Bobby D's (Kemang)

I haven't been to Bobby D yet, but it was recommended by a reader of Jakarta100bars. His comment was:

"Hi Thibaud, I'm in bobby D's now and haven't found a review for it on your site. It's a nice layout, apparently the guy that owns it is Australian. Had some food here which was quite nice.

The staff are quite friendly here too. They have a pool table as well...check it out :)"

I checked their facebook (where I took the photos) and it looks like a simple place with quite many events of all kind: Salsa, Sports, Sexy Night, Cuban, live music...  The prices seem reasonable too... Probably a good restaurant and bar to socialize in Kemang...

If you want more info, check one of the following:

Website: www.indoheart.com
Twitter : twitter.com/bobbyds_jakarta
Youtube: www.youtube.com/user/BobbyDsRestaurant
Facebook:  Bobby D's Kemang

Bobby D's Restaurant and Bar

The Mansion at Kemang, Shopping Arcade GF 001-003

Jl. Kemang Raya No.3-5

Phone number: +62-21 2905 5488/99

HP: 081808048894/93

BB Pin: 275fo2cf

Email: bar@indoheart.com / event@indoheart.com

Opening Hours:

Every day from 10am to Midnight.

Eating Snakes in Jakarta

During a trip to Mangga Besar, I found those restaurants serving cobras in different forms (Sate Cobra, Cobra Soup, Grilled Snake, etc...). I was not really in the mood for trying but I took a few pictures...

If you are interested, they are quite easy to find, on the main street, approximately 2 kilometers east of Jalan Hayam Wuruk. You call also try this one more particularly:

King Cobra
Restaurant & Medication
Jalan Mangga Besar Raya No93C
Phone Number: +62-21 629 6087

Alcoholics Bar & Grill (Kemang)

Alcoholics Bar & Grill opened at the end of April 2012 next to KOI Kemang. The originality with the place is that everything sold on the menu has been cooked using Alcohol. Personally, I think the concept could be effective, but the name of the restaurant is too ambiguous and misleading. We will see how it goes, but I'm afraid it will not attract the right customers...

Alcoholics Grill & Bar
Jalan Kemang Raya No 72
South Jakarta
Phone number: +62 21 7195675

Mail: info@alcoholicsbar.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AlcoholicsBarGrill
Website: http://www.alcoholicsbar.com/

Apero Lounge & Restaurant (Citywalk Sudirman)

Apero is a small lounge and restaurant (Italian food mostly) located in Citywalk Sudirman.

The lounge is cozy and intimate, without being too fancy. It is worth trying if you are staying nearby  because they have a large selection of affordable drinks and wine (one draught bintang is Rp30k++).

Concerning the restaurant, I tried two dishes from their kitchen and I was not satisfied. We had the Pizza with Beef Pepperoni (Rp40k++), which had almost no taste, and the Salmon de Paris (Rp65k++). The fish did not seem so fresh and the pasta was dry. Here are some pictures:

Beef Pepperoni Pizza (Rp40k++)

Salmon de Paris (Rp65k++)

Overall: I liked Apero and could come back for a drink, especially before partying in upstairs Tribeca and Luv's Bar, but I recommend you to avoid eating there. Fashion Pasta is only 50 meters from here and it serves much more authentic Italian food.

Opening Hours:
Everyday from 11am to midnight (until 2am on the weekend)

Apéro Wine Lounge and Bar
Citywalk Sudirman, Lantai Dasar Unit 08
Jalan K.H. Mas Mansyur No. 121
Central Jakarta, 10220

Phone number: +62-21 2555 8950
Facebook: Apero Lounge Jakarta

BackStage "Beach Concert Café"

BackStage, a restaurant, bar and live music venue, is a popular hang-out spot located far north of Jakarta, on Ancol beach.

There are two areas: The first one, inside, is more like a lounge than a restaurant, with sofas and small coffee tables for eating. From there, you cannot really hear the live music playing.
The other area is outdoor, and it is decorated in a Kuta-Bali style. It is quite large (around 50 tables) with view on a real stage for concert. The rooftop terrace is also nice but it was closed when we were there. The big problem is that in case of rain (as it was the case during my visit to the café), the show will be cancelled or postponed until the clouds leave.

The menu is really not surprising with some international food and some Indonesian dishes. The positive thing is that everyone will find something she/he likes. Quite expensive, I had the chef's salad (Rp42,000), and I made a sad face when they brought me my dish, which looked like the kind of salad you can get in the cheapest restaurants on Jalan Jaksa. It didn't taste bad but for the price I could have expected something prepared with more creativity. My friend had the Tom Yum Sea Food soup (Rp45,000) and the Backstage Mussels (Rp 28,000). Once again, the food was fine, but the price is a kind of rip-off.

The drink list is also expensive: Mineral Water Rp17,000, orange juice Rp26,000, cocktails from Rp90,000 to Rp120,000. They have many different kinds of tea and coffee for Rp30,000. Given that live music is provided, it can be worth it. Otherwise, you can also enjoy a free concert if you stay right next to the Backstage café, on the beach...



In conclusion: Backstage is strongly not recommended for eating (ordinary food, expensive price) but you may come to have a drink, especially on their outdoor terrace. There is live music every night (Indo pop/rock, international Top 40). You can check the performance schedule on Backstage facebook fanpage: Backstage Ancol.

 Backstage Jakarta, "Beach Concert Café"
Beach Pool COM2, Taman Impian Jaya Ancol
Jakarta, Indonesia, 14000

Phone number: +62-21 984 952 05/06
Fax: +62-21 647 029 36
Email: backstage_cafe@yahoo.co.id

Open everyday from 10am to midnight (and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays)

Le Bridge café (Ancol)

Le Bridge could have been a great place for having a romantic dinner or for hanging-out with friends, but the food there is so bad that I will never go back there again. Also, but this is not the fault of the restaurant, the sea in this area is quite polluted and smelly, so it isn't always pleasant, especially during the day. At night, it is better though since we cannot see the litter floating on the water.

From the outside, Le Bridge looks like an upmarket café, located on a bridge right in front of the beach of Ancol. It is a nice sight since it seems to be on its own island, away from the shore.

Inside is more basic, and we realize Le Bridge is nothing more than a small wooden hut. The menu features mostly snack food or junk food, which I'm a big fan of when they are well cooked. Unfortunately, the burger I ordered as well as the fried calamaris were so greasy that I felt a bit sick after eating. So disappointing for a venue that could have so much potential! The prices are quite expensive too: Rp20,000 for a smoothie, Rp100,000 for the tenderloin steak.


On the positive side, if we forget about the food, I must admit the place can be relaxing and can help you get away, spiritually, from Jakarta. Actually it seems to be quite popular because on a Monday night, usually a quiet day, there were around 30 people.

My conclusion: May be worth for a drink, but the best thing to do in this area is simply to take a walk along the bridge, and sit down near the beach.

Opening Hours: Everyday, from 7am to 11pm (2am on Fridays and Saturdays)


Le Bridge Jakarta
Dermaga Cinta, Beach Pool, Ancol
Jakarta, Indonesia, 14000

Phone number: +62-21 686 667 28

More info on its facebook fan page: Le Bridge Jakarta

By The Beach Restaurant

By The Beach restaurant is located in Plaza Indonesia/eX, where Fashion Bar used to stand.

I was quite seduced by the design of the place: It is a replica of a sunny, mediterranean beach restaurant, with large windows and wooden floor. They could have avoided the plastic palm trees and some very un-authentic artefacts, but overall, it is a nice looking venue.

However, the food was very disappointing for its price. I tried a cheeseburger with a mysterious kind of bread, and it was probably the worst dish I have eaten so far in a restaurant in Jakarta. My friend had some squids, and she complained that it did not taste better than in most street food stalls. From taking a look at their menu, which features almost exclusively sea-related dishes, i observed that most of them were very expensive in comparison with even up-market dining venues.

A very strange burger...

Conclusion: By The Beach is the kind of overrated venues selling mostly an atmosphere rather than good food. You should avoid it for eating, but you can always come for a drink if you need a change of scenery for a short while. Cost for a meal: At least Rp120,000 (Main dish, drink, + 1 extra).

By The Beach restaurant Jakarta
Plaza Indonesia EX
Jl. MH. Thamrin Kav. 28 - 30
Menteng
Jakarta Pusat 10350

Phone number: +62-21 3199 0210
Fax: +62-21 3199 0221

Facebook: By The Beach Jakarta

Canteen (Jakarta)

Canteen is a hip restaurant located in Pacific Place and Plaza Indonesia. In both places, they are next to the bookstore Aksara, to which they are related.

I visited the Canteen in Plaza Indonesia during the afternoon on a Saturday. It was quite crowded, with expats and visibly rich, cool Indonesians. Some of them looked familiar and could have been actors or singers. At night, I think it is best to make a reservation.

I liked the setting, in particular the fact that it is in a quiet part of the mall. With large windows letting a lot of light inside, and comfortable seats, it is a cozy venue, designed to be a hangout spot as much as a restaurant. Their menu features continental food, with mostly Italian dishes.

Everything seemed fine until I ordered my food: Salade Niçoise (Rp55,000++), Rib-eye steak (Rp110,000++), Bruschetta (Rp45,000++), and Orange juice. A 2-course meal with soft drink should cost you around Rp200,000+. To give you an idea of how expensive it is, in some 5-star hotels restaurants in Jakarta, you can have a set lunch menu at the same price.

