Tasting not so spicy dishes from the island of Lombok

JAKARTA (JP): The word Lombok might remind one of the beautiful tourist island in West Nusa Tenggara. But, like many places in the country, the island also has traditional food renowned as far as the capital city.

A restaurant that serves Lombok cuisine here, for instance, can be found in South Jakarta, close to the shopping area in Blok M, South Jakarta.

Taliwang Bersaudara Restaurant, Jl. Panglima Polim IV No. 125, South Jakarta, tel. 7252863. Branches can be found in Tebet, South Jakarta and in other cities such as on Jl. Citarum, Bandung and on Jl. Gatot Subroto in Kuta and Tabanan, Bali.

Open: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

What's it got: Various traditional Lombok dishes from grilled chicken to satay and vegetables.

Chicken-based dishes: ayam pelecing (spicy grilled chicken), ayam beberok or sasak (grilled and shredded chicken with spicy tomato sauce) and Taliwang fried and grilled chicken.

Taliwang serves different types of satay; sate pusut (beef satay wrapped in spicy and yellow-colored shredded coconut), sate rempelo (gizzard satay), sate babat (tripe satay), and sate kulit (beef skin satay).

For vegetarians, there are pelecing kangkung (boiled kangkung drizzled with spicy tomato sambal), beberok terong (uncooked eggplant with spicy tomato sambal), urap (mixed raw vegetables drizzled with shredded coconut), lalapan (mixed uncooked vegetables served with sambal), tofu-based dishes; tahu kecap (fried tofu served with soy sauce), tahu petis (fried tofu served with sambal petis -- condiment of fermented shrimp paste).

Usual refreshing beverages and soft drinks, such as kopi jahe khas Lombok (Lombok coffee and ginger), marquisa (passion fruit) juice and iced coconut water are also on offer.

Price Points: A grilled, fried, pelecing or sasak chicken, Rp 15,000 per serving; five sticks of pusut satay, Rp 6,000; pelecing kangkung, Rp 3,500; marinated fish, between Rp 6,000 and 7,000 per serving; fried tofu, 4,500 per serving; marquisa, lemon or iced coconut water, Rp. 6,000; and white rice, Rp 2,000.

Looks: The place is set in a typical residence along Panglima Polim and tries to accentuate Lombok's traditional atmosphere. Paintings adorn its walls, even in its clean restroom. The dining area has a colored television and is air-conditioned.

Popular with ...: Shop workers with offices along Jl. Panglima Polim and Jl. Melawai and residents from the surrounding Kebayoran Baru area.

Taste Factor: Taliwang's chicken-based dishes lacked spices and the meat was not so tender. Moreover, the pusut satay had thinly sliced beef covered by thick shredded coconut. The rice was also hard to chew while the serving of pelecing kangkung was too small.

Minus Points: The quality of chicken was not so good and there was no dessert on the menu.

Verdict: Taliwang does not really represent Lombok traditional restaurants in Jakarta. It is only good for passersby who want to enjoy Taliwang's refreshing juices and view its painting collection. (Deni Putri)