Le Quartier (French Restaurant)

 

 

Le Quartier ("The Neighbourhood" in French, pronounced like the jewelry brand "Cartier") is a new French Restaurant, opened in 2013 in Kebayoran Baru, near Senopati. I liked the building facade of the Restaurant as well as the interior design. The decoration is well done and it really gives the feeling you are in a French bistro, with also a few modern touches. The overall impression is that it is an elegant and luxurious place, especially with their beautiful chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

The food was good also, with a fair choice of French meals and some good bread. They also serve some Italian food (pasta and pizza) and Burgers. I would not say it is purely a French restaurant in their menu: It is international, similar with the one in Union or Loewy. I liked the Steak Tartare, tasty and juicy. I had some good wine also, which is quite important for a French Restaurant. The desserts were OK and the service was friendly.

Overall: Since the decoration and the atmosphere is very nice and it feels romantic, I advise you to bring a date here, it will be a successful dinner. The only problem with Quartier is their prices: They are quite high even for basic dishes like salads or sandwiches. Expect to pay at least 400,000 Rupiah for a full meal without alcohol.

For our selection on the Best French Restaurants in Jakarta, you can read this article: My Favourite French Restaurants.

 

Le Quartier

Jalan Gunawarman #34

Kebayoran Baru

South Jakarta

Phone: +62-21 7278 8001+62-21 7278 8001

Mail: Contact@lequartier.co.id

Opening Hours: Open From 07:00 - Onwards

Facebook: Le Quartier

Twitter: Le Quartier

Instagram: Le Quartier Jakarta

Photos from my second visit (I had an overpriced Tuna Nicoise Salad):

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Eric Kayser Jakarta (Plaza Senayan)

Eric Kayser Indonesia is now opened in Plaza Senayan. Just like Paul Bakery and Patisserie, it is an international French Bakery chain, very famous in France and in some big international cities (New York City, Tokyo, Singapore). Now that Eric Kayser is in Jakarta, I can compare those 2, in order to know which one is the Best Bakery in Jakarta (and where to find the best baguette!).

Eric Kayser is upmarket: The decoration of the Plaza Senayan outlet is very unique and luxurious. For instance, they used marble to display the bread and pastries. Even if it's not the same decoration, it reminded me TWG Tea Boutique, because of the pastry display in the middle of the restaurant. 

Even though a lot of care has been put into the design of Eric Kayser, I'm not really thrilled with its overall aspect. I found it quite bland and cold.

I like their bread much more: Baguette, Healthy Breads, etc...The Bread corner is very well arranged, and you can help yourself with any kind of French Croissants, Raisins Rolls, or Chocolate Croissants. I tried the Croissant and the Chocolate Croissants and it was delicious. I was also pretty happy with the waiters and the service offered in Eric Kayser restaurant, as everybody seemed to know what they were doing.

Paul Bakery/Eric Kayser: What is the Best Bakery in Jakarta ?

The long awaited game between those two upscale bakeries can finally begin. Now we can compare, in order to make the best choice for our mouth...

First, regarding the location, there is no doubt about it, Paul Bakery has a better location, on the terrace of Pacific Place Mall. The kiosk style of the Bakery and the possibility to dine outside makes you feel a bit more like you are in Paris, and is much more pleasant. Eric Kayser Bakery has just a regular location in a fancy mall, and the place is much smaller than its competitor in Pacific Place.

Tastewise, I have to admit the pastries are more delicate and nice looking at Eric Kayser Bakery. I can't help but think that this Pistachio Eclair from Eric Kayser might be the best I ever had. It is a very sweet piece of Pastry. I also prefer the "Help Yourself" Bakery corner of Eric Kayser, which is definitely a trend in Indonesian-style bakeries.

Overall, service and atmosphere, I would rather choose Paul Bakery. Living in Jakarta makes you spend a lot of time in the malls. When you are going to a French Bakery, you want feel like you are in Paris, with a nice decoration, traditional outfits and maybe some French words written everywhere...

Winner of the Game: Paul Bakery

Eric Kayser Indonesia
Plaza Senayan, Fourth Floor
Jl. Asia Afrika, Senayan,
South Jakarta
Phone: +62-21 53660821
Email: comment@erickayser.co.id

Facebook: Eric Kayser Indonesia

Twitter: Eric Kayser Indo
Website: Eric Kayser

E&O Jakarta (Restaurant, Bar)

E&O (Eastern and Oriental) is a trendy, upmarket restaurant, bar and lounge located in Mega Kuningan, not far from its main competitor in the area, Loewy (which has the same owner actually, also behind Union).

The kitchen is headed by Chef Will Meyrick, behind the famous restaurants Mamasan and Sarong in Bali. The cuisine in E&O is actually similar with that of Mamasan: Western dishes with a twist of Asia (or the contrary).

The menu is long and full and discoveries. We had lunch or dinner there quite a few times and the food can be hit-and-miss as some of the food combinations can be audacious.

Overall: If you want to discover original unique cuisine in a refined restaurant, with an upmarket crowd and atmosphere, E&O is your place.

