasant surprise.

Contacts
www.jemputree.com
04-228 6607 / 012-242 5331
64 Jalan Chow Thye, Off Jalan Burmah, Penang

Time

Tues-Sat: 12.00pm - 3.00 pm | 5.30 pm - 2.00 am
Sun : 5.00 pm - 2.00 am