Mujigae

finally another food post after a while! last week my friends recommended me mujigae, a casual korean restaurant located at kemang village. according to them this place got a pretty good range of decent korean dishes with a very affordable price. well, since ive been constantly craving for korean food lately so i decided to give it a shot. 

living up to the 'casual' theme, the restaurant gives off a friendly vibe with vibrant colors and fun atmosphere. its way different from most korean restaurants that tend to implement a more conventional approach by emphasizing traditional ornaments. its also obvious that mujigae's target audience falls into the younger spectrum since it really values digital approach in their system. upon entering the place, i was greeted by giant LCD screens that are hanging on the walls. they either showed photos of the customers there (yes, we can take a photo at our table and it will be shown on the screens!) or popular korean variety shows such as running man. not only that, they also provide an ipad on each table where we could order directly through it and even request our favorite kpop songs. how cool is that?!

after browsing through the menus, i decided to order some of their specialties that caught my eyes. the first one is budae jigae (47k). this famous korean army stew has an appetizing look with boiling, reddish soup that i assume comes from the classic gochujang and kimchi. it consists of ramen noodle, luncheon meat, macaroni, beef sausage, tofu, and vegetables. the taste was okay, though personally i think it would be better if the soup had a heavier 'kick'. the flavor falls kinda flat in my mouth, but the variety of ingredients made up for it.

the next menu is the must-try topokki. i tried beef sausage topokki (40k) that comes with generous toppings and sauce. the mixture of sweet and savory flavors from the topokki sauce tastes exceptionally delicious with a hint of spicy aftertaste. the dish is also topped with crunchy crackers for a fun, modified experience in enjoying this famous korean dish.

considering the dining session wont be complete without rice, i ordered kimchi bokumbap (29k) and cheese bibimbap (39k). to be honest, i always prefer fried rice with a drier texture, so this kimchi bokumbap is right up my alley! the seasonings also seeped through it just fine, allowing me to enjoy it with other menus as well without overpowering the flavors. same goes with the cheese bibimbap. although the gochujang comes in a sauce package, it blends wonderfully with the rice, eggs, meat, and vegetables. the flavors played together well, with a light smoky taste in every bite. yum!

mujigae also serves korean fried chicken, which is one of their best selling menus. there are 3 flavors available: original, soy garlic, and honey butter. i tried the original korean fried chicken (25k) and gotta admit its pretty good! its coated with a lovely amount of sauce and the texture is crunchy and juicy at the same time. no wonder its everyone's favorite here. 

to top it off, a chocolate banana milk with nutella pudding (21k) is a must! it works both as a beverage and dessert because its refreshing and silky sweet. the pudding has a very smooth texture that allows you to gulp it within a slurp. mujigae has other signature drinks such as banana milk & matcha pudding and matcha milk tea & asuka bean that look tempting as well. considering banana milk is a popular drink in korea, its such a nice move for them to mix it with other toppings as a variation.

 

overall my experience in mujigae has been pleasantly fun. its a nice place to visit for a casual hang out or even to enjoy some quality korean food with a friendly price. i wouldnt compare it to other korean restaurants out there because as i previously mentioned, mujigae has its own audience category that sets it apart from the rest. i will surely visit it some time again though and hopefully they expand the menu range by then so i can try many other lovely dishes!

Mujigae

Lippo Mall Kemang Village 3rd Floor

Phone: (021) 29528391

Opening hours: 10AM - 10PM

Food Container

lately there has been quite a number of unique food courts poppin up in town, like pasar santa and food fighters to name a few. they serve a wide variety of food and drinks under one roof, and the tenants are mostly comprised of start ups or independent brands. it slowly grows into a favorable phenomenon since the jakartans always LOVE to try something new and unique aside of the common dishes they usually eat. i recently stumbled upon a new joint that is located in lebak bulus area, and it apparently also presents a fun culinary destination concept with lots of mouth watering treats to try. that being said, welcome to food container!

food container isnt that hard to spot. it is located right by the roadside with a container-like appearance that lives up to its name. when i walked inside i was greeted by 23 different tenants with their own specialties. the 'brain' behind food container, wiyanna, apparently used to hold culinary festivals or events at malls or local bazaars. "as food aficionados, my husband and i aim to create a permanent culinary destination that is also supported by creative sellers in this industry. hence food container's visitors will meet many kinds of dishes that they wont find in any other food courts in general," she said.

you can pick your seat and a waiter will hand out the menu to your table. its good that the menu already covers each existing tenant so all you gotta do is confirm your choice and few minutes later your selections will arrive straight to your table. since the place is rather hot and humid (food container utilizes open aired space with fans instead of ACs), then it will be perfect to start your culinary journey with some cold and refreshing beverages that you can find at food container drink corner. the yellow painted booth offers a variety of drinks from flavored tea, juice, up to the bartender's special mixes such as green container (soda and melon syrup), strawberry sensation (milk, soda, and strawberry syrup), and container lychee (yakult, lychee syrup, and jelly toppings). the colourful appearance makes the experience even more exciting!

