Obin's iced lemon tea

Table with snacks and *my* iced lemon tea @Incubare, Saberro House

Okay, I'm going to let you in a little secret... Do you know Bin House? Cita? The batik house that is run by Obin? Well if you know, then what I'm going to say won't be a big surprise, but if you haven't you are in for a treat.

I love Obin's iced lemon tea! The first time I have ever tasted it was when I was visiting her shop in Kuningan. It's an old house that got converted into a shop but in a way that makes you feel as though you are visiting a friend's house. As soon as you enter the house, you see a large circular table with traditional old fashioned Indonesian snacks; peanuts, sour candy and this cookie that melts as soon as you put into your mouth and LOTS of iced lemon tea.


Close up of the iced lemon tea, yes, guilty of forgetting to take picture when it was pretty and untouched. *sigh* You really have the heart to make me wait this irresistible drink?

That day, I got my very first Obin blouse and a taste of addicting iced lemon tea. I have no idea what she uses that makes the iced tea so damn good. I know she uses Limau instead of lemon, that much is clear when you are holding the glass. So is that why its so good? I absolutely loves the exploding taste of tea, lime and sugar in my mouth. Maybe thats why, all of the three basic taste are so strong but yet so balanced that makes it so yum... Hmm... I don't know. One thing that I do know though, is that, I will be going back. If I don't see any top or piece of clothing that I like, then a glass of iced lemon tea will be my consolation. Noooo.... I didn't go there for the iced lemon tea... OK, maybe. But don't tell anyone.

Bin House
Available in Alun Alun Indonesia, Plaza Indonesia, Saberro House in Kemang and the boutique in Kuningan, Menteng.
(not all serves the iced lemon tea though...)
Jakarta Pusat

rooftop(s)

Outside Section of SHY Rooftop @Papillion

For a while now, I've been hearing a lot about this rooftop place in Kemang. So when N mentioned it as a place to meet up with R and Mi, I agreed. On my way there on one of the last saturday nights in 2008, Mi texted me telling me that she has arrived. A minute later R called telling me that he had arrived. Since the two of them had no recollection of going to high school together, they are waiting for me to arrive. I almost passed Papillon, but somehow I made it all the way to the 5th floor, the infamous rooftop. I headed straight to the outdoor as Mi was waiting for me there. A quick scan through and I didn't see R. A few calls and text messages after, I found out that there were actually TWO rooftops in Kemang; The Edge at Kemang Icon and Shy Rooftop on top of Papillon. Turned out that Mi was waiting for me at Rooftop and R at The Edge. R made it to Rooftop while we waited for N.

Floor Directory


The stairs leading up to the rooftop, I however, took the elevator ;)

I really like the atmosphere and the decor of Rooftop, it's comfortable, cozy and different than any other joint in the city. The martinis menu were extensive, I wanted to try the Tiramisu Martini but I didn't want to pay Rp 150,000,- for a drink, which is more expensive than in Singapore. Maybe it was worth it, but I have this bias that I don't want to pay more in Indonesia than what I pay overseas. I ordered the strawberry juice instead, Mi had heineken and R had juice as well. N came and ordered her drink, and we talked, catching up while we drank.

One of the table under the tent

We decided to head to The Edge, try out the other rooftop and have dinner there. Turned out that the place is as nice as the Shy Rooftop... Different concepts, yet both are very cozy. Slightly more cozy at The Edge, since the pool on the side of the dining area gave it a casual, relaxing vibe.

The Edge rooftop ~ pool dining @ Kemang Icon

We were famished. We ordered quickly, N and I had the penne salmone, Mi had the lamb rack, and R had the grilled beef, second from the bottom on the menu. I forgot to bring a pen and a little notebook, something that I should carry on wherever I go so that I can jot down details on the go. I really liked the penne salmone. The penne was cooked just nice, not to soft but not too hard. The white sauce had a nice consistency too, not too creamy. The salmon was smoke salmon or some sort, but the whole combination was nice. Not sure if hunger played a part in this review, perhaps you should take it into consideration.

Penne Salmone

R's grilled steak was nice as well as Mi's lamb rack, which came in three different pieces. I won't comment a lot on the steak and the lamb as I didn't really remember, but they were nicely done, none were chewy. I don't know which one I would choose out of the two rooftops as they both have different vibes. I don't mind either, but for value for money, I would go for The Edge. For drinks, I would go to Rooftop as they only had one drink available that night at The Edge.

Lamb Rack


R's Steak con mashed potatoes


The inside at The Edge

We really lucked out that night as the weather was good; breezy, not too humid with clear sky. From both rooftops, the view of Jakarta at night was pretty. They both had great atmosphere too, even if R was complaining about the band at The Edge, but R can be a hard one to please. It was a great night out with great friends, a great success too at checking out not one rooftop, but TWO!

