MAD (Moderan Asian Dining)

I was at the Lotte Shopping Mall (LOVE), the one in kuningan I'm sure all of you know. I was about to grab a movie ticket and I saw MAD, which stands for Modern Asian Dining. I gotta say I hesitated to enter, it has this bright orange and neon printings, definitely reminds me of Disney mixed with Andy Warhol kind of vibe. But oh my, I was surprise by the size of the restaurant. From the outside, it looked like a normal entrance but 30 steps into the place, it was HUGEEE, with a capital H U G E! I really do mean it. I think it might cover more than 800 m2, the length of the restaurant was about 50 - 60 meters I think? I know you might think I sound hyperbolic by the bad description of just the 'size' but hey, you need to just enter the place to feel the space. Note : I didn't recommend you to try the food, but just enter and judge the space for yourself. Even better, it's entrance fee is FREE !

As for the food, I am not a big fan compare to the surprise I got by the size of the place :p hehehe

Menu : Pork Mantau

Price : Rp 80,000 ++

Score : 5.5 / 10

>> The photo in the menu made it look really tempting and I ordered. The taste was rather mediocre, the pork belly was juicy and has the right amount of hoisin sauce but apart from that, it's nothing special. Portion is too small for a Rp 80,000. Honestly feel this should be charged for Rp 35,000 instead of  Rp 80 K. A rip off? What do you think?

Menu : Laksa Lamien

Price : Rp 98,000 ++
Score : 6.0 / 10

>> So - So tasting laksa. I wasn't hoping to be better than the one sold in Singapore but I was far from being impressed. Portion was enough for a small adult female, soup was okay, wonton was cripsy, you know the ordinary. Bottom line, far from special, and I wouldn't miss having this. Btw, Din Tai Fung serves better tom yum lamien for only Rp 50,000 ... just something to think about :)

Menu : Josper Wagyu Claypot

Price : Rp 198,000 ++

Score : 6.0 / 10

>> Complete overpriced. Wagyu beef was okay (not brilliant), poach egg was perfect but Rp 198,000 ??? Come on, I think the price tag is not well suited with the ambiance. The place screams casual while the pricing is not casual at all.

Will I come back? Hmm...nope I don't think so. But you should !! See the perspective of the space and NOT the food. I warned you guys hehehehe...

MAD (Modern Asian Dining)

Lotte Shopping Avenue 4th Floor

Phone : 021 - 29889499

Le Quartier

I am sooo two thousand and late !! Everyone has came to this place and yet it is only now that I manage to post about it. Yes yes yes... BOOOOOO me ---____---"". I knew and passed by it a few multiple times, not sure why I didn't urge to try it, but anyways a bunch of friend gathered and they choose Le Quartier for Sunday dinner and here I am writing about it 2 months later hahahahaha...lazy me :p My apologies readers ...

The setting was comfortable and spacious, leaning slightly to romantic (not too romantic though) and also 'posh'? They have all the dim warm lightings and the beautiful chandelier hanging, making the ambiance feels like slightly out of Jakarta. I am gonna give the place a seven for decor I suppose? Nothing out of the extraordinary but definitely fits in the 'Senopati & Gunawarman' pricey district.

The choice of food basically covers a variety, from the "French" steak, to the "Italian" pizza. Their soups were beautiful and not to mention their duck confit was super yummy !! Pricing would be on the heavier side of the scale (We spent Rp 1,900,000 for a crowd of 6) but I mean the location is the CBD area, so what can you expect right? Right price for the right demographic of customers I suppose. Will I come back again? Ohh, yess I might. On some future occasions is a definite! And I sincerely believe, this place is gonna stick around for quite sometime anyways :)

Le Quartier

Jl. Gunawarman No. 34 

Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan

Phone : 021 - 72788001

Bacco

An email notice alert from a reader informing me that I was invited to a 'Wine Dinner' and the word 'free flow' made me all excited and flushed. The kind invitation was only for 34 sitting dinner and I was honored to be enlist. It's not your common food tasting session. Well to begin with, a Rp 500,000++ was charge per head and that includes a set menu designed and engineered by the very very talented; Chef Chandra (who is an ex-chef from Negev) and that include superb wine ! To good to be missed and the next thing I know, I was there 7pm sharp !

