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Quaint little restaurant attached to an antique shop of some type. This place hasn't changed in the nearly 25 years since the first time I visited it - at least as of my last trip 18 months ago. I don't think even the prices have changed except to account for major devaluations. It is one of the few good restaurants I frequented in the old days that still exists in its original form.
I suppose the food could be described as simply prepared dutch-influenced western food. I usually have ordered a steak of some type and bitterballen appetizer (not sure what they are, but considering their name and appearance I hope they are vegetarian).
Inexpensive, good taste, good portions and I never got sick from a meal there - and that was saying something back when there were no western standard restaurant chains in Jakarta.
No air con, fans only, so you might want to go at an off time on a particularly muggy day - if it is busy there may not be enough fans to go around. Otherwise, it has a dark, pleasant atmosphere enhanced by an intermittent interesting environmental effect which I won't explain - if you visit there for an evening meal, you will know it when you experience it.
Location: Jalan Cikini IV Number 8A, Menteng area, roughly midway between Hotel Menteng I and II as the crow flies.
Open: Tue-Sun, noon-3p, 7p-11p
This Chinese Restaurant, Jade Garden in PI, serves excellent xiao lung bao-chinese dumplings.
The prices a tad steep for JKT. Mostly patronised by ceweks2 of chinese origin in indo.
This is a huge chain in Indonesia with Padang, Sumatra style food. These guys have it down pat. A smorgabord beyond belief and super clean, using strict Moslem dietary/cleanliness laws that are almost identical to Kosher. The guy there in Magga Besar remembers what I like a year later and slings all my favorites like fried fish, Tempeh, Chicken, and vegtables at me. He only charges you for what you eat. I have to lie down afterwards I am so stuffed. I like to take the girls there with their sisters and nephews and nieces. Very sweet people, are the Javanese.
The Fish Market near the airport is a treat on your way out. Get your jivin' Javanese driver to do the buying for you and don't even let the fishmongers see you are with him or the price might double. Get some lobster, prawns, big fish, and squid. I'll pack some cooked leftovers up and have it for dinner in Sunar later. They serve up utak utak which is rice boiled with fish heads or milkfish flattened into rice wads with pepper and onion, charcoal roasted in Banana Leaves and you dip them in peanut sauce. You eat that while they clean then grill the giant fish you just bought over their coconut husk embers they fired up for your party. They serve that with eggplant, tomato (sambals) and mannis leaves. You eat it with your left hand, but they have utensils. I think they frown on Beer or Booze there, but a nice, cold TeaBotel hits the spot. I always tell the driver to get something for he, his missus and the family for later becasue they really love the seafood but the big fish there is a delicacy to the average Jakartan. They serve coconut juice warm there but to watch the smiling guy with the shaved head chop up your coconut to get to the juice like a gurka killing for the queen makes it worth it.
[QUOTE=Quim Reaper].. bitterballen appetizer (not sure what they are, but considering their name and appearance I hope they are vegetarian).
[/QUOTE]
Normally they're not vegetarian, ie. bite-size ball-shaped beef croquettes. But they come in all different tastes in Indonesia, sometimes chicken, as we found out. Dining out here is like a box of bitterballen, you never know what you're gonna get!
I was trying, not so successfully, to be funny - in a mountain oyster kind of way. They are, I believe, made of dough at this particular establishment.
[QUOTE=Joel Goodson]Normally they're not vegetarian, ie. bite-size ball-shaped beef croquettes. But they come in all different tastes in Indonesia, sometimes chicken, as we found out. Dining out here is like a box of bitterballen, you never know what you're gonna get![/QUOTE]
Jl. Raden Saleh No. 47 Menteng (021) 3150606
The Oasis has been a Jakarta institution since 1968. Expensive, but well worth it for the food and the ambiance. Good atmosphere for a romantic date, if you feel like springing for that much for your cewek du jour, but don't bring along her friends also unless you have a MAJOR expense account.
Also good solo or for the guys meal out - where else can you get a Rijsttafel served to you by a dozen virginal maidens? Well, okay, not virginal - this is Jakarta after all - but the effort to provide the old colonial presentation is definitely there.
Could not find an old receipt, but I seem to recall that the Rijsttafel was about Rp. 235,000 per person, when I last visited about 18 months ago. If someone has been there more recently, hopefully they can update this info.
Don't arrive before opening time, as I did once, or you will miss the gong show. Also, note the dress code - no jeans and no sneakers.
Jalan Dr. Kusuma Atmaja No. 85, Menteng
Hazara is a terrific Indian restaurant serving Northern Indian Frontier food. This is my favorite Indian restaurant of anywhere in the world. I'm not sure what distinguishes Northern Indian Frontier food, as most of the menu items have familiar names, but unlike many Indian restaurants, here all of the menu items seem to taste quite distinct from each other. Presumably they are not re-using the exact same sauce or seasoning mixtures across multiple dishes.
