Downtown Bistro Jakarta

Ah.. I was too early... The invitation supposedly at 8 pm but at 5.15 pm, I already arrived at the Downtown Bistro. 

Oh well, I did not have a problem to wait for a long time. I felt comfortable instantly to see the cozy front porch of Downbistro 

As soon as a waitress greeted and brought me inside the Downtown Bistro, I met the friendly owners. My first impression of the decor that came through my mind was a library but I was wrong. I found out later on, the decor of Downtown Bistro is actually American classic that expected to bring back to the 1950's atmosphere with those nostalgic jazz collections playing as the background. Convenient meeting point for business and leisure is the concept of this new 3 weeks old bistro. 

Goodfoodgoodlife showed up not more than 30 minutes later after I arrived. Why he was also too early? Because he thought the invitation was at 6 pm :) Yeah... finally, I was not alone anymore to spend the rest of 2.5 hours until the other food bloggers came along.

After 8 pm, the food was served to each of us.

Breakfast Set Menu

Available from 10 am - 12 pm

 Black coffee or tea from the extensive list, freshly squeezed orange juice included. 

New York Breakfast - Rp. 82.000

Homemade toasted English muffins with bacon and smoked turkey, topped with two perfect poached eggs and served with creamy hollandaise sauce.

Paris Breakfast - Rp. 86.000

I like the French toast drizzled with powder sugar and cinnamon, served with maple syrup, sliced fruits (grapes, melon, watermelon). There are choices of pork or beef for the bacon and sausage.

Below menu is available from 12 pm to 9.30 pm

APPETIZER

Wild Mushroom Soup - Rp. 29.000

The creamy mushroom soup served with a touch of white truffle oil is a perfect start for a hungry tummy.

SANDWICH

(Served with seasoned french fries and vegetable slaw)

Smoked Turkey Sandwich - Rp. 59.000

Fresh and tangy smoked turkey, chopped lettuce, tomato, red onion, smothered with melted Swiss cheese and cranberry mayonnaise. Every single bite of the sandwich was excellent!

The George Sandwich - Rp. 63.000

Unfortunately, I did not try this seared skillet beef patty, caramelized onion smothered with double cheese melt and homemade sauce.

MAIN COURSE

The George Steak - Rp. 175.000

Flame broiled tenderloin served with mashed potato, glazed with balsamic reduction. The aroma of extra virgin oil was pretty sharp in the mashed potato.

Purple Pig- Rp. 74.000

Slow cooked pork belly served with white bean cassoulet and apple compote was another dish that I did not try.

PASTA

(Served with toasted parmesan bread)

Escargot Linguine Pesto - Rp. 57.000

Linguine served with lovely pesto sauce, escargots, dry chili, sundried tomato and parmesan cheese. I wish there was no dry chili in it then it would be totally perfect for me.

ASIAN FAVORITES

Crisp Glazed Orange Chicken - Rp. 45.000

Crunchy breaded chicken coated in zesty orange-flavored sauce, served with soft rice and broccoli. As for me, the broccoli was too salty.

DESSERT

(Served with vanilla ice cream)

The George Pie - Rp. 40.000

Luscious granny smith apples baked in flaky crust, drizzled with powdered sugar and caramel sauce. Definitely, I will come again for this heavenly George Pie.

 StickyTofee Date Pudding  - Rp. 35.000

Moist sponge cake made with finely chopped dates, covered with toffee sauce that melted nicely in my mouth.

BEVERAGE

Espresso & Coffee (Iced or Hot)

Espresso Rp. 15.000

Tasted quite acid for my taste bud. 

Caffe Latte - Rp. 27.000

COCKTAIL

DK 80 - Rp. 85.000

Triple Sec, Amaretto Liqueur, Crème de Cassis, lime juice, Syrup de Gomme, Lime Wedges. I adore the idea of using Amaretto Liqueur in this cocktail.

Creme Brulee - Rp. 85.000

Absolut Blue, Peach Syrup, Peach Liqueur.