 

(Suwar Suwir)                                     (Mr. Panda Dim sum)

now lets shift to the 'heavier' course. if indonesian food is a staple meal for you, then there are a number of booths that you surely dont want to miss. one of them is suwar suwir that serves authentic local cuisines with traditional sambal selections. their signature menu includes suwir combrang (a combination of shredded chicken with the fresh and exotic sambal combrang) and suwir matah (a combination of shredded chicken, onion, chili, and sambal matah with a variety of spices that make this particular dish rich in taste). all menus are served inside a go-to box that is so simple you can carry it everywhere. for other local food alternative, you can also try out nasi kentjana that offers traditional rice dishes such as nasi bogana, nasi campur bali, nasi kuning cakalang, up to nasi liwet solo, and not to mention their unique dessert, pisang janda, a sweet treat served with condensed milk and cheese. it feels perfect when you enjoy it with a glass of wedang uwuh or wedang ronde, a classic traditional drink to warm up your body.

 

(Ichitori)                                           (Nasi Kentjana)

moving on from local cuisines, you can explore unique dishes from other countries as well. for japanese food lovers out there, you might have heard about ichitori for a while now. yup, the brand has been floating in local culinary scene quite often because ichitori often participates in numerous bazaars and festivals. some of their signature menus are mushroom karaage, chicken karate, and toriyaki, all comes with generous toppings. there's also ultradon, another booth that serves japanese food, especially donburi AKA rice bowl with various topping selections like mushroom, chicken, beef, or dory fish, served with their tasty homemade sauce.

meanwhile if youre looking for western food selections, theres no need to worry. just head over to curly, which previously has opened its booth at pasar santa. theres no way you would want to miss their highly recommended signature menu, curly's cheese steak. its a sandwich with 60gr meat, onion, mushroom sauce, cheddar cheese, and mozzarella cheese that melts in your mouth. fantastic!

 

(Pipa Bite)                                          (Martabak Dunia)

it feels incomplete to visit food container without getting your hands on the delightful desserts they got in store. head over to pipa bite for unique pastries with sweet fillings (cotton candy ice cream, anyone?), warung mamacha (they serve this roppan-style bread with a bunch of toppings like marshmallow, ice cream, and cereals), or offle (waffles with varied topping selections that you can pick yourself). but if you come along with some friends, then it would be perfect to order something sweet in sharing portion, right? if thats the case, martabak dunia might be your main option. its basically just like any other martabak, but what sets it apart from the rest is their uncommon toppings that are named after the countries they identify with; such as thailand (durian), italy (bolognaise), USA (cookies & cream), and china (chicken floss). pretty impressive i might say!

all in all food container successfully provides a remarkable experience for culinary hunters or simply anyone who's looking for a new atmosphere to spend their weekend with friends or family. with all the goodness that it offers, i wish all the good luck for food container in the future!

Food Container
Jalan Lebak Bulus Raya No. 30A, Jakarta Selatan 
Opening hours 10 AM-10 PM
Average spending: Rp 100.000/person

Instagram: @food_container

(photos by: Sofyan Effendi)

E&O: Eastern & Oriental Restaurant

E&O is a charming collaboration between Chef Will Meyrick (Sarong and Mama San restaurants in Bali) and the same company that handles Loewy and Union. Initially the restaurant planned to highlight a unique blend of Thai and Vietnamese cuisines as their main concept but as time goes by E&O expanded their kitchen creations to cater to everyone's diverse tastes. Therefore prepare yourself to face a wide variety of Asian cuisines with some interesting twists coming from the West!

I like how the mixture of rustic and vintage atmosphere in this restaurant is wrapped nicely in elegance. As you can see, most visitors in E&O fall into executives or businessmen/businesswomen category during weekdays but on weekends there are also crowds of families and teenagers filling the seats. Fancy enough but still pretty casual after all. Also the food portions here are made to share so it would be very fitting if you tag along some friends or relatives on your visit.

