Though claiming that they’re the first ever Indian and Chinese fusion restaurant in Malaysia, it’s an understatement as The Crib’s fusion menu actually offers a lot more.
You expect to get down and dirty with red curries and delicious dhall upon entering Little India, but instead your fingers drip in liquid gold as your teeth sinks into a thick burger bun smothered in floods of cheese sauce.
Waves of intoxicating and mouth-watering spices explode immediately from the burger’s fried chicken and to experience this spice bomb yourself, make sure to call for The Big Fat Boy.
The most enjoyable but difficult part about eating at The Crib isn’t avoiding staining your clothes when feasting on giant plates of finger-licking flavours – it’s the tough choice of ordering from its massive menu.
Black squid ink pasta, mutton pizza, masala lobster and char koay teow can all be found on The Crib’s special steel menu and there’s a universe of unique fusion meals printed in silver, ready to satisfy every type of hunger pang.
“Keevhen has always put his own twist to things and opening a restaurant has been his dream since he was 13,” Keevhen’s mother said.
“When he was four or five years old he’d always be in the kitchen whenever I cooked or baked,” she recalled, adding that his two sisters would only make an appearance if Keevhen whipped up something for them to eat.
Feb 19, 2021 marks the day when The Crib’s doors first opened and Keevhen made his nine-year dream of owning his own restaurant come true at only 21 years old.
“The Crib’s name and idea was formed when I was 13 and as it became a reality a few months ago, I made sure to give other youths the opportunity to get creatively involved,” said Keevhen.
“I asked my ex-school mates to work with me and the food photography on the website and murals on the walls are all the artistic work of my friends.”
One of them is Keevhen’s long-time friend of eight years, Torrence Raj, 22, who has painting skills that even Bob Ross would be jealous of.
Torrence created all the designs himself and he’s the sole artist behind The Crib’s jaw-dropping murals.
“Torrence always had a passion for art and drawing and after painting my diner’s walls, he has found more work after others took an interest in his murals,” Keevhen said.
With this golden opportunity, Torrence has since painted murals for baby clinics, milkshake bars and even done a portrait in memory of someone who passed away.
The kitchen bell rings and Keevhen returns with a warm wheel of brie and four giant fritters bursting at the seams with silky cream cheese and juicy ladies’ fingers.
These decadent starters merely scrape the surface of what The Crib has to offer and the diner’s highlights feature its signature mains that fuses never-before-seen food combos.
Their Pakka Pasta, one of their signature dishes, is a heavenly combo of East meets West.
Mouth-watering Indian spices are infused into delicate threads of pasta with baby octopuses and prawns, it’s flavour profile said to be “unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before.”
To wash it all down, indulge in an elevated version of an ice lemon tea.
A single sip from this special glass will quench your thirst and its harmonious balance of sweet and sour will have you begging for more.
If you’re not a fan of cold drinks, try The Crib’s hot Chai Tea, the perfect balm on a rainy day. It’s infused with a mother’s love, brewed as it is alongside secret spices that’ll warm your heart.
Before leaving The Crib though, stop by their restroom as it’s quite literally a trip. Psychedelic rainbows fill the ‘ladies’, while trippy eye illusions plaster the ‘mens’.
Although some may say it’s Keevhen’s way of hypnotising you to come back for a second bite – The Crib’s fusion food is addictive enough and a satisfied belly needs zero persuasion when making reservations for the next visit.
The Crib
119, Lebuh Penang
10200 George Town
Penang
Operating Hours: Daily 12pm – 11pm