Fed up with fake Italian chain restaurant food?
Want to try the most authentic freshly prepared real Italian food in Penang.
Follow this local’s lead to MARKUS, Modern Italian Restaurant in Pulau Tikus, George Town.
This is a restaurant in which to relax and enjoy a leisurely Italian journey.
Become a laid-back Italian for the evening and lose yourself in the romance of Italy.
Chef Markus Lee has created a modern Italian menu using the old school Italian way of making traditional pasta in-house.
Markus Restaurant marries this tradition with modern techniques and innovative sauces.
All Pasta is Freshly made each day and cooked perfectly, “al dente,” and is a joy to savor.
Fresh Pasta is slightly translucent and has a heavenly “mouthfeel.”
I have eaten in some of Italy’s best restaurants – Rome, Florence, Venice, and Lake Como.
The taste of fresh pasta with its higher egg yolk ratio has stayed with me through the years.
Chef Markus has replicated this perfectly in his restaurant.
Chef Markus believes in eating seasonally. “This is what lifts the soul and makes great Italian food divine.”
Seasonally inspired food at MARKUS Modern Italian Restaurant
Chef Markus’s selection of specially imported and fresh local produce is integrated into the à la carte and seasonal menus.
MARKUS creates each dish to introduce the diner to the unique flavors and provide them with the best culinary experience.
MARKUS Modern Italian Restaurant for a leisurely dining experience
In Italy, every meal is an adventure to savor.
Every great dining experience starts with the bread. Chef Markus makes fresh sourdough bread in the restaurant.
The Sourdough Focaccia has summery sun-dried tomatoes – olive oil, sea salt, and herbs.
Beautiful in its simplicity, it is best eaten dipped into the olive oil and good balsamic vinegar with a crumbly texture.
Seriously, it was hard to stop at two pieces!
Complimentary Sourdough Focaccia at MARKUS, Modern Italian Restaurant.
Bruschetta
The secret of Bruschetta lies in getting the base right.
Chef Markus’s fresh Tuscan bread baked daily for freshness.
It allows the natural fruity olive oil and ripe vine tomatoes to shine at their best.
The bread is ‘toasted over hot coals’ to give that unique crunch.
Do I like these? I was happily popping the Bruschetta in one after the other.
Delicious Bruschetta.
Capelli d’angelo freddo
This classic cold Capelli d’angelo “angel hair” pasta is beautifully presented in a seawater emulsion.
The taste is delightful, light, and refreshing.
They serve it with Sashimi Grade Scallops, topped with Black Caviar.
The marriage of the salty emulsion and al dente noodles creates a silky, smooth texture.
This is my new favorite way to eat pasta.
It’s a perfectly simple way to enjoy the clean taste of scallops and fresh pasta.
Capelli d’angelo
Linguine al granchio (crab linguine)
Crabmeat Linguine. An impressive dish, with a depth of flavor created by cooking the crab in its juice.
The rich, creamy, flavourful vodka enhanced, the pink sauce is a favorite in modern Italian cuisine.
Linguine al Granchio
For Executive, “On the Go,” business lunches, a Girlfriend’s Lunch or choose from the la carte menu.
Gnocchi ai quattro formaggi
Gnocchi is tiny morsels of homemade dumplings, cooked al dente with four types of Italian Cheese.
They top it with Crispy Handmade Grissini marbled with Prosciutto.
This dish is rich and creamy and lip-smacking cheesy.
Gnocchi Ai Quattro Formaggi
Agnello Cotto In Due Mondi
Two entirely different cuts of lamb on one plate.
A roasted rack of lamb served with a delightfully light Cauliflower Popcorn.
They complement this with a juicy, slow-roasted pulled shoulder formed into a patty.
Agnello Cotto In Due Mondi
Manzo tonnato
Thinly sliced herb oyster blade of beef topped with light tuna mayonnaise, borlotti beans, and fresh arugula.
An excellent cold combination of flavors lifted with a hint of lemon zest.
Manza Tonnato
Signature Chocolate Lava Cake
The Lava Cake is made with “Valrhona Guanaja” Chocolate.
They serve this dessert with fresh fruit and ice cream.
They serve it warm and crispy on the outside with a warm molten heart.
Signature Chocolate Lava Cake
Limoncello Souffle
A delightful hot soufflé freshly made with a generous glug of home-made Limoncello Liqueur.
They bake this dessert to order. The soufflé cannot be rushed.
The diner must wait for the soufflé as the soufflé will not wait for the diner!
Sweet soufflés are often served with a dusting of powdered sugar. This dish serves one person.
Limoncello Soufflé
Wine
Markus’s temperature-controlled Glass Wine Cellar is a testament to the restaurant’s aim to be a wine-centric restaurant.
There is an extensive wine list comprising both Old & New World wines to delight the wine aficionados.
There is an extensive range of wines & champagnes, perfect for a food and wine pairing.
Corkage Policy | Wines & Champagne; RM30 per bottle | Hard liquor is RM80 per bottle | Service and glassware are provided.
Corkage Free Day | Customers are encouraged to BYOB for Wines & Liquor only on Wednesday’s.
Review of MARKUS Modern Italian Restaurant
I have had several delicious and memorable meals at MARKUS, Modern Italian Restaurant.
Chef Markus ensures that all food is as fresh as possible.
He makes all kinds of pasta and bread on the premises.
Chef Markus repeatedly proves that dedication is what it takes to cook Italian recipes well.
The restaurant is the ideal venue for a leisurely dining experience.
Savor the aromas of the freshly prepared food.
Experience the full and bountiful flavors as they unfold on your palate.
I believe the source of Chef Markus’s impeccable flavor lies deep in his passion for traditional Italian cuisine.
Make yourself the time for a complete Italian dining experience; you will not regret it.
Update: 20 May 2020
After five long years, Markus Restaurant will be shuttering its doors.
Firstly I would like to thank all our patrons and friends that I’ve made and have supported my team all these years.
For private catering by Me, Chef Markus, you can contact me directly at my personal phone at +60124356755.
Markus Modern Italian
37F, Jalan Cantonment, 10250 Pulau Tikus, Penang
Telephone: +604-2261.443
Business Hours
Lunch 12.00 pm Till 3 pm (Last order 2.30 pm)
Dinner 6.00 pm Till Late (Last order 10.00 pm)
Closed on Tuesday & certain public holidays (will only open to special events or private parties). Call to inquire.
I enjoyed your review of Markus and have to agree with every word. His care and detail in his food preparation is extraordinary and he produces flavours that always tantalise the taste buds. It’s our favourite restaurant in George Town.
I’m so pleased to know we share the same sentiments about the good food at Markus. Right now, I’m curious to know your favourite dish. Mine is the Capelli D’Angelo Freddo. I love that Chef Markus uses truffle oil, scallops and caviar on the cold pasta… I love fresh truffles even more. Thanks for reading!
Very informative review from Smart Dory! My boyfriend and I had the most amazing time dining at Markus for his birthday. The restaurant was very nicely decorated with warm, soft lightings. The staff was very attentive and the food was great. A perfect place for couples to dine for a romantic meal and family friendly.
I am happy to know you enjoyed your romantic celebration dinner at Markus. It must be a perfect date night for you both. Thanks for reading!
The bread is good but it needs accompaniment and lacking so, will be bland. The soup needs more herbs to balance it.