E&O's menu selections are divided into starters, mains, and desserts. One of the hallmark of their fusion creations can be found in Thai-styled Caesar Salad and Vietnamese Cheong Fan for starters, which consist of shredded pork, Shiso leaf, and Thai basil. Meanwhile Crispy Pork Belly would be a top notch option for main course. After landing my first try on this menu I understood why this is simply (almost) everyone's favorite every time they visit E&O. The pork is served in fair cuts, with incredibly crispy skin and tasty seasonings that soaked in perfectly into their juicy texture. Wonderful! I find it interesting that they pair this menu with double sauces, Tamarind and Tamarillo. Both have distinct characteristics though there's a certain blend of flavors that connect them that are derived from sour, sweet, and spicy. It is also served with a handful of sticky rice. Gotta say it's quite an impressive result from Thai and Western styles crossover!

The next prima donna is called Country Style Roast Chicken served with Spicy Thai Sauce. Instead of french fries, it's paired with fried cassava! Such an unforgettable fusion experience, indeed. For other selections in the book just take a look at Jungle Chicken Curry, "Choo Chee" Crispy Barramundi,  or Caramelised Duck. The humble and skillful waiters/waitresses will be pleased to elaborate more about the menus to every guest so no need to worry if most of them don't sound familiar to you.

Now that our happy tummies are satisfied, it's time to spend the rest of the night by moving on to the bars and pick up some nice drinks to lift up the mood. Cocktails, mocktails, even wine selections, all is complete all is good. If you still have some space for desserts (WELL WHO DOESN'T?) please give a try for E&O's super smooth and glazy Coconut Crème Brulee. It is topped with crunchy almonds and some fruits that blend perfectly with the creamy texture. I'm definitely in love with this dessert!

E&O is undoubtedly a must visit restaurant for it will not only enhance your culinary experience but also a decent pick for your afterwork or weekend getaway.


(photos by: Hardiman Widjaseno)


E&O
Menara Rajawali Lt.1
Jln. Dr. Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung Lot#5.1
Kawasan Mega Kuningan, Jakarta 12950
Ph: 021 5761645
Average spending: Rp 200.000,00 — Rp 300.000,00 for each person
Twitter: @eandojakarta

Jeans Chilli Chicken: The Sensational Korean ‘Fire’ Chicken

hallyu wave didnt only expand through pop culture, but its also implemented in many other influential aspects, notably culinary. as we can see, for the past few years the number of korean restaurants in jakarta has been increasing steadily, meaning more and more locals here are getting accustomed to korean food taste. 

so what kind of familiar korean dishes that we already know so far? most answers would probably revolve around the well-known names such as kimbap, tteokpokki, or bibimbap. meanwhile theres also one dish that is not less popular, which is called buldak (in korean ‘bul’ means fire and ‘dak’ means chicken). originally, buldak is a common dish that is often consumed by executives after working hours in korea for the spicy flavor is said to help reducing their stress, fatigue, yet on the other hand increases metabolism. the dish is usually paired with a glass of cold beer to ease the 'flaming' sensation that follows.

  

 

as reflected by its name, buldak exerts various spices and abundant of chili to produce its signature taste. same goes with jeans chilli chicken, a korean restaurant that takes place at gandaria city. they claimed to import the most vital ingredients straight from korea in order to maintain the authenticity. their signature menu, also called jeans chilli chicken, consists of boneless chicken fillet cooked with hot and spicy BBQ sauce until its swarmed with saturated redness all over. the dish is served in a hotplate and it gives an appetizing aroma that will blow your senses right away!

not only the wonderful flavor but the well-cooked chicken truly tastes delicate and juicy with minimum amount of grease. the spiciness honestly could be a bit overwhelming for those who arent big fans of chili (like me), then cheese chili chicken is the perfect alternate menu to order! its way less spicy and more savory instead thanks to the melted mozzarella cheese that covers the whole upper parts of chicken fillet in a hot pot. if icould put four thumbs up for this one, i would, seriously it is just too good.

 

all these chicken-based menus become even more fantastic when paired with the unique jumeokbap (korean rice ball). apparently theres a certain suggestion to eat them together, and that is by cutting down the chili chicken into small bites with scissor (yes, scissor!), mix them together into a ball of rice which size may suit your own preference, voila! its just like eating handy rice balls filled with tasty chicken inside plus rich seasonings and a smoky flavor of toasted seaweed. you may try out this process on your own or leave it to the waiters/waitresses to handle.

the restaurant that originally came from australia carries a rather minimalist designed place, but the excellent korean dishes will surely blow you away. not only chicken, you may find other menu variations such as tteokpokki and hot soups. most of them are made to share, so tag along your friends or family for an even livelier ambience!

