AMKC ATELIER - PLAZA INDONESIA JAKARTA

When it comes to listing a good let alone consistent cafe in Jakarta, I am positive that anyone who had been to Union would agree that they are in the top list. Since its opening till date, I am impressed on how consistent they are on keeping the food quality and taste, many arguably find hard to achieve. The success of Union can't be separated from the genius behind, Chef Adhika Maxi and Chef Karen Carlotta.

SPUMANTE MENTENG JAKARTA

Spumante is a newly opened all day dining restaurant at the heart of Central Jakarta. Located to be exact at Menteng, just beside Anomali Cafe and not too far from one of my favorite Indonesian restaurant, Bunga Rampai. 

ITACHO SUSHI INDONESIA

Okay so the thing is, I love Japanese food. I'm such a sushi slut that I'd practically okay to the idea of having them everyday, but let's face it, Japanese food isn't entirely cheap. If you ask me, my loves would be Sushi Masa and Tatemukai, but both aren't exactly the type of places to eat on daily basis, so most of the time, I often go to Sushi Tei for an affordable but still pretty good sushi. 

BENEDICT GRAND INDONESIA JAKARTA

I feel like this past one month I have been coming to Grand Indonesia so many times, particularly because of the so many new restaurants are popping up here. The West side used to be the only side taking control on the F&B, but now it's time for the East starts with Union Deli, NOMZ, Publik Markette and the newest one, Benedict.

Omakase at TATEMUKAI Grand Indonesia

When it comes to fine dining, I always find myself willing to spend it more over Japanese food rather than other cuisines. Aside from how much I love them, I know how expensive a good quality of Japanese food can be. I always am a true believer in "you get what you pay for", and this Japanese fine dining really is a good example of it. 

NOMZ Kitchen & Pastry Grand Indonesia

I'll start the post by complimenting on the creative brand's name. NOMZ. I love how catchy the sound of it, just like the sound we make when we're having good food. Nom nom nomz!

This month particularly is an exciting month for foodies with so many new restaurants popping up. For Jakarta residents who are not traveling abroad this holiday, make cafe hopping your to do list!

Avec Moi Thamrin City Jakarta

Somehow, French food is always tied as something expensive, and most of the time, they are. However at Avec Moi, a newly opened casual French restaurant located at office park Thamrin City, few shops away from Tanamera, proves it doesn't always have to be.

Avec Moi (means: with me) is a brain child of the owner which also is the head chef and his wife. The chef, taking his five years experience at Gunther's, a well known French fine dining at Singapore, move to Jakarta and started his own family restaurant.  

Bunga Rampai Menteng

I met my girls during my six years working in a health & skincare company. Over the time, none of us five still works in the same company. One got married and moved to Spore. One got married and pursuing her ambitious doctor degree in Philippine. While the other three including me has their own life here in town. With 4 husbands, 1husband to be, 2 kids, different cities live in, we still managed to stay close and catch up whenever we have time.

Coco Ichibanya Jakarta

I never like curry, until the day I met with Coco. 

 

Coco Ichibanya is the largest curry house originating from Japan, they have more than 1300 stores in Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, USA, Taiwan and now, Indonesia. Not even sure what took them so long to finally open their first store here in Jakarta, at Grand Indonesia shopping town to be exact.

Kopitiam Oey

Couple months ago, hubby and I went to Sari Delicatessen to take away my favorite black forest. On our way back, we drove through Sabang looking for something to eat and decided at Kopitiam Oey. It was our first time experiencing Pak Bondan's kopitiam. The place was located in a small ruko with old school ambiance. Despite the late hours, the place was packed with customers. 

Eatology by Q Smoke House

Eatology, A new restaurant at Sabang area opened by Q Smoke House. It was recently open on beginning of January this year, located near Kopitiam Oey. Last Saturday, I went there with my mom and hubby. Dad went to Medan so it was only the three of us having dinner. From outside, Eatology looked like a small bistro, but stepping inside the place was quite spacious. Dominated with light woods & white chairs, the place looked clean & sleek.  People who don't smoke will enjoy it here as the sections were separated by a big doors which looked like a transparent window. They have second floor for VIP rooms but still under renovated.

