Ismaya Catering Co. (Grand Indonesia) - The People's Choice

Ismaya Catering Co (Changed its name to People's Choice in 2014) is usually one of the busiest cafés in the level 5 of Grand Indonesia, which is already the most interesting area in the mall for dining/hanging out.

It is rather basic, and it is actually just an extension of their catering company, whose office is next to the cafe. Its success probably comes from the simplicity behind it, and from its hybrid status office/café. It is a bit confusing but I think the objective for Ismaya is to promote their catering business through this outlet.

The menu is rather small, but a new one is coming soon. Currently, it does not have anything special: Ismaya Catering Co. serves the usual mix of Asian and Western favourites + a lot of junk food. The prices are rather low for a café in Grand Indonesia from Ismaya (50,000rp++ for an appetizer and 75,000rp++ for a main course).

The best thing about the place is the atmosphere. The music selection was very good and it got me pumped up at 2pm. It is also rather busy so you can easily spend an afternoon there looking at people pass by (yes that's what I like to do).

Overall: I would come back but only for a drink or a small snack. Hopefully their new menu will be extended and feature more original dishes.

Ismaya Catering Co. Jakarta
Grand Indonesia - West Mall, Level 5

Phone number: +62-21 2358 1157

Mobile phone: 0818 897 878
Email :catering@ismayagroup.com

Facebook: Isamaya Catering Co.
Twitter: Ismaya Catering Indonesia
Website: http://www.ismaya.com/micro/read/ismayacatering

Dharma Kitchen (Vegetarian Restaurant Jakarta)

There are few options for vegetarians in Jakarta so I was curious to try Dharma Kitchen on the 5th floor of Grand Indonesia. They have branches elsewhere in Jakarta, in Pluit, Central Park and Senayan City.

I was a bit disappointed after looking at the menu, because it features many junk food. I may ask too much, but I was hoping to finally find a place in Jakarta with a focus on fresh, quality ingredients cooked in a healthy way. This is not the concept behind Dharma: Their concept is to serve you all the food you normally have in a restaurant, but to replace the meat by an alternative product (usually made of soybean or mushroom).

Menu Dharma Kitchen

I wanted to see if they had an original way to cook their burgers, so I went for the Chicken one. It was terrible. The taste was not good at all, it was full of sauce and the french fries had a weird taste (according to my friend they use the lowest quality potatoes).

Vegetarian Chicken Burger

The décor of the restaurant had nothing special and the service was not particularly attentive.

Overall: I would not come back. If you are a vegetarian, the only reason for you to visit Dharma is that they have a wide choice so you'll be sure to find a dish you like (at least on the paper).

Locations of Dharma Kitchen Vegetarian Restaurant in Jakarta:

Dharma Kitchen Pluit
Gedung Pluit Bakery
Jalan Pluit Kencana Raya, North Jakarta
Phone number: +62-21 669 4220, +62-21 662 1658
Fax number: +62-21 660 2402

Dharma Kitchen Central Park
First Floor
Jalan Jend.S.Parman
West Jakarta
Phone number: +62-21 292 00018

Dharma Kitchen Senayan City
Jalan Asia Afrika
Jakarta 10270
Phone number: +62-21 7278 1665

Dharma Kitchen Grand Indonesia
Sky Bridge, 5th Floor
Jalan Thamrin
Phone number: +62-21 2358 0198

Email: order@dharmakitchen.com
Website: www.dharmakitchen.com
Twitter Dharma Vegetarian Restaurant Jakarta
Facebook: Dharma Jakarta

Opening Hours:
From Monday to Sunday from 10am to 10pm