Growing up, Chinese take-out was a staple in my family, and one of my favorite meals of the week. It's still good, but after almost 20 years of ordering from the same restaurant, the menu has grown a bit tiresome (something my mother vehemently echoes on a fairly regular basis). In recent years, the vast expansion of Thai and other East Asian cuisines in the city has allowed me to explore alternatives. One of the finest of these alternatives is the exquisite Malaysian eatery between Amsterdam and Columbus on 72nd street: Penang.
As far as the menu goes, Penang really has something for everyone.
Besides catering to both meat-eaters and vegetarians, I overheard from a
waiter once that the restaurant is dairy-free (don't know if this
applies to some of the desserts, though, so it would be good to ask).
Unlike many Chinese take-out places, the food is never greasy and always
prepared with fresh ingredients (not to mention always delicious- I
recommend the Basil Chicken).
In addition to the fabulous menu, the layout of the restaurant is casual yet classy. Long and narrow, but with plenty of elbow room and a full bar in the front. No windows, but the entire front wall (facing the street) is made of glass, letting in just the right amount of light. The most unique part is the restrooms. Two unisex restrooms are separated by a short corridor containing the sinks, making the wait time shorter for both men and women, and no waiting at all if you just want to wash your hands.
If anyone is looking for a change of pace from the usual Chinese food, I
highly recommend trying Penang. It's a bit pricey, but the combination of quality
food, a cozy atmosphere and all-around good time makes the investment
well-worth it.
