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

Cuadrilla Restaurant (Kemang)

Cuadrilla is a small restaurant in Kemang, serving Italian, Spanish and Greek food. It has only a few tables and the prices are affordable. I tried the Greek Salad (47,000rp++) and the Pita Bread with Tzatziki (23,000rp ++).

Considering the price, it was very decent. The Paella seems to be their signature dish so I would be happy to come back to try it.

Overall: Recommended for lunch if you live in Kemang. They had fast wifi too and the waiters were very friendly. The music played was Latin mostly, including Bossa Nova, Manu Chao, and maybe Bonga (?).

Cuadrilla Restaurant Kemang
Jalan Benda No 1D (near Beer Garden Kemang)
Kemang, South Jakarta

Phone number: +62-21 782 0188

Facebook: Cuadrilla Resto Kemang
Twitter: https://twitter.com/cuadrillaresto 

Opening Hours:

Everyday from 11am to 11pm

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

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

Nip and Dram (Whisky Bar)

Nip and Dram is a Whisky and Fine Spirit bar located in Landmark Center near Jalan Sudirman. In Jakarta, it is as close as it gets from a true Gentlemen's Club. While it is not member's only, it is clearly targeting a male, upper-class crowd. Women are allowed of course, but the feel of the bar is very masculine.

The team behind it is a group of 10 people, Indonesians and Expats, among which (from what the waiter told me) the owner of Blue Bird, the previous GM of Keraton at the Plaza (Klaus Woizik) or the previous GM of Buddha Bar Jakarta (Bogdan Vlase).

The prices are among the highest of any other bars in Jakarta. Cocktails start at 165,000rp++ and the (extensive) list of alcohols includes bottles costing up to 50 million rupiah per unit. They also sell cigars.

Nip and Dram is dark and intimate, with live music 4 times per week (Jazzy on Wednesday and Thursday, Top 40 on Friday and Saturday). It is recommended if you are looking for a classy, quiet place to have a drink, and of course if you enjoy alcohols that are not always available elsewhere in Jakarta.

They also have a kitchen, but I didn't try any of the dishes.

Nip and Dram Jakarta

The Landmark Centre II

Jalan Jend. Sudirman No. 1, GF

Jakarta, Indonesia 12910

Phone number: +62-21 5790 3991

Email: bogdan.vlase@nipanddram.com

Opening Hours:

From Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 1am.

From Friday to Saturday from 5pm to 3am.

Twitter: Nip & Dram Whisky Bar
Instagram: Nipanddram
Facebook: Nip and Dram Jakarta

Mojo Bar + Kitchen (Jakarta)

It is only recently that I discovered Mojo Kitchen & Bar. It is small and unpretentious, similar with Treehouse in Kemang. It has a great location at the intersection of Jalan Senopati and Jalan Kertanegara, one of the most expensive residential areas in Jakarta.

They have great music, a cozy atmosphere, and a menu featuring Korean, Californian and Mexican dishes. I didn't try any of their food though, only a cocktail. Please comment if you have been there.

Overall: Recommended for a drink after work.

Mojo Bar & Kitchen Jakarta
Jalan Kertanegara No. 70, Senopati
South Jakarta, Indonesia

Phone number: +62-21 9200 0529
Email: mojo@lax-indonesia.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/eat_MOJO 

Facebook: Mojo Jakarta

Opening Hours:

Every day from 11am to Midnight (until 1am on Friday and Saturday)

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)