Quantcast
Channel: Jakarta100bars - Nightlife & Party Guide - Best Bars & Nightclubs
Viewing all 1118 articles
Browse latest View live
↧

Nebula Club Jakarta

June 5, 2014, 10:07 am
$
0
0
Nebula is the newest nightclub in Jakarta. It is opening on June 6th and it is owned by the Stadium group (which closed only 2 weeks ago). The group is also behind the bordellos Malioboro and King Cross, and the normal club Exodus. I think Nebula will be a mix between both types, trying to catch the normal crowd, but also with a sexy side (dancers, karaoke, etc....).

I won't be able to go to the opening as I am currently in Bali, but I'm pretty excited to visit it as soon as I will be back in Jakarta.

On their facebook and twitter page, they advertise Nebula as the biggest nightclub in Jakarta. Please let me know your feedback if you visit it by email thibaud@jakarta100bars.com or by posting a comment on this post. Thanks!

Club Nebula Jakarta
Blitz Megaplex Central Park
Podomoro City Jl. Letjen S. Parman Kav. 28
West Jakarta Barat, Indonesia 11470

Phone number: 08 13 22 890 890
BB Pin: 23796652

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Nebulajakarta
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLubNebuLa

Nebula used to be an independent club. Here are some pictures of how it looked like inside before it changed management:
↧
Search

Salt Tapas (Seminyak Bali)

June 7, 2014, 1:12 am
$
0
0
Salt Tapas is a semi-fine dining restaurant located in Peppers Sentosa Resort Seminyak, about 500 meters off Jalan Petitenget.

It was opened by Luke Mangan, who seems to be a businessman more than a Chef. He is behind the Salt brand, with locations in Singapore, Australia, Japan and Indonesia (in Jakarta I reviewed Salt Gril on Jakarta100bars: Altitude). The actual Chef of Salt Tapas Bali is Angus Blake Harrison, a young Australian, and it is managed by Rafael Nardo.

The location is a bit odd as it is inside a private resort. The idea is probably to make the Sentosa look more exclusive and more attractive for Australian tourists with a branded restaurant inside the resort.

Salt Tapas was designed by a young Balinese architect, Putu Edy Semara, who was also involved with Sundara in Four Seasons Hotel in Jimbaran. I would say that the style is modern Balinese as most of the items were sourced on the island, while the design looks very contemporary. It is the kind of restaurant you would expect to see in larger cities like Bangkok or Singapore. There is a closed area with aircon, and another one in the open air, around a lagoon-shaped swimming pool.

There may be a total seating area of 100 pax. When I visited there were only around 20 persons (Friday night), so it felt empty. Too bad because I can imagine the kind of atmosphere there would be if it was more busy. For Jakartans, just think of the new Bluegrass to get an idea.

The Service in Salt Tapas was really excellent for Bali standards: Very friendly, efficient and with perfect english. They were so professional that they can actually do upselling... There were just a few mistakes, for instance the waiter did not know that they had ran out of Mushroom Arancini back in the kitchen.
Menu Salt Tapas Seminyak
The menu is rather small, with prices that I found much more reasonable than those in Salt Grill in Altitude Jakarta. I had the Roasted Garlic Flat Bread with Romesco (50,000rp ++), the Tuna Tartare with Citrus & Wasabi (Rp65,000++), and as a dessert the Floating Island with Berries, Amaretto Anglaise, Lemon Curd, Almonds and Basil (Rp70,000++). All of them were good but I thought it was a bit overrated considering all the hype surrounding its Founder. It is on a par with the food you can eat in almost every upmarket restaurants in France.
Tuna Tartare with Citrus & Wasabi (Rp65,000++)
Roasted Garlic Flat Bread with Romesco (50,000rp ++)
Floating Island with Berries, Amaretto Anglaise,
Lemon Curd, Almonds and Basil (Rp70,000++)
Overall: I recommend Salt Tapas for anyone looking for a bit of sophistication in Seminyak. The romantic setting and the personal attention given by the staff makes it also perfect for a date. The food is fine, but I was expecting more coming from a famous Chef.
Salt Tapas by Luke Mangan
in Sentosa Seminyak Resort
Jalan Pura Telaga Waja, Petitenget (in front of the new Alila Seminyak)
Bali, Indonesia

Phone number: +62 (0) 361) 737675 
Email: info@salttapasbali.com
    Website: http://www.salttapasbali.com
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salttapasbali
    ↧
    ↧

    Warisan Café, Restaurant and Bar (Bali)

    June 7, 2014, 2:13 am
    $
    0
    0
    Warisan used to be an institution in Bali when it was headed by the two Frenchmen Said Alem (manager) and Nicolas "Doudou" Tourneville (chef). It was called Kafé Warisan at the time and it was serving French food. I don't know exactly what happened, but the team left and went on to open Métis restaurant and the Bali Catering Company (Gourmet Café).

    Kafé Warisan went under renovation, and it opened again in 2011 under the simple name Warisan, which means Heritage. They also have an expensive art and antique gallery in the same location. 

    Warisan is now less busy. The prices have gone up and the quality of food down, but it is still worth trying if you are looking for a fine dining experience. It is also interesting to visit for their big garden and their occasional events. 
    Overall: If you have money to spend, and if you don't have your expectations too high, you will have an enjoyable evening in Warisan. It is especially recommended for a date or a romantic dinner. First time visitors of Bali should be happy as well as it has retained some Balinese charm.

