Taste salsa 'Numero Uno' at the Stix

By Brigid O'Halloran

JAKARTA (JP): The energetic Latino rhythms and colorful style of Colombian band Los Numero Uno initially seem a little out of place in the ultramodern stainless steel and granite environs of Stix, one of Jakarta's newest nightspots.

It is the nine member band's up-tempo performance however, that ultimately sets Stix apart from other Jakarta pubs and entertainment venues.

Los Numero Uno (The Number One) have been playing at Stix since the restaurant and bar opened at the Park Lane Hotel on Jl. Casablanca in early August.

The nightspot has proved very popular with the Latino community and Indonesians alike, drawing people of all ages to dance and soak up the salsa rhythms.

Despite the modern industrial style decor, subtle fiber optic lighting and clever design manage to create an intimate atmosphere at Stix, making it a great place for a relaxing drink or meal.

Stix is based on its namesake at the Park Lane Hotel in Hong Kong where everything is eaten with chopsticks, hence the name Stix.

Hana Hoed, the hotel's director of public relations, describes the food on offer at Stix as Asian with a subtle American influence. Items on the menu include snacks such as emping nachos and fried calamari with pepper pesto (both priced at around Rp 50,000), appetizers such as hot and sour soup (Rp 29,000) and main courses including stir fried lobster (Rp 96,000) and wok seared rib eye steak (Rp 85,000). Also available are several spectacular desserts including the "future shock" chocolate tower for around Rp 45,000 - a must for any chocolate lover.

Drinks from the large central bar at Stix are quite expensive, with imported beers setting patrons back around Rp 30,000, wine and spirits Rp 55,000 and soft drinks Rp 22,000. Happy hour (buy one, get one free) is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every night. On Friday and Saturday nights there is also an entry charge of Rp 50,000 which includes a free drink.

Los Numero Uno will continue to play at Stix from Monday through to Saturday until Nov. 15, after which the Park Lane management hopes to enlist the services of a Mexican band to entice patrons with a passion for those seductive Latin American rhythms.