In the shadows of Wayang Restaurant

In the shadows of Wayang Restaurant

The Wayang Restaurant is located in the leafy, residential
streets behind the Hotel Ambhara in the Blok M area of South
Jakarta, at Jl. Iskandarsyah Raya I No. 9 to be precise.

This part of the city is particularly well-served by fine
restaurants, many of which have been visited by Epicurus in the
past.

However, despite it's having been open for around 1 1/2 years
according to a member of the restaurants staff, Epicurus had yet
to get around to paying a call. So, on a Sunday afternoon at
1:30, Epicurus decided it was high time to check out what Wayang
had to offer.

Upon entering, Epicurus and partner were politely greeted and
efficiently shown to their table. Epicurus and partner were,
rather surprisingly, the only patrons in the restaurant and this
continued to be the case until they finally took their leave some
two hours later.

The restaurant itself was comfortably if not imaginatively
furnished in the style that has come to predominate in Indonesian
restaurants today, namely a random admixture of supposedly
traditional furnishings, carvings and tapestries from Java and
Bali.

Given the fact that the restaurant was completely empty, it
was not surprising that the service was prompt and attentive,
without being overbearing, throughout Epicurus' meal.

Epicurus and partner firstly ordered two fruit juices which,
unlike in many Indonesian restaurants, turned out to be
unsweetened, much to Epicurus' delight.

For starters, Epicurus ordered Tenderloin Beef Carpacio, which
is a dish of marinated tenderloin of beef with a green salad,
parmesan cheese and balsamic dressing. At Rp 22,900, Epicurus
found it to be delicious, cool and refreshing. But those
unfamiliar with this dish should be warned that the beef is
uncooked.

Epicurus' partner settled for the Cajun Calamari, which was
described in the menu as deep fried squid with tartar and chili
sauce. While Epicurus' partner was reasonably satisfied with the
food itself, she wondered why it was necessary to describe it as
"Cajun" as most of the flavors associated with Cajun cuisine were
noticeably absent.

For the soup course, Epicurus elected for the Bouilabaise (Rp
23,900), a traditional French seafood soup containing crab,
whelks, other assorted mollusks and fish itself. Epicurus found
it to be both satisfying and delicious, and very reminiscent of
many of the seafood soups Epicurus had savored in France's Basque
country many years before.

For her part, Epicurus' partner settled for the Wayang
Mushroom Cappucino (Rp 20,900), a rich and creamy mushroom soup
that she professed to be delicious.

As an entree, Epicurus went for the Sirloin Steak (180g)
which, according to the menu, was served with a choice of
mushroom, barbecue or black pepper sauce. The waitress, however,
somewhat negligently omitted to inquire as to Epicurus' preferred
sauce and also failed to ask how Epicurus would like the steak.
Epicurus, forgetfully, also neglected to specify the preferences
and the waitress made no subsequent attempt to clear the matter
up.

The steak eventually arrived rare and served with mushroom
sauce. Epicurus at the time couldn't help wondering whether such
negligence was characteristic of the Wayang Restaurant (as later
appeared to be the case) or was merely an aberration.

Nevertheless, despite these faux pas on the part of the
waitress, Epicurus was well satisfied with the steak which turned
out to be lean, juicy and tender.

However, the afternoon was thoroughly spoiled for Epicurus'
partner with the first bite of her Veal Schnitzel (Rp 40,900), a
breaded veal scallop served with (rather ordinary) French fries
and (equally ordinary) grilled asparagus. The Schnitzel turned
out to be completely inedible, if not actually toxic. Upon
Epicurus summoning the waitress and lodging a complaint, she
disappeared into the kitchen to fetch the chef who seemed to be a
somewhat timorous soul and took his time before conjuring up
enough courage to present himself at Epicurus' table. After
profuse apologies and much hand-wringing, he eventually retreated
back into his kitchen leaving Epicurus and partner to make the
best of what was left of their meal.

Five minutes later, the waitress returned and confirmed
Epicurus' worst fears. Yes, indeed, the bread crumbs used to coat
the schnitzel were off. The waitress offered a complementary
fruit basket and some candies by way of making up for the
disaster and Epicurus somewhat cautiously accepted the gesture.

Upon departing, Epicurus wondered what would have happened if
Epicurus' partner had fallen ill (which thankfully did not
happen) as a result of the restaurant's negligence. Would
appropriate compensation have been paid? Probably not, especially
given the fact that Epicurus was still charged for the barely
touched Schnitzel. Epicurus and partner were definitely far from
being satisfied customers upon leaving the Wayang Restaurant.

-- Epicurus