    If you haven't tried Métis, I would go there first though as I consider it is much nicer in terms of food and atmosphere.

    Warisan Restaurant Bali
    Jalan Raya Kerobokan No. 38, Kerobokan, Seminyak
    Bali, Indonesia 80361
    Phone number: +62 (0) 361 731 175 or +62 (0) 749 2796
    Email: candan_cetin@yahoo.com

    Website: http://warisanrestaurant.com/
    Facebook: Warisan Restaurant Bali

    Opening Hours:
    Everyday from 11am to 11pm (start at 4pm on Sunday)
    ↧

    Gourmet Café (Bali)

    June 7, 2014, 2:59 am
    $
    0
    0
    I live about 2 minutes from the Gourmet Café located on Jalan Dewi Sri in Legian, Bali. I visit it about once a week, usually taking one of their build-your-own salads or sandwiches. 

    It is not fancy and none of the dishes will impress you, but you will eat well-prepared, quality food for a reasonable price. 

    Gourmet Café was opened by Bali Catering Co, which belongs to the same team behind the fine dining restaurant Métis. 

    Overall: Recommended restaurant if you stay near from one of the branches. Gourmet Café has no Balinese charm so it is suitable for expatriates (especially French ones) looking for affordable Western food. As more and more of their clients are Indonesian, the menu also features several Asian dishes.

    They also sell some delicatessen but at a high price: Foie Gras, Cold Cuts, Cheese, Bread and Pastries, etc...
    Locations of Gourmet Cafés:

    Gourmet Cafe Bali Petitenget
    Jalan Petitenget 77A, Seminyak
    Bali 80361, Indonesia
    Phone number/Delivery: +62 (0) 361 847 5115 or +62 (0) 361 809 5188 or  +62 (0) 361 473 7324 
    Fax: +62 (0) 361 4737325


    Gourmet Cafe Bali Dewi Sri
    Jalan Dewi Sri 888, Legian
    Bali 80361, Indonesia
    Phone number / Delivery: +62 (0) 361 894 7414/5

    Gourmet Cafe Nusa Dua BIMC Hospital
    BTDC, Nusa Dua
    Bali 80363, Indonesia
    Phone number / Delivery: +62 (0) 361-843 9949


    Email : gourmetcafe@balicateringcompany or balicateringcompany@gmail.com or info@balicateringcompany.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GourmetCafe.Bali
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/GourmetCafeBali
    Website: http://www.balicateringcompany.com/cafe/

    Opening Hours:
    Every day from 7am to 10pm
    ↧

    Cuca - Tapas, Cocktails, Desserts (Bali)

    June 7, 2014, 4:47 am
    $
    0
    0

    Cuca Flavors is currently one of the most exciting restaurants in Bali. It is located in Jimbaran, not on the beach but in the middle of a huge garden planted with coconut trees.  It is a fine dining restaurant offering gastronomic experiments like no other venues on the island.

    Cuca is headed by a Spanish couple (Castillan and Basque): Chef Kevin Cherkas who was trained in some of the world's best restaurants (in particular El Bulli in Spain) and Virginia Entizne.

    The design is rather minimalist, with an air-con area where you can see the kitchen team at work, or an outside area which is very peaceful.

    At first, the menu didn't seemed to me as weird as I thought. It is only when each of the dishes came to our table that I realized the originality of Cuca.

    Here are some of the food and drinks we tried:
       Blush Mocktail (Rp50,000++) 
       Iced Rosé Mocktail (Rp50,000++) 
       Moon-Gria (Rp95,000++) 
    Tokyo Mojito (Rp90,000++)
    Marshmallow Ayam Betutu (complimentary)
       Golden Snapper Ceviche (Rp90,000++) 
    Emperor Fish Ceviche (Rp90,000++)
    Crispy Fried Chicken (Rp70,000++)
    Free Range Chicken Puddle (Rp65,000++)
    Marinated Pulled Pork (Rp75,000++)
    Pork Chicha (Rp80,000++)
    Smoked Butterfish (Rp80,000++)
    It would be boring for you and for me to describe each of the dishes in details. To sum up, the presentation and originality of each of them is exceptional. Regarding the taste, I see rave reviews about Cuca and I think most of them are exaggerated. You will test some unique combinations of flavors during your meal, some of them you will like, and some of them you will not. Personally, I actually really enjoyed only half of the food above. I don't think it is the purpose of the Chef to please 100% of its customers with one dish.
    Overall: In Cuca, you will experiment new ways to cook and to eat food. None of the dishes will leave you indifferent: You will be surprised, amused, or made curious by the taste, the colors, the shapes of the dishes prepared for you. Come with an open mind and you will be delighted!

    Cuca Flavors - Tapas, Cocktails, Desserts
    Jalan Yoga Perkanthi (off Jalan Uluwatu, on the way to Kayumanis Resort)
    Jimbaran, Bali, Indonesia 80364
    Phone number / Reservation: +62 (0) 361 708 066
    Email: family@cucaflavor.com

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cucaflavor
    Google +: Cuca
    Twitter: Cuca Flavor Jimbaran
    Website: Cuca Bali Jimbaran
    Blog: Cuca Bali Blog

    Opening Hours:
    Everyday from 12pm to 12am
    ↧
    ↧

    Junkyard (Senopati)

    June 9, 2014, 1:59 am
    $
    0
    0





    I ended up at Junkyard on a Saturday night with a couple of friends. There was a really good crowd of party people and everybody was dancing. That's why I liked this place at first sight. The people there are clearly upmarket, but not too much the business type. It is rather students, artists or people working in media, advertising, fashion, etc...

