BISTECCA JAKARTA

How anything under Union group never failed my taste buds. I was here at Bistecca last weekend with my girlfriends, in need of good food and we got them. Bistecca is located in the same building as the other establishment of Union group, The Dutch. As soon as we stepped inside, the design immediately reminded me of Union group's signature concept. Except for Casa, I personally always feels every restaurants under the group has similar vibes and ambiance, that New York pub style classic. 

TEXAS ROAD HOUSE - DUBAI MALL

Texas road house was established in 1993 and famous for its steaks and ribs. Now with over 450 outlets, they have been named the number one steakhouse in America and was recognized as one of the nation’s best companies by Forbes magazine. 

My first impression when I stepped inside the restaurant was that it’s so Texas look a like with a bit of the cowboy theme and the brown wood concept. I wouldn’t say the overall decor is my favorite, but I do feel it goes well with the concept and the type of restaurant they are, which is a place where you can be casually dressed, worry free, enjoy the food and go home with satisfied tummy.

SHAKE SHACK DUBAI

One of the thing that excites me the most from my Dubai Trip is definitely a visit to Shake Shack. I was like, finally! I have been dying to try one since everyone I know is raving about them. The story of how Shake Shacks grow so strong and so fast is really impressive. From a humble hot dog cart in New York City back then in 2004, they now have more than 80 outlets in total. 

PF CHANG's- JUMEIRAH BEACH RESORT DUBAI

I always feel a good first impression is very important, and I was easily impressed with PF Chang's. From the grand building with awesome view to Jumeirah beach, right until the high ceiling with modern lamps hanging down from the ceiling. Gorgeous!

IHOP RESTAURANT - MALL OF EMIRATES DUBAI

Greetings from Dubai! :) 

At the moment, I am sitting in front of my laptop inside my hotel room in Sheraton. I almost never bring my laptop overseas, but am doing it right now to share some of my thoughts on this current trip. I'm actually going to write a separate thoughts on something like Dubai travel diary for this trip, so for now, let's focus on food reviews! 

PEPIN AND MALLOY CITOS JAKARTA

Long weekend always excites me. Traffic in Jakarta is just getting worse each day that holiday simply means a traffic hallelujah. I always use this opportunity to go to certain places I normally won't go due to the traffic. Perfect timing to visit Pepin & Malloy, a newly opened cafe focuses on bringing the best hotdog in town.

H Gourmet & Vibes Gunawarman Jakarta

When I think of "H", the first thing popped in mind is that H bag and all the luxury. But we're not going to talk about that, this particular "H" I'm going to review is a brand new cafe around Senopati, not too far from The Holy Crab and Le Quartier.

Applebee's Plaza Senayan Jakarta

Having to not go on any New Year holiday this year, I guess cafe hopping is one of the thing left to do. Honestly, I was not really keen on trying Applebee's, but it was the first day of 2015, and some of the restaurants that are not located inside shopping mall were closed. So, hubs and I went to Plaza Senayan where Applebee's first outlet is located. 

Three Buns Burger Senopati Jakarta

 
For many people it's about the burger, for me it's about their concept. Burger is by far my least favorite when it comes to junk food. When Three Buns opens for business and the burger hysteria start to dominates all over social media, to be honest, I wasn't even intrigued. But when I saw the picture of their interior on instagram, I was triggered.

Otel Lobby

Otel Lobby is having a tweet campaign until Aug 15th (to participate, go to their twitter @otellobby) and last week I was lucky enough to win a free beef wellington from their "tweet to win beef wellington" campaign. Yay! The reason I was so excited was because Otel Lobby is one of the place I had been wanting to go since its opening, yet never did due to the location is famous for heavy traffic. So, a 145k worth beef wellington was good enough to drag my lazy moody ass down there. 

Wild Honey @Scotts Square

Wild Honey is all about various kinds of all day breakfast. They have two branches at Mandarin Gallery and Scott's Square. I have been wanting to go here since my two last visits to Spore, but the wait list at Mandarin threw me off both times. Luckily, my friend mentioned to try go to the one at Scott's Square as she heard it has lesser wait list compare to the other branch and she's right. After waiting for around 20 mins we were seated with reminder that we need to leave the table in approximately 1,5 hours. The risk of dining in an always wait list cafe. 

I love this branch better than the one at Mandarin, the interior is the same though, elegant modern with dim light but the one at Scott's had a balcony spot with beautiful view looking through Orchard road. Lucky for us we got the balcony spot and the weather was in favor of, quite windy. Also, they were able to took reservation via phone while the one at Mandarin didn't.

