If you want to see and to be seen, Fashion Cafe is the place to be
Step into the camera lens as you enter the cafe, and you'll immediately zoom into the captivating, magical world of high fashion.
What makes this cafe special? Is it because it is owned by four top supermodels of the world: Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, Elle MacPherson, and Christie Turlington? Not necessarily. In reality, it is far more justifiable to say that Fashion Cafe is special because it is unique in so many ways.
For example, head for the Paris Room and enjoy the first-hand experience of sitting down and dining on a Paris sidewalk, one of the leading fashion capitals of the world. While you're there, indulge in creations by the world's leading design houses. Works eby Lacroix, Ungaro and Sharon Stone in Valentino and Whitney Houston in Galliano are all artistically displayed here. The Runway, the focal point of the cafe, is another place to drop by for a front-row seat. Or go funky in Funky Room for a different theme and lifestyle. On display are clothes by Anna Sui, Bill Blass, Thiery Mugler, Claude Montana, and others.
Should you prefer elegant privacy, reserve the cafe's epitome of high fashion, the private room dedicated to renowned designer Gianni Versace. Here you can enjoy the food and the conversation with your company in the delightfully decorated room fitted with authentic Versace furniture. Of course, glimpses of the activities downstairs can be seen from your very own private balcony. You'll never be totally isolated if you choose not to be.
First in Asia
Located on the ground floor of Wisma 46 in BNI City, the tallest building in Jakarta, it is the first Fashion Cafe to open in Asia. It's also the fourth in the world -- after New York, New Orleans and London. Soon 11 cafes will operate throughout Asian cities, including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok and Tokyo, making Fashion Cafe the fastest growing restaurant chain in the 1990s. Not surprisingly, then, that tourists and businesspeople from other Asian cities have made Fashion Cafe a must-see attraction.
Isn't Jakarta already crowded with upscale cafes and restaurants, you may well ask. Well, to begin with, there's always a place for a truly excellent and unique restaurant, and that's just what Fashion Cafe is. Besides, as Fashion Cafe sees it, Jakarta, as well as Asia in general, has quietly but confidently integrated itself into the new hub of world fashion. Therefore, combining fashion, education, fantasy, as well as food and beverages of unparalleled quality enables Fashion Cafe to cater to a broader audience. In addition, unmatched quality of service is evident from the fact that you can always meet the managers on the floor. All these surely set Fashion Cafe apart from other theme restaurants -- in Jakarta or any other place, for that matter.
The Action
What can you do once you get inside? Certainly you can dine in the plush settings surrounded by real, state-of-the-art memorabilia from all over the world. There are big video screens, too, so you're never left out of the action. There's a home band that plays music from 10:30 p.m. to closing -- which is 1 a.m. on weekdays and one hour later on weekends. Beginning this Christmas Eve, you'll be able to enjoy live music from Vitamin Q, a band from the U.S. West Coast who are set to perform nightly here.
And, as mentioned before, there are fashion shows to update you on the latest in the glamorous world of fashion. Speaking of fashion shows, at this cafe the fashion shows are not what you've come to expect. Choreographed by top professionals in the fashion design business and the arts, they are meant to give you, the diners, an educational experience through an interaction with fashion.
Because of this emphasis on providing an opportunity for people to find out more about fashion, it's not surprising that, ever since the cafe opened on November 9, a number of top fashion houses have held shows here, including Irwan Tirta and Studio 000,1 Ferre. It's no surprise, either, that the programs schedule is full until April next year. A quick look into the future, and there will be a Lunch Fashion Show on Dec. 21 and Dec. 28, Buka Puasa in January, and Valentine's Day in February. There will also be several product-launching events as well as a myriad of other special programs.
Unfortunately, because it is the place in Jakarta to dine, to be entertained, to learn and to socialize, you have to reserve a place well in advance for the exclusive programs that Fashion Cafe has scheduled. For instance, as Marketing Manager Lily Chandra would like to remind you, don't miss out on the upcoming SNAP live performance this New Year's Eve. You can call 574-5111 now to book your seats.
In the meantime, the cafe's banquet facilities for special events such as birthdays and anniversaries are also available to meet all your needs. The entire restaurant, which occupies a total floor space of 1,700 square meters, can easily accommodate 300 people.