    Junkyard is a located in Blok S in Senopati. It is a Café/Bar very active in organizing cool events and different types of parties. Their music is quite good and the DJ is usually playing Hip Hop, Jazz, Dubstep. Senopati is very busy with joints like this, either quite fancy or more laid back like this one. It is a good option if you don't want go to a very fancy place where girls are all wearing high heels. The design is minimalist at most... there is just concrete and a few art display which apparently they recovered from actual trash (hence the name Junkyard): In particular, I really liked the "Where it all ends", on top of the DJ booth, it is quite a good slogan for a place like this. So I would recommend this place to end your night...

    Overall: Junkyard is a hipster kind of place. If you are a hipster or if you are kind of a hipster, you will like it. If not, better for you to go to Dragonfly...


    Junkyard Bar, Café and Club Senopati
    Jalan Birah Raya #10
    Blok S, Senopati, South Jakarta

    Phone: +62-812 9176 9769
    BB Pin: 22450066
    Email: junkyardjakarta@gmail.com

    Facebook: Junkyard Bar Jakarta
    Twitter: Junkyard Café and Bar
    Instagram: Junkyard Senopati

    Opening Hours:
    From Sunday to Thursday from 11am to 11.45pm
    From Friday to Saturday from 11am to 2am
    Closed on Monday
    ↧

    Akasaka and A-Club (Bali)

    June 9, 2014, 5:18 am
    $
    0
    0
    Akasaka is one of the biggest nightclubs in Denpasar, Bali. It is a Jakarta-style one stop entertainment complex controlled by the Balinese mafia. It is 99% crowded with Indonesians and it is famous for being full of drugs, particularly ecstasy. The security of the place actually offered me some just after I paid for my entrance ticket (Rp60,000).

    The main club of Akasaka is called the Music Room. It is a dark stage where they have live music, sexy dancers (sometimes nude), and later in the night Funky House DJs. For those who are not used to it, Funky House or Techno Kota is a headbanging music style in which the DJ remixes famous tunes 3 times the normal speed. It is particularly suitable for users of recreative drugs... It is usually packed on weekends until early morning. Many prostitutes go there too.
    Music Room in Akasaka (yes it is dark...)
    Inside the same complex, you have a big karaoke with Lady Companions, some of which you can see on their website: LC Akasaka Bali. I made screen shots below at the end of the post.
    A-Club
    Sexy Dancer in A-Club
    "Fashion" show in A-Club
    A-Club is part of of Akasaka but you will have to pay again to enter. It is more expensive but it is more classy. They will often have guest DJs from the best clubs in Jakarta. On the night I visited, there was DJ Bobby from Stadium actually. They also have sexy dancers and there seems to be prostitutes as well, but from higher class. I did see a few foreigners inside. 
    Overall: Akasaka is recommended if you are into Kota Jakarta's kind of nightlife. It is the occasion to party in Bali away from the tourists, with the local crowd. A-Club is much more appropriate for expats as the music is Western electro, but it is not often full.

    Akasaka and A-Club Bali
    Club, Bar, Restaurant, Karaoke, Live Music
    Jalan Teuku Umar, Simpang Enam, Denpasar, Bali

    Phone number: +62-361 238551 or +62 (0) 8 12222 666 80 (Akasaka Club) or +62 (0) 8 1222 6666 80 (A-Club)
    Email: info@akasaka-bali.com
    BB pin: 25B5D7FD

    Website: http://club.akasaka-bali.com/
    Facebook: Akasaka Bali Official, A-Club
    Twitter: Akasaka Info, Akasaka Bali, A-Club Bali

    Sorry for the low pictures quality! I only had a mobile phone with me as the security took my camera... To compensate, here are pictures from their facebook page and from their website:
    - screenshots from the Lady Companion (LC) of Akasaka + individual pics:
    ↧

    Shelter Café - Bar - Restaurant (Bali)

    June 9, 2014, 8:03 pm
    $
    0
    0
    Shelter is a cozy little café / restaurant / bar located on Jalan Drupadi, behind Queen's Tandoor Indian Restaurant in Seminyak. I was not expecting a lot when I visited as the prices are rather low, but I was truly impressed by the quality of the food served. I had 4 tapas plates for just above 100,000rp and all of them were delicious and prepared in an original way. I am not saying it is fine dining, but compared to other restaurants in Bali that are twice as expensive, Shelter's food is a much greater alternative.
    Just Cooked Yellowfin Tuna (25,000rp)
    Trio of Dips (Beetroot, Hummus, Guacamole) - Rp35,000
    Feta and Tomato Bruschetta (Rp25,000)
    Chicken Pincho (Rp25,000)
    Shelter is also very comfortable, all in the open-air. It is clean, laid-back, with friendly staff and a young crowd.

    Overall: Highly recommended for a drink or for food. Check out their facebook as well as they organize parties once in a while.
    Shelter Bali Restaurant and Café
    Jalan Drupadi 1, 2B, Seminyak
    Bali, Indonesia 80361
    Phone number: +62 (0) 361 9041 118
    Email: info@shelterbali.com

    Website: http://www.shelterbali.com
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelter.bali

    Opening Hours:
    Everyday from 7am until dinner
    ↧
    Search

    Pearl French Fine Dining (Bali)

    June 9, 2014, 10:01 pm
    $
    0
    0
    Pearl is a French fine dining restaurant located near Jalan Double Six Beach in Legian/Seminyak. It is inside a small complex of 16 rooms owned by a French couple. Jeremy Blanchet, the young Executive Chef of Pearl is French himself and he is the son of the two owners.

