[CLOSED] TANG WANG Dessert House

 
After Hong Tang and Tong Fu, here comes another dessert house carrying two Chinese syllable as the brand's name. I normally enthusiastically welcome any new diners, but with too many dessert shops suddenly open side by side at one of the street sections in PIK, or popularly known as Hong Tang's street, it becomes too common and less attractive.

[CLOSED] Lobster Inc

Lobster Inc is another newbie at Pantai Indah Kapuk specialized in lobster with budget friendly price tags. It is so good to see more variety of cuisines besides cafe with more or less the same type of food. I have always wanted to try Loobie Lobster, the one opened by the same people behind Holycow, but the location is quite far, bummer.

[CLOSED] Mee Kepang

 

The past couple months, I have heard numerous good words on this new noodle joint located at The Foundry No.8. Last Thursday, I went with bestie for a bowl of noodle breakfast. The noodle joint is very petite, not more than 6 tables. The menu was simple, consist of few type of noodles to choose. We chose to have Mee ayam bakso pangsit (37k) and mee ayam woku rica (37k). Unfortunately their fresh squeeze Jeruk Pontianak was not available, so we went with their Homemade liang teh (15k).

[CLOSED] Societea

When the number of bubble tea shops at Pantai Indah Kapuk reached a dozen, I actually thought it would be the last one. I was wrong. A local bubble tea shop, Societea opened around few weeks ago with one of the prettiest design concept among the bubble tea shops lining up at PIK.

[CLOSED] Publico Senopati

 

Publico is a newly opened bistro located at Senopati street. An impromptu lunch date with my bestie last Sunday took me to this Western cuisine type bistro which happen to be under the same group of Pan & Barrel. The place was a big white house turned into a classy looking diner. The first floor, only meant for reception with two stories above meant for diners with smoking and non smoking section separated by floors. 

[CLOSED] Christmas Brunch at Sala Kitchen

So, how was everyone Christmas day? 

Mine was a one fine day. Why? As I got to spend a whole day with my husband. *wink* It might sound so simple, but personally for me it was beyond that. Being married to someone as workaholic as mine, having a whole day with him is something rare. We go out a lot, but 90% of it was during dinner time. So, I was super excited on arranging where we should have our Christmas' breakfast, lunch and dinner yesterday. *happy face*

G

I have been wanting to go to Sala Kitchen for quite some time, and yesterday's timing was perfect, having hubby as my date, no traffic and they happen to have Christmas brunch menu for the day. Positioned in the main street of Kemang not far from KOI, Sala Kitchen took a small building with beautiful vintage look. I was awing the white and lime green rustic look the moment I step down from the car. The vintage door and flowers hanging around the windows solidify the whole European chic, in line with their cuisine type.

[CLOSED] Xi Men Ding

Xi Men Ding is a Taiwanese cuisine concept franchised from Singapore, brought to Jakarta by the same management who owns Pancious. The restaurant took the previous place of Hoka Hoka Bento at Senayan City. During their opening quite months ago, the place was reviewed in most magazines and media online in Jakarta and I have been wanting to come here since. Back then, when I went to Taipei for holiday, Xi Men Ding was one of the place I went several times. It was not a restaurant in Taipei, but more to a place mostly known as the Harajuku of Tai Pei. It is a pedestrian area which eventually emerging into street market fill with fashions to local street foods. The nickname of Taipei's Harajuku was given due to their major crowds for locals and tourists. 

[CLOSED] Little Taiwan

Many things can be done to ease the stress. One of my way is by having my own "me time". I love having a me time. Go anywhere I want, sleep all day, eat anywhere I want, anything I want to do just by my self. One of "me time" moment I enjoy is to go by my self to mall and just wandering around without a purpose. Some of my friends think it was weird to go eat or walk around alone, but I personally find it relaxing.

[CLOSED] Madelaine Bistro

Madelaine Bistro is a French inspired bistro located in Kemang. I have been wanting to go here for quite some time mostly because all the good words I heard about their delicious food. So, I was very excited when they were having a voucher promo on Disdus. One day before the voucher's expiry date, hubby and I went there for dinner. With traffic condition nowadays, it was a struggle to drive from our home to Kemang. 

