... what about the food

... what about the food

Rick, expatriate, 37: My friend had read about Dapur Babah in a
glowing review in Kompas, so we decided to try it out. He is much
more of a foodie than me -- he knows all about the tradition of
Peranakan cuisine, and also about real Dutch food -- so I was in
good, knowledgeable hands when it comes to sussing out if this
was all style and no substance.

I cannot say that we were overly impressed. The decor is
really something to write about, although we both felt the mixed
themes going on -- the Khmer stuff, along with the giant palm
trees, plus what looked like Easter Island edifices -- all a bit
overpowering.

The same could be said for the menu; it's so big, with so many
pages of different food items, that it's hard to make a choice or
figure out what's going on. One of us quipped that we were full
before we had even started eating!

My friend had the Dutch salad, which he immediately pointed
out to me was not really genuine because it lacked beetroot -- an
essential ingredient.

We both settled for the combination plates from the
Indonesian/Peranakan part of the menu. Huge, groaning plates they
were, but most of the food items were cold, which we interpreted
as the place not being quite up and running. It was OK stuff, but
nothing I would schlepp my sorry self across town, dodging
traffic jams, to feast on.

It may be early days yet, but the owners should remember that
the decor may pique your curiosity, but it's good food that will
get you coming back for more.