    Pearl is spread inside a large garden, with a small Balinese temple and a swimming pool. You also have a bar area near the open kitchen. It was not too crowded when I visited and my main impression was that it was very peaceful. The sound of the music was low and people seemed to be whispering at each other to avoid making too much noise. Still, I could hear that most of the clients were French speakers. Since all the tables are outside, it can be hot and you may get mosquito bites. The waiters have insect repellent if you need.

    The service was really perfect, as you could expect from a fine dining restaurant inside any 5-star hotel: Friendly, efficient, and with appropriate product knowledge.

    The menu is rather expensive for Bali, except for the drinks. A cocktail will cost you less than Rp100,000rp. For an appetizer, around 100,000rp. For a main course, Rp250,000. For a dessert, 90,000rp. For 2 people expect to pay Rp 1 million for a full meal without wine. In euros, it is about 30 euros per person, which is pretty much what you would pay in France for similar food.

    I had an Assiette Gourmande (Rp120,000 + 10% tax) and a Lamb Shank Millefeuille with Potatoes Gratin (Rp200,000rp + 10% tax). I was expecting small, gastronomic portions but the ones I was given were quite generous actually. The food was excellent and well-presented, but considering the price I was looking for a little more subtlety in the flavors. What I had tasted more like (delicious) French home-cooking.
    Assiette Gourmande (Rp120,000++): Tuna Tartare,  Lobster Bisque, etc..
    Lamb Shank Millefeuille (Rp200,000++)
    Overall: I recommend Pearl for the food, the setting and the service, especially if you have a salary in Euro... It is particularly suitable for a date or an anniversary. Some areas of the restaurants would need a little renovating or repainting, especially the toilets that were not standards for a fine dining restaurant. I also noticed some spots on the table cloth.
    Pearl French Fine Dining Restaurant Bali
    Jalan Double Six (Jalan Arjuna)
    Seminyak, Bali 80361

    Phone number: +62 (0) 361 732 743
    Fax: +62 (0) 361 732743
    Email : balihotelpearl@live.fr

    Facebook: Pearl Bali
    Website: http://www.balihotel-pearl.com

    Opening Hours:
    Every day from 6pm to 11pm (they are also starting lunch recently but better to call to confirm)
    ↧
    ↧

    Plan B (Spanish Restaurant Jakarta)

    May 5, 2014, 7:19 am
    $
    0
    0
    Plan B is among the best Spanish restaurants in Jakarta. One of the reasons for that is the involvement of the 2 Spanish owners, in the kitchen and in the restaurant. They give a homey feeling to their place by welcoming guests and making sure everything is fine with their dining experience. The staff is also fast and friendly. 

    I tried small dishes and appetizers only, which are not representative of their cuisine. I should still make a new visit to sample more items on the menu. What I had was quite simple and small but good (Greek Salad at 34,000rp++ and Salmon Carpaccio at 45,000rp++). It is not fine dining, rather home-style cooking at a reasonable price. 

    It is full almost every night with both expats and Indonesians so if you are a small group, you should book in advance.

    Overall: Recommended restaurant. I would say it is comparable with Trattoria/Peppenero but with Spanish food instead of Italian. 
    Plan B
    Spanish Restaurant Jakarta
    Rukan Permata Senayan D25-26 (near My Place and Delta Spa)
    Jl. Tentara Pelajar, South Jakarta

    Phone number: +62-21 5794 0821
    Email: planb.spanishresto@gmail.com
    https://www.facebook.com/planb.jakarta
    https://twitter.com/planbjakarta
    ↧

    Chez Gado Gado (Seminyak, Bali)

    May 6, 2014, 3:27 am
    $
    0
    0
    Chez Gado-Gado is a fine dining restaurant located at the end of Jalan Dhyana Pura in Seminyak, with a view on the beach.

    It is rather expensive, about 200,000rp for a main course (with an additional 18% tax and service). They are part of the same group behind Ku De Ta and Cocoon, with a few foreigners among the management. In particular, the Executive Chef Quirijn Rademaker is from Holland.

    The menu is rather small and features mostly gastronomic dishes. It gave me an excellent first impression. The friends who accompanied me were expecting Indonesian food (because of the name Gado Gado), so they were disappointed and I was the only one to eat.

    I had the "Rogan Josh" Sea Bass (Rp 180,000++) and the Beetroot Salad (Rp 85,000 ++). The portions were surprisingly big but I didn't like both dishes. The salad had too much sauce and it had nothing subtle about it. The Sea Bass was hard to eat and overcooked. The sauce was a curry that tasted similar with the "rendang paste" from the warung next to my home.
    Rogan Josh Pan Fried Sea Bass (Rp180,000++) 
    Beetroot Salad with Walnuts (Rp 85,000++)
    The service was not very good as well. For instance, the waiter brought the bread/olive oil served normally as an appetizer only after the main course arrived. Then, after I finished eating, nobody came to pick up my plates for 30 minutes. I made a small list of all the anomalies I saw but I had to stop as it was getting too long...

    There was also not a standard uniform for all staff. Some of there were wearing traditional clothes, some wearing t-shirts. One of them even had a Harley-Davidson polo. To be fair, I think it was a public holiday so this may be unusual.  Still it killed the fine dining mood for me. 

