Dinner and Hanging Out:
Saung Lovina Jl . Ampera Raya
Cheap but No AC
Dont be fooled by the facade of this place as from the outside it looks dumpy and unattractive. It is situated next to the Ondel-Ondel gallery, right before the entrance of Kemang Place (ini kos-kosan kelas atas bow). Once you arrive, just go directly to the saung area and take your seating choice in one of the bale-bale. Must order: Balinese style Ikan Bakar Kue, Plecing Kangkung, Sate Udang dan Calamari. Ask for extra Sambal and Fried Shallots Oil. Food is truly gorgeous and expect to pay around 75 K for two hungry people. Also expect to order second rounds as it is really addictive. Open for lunch but can be a bit hot and humid. It’s become one of my fave spots if I have an urge to gorge.
Loca! Jl. Benda
Value for Money
This is a true gem. It is probably one of the first restaurant in Jakarta that positions itself as local joint as it really tries to immerse itself and become part of the local community. A stand alone resto (meaning, its not located in a building or hotel), it serves 100 different flavours of good quality coffee and it also specializes in Italian grub such as pasta and grills. Food is cheap (pasta starts at 20 thou) and atmosphere is FUN, FUN, FUN. Variety of drinks are also abound. They have blackboards on the wall announcing its coffee (100 cups from heaven!) and brunch menu, their Loca! group holiday to Peucang (open for everyone), tidbits on their chefs, and best of all, if you like cooking, you can give em a call so you can try out your stuff at their kitchen. Owned by the dyamic couple Matteo and Teges (who also owns Lola in SCBD area), this is a true local joint with character, warmth and a dash of class. Fantastic brunch menu every Sunday.
More info on Loca!: Talented palm reader every Tuesday and Friday evening. Come early to book your slots.
Shy Jl. Kemang Raya
Damn pricey!
Located in the posh new glitzy glass building in Kemang Raya that also houses Club 21 Boutique and Huixe Van Welly resto, dimly lit Shy sits on the top floor. Serving haute cuisine in a dark atmosphere, I wouldn’t really recommend it unless you want to impress someone on a first date, clinch a business deal or do a marriage proposal. Set dinner for one person (I think about 5 courses) which includes Wagyu beef is about 600 K. Wine and other drinks are also highly priced. Food and service is ok. It also has a small lounge near the bar which is dimly lit as well. Good if you want to have a clandestine date.
The Edge Kemang Icon at Kemang Raya, Top Floor
Pricey
Kemang Icon is the newest and ritziest kid on the block as far as hotels are concerned in Kemang. It’s only got 12 suites for hire, with the cheapest one going for US$120 per night. Decked in the lobby are upmarket boutiques, an Apple store and galleries. With fantastic architecture and interior design, it’s becoming a popular place to stage cocktail parties for the yummies (young upwardly mobile kiddies)J The Edge is the hotel resto that overlooks the swimming pool on the top floor. Great place for a late brunch or just a coffee. This property is managed by Alila hotels.
Koi Kemang Raya in the same building as Lifespa
Value for money
A bistro version of its older sister in Mahakam sporting a different menu, Koi in Kemang is truly one of my favorite place to eat. It has two distinct menu: Asian and European with daily specials that changes daily (well of course! if it changes monthly, it’ll be called monthly special!). Their salads are truly superb and large in quantity. Order any one of them and it’s a guaranteed satisfaction. My personal favorite is the Fried Tofu Salad. Slurp! Teas, coffees, wine and beer are all good quality and moderately priced. The desserts? FANTASTIC! Prices here are a bit cheaper than the one in Mahakam. Parking is a bit dodgy, so come with a driver or cab, or get ready to handover your carkeys to the valet dude. It’s also a perfect place to chill after working out at the Lifespa or Hot Yoga upstairs.
FJL Bistro
Pricey
Jl. Kemang Raya and a 3 minute stroll from my house
Italian foodies and tea enthusiasts will love dining in this place. Specializing in pastas and grills, which includes a yummy lamb chop, FJL also serves good salads and soups. Funky interior and warm service adds the zing to this establishment.
Daredevil desserts adds to the pastas galore and glorious list of tea beverages!This place is also good for a late lunch. After dining, check out the upmarket boutique in front of the resto, owned by the restaurateur'
Lunch spots:
Organics
Jl. Kemang Raya
Moderately Priced
A health food store cum resto that serves meals that is prepared only with organic foodstuff. Creating a healthy trend amongst the in crowd, this place offers great sandwiches, a good salad bar and a long list of healthy but tasty drinks. The place is groovy and packed with people, both 'new age' and conformist alike. Detox services is also available on premises.
Shabu Nobu Kemang Raya
Value for money
A spot on place for a leisure healthy lunch on Saturdays, Shabu Nobu is it. Casual eatery with moderately priced meals and generous servings. NZ meat Shabu set is 75 K includes strips of good quality lean meat, a huge plate of veggies and mushrooms, rice and a dollop of ice cream (green tea or ogura). Hot or Cold Ocha is free flow and only 5K. Within the same group as Sushi Nobu, Shabu Nobu now has started to also offer sushi dishes, along with its staple udon and tempura dishes. Something for everyone! After lunch, head upstairs to QB to select your new book for the upcoming week and sip a cup of Java in the cafe overlooking Kemang Raya.
Sop Konro dan Ikan Bakar:
Next to Circle K at Ampera Raya.
Value for money and No AC
The Konro and Ikan Bakar are good for lunch. Not too fatty, the konro has a generous portion and goes well with steaming rice. Expect to pay 100 thou for a big lunch for two.
Balado Padang Resto:
Ampera Raya
Value for money
Acquiring its first new serious competitor in same strip of road sometime last month (Sederhana), Balado keeps going on strong. I’m truly a sucker for good ayam bakar padang and paru goreng. RRRRRRRRRRRR!
Warung Ny. Umi:
Next to my building
Very cheap, No AC of course
Well, we like to call it Madame Umi’s Bistro. J As this place is located next to my office building, tucked in a corner next to the tukang soto ayam, undoubtedly this is where I mostly have my lunch. It serves edible Sundanese style buffet food, with different variety on the menu each day. When I’m on my vegetarian binge: 3 types of stir fried veggies, lalapan and sambal, krupuk and bakwan and es teh tawar only cost me a princely sum of 4.500 rups. With chicken or fish and tofu, it’s about ten thou. Not bad huh?
Paddzi
Jl. Ampera Raya
Value for money
Padat dan bergizi, that’s what always pops into my mind whenever we head here for lunch. This resto has been around for awhile and has gone through its ups and downs and yet manages to fare well. It specializes in Aneka Masakan Ikan, so if the worms in your tummy has this type of craving for lunch, this is where to go. Recently renovated, this resto has a nice family atmosphere (banyak ibu2 arisan bok kalo siang2). Their must order dish is the tahu goreng isi and of course the gurama goreng. Their veggies aint so bad either. They also have a great outdoor area that can be used for dinnertime.
Back in the Hood Part 2 coming up!
Ta..ta...
Fathia
