Tag Archives: International

FCK™: Fish & Co.

Fish & Co. tentu bukan nama yang asing lagi di Jakarta dan Surabaya. Bisa jadi karena kehadirannya, semua orang kini sudah mengenal baik istilah ‘fish and chips’. Setelah pemunculannya selama sekian tahun, HOJ kini mencari tahu bagaimanakah konsistensi dari franchise brand asal Singapura ini.

Pertemuan pertama saya dengan Fish and Co. terjadi beberapa tahun silam di salah satu outlet-nya di Pacific Place. Tentunya menu waktu itu belum seberagam seperti sekarang ini tapi tetap yang harus dipesan adalah hidangan fish and chips yang paling tradisional. Rasanya saat itu tentu begitu memesona dan apalagi di kala lapar pasti porsi sebesar itu dapat dihabiskan hingga licin tandas.  Tapi bagaimanakah dengan Fish and Co. yang sekarang?

Ternyata teori pribadi saya bahwa lidah adalah ‘pengkhianat terbesar’ dalam seumur hidup seorang manusia memang benar adanya but rest assured, tentu bukan karena bahwa Fish and Co. mengalami kemerosotan rasa apalagi kualitas. Justru ini terjadi lidah manusia umunya seiring berjalannya waktu kian ‘terasah’ dan untuk pecinta makanan, sudah sangat alami untuk menuntut sebuah rasa yang lebih menantang atau bahkan kompleks.

New York Fish & Chips

Kali ini yang dipesan tentunya sama tapi fish and chips di Fish and Co. sudah terdiri dari beberapa varian yang disesuaikan dengan karakteristik berdasarkan negara. Perbedaannya lebih terdapat pada isian ikan tersebut yang menggunakan jenis keju yang berbeda, tapi tentu default-nya berada pada pilihan New York Fish & Chips yang menggunakan isi keju parmesan pada ikannya yang dibalut tepung renyah serta disiram dengan saus lemon butter. To make it even more colorful, pendampingnya kali ini kita bisa memilih antara french fries, mashed potato, atau paella.

Tapi untuk sekaligus menjajal ‘semua’ yang dimiliki oleh Fish and Co., pilihan yang paling bijak tentunya adalah seafood platter dimana terdapat tambahan ikan, grilled squids with ‘black’ spices dan udang dalam satu hidangan sekaligus. Selain itu serunya juga adalah berkesempatan mencicipi paella yang digabungkan juga dengan kentang goreng.

So it’s the verdict time then. Secara keseluruhan semua menu yang tersedia kini semakin beragam dan menarik, selain juga Fish and Co. senang bermain-main pada eksperimen bumbu dan rempah dari berbagai negara. Meskipun secara pelayanan masih menunjukkan pengetahuan baik tetapi mereka tidak ingat untuk memberitahukan sejak awal apa-apa saja menu yang saat itu tidak tersedia.

Seafood Platter for 1

Sebagai contoh ikan halibut tidak tersedia dengan alasan pasokannya sedang mengalami kesulitan. Meskipun bila diperhatikan sebetulnya para pengunjung rata-rata bermain aman dengan memesan fish and chips yang paling standar ketimbang memesan kepiting atau ikan salmon yang harganya terlalu menjulang. Tentu ini bukan menjadi alasan untuk tidak menginformasikan tentang availability produk pada hari tersebut.

Secara rasa sendiri sebetulnya tidak terlalu banyak kejutan dan bersaing ketat dengan pemain lainnya seperti Manhattan Fish Market namun tentu yang didapatkan juga rasanya tidak mengecewakan. Sehingga tidak heran Fish and Co. mampu bertahan sekian lama karena selalu saja ada pengunjung yang ingin big treat or something nostalgic, like me for instance. Dengan budaya menikmati fish and chips dalam takaran ukuran, variasi, dan kualitas seperti yang ditawarkan Fish and Co. ternyata masih cukup langka di Jakarta, bukan tidak mungkin usaha ini akan bertahan sangat lama dan selalu menjadi favorit untuk semua orang.

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FISH & CO.

Rating: **

Halal-friendly

Some menu suitable for vegetarians

Address:

Level 4 Unit 419, Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav. 21

T: 021 – 5699 8575

Operation hours:

Sun – Thur: 10 am – 10 pm

Fri – Sat & PH: 10 am – 10 pm

Cilandak Town Square (CITOS)

1st  Floor 140-142, Jl. T. B. Simpatupang
T: 021 – 7592 0345

Operation hours:

Sun – Thur: 11 am – 12 am,

Fri – Sat & PH: 11 am – 01 am

Pondok Indah Mall 2 (PIM2)

3rd Floor #349, Jl. Metro Pondok Indah
T: 021 – 7592 0778

Operation hours:

Sun – Thur: 11 am – 10 pm,

Fri – Sat & PH: 10.30 am – 11 pm

EX-Plaza Indonesia

1st Floor No. 40, Jl. M. H Thamrin Kav 28-30

T: 021 – 391 7429

Operation Hours:

Sun – Thur: 11 am – 12 am

Fri – Sat & PH: 11 am – 01 am

Pacific Place

Level 4-49 & 4-51, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53

T: 021 – 5797 3162

Operation Hours:

Sun – Thur: 11 am – 10 pm

Fri – Sat & PH: 10.30 am – 10 pm

Gandaria City

Main St. GF Unit MG 36 & S 36, Jl. Sultan Iskandar Muda (Arteri Pondok Indah)

Tel: 021 – 29053205               

Operation Hours:

Sun – Thur: 11 am – 10 pm

Fri – Sat & PH: 10.30 am – 11 pm

Emporium Pluit Mall

Ground floor Unit G – 39, Jl. Pluit Selatan Raya

T: 021 – 29071900                 

Operation Hours:

Mon – Fri: 10.30 am – 09.30 pm

Sat – Sun & PH: 10.30 am – 09.30 pm

Website: http://fish-co.co.id

Facebook: FishnCoINDO

Twitter:  @FishnCoINDO

Pricing: Around IDR 150,000 – IDR 200,000 for two

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-Featured in HANG OUT JAKARTA April 2012 edition-

Pictures courtesy of Fish & Co. Indonesia

Product Advertorial: Summer Berry Pudding from Kafe Pinang, Hotel Kristal

Summer Berry Pudding (Photo by: The Saucy Chef)

Hotel Kristal dan restoran internasionalnya Kafe Pinang adalah nama-nama yang sudah tidak asing lagi di kawasan Jakarta Selatan dengan segala hustle and bustle-nya. Untuk 2012, Hotel Kristal memperkenalkan dessert baru yang menyegarkan sebagai penutup pengalaman makan anda bersama keluarga anda di Kafe Pinang.