    At last, the environment is not as nice as I was expecting. The sea can be seen, but there is also a small road before it with motorbikes passing by every minutes. As you can see on the picture it is not an exceptional sight:
    View from my table (1)
    View from my table (2)
    Overall: Chez Gado-Gado was a disappointing experience considering the money I paid. I will not go back unless they make some significant improvement in the atmosphere, food and service. For fine dining, I still prefer going to Metis restaurant for instance.
    Chez Gado Gado
    Fine Dining Restaurant Bali
    Seminyak, Jalan Camplung Tanduk (Dhyana Pura) 99 (In front of Anantara Hotel Seminyak)
    Phone number: +62 - 361 736 966
    Email: info@gadogadorestaurant.com

    Website: Chez Gado Gado Seminyak
    Facebook: Gado Gado Bali

    Opening Hours:
    From Monday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm and from 5pm to 11pm
    ↧

    Bow Restaurant (Seminyak)

    May 6, 2014, 5:08 am
    $
    0
    0
    Bow is a restaurant serving various Mediterranean specialties, mostly from France, Spain and Arab countries (Bouillabaisse, Paella, Mezze). It is rather big and built on 2 floors, with a large alfresco area which is very enjoyable in the evenings.

    The owner is a French man living in Bali. You can often see him in the restaurant. He takes a particular care of the decoration which is the thing that first attracted me to try Bow. As you can see, it is quite unique, with a Caribbean influence. I imagine he is also in charge of the music, which is a world mix of Spanish, French and African songs.

    The prices for an appetizer go from rp35k to rp45k and for a main dish from rp75k to rp95k (to which you must add 16% tax & service). I took the Mediterranean Lamb Wrap at 75k++. It was really home-cooking style, with a fine taste but nothing too fancy as well.
    Mediterranean Lamb Wrap (Rp75,000 (+16%)
    Overall: I think Bow is recommended for a dinner in Seminyak if you are looking for a place more quiet than in the busy areas of Jalan Petitenget or Jalan Oberoi. As I said previously, the upstairs terrace is really nice during the evenings. It is not a fine dining place but I think it would be fit for a date.

    One thing was a bit strange: The owner's dog was roaming free between the tables... 

    They also have regular live music events on Tuesday. I invite you to check the schedule on their facebook page Bow Bali for the latest updates.
    Bow Restaurant Bali
    Jalan Batubelig (200m before Naughty Nuri's Warung)
    Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
    Phone number: +62 (0) 8 12 39 18 68 65

    Opening Hours:
    From Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 11pm
    ↧

    Chicory Patisserie (Menteng)

    May 6, 2014, 10:49 pm
    $
    0
    0
    I discovered Chicory Cake Shop & Café randomly while heading to Kuningan from my home. Located on Jalan Sumenep, in the heart of Menteng, they serve a whole range of European pastries: Tarts, croissants, almond combs, choux and financiers. 

    Decorated in an old-fashioned way with wooden bistro tables and chair, it really looks like a tiny "salon de thé" as we have in France. The Pastry Chef is an Australian and he is the one who makes all the pastries everyday. Chicory is surfing on the trend of the French Bakeries and Café recently opened in Jakarta like Paul Bakery in Pacific Place Mall or Eric Kayser in Plaza Senayan. This place is different as it is not a franchise. The quality standards are just as high in my opinion, just like the ones you could get in Europe or in other 5-star hotels in Jakarta. The price is a bit high though, around Rp50,000 for a pastry.

    Overall: Chicory is a recommended neighborhood pastry shop. It is great for meeting a close friend or relative and talk for hours in a cozy and intimate atmosphere.
    Chicory European Patisserie
    Jl Sumenep #9
    Menteng, Central Jakarta
    Phone:+62-21 31925799+62-21 31925799

    Opening Hours:
    Everyday from 8am to 6pm
    ↧
    ↧

    Doner Kebab (Indonesia)

    May 8, 2014, 3:56 am
    $
    0
    0

    Doner Kebab is the largest chain of kebab restaurants in Jakarta. They serve their kebabs with beef, chicken or lamb and the price is reasonable, between 20,000rp and 30,000rp. There are quite many competitors too in Jakarta such as Opie's Kebab or Ali Kebab.

    I didn't expect too much when I tried their food in Taman Anggrek Mall but I was surprised because it actually tasted ok (or maybe I felt that way because I was starving). It is not too unhealthy also as you can ask them not to put any sauce.

    Even though it is fast food from a chain restaurant, I would still recommend Doner Kebab to you if you are looking for a cheap snack while inside a mall.
    Doner Kebab has locations all over the city, almost exclusively in food courts in malls:

    Doner Kebab Mall Summarecon Bekasi
    3rd Floor, Food Temptation, Jalan Boulevard Ahmad Yano
    Phone number: +62-21 2957 2888

    Doner Kebab Artha Gading Mall
    2nd Floor, Jalan Boulevard Artha Gading Selatan, North Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-21 4586 4148

    Doner Kebab Grand Indonesia Mall
    Third Floor, Sky Bridge, Central Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-21 235 80514

    Doner Kebab Mall Taman Anggrek
    Level 3 West Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-21 563 9626

    Doner Kebab Plaza Semanggi
    Third floor, Food Court South Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-812 81855688

    Doner Kebab Senayan City
    5th Floor - Food Court, South Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-21 7278 1378

    Doner Kebab Plaza Senayan
    3rd Floor Jalan Asia-Afrika, South Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-21 572 5314

