New restaurants to try in Jakarta for foodies
Jakarta is adding new culinary delights to its already lively dining scene. Here are four restaurants recently opened in the capital city.
Applebee's
Applebee's, one of the largest American restaurant chains, has finally opened a branch in Jakarta.
Opening at the end of last year on the fifth floor of Plaza Senayan, Applebee's is famed for casual-dining and a family-friendly atmosphere, with prices ranging from Rp 19,000 (US$1.5) to Rp 279,000.
The restaurant's menu features beef and chicken dishes as well as burgers, pastas and seafood. For those already familiar with the offerings, the Jakarta Appplebee's also serves signatures dishes such as the Quesadilla Burger, Beef Rack Ribs, and Triple Chocolate Meltdown.
For first-timers, start off with the Appetizer Sampler and share it with friends. From the variety of foods on the platter, the Mozzarella Sticks and boneless chicken wings are especially good.
The Beef Rack Ribs are also delicious; not only it is generously apportioned, but the meat is juicy and soft and the sauce perfectly flavored. The Chicken Quesadilla Grande is also huge, and is best shared.
For a refreshing drink, try the Applebee's limeades and frozen lemonades, which come in a variety of flavors, including strawberry, mango, raspberry and kiwi.
Typical of American restaurants, Applebee's is brightly colored. The sports bar ambiance is created by the rows of flat-screened TV's broadcasting soccer games and other sporting events.
Casadina Kitchen & Bakery
This place is a hidden gem tucked in the middle of the Taman Rasuna apartment complex in Kuningan, Central Jakarta.
Located poolside amid lush green plants at the ground floor of the apartment complex's 17th tower, Casadina Kitchen & Bakery offers guests a cozy hiding spot amongst the city's cold and glowering skyscrapers.
The interior of the establishment recalls a Parisian bistro with a rustic touch. A cute mural of tiny chefs preparing meals and a direct view to the pool adds to the laid-back feel of the place.
We met with owner and chef Dina Fattia, who went to attended culinary school in Melbourne, Australia, and runs the restaurant with an obvious passion for good, healthy food. She also owns an eatery called Sardine Restaurant.
Casadina's ambitious menu includes a wide selection of Italian, Indian, Asian and Indonesian cuisine, as well as a variety of steaks and mouthwatering desserts. Dina said that she created all the recipes from scratch to ensure their freshness and flavor.
The delicately textured Verde Tagliatelle Chick is delicious, with a creamy pesto sauce perfectly balanced by chicken and mushroom.
For a more boldly flavored dish, try the lamb tika masala. The roasted marinated lamb dish is soft but has a strong curry taste. The accompanying home-made pratha bread is soft but a touch salty.
To quench your thirst, try Casadina's selection of healthy crushes and slushes, which come with unique names like Goodbye Flu, Happy Mood, Get Skinny and Red Alert.
Prices vary widely, but range between Rp 60,000 and Rp 200,000 for a meal and a drink.
Nomz Kitchen & Pastry
Nomz Kitchen & Pastry is a recent addition to Grand Indonesia's dining scene in Central Jakarta. It is run by celebrity chef and co-owner Arnold Poernomo, which has helped give it immediate buzz.
The restaurant is located on the ground floor of Grand Indonesia’s East Mall, right across from Union Deli.
Nomz offers relatively exposed outdoor seating, which is great for those who want to see and be seen, not so great for those looking for privacy. The industrial-themed interior gives the place a casual ambiance, with bright color touches on tables and chairs.
The menu is focused on bringing sophistication to well-known Asian dishes. A signature dish is the Nomz Crazy Rice, which comes with wagyu beef. Surprisingly, the dish lacked the expected juicy flavor and the beef was a bit overcooked.
Another best-selling dish is the Nomz Bahn Mi. The dish's pork belly was tender and juicy but lacked a savory kick. In addition, the hard baguette made the Nomz Bahn Mi a bit difficult to chew.
Entree prices range from Rp 55,000 to Rp 825,000 for a shared platter.
Since the place is always packed during lunch and dinner time, it is advisable to reserve a table ahead of time.
H Gourmet and Vibes
H Gourmet and Vibes is a new addition to the already lively culinary scene on Jl. Gunawarman, one of Jakarta's foodiest streets.
Opened at the end of last year, the restaurant is still being constructed. Located on the third floor, the restaurant boasts vintage furniture and an industrial concept, with rough wood and metal adorning the place. A large clock is framed behind the bar counter, giving the place a strong steam-punk look.
The eatery specializes in southern American soul food and NYC-style cocktails. The Buffalo's Method, as the name suggests, is a buffalo-style chicken wing entree seasoned with butter and cayenne pepper sauce. The seasoning was delicious, but did not really seep inside, leaving the chicken meat itself a little tasteless.
The restaurant's signature Jerk Chicken is also a good option. An interpretation of a traditional Jamaican dish, the chicken meat is grilled and cut into small pieces and comes with a coriander dip sauce. The chicken tasted good, but the coriander sauce added an important flavor-boost. Other must-tries are the H-Stacks burger, H Cooler drinks and the wide selection of cocktails.
Prices range from Rp 25,000 to more than Rp 1,000,000 for selected champagnes and wines.
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