AL NAFOURA - BEST RESTAURANT REVIEW

HOTEL LE MERIDIEN, JL. JEND SUDIRMAN KAV. 18-20, JAKARTA 10220
PHONE : +62-21-251-3131 EXT. 3788

SETTING : A Beautiful, romantic, two-story Moroccan-Arabic ambiance with well designed spaces offering different cozy and charming room experiences; a great themed dining venue.

FOOD : The vegetable crudites with warm pita bread is the perfect starter. A mix of seven small portions of cold and warm appetizers with a rich variety of pureed vegetable pastes and refreshing salad dressings will take you at least into a half hour exciting experiences. Hommos and moutabel are the most remarkable and delicate pastes. Sambousek Jebnah - fried pastry with cheese and onion, and Arayes - grilled pita bread filled with minced lamb are also options to enjoy a great Chateau Muscar (A famous Lebanese red), which a missed on the wine list. The Loubieh Bill Zeit - cooked green beans in olive oil with tomato and onion - could be made spicier. The Lentil Soup is a savory experience, representing a unique Arabic version. Beef tikka and shish Tawouk are very well prepared while the famous shish Kebab could be more juicy and tender. The Oriental Rice and the Garlic Sauce are perfectly matched to the grill variations. The famous dessert Om Ali will crown your indulging trip with its creamy, caramelised warm and light sweet flavor. To top off your tasty dessert, add a sip of Turkish coffee.

WINE : A comprehensive wine list with focus on French and Australian. Well-selected grand cru class is available here.

SERVICE : A knowledgeable and communicative restaurant manager and attentive staff. A good description of the food is the key to this unique experience.

PRICE : The prices of the dishes are well worth it.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONS:

• Map reference : Sudirman - Kuningan - Jakarta - Indonesia
• Reservation : Recommended
• Dress code : Smart casual
• Opening Hours: 11.30 to 14.30 for lunch, last orders at 14.00 and 18.00 to 23.00 for dinner, last orders at 22.00.
  
• Set Meals : Lunch and Dinner
  
• Buffet : No
  
• Brunch : No
  
• Vegetarian dishes : 5-10
  
• Free drinking water : Yes
• Use of MSG : No
• No smoking section : Yes
• Cigars, pipes allowed : Yes
• Mobile phone allowed : Yes
• Amenities : Separate bar, dancing (belly dancing every Friday and Saturday), one private room for 18 people
  
• Car Valet : Yes
  
• Credit cards : All major credit cards
• Established : 1998
  

SIGNATURE DISHES:

• Hommos
• Tabouleh
• Baba Ganouj
  

AIRLANGGA - BEST RESTAURANT REVIEW

THE RITZ-CARLTON HOTEL JAKARTA, JL. LINGKAR MEGA KUNINGAN KAV E1.1 NO. 1, MEGA KUNINGAN, JAKARTA
PHONE : +62-21-2551-8888

SETTING : A grand restaurant with teak ceilings, well-spaced tables appointed with classy chairs. Food islands displaying endless offerings of Middle Eastern, Japanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian cuisines.

FOOD : The buffets are filled with traditional Asian and Western favorites. For only Rp. 158.000,- or around US$ 17.5 per pack, diners can enjoy the daily Jazz Brunch which includes unlimited juices, soft drinks, ice tea, and smoothies' selection. The Sparkling Brunch at Rp. 188.000,- or around US$ 20 per pack, lets diners indulge in free flow wine and draught beer. In case having a buffet is not on your agenda, there is an a la carte menu as well. Highlights from the appetizers include spring rolls with plum sauce, mix satay, and tomato bufallo cheese salad. Entrees are very international; pasta, sandwiches; burgers; and steaks. Try the grilled lamb chop or the grilled beef tenderloin, both are well prepared and presented. The poached salmon is also a recommended house special. Local palates can enjoy a bowl of Sup Buntut (braised or fried oxtail in delicious soup) or the soto ayam (shredded chicken in turmeric soup with glass noodles). Continue the pleasure with homemade flavored ice cream, mouth-watering cakes and puddings, fresh fruits, and exotic coffee drinks.