    Doner Kebab Kelapa Kading 
    Mall Kelapa Gading 3, 3rd Floor, North Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-21  453 3453

    Doner Kebab La Piazza
    Jalan Boulevard Kelapa Gading, LG, North Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-812818 55688

    Doner Kebab Mall Puri Indah
    Jl. Puri Lingkar Luar, West Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-21 582 2575

    Doner Kebab Mall of Indonesia
    Food Court 2nd Floor, Jl. Raya Boulevard Barat, North Jakarta
    Phone number: +62-21 45867888

    Doner Kebab Pondok Indah Mall 2
    Third Floor Food Court, South Jakarta
    +62-21 7592 0795

    Doner Kebab Supermall Karawaci
    2nd Floor, Food Court, Jalan Boulevard Diponegoro, Tangerang
    Phone number: +62-21 546 6666

    Doner Kebab Emporium Pluit Mall
    Food Court Empire Lt.4, Jl. Pluit Selatan Raya - CBD, North Jakarta
    Phone number: +62- 21 666 76 672

    Doner Kebab Emporium Pluit Mall
    Food Court Empire Lt.4, Jl. Pluit Selatan Raya - CBD, North Jakarta
    Phone number: +62- 21 666 76 672

    Doner Kebab Summarecon Serpong 1
    2nd Floor, Jalan Boulevard Gading Serpong, Tangerang

    Phone number: +62-21 546 4384
    ↧

    Red White Jazz Lounge (Kemang)

    May 8, 2014, 12:23 pm
    $
    0
    0
    Red White Lounge is one of the few venues in Jakarta to listen to live Jazz. To my knowledge, there is only Black Cat in Senayan Arcadia which is similar. Red White is run by Indra Lesmana, a well-known Indonesian jazz pianist. They have an impressive schedule and it is run by passionate people. 

    You can check their website: www.redwhitelounge.com, or their twitter @RWLounge for show updates. 
    Red White Jazz Lounge Jakarta
    Jalan Kemang Raya 16B,
    South Jakarta, Indonesia 12730

    Phone number: +62 21 71792252
    +62 (0) 8 21 23 75 1943
    +62 (0) 8 21 19160 1999

    Email: redwhitejazz@gmail.com
    Website: Red White Jazz Lounge
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/redwhitejazz

    Opening Hours:
    Wednesday to Sunday from 7pm to 1.30am
      ↧
      Search

      Sana Sini (Pullman Hotel Jakarta)

      May 8, 2014, 10:19 pm
      $
      0
      0







      Sana Sini (Here and There in Indonesian) is the new Restaurant of the Pullman Jakarta Indonesia. This Hotel, strategically located on Jl Thamrin near Bunderan HI and Plaza Indonesia has been under huge renovation in order to compete with the new 4-star and 5-star Hotels in the City (like The Hermitage or Double Tree Hilton to name a few).

      The Sana Sini is the main Restaurant of the Hotel and it is located on the first floor close to the reception and the Makaron Bakery.

      The first impression is that the place is very wide: You have the impression of being in a fancy department store ! You can walk through the different corners, each of them representing a different type of cuisine. You have Indonesian food at the back, a Chinese corner, a Japanese corner and Western food. You also have a very good selection of breads and cheeses. It is headed by a French Chef.

      Another particularity of this place is that even though it is wide open between the tables and the food corner, you can still have some privacy when you are having your lunch or dinner. Some of the tables have a separator and there is also some private areas in a very nice and contemporary design.

      I really liked the Japanese corner. when I ordered a Salmon Sashimi, somebody came to me and cut the fresh salmon in front of me. The staff was also friendly and receptive. For the beverages, they have a complete Wine Cellar which is part of the decoration of the Restaurant. You can order a glass of vintage wines with their Vinoteca concept.

      Overall: Try the Buffet at Sana Sini. I would recommend that place if you are hungry and want to eat tasty food. The buffet is massive and everything is good, in accordance with 5-star Hotels standards. The price of the buffet is 320 000 Rp for Lunch and 350 000 Rp for Dinner.

      Sana Sini Restaurant
      Pullman Hotel Jakarta Indonesia
      Jalan Thamrin 59
      Jakarta 10350

      Opening hours: Everyday from 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM

      Phone: 021 31 92 1111
      Fax:  021 31 92 3333
      Mail: H8491@accor.com

      Sana Sini: Website
      Sana Sini: Menu

      ↧

      The Top 10 Best Clubs, Bars and Restaurants in Jakarta 2014

      May 11, 2014, 12:58 am
      $
      0
      0
      These rankings of Jakarta's best bars, restaurants, lounges and clubs should be read with my article "Jakarta nightlife 2014" for more information.  I visited all the places listed below (and more), and I ranked them in the order by which I would recommend them to a friend.

      I may have missed some great venues. Don't blame me, just add a comment and I'll revise if necessary:

      Top 10 of the Best Nightclubs in Jakarta in 2014:

      1) Empirica: From what I've seen, it is the most happening club in Jakarta at the moment. It is huge, attracts a beautiful/trendy crowd, and it is a really fun place to party. Easy number 1.

      2) Immigrant: Still under renovation but we can expect great parties as soon as it reopens in June.

      3) X2: Massive club, always packed but the music is very commercial and it is the same every week.

      4) Colosseum (1001): The best lighting and nightclub design in Jakarta, but still missing the crowd.

      5) Fable: Good crowd, a bit young for me though.

      6) Potato Head Garage: Could be number one if they had events more often.