Dengan nama Summer Berry Pudding, dessert baru ini bertemakan rasa asam segar dan juga memiliki beberapa tingkat rasa. Pastry Chef Litha Liezwarie yang baru saja mendapatkan predikat Top 10 Fonterra Pastry Challenge 2011 adalah sang penemu dari dessert ini dan Chef Litha mengandalkan beberapa jenis wild berries dan strawberry sebagai sumber kesegarannya dari Summer Berry Pudding ini.

Selain rasa buah-buahan, Chef Litha menggunakan roti untuk membalut adonan yang terdiri dari buah-buahan tersebut serta berbagai rempah sebelum dibekukan. Hasilnya adalah warna ungu gelap dan ketika mencobanya akan terasa juga berbagai rempah seperti kayu manis dan cengkeh di dalamnya. Untuk menyeimbangkan itu semua tersedia juga rasa tawar dari keju Mascarpone dan rasa manis dari almond tuile sebagai pendamping sang pudding. Semuanya menyatu menjadi rasa yang tidak membosankan dan tetap segar juga berkelas.

Dessert ini tersedia ala carte dan dibanderol dengan harga IDR 40,000++. Jangan lewatkan selagi musimnya namun juga jangan khawatir karena Hotel Kristal pasti akan selalu menghadirkan kreasi-kreasi terbarunya yang lezat dan berkualitas.

-Featured in HANG OUT JAKARTA January 2012 edition-

Photo courtesy of The Saucy Chef (the picture is meant only as a depiction of how the dish looks like)

Restaurant Review/Advertorial: The Harmony

 

Nama besar Hotel Santika yang telah berkecimpung di hospitality business selama kurang lebih tiga dekade terakhir ini tentunya sudah tidak asing lagi di telinga kita. Salah satunya adalah Hotel Santika Premiere Jakarta dengan international restaurant-nya The Harmony.

Belum lama Hotel Santika mengembangkan diri dan mengklasifikasikan berbagai level hotel yang berbeda disesuaikan dengan nilai strategis pasar. Salah satu dari kategori-kategorinya adalah seri Premiere yang saat ini sudah mencapai enam hotel di berbagai kota besar di Indonesia dan setara hotel berbintang empat.

Setelah tiba, rasanya seperti sampai di oase penyejuk dari segala riuh rendah daerah Slipi yang terkenal sibuk. Cukup mengejutkan mengingat penampilan Hotel Santika kali ini memang terlihat lebih modern dan elegan. Langsung saja saya menuju The Harmony yang ternyata menempati space luas tidak jauh dari lobby. Dengan menghadap langsung ke kolam renang dan alam terbuka, The Harmony memang tampak segar dan bercahaya. Suatu suasana yang terasa menyemangati acara makan siang kali ini.

Tidak berlama-lama duduk, langsung saja menuju counter mie tarik yang konon adalah signature buffet dish dari The Harmony. Seolah mengingatkan pada pho, langsung saja saya meminta kuah bening dengan irisan daging sapi lalu diimbuhi dengan tauge dan bawang daun. Sebuah pembuka yang segar dan lezat. Jelas kekuatannya berpusat pada kuah yang gurih namun ringan sebagai pembuka yang baik.

Setelah berputar-putar sedikit dengan kreasi fusion sushi dan berbagai sajian salad, tampak tiba saatnya untuk menjajal masakan Indonesia yang konon selalu berganti setiap harinya. Hari itu pecel sayur dengan lontong tampak menggiurkan, begitu pula dengan belut gorengnya. Sajian lain seperti nasi ulam dan soto juga tersaji cantik dan didampingi oleh berbagai dessert khas Indonesia yang begitu beragam.

Secara keseluruhan, sajian di The Harmony terbilang cukup apik dan lumayan beragam. Meski terkadang terasa buffet satu dan lainnya agak terasa dipojokkan dan kurang diberikan kesempatan untuk bersinar dengan segala wewangian dan warnanya yang sebetulnya indah, namun kesempatan bersantap siang dengan suasana yang nyaman dan spacious ini ternyata begitu membantu selera makan saya.

Tidak lupa tentunya sekali dalam sebulan Hotel Santika Premiere Jakarta mengadakan acara Jazz in Harmony yang menampilkan musisi jazz legendaris Idang Rasyidi untuk menemani santap malam. Meski semua aspek sebetulnya saling bersahutan, namun tampaknya The Harmony memang mencoba untuk meraih hati pengunjungnya dengan atmosfir dan ambiance yang bisa jadi faktor penentu meski makanan juga menempati salah satu faktor terpenting.

Dengan kesemuanya itu tentu tidak sulit lain waktu mencari alasan untuk kembali bertandang ke The Harmony. It’s a dinner with all that jazz! Sounds classy and I’m hungry already.

—–

The Harmony

Rating: **

Halal-friendly (liquors applied for some drinks)

Some menu suitable for vegetarians

Address: Hotel Santika Premiere Jakarta, Jl. AIPDA K.S. Tubun no. 7, Slipi – Jakarta 1141o

Opening Hours: 6 am – 11 pm

RSVP: 021 – 536 1777, 533 0350

Email: fbs@santika-jakarta.co.id

Facebook: santikaonline

Twitter: @santikaonline

Atmosphere: Integrated without space but stairways from the main lobby making it very spacious.