Prices are Subject to 21% Government Tax and Services.

Current currency: 1 USD = Rp. 9.400

Thank you so much for the delectable food and warm hospitality, Downtown Bistro!

Note: The above food portions are only for the purpose of this food tasting event.

Location:
Downtown Bistro
The Landmark Central Ground Floor
Jl. Jendral Sudirman No. 1
Jakarta 12190
Phone: 5296.0064

Opening Hours:
Mon - Fri: 7 am to 11 pm
Last order. 9.30 pm
Sat - Sun will be opened starting 23 June 2012 onward.

Fonterra Pastry & Cooking Challenge 2012

Yesterday, Jenzcorner and I attented the "Fonterra Pastry & Cooking Challenge 2012" press conference at Borobudur Hotel. It was held by PT. Fonterra Brands Indonesia - a multi national company, owns and markets high quality dairy products from New Zealand that provide health and natural dairy nutrition of life (Anlene, Anmum, Anchor Boneeto, Chesdale)

The objective of this competition is to develop and improve Indonesia's culinary industry standards and also to provide a place for the chef in the country to develop their skills and talents to be ready to compete in the international level. Besides, the winners from each category will get a chance to represent Indonesia in international competitions Singapore Food and Hotel Asia 2014 and entitled to a cash prize of USD 1,000.

There were 25 local Indonesian chefs (pastry, bakery and cooking chefs) representing their hotels, restaurants or bakery shops that competed in the Fonterra Pastry & Cooking Challenge. 

The press conference with the media.

From left to right: Chef David Warren - Advisory Chef Fonterra Asia and the Middle East; Chef Manfred Kohlen - Senior Advisory Chef Fonterra Middle East Asia; Denny Herdian Ardiwinata, National Trade Marketing Manager Fonterra Foodservices; Agustin Muara, Director Fonterra Foodservice; Master Chef Jean Francois Arnaud, Pastry Master Chef MOF

After the press conference, we were allowed to see the competition. Although we were not given the chance to try the food but it was interesting to see how the chefs prepared their food.

Along with the professional judges, there were mystery judges too (local, non-expert but have food passion) in order to judge from the customer taste.

The winners:

 Pastry category : 

 1. Chef Sudar Pramoto, Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta 

Chef Sudar Pramoto prepared his cakes.

 2. Chef Ertina Pudji Rahayu, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Jakarta 

 3. Chef I Ketut Candranata, Retreat & Spa Bali 

Cooking category: 

 1. Chef Agustono, Pullman Central Park Hotel, Jakarta 

 2. Chef Wayan Juni Ardhana, Nikko Hotel Bali 

 3. Chef Beno Wicaksana, Bvlgari Hotel Bali 

Bakery : 

 1. Chef Imron Rasidi, Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta 

 2. Chef Nano, Cizz Cake Bandung 

 3. Chef Eva Yoga Swara, Four Seasons Hotel, Jakarta

Queen's Tandoor, Jakarta

Last night, I had a very pleasant dinner experience with my expatriate colleagues at Queen's Tandoor. We really enjoyed the taste of the food and the service was so excellent.

I believe every Indian food lover would know about Queen's Tandoor which serves traditional and fusion Indian food. It was first established in Seminyak Bali in 1986 then over the years, it has been establishing a string of franchise in Jakarta, Bali, Singapore and Saudi Arabia.The restaurant has garnered numerous awards including "Best Indian Restaurant".

Appetizer (complimentary)

3 condiments: mango chutney, mint chutney and pickle shallots

Naan

Leavened bread made with refine flour cooked in the tandoor.

Garlic - Rp. 24.900

Mixed Herbs - Rp. 24.900

I really like the warm and moist mixed herb Naan.

Masala Tea - Rp. 25.900

Tea with Indian rare spices.

updated 5 May 2012: according to Laveena - my Indian friend, Masala Tea doesn't have rare spices (as it's written in the menu book), it's usually a powdered mixture of cardamom seeds, cinnamon, dried ginger, black pepper pods (optional), a clove and nutmeg

Pappadum

A delicate thin crispy bread made from pulse flour.

