Jakarta - Restaurants

[Smoothy]

They invited you in? Haha. Are you sure they weren't motioning you into the house as an invitation for sex?

I always ask the waiter to call me a taxi. I haven't tried an uber from that restaurant before (I've never used Uber at all in Jakarta, I have tried GrabCar which is the same thing, but I prefer a taxi. The GrabCars never want to listen to me when I tell them to take a different route. In a taxi, they will go whichever way I want. I get home a lot faster in a taxi). That restaurant used to be a hospital years ago and it's supposedly one of the oldest buildings in Jakarta. The stories they tell when they give the tour are quite interesting. There is an area that is not a dining part of the restaurant that has lots of old artifacts. It's quite cool.

http://asia361.com/2016/04/22/travel...ra-djonggrang/

Enjoy BKK. In BKK, try a restaurant called Condoms and Cabbages.

[Stykler]

Did you take the tour? The history behind that restaurant is amazing.

No I didn't take the tour, but as I was the only person in the place when I arrived and before my dining companion turned up I was given a bit of a look around by two of the waiting staff. It is unique IMHO.

As an aside, after eating and having many (many) wines it was time to go. I was certainly well lubricated by that stage. As my friend had other plans I was left to get back to my hotel under my own steam. My best option seemed to be Uber, which sucks in Jakarta, as the only option available was the Uber share option. Anyway I booked it and the car (a van) arrived in a minute or so. The other share riders in the van where five hijab wearing ladies.

Anyway I jumped into the Uber, obviously reeking of booze and eventually busting for a [CodeWord134]. The ladies were muttering away to themselves and could see my obvious discomfort at the situation, the only relief they had available to them from my stench was to open every window in the van. Anyway their stop arrived they got out, they said something to the driver and motioned me into their house (I assume), and gestured me to use their toilet and continue on my way. Relief was at hand, and welcome from my perspective. I probably haven't portrayed the humor in the situation very well here, but at the time it was quite funny.

No more Jakarta for me. Next stop Bkk.

[Smoothy]

Went to this place Lara Djonggrang last night on the recommendation of Mr Smoothy, https://www.tuguhotels.com.

For those folks who enjoy their food in a unique environment this place is for you. Indonesian food with a western bent, at the highest level.

Thanks Smoothy.

Nice. It's cool to do a few cultural things while in town as well as mongering. There are other somewhat similar Indo restaurants to that one in town that actually have better food (not that the food at Lara Djonggrang is not good). But Lara Djonggrang is the most unique in my opinion. Did you take the tour? The history behind that restaurant is amazing. It's the only touristy restaurant I recommend in town and I think it's a must for any visitor to Jakarta. Whenever a group of VIP's come to town and they have never been to Jakarta before, I take them there. It's a unique restaurant like you don't find in other countries and is truly indicative of Indonesia.

[LA Guy 5]

Went to this place Lara Djonggrang last night on the recommendation of Mr Smoothy, https://www.tuguhotels.com.

For those folks who enjoy their food in a unique environment this place is for you. Indonesian food with a western bent, at the highest level.

Thanks Smoothy.

If you liked Lara Djonggrang (I personally don't much but maybe I was there on a bad night) you should try the related restaurant in the same general area of Menteng, https://www.tuguhotels.com/restauran...a/kunstkring/. Tugu Kunstkring is one of my favorites and it too has a very unique atmosphere.

[Stykler]

Went to this place Lara Djonggrang last night on the recommendation of Mr Smoothy, https://www.tuguhotels.com.

For those folks who enjoy their food in a unique environment this place is for you. Indonesian food with a western bent, at the highest level.

Thanks Smoothy.

[Joel Goodsen]

I knew those guys were hired guns, but I never knew those guys were from the philippines. I forget her name, but that one old woman can dance every dance. It's amazing.

I haven't been in a while, but used to like to go to all of those places as well as to Benihana on Wednesday nights, also Sunday night at that place in the restaurant in the building next to MMC hospital. The same salsa crowd at every venue. I can't go every night like those salsa addicts do, but it's a good time.

If you frequent those events, I'm betting we have seen each other and very likely met.

Yes same crowd and some of those elderly girls can really dance, even become sexy. If I was living in Jakarta, I would take lessons and learn it.

I don't know the names, but one of the pinay guys introduced me about a year ago. A guy called Jay from Manila, talented dancer. There were a whole bunch of them, young blokes. Some agent organized for the trip, accommodation, flights. Free drinks at salsa nights and money provided for by the Indo women.

