McDonald's Beef Prosperity

McDonalds Beef Prosperity is a seasonal menu. It is usually only available during the month of Chinese New Year but this year, it has come out already since 20 December 2012  and will end on 17 February 2013. Frankly speaking, McDonald's Beef Prosperity had never gotten my attention until I read a post about how Beef Prosperity is the best thing ever happened to McDonald's on Umi's blog a few days ago. I found out later on that it's not only me who want to try this burger because of reading her blog but many other readers also got interested to order it for delivery or eat it directly at McDonald's restaurants. 

Today, I didn't cook for New Year's eve dinner because I got so many errands to do and mom was also busy baking cakes. Thus, this evening, I called McDonald's delivery for two combos of Beef Prosperity.

McDonald's Beef Properity combo - Rp. 44.000 (incld. 10% tax):

Beef Prosperity Burger

French Fries 

Shaker fries powder: Roasted chicken flavor and Cheese flavor.

I prefer to eat my french fries plain.

Mango Fizz

I believe it's sprite with mango syrup and nata crispy. Very sweet.

Quite mouth-watering, right? ;)

My first bite... Wow! I really could feel the peppery kick from the black pepper sauce. I have no problem eating spicy food as long as the spiciness is not from chili ;) The beef patty, topped with a raw sliced onion, was well seasoned and pretty juicy. 

At the end, I can understand why Umi is really in love with this burger. But for me, uhmmm... I think I will stick with McDonald's Double Cheeseburger :)

Current currency: 1 USD = Rp. 9.650

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2013

Wish you all a happy and prosperous new year!

Disclaimer: The review and opinion expressed here are purely according to my personal taste. There's a possibility that the taste of the food might change later on, which could affect the review and opinion here. I also affirm that no monetary or non-monetary compensation has been received from this restaurant for writing this review.

The LAB (Learn About Boba)

I think it had been more than 10 years ago when I was in the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) area. I've heard that PIK has become a popular place for old and young people who love to eat out. Many new restaurants have been opening there for the last couple of years. Still, I hadn't visit PIK until last week when Febrian and his friends brought me there to have a glass of bubble tea. 

There are so many shops selling bubble teas in PIK. Febrian chose The LAB because the uniqueness of the exterior and the interior. I couldn't disagree more when I stepped out of the car and saw this bubble tea shop.

Upon entering this bubble tea shop, it made me feel like I was in a laboratory.

Even the waiters are wearing lab coats.

The milk teas topped with different flavors of boba in tall plastic glasses.
(Note: Boba is those small chewy tapioca balls) 

Well, what can I say about the bubble milk teas? For me, they mostly tasted almost the same. It's just tea, milk plus flavors. As for the sweetness, you can choose your own level (regular, less sugar, no sugar), same thing for the ice level (regular, less ice, no ice).

Macadamia Milk Tea - Rp. 24.000

Topping: White Boba - Rp. 3.000

Not only selling bubble teas, there are also appetizer, main courses and dessert at the Lab.

Crepes Madness - Rp. 30.000

Vanilla ice cream, crepes filled with coco crunch.

All prices are inclusive Tax

Current currency: 1 USD = Rp. 9.675

Location:
The Lab - Learn about Boba
Ruko Crown Golf Block D No. 29
Pantai Indah Kapuk
North Jakarta

Disclaimer: The review and opinion expressed here are purely according to my personal taste. There's a possibility that the taste of the food might change later on, which could affect the review and opinion here. I also affirm that no monetary or non-monetary compensation has been received from this restaurant for writing this review.

Tien Chao, Gran Melia Hotel

In the beginning of this month, I received an invitation from Zeno Stratcom to attend a food tasting at Tien Chao - Chinese restaurant at Gran Melia Hotel. The purpose of this food tasting is to introduce the new menu of Dim Sum, also the authentic Cantonese and Szechuan cuisines in Tien Chao.

Chinese Tea

Wo Tie and XO Sauce Duck Spring Roll.

The crispy dough attached to the Wo Tie was nice and I didn't mind at all for the tick skin of this Wo Tie which might less preferred by people who are used to eat Indonesian dumpling (Kuo Tie) or Japanese dumpling (Gyoza). For me, it reminded me to the authentic delicious Guo Tie in Beijing, China. The duck filling inside the spring roll tasted nice although it was quite peppery and pungent.

West Lake Spicy Beef Soup

I only managed to have a spoon of this soup because I couldn't handle the spiciness but I can tell this soup was delicious.

Steamed Chilean Sea Bass with Hunan Chili

Scrumptious! I love this! The sea bass was firm and flakes easily. Don't get deceived by the red Hunan chili on the top, the spiciness was very mild.

