Thursday 30 June 2011

Kembang Goela, Jakarta





You wanna see a meter long sausage? That is the speciality at the classy Kembang Goela. I can’t say I’m impressed, but the other dishes are done well and suitable for the foreign stomach.



Gado Gado: it’s not a meal without the peanut sauce slathered veggies.



Satays



Kang Kung



Ayam

3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Jl. Soedirman, Jakarta, Java, Indonesia

Wednesday 29 June 2011

Café Batavia, Jakarta



They say no trip to Batavia, the old Dutch quarter of Jakarta, is not complete without a nostalgic visit to the old Café Batavia. Beautifully maintained, it’s all 1930s luxury class.

The menu probably hasn’t been updated much either, and it shows in the execution.



Batavia club sandwich: finely shredded lettuce smothered in a creamy dressing isn’t enough to counter the dry bread.



Smoked salmon and hollandaise.



Pancakes.

I’d say this place is more of a tourist trap. Better for a chilled out drink than sustenance.


2.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? Jalan Taman Fatahilah, Jakarta 11110, Indonesia
What? Around AUD $10-15

Tuesday 28 June 2011

Kitchenette, Jakarta



Geez these people behind the Social House are good. They are at it again with Kitchenette, a cute café that’s like a French country kitchen.

Crepes are the speciality here, with a reasonable list of savoury and sweet. Those who don’t like really really thin pancakes shouldn’t fear, as with all Social House ventures they like to cater for the fussy and have Italian, Spanish and Asian on the menu in large or sharing portions.



Homemade Lemonade



Meatballs Spanish style that I’m told is Uncle Raul’s recipe. I prefer a tomato sauce over the cream to match better with the chorizo.



Nachos



Fries



Theodore Crepe: slices of sirloin steak topped with mozzarella cheese, spicy ratatouille, black pepper sauce.



Spiced Chicken Wings: a window to weight gain.

No surprises Kitchenette is quality.

4 / 5 yums!
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Where? Jalan Muhammad Husni Thamrin Kav. 28-30. Jakarta
What? Around AUD $10-15

Monday 27 June 2011

Lara Djonggrang, Jakarta





A shot of courage and Ecto trap might be required before entering the doors to this slice of old colonial Indonesia.

It’s an impressive old mansion which would appreciated even more if only light levels didn’t make you didn’t feel like the walls were closing in. There’s no space for sloppiness either, where you’ll have to cross water to navigate the between the unique dining spaces.

A place that is more impressive than the food, but there are flashes of good amongst the intense richness, such as the grilled seafood platter that’s makes a big statement.







Other than that, I think I’ll stick to places where I don’t need a proton pack to feel safe.


3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Jl. Teuku Tjik Ditiro 4, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat

Thursday 23 June 2011

Potato Head, Jakarta

It might as well be Social House 2. Not surprising coming from the same owners. Tick the soothing lighting and foliage, but add cool breakout areas: an alfresco to get that Jakarta sticky shirt look, an upstairs loft, street art sketch mural and eccentric bric-a-brac for a bit of differentiation.

Burger with the lot: respectable, better at the Social House, but not by much more.

Baked Casolette of Field Mushrooms

Lamb Rack: this lamb obviously was a sloth as it was such a fatty cut.

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Chocolate Fondant Cake: oozes.

Double Chocolate Chuck Brownie is decadent: layers of brownie, vanilla ice-cream between with caramelised bananas and chocolate kahlua sauce.

Crispy apple tart: elegant yet manly portion.

If my application for Social House gets denied, I’ll settle for Potato Head.


3.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? Pacific Place Mall, G51A, Jl Jend Sudirman Kav 52-53, Jakarta Capital Region 12190, Indonesia
What? Mains AUD $15–30

Wednesday 22 June 2011

KFC, Jakarta



A sweet, tomato sauce like chicken mince bolognaise available for a limited time only. Just stick to the marylands that everyone’s used to.

1.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? Various
What? Small AUD $0.80

Tuesday 21 June 2011

Sate Khas Senayan, Jakarta



It might be a franchise, but there’s a few of them around for a reason for it. Cause it’s good. And when you see plenty of locals leave with a smile on their face, it’s gotta be alright.



Mmmmmm satay: that satay sauce is a silky, peanut butter, lifted by the kecap manis



Nasi goreng



Mee goreng



Ayam Goreng

An extensive, safe menu that’s foreign-stomach friendly, a daily visit would not be unreasonably.

4/ 5 yums!
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Where? Citywalk Sudirman, Ground Floor No. 19 – 20. Jl. KH. Mas Mansyur No. 121, Karet. Jakarta, Indonesia
What? Total meals around AUD $10 per person

Monday 20 June 2011

Red Pepper, Jakarta



Cheap food court Indonesia. Might put the fear of food passing through one end and out the other but it’s all good.



Stodgy satay sauce not my style without that good nutty taste and more like a Japanese curry roux.


2 / 5 yums!
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Where? Plaza Indonesia, Jl MH Thamrin Kav 28-30, Jakarta, Indonesia
What? Satays AUD $4

Friday 17 June 2011

Bistro Baron, Jakarta

French chic is written all over this cute café. Not the place for a rushed meal, so take your time and enjoy a slice of the Parisian life in Jakarta.



3 / 5 yums!
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Where? Plaza Indonesia, Jl MH Thamrin Kav 28-30, Jakarta, Indonesia
What? Roughly AUD $10-15

Wednesday 8 June 2011

Kopi Luwak, Jakarta



I love the way this cat crap coffee is so elegantly described. Thanks to those luwak cats who “generously” deposit their offerings on the ground.



Kopi Luwak is a franchise café that makes it commercially availably to those curious tourists who can’t but help themselves. Worth four times the normal cuppa, it’s disappointingly pre-grounded out of a packet and covered with hot water, served in a glass with gold trimming.

You know you want to, so just do it.

2.5 / 5 yums!
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Where? Grand Indonesia, West Mall, Jalan M.H. Thamrin No. 1, Jakarta, Indonesia; various others
What? Around AUD $12
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