(photos: doc. jeans chilli chicken)

Jeans Chilli Chicken

Gandaria City Mainstreet UG

Ph: 021 23936374

Opening hours: 10.00 – 22.00

Price range: Rp 25.000 – Rp 102.000
Twitter: @cilicik

Colette & Lola: Cakes and Dreams

once upon a time, there were two whimsical sisters named colette and lola that embodied contrast personalities from one and another. there’s only one thing that ties their bond, and that is their fondness toward cakes. colette is a fan of sweet flavor; meanwhile lola tends to favor the neutral ones with added variations. colette pays great attention to textures, and lola prefers those with pleasing presentations. however, these differences only made them complement each other perfectly.

so there goes a brief ‘tale’ about colette & lola, the first cake shop created by ISMAYA group. its quite an experimental innovation i must say, considering not only sweet, but it also serves uncommon flavors that you rarely find in any other cake shop. not to mention the dreamy candy land ambience that makes you feel like stepping into a set of katy perry’s ‘californian girl’ music video once you enter the realm behind colette & lola’s cupcake shaped door knob. a mountain pile of colorful macarons in several corners, kitchen utilities with cute pastel colors, and a number of adorable cake replicas are only a few aspects that will certainly spoil your sight here!






well, space wise, colette & lola isnt made to cater a lot of people for sure. thats why most customers would prefer to take away their orders instead of waiting in line for seats. then what are the signature creations that make colette & lola so special? other than the commonly known ones like rainbow cake and red velvet (duh), there are many other compelling variations to tempt every sweet tooth in town. name it miss gingerbread (tiramisu mousse topped with crunchy gingerbread crumbles), charlie brownie (dark chocolate ganache with crispy hazelnut wafers and chocolate devil sponge), or the lovely cake jasmyna (cheesecake infused with jasmine flavor, accompanied by strawberry gel and macarons). sweet!






other than jasmine they also experimented with earl grey. ever get curious of how an earl grey flavored cake taste like? then do yourself a favor and try out my lady grey! with a moist, cloud-like soft texture; apparently the classic tea selection isnt even the least bad when its constructed into a solid form of dessert. for chocolate maniacs out there, lola bar is one that is guaranteed to make you drool. it is made of rich chocolate milk, with a crispy sensation coming from caramel butterscotch crunch mixed with silky peanut butter glaze inside. 

for the ultimate signature creation, lego cake is colette & lola’s main spotlight. yup, as you can tell from the name they are shaped exactly like gigantic lego blocks with four kinds of bright colors that represent each flavor: lychee, lemon, blueberry, and pistachio. it is THAT fancy looking that i dont have the heart to munch it and ruin the form >.<

last but not least, for mini bites collections the cake shop also got candy pops and macarons with surprising flavors such as cola, carrot cake, sea salt caramel, or a savory one, smoky beef. well aint that a unique experience!


(photos: doc. colette & lola)


Colette & Lola
Jl Senopati Raya no.64, Jakarta 12190
Opening hours: Pk 10.00 – Pk 22.00
Ph: 021 2900 7997
Price: Rp 12.000 (mini bites) – Rp 400.000 (big cakes)
Twitter: @ColetteLola

Bengawan Solo: A Fun & Authentic Indonesian Dining Experience

somehow, enjoying an authentic cuisine is commonly related to rigid or conventional themed restaurants. luckily, i stumbled upon a place that showcases the rich variety of traditional indonesian cuisines in a sophisticated and modern ambience. welcome to bengawan solo!

well actually bengawan solo isnt an entirely brand new spot in jakarta’s culinary map. all this while its known as a restaurant that lies under the five stars hotel grand sahid jaya since early 90s. it was one of the top spots for expatriates to dine in as well because at that time the traditional concept that they brought was immensely tied to indonesian culture, making it a stand out joint for authentic dining. until recently bengawan solo rejuvenated its identity into a tad more humble and casual restaurant for everyone.

as i stepped in i got greeted by punakawan, or indonesian wayang characters that are comprised of semar, gareng, bagong, and petruk. bengawan solo chose them as the special mascots that embody the heritage of javanese culture, while also delivering a witty impression. these iconic wayang characters are further depicted through several aspects of the restaurant, such as contemporary style wayang paintings on each wall corner up to unique dining plates with their faces embossed in the middle.

the minimalist white color that dominates the entirety of bengawan solo gives such a soothing and calm vibe. it doesnt pull an overly complex interior, making it feel simply spacious and comfortable. despite of the modern touch, of course bengawan solo still maintains its main signature that lies in classic traditional cuisines. 