Soup Restaurant Jakarta

It's a habit of mine to write down dining I wanted to try on my Blackberry, therefore when I don't have a clue on where to eat, I can just open my note for some idea. Soup restaurant had been on my note since I can remember. I know it is not something new, this place had open at Plaza Indonesia for God knows how long, but never once I step in no matter how many times I wanted to. However, I had been to one of their branch in Spore, I remember my friend and I were just landing at Changi and she took me for lunch at Soup on Terminal 2. Once I tried their Samsui chicken, I just knew that I had to take my parents here, as they are big fans of Samsui chicken. 

It was 2 years ago. I completely forgot about the place until couple weeks ago I was scrolling down my note pad and there it was written at the end of my note. My weekend mostly spent with my family but weekend also was the busiest and crankiest day to find a parking spot at Plaza Indonesia, so I had been really... I mean realllyyy reluctant on going there at weekend until last Sunday, I finally managed to force my self to go there. I went with my parents around 1pm and spent almost 30 minutes to find a parking spot, I was hungry and super cranky when finally the guy in orange uniform found me a spot to park. 

Opus Cafe

A casual hang out with my ex colleagues led us to a new place named Opus Cafe. Opus was this small chic cafe taking Dome's old position at Plaza Indonesia. I thought that the place only served coffee and light meals, turns out they have quite many selections of main courses. That day, they were having 50% off on their steak selections using a certain credit card. 

Taste Paradise (Jakarta)

About a month ago, I heard that a popular Chinese dining from Singapore, Taste Paradise opened their first branch at Plaza Indonesia. Taste Paradise is one of restaurant under the famous Paradise group in Singapore and rank second as the priciest among the groups. I once had a dimsum at Taste Paradise Ion and the place was decorated nice. I was very excited to try them when I heard they opened here. So last Sunday I went there with my family.

It was located on the 4th floor above mi item, buzzing with crowds when we reached there. After being on wait list for about 15 minutes, we were seated. The place was huge and nicely decorated. Very upscale Chinese modern dining, it was 3 times more grand than the one at Ion Orchard. I was quite amazed by how they decorated the dining. They were connected directly to Hyatt, so they have two entrance, from Plaza Indonesia or from Hyatt. At Hyatt, it took place on the same floor with C's. 

When I scrolled down the menu, I noticed how the place designed was in line with the price range. Initially we were planning on having a morning dim sum, but we were late and reached there around 11am, so we decided to combine some dim sums with heavy meals. For the dim sum, we chose Steamed shrimp and chive dumpling (19,8k), Steamed shrimp and pork dumpling (20,8k) and Steamed rice roll with fresh shrimp (24,8k). As for the main course, Fried rice with tobikko fish roe (98k), Sauteed live prawns with preserved olives and spring onions (112k), Osmanthus infused crispy roasted duck - half portion (138k) and Braised edamame tofu with mushrooms in duck reduction (88k). 

I actually am the type of person who cannot have Chinese meal without any veggie, I always include minimum 1 plate of veggie when I ate Chinese, but as I looked at the price, the green veggie without any minced meat started from 78k and honestly I thought it was ridiculous to pay such price for green veggie, so I skipped it. Hihihihi

The service was polite but it took forever for our meals to be served. Anyway, we all love the food. The duck was very juicy and tender, while the skin was crisp. Lovin' the shrimp as well, it was sauteed well that we can still feel the crunchiness. However, I didn't like the edamame tofu, the duck reduction was ok not too sweet but the soft tofu felt too mushy for my taste. The fried rice was amazing! It was such a simple dish cooked with fish roe, but it was very tasty. The dimsum was nice, I especially like the steamed shrimp and chive dumpling. 

Overall, I think it was a good dining place. Nice food, nice venue, good service, not so much on the price though. :)
 

Taste Paradise
Plaza Indonesia 4th Flr
Jl. MH Thamrin Kav 28-30
Jakarta
Ph. +6221 29923939

Cha Time

Ah Cha Time... What can I say about you except love you to the max!

