Friday, November 23, 2012

Convivium Cafe Deli

After the Red Velvet Cupcake baking class, Cindy and I decided to have a late lunch at Convivium, an Italian restaurant not far from the Vineth Bakery.

A cozy and warm decor. 

First, we ordered our drink.
Chamomile - Rp. 25.000
Green tea - Rp. 25.000
complimentary Italian cheese bread and a cookie.

Then we ordered:
Pizza Carnivora - Rp. 80.000
Tomato, Mozzarella, Beef Bolognese
I love this pizza! Very savory and scrumptious!

Starccetti con Crema e Funghi - Rp. 50.000
Homemade Handkerchief Pasta with Mushroom Cream Sauce.
Nice and creamy but I think I will not order this again when I revisit this place.
All prices subjected to 5% service charge & 10% PB1 tax

Location:
Convivium Cafe Deli
Jl Panglima Polim IX No. 1
Jakarta Selatan
Tel: 7269963
Note: It is closed every Monday.

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.

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Yellowfin Senopati


Yellowfin's open kitchen.

As a food blogger these days, there are quite a lot of food-tasting invitations. It's almost like every week, there is another invitation or request for food product review in my inbox. It's always interesting to test out food at a new place, not only because we can try and review the food, meet new people, but also because we can share our experiences of how the restaurant treated us, the food bloggers.  

One such recent experience was when I was invited by Yellowfin, a Japanese restaurant located near the SCBD area. Three weeks ago, I received an email with a subject "Intimate Blogger Lunch Gathering With Yellowfin" from the OPCO media relationship assistant. That email was more likely an introduction letter of the company that owns Yellowfin. At the end of it, it mentioned I should contact them to RSVP, but didn’t specify any date for this lunch gathering. I emailed them asking when this event would be held. Later on, I got the reply for a date that I couldn't come. Fortunately, the date was changed and I found out, Dino also received the invitation, thus we decided to go together. 

We arrived exactly at 1 pm, the appointment time, with hungry tummies. The restaurant was really swarming with people. To our surprise, the waitresses who greeted us had completely blank expressions when we told them that we had come for food-tasting invitation. Obviously, the management didn't inform anyone at all that we were coming. Luckily, we managed to get one of the last two tables available, where we could sit and wait while they were cross-checking with the management. It took almost 30 minutes of waiting before the restaurant manager came to us.

A few minutes later, we were served two dishes. Dino and I really enjoyed them. They were really delicious.

Buta Bara Jalapeno - Rp. 42.000
Pork Belly with Jalapeno Butter. Perfect tender that melted nicely inside my mouth.


Gindara Saikyo Yaki - Rp. 165.000
Grilled Black Cod Marinated with Saikyo Miso for 2 nights, was so appetizing.

After the two dishes, we waited 15 minutes for other dishes to come out but nothing was served anymore on our table. I called the restaurant manager, asked him what would be the next dish. I was stunned when the restaurant manager told me that he was only instructed to serve two dishes for us. I briefly told the restaurant manager that usually for food-tasting invitations, either we choose by ourselves from the menu or the restaurant prepares a set menu starting with an appetizer, followed by main course and dessert. The restaurant manager called the management for a confirmation. Anyway, I talked to him again and said if this is the restaurant’s policy to only serve two kind of dishes to be reviewed, it was fine for us. But the restaurant manager said that he would serve us some other more dishes.

Despite the mishap of the miscommunication in the beginning of the food-tasting experience, the restaurant manager made up for those issues by overly generous and kind, insisting us to try other kinds of dishes, even beyond what we expected. I was really impressed by the hospitality that we received from the restaurant manager. The food in general was quite good, although there was nothing really to shout about except for the first two dishes, which were the highlight dishes of this food-tasting

Tobiko Wakame Salad - Rp. 42.000
Flying Fish Roe and Seaweed Salad with Shoyu Onion Dressing.

 Dory Chili Garlic Sauce - Rp. 65.000
Deep Fried Dory with Chili Garlic Sauce.

Ebi Harumaki - Rp. 48.000
Deep Fried Prawn & Mushroom Springroll with Wasabi Cocktail Sauce.

Hot! Shoyu Ramen - Rp. 55.000
Spicy Chicken Shoyu Ramen (level 2)
This level 2 spiciness used six chilies. Frankly speaking, I couldn't eat it at all because the fiery taste of the chilies.

Volcano Roll - Rp. 40.000
Deep Fried Shrimp Roll with Chopped Fish and Spicy Mayonnaise Sauce.