“our chef hit the road by himself to try out various indonesian street style foods in order to grasp the authenticity of local taste and represent them without modifying the original flavors,” as stated by putri pratiwi, the public pelations manager of hotel grand sahid jaya jakarta during our lunch session together at that time. hence be ready to get hooked by a number of local culinary heritages originated from various indonesian places, such as ayam bakar taliwang, mie godog jawa, lumpia semarang, and tempe pedas cirebon.

before diving into the main dining session, you will be served with bengawan solo’s welcome snack in a form of cassava chips or sweet potato chips that are placed in a ‘becak’ figurine. its quite interesting because they serve different types of flavor every single day, starting from spicy, savory, to sweet. still in the range of appetizers, they also got sosis solo presented on a wooden cutting board and accompanied by a tiny spray bottle which reminds me of a perfume bottle, but apparently it is filled with chilli oil! so instead of dipping, this time you can easily spray the sour and spicy sauce all over it. such an interesting idea, isnt it?

bengawan solo’s consistency in highlighting the tradition of local culinary is also shown through one of our all-time favorites, gado-gado. instead of serving it fancily like in common five stars hotels restaurant, a waitress dressed up in kebaya will come over to the guest's table with a big plate of vegetables in hand and a bowl of peanut sauce on the other. after that she will mix up those two elements on the table, just like the common sight we always encounter while ordering street style gado-gado. nice! the other recommended menu that i got to try was nasi goreng bengawan solo. it is topped with three kinds of satay (lamb, meat, chicken) and ebi furai. The reason why this one’s a favorite is the classic taste of indonesian fried rice that feels so familiar on our palette. 

at the end of the course i got to try bengawan solo’s recommended homemade ice cream desserts that include various exotic flavors such as cinnamon, honey ginger, lemongrass, coconut, and durian. each portion is placed upon dry ice that generates massive and flavorful smoke when its arrived on your table! it gave such a nice wrap for my dining session for sure.

all in all, bengawan solo is a decent pick to enjoy the excellent flavors of our local culinary, topped with interesting surprises without neglecting the essence of its own traditions.


(photos: doc. bengawan solo)


Bengawan Solo Restaurant
Lobby Level, Grand Sahid Jaya Hotel
Jl Jendral Sudirman Kav.86 
Ph: 021 5704444 extension 1438
Opening Hours: 11.00 — 23.00
Average spending: Rp 150.000,00 — Rp 300.000,00 for each person

Burgreens: Healthy and Organic Eatery

“i taste so naughty but am actually healthy”. begitulah ungkapan menggelitik yang tertera tatkala mengunjungi restoran yang dikelilingi hijaunya pepohonan rindang nan sejuk ini. burgreens terlahir atas misi untuk meningkatkan kesadaran kaum urban ibukota akan pentingnya asupan makanan dan minuman sehat bagi tubuh. bahan-bahan yang digunakan di sini merupakan hasil cocok tanam dari kebun organik sehingga manfaat dan kesegarannya terjaga dengan baik. utamanya bagi para vegan atau vegetarian, burgreens dapat dijadikan alternatif tepat karena segala sajiannya tidak mengandung unsur hewani. konsep ini semakin didukung oleh lokasi tempat yang jauh dari polusi serta tertata oleh tanaman-tanaman hijau dan hiasan daur ulang, membuatnya terasa unik sekaligus asri.

mungkin anda sudah dapat menebak dari namanya bahwa menu andalan di sini ialah burger. burgreens mendobrak pandangan bahwa burger harus melulu bagian dari junk food melalui variasi isian sehat yang menggunakan bahan-bahan nabati, seperti jamur atau kacang-kacangan. tengok saja ketiga signature-nya, yakni battle beans, mighty mushroom, dan spinach chickpeas yang menggunakan kacang, jamur, dan bayam. mereka diolah sedemikian rupa hingga bentuk dan tampilannya menyerupai daging asli. soal rasa? tentu tak kalah enak. teksturnya padat dan empuk, apalagi untuk bayam yang menghasilkan cita rasa gurih dan eksotis bak gaya mediterranean. tak heran ia menjadi pilihan favorit. jika penasaran ingin mencoba ketiganya, silakan pesan mini trio dengan ukuran lebih mungil namun hadir dalam ketiga rasa di atas.

