Gravybaby Chulia Street Dazzling Review

Gravybaby at the corner of Chulia Street and Rope Walk is dazzling.

With Pokok across the road belting out funky numbers and Halab dishing Syrian cuisine, this little section of Chulia Street is lively in the evenings.

Surrounded by Chicken Rice Kopitiams, the trendy outlets breathe new life into Chulia Street at night.

Penny and I were satiated with all the Middle Eastern cuisine at Halab for dinner recently.

I remember we looked out and saw crowds at Pokok.

We stood outside the Hong Kong bar and saw the dazzling lights at Gravybaby but were too full and sleepy to venture out to try.

Gravybaby Chulia Street Review

When SR and I hung out over the weekend, she suggested trying the place out.

I looked at the IG photos and can’t recall any place along Chulia Street that is so dazzling in its bright décor.

SR wanted to go to Gravybaby and suggested Sunday brunch.

I looked at her svelte figure and wondered aloud, “Is it fattening?”

SR: Not to worry, it’s not $$$$ tiny morsel kind of meal where you are not complete and must look for Nasi Kandar afterward.

Dory: $$$ American trucker size meals? Have you got pancakes?

SR: They are famous for their pies…

Dory: Let’s go!

I swear this girl is a mind reader; she knows the words that get the Fish brain working on hyperspeed.

I was sleepy after my spa morning, and if you know me personally, you will understand that sometimes, I can head to the wrong venue.

How do I tell when there are two Gravybaby outlets listed on Google?

SR: I mentioned Chulia Street.

Dory: And I replied, I always hang out at Paragon Mall.

BTW, the Gravybaby wait staff constantly shouts welcome to everyone who walks by their outlet.

So friendly LAH, surely you must turn in, like me.

We both chuckled about that and mentioned it to the Gravybaby crew.

By the way, they are the nicest.

He makes excellent recommendations and even read the tiny 7pt menu description for the Aunty (me, not SR)

Gravybaby Menu

There’s a thick flip menu with lots of delicious-looking food and drinks.

Apart from churning out its famous Gravybaby Pies, the restaurant has a fancy menu that spans brunch options, sandwiches, burgers, pizza, steaks, salads, and even waffles.

Since the menu was too fine to read, I thought, shall I look over the following table, ask for recommendations, and point to order?

SR: You’re a food blogger, Dory.

Dory: How my father orders food makes perfect sense now. He would survey what’s left on people’s plates and decide not to call that!

SR: But what does he order then? If the famous dishes are wiped clean?

Dory: That’s easy. Ask them about the dishes they enjoyed.

I was going into more stories, but that walk from Yin’s Sourdough, where I parked (not eaten earlier, okay), made me hungry again.

Plus, common sense tends to fly out of my head when I’m hungry.

I didn’t come into a windfall to justify squandering money on $$$$ food and drinks.

I was just hungry and thirsty.

Gravybaby Food

If you want to binge on Western food and read about classic American and English food, you’re in the right place to feel guilty afterward.

There’s EVERYTHING you’ll want to eat here.

My eyes widened.

Sundaes (yes, it’s a Sunday, too), cheesy fries, fish and chips, buffalo wings, and
the list goes on.

The kitchen can’t keep all the ingredients in stock with diverse menu selections.

So, that’s where the waiters come in.

They are so charming and smooth that they can sway you with suitable recommendations.

I don’t know what happened to SR earlier.

She ordered Scrambled Eggs on Granary and Lychee Something-Something.

Scrambled Eggs on Granary

Now, the toasted slice of Granary is crusty and crispy, and the mix of white, wholemeal, and rye flours must make it substantial.

SR complained that the Lychee Something-Something was too sweet.

I noticed that they served her drink without a mixing spoon.

SR whispered: Gravybaby is famous for its pies; you can see it everywhere, from their signs to their napkins.

Dory: Where, where, where? Looking bemused.

Aside from its captivating exterior, the menu is equally enticing, too.

From Gravybaby’s website: Gravybaby’s UK renowned chef has produced a classic, a la carte menu of the highest quality, including some tried and tested Cocktails and Pies.

The friendly waiter recommended the Braised Steak and Ale Pie.

You get a choice between three different gravies.

How can I say no?

Of course, I choose Beef.

Can a pie be anything else and taste as delicious?

I still have lucid dreams of Beef Wellington every Christmas.