Opening hours:
Everyday from 11am to 2am.

E&O Jakarta

Menara Rajawali, Ground Floor, Jalan Anak Agung Gede Agung

Mega Kuningan, South Jakarta
Phone number: +62-21 576 1645

Email: reservations@eandojakarta.com or info@eandojakarta.com

Website: EO Jakarta
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eandojakarta
Facebook: E&O Mega Kuningan
Instagram: E&O Will Meyrick

Bistronomy (Jakarta)

 

I was very surprised with my visit of Bistronomy. Because of its name, which sounds modern, I was expecting a regular wannabe-trendy restaurant like many can be found in Jakarta.
 

Bistronomy is actually the contrary. It is a vintage restaurant, inside a house in a residential area, where every details has been made to fit with the theme (the uniforms, the menu, the design, etc). For those who know, it looks similar with Balique restaurant in Bali.

The menu has all the favourite, typical dishes of any restaurants in Jakarta (Cheeseburger, Spaghetti Bolognese, Nasi Goreng... ) and some more original (Ceviche, Shoya Fondue). I tried the Sandwich à la Méditerranée (75,000rp++).

I was quite disappointed by this dish for a few reasons: The bread was just plain white bread (probably industrial). It was impossible to eat it like a normal sandwich with hands so I had to use a fork and a knife. It was quite heavy on the sauce too and the taste very average. It is really too bad the owners of Bistronomy spent so much time on the design and marketing of their restaurant and apparently so little in the kitchen.

Sandwich à la Méditerranée: How do you eat it?

Regarding the service, it was very good (the waitresses were smart enough to do some upselling on three occasions) but I found it a bit strange that nobody was standing outside of the place to welcome guests.

Overall: I could come back to Bistronomy for its atmosphere, but certainly not for the food. I found out that it belongs to the Kawano group (http://www.kawanointl.com/) which has some excellent restaurants in the city (Sakana or The Grill). Since it is Japanese, I would say that maybe you have to stick with the Japanese food and not go for any of the Western dishes (especially the French ones).

As I was about to leave Bistronomy, the music playing was "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston, immediately followed by "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion. It made me go away, but in the taxi I thought the place could be perfect to bring a date, especially if she is Indonesian. Bistronomy is kitsch, but it is romantic.

Bistronomy Jakarta
Jalan Ciranjang (Cinuru 1 No. 2)
Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan
Phone number: +62-21 709 6655

Email : Bistronomy@kawanointl.com

Facebook: Bistronomy Jakarta
Twitter: Bistronomy
Corporate Facebook page: Kawano Group
Corporate Website: Kawano International Indonesia

Opening Hours:

Everyday from 11am to 11pm (until 1am on Friday and Saturday)

MAD Jakarta (Modern Asian Diner)

  

I visited MAD Jakarta (Modern Asian Diner) in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday. It was not very crowded, as one could expect at this time of the day.

MAD is currently buzzing among Jakartans, mainly thanks to the good Public Relation and Marketing team behind it. As the owner comes from Singapore (where the first MAD was opened), there is always a feeling among Indonesians that it will be modern and innovative.

My first impression was good: MAD is big, probably able to accommodate over 150 people. They have a long open kitchen, a bar area and a good view over the Jakarta skyline.

The menu is attractive as well. It combines various types of Asian and Western cuisine. After a second look though, I noticed that the wording of the menu was more creative than the dishes in itself.

I went for an expensive dish, thinking it would be a great culinary journey: The Pan Seared Sea Bream & Mushroom Barley Risotto (148,000rp++). In non marketing words, it is a Risotto with Mushroom Sauce and Fish. Not that incredible actually and not that creative.

Pan-Seared Sea Bream & Mushroom Barley Risotto

The dish arrived in a medium-sized portion. Nothing too special in the presentation. The taste was rather bland. No flavors were standing out. I have eaten dozens of better risottos in my life and I don't really undertand how this dish represents Modern Asian Cuisine.

There was nothing wrong with the food from MAD, but for the price, I know I can enjoy much superior dishes in some of Jakarta's best restaurants (La Luce, Amuz, Garçon, etc...). The whole marketing of MAD about their food seemed to me a bit empty after trying it.

Overall: My main complaint is that the price I paid do not match the quality of the food I ate. I am sure that some dishes on the menu taste better and I would like to give MAD a second chance in the future. It is still a step up compared to many competitors and the atmosphere of the place alone is worth having a look.

MAD restaurant Jakarta
Lotte Shopping Avenue 4th floor

Ciputra World 1 Jalan Prof Satrio

Jakarta, Indonesia 12940

Phone number: +62-21 2988 9499

Email Corporate Group: mad@tunglok.com
Email: info@modernasiandiner.co.id

Twitter: MAD Jakarta
Facebook: MAD Singapore

Facebook: MAD Jakarta
Website: http://www.modernasiandiner.com/

Website for the corporate group: http://www.tunglok.com

Opening Hours:
From Monday to Thursday from 11am to 10.30pm
From Friday to Sunday from 10.30am to 11pm

Poké Sushi (Dharmawangsa)

Poké Sushi is a small Sushi chain, with currently 4 Restaurants in Jakarta. I really love this place as I find their sushis and sashimis very tasty. They make the sushis in front of you, which makes you feel safer to eat what you have in your plate. Salmon Sashimis and Philadelphia Rolls are my favourites...

