Recommendations for a good Indonesian restaurant
Hi guys,
Kind of off topic, but does anyone have any recommendations for a good Indonesian restaurant. I've been mostly eating at hole in the wall type places and have been a bit underwhelmed, though I think that the cuisine here could be very good if it was well made. I'd like to give it a chance.
Can anyone recommend a good Indonesian restaurant? I'm not looking for a fancy fusion place. But some place authentic, traditional and good.
Many thanks in advance!
And a Happy (and Horny) New Year to all!
Uncle-V.
First trip report. Imperial / delta / malio spa / sumo & emporium
First trip to Jakarta. Have been to other parts of Indonesia over many years, but mostly diving, scuba that is:—) .
Stayed at the Harris Vertu in Harmoni (reviewed in the other forum). Although a perfectly good modern hotel located very close to one of the "brothel areas", next time will take the advice of some on this forum and stay at nice hotel and area further south. Once you get used to the way transport works, it would make for a better stay. I used Blue Bird and mostly Grab. Grab works well. I never waited more than 5 minutes, although finding your pickup location at times can be eventful.
I was in town for a few days, but mostly unable to do really late nights / early mornings, so the places I visited reflects this.
Indonesia and Jakarta esp. Seems to have a quiet confidence these days. Compared to when I first came out, after the Asian financial crisis and the end of the Sukarno dictatorship when people did not smile and greet and go out of their way to be helpful. Now a different place.
Grand Imperial Spa. I like Asian spas, and as others on this forum have noted, this place caters for Japanese and Korean clientele. The "rest area" is almost non existent, but maybe more than most, with some basic tables surrounding the pools, sauna etc. There is a 'scrubbing' area at the back. This is not same place where the scrub is done that is part of the 'package', which is upstairs.
The (shiatsu) massage was really good, but the HR rather lame. I think my masseuse had, how shall I say, her boundaries. The scrub after was also good, and good fun!
I would visit here again, but only if I where in the area. Probably not travel across Jakarta especially for the experience.
Delta Spa (Harmoni). I wanted a good massage, which I got. This place does not have a sauna / spa, just massage rooms. Again, the HR was rather lame, and I asked masseuse to just forget it. However, as the massage was very good, she got a good tip nonetheless.
Malio Hotel / Spa. Went late afternoon on a weekday, so busy. Lots of very noisey dudes in the Sauna pools, so just took a shower.
The idea of having to sauna and bath in those shorts they give out at Jakarta Spas is not my idea of a sauna. Perhaps it's just the Northern European in me that feels one must be naked in a sauna. Perhaps it's a local regulation that enforces this, maybe just local custom?
Walked up to the 2nd Floor, "M-Bar" and took the line up. In retrospect, maybe I should have hung around a bit, had a drink and chatted to some of the gals.
Had a seriously good f £&k, with a bit of massage. Very friendly gal, with goodish English.
(In general, I really liked how easy it is to communicate with Indonesians, even in the grip of having sex.).
Sumo Spa. This seems like a long way out. Some rather amazing housing estate architecture on the way, if you do it in daylight.
BTW, the google map co-ordinates are way off (and so is the Grab map). Places this place in a foul waterway. I know that some Jakarta brothels can be low end, but surely not this bad!
It's located in two streets to the right of Kings Cross. Not the street the Delta Spa is located. I think Google has is as 'Sumo Shiatsu'. Maybe they will correct the map reference. If you get there after dark, there is a big neon sign, but in daylight, you may miss it.
Didn't use the Spa this time, went straight to the lounge. Lots of gal, big variety. Seems a friendly easy going place. I was there the afternoon of a Saturday. Took the VIP package for around 450 k and was shown half a dozen ladies. Again, had a really good session with very friendly gal. (Always choose the ones that smile and make eye contact in the line-ups.).
Would return, but this place is somewhat far out.
Emporium Hotel / Tease Bar. The Spa is nice, with a few good resting areas, and a few gals hanging around. Just took a shower. This was around 10 pm on a Saturday. Went up to the tease bar. Loud music, dancers, not dancers, "lady drinks" . My first experience of one of these in Jakarta so cannot really rate it.
Also, could not figure out how the system worked. I think I may have been told but could not understand what was being explained, and with the very loud music.
However, got a couple of contacts to look up later. A couple of very, very good looking gals. So spend a few hours chatting, and then went back down to the lounge on the second floor. Place was empty.
All the VIP ladies just looked bored, so just chose the one that was making an effort. Turned out this was her first night working. So a bit shy, but had a good enough session.
Definitely will do this place again, it's relatively "high end", with good facilities. Also a convenient location.
So that is my first Jakarta trip. No Malio Club, 1001, CJ or Bats etc. Yet.
Jakarta is worth the trip, just need to adjust to its ways. Prices are low compared to other Asia places, this will remain as long as the RUP is the way it is. Maybe for not that much longer.
Also, there is a tenancy to inflate the bills at these places when paying at the end, maybe because I am westerner, but given the overall what you are paying, it's not (at the moment) too damaging.