Otel Lobby

What is the best thing after we had almost-crazy overtime work for a month..? Of course, EATING something DELICIOUS..!!

Fortunately, the Boss has decided to treat us some delicate dinner to appreciate our hard work..Yeayy..!!

So, I was appointed to make a shortlist of restaurant and it finally came up with Otel Lobby (ssstt, I made the shortlist of restaurant that I had never visited..so it's a good deal for me.. *grin* )

 


Located near Epicentrum Walk, Kuningan, we can directly see the neon-glowing written Otel Lobby. You won't miss the sign, it's big.

  

They separate the menu books between food and drinks. Please see their website ( http://otellobby.com/inside.php?m=menu&p=menu ) for the complete list of the menu.

   

Tenderloin something (175k++)..Sorry I forgot the name, since this is not my order. I asked my friend whether it's good or not..and they said it's really good..Hmm, I should've a bit  >_<

 

Beef Wellington (140k++). I have read many review about Otel Lobby and they always included Beef Wellington in it..maybe because there is not many restaurants offer this menu. Plus, I also read some articles about the diffulties to prepare it. Plus, my friend told me about Hell's Kitchen and Gordon Ramsay when made this dish. Plus, I also never tried this before..hehehe..so many plus plus yaa.. The beef came up with a plate of mashed potato. The mashed potato was so smooth and fragrant. I ordered the meat to be cooked medium and it came nice. The meat was juicy, but too bland for my liking.

Rating : 7.3/10

 

After we finished the dinner, a foreigner (maybe one of their chef) came to our table. He brought something smoky and some rice crispy snacks. I'm not sure if it was after service or something, but it was very interesting. He dipped the rice snacks into the smoky water (liquid dry ice) and gave us one by one. Very unique. Cold and sweet. He told us the
snack's name, it called "Dragon's Breath". 




So that's why he called it Dragon's Breath. Blow it after we ate and woosshh..smoke came out of our mouth. Pretty cool ya? =D
(Picture explanation : my friend, Aldi, (quite) fat and (quite) funny guy..hahahah..)

 
I think Otel Lobby offered us a semi-fine dining style. So do not expect a big and a lot portion meal. As I saw that night, my friends' orders also came up with medium portion size.

However, the ambience quite cozy and cool. Must be another dashing place to meet some friends, chit-chat, and dating of course.


Note : the price might be different, since I visit the place last year


Otel Lobby
The Annex Building of Bakrie Tower Southgate Entrance
JL. Epicentrum Tengah, Kuningan
Jakarta 12940
(021) 29941324

Nasi Uduk Kebon Kacang Puas Hati

Aarggh..it's been a long time since I wrote the last posting. Of course, I'm still doing my culinary journey and I hope I can post my experiences periodically.

And here is the posting abut Nasi Uduk Kebon Kacang which I tried maybe around 2 years ago =P  

Nasi uduk (uduk rice) is Indonesian traditional food, made by rice which cooked with spices and coconut milk. So it's fragrant and savoury. There're a lot of nasi uduk sellers in Jakarta and the famous Kebon Kacang is really one stop place for nasi uduk lovers =D

The place we're came called "Puas Hati". A friend treated us to celebrate her birthday..yeay!

  

 

They served a small piece of nasi uduk wrapped with banana leaf. Must take a lot pieces for those with big appetite ya :p ..The rice is tasty and fragrant. A well-made Jakarta style nasi uduk.



Look at the yellowy fried chicken =9 *drooling*




Shrimp satay and tripe (babat) to make your nasi uduk complete

 

*Woopss..a fast hand*  Fried tofu, tempe (soybean cake) and sambal kacang (peanut chili sauce) are never failing us


A nice nasi uduk experience..yumm!! So sorry I didn't know the price, but I think it won't make you take a loan =P

*Overall rating : 7.9/10*

Nasi Uduk Puas Hati

Jl. Kebon Kacang I No. 63

Tanah Abang

Central Jakarta

Ikkudo Ichi

It was an after rain afternoon on Saturday, 15 December 2012 and because of I have to attend my friend's wedding in Bogor, I stranded in Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) area...ehh?? So long story, so just cut the crap and here we go Ikkudo Ichi..!!