WINE : Great selection of wine, or you can order your favorite vintage labels from the hotel's Prime Steakhouse or Portovenere Italian Restaurant.

SERVICE : Service is up to industry standard but there is still a lot of room for improvement.

PRICE : An elegant evening for two will cost more or less Rp. 400.000,- or around US$ 44 - excluding wine.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONS:

• Map reference : Sudirman - Kuningan - Jakarta - Indonesia
• Reservation : Recommended
• Dress code : Casual
• Opening Hours: 12.00 to 15.00 for lunch, last orders at 14.30 and 18.00 to 22.00 for dinner, last orders at 22.30. Also open from 06.00 to 10.00 and 22.30 to 01.00.
  
• Set Meals : No
• Buffet : Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  
• Brunch : Sunday
• Vegetarian dishes : None
• Free drinking water : Yes
• Use of MSG : No
• No smoking section : Yes
• Cigars, pipes allowed : Yes
• Mobile phone allowed : Yes
• Amenities : Live music, Three private rooms seating a total of 399 people
  
• Car Valet : Yes
  
• Credit cards : All major credit cards
• Established : 2005
• 15% Savings on total bill (exclusively with all American Express Cards - Terms and conditions apply)

SIGNATURE DISHES:

• Spring roll with plum sauce
• Mix Satay
• Tomato buffalo cheese salad
• Poached salmon
• Lamb chops
• Grilled beef tenderloin
  

ACQUA PACIFIC RIM - BEST RESTAURANT REVIEW

THE JAKARTA HILTON EXECUTIVE CLUB, JL. JEND. GATOT SUBROTO, JAKARTA
PHONE : +62-21-5703600 EXT. 5431

SETTING : The restaurant has a cosmopolitan setting, with a comfortable, lounge-y ambiance. With ample seats and tables overlooking the Hilton Residence swimming pool, the venue also has an open kitchen.

FOOD : Start your gastronomic journey with a Hawaiian appetizer - Ahi Poke - sashimi grade tuna tossed with sesame oil, siracha, tobiko, seaweed and served on wonton chips. It is a refreshing take on sashimi and quite tasty. And if you would like to sample more than one appetizer, the Chef's Platter is recommended. It consists of four variants - Ahi Poke, Spring Rolls, Crab Cakes and Calamari. For main course, choose from the selection of house specialties such as the Porterhouse Steak, or the Mixed Grill, which includes Ladies' cut tenderloin and charred salmon. Or you could sample the Cioppino - San Fransisco-style seafood stew with shrimp, scallop, salmon, mussels and clams in a spicy tomato concasse. Acqua also serves a special Grilled Oxtail Soup, for those who are more conservative when ordering. And don't forget to save the best for last with dessert. Have the Banana Foster - slices of banana in caramel and served with vanilla ice cream and nuts. Or have a special treat with the Chocolate Lava Souffle, but be sure to order the dish 15 minutes in advance.

WINE : Acqua serves wine by the glass for Rp. 50.000,- or around US$ 5.5. The selection is mostly made up of wines from New South Wales.

SERVICE : Efficient and timely service.

PRICE : The price at Acqua are competitive with other good restaurants. A complete meal for two would cost around Rp. 500.000,- - Rp. 600.000,- or around US$ 55 - US$ 70, without wine.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONS:

• Map reference : Sudirman - Kebayoran - Jakarta - Indonesia
• Reservation : Recommended
• Dress code : Casual
• Opening Hours: 11.30 to 22.30, last orders at 21.00. Open until 23.00 on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed on public holidays.
• Set Meals : No
• Buffet : No
• Brunch : No
• Vegetarian dishes : 3-5
• Free drinking water : Yes
• Use of MSG : No
• No smoking section : Yes
• Cigars, pipes allowed : Yes
• Mobile phone allowed : Yes
• Amenities : Separate bar, Live music, Dancing
• Car Valet : No
• Credit cards : All major credit cards
• Established : 2004
• 15% Savings on total bill (exclusively with all American Express Cards - Terms and conditions apply)

SIGNATURE DISHES:

• Ahi Poke
• Grilled Chilli Tiger Prawns
• New Wave Sashimi
• Porterhouse Steak
• Cioppino
• Mixed Grill