Top Tables + Bars

This month’s must-visit restaurants and watering holes

Bars

Bunk
The Pullman Jakarta Central Park is perhaps the most beautifully designed hotel in town. Packed with wonderful artwork, from paintings to statues, the Pullman hotel is itself something of a masterpiece. Imuthia Yanindra, the hotel’s marketing and communications manager, rapped with us about the Pullman’s lobby lounge, Bunk.

Why Bunk?

It’s a play on the word “bunker”, which kind of represents the bar itself. From the lobby, its industrial stylings make it look like a bunker, albeit one that comes complete with its own artwork.

What’s the concept?
Architecture wise we have created an industrial style with our plaster-free walls. Bunk is actually our lobby lounge, but unlike other lobby lounges, we have DJ performances every Thursday to Saturday. We also cater to mall visitors who want to pop in
and relax for a while.

Do you have any signature cocktails?
Our signature cocktail is the Pullman bloody Mary. We have four different kinds of bloody Marys in fact: the tom yum bloody Mary, the original, the ultimate and the bloody Maria. These drinks are the creations of our bartender and were inspired by one of Andy Warhol’s paintings.

Bunk, Podomoro City, Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav. 28, T: 021 2920 0088

Cocktail & Friends
Why Cheap liquor and an alfresco bar, what else could you ask for? Although this one is located on Jalan Jaksa, which is famous for its budget tourists and down-market patrons, this spot is laid-back, unpretentious and even boasts the odd bit of live reggae music. Cheap and fun.
Order A large Bintang.
Spend Rp. 50,000.
Jl. Jaksa No. 10, Kebon Sirih

Largo
Why This cosy place in Kemang makes for a quiet escape. Not only does it offer meals such as fettucini al tonno and some
yummy desserts, but it also serves a decent variety of booze, from beer to martini to wine and whiskey. You can also enjoy live performances from Aksan and Titi Sjuman every Monday night.
Order The Mexican coffee.
Spend Rp. 200,000.
Jl. Benda Raya no 7A, Kemang, T: 021 7883 1979

Satu Lagi
Why This place is largely frequented by sports-loving foreigners. Football, rugby and Formula 1 can all be enjoyed here and Satu Lagi has a friendly vibe to it. Pool tables are also on hand if you fancy shooting a few frames.
Order Mojitos and white Baccardi.
Spend Rp. 250,000.
Hotel Kristal, T: 021 750 7050

Union
Why Union is simply one of the best bars in town. A long list of cocktails and mocktails are on hand, and some of these are the unique creations of the bartenders, one of whom recently won a prestigious Indonesian bartending competition. Need we say more?
Order Mango jalapeño margarita and Sakura spring or ask for Upay’s awardwinning cooper and sour.
Order Rp. 300,000.
Plaza Senayan Courtyard, Ground Floor, T: 021 5790 5861

Cork and Screw
Why A one-stop shop featuring a wine store, a great bar and some really fantastic food brought to you in collaboration with Koi – Cork and Screw’s boasts an enormous range of wines, spirits, liqueurs, port and beers to choose from. On top of that, cocktails such as the excellent Apple Martini really zip off the taste buds, as do the popular mojito and the rather intoxicating sangria.
Order St Hallet Blackwell Shiraz.
Spend Rp. 500,000.
Wisma Kodel, Jl. HR Rasuna Said kav C11-14. T: 021 5290 2030; Plaza Indonesia, First Floor, Unit 127A-D, T: 021 3199 6659, www.corknscrew.biz

Immigrant
Why Immigrant’s amazingly opulent interior, top food especially the excellent quality steaks and beautifully presented beverages have won many fans since it first opened a couple of years back. The balconies and eclectic menu make it a great place for a lazy lunch, while the pumping house sounds, glitzy dance floor and great cocktails raise the roof in the evenings.
Order Apple dream martini a tasty blend of apple, thyme and vodka.
Spend Rp. 400,000.
Plaza Indonesia, Extension, 6th Floor, #E02-03, T: 021 3983 8257, www.immigrant-jakarta.com

