Relax and make yourself at home at Mario's Place<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A new bar\/cafe has opened in Menteng, called
\nMario's Place. New bar openings are always exciting, providing
\nnew opportunities for diversion. And the arrival of Mario's Place
\nin Menteng Plaza is good news for the area, which could use a
\nlittle revitalization and new blood.<\/p>\n
Unlike most of the bars that have opened recently in the
\ncapital, Mario's Place eschews the ultra-modern and hip look,
\nchoosing instead a more traditional look. The result is not
\ndisappointing, and those who feel slightly uncomfortable and out
\nof place in some of the more oppressively trendy bars in the city
\nshould feel more at home at Mario's.<\/p>\n
Location: Menteng Plaza, Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto No. 79, Central
\nJakarta. The phone number is 391-7301 and fax 391-7304.<\/p>\n
Hours: Open Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; and
\nFriday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.<\/p>\n
What's it got: There is an extensive wine list (in this
\nregard, Mario's has followed the new wine trend at bars in the
\ncity), beers, spirits, cocktails and various nonalcoholic drinks.<\/p>\n
I also happened to visit Mario's on a Sunday afternoon for
\nlunch, so I got a good look at the menu. While there was a wide
\nselection of food on offer, from Italian, Asian, Indonesian and
\nthings in between, nothing really jumped out at me. I read
\nthrough the menu several times, but just couldn't get excited
\nabout anything. I ended up ordering the beef teriyaki, if memory
\nserves, and it ended up being quite good.<\/p>\n
Bill, please: The drinks tend to the expensive side, but not
\nout of line with prices at your nice bars around town. A Martini
\nis Rp 50,000, a Corona Rp 45,000 and a shot of Jose Cuervo Rp
\n25,000. In all, one Martini, three Coronas and the shot of Cuervo
\ncost Rp 241,500, including tax and service.<\/p>\n
Here's looking at you: Mario's Place is a large and roomy
\nplace, involving an upstairs and downstairs. The inside is all
\nexposed brickwork, with exposed air ducts (or ducts of some sort)
\noverhead.<\/p>\n
There are two bars, one downstairs and another upstairs. The
\nSaturday night I was there, the upstairs bar never opened, so I
\nnever had the opportunity to enjoy the view from up top. Besides
\nthe bar upstairs, there are also several tables.<\/p>\n
Downstairs, there is a good-sized stage for the band, and a
\nlittle area cleared of tables for dancing. As this is also a
\ncafe, there is a good-sized seating area for diners in front of
\nthe stage. Behind these tables, separated by a railing, is more
\nseating. The bar down here is off to the left as you enter.<\/p>\n
It is good sized and comfortable and far enough from the stage
\nthat it is possible to talk and be heard when the band is
\nplaying. Near the bar are several high circular tables and
\nstools.<\/p>\n
The crowd at Mario's was definitely not young and hip (no
\noffense, neither am I). Most of the people there seemed to be in
\ntheir late 20s, early 30s and 40s. It was a fun group, laughing
\nand having a good time, enjoying the band, but it was a more
\nrelaxed crowd. It's a nice change from some of the more manic
\nclubs in the city.<\/p>\n
Everyone was in groups and there was a disappointing lack of
\nbeautiful babes, and me having managed to sneak out without the
\ngirlfriend. Though one young lady did drop by at the bar to chat
\nme up, and I mentioned my girlfriend within the first two minutes
\nof the conversation; she may not have been there physically, but
\napparently she was there in spirit.<\/p>\n
Odds and Ends: The staff at Mario's Place is friendly and
\nprofessional, and go out of their way to help the customers. I
\nfound myself out of cigarettes and was told they did not carry my
\nbrand. So I was getting up to go outside to buy some cigarettes,
\nwhen they insisted I give them the money and they would go and
\nbuy the cigarettes for me.<\/p>\n
I do have one complaint, though. They do not let you keep a
\ntab, so every time you order a drink they bring you the bill and
\nyou have to pay on the spot. So every 10 minutes you have to pull
\nout your wallet again and pay, which gets to be annoying. It is
\nmuch more convenient, I think most people would agree, to pay for
\nall your drinks at once when you are getting ready to leave.<\/p>\n
Last call: Mario's Place proved to be a comfortable and
\nenjoyable bar, just right for some relaxed drinks. The place is
\nphysically appealing and, while not the hippest crowd, the people
\nthere have fun, and so will you. (Penn Dawson)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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