Salad Niçoise (Rp55,000++)

Bruschetta (Rp45,000++)

Rib-eye grilled steak (Rp110,000++)

First, I didn't get a good feeling when I found out the orange juice had been mixed with water. In other restaurants in Jakarta, they usually hide it by putting ice in your glass, but I had asked for none so instead they used this trick. They could have given me half a glass I would have been happier.

The Bruschetta was fine, just overpriced in my opinion for some simple toasts with tomatoes and olive oil. The presentation was fine though.

The Salad was a miss. I don't want to make a big fuss about it, but I think I should mention that I found a white worm in it. I know it can happen even with fresh food though, so it should not be the main focus point. What is more important is that it tasted average and the ingredients used were low-quality. Each bites felt cheap: The tuna, the tomatoes, the beans, the sauce. No matter how good the chef is, if you don't use good ingredients, you end up with low-end restaurants dishes.

At last, there wasn't any incident with the rib-eye steak, but it was low-quality beef: not tasty nor tender.

Overall: I don't have any grudge about Canteen but I think it should be avoided because it is expensive and they don't give you anything decent in return, even for the drinks. The waiters were nice and efficient, though maybe a bit understaffed. I should mention that I didn't have to pay for my meal because of the worm.

Opening Hours:

Everyday from 11am to midnight (until 2am on weekends)

Canteen
Plaza Indonesia
5th Floor #E02-E10
Phone number: +62-21 315 6537
Fax: +62-21 319 01149

In Pacific Place:
4th Floor SCBD
Phone number: +62-21 579 73742
Fax: +62-21 579 73754

 Website: http://www.canteenjakarta.com/
Facebook: Canteen Indonesia
Twitter: http://twitter.com/CanteenJakarta

Carlo de Huts (Jakarta)

I discovered Carlo de Huts while wandering in the Crystal Lagoon, the upmarket food court of the mall Senayan City. It looked like the kind of restaurant I usually avoid: A well-designed concept with mediocre food. They had a few tables outside and I was in a curious mood so I decided to try it anyway.

A look at their menu confirmed my fears: Many popular and easy-to-prepare dishes, a lot of junk food and a twist of marketing to justify the expensive bill.

I ordered the lasagna, with little hope I would be served something decent and I was right: My plate looked very nice, but there was too much cheese, not enough tomato and the meat didn't taste very good. They probably used some cheap ingredients, hoping to make higher margins on every dish. The total cost for my meal was Rp120,000, including a fresh orange juice which tasted ok. I think a normal price for such a meal should not be above Rp80,000.

Overall, I do not recommend you to eat in Carlo de Huts unless you are not picky about the food you eat. I only tried the lasagna so at least choose something else. On the positive side: the service is friendly, the dishes are well-presented, the menu for desserts seems appetizing (pancakes) and the design of the restaurant is original.

Contact details:
Carlo de Huts
Senayan City Lower Ground, Room Crystal Lagoon
Jl. Asia Afrika No. 19, Jakarta 10270

Phone number: +62-21 7278 1653
Email: carlodehuts@gmail.com

http://twitter.com/CarlodeHuts
http://www.facebook.com/carlodehuts

Fj Bistro (Fj'L Boutique)

FJ Bistro is a trendy restaurant and café, located in the back of the trendy clothing boutique Fj'L. You have large windows from the floor to the ceiling giving you the impression of being outside, as well as some neat furniture.

The food is a selection of Asian and Western favourites, costing around Rp60k to Rp100k for a dish. Fj Bistro is not a cheap place to eat, but it is perfect for a Sunday brunch or Breakfast. It is usually quite crowded then.

It also has a good reputation for its teas as it is the exclusive resaler for Indonesia of Mariage Frères tea.

Practical Information:

Open from Monday to Sunday from 11am to 11pm

Contact details:
Fj Bistro, in Fj'L Boutique
Jl. Kemang Raya No. 25
Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia
Kemang

Website: Fj'L Jakarta
Phone: +62-21 718 2736
FAX: +62-21 718 2716

Jaya Pub (Thamrin)

After 8 years living in Jakarta, I finally visited Jaya Pub, the oldest expat bar in the city (since 1976). It is really a shame I never came before because the place would have deserved a review on this blog a long time ago.

Owned by Rima Melati and her husband (also behind Le Bistro and La Bodega), Jaya Pub looks like a survivor. Not only has it been around for 35 years, it also hasn't changed during that time: Toto for instance, one of their employees, has been working here since the beginning. He is now 70 years-old, probably the oldest bartender in Jakarta. The decoration is nothing but the accumulation of all the souvenirs and photos gathered over time. You cannot help but feel nostalgic in Jaya Pub, especially if you've been an expat for a while already.