Bacco is situated at the Lotte Avenue Shopping Mall (LOVE), Kuningan South Jakarta. An additional rather so called 'shopping mall' introduced here in Jakarta. However, LOVE appears to me to be somewhat a little bit different from the rest, the tenants comply of Uniqlo and H&M; which we don't have it yet in any other mall. Then talk about the amount of Korean franchised or inspired saloon, restaurants and cafes. Basically you'll have a different shopping experience there, compare to anywhere else.

While I would categorize the food as 'fine dining' quality, the decor of Bacco is slightly leaning to a lounge feel; the ambiance, the music and the deep seating sofas over in the smoking area contributes to it.  A perfect place to you to have good food, hang out and maybe dance a little when you're feeling lighter.

Menu : Canapes : Salmon Vol Vent, Bruchetta, Cheese Tartlette
Price : Apart of Set Menu (Rp 500,000++)
Score : 7.75 / 10

>> Favourite would be the bruchetta! Crispy and full pack of flavors. The tomatoes are so sweet, a combination of fresh and tomato paste maybe? Then the salmon and cheese tartlette are in neck and neck. Pastry that is holding the salmon is just soft and yet not soggy at all. While the base of the cheese tart is flaky and creamy. And gotta love the fact it's canape and thus regularly flowing all over the dining floor. A glowing smile after each bite size pieces pops into the mouth.

Recommended Wine :  2010 Blanc de Bois Noir, Bordeaux Blanc

Menu : Seared Tasmanian Salmon with Mixed Beans, Candied Orange, Avocado and Cauliflower Puree.

Price : Apart of Set Menu (Rp 500,000++)

Score : 8.0 / 10 

>> Colors were so pretty! I love how Chef Chandra can used such a plain and common ingredient such as 'mixed beans' and include it into a dish and makes it posh. I guess the midas touch is certainly an essential factor in any cooking. Anyways, the seared skin was crispy and yet the meat was still soft and moist. The crispy skin gave a texture to the other side of the fish which makes a better chewing sensation. Talk about the candied orange, yumm! Tangy and sweet flavors that helps to cut the creamy sauce. Love the combination of each elements and presentation is definitely one aspect that is not ignored.

Recommended Wine : 2010 Chateau Vieux Dominique, Boedeaux Superieur

Menu : Saltbush Lamp Chop with Risotto Cake, Sundried Tomato, Olive Dust

Price : Apart of Set Menu (Rp 500,000++)

Score : 8.0 / 10

>> Hmmm...meat was succulent !!! On the scale of 0 - 10 on the medium rare perfection; would be a complete 10! Pink and tender, but not bloody. I'm not a fan of lamb and thus the portion was just perfect for me. Not over the top huge and yet just enough for me to enjoy. I'm training myself to enjoy lamb and Chef Chandra might just made me a believer. The black sauce is actually sundried tomato sauce which is sweet and even though it was slightly too sweet, I have to say that it compliments the meat very very well. Next, the risotto cake was beautiful, definitely well cooked. The outer layer was just crispy and the inner bit was moist and soft. I sure do not mind to extra helpings of the risotto cake. Superb cooking!

Recommended Wine :  2009 Chateau Bois Noir, Bordeaux Superieur.

Menu : Slow Roasted Wagyu Sirloin, Pan Roasted Perforated Potato with Chef's Salad

Price : Apart of Set Menu (Rp 500,000++)

Score : 8.5 / 10

>> YUMM ! I love the beef best. The beef was super super tender. Chef Chandra definitely brought the best out from what a Wagyu should actually taste. I love the red wine reduction sauce, subtle but yet has the right amount of seasoning to accompany the meat. Presentation went up the scale board with the playful plating of perforated potato and I thought the small cheese stick at the side was certainly different and yet blends in with the rest. Nothing on the plate was left untouched, everything went inside my big mouth and down it goes to my round tummy.

Recommended Wine : 2010 Chateau Rozier, St Emilion Grand Cru

Menu : Lavender Scented White Coffee Mousse

Price : Apart of Set Menu (Rp 500,000++)

Score : 7.5 / 10

>>  Gosh...again beautiful plating skill. The red carpet on the bottom of the plate was actually sliced watermelon. Simple, sweet and gives a fresh color to the eye. Very very smart. The bottom squarish shape was the white coffee mousse. It was easy on the sugar, nothing crazily over the top sweet but just the right amount tasted on the palate. The vanilla ice cream and the twill did much credit also. Vanilla ice cream adds the sugar bit which I very much love and the twill gave a good crunch to the whole packaged. I couldn't smell any lavender scent (the title of the dessert promised that) but I assumed it might infused into the cream sauce or maybe into the air bubble foam that certainly looked very gastronomical. Pretty and tasty at the same time.