Dean & Deluca @Orchard Central Singapore

Last week, I went for a 3 days short trip to Spore with my ex colleagues. It's really something that we are all still hanging out and pretty close with one another even though we had resigned from the company for quite some time. Sadly, two of us were not able to join the trip so it was only three of us departing from Jakarta meeting the other 1 who stays in Spore. Our main purpose for this trip besides of just hang out and having fun was food hunting! One of the girls even made a very impressive list of what we called our food itinerary since the list didn't have other agenda than food. :)

Dean & Deluca is New York's most iconic gourmet store which established on 1977 as a small grocery store in the corner of SoHo, and since then they had widely expanded into fast food & cafe chains to cities around the states and slowly branches out internationally. Spore is the 8th country to have Dean & Deluca.

Offering the best food products from around the world, the first outlet took quite space at the 4th level of Orchard Central. Designed semi open air with the classic black & white, there was an alley full of products from herbs & spices, candies & chocolates, coffee & tea and many more. 

Revisited: Tin Pan Alley

One of my ex-colleagues who is one of my close friend now was coming to Jakarta during CNY. She moved to Spore after she got married. Actually almost all of us were not working in the same company anymore, but time to time we still put some time to catch up. ;)

Last Friday, we went to Tin Pan Alley. There were 5 of us along with my friend's husband who was also our colleagues but he was working for the headquarter in Spore and their super cute 8 month old daughter, Kaylie. We called her baby K. =) 

We sat down and began to order. For the appetizers we went for Grilled BBQ chicken salad (59k), Potato wedges with southern chili (52k) and Grande nachos (49k). I like the salad, it was fresh & over dressing. I don't like the nachos though, it was not crunchy so it felt a little bit soggy.

Grilled BBQ Caesar Salad

Potato Wedges w/ Southern Chilli

Grande Nachos

For the entree, we chose Tin Pan Alley burger (75k), Grandma's fried chicken dinner (75k), Mushroom stuffed chicken breast w/ white butter sauce (69k), Pork chop w/ handmade cranberry sauce (105k) and Grilled pork sausages w/ dijon mushroom sauce (95k). We shared all the foods so each of us can know each of the meals taste, well except for the burger, I didn't try that as it was my friend husband's order, but he said it was just ok. As for the rest of the food, it was standard but two of them strikes out more compare to others, the pork chop which was juicy and tender, love the fatty part. ;) and the sausages were deliciously savory. 

Tin Pan Alley Burger (beef patty w/ homemade BBQ sauce served with cheddar cheese, mushroom & fried egg)

Grandma's Fried Chicken Dinner (deep fried boneless chicken thigh w/ mashed potatoes)

Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breast (chicken breast stuffed w/ spinach, mushroom & cream cheese served w/ mashed potatoes)

Pork Chop w/ Hand Made Cranberry Sauce

Grilled Pork Sausage (bratwurst & krakauer pork sausages served w/ french fried in Dijon mushroom sauce)

Overall I had a great time. Good meals, comfy place, great laugh with great companies. 

Dedicated to my pretty ex-colleagues. May we always stay friends. ;) 

Tin Pan Alley

Thamrin Nine Building

Podium Lobby Flr

Jl. MH Thamrin No.10

Jakarta

Ph. +6221 30007881

Modern Toilet Shen Zhen

The first time I knew about Modern Toilet was when I visited Taiwan several years ago. My friend who was studying in Taipei took me for a dinner there, and since their delicious Hot Pot always be remembered. When I was planning my trip to Hong Kong, I was so excited to know that Modern Toilet had a branch there. However, we ended to eat at the branch in Shenzen. 

We stayed at Days Inn Shenzen during our time there and it was strategically located in Dongmen Pedestrian Street where shops and dining places surrounding the street. As we were confused on looking for something to eat, we spotted Modern Toilet in the 2nd floor of a shop. Rushing in as it was almost 9pm, we quickly order Thai style beef hot pot (45 Yuan) and Kimchi Hot pot seafood (59 Yuan). 

While waiting for our meals to be served, I walked around to took pictures of the interior. Like the name, Modern toilet concept was designed to ensure the customers really did feels like they were eating in a bathroom. From the toilet seat, basin, towel & bath robes accessories till the serving plate were all designed in toilet shape. I think they were brilliant to came up with these humorous design ideas. Nowadays, Modern toilet really did has a massive development as their first branch in Kaohsiung had growth into 10 branches spread in Taiwan. 

Private room A

Private room B

 

Our hotpot came, instead of using a bowl or a hot pot, they placed it in a designated toilet seat hot pot. It was cute, and the hot pot were delicious. The seafood and beef slices were fresh, broth were delicious. I like the Thai style beef more than the kimchi broth though. But if you like kimchi, it was surely worth to order. 

Modern Toilet 
2nd flr, Jiefang rd 1004
Dongmen Bujingjie, Shenzen 
Ph. 0755 - 82229281
www.moderntoilet.com

The PlayGround

Saturday afternoon, me and my best friend went to the newest just opened restaurant at Plaza Indonesia named PlayGround. The place was located at the 4th flr extension near Ootoya. To me the design was nothing like playground, the only thing that was even close was there were several dining chairs hanging like a swing, other than that it didn't strike me as playground as the place was dark and none colorful. 