Portico
Why Billed as a “terrace bistro”, Portico is a charming little glasshouse that sits in front of the huge Senayan City mall and which offers an extremely pleasant al fresco drinking environment. If you don’t fancy the outdoor terrace, the indoor glasshouse boasts a charming gazebo-style ambiance and lets in plenty of natural light. There are regular outdoor DJ sets down at
Portico and some mixological treats to sup on. There’s also a limited but high quality menu of Western and Asian
favourites.
Order The amazing mango and white chocolate bellini.
Spend Rp. 450,000
Panin Tower Ground Floor, Senayan City, T: 021 7278 1641

Restaurants

INTERNATIONAL

Decanter
Run by Indonesia’s leading wine brainiac and JJK’s chief food writer, this restaurant is perhaps not the best choice if you’re on a diet, to be perfectly frank. But then again, why would you want to hold yourself back from enjoying some delicious food when you’re living in an increasingly cosmopolitan city like Jakarta?

What’s the atmosphere like?
This joint is relaxed, intimate and enjoyably spacious. There are plenty of large, comfortable sofas to sprawl on while you spend several hours sampling and sipping fine wines (a tried and tested JJK outing). During the day, Decanter looks like your
award-winning architect and interior designer neighbour’s stylish back garden.

Current promotions
JJK recommends the Wine Buffet, which you can enjoy every Wednesday from 6pm until 9pm and every Saturday from 11am until 2pm. It only costs Rp. 300,000++ per person (excluding food) and you get to drink as much of the eight excellent wines selected by the aforementioned Yohan Handoyo as you can. On top of that, Decanter also runs a regular lunch promotion priced at Rp. 110,000 net (the menu changes weekly).

Food recommendation
The pork dishes here are heavenly and so are the frogs’ legs. The escargots are also pretty damn toothsome.

Decanter, Plaza Kuningan, Menara Utara GF, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said kav C11-14, T: 021 5296 3888

Largo
Why This cosy place in Kemang makes for a quiet escape. Not only does it offer meals such as fettucini al tonno and some yummy desserts, but it also serves a decent variety of booze, from beer to martini to wine and whiskey. You can also enjoy live performances from Aksan and Titi Sjuman every Monday night.
Order The Mexican coffee.
Spend Rp. 200,000.
Jl. Benda Raya no 7A, Kemang, T: 021 7883 1979

Union
Why Union is simply one of the best bars in town. A long list of cocktails and mocktails are on hand, and some of these are the unique creations of the bartenders, one of whom recently won a prestigious Indonesian bartending competition. Need we say more?
Order Mango jalapeño margarita and Sakura spring or ask for Upay’s awardwinning cooper and sour.
Spent Rp. 300,000.
Plaza Senayan Courtyard, Ground Floor,
T: 021 5790 5861

Cork and Screw
Why A one-stop shop featuring a wine store, a great bar and some really fantastic food brought to you in collaboration with Koi Cork and Screw’s boasts an enormous range of wines, spirits, liqueurs, port and beers to choose from. On top of that, cocktails such as the excellent Apple Martini really zip off the taste buds, as do the popular mojito and the rather intoxicating sangria.
Order St Hallet Blackwell Shiraz.
Spend Rp. 500,000.
Wisma Kodel, Jl. HR Rasuna Said kav C11-14. T: 021 5290 2030; Plaza Indonesia, First Floor, Unit 127A-D, T: 021 3199 6659, www.corknscrew.biz

Portico
Why Billed as a “terrace bistro”, Portico is a charming little glasshouse that sits in front of the huge Senayan City mall and which offers an extremely pleasant al fresco drinking environment. If you don’t fancy the outdoor terrace, the indoor glasshouse boasts a charming gazebo-style ambiance and lets in plenty of natural light. There are regular outdoor DJ sets down at Portico and some mixological treats to sup on. There’s also a limited but high quality menu of Western and Asian favourites.
Order The amazing mango and white chocolate bellini.
Spend Rp. 450,000
Panin Tower Ground Floor, Senayan City, T: 021 7278 1641

INDONESIAN

Marco
Previously known as Marco’s Bofet, this restaurant specialises in West Sumatran Padang cuisine. The new name change has also been complemented by a new modern-minimalist style. Amriel Aditya, corporate communications manager for the Arya
Group, the company that owns the restaurant, chatted with us about this popular eatery.

What is Marco?
Since we first opened our doors to the public, we have specialised in Padang cuisine. Under our new concept however, we are now focusing more on grilled Padang dishes.

What are your best sellers?
We have dendeng batokok, grilled barramundi and black rendang, which has a darker, thicker sauce than ordinary rendang does.