A solid good job to Chef Chandra, he's one of those man that has a gifted palate and a midas touch. And thankfully I was at the right time in the right place, knowing the right people and hence getting a bite from his masterpiece. I would definitely come back again to Bacco and gorge myself on the menu selection. I truly believe no matter how posh the decor is, how many networking does the public relation or the owner knows, how expensive the ingredients are, at the end of the day the food itself will talk to the consumers because the taste buds never lie. Great hospitality, service and great ambiance are simply a bonus, the extra whip cream on the top to make it all even better. And Bacco certainly has the complete package.

Bacco

Ciputra World 1, Jl. Satrio Kav 3 - 5 Jakarta Selatan
Lotte Avenue Shopping Mall, Main Lobby LG - 38
Phone : +62 21 29888909

Sombrero

I was invited to a food blogger gathering by Michelindo; they had just opened up a new restaurant called the 'Sombrero'. If you guys have yet to know, Michelindo is the company behind the success of Bonchon Fried Chicken. It's a huge diversification from something that is so familiar to the Indonesian menu of 'fried chicken' to 'mexican'. Bravo on the cross over!

Even though I've never been to Mexico but I think I had my fair chance of eating Mexican food. Jakarta isn't too densely swarmed with Mexican cuisine and on top of my mind is 'Hacienda' which might be my favorite Mexican place in Jakarta !! I'ts not an apple to apple comparison between 'Hacienda & Sombrero'. Hacienda has more of an authentic taste, higher price tag and more of a fine dining feel, while Sambrero is casual and the taste of the food was very much fusion-ed to adjust to our local Indonesian palate.

To be fully honest, there wasn't too much dishes that we got to try and hence couldn't share too much dishes in the menu by regardless, here it is ... my honest opinion ... cheers and do the salsa dance !!

Menu : Spicy Sombrero Fried Rice
Price : Rp 15,000 ++
Score : 6.0 / 10

>> A tiny tiny portion of  a hot spicy rice. It's basically long grain rice with a lot of hot sauce. Thankfully I've got a crazy threshold for spicy food and hence was rather happy with the taste. But I assure you that this is something that all people can enjoy. There is a choice of other sides dishes such as; classic mexican fried rice (Rp 15,000++) available on the menu. The title 'classic' somehow assures me that it's on the mild side.

Menu : Mex - Ixxa
Price : Rp 55,000 ++
Score :5.5 / 10

>> There's a few things going on this plate; their Mexican Pizza which was an open faced tortilla with sombrero sauce, cheese and a choice of beef, chicken or vegetables, served with nachos chips, salsa & guacamole on the side. I must say that this is really fusion-ed to the local palate. The sambrero sauce was leaning heavily on the BBQ taste and the toppings on top was mediocre to alright. Wasn't a big fan of the guacamole but their salsa taste great. By the way, this menu came with the rice on top (Spicy Sombrero Fried Rice) free of charge.

Menu : Mexican Tapas Style (Sampler choice of 3)
Price : Rp 45,000 ++
Score : 5.0 / 10
>> Left : Chi Mi Changa : crispy tortilla shell stuffed with beans and a choice of chicken beef or cheese. Ummm...I didn't quite like it. Bland and there is mushy feeling when biting into the fillings inside. Middle : Fuerro Burrito : Soft tortilla shell with cheese, veges and a choice of beef or chicken. Hmmm...a similar case to the Chi Mi Changa, wasn't too pleasant. Right : Dip'n Wings : a tasty cripsy chicken and was definitely a huge relieve that they brought a piece of Bonchon to this sampler plate hahahaha.

Menu : Black Tie Churros
Price : RP 23,000 ++
Score : 6.5 / 10


>> Dessert at last !! Churros was cripsy and hot, which was crucial to any churros (relieved!). There's 2 dipping sauces; chocolate and white chocolate. The white chocolate was overwhelmingly sweet, one dip and the sugar smacks you on the face. The chocolate on was much much balanced.

