Where have all the foodies eaten this year?
Kenny Santana, Contributor, Jakarta
The end of the year has always been the perfect time to look back and reflect. And the food scene is no exception. You could say that the food scene in 2002 was like flowing water: Calm, no waves, just drifting. It didn't have a significant trend like 2001's wine lounge (thank God, cause we don't need any more of that) but whenever a new place opened, it was right on the mark.
In a city where dining out has become a lifestyle, you know when hot names like Starbucks and Coffee Bean finally came to attack every mall one can think of, it's a sure thing that everyone will attack them in return.
There's also the birth of the first real French creperie that gives new meaning to a romantic date. Then Tanamur, Salsa, Tamani among other places were renovated and reopened with a new ambience to look even fresher than ever.
Even established names like William Wongso and Grand Hyatt recharged their energy by opening new hip spots to hit. And like that wasn't enough already, Kemang has expanded all over again cramped with many new stylish places to dine.
It's been a great year for a Jakartan foodie. Looking at the best among the places that opened through the year 2002; here's what we come up with. Nine categories, 10 places, and one thing in common -- the best. Dig into this, and then dig into these places.
Best Food; Java Bleu; Kompleks D'Best Jl.R S Fatmawati No.15 Blok E31; Tel: 769-7291; Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Forget the ambience, forget the location, you know you're here for the food. The location is indeed way too strange, the capacity is only for 20 people, and the bluish decoration could not be cornier.
But with good service, and most of all, delicious and authentic French food, isn't that all we need?
With the menu changing every couple of days, you'll never get bored with the food. But then again, the food would never bore you anyway.
It won't fail the French-born tongue or others who appreciate fresh, well-prepared French food. With divine foie gras, flawless tenderloins, and generous desserts, you will go ooh and aah over the food.
Some snobs probably would be put off since they can't show off their latest hairstyle or clothes here, but real food lovers will find it a haven.
Must order: Inspiring foie gras with baked mashed sour apple.
Best Ambiance; C's; Grand Hyatt Hotel; Tel: 390-1234; Opening Hours: 12 p.m. - 3 p.m., 6 p.m. 11 p.m.
Despite the great food they have, it's the lively atmosphere that makes you want to come back again and again. The tasteful attractive glass design, the merry sound of forks and spoons fighting and especially its open kitchen where everything's cooked before your very eyes increases your appetite.
The cutely named four private rooms also gives diners the privilege of viewing the newly renovated Rp 14 billion fountain at Hotel Indonesia traffic circle.
You know you're in seventh heaven while finishing the marvelous dishes in a beautiful place like this. This is how all restaurants should be.
Must order: Their addictive mango pudding.
Best Place For Desserts; Praline; Plaza Bisnis Kemang I, Ground floor (Behind Brasserie restaurant); Jl. Kemang Raya No. 2; Tel. 719-2320; Opening Hours: 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. Corica; Jl. Sampit V No. 2 Mahakam; Tel: 723-7418; Opening Hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Praline is the first creperie in town that serves lip-smacking desserts featuring real French crepes (of course) and 18 flavors of homemade ice cream and sorbet.
The beautiful Moulin Rouge-esque atmosphere accompanied by courses that never disappoint simply makes it's a perfect place for illusional dining. It has fantastic service as well.
If Praline is not enough to blow your diet, go for the authentic Australian (Perth, to be exact) apple strudel in Corica. Remember how juicy Australian apples are? Triple the taste, that's how their strudel tastes. Crispy outside, tender inside, a sweet heavenly finish.
Must order: Flavorful sweet crepes (for Praline), the apple and blueberry strudels (for Corica).
Best Local Chain; Izzi Pizza; Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto No.122 Menteng; Tel: 314-7220; Opening Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (weekends until 11 p.m.)
No local chain has ever made an impression like this before. It opened early this year and suddenly there were six (Menteng, Kemang, Pondok Indah, BEJ, Cilandak, Kelapa Gading) of them. With colorful decor and friendly service, it serves better pizza and pasta than the others in its class.
The choices are wide too. Best of all, it's reasonably priced. You'll be pleased that food comes this good without have to burn your pocket.
Must order: The creamy fettucine con funghi with extra smoked beef.
Best Watering Hole; Burgundy; Grand Hyatt Hotel; Tel: 310-7400; Opening Hours: 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. (weekends until 2 a.m.)
Grand Hyatt renovated the old O'Reilly's into Burgundy, an aesthetic hip place to be seen. Packed almost every night, it is not difficult to see why.
A wine bar meets cigar room where you find a gorgeously designed room, beautiful people, wonderful live music, great service, and impressive drink list. And did I mention beautiful people? The place tries to be chic and contemporary, and somehow it works especially with the stunning see-through wine cellar in this burgundy-colored surrounding. Be ready to blow your money here.
Must order: Kick-ass oysters shooters and refreshing burgundy crush.
Best Place for Private Parties; W Surabaya Cafe; Jl. Surabaya No.20 Menteng; Tel: 3150363; Opening Hours: 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
The place meets all the requirements for a perfect private party. It serves up to 60 people (seating capacity). It has a perfect location that can be reached from everywhere. It has both an outdoor and indoor area. It has maestro-made food.
It charges you nothing extra. And while the garlic bread is the city's best by far, the food, from the sandwiches to the house favorite, tournedos nusantara, is all toothsome. Unlike other places, where your parties most likely have to blend with other customers, they're willing to close the entire place for your private bash.
Bad thing for walk-in customers, great news for partygoers.
Must order: Melt-in-your-mouth garlic bread and tasty flaky fruit pizza.
Best Coffee Joint; Starbucks; Opening Hours (varies at every branch): Senayan 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.; (weekends until 1 a.m.)
There's only two noteworthy big coffee chains that came this year, Starbucks and Coffee Bean. Starbucks has more choices, better coffee, better desserts and flexible opening hours. It is easier to find Starbucks with a total of eight branches in the city.
It's crowded most of the time, mainly since everyone here thinks it's so cool to be found dead holding a cuppa of Starbucks coffee.
Must order: Satisfying cheesecakes (plain, strawberry or green tea) with the great iced caffe mocha.
Best Jajanan (traditional snacks); Mie Ayam Stadion Menteng; Lapangan Parkir Persija Jl. HOS Cokroaminoto, Menteng; Opening Hours: 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. (weekends until 1 a.m.)
Finding a good place to eat in the street is a risky business. You wonder if it's clean enough, if it's not too greasy, if it's reasonably spiced, et al.
These concerns are dispelled by this small clean place in the soccer field Stadion Persija Menteng. The chicken noodle soup is one of the best I've ever tried. With the right portion and ingredients, not to mention lots of chicken chunks, they know how to make your noodle taste good (better than swanky places) and original (like the street hawkers). And the meatballs could do no wrong.
Must order: Superb mie ayam baso (noodles with meatballs and shredded chicken) and thick fresh juices.
Best Hangout for Foodies; Cilandak Town Square.
This new mall is popular with everyone from celebrities to your next-door neighbor. It's not like the mall you used to know; more like a big food court.
Yes, they have a department store, yes, they have cinema, but that's not what matters. What counts is that visitors can spend their breakfast, lunch and dinner there just because they have all the choices. Thrilled? You bet. Newcomers like Nandos, Amadeus, Tokyo Lobby and Gino's are side by side with old players like Dome, Excelso and Mangkuk Putih here. Consider yourself in for the battle of the food. You won't care if you end up in a food coma.
Must visit: Eaton.