It’s the girls first-time dining for lunch at the Communal Table By Gen, and they loved the experience!
The Friday lunch was extra special as we were thrilled to have our girls outing before Janita delivers.
Janita was heavily pregnant, and her baby will be born the next Monday.
Kath, Jocelyn and I were concerned when Janita wanted to walk to the restaurant from Komtar.
Not that far, actually about 500m.
Walking in the noonday heat and sun would get to be a bit much!
I’ve been to the restaurant twice before for dinner.
The lunch experience was delightful, with the entire restaurant lit with natural lighting from the skylight and the windows.
It was perfect for a few candid shots, which the staff kindly took for us.
I was happy to take my food photos without needing to adjust the lighting for once.
Plus, it was the first time for the girls to watch the chefs prepare their food right before their eyes.
We were just excited to see what the team of chef dreamed up for their latest menu.
Dining at Communal Table By Gen
Chef Johnson’s ideas on the communal table is an experience of sharing comfort food with family and friends.
In the best practice of Malaysian cultures and dining practices, we agree it was an enjoyable experience for the four of us, two Indians, a Eurasian and a Chinese aunty.
If the food suits our varied tastes, it would be good for most.
For food allergies/intolerances, speak to the staff—no issues, they are so accommodating.
We had a vegetarian, a non-pork eater, no food allergies and a mother to be who may deliver soon.
Communal Table By Gen—Lunch Menu
I shared with the ladies that the restaurant’s concept of utilizing Malaysian grown produces.
The distinctive taste and flavour of local produce are showcased in the à la carte or tasting menu.
We ordered all the items on the snack menu.
Menu – Communal Table By Gen
Bing bread, potato, spring onion, sour cream butter RM15
The Bing bread reminds me so much of the Chinese pan-fried buns.
They make the wrapper from yeast dough, and the filling contains potatoes, spring onion and various seasonings.
It’s quite small, about 6” in diameter, crispy and nicely browned outside with a moist interior.
Oh, the sour cream butter? That was so good!
Bing bread, potato, spring onion, sour cream butter RM15
Spaghetti, ginger flower, white prawns, kaffir lime, shrimp oil RM25
Four generous sized prawns are sweet and meaty with a good firm texture.
Maybe I spent a little too long waiting for all the pasta dishes to arrive (too much time taking photos as usual)–by the time I dug in, the Spaghetti was a little clumpy.
The taste, texture and aroma of the dish are delightful and appetizing, with a slice of lime to brighten the flavours.
Spaghetti, ginger flower, white prawns, kaffir lime, shrimp oil RM25
Tagliatelle, bacon, pucuk manis cream sauce, chilli oil, parmesan RM23
Not a pesto sauce, but just as delightful–the pucuk manis (sweet leaf) is such an invigorating bright green and so appealing.
Coupled with the Crispy Bacon, chilli oil, and parmesan, this dish stands its own against any pesto.
Tagliatelle, bacon, pucuk manis cream sauce, chilli oil, parmesan RM23
Pappardelle, mushroom jus, oyster mushrooms, cured egg yolk, parmesan RM20
The Pappardelle is full of earthy mushroom flavour.
Kath’s vegetarian version was without the egg.
Jocelyn had the original unmodified recipe with the slow-cooked organic egg, spilling its soft yellow yolk when broken to mix into the pasta.
Pappardelle, mushroom jus, oyster mushrooms, cured egg yolk, parmesan RM20
Communal Table By Gen Desserts
GELATO & SORBET
Gelato and sorbet are excellent choices to finish any meal.
The girls and I could wait to dig into our desserts.
I told the girls that there is nothing that chocolate and ice cream can’t cure.
If these two sweets don’t work, its time to head home to mummy’s home-cooked meals.
Guaranteed to cure everything.
Gelato and Sorbet. One scoop RM5, two RM8 and three RM13
Corn, peanut butter gelato
My favourite combination – the peanut butter is nutty and tasted so fresh with the sweet corn. I wanted to purchase a tub home.
But will probably drop by for dessert the next time I’m in the area.
Milk, chocolate chip gelato
Janita and Jocelyn loved their chocolate fix. My standard order is anything chocolate; however, everything else falls short of peanut butter (read REESE’S Peanut Butter Cups!)
Green Apple, Lime, Basil, Mint Sorbet
Kath loved the fresh taste of the Green Apple, Lime, Basil, Mint Sorbet–the perfect finish to a good meal and to cut through any oily taste. The taste is tangy citrus and refreshing.
One scoop RM5, two RM8 and three RM13
Review of Pasta Lunch
The pasta dishes are good portions, tasty and delicious.
One of the many things I appreciate dining at the Communal Table by Gen is the desserts.
I feel the gelato bring the meal together without making us feel overindulged and regret having a heavy lunch.
Reasons to visit Communal Table by Gen
You will love the inventive contemporary Malaysian cuisine.
Chef Johnson and the team cook with a light touch and brings out the taste of local ingredients.
The portions are not Chinese soup spoon size nor the prices exorbitant (a friend quizzed me—please see photos and menu).
Neither are these American size portions for sharing.
However, I have always mentioned that price is subjective.
Some people who pay RM25 for a fast-food burger still complain that RM30 restaurant meal is expensive.
I only have this to say; it is not for everyone.
As for the girls and I, We will definitely visit and eat again soon.
We appreciate having good Malaysian fine dining using local ingredients and showing off local cuisine using fresh, local ingredients combined with a high cooking technique to bring out the best local ingredients and flavour.
Overall, as always, Gen was well worth a visit, and we left impressed.
Gen is really a hidden gem. Definitely worth going for a lovely meal.
Communal Table by gēn 根
Address: 68, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Menu: gencommunaltable.com
Reservations: tableapp.com
Phone: 012-578 3323
Tue – Sun: 12:00pm – 10:00pm (Lunch last order at 2:30pm)
Afternoon Tea: Fri – Sun 2:00pm – 5:30pm (last order at 5:00pm)
Dinner last order at 9:00pm)
Closed on Mondays
www.facebook.com/communaltablegen