SHY Rooftop
The Papillion, 5th Floor
Jl. Kemang Raya 45AA
Jakarta
+62 21 7191975

The Edge ~ Pool Dining
Kemang Icon by Alila, Top Floor
Jl. Kemang Raya 1
Jakarta 12730
+ 62 21 7197989

afternoon breakfast/tea break

My day started at 8am. After a quick breakfast and shower, I was on the run to meet V for a picture hunt session to satiate our thirst of getting the best picture of the best angle, objects, lighting, and so on and so forth in Jakarta. We ran around in the morning sun, which in Jakarta that can be quite hot. We went to two places, one a museum and another one a huge statue in the middle of one of the busiest road in Central Jakarta. Yes! We are passionate for our pictures.

When we wrapped up, it was noon and I was getting hungry. I kept on thinking what I should have for lunch on the way back home. Ever since I arrived in Jakarta last week, I have had this craving for matcha french toast at Matcha Moon. You may think that it's gross, but I am a die hard matcha fan. One birthday ago, one of my dearest friends visited and stayed in my apartment in Singapore and surprised me with a green tea cake. Her reasoning was, since 'she' (meaning me) uses green tea tooth paste, she must like green tea cake. Indeed! What a great deduction skill... So now you know how die hard I am for green tea if I even have green tea tooth paste...

The Cake & Menu Display

Needless to say, after lunch I texted M to see what she was up for. To my delight, she agreed to meet up in Plaza Senayan and I convinced her to try out Matcha Moon. We both ordered Latte which is green tea with milk, and of course I ordered my Matcha French Toast. My craving is about to be satisfied, so I waited like a little good school girl in my seat. When the toasts came, it came with two kinds of syrups: normal maple syrup and green tea syrup. The die-hard-matcha-fan in me ignored the maple syrup and poured the green tea syrup on every inch of the matcha french toast's moist, fluffy, green surface. My knife and fork sliced open the toast, revealing its moist, soft and green tea inside. I could taste the strong taste of green tea, softness of the milk and egg that soaked the bread, and the sweetness of the green tea syrup. I was in green tea heaven. I really love the fact that the bread was soaked with green tea, milk and egg all the way to the core, making the outside of the bread firm and soft with a gooey soft inside. Perfecto!

Matcha (Green Tea) French Toast

The green tea latte was good, not too much milk nor green tea. Just right. I also like the fact that they separate the sugar, so that sugar picky person like me could use as little syrup as possible. Oh! Almost forgot to mention that M ordered a kurogoma ice cream, despite my pep talk for her to get the matcha parfait so that I could snap a picture and write a review on it. I'd say, skip the kuro-goma ice cream unless you have a super sweet tooth. It's a tad too sweet and thin black sesame taste. I'd say order the parfait and let me know how it is.

Matcha Latte with liquid sugar and Matcha cookie (its that little green thing near the Latte's glass


Kurogoma (Black Sesame) Ice Cream


Matcha Moon
Plaza Senayan Parking Building 5th Fl.
Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8
Jakarta Pusat 10270
+62 21 579 00333
www.matchamoon.com

we wanted snack, we ended up with dinner instead

Menu for Dessert Porridge (even though I said 'porridge' its not the usual porridge... you just have to try to know)

After a brief parting on the same day, a mere few hours, A and I met up again. Different mall, different mission. Or so it was. We were going to check out some shopping goodies, but by the time I picked her up at Plaza Indonesia, it was 6pm. I was stuck for an hour in Jakarta's traffic. Jakartanians, you know how that feels. By that time, I started getting hungry. So after we checked out our goodies in Grand Indonesia's ground floor A and I headed to the food floor. Since she hasn't been home for a while, I suggested we go to Warung Kopi in Alun Alun so that she can get some Indonesian snack. But of course! How could I dream that A and I would just cross over Alun Alun to the other side where Warung Kopi is?! How naive! We ended up having a detour looking at some handicrafts, batik and Indonesian made bags. Yup, we were feeling nationalistic, patriotic, whatever.

By the time we got to the Warung Kopi, we were hungry for real. Though we had separate dinner plans at our homes, as we looked at the menu, full frontal Indonesian food that we rarely come across having been living abroad for so long! Rawon (Beef in Black Soup), Pempek (Fried fish cake in vinegar sauce), Ice Chendol (I have no idea how to describe this), and Bubur Sumsum (sweet porridge made from rice flour with coconut milk sauce)!


Rice Dishes Menu

Our eyes met, and we dialed home telling our mothers that we were not going home for dinner. She ordered fried duck rice, the specialty. I ordered Rawon. We both were careful to leave room for dessert. For drinks we had the ice tea. Old school style. When it came, the tea was black tea. Strong aroma, reminded me of the tea from Java. By Java I meant places outside Jakarta especially East Java and Central Java, where tea is the staple drink, brewed fresh everyday. Even the sugar tasted different. I could smell the sweetness of the sugar.