It would have been fun, if we have met. But then again, am only in Jakarta, when lucky. Like now, have not visited in 7 months, visit only 3 days,. Still keep a motorbike there, can't wait. Will be great to run into you some time. Should you ever see some bloke trying his hardest at salsa, but zero talent, think of me.

[Smoothy]

Yes, they do, the salsa evenings can be good fun. They're in Tempus in the Ritz on Thursdays, Fridays in Amigo's in Kemang.

If you know a few salsa steps, great way to hook up, there's a shortage of men. In fact, because of the shortage, there's a little female monger circuit here. Wealthy Indonesian women flying in young salsa dancers from the Phils.

I knew those guys were hired guns, but I never knew those guys were from the philippines. I forget her name, but that one old woman can dance every dance. It's amazing.

I haven't been in a while, but used to like to go to all of those places as well as to Benihana on Wednesday nights, also Sunday night at that place in the restaurant in the building next to MMC hospital. The same salsa crowd at every venue. I can't go every night like those salsa addicts do, but it's a good time.

If you frequent those events, I'm betting we have seen each other and very likely met.

[Joel Goodsen]

I can't say that's a great restaurant for food, but they have a good salsa night at Aruba on Saturday night if you like dancing salsa.

Yes, they do, the salsa evenings can be good fun. They're in Tempus in the Ritz on Thursdays, Fridays in Amigo's in Kemang.

If you know a few salsa steps, great way to hook up, there's a shortage of men. In fact, because of the shortage, there's a little female monger circuit here. Wealthy Indonesian women flying in young salsa dancers from the Phils.

[Stykler]

There are no good restaurants near jalan pelatehan blok m. However, Jalan Gunawarman is close and has many.

If you don't venture all the way down near blok m, but meet near your hotel, Right next to hotel mulia is Plaza Senayan and Senayan city mall. Both malls have excellent dining.

Kemang is only 10 minutes away if the traffic is light and there are some good restaurants there. Die Stube has really good German food and nice German beer if you want a change from Bintang.

Smoothy and Kerrstar. I am grateful for the time you have taken to assist me. I will have a beer in your honor when I choose somewhere to go based on your advice!

[Smoothy]

I got my plazas mixed up, I was thinking about Pasaraya. The restaurant there is called Aruba. I like it but it's pretty casual.

I can't say that's a great restaurant for food, but they have a good salsa night at Aruba on Saturday night if you like dancing salsa.

[Kerrstar]

This is the "trendy" one outside plaza senayan.

I got my plazas mixed up, I was thinking about Pasaraya. The restaurant there is called Aruba. I like it but it's pretty casual.

[Smoothy]

This is damn far from Senayan as it's in Menteng, but if you are into checking out cool restaurants, this one is very cool. It's Indonesian food, but the most unique restaurant in Jakarta. Everyone should visit it at least once. Don't just eat there, ask them to give you a tour of the restaurant, it's like a museum.

https://www.tuguhotels.com/restauran...ontact-us/map/

[Smoothy]

The restaurant on the ground floor opposite Starbucks and Plaza Senayan has fajitas that are really nice and they do good pizza's as well. They also do local food. There is a nice restaurant just past the's place, I've eaten there a few times.

Kemang is only 10 minutes away if the traffic is light and there are some good restaurants there. Die Stube has really good German food and nice German beer if you want a change from Bintang.

This is the "trendy" one outside plaza senayan.

https://www.unionjkt.com/

[Kerrstar]

If you don't venture all the way down near blok m, but meet near your hotel, Right next to hotel mulia is Plaza Senayan and Senayan city mall. Both malls have excellent dining.

The restaurant on the ground floor opposite Starbucks and Plaza Senayan has fajitas that are really nice and they do good pizza's as well. They also do local food. There is a nice restaurant just past the's place, I've eaten there a few times.

Kemang is only 10 minutes away if the traffic is light and there are some good restaurants there. Die Stube has really good German food and nice German beer if you want a change from Bintang.

[Smoothy]

I will be landing in Jakarta 1900 hrs Thursday. After hotel check in at Mulia, I think I will be able to get to Blok M by 2200 hrs to meet a friend. Do any forum members have any recommendations for good to very good restaurants in the area that would be open at that time? Cuisine type not important, quality is.

Thanks, Styk.

There are no good restaurants near jalan pelatehan blok m. However, Jalan Gunawarman is close and has many.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaura...arta_Java.html

If you don't venture all the way down near blok m, but meet near your hotel, Right next to hotel mulia is Plaza Senayan and Senayan city mall. Both malls have excellent dining.