I asked the waiter for the specialty and he recommended to us from pasta selection, Katsutti (65k). It was like a donburi japanese rice topped with chicken katsu, egg and onion, but this Katsutti, instead of rice they used spaghetti. We followed the recommendation and order 1 Homemade abstract pizza (58k). The pizza topping changed daily and that day what they have was hmmm... something about cheese. I asked the waiter twice for the topping, but I still can't remember what he said. The bottom line, when the pizza came, I was dissapointed not because it was not good but it was a scary all cheese pizza and I can't eat anything dairy! Then the Katsutti came and again it has those dairy smell on the spaghetti, so I end up not touching both and my poor friend was forced to finish both, while on our way to Plaza Indonesia, she just told me that she was on diet. Hahaha

To ensure that I didn't ordering anything dairy again, I chose Good old american fried chicken (58k). It was a very standard fried chicken with rice and fries, nothing compare to my favorite junks, Colonel Sander's KFC. In my opinion, the only acceptable two things were the Bully iced tea (35k), an Iced tea with blueberry jam that very refreshing and unique. Another acceptable thing was the good service from the friendly waiter. Apart from that, I don't think the PlayGround was as enjoyable as the name. =) However, my friend who was a cheese lover said that the pizza was nice. 

Bully Iced Tea

Home Made Root Beer Float

Oh yes, I forgot to took picture of the interior. :( 

The PlayGround

Plaza Indonesia Extension 4th flr

Jl. MH Thamrin Kav. 28-30

Jakarta

Social House

Last Sunday was one of my colleague's birthday. As it was fell on Sunday, one of the girls planning to surprise her and I went along with the idea. The plan was the birthday girl's boyfriend took her to Social House for a birthday breakfast and we went there to surprise her. The plan worked out successfully. We were all not a morning person type, but seeing our friend's surprise and happy face surely worth the lesser sleeping time. =)

I always enjoy coming to Social House as I like the ambiance and their food. I've been here couple times but it was my first time trying their breakfast. They were not as packed as usual during morning time. It was a good feeling to actually can dine here without buzzing crowd for a change.

When we reached there, the birthday girl had ordered a plate of The "old time" favorites overhauled (75k) for shared with her boyfriend. It looked so tempting so we decided to ordered the same one and one plate of the hangover (65k). The orders didn't took long to be served. In the old time favorites were two choice of eggs, baked beans, bacon, sausage and social bacon hash. We could chose the bacon between pork or turkey. While the hangover came in slightly smaller portion consisted of jumbo sausage with creamy polenta and truffle scrambled eggs. We can chose pork or beef sausage, we chose pork and it was delicious. Both dishes were. After that the boyfriend ordered one Ricotta hotcakes (65k) to shared. A pancakes with mixed wild berry, fresh banana, maple syrup honey and roasted almond butter. It was a typical pancake until we added up the maple syrup. It really did bring out the flavor balance.

The "Old Time" Favorites

The Hangover 

Ricotta Hotcakes

Homemade Ice Lemon Tea

It was one of my most pleasant Sunday morning. Having fun with friends accompanied with good nice breakfast. What's more to ask?

Social House 

Grand Indonesia Shopping Town Level 1, East mall

Jl. MH Thamrin No.1 

Jakarta 

Ph.+6221 23581818

Stevan Meat Shop

Still in my mission to conquer all the new dining places at Pantai Indah Kapuk, we went for dinner at Stevan Meat Shop. From the name, I could tell that the place was similar with Seven to 7 where the concept was a meat shop which also serve meals to diners.

 

The entrance was an outdoor spot with several tables & entering the main door was the meat shop, they sold various of meat selections mostly angus and wagyu types, along with salmon, frozen sausage, fries, scallop, unagi, udon and also some fresh vegetables. Where on the non - frozen section, they were also selling different kinds of imported sauces, ketchup, oil and snacks. Back to the meat selections, we chose Wagyu mb9+ Rib Eye (71,5k per 100 grams) and Black Angus Rib Eye (38,5k per 100 grams). We asked for each 200 grams. They have the combo package valued at 35k to get the sauce + side dishes + veggie. If we only want to have the sauce without any side dishes, they will charged us 12k. It was weird, I thought that a steak should always comes with the sauce, yet they still charge us for it. The unique from them was they have options for the sauce which not ordinary found at other steak place. Other than the usual mushroom, BBQ and black pepper, we can chose to have bulgogi, kungpao and pad thai sauce. Unfortunately, I realized the other types of sauces after we already put in orders. 

