Best Restaurants in Indonesia

AL NAFOURA - BEST RESTAURANT REVIEW

2008-02-14T00:48:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-13T07:38:00.000-08:00

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

2008-02-13T06:27:00.000-08:00

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