Restauranteurs target local market<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): In this area of emerging markets and appetites,
\nthe needs of certain restaurant enthusiasts tend to go unnoticed.
\nLuxury hotels and five-star restaurants continue to spring up in
\nJakarta, catering to the palates and pocketbooks of a chosen few.
\nNow, one can now find delicacies from just about any corner of
\nthe globe -- for a price.<\/p>\n
Though the proliferation of such establishments is usually
\naccompanied by an increased awareness of foreign cuisine,
\nessentially a positive development, those bereft of bulging bank
\naccounts tend to stay in and leave the globe-trotting gourmands
\nto their tables in the corner.<\/p>\n
Two new locales have arrived in Jakarta not so much to win
\nover those who have fallen through the culinary cracks but rather
\nto provide simple, quality dining at more moderate prices.<\/p>\n
Restoran Nightmare Pizzeria Italiano was the dream of 35 year
\nold Angelo Giallombardo who left his hometown of Siena, in the
\nbucolic Italian region of Tuscany, to try his luck on the streets
\nof this Indonesian metropolis.<\/p>\n
"I traveled through Indonesia a couple of years ago and knew
\nat that time that I was going to be back," recalls Giallombardo.<\/p>\n
Though Jakarta is already home to a number of quality Italian
\nrestaurants, Nightmare is the first genuine pizzeria to open in
\nthe city. The owners have not only imported an Italian wood pizza
\noven, critical to a toasty crust, but also a seasoned pizza maker
\nfrom Salerno, Micheli Cuozzo.<\/p>\n
These authentic touches were part and parcel in their goal of
\nsetting out to create the type of establishment that they
\nthemselves were accustomed to frequenting back home.<\/p>\n
"We wanted to create an ambience where people could come,
\nsocialize and play board games while having something wholesome
\nto eat -- at any hour."<\/p>\n
Located at Jl. Abdul Muis No. 72 A, in front of the Tanamur
\ndiscotheque and just down the street from the Grand Metro
\nEquatorial Hotel, selections from Nightmare's menu can be had 24
\nhours a day, seven days a week. "Thus we chose the name
\n'Nightmare.'" says Giallombardo, "We originally wanted to create
\nsomething along the lines of a haunted house but in the end
\ndecided to keep it more thematic than horrific. Some people may
\nhave found it difficult to eat with a severed head staring at
\nthem during their antipasti."<\/p>\n
Vaffanculo<\/p>\n
One may choose from over a dozen different kinds of freshly-
\nmade pizzas created mostly from ingredients imported from Italy.
\nThe All'Ortolana is a very delicate vegetarian pizza, and though
\nI found the use of cucumbers an unnecessary topping, the pizza as
\na whole was quite savory. One may also opt for 4 Formaggi, four
\ncheeses, or the Vaffanculo, a specially Mediterranean combination
\nof artichokes, olives and anchovies. For a pizza without any
\ntomato sauce whatsoever, try the Fume.<\/p>\n
As a primi piatti, Nightmare does a nice job with their
\nfusilli alla puttanesca, cooked al dente and with plenty of
\ngarlic. The cafe-style menu also includes an international array
\nof crepes, sandwiches, steaks, salads, omelettes and a healthy
\nselection of Italian desserts and coffees available to those with
\nenough extra belt space.<\/p>\n
For those hobbling out of a disco at indecent hours of the
\nmorning, or for anyone more inclined to nocturnal activity,
\nNightmare also has a fully-stocked bar. Beer is reasonably priced
\naround Rp 5000 for domestic and Rp 9,000 for imported, with
\nwines, long drinks and cocktails costing a bit more.<\/p>\n
As for the food, appetizers range from between Rp 6,500 to Rp
\n12,000 and pastas and pizzas run from about Rp 7,500 to Rp
\n14,000. Steaks will cost you a bit more and for the more fancy
\ndesserts, such as their homemade tiramisu, one can expect to pay
\nRp 5000 to 8000. Visitors interested in something light and sweet
\nwill be pleasantly satisfied by the wonderful nocciola,
\nstracciatella, caffe and other flavors of Italian ice creams and
\nsorbets.<\/p>\n
Nightmare's appeal lies mainly in the fact that it makes no
\npretensions and simply hopes to attract a generally younger
\nclientele, ages 15 - 35 according to the proprietors, who don't
\nnecessarily want to go to a mall or hotel to have a nice meal.<\/p>\n
The walls are lively decorated with framed horror movie
\nposters and original paintings and the atmosphere is quite airy
\nand warm. The wait staff appear able, though somewhat awkward at
\ntimes, and are relentlessly attentive, a trait typical to most
\nestablishments in Jakarta. Nightmare seats about 100 people and
\nwith two floors, the upper-level can easily be booked for private
\nparties and business gatherings.<\/p>\n
New kid in town<\/p>\n
Another savvy business decision has been made by the owners of
\nSandwich Kid, stepping in to fill the under-represented market of
\ndelivery lunch foods and desserts.<\/p>\n
For those familiar with Marks and Spencer, Sandwich Kid offers
\na very similar service with their hygienically heat-sealed
\nsandwiches chilled and delivered to all metropolitan locations.<\/p>\n
The sandwiches are quite tasty and can be tailor made to order
\nfor any business affair, be it a luncheon or an office snack. All
\nthe meats used are halal and nearly everything that goes into the
\nsandwiches is homemade.<\/p>\n
Their "egg mayonnaise with beef 'bacon'" sandwich is quite
\nnice with the bacon being almost indistinguishable from the real
\nthing. The "rich chocolate cake" is indeed rich, though a little
\nto heavy and frosting intensive. It does, however, more than
\nserve the purpose for those chocoholics in need of a quick fix.<\/p>\n
Although Sandwich Kid places a premium on convenience, there
\nare a couple of snags that need to be worked out. They are still
\nunable to deliver on the same day and all orders must be placed
\n12 hours in advance. In addition, the minimum order is Rp 70,000
\nper delivery, making it a little difficult for any individual
\nwith a sudden urge for carrot cake to just pick up the phone and
\norder.<\/p>\n
Such kinks will most likely be worked out by next year as the
\nSandwich Kid plans to open a shop in the Bapindo Center on Jl.
\nSudirman. In the meantime, Sandwich Kid products are available at
\nKem Chicks and Hero supermarkets and can be ordered by phone or
\nfax at 846.0863.<\/p>\n
-- Jason Tedjasukmana<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/restauranteurs-target-local-market-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }