Cafes: Comfortable weekend places for all<\/p>\n
Asniar Sahab, Contributor, The Jakarta Post<\/p>\n
Cafes have been growing fairly rapidly in Jakarta recently and
\nhave become a lifestyle choice. They are popping up most
\nnoticeably at shopping centers.<\/p>\n
Malls are no longer just shopping venues but also gathering
\nplaces for teenagers, who go there to enjoy the atmosphere of
\ncafes instead of shopping. There are a variety of cafes, which
\noffer various delicacies besides coffee and tea from different
\ncountries.<\/p>\n
When and how did cafes at malls first appear and proliferate?
\nShopping-center cafes began at Pasar Raya Blok M around 1988,
\nwhen a cafe was opened on the corner of its porch facing the
\nroad.
\n Its French interior design with glass panels enabled visitors to
\neat and drink while chatting and watching passersby outside the
\nmall.<\/p>\n
Croissant de France, as the cafe was named, began thriving
\nafter several months, with guests mostly comprising models,
\nartists, fashion journalists and public figures. Considered a
\nprestigious rendezvous for selected groups, this cafe became
\nfamous and recorded full houses almost daily. Now it has moved to
\nthe basement along with other new cafes.<\/p>\n
When Plaza Indonesia Mall was erected in the early 1990s, a
\ncafe, Olala, also became part of it, right under the stairs
\nleading to the basement, near the corner of the room. A modest
\nplace with white iron chairs, this cafe emerged as the second
\nchoice and soon gained popularity, offering snacks and coffee at
\nreasonable prices for the middle class and students.<\/p>\n
Later, other malls began to appear, from Blok M Plaza, Pondok
\nIndah, Plaza Senayan, Taman Anggrek to Kelapa Gading, also with
\ncafes in various interior styles. These mall cafes now serve as
\nfamily hangouts during vacations, teeming with visitors at
\nweekends. We need only to choose between the one with special
\nfoods or the other with coffee, tea and snacks. Expresso, found
\nat all malls, for instance, offers just spaghetti and sandwiches,
\nbut its fresh ground coffee has a typical flavor.<\/p>\n
Roti, at Pondok Indah Mall, is a cafe most frequented by
\nteenagers. Every afternoon or weekend, youths pack this cafe for
\nits cappuccino and bread at relatively low prices. Pula Toraja is
\nthe mall's other cafe flaunting its genuine Toraja coffee.<\/p>\n
Several cafes on the floors of Plaza Senayan Mall have various
\ngroups of visitors, from teenagers, adults, executives,
\nlegislators to entrepreneurs. Among the cafes are Victoria,
\nNanini with its pasta and Wien on the top floor with its special
\ninterior design. The middle-eastern style Turkish cafe opened
\nonly six months ago and has different kinds of kebabs on its
\nspecial menu.<\/p>\n
On the far right, in the mall's Sogo area, is Palem Teras
\nCafe, with a porch-like interior and palm decorations. Its glass
\npanels allow views outside the building, which gives it a special
\natmosphere and a feeling of comfort and peace, particularly in
\nthe afternoon or evening. Its separate room is suitable for
\ndiscussions or meetings, but its menu is limited, with coffee,
\ncappuccino and snacks being the main picks.<\/p>\n
Club is yet another cafe at the tip of the building's rear. It
\nhas a three-division interior featuring Arabian and porch
\ndesigns, while retaining an ethnic style and wooden furniture.
\nClub's coffee is imported from various countries, including
\nmochaccini, cappuccino and Colombian supreme. Designed for all
\nages, this cafe also serves grilled tiger prawns and spaghetti as
\nvisitors' favorites.<\/p>\n
Plaza Indonesia has been constantly developing, with recent
\ncafes like Dome and Boutique, the latter having applied the
\nboutique concept and is decorated with white sofas. They are in a
\ndifferent class with fairly expensive menus, creating an
\nexclusive air for executives and the rich. La Moda, also on the
\nground floor, often serves as a place for fashion shows and Metro
\nTV shoots. It has an open interior with white umbrellas, where
\nvisitors enjoy food with piano accompaniment.<\/p>\n
So many cafes are therefore available for relaxing in after a
\nhard day at work. What in fact do we seek there apart from dining
\nand drinking? It is, of course, the atmosphere, as by savoring
\ncoffee, tea or food we also enjoy some comfort and watch
\nattractive sights and people. Malls all over Jakarta now serve as
\nweekend hangouts for families as well as fashion-crazed
\nteenagers.<\/p>",
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