Ambiance: Thanks to the huge space, it’s not noisy but it’s also lacking in togetherness value. Spaced out!

Service: Plates are not cleared up right away, where’s the so-called hotel service?

Pricing: Breakfast IDR 85,000++, Lunch & Dinner IDR 135,000++, Jazz in Harmony Dinnertime IDR 160,000++ (once/month)

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-Featured in HANG OUT JAKARTA December 2011 edition-

Photos courtesy of Hotel Santika Premiere Jakarta

The Gastronomy Aficionado’s Journal: Otel Lobby, The Chamber of Culinary Might and Magic

Otel Lobby - Pan Roasted Salmon

The pigeons and ravens brought back news from afar all about good tidings from this recently established posh eatery namely Otel Lobby. It wasn’t mere curiosity that brought me there but most of all, to honor a courtesy invitation from my friend Mr. Erza Setyadharma, the gourmet aficionado of Jakarta.

Located inside the integrated complex of Bakrie Tower and the shopping mall of Epicentrum Walk, it was not an easy task for me who just blindly parked the car in the basement lot of the latter establishment. After a long, contemplative walk with a little bit of splash here and there due to the rain, finally I found the place and entered it gracefully under the cover of night to shade my mildly drenched jeans and shoes.

What brought my mood back was my encounter with fellow food bloggers, which I would address here in their famous pseudonyms. JenzCorner, Wanderbites, @ImelB, GFGFGL, and one who actually has the talent but still not yet laying his foundation in blogging life, @danieldeka. And of course, the prominent players of Jakarta’s gourmet lifestyle duo, Mr. Erza and Mr. Ve Handojo were also there.

That night, we were also accompanied by Ms. Maya Aldy, the engineer behind the success, also acts as Otel Lobby’s head chef, and the co-owner of the establishment with Ms. Gaby Bakrie.

The word Otel Lobby is pretty much derived from what a hotel look like. You would recognize right away as soon as you enter the lobby area. The style is a dark touch of luxury, huge chandelier, and a humongous screen filming flicks from black-and-white era. Not forgetting, they also tuck a trolley to add more hotel-ish touch. The dining tables are encircled with cushions thus making it feel personal yet suitable for groups. The ambiance was also conversational and accompanied by lounge music or late night chill out R&B music. In short, Otel Lobby is a gastropub although the term is already obsolete nowadays.

But let us not get caught with such facade first and pick either the left side for all your liquor needs or like us, the right side to astonish your palate. If you think that you have traveled the whole world for good things, then Otel Lobby must come next in your encyclopedia of gastronomy. Thy will know why from this story.

After seated properly, we were given the chance to take a sip on their famous cocktails and mocktails, tailored personally by the award-winning mixologist, Mr. Benjamin Browning. Meanwhile the kitchen is commanded by the eccentric Mr. Raj, a Pinoy-American clad in AC Milan shirt, shorts, tattoos, and an apron. Can’t help but to feel intrigued thinking about what he had in his sleeves for us that night!

So, the first circle of heaven served was a plate of diced tuna crudo with beetroots cooked in three ways, attired with balsamic reduction and bawang goreng! A different approach that came from each uniquely cooked beetroot paired with the tuna was just exotic. The dish had different textures, different angles, yet sweet and sublime. The balsamic reduction brought the sour-y fresh approach but the most bizarre one, in a good way, came from the fried shallots.

Wagyu and Cheese Spring Rolls (Photo by: wanderbites.com)

If the first one sounds healthy then it’s a mistake to assume that Otel Lobby is there only for your meager calorie intake. Because then came buckets filled with spring rolls, loaded not with mere vegetables but diced wagyu and cheese sauce. A savory start that matches my personality and preference really boosted my morale and anticipation! Not forgetting the Indonesian palate that cannot just simply eat spring rolls plainly, Mr. Raj prepared also chili sauce altogether with pickled cucumbers to refresh our aftertaste.

Duck Bun (Photo by: wanderbites.com)

Surely not stopping there, we were presented with mini duck buns. Made thick but tender, the bun simply wraps the duck with again another local touch of onions and fried shallots. A good bite size bar food to get along with your friends. One probably enough for each one of us but make no mistake again, it was not. Some were lucky to get away with two of those delicacy.

We can tell from Mr. Raj eclectic looks that he’s a kind of chef that ‘should’ love doing experiments here and there with food. The Asiatic style is certainly his main influence, but his selection of ingredients and the way he presents his dishes appeared to be the most daring and adventurous part of all.

Squid Ink Malfatti (Photo by: jenzcorner.net)

For instance, instead of the pasta we know, he chose a rather ‘reckless’ one but beautifully made. Just give it a cut here and there to your heart’s content, and there’s the malfatti or some say, maltagliati. Colored jet black using squid ink combined with the generous portion of the shrimps, a hint of spiciness from the chili, and playful texture from the crumbs yet the mildly savory sauce command you not to add anything more to the dish! It’s good just the way it is!

Pan-roasted Red Snapper (Photo by: wanderbites.com)

The song from the seven seas continues with a well cooked pan-roasted red snapper substituting the salmon. The sidekicks however were quite strange again. Mr. Raj cooked corns in three way and using marmalade as the sauce. In terms on how it looks, well it’s very daring indeed but certainly very rustic. But then again Mr Raj ‘toyed’ us again with the texture and that makes every dishes he made so far was fun. Though personally I prefer something more sour to freshen up a bit after having all those sweetness from the corn.

