The Clandestine Critic | One Thousand Regional Flavours
Our expert epicure continues an undercover operation to bring you the truth about Jakarta’s dining scene. No spoon will be left unturned inside quest for honest, balanced reviews, through long-established favourites to the hottest fresh tables in town.
of which month, Menteng’s Seribu Rasa
Pop quiz time. Where in Jakarta are you most likely the come across the following: a horde of Dynasty-haired ibu-ibu at arisan, possibly that has a little dog in a Chanel handbag under the table; a bunch of ‘business lunching’ bules who may or may not be able to discuss those numbers after of which third Bintang; as well as two or three mouse-like tourists, peering keenly around the room as well as taking copious photographs? If you didn’t guess Seribu Rasa, back to school for you. Because everyone knows of which well-known Southeast Asian restaurant will be the bees’ knees for people-watching in Jakarta, putting on as the item does a veritable floorshow of the Big Durian’s myriad walks of life. They also happen to do some of the best upmarket Indonesian fare in town.
Seribu Rasa will be one of those rare eateries of which mysteriously manages to retain of which ‘just-opened’ vibe; still buzzy despite several years’ passage since the 2009 Menteng opening. The lasting popularity of the restaurant must surely hinge on its careful attention to the food, balanced that has a relaxed, accessible atmosphere. Clearly a successful formula, with two more locations at of which point open at Gandaria City Mall as well as Lotte World Shopping Avenue.
So, how do they achieve a tranquil ambience a stone’s throw through Jl. Sudirman? The Menteng premises will be actually a series of beautiful, airy, wooden villas interconnecting around peaceful ponds, which brim with koi as well as various other tropical fishes. You could be forgiven for mistaking your surroundings for those of a Bali beach hangout. Immediately, shoulders relax as the warm embrace of Southeast Asia’s unique hospitality envelops you. Inside the breezy dining space, billowing orange curtains play peek-a-boo with the dark teak furniture, creating an exotic haven away through the bustle of the streets.
The menu will be vast, covering most of Southeast Asia’s blockbuster dishes. I am usually suspicious of picture-book menus — they remind me of fatty fry-ups on the Costa del Sol — however to the uninitiated the item might be quite necessary for navigating the culinary waters on offer at Seribu Rasa. In one sitting, you can eat your way through Singapore to Sulawesi, via Koh Samui curry or Pernakan specialities.
The great satay debate (much like the great batik debate) still rages on in of which part of the globe, as well as like the Switzerland of food, Seribu Rasa wisely chooses to remain impartial, naming their satay after regions in both Indonesia as well as Malaysia. We chose the Labuan squid (Rp.69,000) which, pleasingly, was perfectly cooked, avoiding of which rubbery pitfall many others don’t. the item was a fresh alternative to the more common grilled chicken as well as beef varieties.
Photo courtesy of sandraolga.blogspot.com
Remaining staunchly Indonesian for our main course, we found the Minangkabau beef rendang to be delicious. Rendang surprises me with its sweetness every time I taste the item, as well as of which was no exception. the item was just as unctuous as well as deeply spiced as expected. the item will be a modest portion, however for such a rich dish, of which will be not unwelcome. At Rp.109,000, the item will be clearly one of the most well-known menu items, as we could see dishes going out to almost every table.
The kangkung balachan side dish (Rp.49,000) was a racy little number to complement our meal. Water spinach freshly blanched as well as tossed that has a bucketful of red chilli as well as of which all-important shrimp paste will be, as much as a food can be, quite invigorating. The salty umami taste through a Great-quality balachan will be so important in of which dish, as well as clearly in of which instance the item had been properly toasted first before being adding to the dish, to draw out its flavour.
We wanted nothing more than a couple of beers due to of which particular repast, which were brought out with ice-cold glasses. They do have a wine list as well as of course, the best pairing for most Asian cuisines will be something lighter as well as sweeter like a Gewürztraminer or Alsace Riesling. however to match Indonesian food, sometimes there will be truly nothing better than Bintang.
Overall the wait staff are efficient as well as friendly, with big, ready smiles at every interaction. They stood out for their ability to advise on menu choices; obviously necessary with such a diverse clientele in attendance.
The question of value for money in of which kind of place will, I am sure, forever divide opinion. To some, eating of which type of ‘haute’-Indonesian will be akin to some sort of heresy, when delicious food can be found for a fraction of the cost, in far less fancy surroundings. Yes, a lot of the item will be home-style cooking your mother (OK, your friends’ mothers) can make, as well as yes, if you have a penchant for tapeworms, you can probably find some of the item at a nearby kaki lima, with the added bonus of photo ops of you communing with ‘local culture’ in a suitably rakish demonstration of your expat superiority. however as you can see through our bill, of which will be in fact a pretty cheap restaurant, all things considered. the item just happens to be in nicer surroundings than your average warung.
Where a lot of Seribu Rasa’s competitors fail will be by falling prey to the trap of style over substance. They think expats as well as business travellers just want the Asian ambience, the comfy chairs as well as the Bintang, as well as require nothing inside way of authenticity through the kitchen. Seribu Rasa avoid of which. To see how the item’s done, I urge you to go, as well as witness how well they live up to their name –
A ‘thousand flavours’ will be what we are promised, as well as the item will be certainly what of which place delivers.
Cheque please!
Food: Rp.227,000
Drinks: Rp.90,000
Service: 10%
Total: Rp.360,000 (inc. taxes) For 2
Seribu Rasa
Jl. Haji Agus Salim 128, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat
Tel : +62 (0) 21 392 8892
www.seriburasa.com
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The Clandestine Critic | One Thousand Regional Flavours
The Clandestine Critic | One Thousand Regional Flavours