Tapas Movida - Cilandak Town Square

I did a review on Tapas Movida way back in 3rd June 2013, which opened my taste buds to what local Spanish cuisine really taste like. Since then, I've drop by quite a few times to their headquarter in Cipete and a second branch had just opened in Cilandak Town Square. I guess hitting the malls can definitely reach out to the people better. Anyways, I was there with a bunch of other foodies and had so much fun. Food was without a doubt; terrific! And what made it even better was the vibe between us all !

The decor of the restaurant wasn't 100% done, they still have a bunch of other things to fix here and there. A couple more weeks and I'm sure it'll turn out great. Tapas wasn't going for any specific theme, they are presenting themselves as 'casual spanish good food', no specific Spanish decor or theme. A little bit difficult to guess what type of food served from the outside, however the bull logo design can be a easy giveaway. Even though they're just newly opened, but their kitchen was running full gear, they have everything listed on the menu and here I go with the food comments ... ^^

Menu : Pincho de Bonito
Price : Rp 15,000 ++ / each
Score : 8.5 / 10

>> Not a big fan of olives but this is definitely one of my favourites! Freshly made bread on the bottom, with a layer of candied tomatoes (which was yummm!) and a generous amount of tuna fish on top. There is this sweetness from the candied tomatoes that was just brilliant. It is still a savory dish even with the contribution of the tomatoes. It's one of those food that gives you an outburst of flavors in your mouth. I couldn't explain myself any better. One bite and you'll understand me.

Menu : Patatas Chorizo

Price : Rp 65,000 ++
Score : 7.5 / 10

>> I adore simple dish. This is going back to basic, potatoes with spanish sausage! Both ingredients shine and grilled (or fried) to perfection. I was expecting crazily salty taste from the bite, and well the kitchen definitely know how to hold themselves with sodium. Chorizo itself has a high salt level and with the herb seasoned potatoes it was comfort food for me. I loooove to just have this over and over and over for breakfast every single day for this week. Slightly on a pricey side for potatoes and sausage but hey, it's imported from Spain, got to give more sometimes. Adore !!!

Menu : Mejillones 

Price : Rp 45,000 ++
Score : 9.0 / 10

>> Oh my! Mussels in white wine cream sauce. I had like 20 of these I think? I made sure the bowl was place very closely to me. First dish that I would definitely order again during my next trip here would be this. The mussels were not the gigantic ones, but more of the normal sized. But that actually work better for me. The seafood were definitely scrubbed clean, there wasn't any sand of dirt complains and the white wine cream sauce was balanced so well. More over, Rp 45, 000 ???? So worth the price that I think it is actually under priced. I wouldn't mind paying at Rp 80,000.

Menu : Albondigas

Price : Rp 45,000 ++
Score : 8.5 / 10

>> Give me some boiled spaghetti drenched with Albondigas and a good movie on my favourite couch , I would die a happy woman (hyperbolic!) hahaha. Albondigas is basically just beef meatballs with spicy tomato sauce. It is different from your day to day boring tomato base pasta. It is not Italian, this is Spanish and aren't you curious what Spanish Tomato sauce taste like? You should and beware that you'll get hooked for life. Cause I am ... 

Menu : Mini Hamburgers

Price : Rp 15,000 / each

Score : 7. 0 / 10

>> Beautiful cute edible little babies. These are so easy to eat, and perfect for appetizers. Meat patties were made of good quality beef and just the freshness of each of the elements really shines through. I believe there is cheese inside and however, not you ordinary cheddar cheese. Really yummy and really adorable !

Menu : Gambas Ajillo

Price : Rp 60,000 ++
Score : 8.0 / 10

>> Garlic Prawns with white wine butter sauce  and boiled pasta will definitely go very well! I know I keep on mixing Spanish food with the Italians, but I don't think white rice will go well? What can go better than pasta, right? Anyways, off the pasta topic. The garlic was cooked perfectly but the sauce is definitely the star of the dish. There is a subtle garlic rhythm, harmoniously balanced with butter sauce. Oh lala...you'll be grinning from ear to ear.

 

Menu : Paella de Mixta

Price : Rp 85,000 ++

Score : 8.5 / 10

>> I had this in the Cipete branch and now the one in Citos is just as good ^_^. This has a generous amount chicken, seafood, tomatoes and parpika inside. The portion is huge and definitely enough for 3 people. The menu recommends for 2 pax but 3 should fit just right. The saffron infused spanish rice was so delicious, it's soaked with all the goodness of the spices and flavours. Simply DELISH ! If you'd like just with seafood (Rp 175,000), just ask for it !

Did you know that Tapas Movida was voted the best Spanish Restaurant in Jakarta by "Now Jakarta" 2013. And make sure to vote them again this year, go online to Now Jakarta website and click away !! I did vote personally and really hope they'll get the trophy again this year. Mind blowing, addictive food !