Masala - Rp. 37.900

Pakora - Rp. 54.900

Batter fried vegetables

Chicken Tandoori - Rp. 73.900

Chicken steeped in a marinade of aromatic spices, grilled on glowing embers imparting smoky flavor. A specialty from Amritsar, a city in the north-western part of India.

Vegetable Curry Navratan Jalfrezi  - Rp. 54.900

A variety of nine garden vegetables cooked in fresh herbs and spices.

Lamb Curry  Mutton Sashi Korma - Rp. 80.900

Tender pieces of boneless mutton cooked in mild spices, ground cashew nut and cream.

 Butter Chicken Curry - Rp. 73.900

Grilled boneless chicken smeared in butter, tomato and cream.

Matka Briyani

Basmati rice cooked with masala and filling with carrot, beans, potatoes and peas

Not so sure the name of this dish but it's a very hot spicy vegetable curry.

Sizzling Brownie - Rp. 44.900

Hot brownie topped with vanilla ice cream, nuts and chocolate sauce.

This is how it is served on the table.

All prices subjected to 10% government tax and 7.5% service charge

Current currency: 1 USD = Rp. 9.600

Location
Queen's Tandoor
Indian & Fusion Cuisine
Permata Plaza
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 57
Jakarta 10350
Tel: 3903287

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.

Sushi Mori Jakarta

Do you like to eat fusion sushi? If the answer is yes, then you can give a try Sushi Mori :)

Sushi Mori is a contemporary Japanese cuisines and unique creations of rolls. There are also wide varieties of sushi sashimi, exotic fusion rolls and modern Japanese cuisines. First established in Surabaya in 2007 then opened the second restaurant in Jakarta.

Last Friday night, Sushi Mori and Goorme.com invited some food bloggers to taste the best-selling menu items at Sushi Mori, Central Park mall.

First, we were served Edamame and Ocha.

Edamame - Green Soy Beans

Ocha (Green tea) - Rp. 10.000

Then followed by

Mazeru Salad - Rp. 50.000

chuka hotate, chuka iidako, chuka wakame, chuka kurage

Fujiyama Roll - Rp. 60.000

Smoked salmon, crab stick, scallop

Before we continued with the other items of the menu. The sushi chef gave a demo on how to make Snow Crab Narudo Roll. 

Snow Crab Narudo Roll - Rp. 58.000

Crab stick, avocado, tobikko

Very refreshing. It's perfect as an appetizer.

After the sushi demo, there's a competition of creating sushi for 3 food bloggers. JenzCorner, AnakJajan and I volunteered for the competition. Guess who won it? It's JenzCorner. Congrats, Jen!

Here are our creations :)

And this is my sushi creation.
I named it as "Hana" which means flower in Japanese :)

As soon as the winner of the competition being announced, we went back to our tables and enjoyed all the food being served.

Sashimi Platter - Rp. 98.000

Salmon, tuna, mackerel, scallop, squid, crab stick

Volcano Roll - Rp. 50.000

jelly fish, shrimp, crunchy

Sake Enoki - Rp. 55.000

Enoki mushroom circled by salmon

Yoki Sake - Rp. 48.000

baked salmon and crab stick

Tori Katsu Teriyaki - Rp. 30.000

Fried chicken Teriyaki

Tobikko & Equail Egg Sushi - Rp. 30.000

Flying fish roe with raw egg

Dessert

Matcha Ice Cream - Rp. 12.000

At the end of the food tasting event at Sushi Mori, we were served cold sake. Everyone raised their glass and said "Cheers...!!!" All the success to Sushi Mori and thank you for inviting me :)

Sake

Prices subject to 10% government tax and 5% service charge

Current currency: 1 USD = Rp. 9.400

Location:
Sushi Mori
Central Park Mall
Lower Ground 115
Jl. S. Parman Kav. 28
West Jakarta
Tel: 56985255