The atmosphere and interior design is taken as seriously as the food itself is and the results are impressive, although perhaps not as dramatic as at the prior location next to the Arcadia Hotel. Open and airy at lunch time and private pools of light at supper. Shares space with their other worthy operations The Face Bar and Lan Na Thai Restaurant, as they also do in Bangkok and Shanghai and probably elsewhere by now.
Moderately expensive - probably too expensive for a pre-session first and last supper date. Besides, do you really want a BBBJ from someone who has been eating vindaloo?
I don't get to play much these days so I thought I would contribute by recommending some restaurants.
For excellent food and wine I like Riva in the Park Lane Hotel (Jl Casablanca). This is a french restaurant offering both traditional and modern styles of french cooking. The menu is refreshed each month and you can check the specials by visiting the Hotel's web site. It is expensive and particularly so if you are indulging in the good selection of wine.
Italian food is quite popular in Jakarta and there are plenty of choices. I like Scusa in the Intercontinental Midplaza Hotel. Good atmosphere and good food. They often have special promotions.
Also at the Intercontinental is a wine bar called Bacchus. This place is in a funny location on the lower ground floor of the hotel. It is a slightly gloomy shopping arcade leading to the car park. Anyway Bacchus is good value. The food is excellent and cheaper than Scusa and they serve many wines by the glass. Staff are relaxed and friendly. Try the Australian scallops if they are available.
Should you take a sweet young Indonesia lady to any of these places? No, they will not enjoy the food and you are throwing your money away. For her any of the nasi padang places you see everywhere would be fine and if you don't like spicy food try a noodle restaurant. Bakmi Gadjah Mada has quite a few branches around the city.
My first post.
I went for dinner last week with a girl I met at a nightclub, took her to Lanathai a very beautiful place behind the mandarin Hotel, it is not cheap, but you pay for the food and atmosphere. (Perfect to take a date)
Mainly expatriate hang out.
We thought it would be good to do exercise after dinner, so went to my apartment and worked on our muscles and mussels.
LANATHAI
Cuisine: Thai or Indian
Style: contemporary
Food: 7/10
Atmosphere: 8/10
Bar: Yes
Air conditioning: Yes
To bring a date: 8/10
To find a girl: 2/10 didn’t see anything, but I might be wrong
Comment: Would go there anytime to impress a girl
Girl
Sex: 7.5/10
Kissing: Yes and alot
BBBJ: 9/10
CIM: Yes
Anal: not sure
Breast: C cup soft but in shape
Price: Didn’t ask didn’t give
Type of sex: Like a slutty GF
comment: would love to see her again, but lost her number #@$%
I went with JAD to this restaurant yesterday, and had a nice lunch. It's supposed to have the best hamburgers in Jakarta, per it's advertising.
It's a medium sized place in a strip center. Singapore owned, it has a decent fast food menu. Some seem inspired by the US In-N-Out Burger chain, IE "Double Double". Smallish burgers, but at a decent price. You get a double patty, double cheese burger with fries or onion rings for 25k plus 10% tax.
Their fries are good, but their onion rings are excellent. In fact, they may be the best I've eaten anywhere. Their chocolate shake is just like a chocolate soda. Not thick or anything. Thumbs down on this drink.
The burger was good, but their "Frisco" secret sauce is just a lame addition to your burger. Think Jack in the Box secret sauce. No thanks.
Otherwise, the burger was decent. They have real pork bacon here, which is a big thumbs up here. I'd still like to find a Fuddruckers type place for hamburgers here.
[url]www.theburgerfactory.com[/url]
Jl Wijaya 1 No 73, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
021-727-98937
You can have them deliver to your hotel via the Pesan Delivery Service. [url]www.pesandelivery.com[/url]
[QUOTE=Jaimito Cartero]I'd still like to find a Fuddruckers type place for hamburgers here. [/QUOTE]
There was a Fuddruckers in Jakarta at one time. It went out of business. There's really not a big burger market here.
I think the best burgers in Jakarta are at Tamani Cafe.
Per my post in the Jakarta section, I'd like to recommend Koi restaurant and gallery. Has two branches, one is Blok M (the better one) and one in Kemang. Just do a google and you will find the details.
Great european food at great prices (30-40k for a starter; 70-90k for a main course.
Really worth it and very beautiful girls among the clients. Enjoy.
Anyone tried this Indonesian seafood place on Ampera? Its a personal favourite of mine, would highly recommend it.
[QUOTE=Mandiri]Per my post in the Jakarta section, I'd like to recommend Koi restaurant and gallery. Has two branches, one is Blok M (the better one) and one in Kemang. [/QUOTE]Also, Koi run the restaurant in Bugils bar, hop along for a good nosh on a Tuesday then stay on for ladies night.