Braised Short Ribs (Photo by: jenzcorner.net)

The main dish ended with the energetic yet enigmatic braised short ribs with Mr Raj self-styled Korean fried rice. First of all, it’s not exactly Korean fried rice like we’d all describe. Mr Raj told us a bit about his version, that instead of rice he uses smashed rengginang or rice crispies, then he uses oyster tempura, and lastly kimchi to add the Korean flavor. The weirdest part came from poached egg and there he specifically instructed all of us to mix them all up! The beef itself was very tender and succulent but most of all, it tasted like semur daging! How nostalgic and the kimchi really toned up the flavor of the sidekicks.

Ice Cream! (Photo by: jenzcorner.net)

Apart from the ‘messy’ looks, I believe that it’s the way Mr Raj wanted to show his aesthetics. Make it outrageous but make it beautifully delicious! The sins continued with variety of homemade ice cream on cones. What a way to end the terrific night instead of boring cakes or pudding.

It was an honor to be served with such hospitality from Otel Lobby especially Ms Maya and Mr Raj. Their visions of utilizing local, quality ingredients proved to be very successful and thus making Otel Lobby serves out-of-this-world dishes at a very affordable price.

Last but not least, I extend my thanks to Mr Erza, Mr Ve, and all the food bloggers. We shared the same dishes, we share the ice cream, and we had our fun. The culinary world is ours for the taking and a return here is a must indeed!

—–

OTEL LOBBY

Rating: ****

Halal-friendly (some of the dishes contain pork or wine, liquors also applied for some drinks)

Some menu suitable for vegetarians

Address: The Annex Building of Bakrie Tower, Epicentrum Kuningan, Jakarta

Opening Hours: 10 am – 11 pm

RSVP: 021 – 29941324

Website: http://otellobby.com

Facebook: Otel Lobby

Twitter: @otellobby

Atmosphere: Feels like a hotel lobby with its signature trolley and the rest feels like exclusive restaurant in the afternoon and a cool lounge at night.

Ambiance: Conversational, lounge music, and at night DJ plays smooth RnB.

Service: Good initiatives and knowledgeable.

Pricing: Around IDR 150,000 – IDR 200,000 for two

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Photos courtesy of Otel Lobby, jenzcorner.net, and wanderbites.com

Restaurant Review: Union Brasserie, Bakery and Bar

Saat itu adalah sore hari yang sejuk selepas hujan. Angin berhembus kencang dan keramaian tetap merajai Union, sebuah tempat yang teramat hype dan penuh setiap saat. Rasa penasaranlah yang membawa kaki saya melangkah ke tempat ini.

Lima belas menit berlalu di bangku khusus waiting list dan seorang greeter membawa saya ke sebuah meja yang hanya dapat saya gunakan satu jam saja sebelum yang mereservasi meja itu datang. Tanpa membuang waktu langsung saja yang terlintas dan ingin saya coba adalah yang terbaik dan menarik dari menu Union yang berisi masakan dengan cita rasa modern ini.

Adalah crispy skin salmon bersama mashed potato serta saus yang intriguing dengan bahan jahe dan jeruk. Menyusul sesudahnya adalah homemade lamb sausage dengan imbuhan herbs seperti rosemary dan thyme dengan onion gravy.

Meskipun suasana begitu ramai dan penuh, untung saja pelayanan tetap berjalan cukup prima. Meski bagian dapur mungkin agak kewalahan namun atas bantuan pelayanan yang baiklah semua makanan dapat diantarkan dengan cepat.

Setidaknya apa yang diharapkan ternyata juga berimbang dengan rasa yang kami dapat. Salmon yang cantik datang dengan kulit renyah. Hidangan ini ternyata membutuhkan dua kali proses masak. Yang pertama tentu merenyahkan dulu kulit dan dilanjutkan dengan memasak ikannya sampai ke derajat medium-well sesuai pesanan. Rasanya yang tidak terlampau ringan tapi juga berisi ternyata semakin dahsyat ketika digabungkan dengan kelezatan saus gelap berbahan jahe dan jeruk ini. Certainly one of the best sauces I ever had! Untuk sosisnya sendiri mungkin tidak terlalu impresif bila disandingkan dengan sang salmon. Tapi yang memuaskan adalah kepadatan sosis tersebut dan rasa bumbu yang tebal nan gurih.

Merunut kata Union yang merupakan perpaduan keahlian pasangan chef muda, Adhika Maxi di kitchen serta Karen Carlotta di bakery, maka sudah barang tentu desserts adalah sebuah keharusan!

Adalah mocha cake yang menjadi pilihan karena red velvet cake sudah tidak tersedia saat itu. Tekstur yang didapat adalah perasaan semi lembut ala red velvet namun kali ini berwarna coklat, serta lapis demi lapis krim keju lembut ternyata memang seru! Tapi tunggu dulu, ternyata ada kacang-kacangan juga di antaranya dan menghantarkan rasa manis yang juga memberi nuansa yang berbeda. Sungguh pilihan yang tepat!

Carrot Cake (Photo by: jenzcorner.net)

Banana Cake (Photo by: jenzcorner.net)

Crunchy Chocolate Cake (Photo by: jenzcorner.net)

Di samping itu pada bagian bakery terdapat berbagai cakes lain seperti carrot banana, praline, hingga macarons. Bagels and baguettes? They got them also! 

Jadi lengkap sudah pengalaman malam itu dengan hasil cukup mengejutkan. Tidak overrated karena semata-mata popularitas belaka, tapi tampil lumayan memuaskan. So book first and pick your best seats karena Union tidak akan kekurangan pengunjung dalam waktu yang lama.

—–

Union Brasserie, Bakery and Bar

Rating: ***

Halal-friendly (dishes using pork and wines, liquors also available as beverages)

Some dishes suitable for vegetarians

Address: Plaza Senayan Courtyard, GF, Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8, Jakarta

RSVP: 021 – 5790 5861/62

Opening Hours: 11 AM until late (Daily)

Website: http://unionjkt.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/233268313372920/

Twitter: @UnionJkt

Atmosphere: A very busy New Yorkish 1930s era bistro with pictures everywhere and waiters changing the diapers (table sheets) every time a patron leaves instead of real table clothes. During its serene time, which would be very rare, enjoy the breeze of what’s left from Jakarta cool air and a spectacle towards the courtyard with fountain.