They have a live band everyday, playing a bit of everything but nothing too recent. Customers are welcome to go on stage to sing as well. Here is a video I shot:

They serve some decent pub food: I tried the Lamb Chops (Rp135k++) and Lamb Skewer (Rp75k++): The meat could have been more tender (or they could give a better knife), but the cooking was fine for pub fare. I thought it was a bit pricey though. For drinking, I had a Bintang (Rp37k++).

Lamb Skewer

Lamb Chops

Overall: Jaya Pub is not a place for everyone, especially if you are only interested in finding stylish, modern venues. But for those who enjoy grabing a beer in a friendly and laid-back atmosphere, it is a must-try bar.

 

Opening hours:
Everyday from 5pm to 2am.
Happy hours from 5pm to 9pm (buy one get one free).
Live music from 8.30pm onwards.

Jaya Pub
Gedung Jaya, Jl. MH.Thamrin Kav.1-2,
Jakarta, Indonesia
Phone number: +62-21 319 25 633

Facebook: Jaya Pub Jakarta
Website: http://jayapub.jktlinks.com/

Kampus Club and Karaoke Jakarta (MENARA IMPERIUM 35th - 37th Floor, Jl Rasuna Said)

News on April 28th, 2011: Kampus is about to close down, apparently because of an issue between the management and the owner of tower Imperium. No details so far.

The idea it seems is to relocate the venue elsewhere, still in South Jakarta.

NB: See my updates about Kampus club at the bottom of this page, this is the old review:

Review July 2009: 

The Kampus club opened on June 26th, 2009 in Menaria Imperium building, on Rasuna Said. I wonder if it replaces Pure since both are in the same building and same floor... It's getting so hard to keep this blog up-to-date with all those bars closing/opening... (update August 2009: Yes, Kampus replaces Pure)

According to the flyer I saw for the grand opening, Kampus, which is a lounge, club, karaoke and restaurant is owned by the Stadium group.

The Stadium Group has already opened a few entertainment venues in Jakarta, among which Stadium, Malioboro and Sumo Spa. All these places have a bad reputation because you will find a lot of drugs and prostitution there.

Kampus Club seems like a less trashy venue because it is not located in a Red Light area but right in the business district, the "Golden Triangle". I think that by opening this club, Stadium is trying to bringing the thrill of Kota to people that are too scared to venture in that part of the city... Indeed, many of my indonesian friends that usually go to Dragonfly or Blowfish clubs are very excited about what happens in Kota but they would never go out there.. Another guess is that it will be very similar to Zen Club... We will see in the next few months how it evolves! But I'm sure Kampus will be a happening nightclub in Jakarta...

Update December 2010:
Kampus is currently a hot place for partying, and as I predicted, it is Kota party in South Jakarta: A bit underground, dark and loud! The entrance is quite expensive, Rp100,000 with one drink, but it is worth it since the atmosphere is really nice for party... Not so much light, great music, some people dancing a bit everywhere... The night I was in Kampus I saw many foreigners, and especially a whole bunch of French expats... Lots of drugs too, actually as soon as I entered the security guard, who had worked in Stadium before, proposed to me some ecstasy.

For the club only, our recommendation:

Opening Hours:
From Monday to Tuesday: 4pm to 12pm
Wednesday: 4pm to 4am
Thursday: 4pm to 12pm
Friday to Saturday: 4pm to 4am
Sunday: 4pm to 12pm

Similar clubs: Amor, Barcode, 999.

Update March 2011 (Kampus Restaurant):
I paid a visit to Kampus again last week, but this time it was during lunch time, to try their restaurant. The place was completely empty, maybe because it was already a bit late (2pm). 


Since the restaurant is also a club, there was an unpleasant odour of cigarette smoke from the night before. It gave me a bad impression right away. The setting does not look very good during daytime, except for the spectacular view over Jakarta. Since the dining area is rotating, you will have a 360° view if you stay long enough. Here is a video I shot during my visit:

I was not so hungry that day so I only ordered a club sandwich. My friend took a (huge) fish dish but I forgot the name (see photos). Overall, we thought the food was overpriced: It was decent, but not 5-star quality. 

My conclusion is that Kampus Restaurant should be avoided for eating. I will not come back again for eating, that's for sure. The great view is worth it, but it's better to enjoy with a drink only, or later in the night for clubbing.

For the restaurant only, our recommendation:

Kampus nightclub, restaurant and karaoke
Menara Imperium 35th - 36th - 37th
Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said Kav.1
Jakarta Selatan 12980

Contact details:
Phone number: +62-21 8378 6001 - 02 - 03 Fax number: +62-21 8378 7438
Reservation: +62-21 8378 6008
Email: info@thekampus.com

Website: http://www.thekampus.com
Facebook: Kampus Jakarta Nightlife
Twitter: http://twitter.com/kampusjakarta