Express your love with a romantic dinner

Debbie A. Lubis, Contributor, Jakarta

Love colors our lives with tenderness and passion; sometimes making our hearts beat faster or making us laugh more often. And Valentine's Day always reminds us to share a little romance with someone who cares about us and makes us feel special.

Lovers may set a lovely table with candles and whisper words of endearment to their beloved, while friends try to make the friendship so distinctive. Family members can have a little party and give a love note or exchange inexpensive but meaningful gifts.

To help people celebrate such special relationships in a warm and fascinating atmosphere, major restaurants in Jakarta have prepared their Valentine's Day menus.

Most of them also provide such things as soft music that pleasures the ears, dim lightning that soothes the eyes and roses that provide an enchanting fragrance for those in love.

Two lovers may welcome the occasion by toasting each other with a glass of Andre Brut sparkling wine at Melt Restaurant, which is located on the 9th floor of the BRI II Building on Jl. Sudirman in Central Jakarta. Then enjoy a three-course meal for Rp 300,000 (about US$35.30) per couple prepared by executive chef Trevor Bilney.

A succulent Caesar Salad of baby greens with smoked beef, Parmesan cheese, garlic and croutons topped with a zesty dressing will make a light beginning. Then comes the Australian tenderloin with baked potato, Indian ocean gindara teriyaki and Chinese mushrooms, a distinctive dish that blooms with the flavor of garlic and sauce.

Wrapping the evening in romance, Melt also provides cookies in which are rolled papers containing words of wisdom from famous figures such as Hellen Keller and General Douglas MacArthur.

"We always serve our guests this. You should pick the cookie that is pointing at you. It is part of the Chinese culture that we adopt," said Michael Milande, Melt's operations manager.

Valentine's menus will be available from Feb. 13 through Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. "There will be red roses for the ladies, live acoustic music and a lucky draw to get a membership card for one year," he said.

Chocolates and flowers indeed can express heartfelt commitment to your loved ones, but a nice dinner will help you express love in an unforgettable way. An Asian fusion set menu for two and cocktails for two, accompanied by acoustic music, at Buzz Restaurant will surely light up the passion in your heart. For Rp 380 000, the couple will have the chance to get special lucky draw such as a one-night stay in a deluxe room for two inclusive of breakfast, a dinner voucher worth Rp 250,000 at Buzz and beverage voucher worth Rp 100,000.

"There are also red roses for the ladies. The romantic dinner will surprise your beloved with a magical evening to remember," said Anita Herawati, public relations manager of Alila Jakarta, where Buzz is located.

Buzz currently also offers a breakfast buffet consisting of four set menus that include fresh juices, salad and platter, fruits and cereals, hawker bazaar and hot station that presents breakfast favorites, Asian favorites, Oriental favorites and farm egg station.

For a couple who want to show the essence of love, an exclusive "Ti Amo" four-course set menu provided by Scusa, an Italian and Mediterranean Restaurant at Intercontinental MidPlaza, could help them to understand and better express how they love their partner. With Rp 488,000, a couple can enjoy Valentine's cocktail and the top 40s hits brought by Koena Band.

"They are also entitled for a lovely present," said Yudith Nurwulan, public relations manager of Intercontinental MidPlaza.

Scusa also provides Express Lunch, a 45-minute three-course set lunch menu which is specially designed to suit guests with busy schedule. The lunch that is prepared by chef Luca Pezzera starts from Rp 75,000 per person including coffee or tea. The menus served among others are Mediterranean Seafood Salad, Pasta with sauteed prawns, grilled salmon steak and traditional Italian Tiramisu.

Yudith added that those who like to sample Asian to Western food could enjoy sumptuous buffet served at Java Restaurant on the second floor of the hotel at the price of Rp 130,000 per person. "With an additional of Rp 50,000 per person, the dinner will include free flow of champagne. Not to forget a special gift for 'him and her.'"

Meanwhile, a table for the whole family is available on Feb. 14 at Sailendra Restaurant at JW Marriott. The package costs Rp 128,000 per person or Rp 158,000 per person including a glass of Kir Royal.

"Sailendra is not only offering a special buffet but also a photo memento for each couple, special gift for the lady, 'lucky dip' for a couple who will win a diamond jewelry item to take home, plus an exciting lover's tree door prize from Clarins," said Mellani Solagratia, public relations manager of the JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta.

Currently Sailendra also offers a program of Indian Food Promo called "Don't Worry Have Tandoori!", from Feb. 6 through Feb. 19. Chef de Partie Arun Kumar and chef Ajay Chopra from the JW Marriott Mumbai have flown in to recreate the diverse culinary treasures of India.

For Rp 112,000 per person, a lucky guest can win two return air tickets with accommodation at the JW Marriott Dubai.

"Indian food is one of the favorites in our open kitchen, besides Western and Asian (Indonesian, Chinese, Malaysian, Thailand)," Mellani said.