The best option in this restaurant is to take the "All you can eat" option for IDR 265++ (on weekday). You will have a decent choice in the All You can Eat Menu, even though you cannot order anything from the A La Carte Menu. The Loyalty Card gives you a 50% discount, which also can be a good option...

Overall: I like this place and I recommend it. If you want go to another Japanese Restaurant, please read my review of Japanese restaurants "Good Japanese Restaurants in Jakarta".

 

Poké Sushi Dharmawangsa

Jl Dharmawangsa VI no 6

Jakarta Selatan

Phone: 727 80553

Twitter: Poké Sushi 

info@poke-sushi.com

Other branches:

Poké Sushi Crown Hotel

Level 3

Jl Gatot Subroto kav 2-3

Phone:  522 0733

Poké Sushi Grand Indonesia

Food Louver Bridge C

Level 3

Phone: 235 80933

Poke Sushi Summarecon Mall Serpong 2

Blok 1f 216-217

Phone: 293 10685

Byblos Bistro (Pondok Indah Jakarta)

Byblos is a pub/bar located in the new Pondok Indah Mall 3. It recently changed owner, from an Italian guy behind the Planet Hollywood to an Indonesian.

The place is very comfortable, especially with some large sofas you can never move away from. The service is friendly, you also have 1 or 2 Public Relation ladies, which seemed to be selective about the guests they would talk to.

I only had a Bintang (65,000rp), but it also has a full Pub Fare menu (Pasta, Pizza, Burgers, Asian Favourite, etc). From what I could see on other tables, the food portions seemed generous.

Byblos was not too crowded when I arrived at 6pm, but slowly it got busier. For a monday night it wasn't too bad.

Overall, I recommended Byblos for a drink if you are in Pondok Indah Mall. I should check again on Saturday or Friday nights, they have DJs so it might be good for party as well.

Byblos Bistro

Pondok Indah Mall Street Gallery (PIM 3 Second Floor)

Jalan Metro Duta Niaga Blok. B5, South Jakarta
Phone number: +62-21 29529744 or +62-21 2952 9745
Fax: +62-21 2952 9743

Twitter: Byblos Pondok Indah Jakarta
Facebook: Byblos Jakarta
Website: http://www.byblosjakarta.com/

Opening hours:
Everyday from 10am to 12pm (until 2am on Friday and Saturday)
Happy Hours: From 3pm to 7pm
Lady's Night: Every Tuesday Buy 1 Get 1 Cocktail from 6pm to 12pm

Safehouse Bar and Restaurant Jakarta (Bellagio)

In just about a few weeks, I received 3 emails from readers recommending me to try Safehouse in Bellagio Mansion in Mega Kuningan.

As I am a docile blogger, I went there last Friday with a friend. It is located where Piccolo used to be, and it is a mixed concept: Restaurant, Bar, Club, Store.

It was opened by the designer and make of the sneaker brand "SomeAreThieves" (which is why the place is called Safehouse). The idea behind the restaurant was to promote the brand by attracting the trendy crowd of Jakarta.

They hired Tomasso Gonfiantini, the Chef who opened the first Trattoria in Jakarta (before it changed its name to Pepenero). He actually came to see us, which was nice, and recommended us one of his sandwiches, which according to him are the Signature food of Jailhouse.

My sandwich was the "Gourmand" (95,000rp++) and it had Brie and Pesto inside a crispy, fresh baguette from Paul Patisserie. It was up to par for Jakarta, but nothing too special if we compare with baguette sandwiches available in France (sorry for being snob, but it is true). The fact that the baguette was from Paul helped the sandwich a lot.
The burger "Handcut Angus" (80,000rp++) was also good, as one could expect for the price.

We had a few cocktails which were rather expensive for Jakarta (135,000rp ++ for a Caipirinha). BUT the barman had a very heavy hand and he even added more cachaça when I asked him to. So, in the end, it was good value for money as only a couple of them made us cheerful...

The DJ started to play around 11pm and it was up-to-date electronic music, the kind you rarely hear in Jakarta. The bar was crowded at that time, especially with what seemed to be a gay crowd (maybe 30%). The rest was made of young expatriates and hip looking Indonesians. I felt that many people knew each other already.

Overall, a nice addition to Jakarta nightlife, which will probably get more and more busy with time.

Safehouse Bar, Restaurant and Store
Lobby Level, Bellagio Mansion
Jalan Lingkar Mega Kuningan, Jakarta
Phone : +62-21 3005 0510

Facebook : the SAFEHOUSE
Twitter: Safe House Jakarta
SomeAreThieves: www.somearethieves.com

Pictures were taken from the Safe House facebook as I didn't have my camera with me that day.