Food Lourve, Jakarta

Grand Indonesia’s Food Lourve provides a good induction system for the Indonesian uninitiated by taking a collection of street style food vendors, throwing in a few Japanese and Korean joints, putting a bow tie on each and plonking them into a nice little food court.



Java Kitchen’s offerings were decent, although as with most bain marie ayam gorengs they dried out for a full jaw workout.

Still though, you could have hours of fun trying to find something decent in here.

2.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? Jl. MH.Thamrin 28-30, Plaza Indonesia level 3 no.91, Jakarta Capital Region 10350, Indonesia

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

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

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

Mulia Hotel, Jakarta

Fake-con. Fake bacon. It just ruins breakfast. Having a hash brown at a 5 star hotel royal buffet feels disrespectful for breakfast cause you turned down the sushi, yum cha and Chinese dishes, but a bit of Western normality is needed to remind you a return to untoasted vegemite sandwiches on the train awaits.




3.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? 1 Jl. Asia Afrika Senayan, 10270, Jakarta, Indonesia
What? I didn’t pay.

Immigrant, Jakarta

There’s a feel of the ridiculously good looking at the Immigrant. There’s an epic piece of wavy steel that hovers overhead giving off a futuristic yet 1920s gangster art deco vibe.


Freaky fries, great taste: fried whitebait fish, chilli and bell peppers



The fish is good.


Seafood risotto



Sweet Potato gnocchi, basil pesto, pine nut, parmesan and sauce pomodoro: vegetartian gourmet.



Dark chocolate mud cark



Mango Bavarios with cream and white chocolate

Worth the visa application to migrate? Successful with the ambiance, definitely for a drink, give the undercooked steaks a miss.

3 / 5 yums!
------
Where? Plaza Indonesia 6th floor #E02-03, Jalan M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30. Jakarta, Indonesia
What? Around $30 mains

Social House, Jakarta

I could live in the perpetual lazy Sunday chill out vibe that’s so interwoven into the Social House lawn-party-yet-so-suitable-night-time-boogie dress. Groovy beats, the soothing lighting and foliage, brings it all together as the perfect place to wind down and relax.



Salmon and Tuna Sashimi



Fried eggplant: just looking at it makes my heart stop.


Wagyu Beef Burger: it’s the onion rings, fried eggplant and creamy Social House special sauce that takes this two bun meal to another level. You know you want it.



Half chicken flavoured with herbs.



Lamb shank braised in a red curry, with lemongrass and garlic potato mash: East meets West with awesome, tender results.



Social House Lasagne: rich, twisted with beef ragout, turkey ham, spicy beef salumi, boiled egg.




Do you like desserts? You will now.



Banana Tarte Tatin: drain my stomach, I want another.

Armed with an awesome all day menu, this place makes me very sociable. How much for part ownership?

4.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? Grand Indonesia, East Mall, 1st Floor, Jalan M.H. Thamrin No. 1, Jakarta, Indonesia
What? Entrees AUD $5-10, Mains AUD $15–30