      7) Dragonfly: Still crowded but not as happening as it used to be. Fewer special DJs.

      8) Stadium: Used to be number 1. Maybe I'm getting too old for this now. The music is still great but the place could use a refurbishment as it is starting to look old. Update May 2014: Closed down following the death by overdose from a policeman inside.

      9) Exodus: Middle size, new club. Good music and crowd but not full all the time.

      10) Golden Crown: Most popular club in North Jakarta, it is not for everybody as there are many prostitutes and drugs. Full every night of the week.


      Top 10 of the Best Bars, Lounges and Small Clubs in Jakarta 2014
      Safehouse in Bellagio
      1) Lucy in the Sky: Young and trendy crowd, good music, perfect place to chill before hitting the other clubs in SCBD.

      2) SKYE: Highest bar in Jakarta, great view and crowd, happening events.

      3) Awan Lounge: For hipsters, good music and unique atmosphere.

      4) Safehouse: Bar with also a very good restaurant, young expat crowd, great music.

      5) Cloud: Similar with Skye. Rooftop bar.

      6) Cafe Mondo: Odd cafe owned by a Japanese in love with Indonesian music. Unique events and concept

      7) 365: Same as Lucy and Awan Lounge but for Kemang.

      8) Treehouse: Super-small bar with good music and crowd

      9) Umbra: One of the newer bar/lounge/clubs in Kemang and the most active to organize events.

      10) Red Square: Still super crowded, but more and more prostitutes and the music is a let down.


      Top 10 of the Best Restaurants/Lounges to go to before Party in Jakarta in 2014: 
      I considered mostly if the place is busy or not, and if the crowd is a partying crowd. I then considered the atmosphere (music and design). The food came in third. It is a blog about nightlife after all.

      1) E&O: From the man behind Sarong and Mamasan in Bali, neat concept and design with a unique food experience.

      2) Loewy: Good french food, with a busy bar area. Many Expats and girls. It is the best pre-clubbing pick-up place.

      3) Luna Negra: Italian food with events organized regularly on weekends.

      4) Bluegrass: They just had their renovation. Always busy and good food.

      5) Cork & Screw: Wine shop with decent food. Less expatriates than the previous venues.

      6) Social House: Ismaya's ever successful wine lounge in Grand Indonesia. Very popular with Indonesians. If the food was better, it could be on the top.

      7) Union: Disappointing food and difficult to get a table, but it is the busiest restaurant in Senayan. Upmarket crowd.

      8) Canos: Spanish Tapas restaurant closed to SCBD nightlife. Only busy on weekend nights.

      9) Potato Head: It suffered from the openings of many competitors in Pacific Place so it is not as crowded as it used to be. They were the first ones to have an open-air restaurant area concept for lounges.

      10) Vin+: Mostly a wine shop with tables, it is often busy on weekends but the food is only average.


      Top 10 of the Best Sexy Bars and Sexy Clubs in Jakarta 2014
      Inside King Cross Jakarta (thank you CZ for this picture taken at your life's risk)
      1) King Cross: Wherever you live in Jakarta, if you are a guy, it is worth the ride up to Kelapa Gading... Sexy dancers on 2 floors and live music..

      2) Malioboro: It has 2 areas, Malio Club and Malioboro Spa Lounge. Both worth having a look but very expensive. Only sexy dancers.

      3) Club 36: The only (?) coyote bar in Jakarta. Still super popular. Sexy/Sensual dancers from Thailand and Indonesia.

      4) Golden Crown Lounge: They have live music and sexy dancers every night. Always crowded.

      5) Emporium: Upper class joint similar with Malioboro. Sexy dancers.

      6) Illigals: One of the most luxurious spas in Jakarta but not happening. It has sexy dancers but not on a daily basis.

      7) Classic Club: It has 2 areas: Classic Club (Sexy Dancers and Live Music, more expensive and fewer girls) and Terminal Classic (Sexy Dancers and Live Music, less expensive, more girls).

      8) Alexis: The most expensive and probably overrated venue in Jakarta. But it's always impressive especially for new people in the city. No sexy dancers but the 7th floor is famous for featuring high class prostitutes from at least 7 countries.

      9) Sumo Lounge. They have Sexy Dancers.

      10) V2: Live Music and Sexy Dancers.

      Note: In Jakarta dialect, Sexy Dancer means the dancers will get at least topless if not fully nude. If they do not get nude, they will be advertised as sensual dancers or fashion show.

      Top 10 of the Best Expat and Traveller Bars in Jakarta 2014
      Canadian band in BATS
      1) Eastern Promise: Busy on week ends, good live music and food. Mixed crowd of younger and older expatriates, male and women, and always groups of Indonesian girls.

      2) Molly Mallone's: Newest Irish Bar in Senayan Arcadia, close to Red Square and X2.

      3) De Hooi: Busiest expat bar in Pondok Indah area.

      4) Murphy's: First Irish bar in Jakarta, younger Expat crowd.

      5) BATS: Mostly businessmen. Live music from foreign band and many prostitutes.

      6) MO Bar: Not happening too much but nice design and music. Perfect for a quiet drink.

      7) CJs: Similar with BATS but more expensive and even more prostitutes.

      8) Tempus: Good live music and salsa events twice weekly.

      9) Burgundy: Super quiet, but classy and with a nice view of Bunderan HI.

