|
|
|
9 September 2005
Story by:
SUPRIYA AHLUWALIA
North
|
|
|
|
 |
It has been often said that the
Rozells is the kind of place that “sells nostalgia”. To understand
this, you have to visit this place to fully appreciate the
significance of this statement.
This
pub / music joint / restaurant has been drawing the crowds at its new
location at Mount Pleasure in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, since it
re-opened its doors more than a year ago. The pub is run by
long-time friends and business partners James Rozells and Kathy
Rodrigues. |
The aim behind opening a pub of their own after years spent as
performers at almost all of Penang’s premier hotels was to
have a place where they could focus on their love for country
music.
To widen their clientele they also included golden oldies from the 1920s right up to those of the 1960's. James and Kathy
love to entertain the crowds with their personal requests. Every
first Sunday of the month a jam session is held with local
musicians.
James is now planning to form an association of
Penang musicians and is actively getting feedback for this. He
laughingly adds :“So far it has been mostly the non-musicians who
are excited about the idea.”
For many, the Rozells Country & Western And Oldies Pub &
Restaurant is a local version of the popular TV series “Cheers”.
For the regulars, it is a place where everybody knows your
name - maybe not everybody but at least James and Kathy will know
your name. James and Kathy make attempts to know the names of
everyone who comes in. They will also try to remember your
favourite numbers.
Their effort
is returned in kind. When the duo perform the joint’s theme
song, a slight variation of a Nat King Cole evergreen, the crowd
never fails to respond. The change in the track goes “You
will never grow old as long as you … come to Rozells”
and patrons would raise their glasses and sing along.
There’s a sense of familiarity at this place. Although the target
group is the 40s, James said that in recent weeks he noticed there
had been a gradual build-up of younger people enjoying the pub’s
laid-back atmosphere. “We want people to have a place where they
can have simple, clean fun. We want to give the people what they
want,” said James.
Now patrons can also enjoy a set dinner menu on Fridays and
Saturdays featuring traditional Eurasian food. There are two
choices. The main course can either be the pot roast beef or the
famed Devil’s Curry served with rice, vegetable pickles, salted
fish peda and fish cutlet. The set menu also includes a
Eurasian stew.
The dessert includes a slice of sugee cake, coffee, tea or soft
drink. At RM20, the meal is a bargain. If you love your food
spicy, then I strongly recommend the Devil’s Curry. The pub also
caters for special events and can prepare a special menu for a
group of more than 50 people.
To know more about Rozells as a restaurant, visit: www.penangfoodhaven.com
and as a pub, visit: www. rozells.com.my.
However, I would recommend that you head for the Rozells so that
you can fully appreciate the experience.
