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!
------
Where? Jl. Soedirman, Jakarta, Java, Indonesia

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!
------
Where? Jl. Teuku Tjik Ditiro 4, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat

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

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

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

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

Sushi Tei, Jakarta

Should I have done that extra push up? Do I have too much gloss on? I’d be pretty self conscious too, being paraded around like pieces of meat to multiple sets of hungry eyes while beady eyed. Those poor plates of sushi and sashimi…



It’s all quality at the classed up Sushi Tei that does the basics very well, from the sushi train to the dons and udons.

A satisfied stomach seems to eliminate any feelings of sympathy.


3.5 / 5 yums!
------
Where? # 1-102 A & C - Jl. M.H.. Thamrin Kav 28-30, Jakarta, Indonesia
What? Plates around AUD $3-5

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