Another family brought us delicious ramen and heat up the ramen war in Jakarta..Ikkudo Ichi it is..

What a luck, since the two branches are far from my place, I could try the ramen in their first shop in PIK (they have the second branch in Pesanggrahan area)..More luckier, I was treated by my ex-manager..Yippiee!!

 

This is my first time playing around PIK, so I don't really know the direction of the place..hehe..They have a big banner and wooden exterior at the outside of the shop. Seems cozy.

  

The ambience inside. We came around 5.00 p.m., so there's not too crowded. The place quite spacious and we can see the kitchen through the glass. They also have space on second floor.



They also have a space near the outside and the place turned more packed in the evening.



The menu book. Simple yet informative.

 

Gyoza. Sorry that I don't really know the exact price. The gyoza tasted well and savory. The filling is pork (I think) and perfectly cooked. Just nice for me.

Rating: 7/10



Again, sorry I don't know the exact name and price, because those are not ordered by me. I too busy with ramen choosing..haha.. I think this grilled pork with garlic sauce and minced scallion. Look so tempting, right..? Yess..they are so tasty.. I love the garlic hint and the meat are so tender. Yumm!!

Rating: 8.5/10



Buta Signature (37.5k++). The main actor of the evening. A pork ramen with original soup. The broth was so tasty. I add crushed garlic to strengthen the taste and it became wonderful.
I have to say (or type =P) that I must compare the taste with Ikkousha since they have same genre of taste (Hakata or Fukuoka style, I think). For me, Ikkudo's ramen is less-oily and more mild than Hakata (strong yet mild taste, as refer to cigarette advertisement =P) and the cha-su (pork meat) more tasty than Hakata..my friend agree with this..hehe..

Rating: 8.6/10

Until now, I still can't choose which is the best between my best 4 ramen shop (please refer to this link: http://the-erlicious.blogspot.com/2012/12/hakata-ikkousha-one-who-beats-drum-of.html ) because they are so delicious..hahahaha...

Again, I have to compare Ikkudo and Ikkousha since they have similar taste-stream and price range and I can't wait for their face-to-face battle, since Ikkousha will open their shop in PIK, exactly opposite of Ikkudo..wooowww!!!


Ikkudo Ichi
Ruko Crown Golf, Blok D No.2 - 3
Jl. Pantai Indah Kapuk
North Jakarta
(021) 96628677

Hakata Ikkousha - The One Who Beats the Drum of Ramen War

Ramen war is in the air, guys..!! And I think this place is the first who beats the drum...
I believe people see this opportunity and ramen becomes a hype now..Yeayy!!

Their first shop at Muara Karang is always full and packed with customer..
We came around 11.30 a.m. and fortunately we have our seats immediately. What a luck, because 15 minutes late means long queue outside.

So, let's slurpp..!!

The ambience inside. Packed with customers (and waiters). Simple Japanese design with red and black influence. Look at the Japanese there. I wonder whether he is the executive chef..haha..

Pork Special Ramen (+/- 38k++)

Ikkousha serves Hakata ramen style. I search on Wikipedia and got an info that the ramen originates from Hakata district of Fukuoka city in Kyushu. It has a rich, milky, pork-bone (tonkotsu) broth, non-curly and resilient noodles. Yeah, they have them all. The soup is rich and fully-flavoured. I wonder if they cooked the soup over the night. The pork (cha-su) topping quite nice and half boiled tamago (egg) will never fail me.

Rating: 8.6/10

Shin-men, Marutama, Ikkousha and Ikkudo (which I will post later) are the best 4 ramen shop I have tried. In my last posting, I said that Marutama is the best and now I confused..hahaha...But if we consider for the price, Ikkousha and Ikkudo will receive point higher. However, Marutama's noodle is still the best for me..

