GEORGE TOWN, Nov 14 — This beautiful award-winning building in George Town, now known as “The Blue Mansion”, was once the home of the “Rockefeller of the East”, Chinese tycoon Cheong Fatt Tze and his 7th and favourite wife.

It is one of the most distinctive houses in Penang, indeed the world; it was named one of the top 10 mansions and grand houses in the world by Lonely Planet in 2012.

Built by the Hakka man who arrived here in 1856 a penniless 16-year-old water bearer and who went on to become one of the richest and most prominent men in Asia, the 56,000 sq ft indigo house in Leith Street was constructed in the 1880s according to the principles of feng shui (geomancy).

It is reputed to be one of only two such buildings of its size outside China. Sadly, the family fortunes dwindled fast after Cheong’s death in 1916, and by the 1980s the mansion was in a sorry state of disrepair.

In 1989, after Cheong’s last son died, it was bought over, painstakingly restored and converted into a boutique bed-and-breakfast. Now run by Samadhi Retreats, it has recently undergone another overhaul to bring the services provided to the 21st century yet still maintaining the general historical ethos of the building.

These include the upgrading of its 18 bedrooms, and the addition of a swimming pool on its grounds. Another is the opening of a fine-dining restaurant on site just a few months ago. I was privileged to be the first foodie to be invited to try the ‘fusion Chinese food” served there.

The “Cheong Fatt Tze Restaurant” is situated on the first floor overlooking the front gardens. The spacious room with its high ceilings, built during a time when there was no such thing as air conditioning, is impressive.

During the day, sunshine filters in through the stained-glass windows, lighting up the elegantly furnished outlet, which has just 12 white-covered tables. Giant Chinese silk scrolls emblazon several of the walls.

Designed by their former Executive Chef, the a la carte pork-free menu offers a small but well-thought out selection of tasty Cantonese and Szechuan offerings which apparently even had a delegation from Hong Kong who were dining there endorsing as “perfect.”

“We concentrate more on main ingredients cooked without MSG,” explained Resident Manager James Lim.

So you’ll find appetisers like Shredded Chicken and Cucumber Salad with Szechuan Chilli Oil Sauce and Crispy Eggplant crusted with Caramalised Chicken Floss — the latter delightfully light and tasty — alongside Hong Kong-style Beef Tenderloin with Fresh Button Mushrooms and Black Pepper Sauce and Pan-grilled Duck Breast with Aniseed Pepper Sauce or Wok-seared Fresh Scallops, daintily presented in a minimalist, contemporary way.

Start off your evening with a delightful Lychee and Lemongrass cocktail (left). The elegant restaurant is perfect for special occasions, a business lunch or simply a treat to oneself (right).

Dessert is simple: a choice of just Double-Boiled Lotus Seed and Lily Bulbs with Glutinous Dumplings, Chilled Mango Sago or fruits.

The menu, I’m told, is updated every few months with the introduction of new dishes, but popular items will remain.

During the day, two 3-course Set Lunches are available which include either a fried noodle dish or a rather different Hong Kong-style Soaked Rice.

Cooked white rice is deep-fried until crispy, then dressed with a garnish of fried squid, prawns and fish. This is served with a pot of clear, hot seafood broth, which is poured over the rice a table.

It’s unique and tasty, and, with a dab of chilli padi and their rather excellent soya sauce, makes for a satisfying and filling lunch — although it’s also available in the evenings.

Soaked rice is an amazing dish of different textures, full of flavours (left). Wok-seared fresh scallops... just perfect (right).

What a grand way to dine or entertain family, friends or business associates. Start with an aperitif on the outside veranda — try one of their delicious ice-cold Samadhi State of Mind cocktails like the Lychee and Lemongrass Smash 33 — before adjourning to the Cheong Fatt Tze Restaurant for a good meal and savour the historical ambience at the same time.

They also cater for functions and other private events.

Cheong Fatt Tze Restaurant

The Blue Mansion

14 Lebuh Leith

10200 George Town

Penang

Tel: +604 262 0006

Open daily:

12-3pm (Lunch)

6-10pm (Dinner)