Ambiance: Cacophonous. Loud. Smokey. Busy. You name it.

Service: Would be very lucky to receive prime service especially during busy hours, like I did. Well, at the expense of tardiness from kitchen side.

Pricing: Around IDR 300,000 – 400,000 for two

—–

-Featured in HANG OUT JAKARTA January 2012 edition-

Food Court Review: Urban Kitchen (Plaza Indonesia)

Photo by: anakjajan.wordpress.com

Urban Kitchen kini hadir di jantung kota Jakarta dan kali ini bertempat di Plaza Indonesia. Menempati lokasi luas di lantai 5 yang sebelumnya dihuni Food Kulture, di sini Urban Kitchen kini mengadaptasi sistem food court terbuka atau tanpa menggunakan kartu masuk yang biasanya digunakan sebagai akumulasi kredit pembelian untuk dibayar kemudian di kasir yang tersentralisasi. Hal ini meniru kesuksesan sebelumnya di Urban Kitchen Central Park. Yang menggembirakan adalah kali ini Urban Kitchen menggandeng tenants yang lebih dikenal masyarakat pada umumnya serta menyuguhkan harga makanan yang lebih affordable.

Meski menggunakan layout yang sama dengan pendahulunya, kini Urban Kitchen mengangkat tema Jakarta tempo doeloe untuk interiornya. Tema ini dibagi menjadi tiga ruangan besar. Yang pertama adalah tema ngopi sore, ciri khasnya adalah ruangan tersebut dihiasi seolah-olah berada di teras depan rumah beserta sangkar-sangkar burung yang tergantung. Kali ini pemandangannya justru cukup mengesankan, yaitu arah Jalan Thamrin dengan gedung-gedung bertingkatnya.

Pada ruangan kedua berisikan berbagai tempelan berbagai iklan, stiker serta foto-foto jadul yang terkenal pada masanya. Pada masa awal hingga pertengahan abad 20, muncul berbagai kemasan khas iklan yang dirancang dengan gambar-gambar klasik serta kata-kata yang catchy. Pada ruangan inilah Urban Kitchen mencoba menghadirkan kembali suasana nostalgia tersebut.

Terakhir, Urban Kitchen memunculkan suasana pelabuhan dan perkapalan dengan berbagai aksen dan hiasan tali tambang, desain dinding batu bata, serta karung-karung berisi kopi. Mengapa kopi? Selain merupakan salah satu komoditas kebanggaan Indonesia, pada segmen inilah Urban Kitchen secara khusus menggandeng Anomali untuk sebagai ponggawa coffee lounge-nya.

Dalam pemunculannya yang masih terbilang singkat, ternyata konsep baru yang dihadirkan Urban Kitchen mampu untuk menarik banyak pengunjung khususnya dari kalangan eksekutif muda, pegawai kantoran serta tentunya pengunjung mall itu sendiri. Eksklusivitas masih terasa di sini namun dengan berbagai suguhan dari tenants yang familiar dan berbagai jajanan pasar, membuat Urban Kitchen menjadi alternatif menarik dan murah di tengah-tengah kemewahan Plaza Indonesia.

Selain hanya sekedar untuk makan-makan, Urban Kitchen juga berusaha menghadirkan sesuatu yang berbeda seperti bazaar dan live music. Promosinyapun terbilang aktif dan menggunakan media social network seperti Facebook dan Twitter. Jadi buat siapa saja yang ingin berpartisipasi pada acara di Urban Kitchen seperti bazaar hingga menggunakan tempatnya sebagai media gathering dan press conference. All is customizable!

So, just anticipate berbagai kegiatan menarik yang seru di Urban Kitchen. Sementara ini kita nikmati saja dulu program afternoon high tea atau kudapan ringan yang tentunya bercirikan khas masakan masing-masing tenant-nya serta menjelang Ramadhan, Urban Kitchen juga mempersiapkan tajil gratis untuk pengunjungnya. Sisanya, tentu segudang pilihan makanan lezat untuk dicoba!

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URBAN KITCHEN PLAZA INDONESIA

Address: Plaza Indonesia Lv. 5, Jakarta

RSVP: 021 – 7278 1571

Website: http://urbankitchen.co.id

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UrbanKitchenJKT

Twitter: @UrbanKitchenJkt

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-Featured in HANG OUT JAKARTA August 2011 edition-

Photo by anakjajan.wordpress.com

Restaurant Review: Collage

Grup Accor asal Perancis dengan jaringan hotel-hotelnya yang ternama di seluruh dunia kini menghadirkan salah satu upscale brands-nya dengan nama Pullman. Hadir di Jakarta baru-baru ini, Pullman tidak segan-segan membawa kemewahan itu dengan kehadiran Collage sebagai restoran internasionalnya.

Pengalaman memasuki Pullman bisa jadi adalah suatu hal yang tidak lazim. Pada umumnya ketika memasuki sebuah hotel bintang lima, biasanya kita merasakan kesan mewah yang terkadang intimidatif. Lain halnya dengan Pullman yang sengaja didesain dengan suasana kreatif dan casual namun juga masih menghadirkan suasana classy di dalamnya.

Dengan perpaduan gaya antara kontemporer, pop art dan berbagai display hiasan yang tidak lazim untuk hotelnya, tentu Collage sendiripun tidak kalah funky dan dilengkapi dengan open kitchens yang mengetengahkan berbagai sajian kuliner internasional serta sedikit sentuhan ala Jepang, Peranakan, India, dan tentunya Indonesia.