Green Tea Ogura Dorayaki - Rp. 60.000

Cold Ocha - Rp. 20.000

Porco Rosso - Rp. 35.000
Blackberry syrup, Cranberry juice, Soda water and Grapefruit juice
Castle in the Sky - Rp. 35.000
Peach puree, Peach syrup, Soda water and Grapefruit juice

Sake and Shochu
(Note: Shochu is a Japanese clear distilled spirit similar to vodka. The main difference between sake and shochu: sake  is brewed, whereas shochu is distilled.)

Flavored Shochu - Rp. 50.000/glass
Strawberry and Orange

All prices subjected to service charge & tax.
Current currency: 1 USD = Rp. 9.700

Location:
Yellowfin 
Jalan Senopati No. 42
Jakarta Selatan
Tel: 7220394

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Baking Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cooking Plus

Yesterday was an exciting day for me and also Cindy whom I brought along to Cooking Plus located at Vineth Bakery for Red Velvet Cupcakes baking class, organized by Urbanesia, Jakarta Lifestyle City Directory of Hotels, Restaurants, Shopping and Businesses.

The class was hosted by Olivia Wongso, daughter of  Indonesia's famous culinary expert William Wongso.

It's fun to learn how to make Red Velvet cupcakes together with other 18 participants.  All of us were given one set of utensil with the ingredients and divided into a pair to work on the cupcakes.

The step by step process:

First step:
Butter 60 gr
Oil 30 gr
Sugar 200 gr
Egg 1 pcs
Vanilla Extract 1/2 tsp
Using an electric mixer on a medium-high speed, whisk together butter, oil, sugar until combined (light and pale). Add an egg, beat until well incorporated.

Second step:
Red Food Coloring 2 tbs
Cocoa Powder 1 tbs
Mix food coloring and cocoa powder, then pour into batter mixture. Beat until well mix.

Buttermilk: 
in a 1 cup measurement, add 2 tbs of lemon juice then fill the cup with milk. Leave it about 1/2 hour before using.
Third step:
All Purpose Flour 165 gr
Salt 1/2 tsp
Buttermilk 1/2 cup
Baking Soda 1/2 tsp
Cider Vinegar 1/2 tsp
Combine flour and salt together. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and whisking well after each. Stir together the baking soda and vinegar in a small bowl (it will foam), then add quickly the mixture to the cupcake batter.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 minutes at 160ยบ Celsius. Remove from oven and let it cool completely before frosting.

Cindy and I with our cupcake batter :)

Cream Cheese Frosting
Butter 75 gr
Cream Cheese 115 gr
Icing Sugar 240 gr
Vanilla Extract 1 tsp

Shift icing sugar, then combine all ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Beat until light and fluffy. Frost each cupcake with the cream cheese frosting. Garnish the top of frosting with some sprinkles.


Red Velvet Cupcakes


Location:
Vineth Bakery
Jl. Panglima Polim Raya No. 63-65
Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Gartien Pineapple Cake


Gartien (ๅฐ็”ฐไฝณๅ›ญ) is a Penang based company, specializing in Pineapple Cake. 

For the filling, it uses pineapple from a plantation in Nibong Tebal, Penang. The pineapple are skinned and cut into cubes then cook for 12 hours with raw sugar and honey which result juicy, tangy and lightly sweet pineapple filling with a hint of caramel and molasses. You still can chew the chunks of pineapples in the filling.   

Well, according to the info, actually every production batch has a slightly different taste because it's depend on the pineapples since this homemade pineapple cakes are made without any preservatives and artificial coloring. Therefore, the freshness of the pineapple cake can only last for 6 weeks since the production date.  

The filling from the production batch that I received, was pretty tangy and yet enjoyable. As for the golden outer layer pastry, it had quite strong buttery and milky flavors.

Best to indulge this pineapple cake with a cup of unsweetened hot tea.

Gartien Pineapple Cake 500gram (10 pieces of 50gram each) Price MYR38.00 

Current currency:
1 USD = MYR 3.05
1 MYR = Rp. 3.150

Gartien Gourmet Pineapple Cake
Sdn Bhd 68, Lorong Macalister,
10400 Penang, Malaysia.
Tel: +604 229 0068
Email: info@gartien.com
website: http://gartien.com

Friday, November 2, 2012

Dimatique Wine Class

2 weeks ago, I was invited by Goorme.com to attend "Dimatique Wine Class for Media & Bloggers". This Wine Class is one of the Jakarta Culinary Festival 2012's events. 

As a person who barely have knowledge about wine like me, I've learned a lot of interesting stuff during this wine class, such as:
- Old World and New World Wine.
- Grape varieties. 
- Techniques in wine appreciation.
- The components that affect wine enjoyment.
- Decanting process.