Talking about the place, I like how they did with the interior where most of dining places with brick and wood concept will usually go with dark woods, Stevan chose natural light wood so the place looks bright, vintage with clean and stylish ambiance. Aside from the outdoor spot, they have indoor spot in second floor. The first floor was dominated for the meat shop only. Their tables and chairs was custom made with stamp of Stevan Meat Shop in each of them.

Sadly, the interior was much nicer than the food. Usually I always have well done for my steak temperature, but the waiter suggested me to have it medium well as it fits better for my angus rib eye. He said that having it well done will make the meat dry, I agreed and went along with it. Well, he did made a point, the meat was certainly not dry but it was not tender, it was chewy and giving me hard time on cutting the meat. While the Wagyu was better than my Angus, but overall, without trying to compare or is it too obvious for me to do so, I like Seven to 7 so much more than this one. 

Stevan Meat Shop

Jl. Marina Indah Golf

Rukan Crown Golf Mediterania Blok A No. 8

Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta

Ph. +6221 93581008

OMO! Chicken

After La Biere, on our way to parking lot, I spotted this OMO! Chicken on 3rd floor. I was very full yet I really wanted to try so we packed home the chicken wings. OMO! Chicken originally from Korea and they highlighted that their chicken was cooked with Canola oil. It came with 3 different sauce; hot, soya or tomato with choices of 6pcs, 12pcs, 25pcs or 50pcs. We chose 6pcs with hot sauce (38k).  

While waiting for our take away, I looked around the place. It was small filled only with few tables with yellow and white ambiance. they have the mascot of big yellow chicken doll sitting in a white chair outside the restaurant. 

Reaching home, I know that I should wait a while before I eat again, but I can't help it. In my defense, every meal would taste better if we eat it hot so I didn't want to wait too long. My husband didn't want to argue even that he knew I was just being piggery and use the "eat while it's hot" as an excuse. *blush*

The chicken wings were delicious! I can really feel the hot and spiciness in each of the wings. At first, I thought it was quite pricey for 6pcs of wings valued at 38k, but it was totally worth it. The wings were crisp and spicy. Yummy. Can't wait for my next visit to OMO!Chicken. 

OMO! Chicken

Central Park Mall Level 3 - 121

Jl.Let Jen S. Parman Kav.28
Jakarta
Ph. +6221 56985776

http://www.omochicken.com/

White Hunter

There was nothing much to do and no place to go when you spent your holiday in town. Shopping mall was always seems to be the only option. I was saying to my husband that we need to took advantage of the smooth traffic and we should go to place that we normally won't go due to the heavy jam. Got to think, I remember we didn't got the chance to go to Living World at the last time we went to Serpong area, so we went there. It was a new shopping place in Tangerang where I happen to know have quite many dining places.

Walking through the mall, the food zone seems to be centered on the ground floor. We didn't really crave for anything at that time, but when we passed White Hunter, I saw this sign written they have 50% discount using certain credit card that I happen to have. A 50% discount plus a new dining place that I never tried before, what's more to ask? =) White Hunter shared one space with Korean restaurant, Han Gang and yes, their were in the same management, so you will be given 2 menu books from 2 restaurants to choose from. The place itself was quite large as it was meant for 2 different restaurants. They designed the place with bricks and woods and have this huge imitation tree in the center.

We looked at the menu and ordered House salad (38k) and Fried champs (35k) for the starters. When I read the description on the house salad "freshly mixed spinach w/ champignon, beef bacon and deep fried garlic, served with our homemade sesame dressing". It strikes me that their salad description was the same like one of the best salad I ever had at Gyu Kaku, I truly hope it was the same as not many place use spinach on their salad, mostly they will use lettuce or rocket leaves. When the salad was served, yes, it was definitely looked like the one at Gyu Kaku, but the dressing was too brownish and thick. Got to the tasting part, it was unfortunately not good. Blame it on the dressing that was too thick, too dense and too sweet that we hardly can eat for second bite so we just left it unfinished. While the fried champs was very interesting, they came in big sizes, whether individually or in groups, they used these big champignon mushroom and well fried. It was delicious.

As for the main course, I chose US prime rib eye steak (99k) came in steamed veggies and 1 side dish, I opted for potato wedges. The steamed veggies was perfectly steamed, very fresh, still have the crunchiness but not in the crackers crunchy way, and I loved the wedges, it was perfectly fried and remains non flabby until the last bite. My rib eye was ok, not the best one I ever had but quite ok. My husband chose Australian tenderloin steak (175k). Well it was also ok but in my humble opinion, it was not worth the value. Luckily they were 50%.

US Prime Rib Eye

Australian Tenderloin

White Hunter

Living World Ground flr Unit 37

Jl. Alam Sutera Boulevard kav 21

Serpong, Tangerang

Ph. +6221 53125496

Other outlets: Emporium Pluit