Prejudiced Penn-manship?

Two smacks in the face for Jl. Jaksa! First we are told by now The Jakarta Post reviewer Penn Dawson in the Friday, Feb. 9, 2001, edition that Jl. Jaksa customers swill their beer. Now, we learn that a new place is situated "not too far from Jl. Jaksa, for whatever that's worth".

Jaksa is what it is and can look after itself. But can I suggest, Mr. Dawson, that just once, you abandon your sepulchral over-priced establishments where unsurprisingly you do your reviewing in solitude, and come out for a good night on the dark street itself?

Come to the general-knowledge quiz at the Q-bar on a Sunday evening and I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised by the civilized and convivial company available (at the very least, your bill for those two beers and glass of wine will be more than halved).

In the meantime, how about reviewing some bars where people actually go? The Telaga and The Dirgantara in Blok M have both been renovated recently and are definitely worth a look.

D. MERRELLS

Jakarta