suasana yang sejuk pun menggoda untuk menikmati camilan sehat ala burgreens. nah, wajib dicoba sweet potato chips yang terbuat dari ubi renyah atau green balls yang tampak seperti nugget, namun berisikan bayam hijau. rasanya sempurna ketika didampingi bersama homemade smoothies, di antara lain green goblin, groovy berry, dan oh my oat dengan bahan dasar oatmeal, yoghurt, dan pisang. rasa lezatnya tak akan membuat anda merasa ‘bersalah’ karena nutrisi yang terkandung telah disesuaikan untuk memberi kebaikan bagi tubuh. bahkan, ice cream dessert seperti chunky monkey pun bebas dari unsur gluten, gula, dan dairy products tanpa meninggalkan rasa manis dan creamy.

selain makan di tempat, anda dapat pula membawa pulang kreasi homemade hasil tangan burgreens. salah satunya ialah selai yang terdiri dari organic vanilla peanut butter atau organic almond butter. yum! oh ya, para pendiri dari restoran ini memang merupakan vegetarian yang mengutamakan gaya hidup sehat. jadi jika ingin berdiskusi untuk menambah pengetahuan seputar informasi atau resep untuk berkreasi sendiri seperti menu-menu burgreens di rumah, silakan saja.


(photos by: hardiman widjaseno)



Burgreens
Jln. Flamboyan No.19
Rempoa, Jakarta Selatan
Ph: 087882005070
Opening hours: 11.00 — 22.00
Price range: Rp10.000,00 — Rp65.000,00
Twitter: @burgreens_

Typology: Eatery & Workspace

'Typology' is taken from a linguistic term that refers to the action of typing, and also categorization of symbols. And yup, the unique concept selection is the main inspiration of this minimalist restaurant. Located around Wijaya in South Jakarta, Typology aims to provide a vessel for the big city's dynamic circles who often hunt for chill and casual place to work, study, or simply looking for inspirations.

The clean and soothing colors of white, green, and wooden brown dominate the entire building. The seating places are spread in rather wide gaps in order to maintain every table's privacy. Honestly though who would be happy to have their privacy disturbed while doing important works, right? At the front corner there's a huge shelf filled with cute little ornaments and partitioned by various types of books, ranging from business, design, humor, and novels that you can read. Such a nice option for killing time while waiting for your friends or relatives to arrive.

Other interesting thing is the decorated walls that portray inspiring quotes! "We do this intentionally so the people who are doing their work here always feel energized and inspired every time they read the quotes," said Andien, Typology's General Manager. Not only that, you will also be facilitated with adequate sources like screen projector, white board, printer, wire plugs at every table, and most importantly, super FAST wifi! How complete is it!

Now let's move further onto the food and drink categories. Still in line with the concept, Typology's menu titles are comprised of familiar font names; such as Times New Caesar Salad, Arial Tuna Pasta, or even Forte Rendang Fried Rice (ok this one is a bit hilarious). Most of them fuse Western and Asian flavors, but still, the champion here is none other than Lao Oxtail Fried Rice! Pretty classic, huh? Of course the fried rice tastes incredibly familiar in our mouth, and it just gets better with the juicy and soft seasoned oxtail as the complimentary. I truly like it a lot though! Such a perfect meal to fill our tummies while continuing our activities. From local category, there's also a unique dish called Flagship Rainbow Rice; four colored that are green from green chilli, black from squid ink, red from tomato, and yellow from turmeric.

 
and as we all know Fried Oreo has been a trending snack recently, right? Typology attempted to go a little less mainstream by serving Fried Beng Beng! YEAH MY FAV CHOCOLATE BAR EVER IS NOW SALUTED BY FLOUR, MORE CHOCOLATE POWDER AND FRIED UNTIL ITS CRISPY OUTSIDE AND CHEWY INSIDE... ALSO SORRY I JUST HAD TO CAPS THIS BECAUSE I ACTUALLY LOVE IT AND I'M GLAD THEY CAME UP WITH THIS!!! Even if I'm not in the mood for heavy dishes I might still come over for their Fried Beng Beng because dude, what kind of heavenly gift...