      10) Jaya Pub: Oldest bar in Jakarta,  very friendly with regular live band

      These rankings are completely independant and based on my own personal preferences. I did not accept any money nor invitations from  any of the bars, clubs or restaurants listed above. I am a male expat in my early 30s, so I imagine this  article will be particularly correct if you are also a male between 20 and 40. If you are a woman in your 40s, you will probably have to find another Jakarta nightlife blog.
      ↧
      ↧

      Kemxtri Bar (Pullman Hotel Jakarta)

      May 12, 2014, 1:22 am
      $
      0
      0





      Kemixtri is the main Bar of the new Pullman Hotel Jakarta Indonesia. Inside you will find mostly clients of the Hotel, and mostly men. The name of the Bar comes from the Cocktail Phials they serve you (second picture) which I found pretty nice and unconventional. The place have a DJ Booth at the entrance and there is a DJ (a woman when I went there) from Wednesday until Saturday.

      They also have a wide range of Cuban cigars (like Romeo & Julieta) which make the place look like a Gentlemen's Lounge. The place reminded me somehow Nip & Dram (Whisky Bar).

      For the Sana Sini Restaurant located nearby in the Hotel, you can check my review here.

      Kemixtri Bar
      Pullman Hotel Jakarta Indonesia
      Jalan Thamrin 59
      Jakarta 10350

      Opening Hours:
      The Bar closes at midnight everyday.

      Phone number: +62-21 31 92 1111
      Fax:  +62-21 31 92 3333
      Mail: H8491@accor.com

      Kemixtri Bar: Website
      ↧

      SOS Supper Club in Anantara Seminyak

      June 11, 2014, 8:06 am
      $
      0
      0
      SOS Supper Club is the rooftop bar and restaurant of the Anantara Hotel in Seminyak, Bali. I only visited for a drink at sunset time, which is probably the perfect time to be there. Drinks are a little more expensive than elsewhere (over 10US$ for a cocktail), but I found it worthwhile considering the facilities (lounge chair or sunbeds facing the sea), the view and the service.
      Overall: I will come back to try the food, probably for a date. They have a great table at the corner of the restaurant with a fantastic view. Be sure to book it in advance as the manager told me there is a waiting list of several days!

      SOS a Supper Club
      Rooftop Anantara Hotel Seminyak
      Jalan Abimanyu (Dhyana Pura), Seminyak, Bali

      Phone Number: +62 (0) 361 737773
      Fax: +62 (0) 361 737772
      Email: info@sosasupperclub.com

      Website: SOS Supper Club

      Facebook: SOS Anantara Seminyak
      Twitter: SOS Seminyak

      Opening Hours:
      Everyday from 5pm to 11pm (2am on Friday and Saturday)
      ↧

      What is the "Tax and Service Charge" on restaurant bills?

      June 12, 2014, 4:26 am
      $
      0
      0
      You have probably noticed that the prices in Indonesia in restaurant and bars are often accompanied of a "++" sign. For instance: "Sunday Brunch Rp350,000++".

      The plus plus sign means that you will have to pay an additional charge for tax and service. 

      The tax is a regional tax called PB1 or PHR (Hotel and Restaurant Tax) of 10%. It is collected by a Kabupaten (Regency) or a City, like Jakarta DKI. Technically, it is not a Value Added Tax (VAT) but it looks like it from a client's perspective.

      A regency like Badung in Bali, where Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu are located is extremely wealthy. In this area, they have 2000 hotels currently listed on Agoda and even more restaurants. Each of them give 10% of their revenue to the regency. A quick calculation: 30,000 room nights at 70$ on average X 70% occupancy X 365 days X 10% = 53,655,000 USD per year for the hotel tax only for this small regency.

      It makes me wonder why there is not enough money for education, healthcare, proper roads, cleanliness, water and garbage system, infrastructure, etc... 

      The service charge is collected by the hotel or the restaurant. It is actually a tip that will be distributed among the staff at the end of the month. There are no rules as to how it must be done. Some company will share it evenly between everybody, from office to kitchen staff. Some don't and choose to give it to a limited number of persons.

      5-star hotels in Jakarta may distribute up to 4,000,000rp per month per employee. Even better, the service charge of the Saint Regis Hotel in Bali is rumored to be as high as 7,000,000rp per employee on the best months. What is for sure is that in many popular hotels and restaurants, most of the paycheck comes from the service charge

      The amount of Service Charge varies from 5% for a restaurant to 10% for a hotel. A restaurant or spa located inside a hotel will have to pay 10% as well. Some independent restaurants may choose to collect more than 5% of service charge to make the staff more motivated. It is also a way for an owner to increase the salaries without using his own money.

      I know that there is a lot of fraud in the industry regarding the tax and the service. Many smaller hotels and restaurants will collect it and keep it for themselves. Or they will not give all of it back. Some small restaurants are not even subject to the 10% tax but they still put it on their menu to increase their revenue.

      Last point: The service charge itself is taxable. This explains why you may have up to 21% Tax and Service Charge. 

      For instance, you buy an orange juice 10,000rp with 10% Service Charge and 10% Tax. You will pay: 

      10,000rp X 10%=1000rp of service charge
      The taxable amount is 10,000rp (orange juice) + 1000rp (service charge) = 11,000rp.
      The amount of tax to pay is 11,000rp X 10% = 1,100rp which is 11% of 10,000rp.
      In total, you really pay 10% Service Charge and 11% Tax.

      Ok, that's all for today. Tomorrow I'm back to reviewing Clubs and Bars I promise...
      ↧
      Viewing all 1118 articles
      Browse latest View live
      Search