How do you compete with the city’s many other Padang rest aurants?
We believe that we have something extra with which to attract customers. We aim to promote authentic West Sumatran cuisine and most of our ingredients are shipped from Padang to maintain authenticity. We also serve dishes that you can’t find at any other Padang restaurant in town. Finally, every six months we send our chef to Padang to seek out undiscovered dishes which he then brings back to Jakarta and recreates. He usually visits small warungs in remote areas of West Sumatra when on such missions.

Marco, Setiabudi One, 1st Floor, Unit B 212 – 216, Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. 62, T: 021 520 3221

Sekitei
Why Japanese food is well represented in Jakarta of course, however Sekitei, located in the classy Graha Bimasena private club in South Jakarta, offers a superior experience. The restaurant serves a tasty mix of teppanyaki, sushi, sashimi, tempura, shabu shabu and sukiyaki hot pots featuring quality meats which run up to top-of-the-line wagyu.
Order The huge Sekitei special set.
Spend Rp. 700,000.
Graha Bimasena, 2nd Floor, Jl. Dharmawangsa Raya No. 39, T: 021 725 4278

Asuka
Why With all of the produce shipped straight from the Tsukiji market, Japan, guests can nibble fresh cuts of seafood, and even the rarest dishes like fugu (blowfish) sashimi and milt (fish sperm) tempura. The joint is also under the consultation of Tatsuya Singapore, one of the country’s leading Japanese eateries.
Order The sashimi set, especially the premium tuna cuts.
Spend Rp. 700,000.
JW Marriott Hotel Jakarta, T: 021 5798 8888

THAI
La Na Thai
Why Top of the heap for Thai fare, La Na Thai’s soft, halogen lighting provides a perfect calming balance as your taste buds start to sizzle and fry to that authentic spicy touch. There’s a very wellstocked wine cellar down here but you’ll undoubtedly require some chilled water as well as you enjoy a chilliand coriander fuelled feast. The seafood selection is particularly good.
Order Soft shell crab.
Spend Rp. 600,000.
Jl. Dr Kusuma Atmaja no. 85, T: 021 3192 5037

FRENCH
Emilie
Why Long known as the best French restaurant in the capital, Emilie has an unbeatable reputation among French culinary pizzazz. The ambience itself is homey and warm and will make you feel like you are in your own home. The food is indubitably good, thanks to the super talented chef, Mikael Robin.
Order Le thon rouge.
Spend Rp. 500.000.
Jl. Senopati No. 39, T: 021 621 3628

Lyon
Why While the light-coloured décor with a brush of the French flag on the glass door looks very much inviting, the attentive menu-of-theday board also keeps it nice and simple for those who are not yet familiar with this fine-dining venue. Fabulous red meat dishes are Lyon’s forte. Another agreeable element is the commendable waiters who readily serve at your beck and call.
Order The steak frites ‘à l’échalote’.
Spend Rp. 600,000.
Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, T: 021 2993 8888

MIDLE EASTERN
Maroush
Why Middle Eastern food is not for everybody, but we guarantee that you will like what Maroush has to offer. Specialising in Moroccan food, this joint also provides a shisha lounge for those who love the Middle East version of a cigarette. Maroush has belly dancing performances from Tuesday to Saturday. Every Tuesday to Saturday belly dancing performance is available to entertain the guests.
Order The yayla kebab.
Spend Rp. 300.000.
Crowne Plaza Hotel 2nd Floor, T: 021 5289 2431

BAKERY

Souly Butter Kitchen
Why This corner café might look somewhat tiny in comparison with other flashy Kemang eateries. However, once you step inside and enjoy the homely atmosphere, you will feel like you’ve entered someone’s private kitchen. Due to its growing popularity, Souly has now opened up a Souly Butter Kitchen 2 just a few steps away, so that the joint can accommodate more
guests. SBK’s scrumptious green tea éclairs and red velvet and rainbow cakes are hard to resist. If you come with a growling tummy, then Souly also offers heavy meals, such as potato gratin, Italian omelette or classic pasta Bolognese. The café also holds baking classes every month, so keep an eye out for those.
Order Chocolate cupcake.
Spend Rp. 165,000 (three people without any heavy meals).
Jl. Kemang Raya No. 15, T: 021 719 9985