Wok Fried Lamb Chops with Spicy Chin Kiang Sauce

I adore how this lamb chop was prepared. It was cooked perfectly tender and delicious.

Spinach Bean Curd with Fresh Mushroom

Lovely! The bean curd with the fresh mushroom totally blended together so well.

Dan Dan Noodle

I could eat this noodle! So glad that the soup of this noodle wasn't spicy nor looked red oily like the original Dandan noodle from Szechuan.

Cream of Mango with Pomelo and Sago.

Something fruity and also refreshing to clean the palate.

At the end of the food tasting lunch,  Chef Tang Chee Meng demonstrated how he prepared his two signature dishes.

Chef Tang Chee Meng

The making of Wo Tie.

The making of the Wok Fried Lamb Chops with Spicy Chin Kiang Sauce

Thank you for the delicious lunch at Tien Chao, Gran Melia Hotel and Zeno Stratcom.

Location:
Tien Chao
Grand Melia Hotel
Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said Kav. X-0
South Jakarta
Tel: 5268080

Open daily:
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Dijan's Restaurant & Pannekoeken Poffertjes

A couple weeks ago, I had a meeting at Dijan's restaurant.

The restaurant is an old Dutch colonial house.

It supposedly to be a restaurant that serves authentic Dutch food but I guess they don't really stick to the theme since they also offer Italian, American and Indonesian food in their menu.

The restaurant is full air-conditioner but unfortunately, the customers can smoke inside the restaurant. It's quite disturbing for other customers who are non-smoker.

Poffertjes - Rp. 35.000

I enjoyed eating these small coin size of fluffy pancakes with powder sugar and butter.

Bitterbalen - Rp. 35.000

Dutch croquettes rolled into balls.

I like it but it was very salty.

Going to a Dutch restaurant, then ordering Italian pastas is the biggest mistake ever!!!

Fettucini Carbonara - Rp. 45.000

The cream sauce tasted totally bland. Luckily, there were the smoked beef and parmesan cheese but still, you need to add salt on it.

Spaghetti Bolognese - Rp. 45.000

My spaghetti Bolognese was another disappointment. The spaghetti was soggy.

And, seriously, I believe that instead of cooking the Bolognese sauce by their own, they've put the ready to use "La Fonte - Bolognese pasta sauce" on the spaghetti. This product is made in Indonesia. It tasted very sweet like sugar sauce.

(image taken from internet)

Spaghetti Aglio Olio - Rp. 45.000

Also, tad bland. Well, you can taste that the spaghetti got a hot flavor. Only the slice of smoke beef got the savory taste, not the, spaghetti, the mushroom nor the paprika.  Again, pass the salt, please!

Nasi Goreng - Rp. 40.000

This fried rice with slice smoked beef, pickles, fried egg and a cracker on the top was actually decent but for the price, hardly worthy!

All price are subject to 10% government tax and 6% service charge

Current currency: 1 USD = Rp. 9.650

Location:
Dijan's Restaurant Pannekoeken & Poffertjes
Jl. kemang selatan No. 102A
South Jakarta
Tel: 7179 3538

Disclaimer: The review and opinion expressed here are purely according to my personal taste. There's a possibility that the taste of the food might change later on, which could affect the review and opinion here. I also affirm that no monetary or non-monetary compensation has been received from this restaurant for writing this review.

Acin 229 - Pontianak Food

About a week ago, I did some shopping with my auntie in ITC Mangga Dua. When it was already lunch time, my auntie suggested to eat at her favorite restaurant "Acin" which serves Pontianak food (note: Pontianak is the capital city of West Kalimantan - one of Indonesian provinces on the island of Borneo). This small restaurant is located in a corner on the fourth floor in ITC Mangga Dua.

My auntie ordered:

Nasi Pare Seafood - Rp. 24.000

Bitter melon seafood with rice. The bitter melon tasted quite bitter and the sauce was watery bland.

I ordered:

Nasi Cap cay Seafood - Rp. 24.000

This stir fried vegetable was actually good but....

I couldn't believe that they didn't clean the shrimps' digestive vein aka the poo line.

 They should devein the shrimps! Seriously, it's totally gross! :(

Current currency: 

1 USD = Rp. 9.650

Location:
Acin 229 Masakan Pontianak
ITC Mangga Dua 4th Floor
Block B/78A-79
Jl. Mangga Dua Raya
Central Jakarta
Tel: 92888203 / 68235303

Disclaimer: The review and opinion expressed here are purely according to my personal taste. There's a possibility that the taste of the food might change later on, which could affect the review and opinion here. I also affirm that no monetary or non-monetary compensation has been received from this restaurant for writing this review.