Tapas Movida

Cilandak Town Square Ground Floor # 043 - 045

Jl. TB Simatupang Kav 17. Jakarta Selatan

Phone : 021 - 29042818

Tapas Movida

Last Sunday, I had a super late lunch with a bunch of pretty interesting people, interesting meaning in a positive way of course! Hahaha..anyways I was introduced to this Spanish Restaurant that had opened in 2011 in Cipete Raya, South Jakarta. I was all excited and pumped about it and I must be honest that I'm a virgin with Spanish food. The only time I tried was at Moya and way back to remember anything about tapas, paella nor sangria. So this place called 'Tapas Movida' was a great welcome, differentiating itself from all the fusion food that Jakarta is flooded with !

As mentioned in their website; 'Tapas' refers to the authentic and original Spanish appetizers and 'Movida' refers to the post Franco-era eruption of entertainment and artistic freedom enjoyed in Spain which they celebrate with their emphasis on enjoying yourself. To add on, besides the great food and a pleasant service they do try and set an ambiance that resembles true Spain setting. I've never been to Spain but upon entering the door, it's obvious that their presentation of Flamenco themed indoor and Gaudi inspired outdoor areas was nailed!

Menu : Montadito de ternera con queso azul y cebolla caramelizada
Price : Rp 30,000 ++
Score : 9.0 / 10

>> This was the first tapas that was served and I was blown. Presentation is simple and straight to the point as  a 'tapas'. This is basically beef tenderloin, blue cheese and caramelized onion stacked on top of each other with a piece of cut bread on the bottom. One bite and I smiled ! Today's meal is going to be really good! The flavor was packed full and gotta loveeeeeee the caramelized onion. Sweet, salty and a the combination with blue cheese was surprisingly a good marriage!

Menu : Pintxo de pollo moruno con salsa de yogur y queso
Price : Rp 17, 500 ++
Score : 8.0 / 10

>> Look like your ordinary satay? Well, it's chicken skewers with much much better cooking herbs and condiment at the side. The sauce inside the shot glass is actually yogurt with cheese and it's gooooddd. The chicken was cooked well, and the herbs infused into the meat was surprisingly has this familiar taste with 'satay'. Must be the 'smokey taste' effect from the grilling process. Nevertheless, gotta try this too !

Menu :  Champinones rellenos
Price : Rp 25,000 ++
Score : 7.5 / 10

>> This is a good breakfast or a brunch menu but because it taste great, it's very much quite alright to have it in the afternoon. Mushroom cooked in garlic butter fill with ham, mozzarella cheese topped with fried egg. Well apology for my photography skill, thus you can't figure out much about the layers but all you need to understand is that, this is delicious! Ever heard the phrase 'breakfast for the champions'...champinones, champions..resembles right? Hehehehe...silly ^_^

Menu : Cordero al horno
Price : Rp 195,000 ++
Score : 8.5 / 10

>> If you are a loyal reader, then you'll know probably by now that I'm not a big fan of lamb but this might be a game changer. This roasted lamb shank with sauteed potatoes, pan fried asparagus and lamb juice is not only NOT heavy with lamb 'smell' (which is the main reason as to why, I'm not a fan of the meat), the meat flakes so easily off the bone and the tenderness of the meat just screams 'cooking to perfection'. This is the menu to try if you are a lamb shank lover.

Menu : Panceta Asada
Price : Rp 70,000 ++
Score : 9.5 / 10

>> Holly Molly, damn it was a blessed Sunday afernoon and look what I got to eat !! It's roast pork belly with red wine juice reduction on the side. Look at the glistening layer of pork belly fat that is just shining and calling out your name! Hahahaha, disregard my 'drama' writing but this dish deserves all thumbs up. The crispy layer of the pork is crunchy, still manage to keep the layers of belly fat intact and gooey! Pour the beautiful red wine juice, swirl the pork belly to get every angle covered and pop it into your mouth. Boom! Foodgasm is guarantee! This is definitely worth you ignoring your cholesterol level.

Menu : Esparragos trigueros con huevos pasados por agua
Price : Rp 30,000 ++
Score : 7.0 / 10

>> For ladies that are keeping a crazy eye on their waist, try this and you'll still able to enjoy your meal. This appetizer dish is pan fried green asparagus wrapped in Spanish ham, served with a 4 minute boiled egg. I love the presentation, it's pretty and aren't you curious what does a 4 minute boiled egg look like? You got to come, order and take the top off the egg! I have to recommend that the Spanish ham is drop dead good ! It's different from Panchetta or your average bacon, it is actually called 'Jamon Serrano' or more commonly known as 'Serrano Ham'. This taste better than your morning fried bacon by miles.

Menu : Albondigas
Price : Rp 45,000 ++
Score : 9.0 / 10

>> Another yumm, another smile, another dancing tastebuds! This is a dish of Spanish style meatballs, cooked in red wine and caramelized onion sauce. Gosh, anything Tapas Movida does with caramelized onion, it's goooood !

