Musion Mansion: Dining Among Ferns and Orchids
CP Museum was originally in Pulau Tikus near the closed Colonial Penang Museum. On the 1st day of 2022, it was moved to Musion Mansion.
Jenny, why do you put a museum in the Cafe and Eatery category?
CP Museum is a dining spot for dim sum. Dad said the original location is undergoing renovation to a Chinese fine-dining restaurant; in the meantime, this eatery had temporarily moved to Musion Mansion.
It was inevitable to get a hungry stomach after tomb-sweeping for the entire morning, so brunch was our solution before heading back home. Driving into the narrow Lorong Popus, Dad stopped the car in front of a kindergarten. Why, exactly? If you looked to the right, there was a large ‘CP Museum’ popped out in 3D with an antique car parked in front of the main entrance, coiled with lavender morning glories.
Musion Mansion is encompassed within ferns, orchids, and metal. You heard me right, metal. I spotted chains, metallic scrap robots, a large artistic display made of trumpets, and randomly located euphonium instruments. This tranquil atmosphere is accompanied by Chinese Broadway Jazz, which you can hear the singers sang in strong and sharp voices.
“Hey look, there’s a pool.”
I had never seen a retro swimming pool where the tiles are rectangular instead of miniature mosaics, and the sides of the pool are made of clay with several embedded floral designs. There were two lion heads that could sprout water out of their mouths, but it has ceased to function. Right above was a wooden deck where visitors could sit on the round garden tables. Today, the pool serves a decorative purpose, but the alluring clear water was calling me to jump in and wash away the dirt and sweat.
The outdoor seating was comfortable under warm weather where the sun was being gentle. Customers could opt for dining within the Peranakan heritage mansion, surrounded by antique furniture and old black-and white photographs. Exclusive compartments are reserved for private gatherings, which advanced booking could secure a place.
Dim Sum
I was already accustomed to CP Museum’s delicacies. As expected from a dim sum store, it offered dumplings, buns, cakes, and Portuguese tarts. My favourite main course is deep-fried noodles, coated with a layer of egg broth. Accompanied with a pot of pu-erh tea, this was the definitive Cantonese brunch.
We left as soon as we cleared the plates, and mostly because of exhaustion. Aunt May took away buns and chee cheong fun for my grandma and cousin.
When I began writing about this place, some reviews mentioned having high-tea in this mansion. I checked Musion Mutton’s Facebook page, attempting to look for any high-tea menu. Then, a 1st April pinned post caught my attention:
Musion Mansion is on hiatus.
I see. I might need to reconsider another location for high-tea.
Date of Visitation: 3rd April 2022
Overall Rating: 7/10
Location: Musion Mansion, Lorong Popus, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Opening Hours: 7am-2pm, (Sun-Sat), Closes on Tues
Socials (CP Musuem)
Socials (Musion Mansion)