He thinks the Pie is enough for the not-so-petite eater, aka Dory.

I, of course, thought it was Chunky Beef Pie since I am myopic and the menu’s print is tiny.

I love the Pie, and if I had ordered the two sides, I would not have finished the lot and scraped the paper line pine wood tray clean.

The Pie arrived sooner than I thought was possible.

Once upon a time, I would bake pies.

My Braised Steak and Ale Pie arrived piping hot within ten to twelve minutes of ordering.

I didn’t ask if the pies were made in their kitchen or if they were Heating Fully Baked Pies or Baking unbaked frozen pies.

Maybe I should? To know if the pies are frozen and are warmed up before serving.

Some of us are naïve in this way.

We think pastry could be baked to order.

Only the Smokehouse in Bangsar made their scones freshly made from scratch, not chilled.

Slow-Cooked Steak & Wild Mushroom – Gravybaby Infamous Pie

The Pie arrived in good form, and there was a hole in the center where the Beef gravy was poured in.

The pastry has a bold, buttery aroma, and they were generous with the steak filling.

The entire Pie was covered with delicious, rich, beefy gravy, and the Pie held up.

The crust stayed in shape with minimal flaking.

The steak pieces were tender, moist, and succulent.

As for the mushrooms doing the “wild thing,” it was nothing like a decoy – I can recognize quartered button mushrooms as button mushrooms.

How? I eat mushrooms all the time! BAH.

We must discuss the gravy since this is a trademark item.

It is flavored with just the right viscousness, just right – not too thick, not too watery.

If I could have my way, I would holler to the waiter, “Bring the Gravy Boat!”

While I adore the food, I hate eating off anything, not a plate.

SR: Old school?

Dory: Nope, just simple, straightforward hygiene. I don’t think the pinewood tray can be washed in hot water, and that’s how a commercial kitchen works.

As for my drink, the lovely waiter read the ingredients, and I remembered by rote.

For RM19 a drink, I expected to find the fresh juice to order Blended Juice to contain described.

Green: Celery, Pineapple, Lime, Green Apple, Cucumber, and Mint.

It tasted of Celery and Cucumber with a Mint garnish.

I think more menu training for the dispenser is needed.

What’s not written on the Drinks List is water.

So, if you’re not one for sugary drinks, the filtered water is free.

Gravybaby Ambiance

Gravybaby is as flashy as they come.

Someone I knew once liked to use the term “brazen hussy” to describe buildings.

He said that I was quoting him SR.

It is pretty hard to ignore the restaurant’s bright, glitzy façade.

Now, the image is lit by marquee bulbs at night.

The effect is Dazzling!

The restaurant has a fun, relaxed vibe with a British-inspired open bar.

As for being cheeky, Gravybaby takes full marks for their neon poster.

I asked the waiter, “Why do the people upstairs feel so hot? Your Aircond broke down, eh?

Many heads turned.

My quips got a few chuckles.

SR ducked.

The waiter smiled lamely.

GB: Miss, you can go upstairs and take photos, too.

Well-trained wait staff. Clever response.

We checked out the hot minimalist people and found them all sitting pretty and invisible in the director’s chairs.

Lots of nooks and crannies were cleverly used by the designer for smoking corners.

I’m not sure of the soundtracks, but I fancied the music selection during our visit was possibly from the 80s.

Gravybaby Review

Sunday Sundae Worthy?

I don’t know yet how dazzling a complete meal with the works will cost.

Since I only tried two food items and two drinks.

While the menu represented truly magnificent gluttonous food, the prices were not cheap!

Price-wise, expect to pay a little more than your average Penang cafe.

My Pie (just a pie without any sides – I had to explain why I didn’t get any fiber that day!) and Single Juice was RM57.

Put it to my Penang kiamsiap nature, but I feel the food is overpriced and maybe unmemorable if you didn’t order Pie (like me).

What do I like about Gravybaby?

• It’s Pork Free!
• I love the pies! Delicious!
• Great service!
• It’s got a quirky sense of humor and wordplay, like me!

If you’re American and happened to drop by, the USD13.63 brunch would be a steal!

Verdict: Nice place, a friendly environment. I will return, but the food is overpriced for Penang.

Gravybaby Chulia St
Address: 391 Chulia Street, 10200 George Town, Penang
Hours: 7.00 AM to 1.00 AM
Alcohol Served: Yes

Gravybaby Outlets

 

 

Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.