Pimpinan orkestra kuliner dari Collage adalah warga negara Perancis dengan nama Chef Eric Baudru yang berdarah Korea Selatan. Chef Eric meluangkan waktu untuk menjelaskan mengenai masakan-masakannya untuk Collage yang memang banyak dipengaruhi hidangan ala Mediterania yang segar dan banyak menggunakan sea food di dalamnya. Tentu saja demikian, karena kota asalnya adalah Avignon terletak tidak jauh dari Marseilles yang berbatasan langsung dengan Laut Tengah.

Sebagai pembuka, Collage mempersembahkan sushi dan sashimi segar yang bisa dipesan sesuai keinginan. Selain itu tentu berbagai micro food seperti foie gras brulee dan kawan-kawan serta raw oysters mungkin saja justru terlalu tajam dan berat sebagai pembuka karena rasanya yang khas. Alternatively, berbagai macam keju, salmon gravalax, pastrami dan cold cuts bisa menjadi pilihan menu pembuka anda.

Melangkah ke bagian berikutnya tentu akan membuat anda sedikit bingung karena pilihan yang tersedia begitu banyak. Anda bisa melangkah ke bagian Asia Timur yang terdiri atas bebek char siu, dim sum, hingga India dengan roti naan, nasi biryani, dan berbagai pendamping dagingnya dengan assorted chutneys.

Tapi yang menjadi juara dari semuanya adalah justru menu tradisional Indonesia dengan nama nasi bakar yang berisi daging sapi dan beraroma wangi khas rempah-rempah Indonesia. Tentunya yang tidak boleh terlewat juga adalah carving tables dengan grilled shortribs-nya yang telah melewati fase slow cooking selama 72 jam dan berhasil menjadikannya lezat sekaligus lembut dan juicy.

Ternyata bukanlah sebuah pengalaman isapan jempol belaka dengan apa yang akan anda rasakan bersama Pullman Hotel. Selain menikmati sisi artistik hotel ini, suasana belanja lengkap di mall-mall sekitarnya serta pemandangan kota yang menakjubkan, pengalaman di Collage menjadi satu hal yang juga tidak boleh dilewatkan.

Collage

Halal-friendly

Address: Podomoro City,  Jl. Letjen S. Parman Kav. 28, Jakarta

RSVP:

Atmosphere: Funky modern pop art museum turned into hotel.

Ambiance: Conversational.

Service: A five star hotel. You expect more?

Pricing: TBA

Opening Hours: TBA

Twitter: @Pullman_Jkt_CP

Facebook: pullmanjakartacp

-Featured in HANG OUT JAKARTA January 2012 edition (unedited)-

Restaurant Review: Cinnamon

What’s more extravagant than having a dinner affair in a five-star hotel at the most prestigious address in Jakarta? The inconspicuous restaurant with a catchy name of Cinnamon tempts Aquila Asia to unveil what’s behind the exclusivity of Mandarin Oriental Jakarta.

The hotel itself is one of the classic alternatives among other five-star competitors that exclusively surround the Bundaran HI, known as the landmark that defines Jakarta. Mandarin Oriental Jakarta itself had undergone almost two years of interior refurbishment and appeared again stylishly in 2009. Apart from the vintage exterior look, the insides look stunningly modern and extravagant.

Lively yet intimate, the international cuisine restaurant Cinnamon flaunts a casual theme but also romantic scene for dining. Not to mention also about the good suitability for both lunch and dinner in business attire. The use of natural materials such as raw woods with marble flooring, limestone walls, and sisal carpeting brings the rustic side of Cinnamon, especially with the ‘jungle’ scenery that camouflaged the restaurant. But with a wonderful composition of calm colours of cream and gold fused with warm lighting both artificial and natural brings also a multitude of modern touch of nowadays interior style.

Oxtail Soup

The one thing that welcomes everyone first is the display of colourful cakes and hampers from The Mandarin Oriental Cake Shop. What comes next is the feeling of the urgency to really test what Cinnamon has to offer and for that opportunity what’s better than being seated just beside the window to see the soothing greeneries just outside.

So Cinnamon may bring international theme but it is clear that they emphasize the Asian culture. For instance the highlight dishes are the majestic set of Hainanese Chicken Rice or the scrumptious Sampler of many Asian delights such as chicken tikka with mint and cucumber, crab cake with papaya pickles, sautéed prawn skewers and grilled beef salad. Both of them prove to be an excellent choice for a brief business lunch.

For that reason as well, Cinnamon doesn’t rely too much on having a wide variety for their food stations. Aside from some of their notable competitors that present the opposite, Cinnamon appears content with such degree of simplicity. When asked, Mr. Gono Soegiono the restaurant manager explains that, ‘Business lunch takes time only for about 30 to 45 minutes therefore we only serve what the guests need and as the compensation for that, rest assured that what we serve is of the best quality’.

Hainan Chicken Rice

This does makes sense although more options wouldn’t hurt especially judging from the reputation and the history of Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, yet most of all, the expectations. The course starts mainly from the openers such as salads or the Japanese style appetizers like sushi and sashimi. Let us never also miss the cheese station to boost up the morale. From there, some inviting options are there especially for the carving table of roast beef and pasta station that offers homemade tagliatelle, penne, linguini, and rigatoni.

What amuses me is actually the sandwich station which is quite rare in Jakarta hotels for as far as I know. Deriving from the goals to deal with the appetite of brief diners, Mandarin Oriental Jakarta has devised this small station with plenty of options. You can actually pick the already made ones with tuna and cheese for example, but also you can choose from variety of ciabatta, white, and whole wheat bread then decide the fillings. Make it plain or panini according to your liking and have it delivered directly to your table.

To end it all, simply choose the tempting variety of desserts yet the must-pick from all of those is definitely the one and only, the indisputable for the past 15 years, and that would be the American Chocolate Cake. Velvety and luscious, though came in small size! It’s best to spare more room for this one and load them all to your table before they simply vanish into thin air. Complete the excitements with crepes paired with homemade ice cream and sorbet or make it a worthy companion if the cakes ran out.