Javanese style iced tea

The worms in my stomach had started their demonstration when the Rawon came. Traffic does that to you... Unlike the rawon that I would get at hawker shop off the streets in East Java, this one came in a gleaming white plate. The rice was put on top of banana leave to gives it fragrant and beauty. Salted duck eggs by it's side, fried shallots on top and prawn crackers on the other side. A little platter containing the mini bean sprouts, raw chilli and lime accompanied the Rawon bowl. The Rawon was fragrant, the soup was dark, though not as dark as the ones in Malang area which is what I'm accustomed to. As I dipped my spoon to scoop up the scoop, I could see the cubed beef swirling around in spices. I pour it over my rice and salted egg and it was home at first bite.


Rawon (black soup with beef) and Rice

A's fried duck rice was one of the Warung's specials. The duck was fried till golden crisp, what a savory smell. It came with long beans, grated coconut mix and crackers. She enjoyed her duck. It reminded me of the fried duck from Bebek Bengil in Ubud Bali. I love their fried duck, but if you are in Jakarta then you can come to Warung Kopi and have it there just till you go to Bali.


Deep fried duck rice (Balinese style)

Then, the most awaited moment of the whole dinner, DESSERT! A ordered ice chendol, and me, Bubur Sumsum, my childhood favorite. The ice chendol came first. It's definitely an Indonesian favorite, one that is famous in the neighboring countries though they have their own version. I only like ice chendol when they put tape (fermented cassava, don't judge it till you try it!) in it.

My bubur sumsum took a while since they have to boil it I suppose. When it came, I thought I got the wrong order because it was different than what I remember. In my memory, the bubur was green like pudding, with small pink rubies smothered in palm sugared coconut milk. This was white mush smothered with palm sugared coconut milk. It was definitely a comfort food, not just from the taste and warmth, but since it reminded me of the good times of being a kid.


Bubur Sumsum


Warung Kopi

Alun Alun Indonesia
3rd Floor West Mall

Grand Indonesia

+62 21 2358 0875

Japanese again....

I was meeting up with A for lunch today. Since she lives in London for the time being, I let her choose what she would like to eat. She came up with a few ideas yesterday, Katsura or t sate, both at Plaza Senayan. Though I love A to bits, she is a mess when it comes to deciding what to eat... Okay, okay, I confess I am also a mess at deciding where to eat at times... I love her flexibility, but it is that characteristic too that makes it hard for us to make a decision on where or what to eat!

She called me at 10am this morning.
“Hey, so, what do you want to eat?”
“You’re the one that doesn’t come home a lot, you pick”
“Well,... I heard there’s this Japanese pasta place...”
“uhmm... no, have that in Singapore already...”
“oh ok... I kinda want to have miitem”
“... i just had that....“
“hmm Katsura then?”
“ok, you don’t want Nagamare?”
"..........japanese... again?"

The above conversation continued for another 10 minutes and I have nothing against Japanese food, its just that I always always always end up eating Japanese food lately. We finally decided on Katsura. Katsura is a speciality Japanese restaurant in Shabu shabu and sukiyaki. The seats are propped up and made especially to make having shabu shabu easily. However, since I had my breakfast late, I decided to have the set menu “Arashiyama”. It caught my eye not only because it reminded me of Arashiyama, one of my favorite place when I was living in Kyoto but also because it is the only set menu with the steak! What can I say, I love meat...


Arashiyama Set

We both ended up ordering the Arashiyama set. When it came, presentation was elegant as I have expected. What I didn’t expect was the sakura mochi like dish that came with it. The tray came with a picnic-basket-like set that the waitress unfolded, revealing our munchies. The tiny little colorful flower bowls contained the cold dish of horenzo in soy sauce and mirin, to fish with edamame. The other other one of course held my sakura mochi like savory dish, assorted mushroom and edamame, and kyoto sushi like tamago, eel, fish cake, and more. These dishes really reminded me of Kyoto taste, soft, fine, and thin, allowing you to really taste the vegetables, the fish, the eggs, the main ingredient that is being served to you.


Cold dishes

It came with tempura moriawase: mint leave, prawn, eggplant, and fish. Crisp and crunchy. The tempura sauce came with the grated radish and ginger, yummmm... By this point, I really wished I didn't have that breakfast! But of course, I have to taste the steak! The beef was sliced and cooked with onion and mushroom. I thought it tasted like a breed between sukiyaki and yakiniku. It made me wish there were more gravy on the plate. I also wished I had started with the steak instead of the cold dishes. Word of advice, if you do come and get the arashiyama, eat the steak first, then the tempura, then the cold dishes. Don't let the steak get cold. Do come with an empty stomach so that you can munch it all. Remember, a set is not a Japanese set without the miso soup.