Look, the meatballs itself were alright, good bite size pieces, quite a handful of meatballs too for the portion. But the beauty is in the sauce ! Thick consistency, with chunks of onions happily submerged in the soup of red wine sauce. Rip the bread and dip it deep until it is soaked, put it your mouth and yeaaa! I bet you'll having dancing tastebuds, or at least, I did ^_^.

Menu : Gambas al ajillo
Price : Rp 55,000 ++
Score : 8.0 / 10

>> I know alot of the pictures in this review involves a bowl of something with sauce and chunks of bread at the side. Well, I realized that but it just further explains that the sauce is damn good ! Again, this traditional Spanish prawns cooked in olive oil, garlic and white sauce is beautiful. The prawns was cooked very well, wasn't chewy and still maintain that firm texture in every bite. The sauce is of course glorious, same style as above; rip the chunks of bread and dip it into the sauce until it is soaked and enjoy it! For those 'vampires' who are scared of garlic stench staying behind in your mouth, don't worry. It is subtle and yet impact-full.







Menu : Paella de Marisco
Price : Rp 330,000 ++
Score : 9.5 / 10

>> Wohooo !! I found the best paella in town and I mean it ! I love this yellow rice and could never find a good restaurant selling a decent paella. Find no more yulian, because Tapas Movida is here ^_^ hahaha. This chicken & seafood Spanish yellow rice is so big that I'm pretty sure it's enough for at least 5 adults, especially with all the additional tapas, you'll go home a happy happy man with additional 2 kilos on the scale. The rice is beautifully done, it has that uniform yellow color from the saffron and love the rather 'sticky' effect this rice got. I'm not sure whether it is a special kind of rice or a special cooking method but let the Spanish chef do the working and us do the eating.

Menu : Sangria (Traditional)
Price : Rp 295,000 ++
Score : 8.5 / 10

>> Hahahaha, okay I first didn't record down the pricing on this drink but  a friend helped out and hence much details now. There is two types of Sangria served here, the traditional and the deluxe (Rp 395,000 ++). The difference is this traditional sangria is not too strong on the alcohol. Well, it definitely involves wine and a good splash of sprite, with all the fruit juices and fresh fruits inside the mixture. A very refreshing and complimentary to  the food served. Trust me, you won't be thrown away by the alcohol if you're not much of a drinker. While the deluxe is slightly more pricy but with a good mixture of 14 spirits of alcohol. So, depending on your mood and your alcohol tolerance level, the sangria is definitely one of the 'must try' among the menu list !





Overall, I know the title of the dishes are a bit tricky, but bookmark my page on your phone and just show it to the waitress when you're there. No big fuss right? Bottom line, like ambiance, like the price tag, loooooove the food. Which comes down to 'Yes, I'll definitely come back' and you all should all try it for yourself. I bet you'll come back as a regular !!


Tapas Movida
Jl. Cipete Raya No 66, Jakarta Selatan.
Phone : 021 - 7510851

Bakmi Pejagalan

This is the noodle stall that I mention on my post dated (16 May 2013), my favorite noodle of all time! And I personally feel this is the best among the tens and tens of people selling noodles in the crowded area of Pluit & Muara Karang. This place is situated just next to Fong Tu or if you don't know the location in Pluit, get to 'Kwetiau Singapore' and ask around with the guards in that area. It's almost impossible if they don't know it.

The place is decent, with air - con and quite spacious for a noodle stall. It's 'better looking' than your food stall in the Muara Karang area. But never mind the ambiance when you're dining in this area, the food talks and your taste buds don't lie !

Menu : Bakmi Pejagalan, Babi Jamur, Sui Kiauw
Price : Rp 34,500
Score : 9.0 / 10

>> I wanted to dance upon my first slurp. It is that delicious and yes! This is by far the best tasting noodle in Pluir & Muara Karang area. So many things to brag about this and I'm not paid to say all these ;

- Size of noodle : Thin, slightly curled and Perfect
- Pork : Seasoning is Perfect
- Size : Fulfilling to the stomach and Perfect
- Dumplings : Seasoning is Perfect, Thickness of the dumpling skin were Perfect too
- Overall taste : almost too good !!

Notice how each factor ends with a 'perfect' and that is the reason that this earns a nine pointer. There's just something special with the dumplings and the seasoning of the noodle. It wasn't too oily at all. The oil merely glisten and cover lightly across every strand of noodle. Curious? Do try and witness it for yourself!

Menu : Bakso Goreng
Price : Rp 6, 500 / Piece
Score : 8.5 / 10

>> Arrrghhh !!!! Goodness gracious! It's goooodddd!! What I love about this is the fact, the sliced the pork meat ball and then fry it again. Usually, the fried the entire meat ball and then sliced it thus leaving the inside of the meat slightly gooey and chewy. This is definitely different and much much better in all aspect. The price was reasonable too. RP 6,500 per piece and you get half the amount from the picture on the left (Photo show 2 pieces).

Will I come back over and over and over again to this eatery? It's a definite yes and you should be doing the same thing too!


Bakmi Pejagalan
Pluit Barat 1 No 7 Jakarta Utara 14450
Phone : 021 - 6602677