Last but not least don't miss out Typology's smoothies creations with interesting selections, just naming a few: Choco Banana, Lychee Honey, Strawberry Watermelon, up to Astor Smoothies (Oh God). Now just like a fully refilled battery, our mind and body have been charged and are now ready to work and grasp ideas. Will I come back here in the future? Ya bet!


(Photos by: Sofyan Effendi)


Typology
Jln. Wijaya 1 No.5C
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan 12170
Ph: 021 9911 0021
Opening hours: 16.00 — 22.00
Price range: Rp 25.000,00 — Rp 70.000,00
Twitter: @typologyjkt

Branché: Parisian-Style Bistro

Terinspirasi sang menara fenomenal karya Gustave Eiffel, Branche menjadi sebuah tarikan nafas baru untuk bistro bernuansa romantis dan fancy. Saya pun betul-betul menikmati momen kunjungan kesana.

Tidak sulit menemui bistro yang satu ini, sebab plang bertuliskan Branche (dalam bahasa Perancis berarti trendi atau up to date) yang tinggi menjulang sudah mencuri perhatian dari kejauhan. Bangunan yang terdiri dari 3 lantai ini mengusung konsep French Casual Bistro, dengan interior bergaya semi klasik yang dibalut warna-warna elegan, layaknya hitam, broken white, dan merah. Namun alih-alih ‘mengintimidasi’, suasana yang tercipta justru hangat dan nyaman.

Areal lantai 1 mengedepankan atmosfir homy dimana Anda dapat bersantap di pinggir jendela atau pun bagian bar. Beranjak keatas melalui tangga yang terbuat dari lapisan besi, Anda akan menjumpai lantai 2 yang memiliki ruang VIP serta balkon yang dilindungi oleh atap kaca. Khusus di areal ini nuansa Parisian pop concept terasa lebih kental, utamanya lewat sederet lukisan bertemakan film-film zaman dahulu yang digambar dengan gaya pop art, seperti The Godfather maupun Charlie Chaplin. Setelahnya tibalah lantai 3 yang merupakan rooftop area. Disini terdapat satu spot bertemakan ‘attic’ yang cantik, dimana Anda dapat bersantai di sofa sembari dihujani kerlip langit malam yang menembus atap kaca diatas kepala. “Filosofinya ialah untuk membawa ambience romantis Eiffel kesini, sehingga rasanya bagaikan tengah berada di bawah menara tersebut,” ujar Nasa, selaku marketing communication Branche bistro.

Rupanya meski condong terhadap Parisian-style, hidangan yang tersedia disini tidak melulu masakan Perancis. Tentunya beberapa yang khas tetap dipertahankan, semisal Coq Au Vin, Duck Confit, atau Magret De Canard. Namun ada juga menu-menu Western hingga Asia yang tak kalah menggugah. Dari kategori pasta, andalan Branche ialah Pappardelle Creamy Lobster, dengan paduan saus lemon yang memberi percikan segar dan tentunya seekor lobster berdaging tebal nan merah merona. Ada pula Branche Beef Burger yang tersaji di atas tatakan kayu. Isian utamanya menggunakan homemade angus beef patty yang bertesktur setengah juicy, setengah renyah. Tingkat kematangan tentu dapat Anda sesuaikan. Didampingi oleh mixed salad beserta kentang goreng berukuran gemuk-gemuk yang gurih, rasanya pas untuk menjadikan menu burger ini sebagai santap siang yang sempurna.

Kreasi menu lainnya juga pantas untuk direkomendasikan, seperti Maldian Barramundi Fish Curry, Nachos Grande, Crispy Dory Finger, atau pun the all time favorite, Indonesian Authentic Fried Rice with Short Rib yang disantap bersama bumbu kacang! Untuk dessert, ada baiknya bertanya dahulu mengenai dessert of the day kepada pelayan sebelum memesan, dikarenakan variasi yang dapat berganti setiap harinya. Sembari menghabiskan waktu, sesaplah segarnya Coffee cocktails atau Dessert Cocktails racikan khusus Branche. Special for ladies, Branche menghadirkan Ladies’ Night setiap hari Rabu, dimana para wanita dapat menikmati free cocktails mulai pukul 7 sampai 9 malam, ditemani live music yang bertempat di areal rooftop. Wow!

Branche pantas dijadikan alternatif baru untuk menikmati dinner romantis bersama pasangan, atau pun sekedar larut dalam suasana memukau dengan rekan-rekan kerja.