Dining
You can also drop in simply to have dinner with family or friends. At Fashion Cafe you can feast on an array of food selection that suits a wide variety of gourmet preferences, from American to Asian and Pacific Rim. For starters, try the house speciality Trendy Egg & Tofu, which has rapidly become the favorite among the cafe's regular clientele. Fried and crispy, it is stunningly presented and has a local flavor of kecap manis. Seeing it for the first time, you may be pleasantly intimidated by its towering size and you may ask yourself whether you can finish it. However, because it is prepared in such a skillful way it will disappear from your plate in no time and yet you'll still have plenty of space for other masterpieces of the house chef.
To whet your appetite further, you can follow it up with Flashy Calamari, a creative version of the Classic Calamari. Undoubtedly a great appetizer as well as a flavorful salad! Speaking of salads, your other recommended choice is definitely the Catwalk Chicken Salad, which represents a new addition to Asian culinary. Not only crunchy and light, it's low in calories, too.
Proceed to pastas, and take off on a journey around the world, from Classic Italian Pasta to Asian Kway Teow. If you are a pizza lover, you're in for a treat as Fashion Cafe has the best of the new world pizzas. Just try the Peking Duck Pizza, and you'll savor the sliced duck breast with sweet and spicy dark sauce, crispy wonton noodle accentuated with shitake mushrooms. A creative and well-balanced mix of flavors, indeed.
Are you here for just a quick lunch? The sandwiches are just right for light lunches and suit light eaters perfectly. For a more elaborate meal, why not go for Claudia's New York Strip? Or Naomi's Fish `n Chips -- her very own family recipe as well as her personal favorite?
Spot Light Frito is another recommended choice. It's the chef's special creation of whole fried fish cooked in the Pacific Rim style. Or, you can opt for the light, tangy and slightly spicy Designer Lamb Chops that comes with refreshing smoky chili sauce. You see, even the entrees have fashion-related names to enhance your imagination as well as to match their unique presentation.
For dessert, try the homemade tiramisu with mascapone cheese, strong espresso coffee and cocoa powder. It's full-bodied without being too sweet. Or you can go for Ginger Cream Burle'. A real classic brought back to life, worthy of a trip to Fashion Cafe all by itself.
Incidentally, what's unusual about the food at Fashion Cafe? "Ninety percent of the ingredients are local products," explains Dan M. Ivarie, the executive chef. To ensure freshness, Fashion Cafe works closely with local growers to get steady supplies of specialty products. In some of the dishes, for example, you'll even find a beautiful array of edible flowers. There is also an assortment of baby lettuce, all grown by local farmers exclusively for the cafe.
The Boutique
And never leave the cafe without first visiting the boutique. Located just outside the cafe entrance, it's not just a place for buying souvenirs. The boutique offers a full-fledged collection, including designer handbags. According to Ester Nugrahini Siswadi, the merchandise manager, in the first month since its opening the response from patrons has been so much stronger than expected that several items are already out of stock.
While you can certainly find T-shirts and caps with Fashion Cafe logos, there's always something exclusive: A shirt for him or her, polo shirts in unique materials, kid's Tees, rink-spun denims of materials that have been washed in special enzyme, Teddy bears and more. To ensure that the merchandise is always up-to-date, the entire collection will be replaced every three months. The sales staff do more than just sell. They are known as fashion coordinators and will help you with your selection in matching colors and apparel. Furthermore, what makes Fashion Cafe's boutique different from other merchandise kiosks are the fitting rooms for you to try on your selections.
Looking for Christmas hampers? Fashion Cafe Boutique has prepared gift hampers for Mom, Dad, or your teenage children. As the festive season and gift giving are associated with shopping, so are discounts.
Despite the word "fashion" in its name, don't hesitate to stop by even if you happen to be casually dressed. Rest assured that you don't have to appear like a prince or princess to be welcomed into the cafe. You can even wear jeans if you feel like it.
Remember, as General Manager Joseph Young says, the cafe is for everyone. Just be sure you come before everybody else does. Being fashionably late has a price at the Fashion Cafe, because everybody seems to share the same aspiration: to see and be seen inside Fashion Cafe.