Yohan Handoyo (Wine Expert; General Manager of PT Dimatique International) and Fredy Karminah (National Sales Manager of PT Multifortuna Sinardelta) conducted the wine class.

Beside learning about wine, there's also Wine Tasting:

White Wines:
La Scolca Villa Scolca, Cortese Gavi DOC

Description: Straw yellow with greenish reflections. Its aroma is intense and persistent, with hints of acacia flowers and hawthorn  white peach and apple just ripe, and slightly mineral.

The flavor is dry but soft, fruity, slightly warm, full and continuous with a pleasant bitter aftertaste. The aftertaste, there are the floral fruity and mineral notes.

Grape variety: 100% Cortese

Alcohol: 11,5%

Vintage: 2011





Marques de Riscal Rueda, Verdejo, Rueda

Description: A bright, straw-yellow colored wine. On the nose, it has high aromatic intensity with tropical fruit and hints of fennel and fresh grass. In the mouth, it is both syrupy smooth and refreshing with a slightly bitter finish which is typical of the variety making it long and pleasant to drink. It is a wonderful accompaniment to pasta, white meat and ham

Grape variety: 100% Verdejo

Alcohol: 12.5%

Vintage: 2011






Tyrrell's Vat 47 Chardonnay, Hunger Valley

Description: Pale golden color. A wine with a wonderful core of sweet Chardonnay fruit with the subtle underlying oak giving the wine lift and structure with a clean, fresh acid finish. No malolactic fermentation has ensured a tight, lean style of Chardonnay that should age well. Accompaniment for fish, seafood and creamy pasta dishes.

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Alcohol: 13.5%

Vintage: 2007


Price: Rp. 1.011.500


Deetlefs Chenin Blanc, Breedekloof

Description: Pale straw yellow colour. Ripe flavours of apricots, pineapple, limes and floral notes are in abundance on the nose. In palate is full, rich and clean with integrated wood aromas.

This wine excellent for grilled chicken, smoked chicken salad, pizza & pasta, brie & goat's milk cheese.

Grape variety: Chenin Blanc

Alcohol: 13.5%

Vintage: 2011




Red Wines:

Marchesi de Frescobaldi Remole, Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon, Toscana IGT

Description: A rich, luminous ruby red. Aromas of red and dark fruit and lifted by spicer impressions of black pepper and liquorice. The entry is velvety, on the palate are well balance, with  tasty vein of acidity. Lengthy finish. Excellent with full-flavored pasta dishes such as all'amatriciana.

Grape variety: 85% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol: 12.5%

Vintage:2010






Marques de Riscal 1860, Tinta de Toro+Merlot+Syrah, Castilla Y Leon
Description: Dark cherry color with a violet-purple rim. Highly aromatic, with aromas of stewed red fruit, hints of burnt chocolate, black pepper and smoky oak. On the palate the attack is fresh, fruity with oak tannin present without overwhelming the fruit.
This wine goes well with ham, cheese which are not too mature, casseroles with mild sauces, stewed pulses and hotpots, poultry, red meat, roasts and grills.

Grape variety: 85% Tinta de Toro, 15% Merlot and Syrah

Alcohol: 13%

Vintage: 2008




First Drop Big Blind Nebbiolo Barbera, Adelaide Hills
Description: Medium brick red color. A pungent intricate nose of nutmeg and cloves, layered with cherry fruit and hints of cordite and cola. A beautiful balance palate. The cherry spice and dark chocolate of the Barbera melds perfectly with the elegant leathery structure of the Nebbiolo.

Excellent with porchini mushroom risotto, smoked tea duck and cured pork sausage.

Grape variety: Nebbiolo, Barbera

Alcohol: 14%

Vintage: 2010




Kaiken Ultra Malbec, Malbec+Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza

Description: The Ultra Malbec is a suitably big and delicious wine. Dense and intense on the nose, with dark chocolate, ripe plush black fruit, minerality, cedar and spice. The palate is dry, concentrated and balanced with more dense black fruit and cedar, with coffee, spice and mineral through the long finish. A crowd-pleasing and elegant wine with great personality and character, that will be ideal for roasted lamb or veal dishes.

Grape variety: Malbec

Alcohol: 14.5%

Vintage:2010

At the end of the Wine Class, each of us received a bottle of Bellissimo Moscato.

It tastes sweet muscat, fruity, lemon and light spritzy finish.

Alcohol 5.5%.

Grape: Muscat.

Pairing: Spicy food, fruit dessert, slightly salty dishes, mild blue cheese (e.g: Gorgonzola Dolce).

Price: Rp. 225.000/bottle.
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