Madelaine located inside an artistic Kemang 89 building, with a furniture gallery in the same floor. The bistro was designed in a modern way with glass walls filled by pictures' illustration of French women and Eiffel tower. Concept view, it was not really my personal like although I do like the high ceiling with electric fan hanging down giving a nice air circulation to the whole room. 

[CLOSED] Cafe Aria

It had been quite some time I wanted to go this place who took Tony's Roma former location in Panin building. So couple weeks ago on a Saturday night, I went there with hubby. Cafe Aria is one of the hippest cafe in town at the moment and the place was super crowded when we arrived without reservation. There were still some tables on the outdoor but it was super hot with all the yellow lights so we waited for the one inside, lucky for us we were seated shortly although it was not the ideal spot as it was in the center of the room between two long tables with big crowds who kept on looking whenever I lifted my camera to took pictures of the interior, so I ended to not getting any pictures as I thought to wait until I finished our dinner and that's when the camera's battery went off. :(

[CLOSED] Sam & Jolly: Food adFUNture by Sour Sally

Say hello to Sam & Jolly, a new food adFUNture by Sour Sally. Recently opened on May 9th, declaring themselves as the first one introducing the first low fat yogurt ice cream on a stick, Yo-Stick as they called. 

Located beside Little things she needs, it got me fooled to think that it was only a small joint meant for take away only, while actually the place was quite big with entrance located outside Tribeca. Both indoor and outdoor was designed with fun, cheerful and colorful concept. Flying balloon, statue of liberty and bus stop with white, grey and green color on the sitting place was seen in the outdoor, while the indoor one was cuter with all the Sam & Jolly along with Sour Sally (SS) mascot drew on the walls, and the famous London's red telephone box placed in the center of room. 

(Closed) Bliss

I always have this sympathy towards Bliss whenever I passed the place. My sympathy was raised due to it was simply located in the busy dining street at Pantai Indah Kapuk just beside the super crowded, Bobabits and other tenants, but sadly Bliss was always seemed to be empty with customers whenever I came across the place during my visits to other tenants beside it.

One day, I spotted a promo by Bliss at Disdus.com and I bought several vouchers to satisfy my curiosity of their food. So several weeks ago, I headed there with my husband and parents. There was only 1 table filled when we walked in. The place was actually designed quite nice and clean with red and black dominated, it really strikes Chinese ambiance agreeable to their cuisine type. 

We ordered Ayam goreng mentega (40k), Cingkong kepiting (40k), Cumi saus padang (43k), Hotplate kangkung sapi (48), Lindung cah fumak (38) and Tomyam soup (40k). The orders didn't take long to be served. Our hotplate kangkung sapi was still sizzling when it was delivered, and it tasted delicious. Tomyam soup was also very nice with the right balance of sourness and I like the cingkong kepiting, it was not oily and delicious. As for the rest of the dishes was so so.

It really took me by surprise that their food was quite good. It was really ironic comparing to the quiet view I saw most of the time. I think Bliss really deserve to have more customers as their foods were not disappointing. Good luck! 

Bliss

Ruko Crown Golf B-03

Pantai Indah Kapuk

North Jakarta

Ph. +6221 85588989

Opening hours: 7am - 10pm

[CLOSED] Revisited: Taiyo Sushi

Ever since my first visit to Taiyo, I have been wanting to pay a second visit as it was a love & hate first visit. Lovin' the sushi but hatin' the service. When one of my favorite web, Disdus.com features promo from Taiyo Sushi, I immediately bought the vouchers.

Tonight I went there with my husband. I bought 2 vouchers at that time with the promo package of 1 Special sushi roll + 1 tempura selection worth 48k. The waiter passed us a small paper with a list of sushi & tempura selections to be chose for our vouchers, as we have 2 vouchers so we can choose 2 types of sushi rolls and 2 tempura selections. We went with Taiyo special roll (53k), Spicy mozarella salmon (53k), Yasai tempura (32k) and Karaage (32k). For the non vouchers selections, we added a plate of Salmon sashimi (32k) and Salmon mentai (17k). After we finished ordering, I just realized we chose a bunch of salmon.