So let's enjoy the war and being satisfied..!! =)


Hakata Ikkousha
Jl. Muara Karang 85
North Jakarta
(021)66670588

Siomay Pink @ Jakarta Car Free Day

Jakarta is really a heavy-polluted city. Maybe there are tons of CO2 spread in the air everyday. Fortunately, Jakarta's local government has started Jakarta Car Free Day (JCFD) campaign and now it held every Sunday, every week..Yeayy..!!

So, what is good about JCFD beside the sport or jogging thing..? Of course their street food..!

After being prohibited for several times (maybe because the trash), they could sell the food again and everyone happy I think =)

It was a beautiful morning when I jogged and noticed somethink pink near Tosari busway stop.

"Aha..!! Is that the famous 'Siomay Pink'?" So I just stopped by and try my curiousity..

As I saw in the TV, I'm not sure if this is the right Siomay Pink, although the 'abang' dressed very well in pink and so many pink accessoris on his bike..[sorry, I didn't take any picture =( ]

What makes me unsure is there was no crowded around and people prefer to eat at other places..It's weird for such a big name..

So, I still bought it and ordered 2 siomay and 1 otak-otak..

"How much?" I said.. "Rp27,000", he replied...Oh motherrr God!! Now I know why there is no crowded around..

I tried them at my place and my expectation really really high..

So...to be honest the taste was good..not that really good..but good  *____*

For Rp9,000/each, the siomay is a good example of overpriced thing..

I regret I will buy again this Siomay Pink and I don't think this is the original and famous one..

The 2 Siomay and 1 Otak-otak



Kedai Sate Babi Krekot

Another satay posting.. This time is for pork satay at Pecenongan area.. And we've got one of the famous : Krekot...



It located across from Alila Hotel.. Very easy to find..



We ordered three kinds of satay: meat (@4k-4.5k), skin (@2.5k-3k), and liver (@4k-4.5k) [sorry, I don't really remember the exact price].. They tasted okay for me.. But I much prefer the liver.. It soft and delicate..
*Rating: 7.0/10*

The condiment is only sweet soy sauce, cucumber cuts, and serundeng.. I'd prefer peanut for the sauce.. I don't really keen on this type.. 

We ordered Bakut Sayur Asin (I'm not sure about the english).. @20k/half portion.. Can't complain.. Just another okay..
*Rating: 7.0/10*

Honestly, I expect more from them.. They should improve the taste..


Kedai Sate Babi Krekot
Jl. Pecenongan (across from Alila Hotel)
Central Jakarta

ah Tuan ee's

We had a dinner before start to work again.. Since the office near with Pacific Place so we decide to eat here.. It famous for their malay dishes...

Located at fourth floor of Pacific Place.. It's easy to find..

A little story about ah Tuan ee (auntie ah Tuan)..

The place is not too big.. Simple and homey..

I chose Asam Laksa (38.5k++).. What a strange look ya..

This is the picture after I stirred the dish.. The noodle is like spaghetti (or it's spaghetti) with sour soup and pieces of mango and cucumber.. I think the top is a very little cut of mackerel or tuna or skipjack tuna.. The soup is too sour for me..But the fish and the cucumber were really refreshing.. Nice at last...
Rating : 7.4/10

My friend chose Kiam Hoo Fried Rice (29k++).. Kiam Hoo is referring to salted fish.. The fried rice is nice but nothing special for me..
Rating : 6.8/10

ah Tuan ee's
Pacific Place 4th floor
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53
South Jakarta  12190
(021) 5797 3364

Marutama Ra-Men

I like ramen and this Marutama Ra-Men is really make me curious..I heard some positive reviews about this place and can't wait to try it.. 

Located at the basement floor of Sentral Senayan building. It's not difficult to find...

The place is not too big with quite nice ambience...

The variants are not so extrensive. You can choose the ramen easily...  

Here is for me.. Marutama Ra-Men (52k++) plus additional tamago (8k++).. Greatt..!! The soup is really nice.. It's chicken broth soup based.. Not too thick and delicate.. The ramen also superb, silky, smooth and they cooked it al dente.. Love itt..!!
Rating : 8.5/10



My friend opted Aka Ra-Men (65k++). Ramen with 7 kinds of ground nuts mixture  with chicken soup.. I didn't try it since I will come here again and surely order this unique ramen..



