Pad@28 Bar, Bistro & Coffee Corner

This review was written by a Max, a reader of this blog:

Located there, on the corner of Jalan Senopati and the road that takes you to SCBD, Pacific Place, SCBD Beergarden etc., lies a really nice restaurant called PAD@28. And I happen to believe that it is just about to make a big splash onto the gastro-scene of Jakarta.

There are a few reasons for this belief:

    1.    It is always buzzing with action. Weirdly enough, there aren't as many expats as you might expect from a place that serves duck confit, very well executed steaks, pork dishes (you heard me right - PORK, including a charcutterie platter) and really nice shots and cocktails. Mostly right now the clientel is still rich Jakartans in their late twenties and early thirties, with some 40+ people who still feel young.

    2.    The food is absolutely excellent. Whether it's a good-value-for-money snack at lunch-time (50-60k) or a real treat like an USDA steak (180-280k) all of their stuff is cooked with great attention to detail. Personally, I'm a sucker for their Duck Confit (89k).

    3.    The staff is really well-trained and the training manager really knows what she's doing, which is rare in Jakarta. Apart from Loewy, Union and a few others I usually find the service to either be to giggly and pushy or too lazy. Here, it's perfect!

    4.    The interior is pretty damn cool too. Downstairs, you feel like you're in the living-room of a hip NYC loft, while upstairs feels like a posh but unpretentious dining room.

So, there's my advice, check out PAD@28!

PAD@28
Jalan Tulodong Atas 28, Jakarta
(Near Senopati)
Tel: +62-21 527 4088

Mail: info@pad28.com

Facebook: Pad@28 (where all the photos come from)
Twitter: http://twitter.com/padkeeper28
Website: http://www.pad28.com/
Blog: http://pad28.wordpress.com/

Beautika (Manado Food)

Beautika is the most reputed Manadonese restaurant in Jakarta, and my second favourite after Ikan Tude. It actually started as a beauty salon (hence the name), which was also serving some specialties from Manado. With time, the food became the main source of revenue for the owner and he finally opened a proper restaurant in 2001.

The food, as spicy as spicy can be, is mostly delicious and authentic. 2 problems: I imagine that the fish is frozen and I believe they do not serve pork. For these reasons, it won't save you a trip to Manado if you want to experience the original taste...

At last, it is way too expensive. My total bill for two people was Rp350,000, and we only had about 5/6 dishes to share.

 

Overall: I recommend Beautika for anyone who wants to try quality Indonesian food, regardless of the price, in a clean/hygienic setting. The atmosphere is rather functional: Tables and a TV, so I wouldn't advise it for a date or for important dinners.

Beautika Tanah Abang
Jl. Abdul Muis No. 70 A, Tanah Abang V         
Tlp. 021 - 381.2340
Fax. 021 - 350.5162

Beautika Kebayoran Baru
Jl. Hang Lekir No. 1, Kebayoran Baru
Tlp. 021 - 722.6683
Fax. 021 - 739.6137

Email: info@beautika.net
Website: http://www.beautika.net/

Pyongyang (North Korean Restaurant & Karaoke)

 

I discovered Pyongyang thanks to a reader's comment on this blog who described the place as the best Korean restaurant in Jakarta.

While it may be exaggerated, Pyongyang is still a must-try, off-the-beaten-track dining venue, mainly because this is probably the closest you'll ever get to experience North Korean culture.

Pyongyang is not unique to Jakarta: It is a chain of restaurants, operated by the North Korean government, with branches all over Asia. They have been accused of being used for money-laundering, and you cannot help but wonder about the freedom of their imported, North Korean staff (read this wikipedia article for more information "Pyongyang (restaurant chain)".

From what I saw, the restaurant is divided into a 40-seat dining area downstairs, and private rooms upstairs, for both eating and karaoke. I wanted to visit but they were all full unfortunately. In the main area, the decoration is rather discreet, with only a few paintings of North Korean landscapes. On TV, they play a sort of documentary/commercial about the beauty of North Korea... Truly fascinating...

The waitresses, all of them pretty and devoted are North Korean, and once in a while, they take the mic and start singing on the podium. It is amusing, a bit like that Mandarin place I went to in Kota called De Volvo.

The food is typically Korean, with some local specialties, such as the Cold Noodle Soup (Naengmyon). From other reviewers, I've read about a dog meat soup, but I couldn't find it on the menu.  We tried three dishes: Kimchi (fermented cabbage, Rp44,000++), Bibimpap (mixed rice with vegetables, Rp68,000++), and a Mixed Mushroom Casserole (Rp160,000). The taste of the food was excellent, though a little different from what we are used to in South Korean restaurants. The Kimchi for instance was much less spicy, and the Bibimpap undercooked. Here are some pictures (I'm missing the Mushroom soup):

Appetizers (free)

Bibimpap (Rp68,000++)

Kimchi (Rp44,000++)

Overall: Pyongyang serves delicious, authentic Korean cuisine, and if you are lacking ideas for original dining, its atmosphere is unique. Recommended.

Opening hours:
Everyday from 11am to 10pm

Pyongyang

North Korean Restaurant Jakarta
Jalan Gandaria No.58, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta

Phone: +62-21 7280-0889
Fax: +62-21 7280-0885

Super Steak (Kebayoran Baru)

If you are looking for the best value-for-money steaks in Jakarta (much better than Abuba), your quest should end in Super Steak. I was introduced to this place by a friend who knew the owner, and I wasn't disappointed. It is friendly and laid-back, just like having a small BBQ in your backyard, and as promised, the steaks are top-quality.

You can choose between Australian Black Angus Beef (Rp75,000) or local one (Rp50,000). In Super Steak, you can barely taste the difference because they manage to get their stuff from the best suppliers (in particular Ranch Market). For such a low price, there are no better restaurants in Jakarta. For now the menu is still limited, but hopefully they will add a few items soon.

Super Steak with "beerloin sauce"

Overall: Super Steak is best enjoyed with a group of friends and a few beers. If you leave in South or Central Jakarta, it is definitely a place you should try. 

Opening hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 6pm to 10pm
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 6pm to midnight

Super Steak
Jalan Dempo 1 no. 76, near Pasar Mayestic
Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
Phone number:  +62 (0) 817 639 6255 or +62 (0) 817 633 2100
BB Pin: 218021FD