After two years of its existence, Cinnamon may still feel like a myth despite the imposing presence of the hotel. It’s a hidden jewel to be exact despite its small and modest selections of food. It’s beautiful nonetheless and now I feel like romantic dinner already but now I know one of those worthy for my next pick.

CINNAMON

Jl. MH Thamrin, PO BOX 3392, Jakarta 10310

Website: http://mandarinoriental.com/jakarta

Facebook: http://facebook.com/MandarinOrientalJakarta

Twitter: @MO_JAKARTA

RSVP: 021 – 2993 8888

Halal Meter: Halal-friendly. For dishes using pork are well indicated as well as those that contain alcohols.

Vegetarian Friendly: Yes and plenty of options for that.

Reservation: Recommended especially for lunch.

Opening Hours:

-          Breakfast:                   6 am – 10 am (Mon-Sat), 6 am – 10.30 am (Sun)

-          Lunch:                          11.30 am – 2.30 pm (Mon-Sat)

-          Brunch:                        11 am – 3 pm (Sun)

-          Afternoon Tea:         2.30 pm – 6 pm (Mon-Sun)

-          Dinner:                         6 pm – 10.30 pm (Mon-Sun)

Price:

-          Breakfast Buffet IDR 170,000++

-          Lunch & Dinner:

  1. Lunch Buffet IDR 175,000++
  2. Dinner Buffet IDR 195,000++
  3. Sunday Brunch IDR 195,000++
-As seen in Aquila Asia Sep-Oct 2011 Edition (unedited)-
-Photos courtesy of Mandarin Oriental Jakarta and Aquila Asia Magazine-

Restaurant Review: Three to Five

If you’re thinking that tea time culture is exclusively for true, noble yet decadent Englishmen or something that the so-called socialites do in five-star hotels or abroad, then you’re completely wrong. These days everything seems accessible and for everybody! By the way, you should read the history first.

Tea came from Asian countries mostly and why the hell only the English get to have the excitements from it. We have tea ceremonies notably coming from China and Japan! But here in Indonesia, though we love tea so much and has nothing in particular about tea time or even ceremonial kind of thing but why do they steal all the spotlight? So it’s time to seize the glory and Three To Five Afternoon Tea Cafe in Bandung is there at your disposal.

Let’s just start with the bad news first though. Pretty understandable now that the previous venture owned by coffee shop franchise Daily Bread finally had to shut down the operation and that might also happen for Three To Five as well. The location might be golden but the layout is terrible. The building is definitely not in shape for a ‘decent’ cafe and with huge parking lot in front of it makes it even more ‘unseen’. I see progresses made by Three To Five by putting some catchy lamps to attract more customers but still, it’s not suffice yet or perhaps I’m just being impatient.

So the concept is tea time cafe which actually lacking neither in presentation nor atmosphere. I was actually hoping that there are more rooms like the only one they had in the corner, the tea room with classic design of  old-time couch, fireplace (though unreal), and the vintage wallpaper. The rest of the room feels actually empty and too spacious. I cannot feel the real English style mansion with plenty of trinkets and stuffs around or even ladies laughing while sipping their tea like vampires.

It was actually quite uplifting for me to find out that Three To Five and the legendary Rasa restaurant are connected. Therefore you can see plenty of Rasa’s products there from my hugely favorite ice cream, cookies, and up to the cakes. The proprietor, Mr. Kenneth, also claimed that some of the dishes are similar with those from Rasa but he also experimented with other dishes to make it clear that the place is more Western yet different from its counterpart.

Fried Potato Skin

So for a starter, a plate full of fried skin potatoes poured with cheese and tomato salsa sauce. The potato skins were undoubtedly delicious especially when hot but the problem lies at the necessity to finish up the appetizer A.S.A.P. Why? Sure it’s getting cold but even since the beginning, I was hoping that they could at least add a hot sauce of let’s say, tomato bolognaise combined with the salsa and cheese. Or just minus the salsa and give us the beans then make it into a magical chili con carne! Surely this dish is already beautiful and plenty of creativity and be done even from those skins.

Still at this point where people supposed to have their English tea time, I still see not so many people around the place. This is something urgent that Three To Five must educate to many Indonesians particularly those who live in Bandung that they’re bringing a new custom here and promotions must be done intensively! Last month they might be still preparing the cake dishes for the tea time but now that everything’s done, I’m hoping to see more about it.

Three To Five Tenderloin

But let’s refrain the excitements first and head for one of their main dishes which notably consist of steaks. This one is called Three To Five Tenderloin and without being asked the meat temperature first, they served it well-done. Quite nice though I actually preferred medium well-done grade as always. The sides are very extensive such as a thin smoked beef which I deemed unnecessary since the meat already quite rich, then came hash brown potatoes, spinach, basil sauce. So it’s a bit sour and savory at the same time but with mozzarella washed all over the meat and the spinach, I think that they stole the spotlight instead of the meat quite unfortunately.

Steak can be pretty tricky these days. Sometimes I prefer a very traditional steak, grilled straight, and poured by the traditional sauces of BBQ, mushroom, and black pepper. It’s a well-known recipe by most Indonesian, they even started to notice about the importance of temperature just recently. But beyond that, steak is not that simple anymore and Three To Five decided to enter the area for the sake of how ‘Westernized’ its genre is.

Thus after exchanging gestures with the owner and observing the slow progress to the road of fame, finally our tea set arrived. Well, I gotta tell you that there are some things that might prove to be a hindrance for you. First, you gotta pick the right time for this, especially unlike me who challenged these beautiful trophy straight after lunch. Secondly, most of these cakes are sweet therefore you gotta prepare yourself again. Third, I found the collection of the tea still inadequate. I was hoping for a more traditional kind of English tea such as the English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling, and others but here you’ll ‘only’ find infused and flavored tea such as peppermint, chamomile, mango, strawberry and other fruit teas.