Taiyo Special Roll (Salmon, kyuri, crunchy topped with aburi salmon)

Spicy Mozarella Salmon (Mozarella cheese topped with aburi salmon)

Yasai Tempura (mixed vegetable tempura served with tempura sauce)

Salmon Sashimi

I think it was a very good deal from Disdus as the actual price of our package worth 85k, so 40% off as I only paid 48k. The portion was huge and we found all the food was delicious and fresh. My favorite was the Yasai tempura, it came in big portions, nicely fried and very attractive presentation. 

My second visit was meant for me to edify whether it was a love or hate against Taiyo. It was love. The service was flawless tonight and so was the food. Nicely improve since my first visit which happen to be only on their second day of opening at that time. 

Taiyo Sushi

Jl. Pluit Putera Raya No. 17
North Jakarta
Ph. +6221 6631652

(Closed) Tsukinofune

One of the so many great things that I like from the company I worked in is the colleagues. We are quite close one another and even some of the colleagues had resigned, we still keep in touch and sometimes gather for a chit chat. One of our ex colleagues who got married and moved to Singapore came to Jakarta, so yesterday the five of us gather for a sweet lunch at Tsukinofune.

 

I had been wanting to go to this place for quite some time since I read the review in Laksmi Pamuntjak's Jakarta Good Food Guide book, but since I am really not familiar with Jakarta's road esp those in South, my curiosity on Tsukinofune just paid off yesterday. 

It was located at the back of Hotel Ambhara, not inside. There's an alley beside Hotel Ambhara where Tsukinofune entrance positioned, so we can just parked along the alley. The restaurant itself was not too spacious, but as we walked in turns out they divided the place into several rooms, they make the interior quite Japanese looky. I especially loved how they designed the bathroom, it was so cute and antique, one of the cleanest bathroom in dining places I ever been. 

We had been wanted to try their special lunch bento set where only can be ordered latest by 2pm. The 5 of us all opted for Tsukinofune Bento (160k). I actually wanted to try others for comparison, but the Bento's picture just look so tempting that I decided to go with the same one. As for the sushi, we ordered Tsukinofune roll (75k) and Tuna wakame roll (65k) to shared. The sushi came first and the presentation was flawless and so was the taste. Tsukinofune roll was roll of tempura, cucumber, avocado and topped with Unagi, loved it. Tuna wakame roll was nice too, but we prefer Tsukinofune roll better.
Our bento came and we were surprised of the portions. The bento was in a wooden box with 9 slots where 9 items of dishes beautifully put inside, where the salad, chawan musi, rice and miso soup served outside the box. Reminder for next time: One bento was more than enough to be shared by 2-3 persons. Everything on the Bento was presented beautifully. I loved the Chawan musi, it was one of the best in town, came with mushroom, crab stick, chunks of chicken, and ginko nuts, the egg was not smelly at all. The 9 items in the bento were jelly fish, prawn tempura with almond and fried crab meat, grilled beef, prawn mayo, cold soba, grilled salmon, fresh sashimi, unagi and yakitori. Unfortunately, I didn't try them all due to the capacity of my tummy. However it was assured that the amount we paid was worth the meals, the service and the ambiance of the dining place. 

Tsukinofune roll

Tuna wakame roll

Chawan musi & salad

Complimentary coconut ice cream

Tsukinofune Bento

They didn't charge us for the ocha and it was refillable. After our meal, we were given complimentary coconut ice cream for dessert. I didn't like it tough, too sweet for me. Anyway, it was a very pleasant dining experience. I will surely be back. =)

bwL girls w/ wardrobes from Lemon's

Tsukinofune

Hotel Ambhara (at the back of the hotel)

Jl. Iskandarsyah Raya No.1

Jakarta

Ph. +6221 2700709

[CLOSED] Taiyo Sushi

Last night, we spotted a new sushi restaurant opened in Pluit area when we were driving to dine at Warung Bu Kris. The restaurant took place in the old pool place called Mazee that had been closed for months. As we were craving about iga penyet, we decided to try the sushi tomorrow. So this afternoon we went there for lunch. The parking spot were filled up, and when we entered the dining, I noticed the place was too spacious comparing to number of tables they had.

