Bowled over by Jakarta's plush new `sports' pub<\/p>\n
Those of you who have been keeping your noses to the ground as
\nregards trends and fads here in the big smoke may have noticed
\nthat tenpin bowling appears to be regarded by Jakarta's plump and
\nrotund classes as being something of an athletic activity.<\/p>\n
In fact, bowling has now been elevated to a status akin to
\nthat accorded in other countries to such excruciating pastimes as
\nthe modern pentathlon or cross-country running.<\/p>\n
They're even showing it on TV, for crying out loud,
\naccompanied by all the adrenalin-charged and over-the-top
\ncommentary that one normally associates with South American
\nsoccer matches.<\/p>\n
The meteoric rise of bowling in Indonesia's sporting firmament
\nis not such a big mystery as it would first appear, however. In a
\nnation desperate for international kudos, they reckon it could
\nproduce some Olympic gold medal prospects in the not-too-distant
\nfuture -- after all, if beach-volleyball and synchronized
\nswimming can be recognized by the IOC, why not bowling?.<\/p>\n
Given what's at stake, it should come as no surprise to find
\nthat bowling alleys of the flashiest, most luxurious variety are
\nspringing up ten-to-a-penny all over Jakarta, a city well known
\nfor its slavish devotion at the altar of all manner of passing
\ntrends and fads.<\/p>\n
The latest such "sporting" mecca is located in the Auto Mall,
\nreportedly the largest, dedicated automobile emporium in
\nSoutheast Asia, which you'll find slap-bang in the middle of the
\nSudirman Central Business District, that semi-derelict wasteland
\nthat looks for all the world like a set from one of those awful,
\npost-Armageddon movies that were all the rage a couple of years
\nago.<\/p>\n
But what makes this bowling alley a cut above the rest is the
\nfact that they've had the wit to attach it to a very comfortable
\nand relaxing pub, the Sudirman International Cafe, a welcoming
\nvenue replete with cozy bar, music and dancing, and some
\nreasonable nosh.<\/p>\n
What is especially attractive about this watering hole is the
\nfact that given its captive market in the form of puffing and
\nwheezing punters exhausting themselves in the athletic pursuit of
\ntenpin bowling prowess next door, you're almost always guaranteed
\nsomething approaching a gaggle of fellow tipplers propping up the
\nbar trying to recover, and a bevy of singles gleefully struggling
\nto get their breath back while still somehow managing to disport
\nthemselves all over the show.<\/p>\n
Only open since February (so there's still that delicious,
\nheady whiff of fresh paint everywhere), Sudirman International
\nCafe may basically be described as another one of those trendy,
\ncool, awfully-sophisticated venues that are as common throughout
\nAsia as suppurating spots on a teenager. Oozing luxury and vague
\nechoes of fat-cat purrings, these joints are just the ticket for
\nthose who become semi-orgasmic at the thought of seeing and being
\nseen.<\/p>\n
But even for the likes of your's truly, people who prefer to
\nlurk cockroach-like in dark corners, this particular watering
\nhole has a lot going for it.<\/p>\n
If nothing else, its giant TV, normally tuned in to a sports
\nchannel, and the cozy, convivial bar, all decked out in
\nlusciously blond wood and calming autumnal hues -- just the sort
\nof place I like to prop myself up at while whiling away the
\nevening watching the multicolored cell-phone brigade of
\nnymphettes do their thing on the dance floor (feeling ever-so
\nsuperior, of course, in my self-defeating disdain for modern
\ntechnology).<\/p>\n
Only one problem, though. The bar is cheek-to-jowl with the
\nstage, where a band belts out the ditties, mostly easy listening
\nand your usual run 'o the mill hits, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Mon.
\nthrough Sat. Given the state-of-the-art sound system, apparently
\ndesigned to ensure that even Quasimodo gets the gist of what's
\ngoing on, things do tend to get ever-so-slightly noisy.<\/p>\n
Another minor problem is the arctic chill that tends to
\nprevail in certain parts of this establishment, especially on the
\nquieter evenings. So if you are planning a trip midweek, do bring
\na jacket or something else that will stop the blood from
\ncoagulating unexpectedly.<\/p>\n
No such worries on weekends, though, as the place was fairly
\nhopping on the Saturday evening of our visit -- a reservation
\nmight well be in order if you're planning on dining.<\/p>\n
In the way of drink, this joint has just about everything a
\ntried and tested tippler could desire, and not exceptionally
\nexpensive for all that.<\/p>\n
A JW Red Label, Smirnoff Vodka or Myers Rum can be had for Rp
\n35,000, while a JW Black or Chivas Regal will hit you for Rp
\n42,000.<\/p>\n
In the beer department, they've got Anker (Rp 23,000 per
\nglass), and Corona, Carlsberg and Tiger (all going for Rp 35,000)
\n-- not such a wonderful selection given the sort of joint
\nSudirman International Cafe aspires to be.<\/p>\n
As for the food, not bad -- although could be much better.
\nGiven the rather unimaginative menu, I ended up with the cream of
\nmushroom soup, which turned out to have all the consistency of
\nporridge and tasted like the sort of creamed rice that comes in a
\ncan (all Brits should know what I'm talking about here).<\/p>\n
Still slightly peckish, I ordered the tenderloin steak. Again
\nnothing special -- a bland sauce and the usual, standard veggies,
\nalthough the meat was cooked to perfection.<\/p>\n
Another problem I encountered in this particular venue was the
\nfact that the glass-top tables all seemed to be suffering from a
\nserious dose of the totters -- given all the wobbling, I had to
\ndo the business on the steak up at the bar.<\/p>\n
But these are minor quibbles, and pale into insignificance
\ncompared to the great service provided by an army of perky wait
\nstaff, and a supercharged, fun atmosphere, just what you need on
\na Saturday night out on the town.<\/p>\n
Sudirman International Cafe, Auto Mal basement level, SCBD. Jl.
\nSudirman Kav 52-53, Lot 6, Jakarta, Tel: 528-97019. Hours: 10
\na.m.-2 a.m. seven days a week. All prices quoted above exclude 10
\npercent tax. All major credit cards accepted.<\/p>\n
-- Bill Blade<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bowled-over-by-jakartas-plush-new-sports-pub-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }