What is the expected budget/type of cuisine and the venue setting?

garden style: ferringhi garden
straits quay: agua/blue reef
paragon: morganfield's
mansion 32, ...

Here's some recommendations, you didnt give a figure for budget so a bit difficult.

~RM100 per person
- Feringghi Grill @ Rasa Sayang. This place is awesome for steaks etc. Table service tomato soup is also good. When you make the reservation, tell them that its for a birthday and you'll get a free cake. The service here is the best in Penang. Strongly recommend this place for special occasions. Your GF wont forget it.

http://www.shangri-la.com/penang/rasasayan...feringgi-grill/

~RM50 per person
- Miraku Japanese Restaurant @ G-Hotel. Still one of the better Jap restaurants around. Dinner portions are very large.
- China House @ Beach Street. Nice, cozy place. Good steaks / lamb.

~RM30 per person
- Ben's @ Gurney Paragon. Wagyu Pie here is awesome. Pastas are also good
- Oh Sushi @ Straits Quay. Salmon sushi set is good.

DO NOT GO TO MACALISTER MANSION. Yes it looks great and the ambience is classy, but the food sucks for the price you pay.

Il Bacaro in Campbell House used to be one of my favorite restaurants, but the consistency there is not very good. Nice ambience though.

Penang... Hmm... personally I recommend o2leaf but there are getting more and more new restaurants established in Penang. There's one, if you love traditional chinese feel, then you can try Wei Wu Guan. Looks decent from pictures furthermore they are doing some great deals.

miraku at ghotel for japanese food lo

the last time i go, quite a few working there are japanese, including the chef

1885 @ the E&O