It was the type of place that requiring us to wait to be seated but the welcoming person was not there so we were waiting to be guided to our table. Behind us there were a group of people too. Funny thing, there were about 4 staffs and 1 manager were standing around but none of them came greeting us. After waiting about 5 mins of getting ignored, I went to them to asked a table for 2 persons. The group behind did the same thing. I think if I didn't took the initiative to ask them, they will just let us stood there.

The waiter told us that they just opened yesterday. No wonder! The menu was interesting, pictures were nicely taken. Hence, I spotted quite many of their menus were the same as Sushi Tei, such as Sanshoku Hana Salmon, Salmon Skin Fried, Jumbo Dragon Roll, Salmon Skin Maki, Crispy Roll so I asked the waiter if they were in the same management with Sushi tei, and he said no, just happen to have the similar menus.

We ordered Spicy Salmon Salad (36k), Salmon Skin Fried (19k), Salmon Sashimi (32k), Taiyo Special Roll (53k) and Gindara Teriyaki (48k). 5 mins later, our cold ocha and Gindara Teriyaki came. It was delicious! The size was surprisingly big and the teriyaki sauce was mixed perfectly. I was happy and excited waiting for the next one to come. Unfortunately, the next one was in slow motion mode. I saw 2 tables beside us were leaving as their orders took too long. We were trying to understand as it was just opened yesterday, so maybe they were short of staffs. But after 35 mins, my patience had touched the limit, I asked the waiter about our order, my husband nicely said to her that if it's not prepared yet, then we just cancel and ask for the bill. Not long, she came with Taiyo Special Roll and told us the rest of our orders are out of stock. It pissed me off that she didn't let us know our orders are out of stock and let us waited 35 mins. Another stupid thing, after the waiter delivered our Taiyo's roll, she immediately asked us whether we wanted to ask for the bill now. Huh? We haven't even eat yet. My hubby were furious and directly said yes. Between angry and hunger, we ate the rolls and admitted the Taiyo's special roll were as delicious as the Gindara. 

Gindara Teriyaki

Taiyo Special Roll

Despite our disapointment and anger about the service, we will still come back to this place as the meals were great (even we only managed to eat two dishes). But we'll wait a month before my next visit, hopefully by then, they had increased their service. O yes, there are 30% discount during this month.

Taiyo Sushi

Jl. Pluit Putera Raya No. 17

Jakarta Utara

ph. +6221 6631652

(Closed) Jack Rabbit

There's a new restaurant with western concept recently opened at Rasuna Said. Me and hubby went there for dinner on Sunday night. It was located in an office building, and we were confused when we hit the basement parking lot as it was very dark and empty, not more than 10 cars. We took the lift to office lobby and the security told us that Jack Rabbit was outside the building, so we walked there and turned out it had valet! Sigh... If we know, we can just park valet rather than park in that creepy parking lot plus I had to walk in heels.

private room hanging down from ceiling

As we walked in, I saw the bar is at the right side and we were guided to the dining place. They have outdoor spot too. I was quite amazed with the design, they had this private room hanging down the ceiling. The waiter told us they had 2 private rooms but can be opened into one with max 24 persons (for lunch, minimum spending is IDR 2.5 million, for dinner 3.5 million).

They didn't had too many selections on the menu. We chose pork belly (90k) for the appetizer. For the main course, we ordered Pan Seared Duck (130k) and Butter Poached Norwegian Salmon (150k). After we ordered, we were given complimentary bread for starters before the appetizers came. The pork was not good, so slimmy and fatty. :(

I liked the duck, it was very tender, it served with risotto and shimeji mushroom. More or less, like the one at Canteen. Yumm!

My salmon is so so, it came with potato gratine (love it!) and they put a little bit of melted avocado and three small cubes of jelly as decoration on the plate. 

Pork Belly

Pan Seared Duck

Butter Poached Norwegian Salmon

Overall, it was a good dine. The waiter also very attentive. It was not a fine dining restaurant, but it was a type of place where you need to dress up a bit.

Jack Rabbit
Cyber 2 Building
HR Rasuna Said X-5 No. 13
Jl. Prof.Dr. Satrio (across Manhattan Hotel)
Kuningan, Jakarta
Ph. +6221 29021357