Elvis arrives in Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): The king of rock'n'roll has arrived in Jakarta with the opening on Wednesday evening of Elvis, a unique entertainment and dining venue named after the legendary singer Elvis Presley.

Elvis, which is located on the ground floor of Arthaloka building on Jl. Sudirman, features tall tables, a complete sound system, laser disc and vintage LPs -- in short everything needed to put customers in the mood to rock'n'roll, and is modeled on the highly successful Elvis in Singapore.

The Elvis, a franchise which is looking to expand across Asia, is owned by several shareholders in Indonesia, including the Ponderosa Group, a leading restaurant chain in the country.

The design and decor of Elvis is aimed at encouraging customers to participate in the entertainment and enjoy themselves, according to Ron Mullers, an executive of the Ponderosa Group.

In addition to a wide range of drinks, Elvis provides a diverse menu -- from standard American fare like hamburgers to Indian curries and stir-fry dishes.

Elvis Jakarta is the first of a chain of such establishments planned across Indonesia. Work begins on Elvis Bali next March and other Elvises are planned for other major cities throughout Indonesia. (hhr)