Overall, I personally feel it has potential but need a big boost in the recipes. I think a comment or a valuation card is crucial during these kind of food blogger gathering and I hope they'll provide one next time. At the end of the day, the taste buds don't lie and what it all comes down to, is not about the location, decor nor the image. It's nothing but the food itself. So..no hard feelings hahahaha but I rather voice a honest opinion rather than a biased one. * I hope I didn't scare restaurant owners away and still get invited to future food gatherings after this hahahaha *

Sombrero
Grand Indonesia, West Mall 3A Floor 
(Exactly across Yoshinoya)
Phone : To be advised

De Pluit

De Pluit is your normal around your neighborhood kind of restaurant. They serves a good variety of Chinese food, with a slight fusion mixture of Indonesian. Ambiance was reasonable, with air conditioning and sofa seats all over the 2 storey building. I wouldn't say this is a brilliant place and that you must try this, but it's decent for late night snack or a quick bite..

The pricing of the the menu were all reasonably priced with a decent portion. The additional free wi-fi service was a bonus point. But is it enough for me to go back for a second trip? Hmm ... read my reviews below and see how it goes ...

Menu : Siu May (Left)   /   Hakkau (Right)
Price : Rp 11,000 ++ per portion
Score : Siu May 5.0 / 10   &    Hakkau 5.25 / 10

>> Well, a disappointment but didn't expect much from the very beginning. It's a pass and thus edible and not a total junk. But it's for sure wasn't freshly made on the spot. It is most likely pre bought in frozen form. Whenever anyone order, they'll just steam it up quickly and served. The texture that gives a feeling of 'frozen food' is there upon the first bite. But then again, you can't complain too much for Rp 11,00 per portion.

Menu : Char Siu Panggang
Price : Rp 38,000 ++
Score : 5.8  /  10

>> This was not too bad, a 5.8 coming from a stingy person that doesn't give away points for food too easily. The portion was alright, standard for the pricing. I like the sauce that the roast pork is nestling on. Rather too oily but the taste was okay as a matter of fact. If I may complain, the thickness of the Char Siu was too thinly sliced. A little less slices but more thick cuts would be better for me.  Thus I won't recommend it to anyone.

Menu : Nasi Goreng Ikan Asin

Price : Rp 28,000 ++
Score : 6.0 / 10

>> Portion was a surprise for me. A good portion for a fried rice with a tag of Rp 28,000. Wasn't humongous but a good filling to my big tummy indeed. The taste of the seasoning wasn't half bad either. When eating with Char Siu (Above) and Babi Kuluyuk (Below), I should've eaten with white rice instead. Because the salted fish in this rice made it over salty. But as a single dish on it's own, was okay.

Menu : Babi Kuluyuk

Price : Rp 40,000 ++

Score : 6.5 / 10

>> When translated to English it simply means 'Sweet and Sour Pork' and the taste mirror the title of the dish. Sweet from the tomato paste, sour from the pineapple juice. This might be better dishes among the others in the menu. Size of the portion was enough for 2 to 3 person and reasonable priced too. Taste was somehow alright, a decent 6.25 from me. 

Coming down to the conclusion of will I come back for a second trip .... .... ..... ?

Maybe not ... I'd rather spend my money on Bakmi Pejagalan (Review post date : 22 May 2013). Hahahaha !

De Pluit 

Jl. Pluit Karang Blok Z6 Selatan No 13. Jakarta Utara 14450

Phone : 021 - 66672348

Tokyo Belly

Another subsidiary restaurant branch by Ismaya Group. Just to let you know, Ismaya is a holding company of a handful successful restaurants & lounges such as ; Social House, Kitchenette, Ismaya Catering, D'Journal, Pizza e'birra, Fook Yew, Skye, Sushi Groove, Pasta de Waraku, Blowfish, and a couple more of others. So anyways, this fusion Japanese eatery is an exchange of the previous place called 'Mr. Curry'. I'm not sure what happen to Mr. Curry but I guess business wasn't doing well and thus they refurbished and changed the concept to this 'Tokyo Belly'. Will it be doing well, or follow the declined footsteps of Mr. Curry? Hmm....let the food do the talking. After all, the taste buds never lies.