Tempura Moriawase and Sliced Beef Steak

Just as you thought your stomach was about to explode, or at least I did since I had that damned breakfast, the waitress cleared the set and brought the dessert. I was torn between glutton and resisting temptation. Gluttony won. My hand took the spoon and digged into the little pie and the ice cream. The pie was sweet but the strawberry and chocolate sauces made it much too sweet for me. I devoured the ice cream instead as the logic is that ice cream will melt and seep into the spaces between the fish, eggs, horenzo, edamame, etc. Yeah, yeah, it's not a real logic, but it works ;)


The Dessert: Vanilla Ice Cream and Fruit Pie

Lucky A and I hadn't met for a while so we had plenty to talk about after lunch as I couldn't move for a good while. It was a good choice of place and good choice of set. I do want to come back for the sukiyaki one day. That day I would make sure I have room in my stomach to store all the food.

Katsura
Plaza Senayan P4

Jakarta Selatan
+62 21 572 5226
www.katsura-restaurant.com

2008 Moroccan Christmas Eve

The Menu and my Diana F+

It’s Christmas eve 2008 and I got a text message from an old friend around 5pm, it read “dinner tonight?” I replied, “let me see if I can get a car”. After clearing it with my mom and the rest of the family, I got the car. After confirming my availability, I got another text, “Indian OK?” Fine by me... I have been stuck with Chinese and Japanese food lately so I was dying for a break. Halfway to the restaurant, somewhere in Kuningan, M called, “The restaurant has 3 different cuisines, Thai, Indian, or Moroccan?” “Indian or Moroccan.” “Moroccan then.” “O.K.”

As like its more well known predecessor, Lhanna Thai, the Moroccan wing has floorboard, curtains that made you feel as though you are under a tent and chandeliers. M was waiting for me. Menus ready on hand. I quickly ordered Iced Mint Tea. It was sweet, cool, and minty, just the way I like it. A bit sweeter than I normally like but it was perfect.


The chandeliers sets the atmosphere and ambience which could either be romantic or relaxing

M recommended that we chose 2 dishes to share, so we settled for Lamb Shank Apple and Stuffed Calamari, both are on the speciality list. Even though we didn’t order appetizers, they gave us some bread with hummus like dish and spiced carrots which were delicious. The bread was warm and soft, the hummus like dish was very tasty, cool and garlicky, the carrots were soft, sweet and received a good dowry of spices.


The complimentary appetizers: soft pita bread, spiced carrots and hummus-like dish

The Stuffed Calamari came shortly, it was steaming with curry-like sauce, its savory smell assaulting my nose. The taste was every bit as good as the smell! As I cut through the meat, the stuffing: rice, diced calamari and prawns (from what I can tell or guess) were seasoned nicely to balance out the curry sauce.

The lamb shank too did not disappoint. It definitely lived up to its recommendation. Thanks M! The meat was so tender it breaks so easily at the touch of my fork and knife. The sweet apple puree sauce’s smell wafted to make me wonder whether this will taste like a main course or dessert. The plate included some carrots that are so sweet and had apple taste to it, and apple pieces that taste cinnamon-y almost like the inside of an apple strudel. The sweetness of the apple blends well with the strong flavoring of the lamb very surprisingly. A very nice surprise!


Lamb shank in apple sauce


Stuffed Calamari

Which one was better out of the two, I cannot choose. I loved them both and I would come back for more. Sharing those two dishes was wise, M and I were so stuffed! I of course had to have dessert... even if before I went out the door of my house that night, my dad told me “honey,... don’t eat too much. You’ll get obese.” I thought it was hilarious that he said that, if he had said ‘fat’ instead of ‘obese’ I would have been annoyed... but ah dad, he could be funny at times... Too much indulgence in food can make you fat, but then again, you only live once.


Dessert Menu (separate from the main course and appetizer menu and also from drinks menu)


Strawberry Puff Pastry with Milk Cream

So going back to the dessert, I chose Strawberry Puff Pastry with Milk Creme. After all that good meal, all I wanted was a small bite of sweet to give my Moroccan excursion a happy ending, but I was disappointed. The pastry was too big or maybe I was too full, the strawberries were a bit sour, and there were too much strawberry jelly. If they had layer it layers of small piece of pastry then strawberries with creme and little bit of jelly would have been much nicer. It has all the ingredients to be better, but not there yet. I would definitely come back for the main courses and the iced mint tea.

El Wajh

Jl. KH Hashim no. 112

Jakarta Pusat

+62 21 319 25037