Their famous tamago (8k++).. A boiled egg with melted yolk inside.. What a good technique...

  

Surely the best ramen I ever had in Jakarta so far.. ^^


Sentral Senayan I
Basement Floor #10 BC

RM. Berkah

Another story of my out-of-office assignment. We're in Cilandak area and one of my friend suggested us to had a lunch here...  

I don't really remember about the detail location since I very seldom go out to Cilandak area..  

It's their specialty.. The meat soup (35k).. A clear and spicyful soup with pieces of meat.. This is not my favorite type of dish.. But they cooked the meat very well.. They're so tender that I could cut them easily with spoon... 
*Rating : 7/10*

The side dishes and guava juice..

RM Berkah
Jl. Jeruk Purut No. 22
Cilandak Timur
South Jakarta
(021) 781 5652

Chili's

One of famous tex-mex restaurant in Jakarta. I read several reviews about this place. I can conclude that it served something nice for your hungry tummy!

Located at secod floor of Sarinah building. You’ll find it easily...

It has a simple American-style design.. I like the ambience..

I ordered one of choices from their Big Mouth Burger sections, Chipotle Bleu Cheese Beef Bacon Burger (76.9k++). A spicy and smoky burger with chipotle pepper sauce, bleu cheese crumblers, beef bacon, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickle and bleu cheese dressing. It served with their homestyle fries. Like I said, this is a right place to feed your big appetite. Yeah, the burger came with a jumbo size. The burger was really yummy!! And it awesomely combined with a nice bleu cheese. I felt them melted in my mouth.. Love it!!
*Rating : 8.5/10*

This is my friend’s dish. One of choices from their sandwiches, Chicken Ranch (60.9k++). I didn’t try it, but  looks so nice yaa?!? And you don’t have to ask me about its size..

My friend’s Fried Steak (113.9k++)..A huge fried chicken steak with three kinds of carbohydrate.. What a meal!!

It’s not surprise me if they set the price quite high. Many foreigners came here and they served a big portion dishes. I like the environment, love the food, especially their mouth-watering Big Mouth Burgers!! Two thumbs up!!


Chili's
Sarinah Building, 2nd Floor
Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 11
Central Jakarta
(021) 314 6587

Rumah Makan Medan Deli

We had an assignment out of the office around Kemayoran area and one of my friend suggested us to had lunch here..

Easily to find the restaurant because it's located at main street. We came during lunch time, so there're many cars parked along the roadside...  

They served Malay cuisine and many of them seem like Padang dishes with thinner coconut milk.. They also have Padang restaurant style-serving.. The restaurant's special dishes are Fried Punai (a kind of pigeon) and Snapper Head Curry and we must tell the servant if we want to order them..

I ordered Fried Punai and took Cassava Leaves Curry.. The punai was soft and uniquely sweet.. The leaves came nicely with thin coconut milk.. I had them with warm rice and green chili sambal.. Hmm..what a delicate combination..!!
*Rating: 8/10* 



What a war..!!^^

 My friend treated us and surely a niceee lunchh..!! 



RM. Medan Deli
Jl. Angkasa No. 1
Kemayoran
Central Jakarta

a little review of BIG Apple Donuts

One more donuts store in Jakarta..we may say that the name is relatively new on “donuts-racing” in Indonesia..



*Rating : 7.2/10*



*Apple (5k)
A donut with chocolate and apple sauce on top..Sweet and sour…

*Strawberry (5k)
A pink-strawberry sauce on top donut with whipped cream filling inside..cute match..!!

*Black Forest (5k)
A donut with shredded chocolate and strawberry garnish on top with whipped cream filling inside..

Okay, my champion is the pink Strawberry..!! The taste is lovely..! But, overall the donuts’ dough are quite soft and nice..and there are still many variants of donuts to try..so, enjooyyy..!!!


Big Apple Donuts
Plaza Semanggi 3A Floor
Jl. Jend Sudirman Kav. 50
Karet Semanggi
South Jakarta