Menu : Blossom Belly

Price : RP 55,000 ++

Score : 3.0 / 10

>> I don't like the food. The waitress recommended on this but not my taste! The salmon in the middle was a mush, and the cheese in the middle only became an additional mush. The crunchy bit on the outer layer was okay but hey come on, for Rp 55,000?? The sauce drizzled over wasn't great either. To add on it's overpriced but the only positive note is the fact; it didn't contain any rice. So maybe those who are doing Atkin's diet can have this hahaha. And lastly just for your info, there was 6 slices to this dish and not just 3 (only in the picture).

Menu : Beef Kimchi Ramen

Price : RP 58,000 ++
Score : 6.0 / 10

>> This was better than the appetizer and thank God for that. The soup was slightly too thick but it became less viscous as the temperature cools off. The ramen was still al dente and the seasoning was well balanced. I got the kimchi kick and the chili punch (I ordered extra spicy), thus a much welcome change after the above ' Blossom Belly '. But to talk about the toppings inside?! It's pretty much empty! There's two half sliced egg, a single piece of seaweed, a few strands of kimchi cabbage and maybe two very very thinly sliced beef. Bottom line for sixty thousand, you're getting plain noodle in a fairly good broth. 

Menu : Beef Steak Rice

Price : RP 68,000 ++
Score : 5.0 / 10

>> Issues with a couple of thing. Number one the salad. Very much over dressed in a mango flavored mayonnaise. How hard is it to proper dress a salad? Light dressing equally spread is not that difficult I suppose? Number two, when you read 'Beef Steak', I was hoping for a decent piece of meat, yet what came out was a very very very over cooked chunks of beef. It was like chewing a rubber tire. Utter disappointment. What give this a mere pass is only the curry sauce. I like the taste, slightly sweet but could still settle well on the taste buds. 

Over all, faced with the ultimate question of 'Will I come back'? Hmm...sadly the answer is a 'No'. Don't get wrong, Ismaya cooks great food at Kitchenette and Social House, I go there regularly but this branch over here was a surprise for me, definitely needs additional help in the cooking department. Nevertheless, do visit and tell me your thoughts. I might be seriously wrong. Cheers !!

Tokyo Belly

Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall

West Mall, Level 3 A.

Le Jardin - Moovina

Jakarta and it's unstoppable growing number of hangout places! Le Jardin is the new addition tenant at Plaza Indonesia and in fact under the same management with "Ocha & Bella"; the restaurant that is situated at the Morrissey Hotel (JL. KH. Wahid Hasyim No 70, Menteng). In general 'Le Jardin' which literally means 'The Garden' has the same feel with their principal 'Ocha & Bella', dark warm lightings, indoor plants and flower pots, spacious layouts and rather similar 'food genre'. They serve Italian, western and continental food, the ever popular pasta & pizza, sandwiches, steak and other grilled meat. Well, I must be honest that I'm impressed with the place's ambiance but not so much with their quality of food. Before I was there to first hand try the food, a couple of my friends told me about their 'negative' reviews and thus below are my very own thoughts without being pre brain washed.

Menu : Diable

Price : RP 70,000 ++

Score : 5.5 / 10

>> This thin crusted pizza consist of fresh tomato, mozzarella, Italian spicy salami on a bed of tomato sauced dough. I like the texture of the thin crusted pizza and the slightly burnt edges that gave a slight smoke taste on the taste buds. The spicy salami were good but too little scattered around. However all of that were forgivable except for the fact that their mozzarella smelled strong and thus overpowered the entire dish. I couldn't get pass the cheese strong smell of it's dairy property and thus didn't settle too well with my  preference.

Menu : Jambon Cru Et Fromage De Chevre

Price : RP 75,000 ++
Score : 6.0 / 10

>> This difficult to pronounce titled menu is actually a simple dish. A sandwich with rocket salad, warm goat cheese, parma ham, sun dried tomato with deep fried potato matchsticks on the side. I love the 'matchstick fries'!! Extremely crispy, well seasoned, not too oily nor soggy and definitely a good alternative to the normal french fries or mash potato that other restaurants usually provide. The sandwich itself was mediocre. The portion was alright, the ingredients inside wasn't plenty and could benefit with an extra slab of mayonnaise or other sauce to make it more moist. I wasn't a big fan of the bread either, might be better if it was toasted.

Bottom line, I'll come back for the place itself, have coffee or enjoy their wide range of alcoholic beverages but not so much on meals. Do try it and see it for yourself.

Le Jardin ; Moovina

Plaza Indonesia, 4th Floor.