The wine flows at intimate Vino Vino<\/p>\n
Bill Blade, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Wine, wine and more wine. No, I'm not referring to Her Majesty's
\nloyal subjects from Down Under (who reportedly "wine" even more
\nthan the Poms). But rather the fact that Jakarta seems to be
\nchock-a-block at the present time with wine bars.<\/p>\n
But that's not necessarily a bad thing (especially when one's
\ngluttony for all things alcoholic is being bankrolled by The
\nJakarta Post!).<\/p>\n
There was a time, however, when things were different, and
\nthis reviewer wouldn't be seen dead in such venues, associated as
\nthey were in his mind with nouveau riche vulgarity, pompous boors
\nand large, well-nigh insurmountable bills.<\/p>\n
But times change, and as one grows longer in the tooth comfort
\nand ease begin to take on a new and deeper significance (and,
\ndare we say it, perhaps one also becomes somewhat more pompous
\nand boorish into the bargain).<\/p>\n
Which all begs the question, where is one going to find this
\nrequisite degree of comfort and ease? Well, you could do a lot
\nworse than the friendly and intimate wine bar and restaurant
\nknown as Vino Vino, which you'll find ensconced sensuously and
\ninvitingly on the ground floor, suite 101 of Plaza DM in Jl.
\nJend. Sudirman Kav. 2S (Tel. 5203921).<\/p>\n
Hours: 11:30 until 1 a.m. seven days a week, although don't be
\nsurprised if they ask you to vacate the premises a bit earlier on
\na quiet night.<\/p>\n
What's it got?: Lots and lots of wine, obviously. In fact, the
\ncellar is one of the biggest and best I've seen in the big smoke,
\nwhich, given the competition, is not all that much of a
\nrecommendation, mind you. And there's also a well-stocked bar to
\nkeep the non-wine drinking contingent amused.<\/p>\n
Interesting little bar trick employed here in the form of
\nproviding tiny fried, salted fish as bar snacks for the punters.
\nJust the thing for raising up a thirst and keeping the till
\nringing.<\/p>\n
Bill, please: As with all such establishments, you'll come
\nbrandishing your gold card if you know what's good for you.
\nOtherwise you'll need a Weimar Republic-issue barrowload full of
\ncash.<\/p>\n
As for liquid refreshment, a bottle of Cullen Chardonnay from
\nAustralia will see you for Rp 760,000, while a Wolf Blass Yellow
\nLabel Cabernet Sauvignon (also from down under) can be yours for
\nonly Rp 475,000. Meanwhile, from France, a Pierre Dourthe
\nChardonnay or Cabernet Sauvignon is good value at Rp 225,000 (or
\nRp 45,000 a glass). However, for me the best bargain on offer is
\nthe Long Mountain Chardonnay from South Africa at Rp 220,000 (or
\nRp 40,000 a glass).<\/p>\n
There's also a great selection of wines from France, Chile,
\nand Germany available.<\/p>\n
As for the stronger stuff, a JW Black, Canadian Club,
\nJameson's or Jack Daniels will set you back Rp 40,000.<\/p>\n
And if you can't hack any or all of the above, a deliciously
\ncold glass of draft Bintang is to be had for Rp 18,000 (all
\nprices excluding 10 percent tax and service).<\/p>\n
Here's lookin' at you: Unlike many of its peers in the wine
\nbar game, there's no way you could possibly describe Vino Vino as
\nloud, brash or even, to use that awful Americanism, kitschy.
\nRather, this is a place that is understated throughout and tends
\ntowards the comforting and soothing end of the scale as opposed
\nto the stimulating.<\/p>\n
Only open since last November, it sits right in front of you
\nas you enter Plaza DM, not so much like a tiger ready to pounce
\nas a cat about to slink and purr its way round your ankles.<\/p>\n
The sense of femininity increases as you walk through the
\nvestibule into the bar to be greeted by dimmed lights, deep-pile
\ncarpeted pillars and the all-pervading color of black set off by
\nwhite and red. The style seems to come somewhere between Art Deco
\nand New Wave, with strong lines and colors predominating, but
\nmade eminently tolerable by the dimmed lighting, and the soft
\ntones and rich fabrics and upholstery of the furnishings. A place
\nfull of contrasts, but certainly not discommoding ones.<\/p>\n
Long and black with room for about 20 punters, the bar is
\npretty traditional. Bit of a problem with the view though -- the
\nconstant parade of cars entering the underground parking lot that
\ncan be seen 10 meters away through the floor-to-ceiling plate
\nglass window would be enough to make even the most even-keeled
\npunter's stomach churn. Not good after a few quick ones. So, make
\nsure you get them to lower the bamboo screens if you don't want
\nto end up seeing stars instead of cars.<\/p>\n
Outside of the bar area, Vino Vino is large enough, and full
\nof enough nooks and crannies, to go on a bit of a walkabout.
\nRight at the back there's a pleasant-looking restaurant while as
\nyou leave the bar on your right, there's a comfy little lounge
\nreplete with sofas and bookshelves (with real, actually
\ninteresting books). So comfy, in fact, that after a liberal
\nhelping of the Long Mountain Chardonnay, yours truly was
\nbeginning to feel distinctly dozy. And despite the profuse
\nassurances from the bar manager that mi casa es su casa and that
\nthe aim of the game is to make the punter feel completely at
\nhome, one nevertheless gets the distinct impression that falling
\nasleep, or any other form of uncouth behavior, would go down
\nsomething akin to a ton of bricks.<\/p>\n
And therein lies one of the great unfathomable of wine bars --
\nthey go out of their way to make you exceedingly comfy, drip feed
\nyou beverages that are guaranteed even in quite moderate
\nquantities to send you straight into a profound stupor, and
\nnevertheless insist on kicking you out promptly at locking up
\ntime. Shouldn't be allowed!<\/p>\n
But thankfully, things didn't get to that stage. Not this time
\nat any rate.<\/p>\n
Verdict: Vino Vino has definitely got a whole lot going for
\nit. Friendly and helpful staff, great interior design and lots of
\ndark corners. Just the place to bring your date or go for a few
\nquiet ones after work. Strongly recommended!<\/p>",
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