Cha Time @ Velocity

Cha Time @ Central Park

I had been on dieting mode for the past few days but yet one thing I can't let go is drinking bubble tea. Actually it's not only about bubble tea, I love beverages, I used to always order Starbucks Lemonade Zen Tea when Jakarta hasn't been attack by so many different brands of bubble tea. I'm not sure why but every time I go to mall, I will make sure there's a cold beverage accompany me wandering.

Sadly, I never found any really yumm bubble tea in Jakarta. The thing is I like sour things for my drinks, but all the sour teas were just not sour enough. Until I met Cha Time. I knew Cha Time just a week ago when I went to Spore. On my way to Wee Nam Kee, I exit Velocity and saw Cha Time on my right near exit door, so I stopped by and order their Taiwan plum ice tea w/ aloe vera ($2,9). It was so gooood. The sour was in perfect portion, love it! Very very refreshing.

When I got back to Jakarta, I remember I heard my friend said that Cha Time had opened in Central Park and Mall Puri Indah, so the second day I got back, I quickly went to Central Park with bestie. It was located in front of May Star and crowded. I ordered Sour plum green tea w/ aloe vera (21k) and my bestie ordered Taiwan plum ice tea w/ bubble (21k). Service was awfully slow but totally worth the wait, right amount of sour plum with the refreshing tea. Yumm to the max! 

Few days later I went back to Central Park and bought my self a large cup of Taiwan plum ice tea, this time the service was quick, nicely improved from the last time. Cha Time, you're definitely my favorite bubble tea so far in Jakarta.

Cha Time
Central Park Mall LG Floor
(in front of May Star)
Jl. S.Parman Kav 28
West Jakarta
Ph. +6221 99465288

Other outlets:
- Chatime Puri Indah Mall, inside Ace Hardware (+6221-92298000)
- Chatime Alam Sutera (+6221-91273700)
- Chatime Gandaria, inside Ace Hardware (+6221-99229905)
- Chatime Artha Gading Mall, inside Ace Hardware (+6221-91273629)
- Chatime Kelapa Gading Mall, LG (+6221- 93286008)
- Chatime Bintaro, inside Ace Hardware (+6221- 99509434)
- Chatime Ciputra Mall, LG (+6221-99507823)
- Chatime Senayan City, 2nd flr (+6221-72781214)
- Chatime Grand Indonesia, 3A flr (+6221-23580068)
- Chatime Kota Kasablanka, LG 
- Chatime Plaza Semanggi, 3rd flr
- Chatime Emporium Pluit, 1st flr
- Chatime Pantai Indah Kapuk, ruko crown

Also available in Surabaya and Bali.

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/

La Biere

Now that I have resigned from my job, I got more time to write, but the stupid internet connection has not been a good supporter. As I was so craving on writing, I drove my self to the nearest Starbucks leveraging on their wi-fi, accompanied with my favorite Lemonade Zen. 

It was on the second day of Idul Fitri when me and my husband went for a morning dimsum at Samudra seafood in BRI building. I am a fan of dimsum and this place was one of my all time favorite place. But I will not post about it now, I plan to have a writing on comparison of dimsum in several places. So now I will review first about an Italian bistro that we went in after our morning dimsum.

Have I told you how am I into dessert nowadays? It's weird since I never like something sweet, but it had been weeks that I always wanted something sweet after I finished my meal. As I am not expecting, then I only have those talented people in MasterChef to blame on my craving for desserts. =) I was actually wanted to try desserts at Souly Butter Kitchen, too bad they were closed during Idul Fitri so we went to Central Park as I really was craving for Molten chocolate cake, and I figured La Biere, the new Italian restaurant that just opened there should have that cake. 

It located at Tribeca, an open garden spot in Central Park circled with dining places. The place was almost empty when we reached there, they have indoor and outdoor spot where the outdoor was meant for smokers, so we sat inside. I saw La Biere in one of food blogs and I remember when I saw the pictures on that food blog, I was thinking that the place looks sophisticated. I didn't think that way now. The place was ok, it was decorated with bricks and woods, so the ambiance was quite dark, they have black chandelier hanging on the top. It was ok, but let's just say that it look better in the pictures.

I was right, they have Molten Chocolate Cake (35k) and we added a plate of Queen Caesar salad (48k) and Drumsticks (28k) from the appetizers part. The Caesar salad came in a pathetic presentation. It was only lettuce covered in too much dressings topped with grilled salmon. The dressings was too watery and tasted horrible, and the salad was literary only have lettuce, nothing else. The drumstick came second, also the same pathetic presentation. One plate only have 4 smalls fillet chicken wings baked, breaded with BBQ sauce. They were so small that didn't look tempting at all. The flavor was even worse than the look. It was so salty... so so very salty that I was squinted my eyes when I ate the first bite and directly drank my lemon tea to swallow it as I can't have my tongue to chew it due to the saltiness. I prayed and prayed please let me have a decent molten cake and it was partly granted. It wasn't as worse as the appetizers but wasn't reach my expectations either. The chocolate filling inside the cake was too watery and just burst out like flood when I cut the cake, where the perfect molten cake was supposed to have more dense chocolate sauce.

I am sorry for my sharp review, but I truly believe that they need to improve more on the food. It was one of my most unpleasant Italian dine. 

La Biere

Central Park, Tribeca Ground Flr Unit 9 - 10

Jl. Let Jend. S. Parman Kav 28

Jakarta 

Ph. +6221 29200042 - 43

Pondok Laguna

My husband had sudden craving for curry fish head, and we cannot think of better place to eat than Pondok Laguna. To us, they served the best curry fish head. They were same management with Pandan Bistro at Pluit. Four of us went there last Saturday and it was around 9pm already, but the place was still very crowded. I wonder how much turnover they got in a day.

We sat at second floor and start to order.

Curry fish head (110k). Never failed us. It was very very delicious. I was not really into fish actually, but this one was always been a favorite. I was actually drooling while writing this.

Tahu Kipas (30k). Excellent. It was fried tofu stuffed with beans, carrots and prawns. The prawn was crunchy. 

Grilled squid (33k). It was not perfection but ok. The portion was small. 

Fried chicken (14k/pcs)

Cah kangkung terasi (18,5k)

To me, Laguna will always be one of my favorite places to eat curry fish head.Too bad, they didn't put too much effort on the rest room. It was dirty. I always think that a restaurant need to very much pay attention on the cleanness, not only on the dining area, but every aspect including rest room. Don't you all agree? I hope they will do something about it. Meanwhile, I will do my best to not enter the restroom while eating there. =)

Pondok Laguna

Jl. Batu Tulis Raya No. 45

Jakarta Pusat

Ph. +6221 3459991

Ni Hao

My Mother in law was visiting to Jakarta and on her last day in town, we took her dining at a Chinese restaurant near Pasar Baru area. I didn't even know the place, but my brother in law often came here. The restaurant was moderate with bright light and they were still using this red old chair where mostly founded at small chinese dine place. 

It was weekday night but the place was almost full. I didn't put too much expectation on the food as I never even heard about this place before, but turns out most of the menus we ordered were delicious.

Fried prawn w/ golden salted egg (68k). This one was my favorite of the night. The prawns were nicely cooked so we can feel the crunchiness and the salted egg really blended in.

Whole wrapped salted "Kampoeng" Chicken NH style (140k). It was wrapped in a tin foil and grilled in flame in front us. It was standard. Ok but not to that extend. To me, it was not worth the price.

Bamboo clam with Singapore sauce (48k). This was also favorite of the night. The sauce was delicious.

Braised seafood with homemade beancurd (58k)

String bean szechuan style (32k). It was nice, the string bean was crunchy and fresh.

There was also Fried seafood noodle (39k) but I forgot to took the picture. Overall, it was a pleasant dine. At the end of our dinner, we were given complimentary of ginger pudding, it was quite ok, refreshing. 

Ni Hao

Jl. KH Samanhudi No. 57

Jakarta

Ph. +6221 3800448