Eighty Eight, a relatively new kid in town, is named not for the street number it is located at as you would expect, but after the year its proprietor cum executive chef was born.

It doesn’t take a mathematical genius to work out that Penang boy Danny Ng is therefore just 24, but despite that relatively tender age, comes with good credentials.

He trained at the At-Sunrice Globalchef Academy in Singapore, then worked in several well-known establishments over the past few years. He started Eighty Eight in April this year.

Set in an unassuming little house along Kelawei Road, Eighty Eight’s internal décor is a bit like its exterior: understated and relatively stark, and furnished with plain, serviceable wooden tables and chairs. However, this place is already upping the ante in town, and becoming known as a restaurant, which offers something out of the ordinary.

What stands out is Danny’s obvious interest and devotion to the culinary arts. “In Singapore, we would volunteer our holiday time to work unpaid in other kitchens just to gain more experience.”