Tea Time Cakes

Objections have been landed and let’s just go straight to the sides then. I have no objection whether Three To Five wants to use the traditional cakes or not but it’s still an interesting and colorful array of cakes! There are homemade French macaroons, cupcakes, eclairs, brownies, chiffon cakes, marzipan, scones, and the rest would be the savouries such as sandwiches and Rasa’s specialties bitter ballen and sausage broodjes.

After all, Three To Five needs to shout out about its existence even louder or doomed to the same fate like its predecessor. I fear for that since it’s quite rare to see tea cafe like this in Bandung and it would be a waste if it went unnoticed. The exterior might be disappointing but the rest inside is actually quite promising. Judging the competition nowadays, people invest more in what they want to be perceived rather than what they truly offer. For example, the inept and terrible Tokyo Connection comes next. For now, Three To Five, please hang on like those little tomatoes (it’s a song title, sorry) and show them that you’ll hit them quick and hard even before they knew it. Make them promise that they won’t just come for Rasa’s ice cream and cakes but they’ll come again for you.

Three to Five Afternoon Tea Cafe

Halal-friendly

Address: Jl. Ciliwung no. 15, Bandung, Indonesia

RSVP: 022 – 723 4297

Atmosphere: Half baked spacious cafe lacking in warmth and passion however promising.

Ambiance: Quiet and music feels like a distant echo.

Service: Adequate.

Opening Hours: 7 am – 10 pm (weekday), 9 am to 11 pm (weekend), afternoon tea time 3 pm – 5 pm.

Pricing: Minimum order for two people tea set at IDR 75K, appetizers at around IDR 20K, main course at around IDR 40K.

Twitter: @3to5cafe

Restaurant Review: Le Gran Cafe

Gran Mahakam Hotel is a beautifully designed hotel located conveniently in-between the classy neighborhood of Southern Jakarta and the hustle bustle of Central Jakarta’s business districts. But instead of starring as another modernist heralds, Gran Mahakam rather sees itself as the envoy of classic European architecture from baroque influence with all its ornamental details.

Its international restaurant, Le Gran Café, has a dashing look of mixture between classical and modern, mostly from the West but with a little bit of Oriental touch as well. The use of Onyx stones as the decorations for the wall lamps create the elegance. Next, the blending between wooden parquet and marble flooring, yet also some Asian touch of colored bamboo in the ceilings of the buffet again create a warm atmosphere and the homey kind of feeling.

Without doubt the venue itself is very decent and comfortable, but how about the food? It turns out that Le Gran Café offers a wide array of delightful choices from Japanese, Western, Peranakan, and Indonesian.

Nasi Bali

For example, the sumptuous dish of Nasi Bali is already a complete and excellent choice. The steamed rice, shaped triangle, is accompanied with beef empal (thinly cut beef steamed with various ingredients making it sweet yet tender and then fried), ayam masereh (spicy shredded chicken), vegetables urap (various vegetables topped with urap or grated coconut grounds dressing), telur pindang (egg boiled with herbal water), beef satay, rempeyek kacang (soy bean crackers) and sambal.

I must remark one thing among all these goodness and that credit goes for the beef satay. The beef satay is clearly standing out among the crowd and definitely deserves standing ovation! The meat itself was already made mild, succulent, and to add the spiciness, they put some chili on top of it. What’s driven the beef satay to be that insanely delicious was definitely the secret recipe which I have no doubt that some people who don’t fancy eating satay will be most definitely leave that all behind and embrace the new life after tasting Le Gran Mahakam’s version.

Chocolate Melted

Hey, we even haven’t reached the buffet and the desserts!

For Japanese, there’s always the sushi and sashimi counter alongside the Western salads with colorful vegetables and dressings. Quite unusual also to see fish grills available from dory, gindara and snapper with julienned vegetables. Side-by-side with the fish is the roast lamb carving and its barbeque sauce. Not only that, the envoy from Singapore would be the steam boat and some peranakan influenced dish such as the tasty and spicy roast duck with black pepper sauce. Not forgetting also that the homemade pasta station is always there for you to pick. I admit that their aglio olio pasta is probably one of the best I’ve ever tasted and it doesn’t need an Italian to do the trick. Just make it more meaty, cheesy, or spicier according to your liking. Simply, add life into it!

So if you’re done with the mains, it’s time for the dessert! The best would be the Chocolate Melted with homemade ice cream, preferably vanilla ice cream. The chocolate melted is a warm dessert made from a cake with chocolate filling, melting out of it when you sliced through and with some almonds for topping. The superb taste of the sinful chocolate combined lethally with the righteous vanilla ice cream. Yet the good news is that it’s available every day from breakfast to dinner due to its popularity.

Mahakam Lotus

Alternatively, you can always choose the unique Lotus Mahakam for a cold dessert. Experience the content of a huge carved ice with wondrous fillings such as lotus seeds, longans, lychee, baby corns, and olives all soaked in the lychee-fragrant and sweetened water.

Ultimately, it’s one helluva trip and a joyful ride all day long. My next stop here would be probably for Ramadhan Iftar. They have the already famous very vast array of Iftar openers. So next would be my turn again to see what they really offer me for Ramadhan. As for you, better not wait any longer. Book your seats and get on that rollercoaster ride of joy!

LE GRAN CAFÉ

Jl. Mahakam I No. 6, Blok M, Jakarta 12130

legrancafe@granmahakam.com

RSVP: 021 – 720 9966

Opening Hours: 6 AM to 11 PM (weekend 24 hours)

Delivery Availability: Dine in only.

Halal Meter: Halal, no pork dishes at all.

Vegetarian Friendly: Plenty of choices since it’s an international buffet and since it’s a hotel, just ask about it and they’ll be gladly to assist your vegetarian needs.

-As seen in Aquila Asia May-Jun 2011 Edition (unedited)-

-Photos courtesy of Le Gran Mahakam and Aquila Asia Magazine-