(photos by: Hardiman Widjaseno)


Branche Bistro
Jl Senopati No.33, Kebayoran Baru, Kota Jakarta Selatan, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 12190, Indonesia
+62 21 5734448
Buka: Pk 11.00 – 00.00 (weekdays), Pk 11.00 – 02.00 (weekend)
Average spending per person: start from Rp 150.000

Prime Cuts: Quality in Every Bite

there’s always time for quality steak once in a while. untuk itu, saya berkunjung ke sebuah restoran yang menyajikan khusus santapan steak dalam kualitas yang boleh diadu. prime cuts namanya.

kesan formal membalut restoran yang terletak di city plaza, kawasan perkantoran kuningan ini. lapisan pintu kaca beraksen emas memang cukup ‘mengintimidasi’, tapi sekalinya melangkah ke dalam, suasana hangat pun datang menyapa. prime cuts merupakan bagian dari grup yang juga menaungi restoran spanyol tapas movida. kali ini ia mengusung tema new york city sebagai konsepnya. hal ini jelas terlihat dari lukisan bergambar gedung-gedung perkotaan khas the big apple tersebut dalam warna-warna cerah yang terdapat di salah satu sisi dinding.

prime cuts memang ingin mengangkat konsep wine pairing. maka dari itu, ia menjamin daging steak yang disediakan memiliki kualitas premium (dari situ juga lah nama prime cuts tercipta). jenis daging yang ditawarkan pun beragam. ada yang berasal dari australia (australian organic natural grass fed yang memiliki kandungan omega-6 dan omega-3S), argentina (argentina grass fed dengan kolesterol rendah), hingga jepang (kobe dan wagyu).

saya pun membuka dengan appetizer jumbo prawn cocktail. tidak salah memang disebut jumbo, karena ukuran porsi berikut udang yang digunakan betul-betul besar. truthfully, this is probably the freshest prawn ive ever had! tampilannya sendiri cantik, dengan udang dan salad ditempatkan dalam gelas lebar. sebagai pembuka, jumbo prawn cocktail ini terasa segar dan creamy. pas untuk membangkitkan selera demi menyambut hidangan berat selanjutnya.

tak lama kemudian, primadona yang ditunggu-tunggu pun menampakkan diri di atas meja. ia merupakan salah satu hidangan klasik favorit, yaitu surf and turf! lagi-lagi sang udang jumbo hadir, namun kali ini ia ditemani oleh 150 gr tenderloin dengan tingkat kematangan medium. sang daging terlihat tebal dan kokoh, tapi ia dapat dibelah dengan mudah. gradasi warna dari cokelat matang hingga merah muda ke bagian dalam terlihat apik. cita rasa yang sedap dan juicy sudah timbul bahkan dari gigitan pertama. it was a perfect kind of steak, apalagi dengan tambahan saus pendamping yang bervariasi. ya, bebaskan selera melalui pilihan-pilihan menggoda seperti red wine, bearnaise, marrow, bourbon, atau café de paris. prime cuts juga memiliki aneka side dish yang dapat ditunjuk langsung untuk melengkapi main course. di antaranya ada grilled asparagus, macaroni cheese, saute wild mushrooms, hingga lyonnaise potatoes. sulit rasanya untuk menyebutkan satu per satu di sini karena jenisnya yang begitu banyak.

acara santap bersama pasangan pun akan semakin berkesan melalui signature mocktail dan cocktail kreasi prime cuts. oh ya, area di restoran ini terbagi atas dining dan bar. maka sah-sah saja jika ingin sekedar menikmati segelas cocktail sembari berbagi cerita di depan para bartender yang tengah beraksi.

sebagai penutup, jangan dulu beranjak pulang sebelum mencicipi cheesecake yang ada di prime cuts. awalnya, saya diwanti-wanti bahwa ini bukanlah cheesecake ‘biasa’. setelah dicoba, nyatanya hal itu terbukti. kombinasi adonannya tidaklah padat seperti kue, melainkan sungguh moist, bak sedang menyantap mousse dengan rasa cheesecake. saya perlu beri dua jempol untuk dessert yang satu ini!

prime cuts buka pada jam lunch dan dinner, maka segera pastikan waktu dan area pilihan ya.

(photos by: sofyan effendi)


Prime Cuts
Wisma Mulia City Plaza, Upper Ground Level
Jl. Gatot Subroto No. 42, Jakarta
Ph: 021 29306631 / 0812 97000 132 (early reservation is suggested)

Opening hours: 11.30 - 14.30 (lunch), 18.00 - 22.00 (dinner)
Note: Special for weekend Prime Cuts only serves dinner