Carl's Jr - Burger Review

As of August 2010, there's a new burger in town and I'm eager to try since I'm on a quest with my friend in search of the best burger in town. I had the chance to try it out a week after its grand opening and here is my story...

I arrived just in time before the dinner rush hour kicks in which gave me zero queuing. It's my first time and I'm not at all familiar with their menu, so I took a few minutes when choosing my order carefully. Like most burger joint, they also have variety kind of burger; beef, chicken, bacon, with BBQ sauce, with mushroom sauce, with chili, etc. I figured that I wanted to know their quality and taste, so I just ordered the standard burger called Famous Star with Cheese. Fortunately for me, they are having promo in cooperated with BCA cc and Gcard member of Grand Indonesia. It was a free up-sized promo (for fries and drinks only). They took my order, I paid my meals and they handed me a sign number and empty paper cup. The guy immediately said "The meals will be delivered to your seat and feel free to choose any kind of beverages from the refreshments corner and it's included with free refill". Wow...a very nice concept right?

I savored each bite and wanna remember exactly what its taste like. The burger bun was soft, the beef was tender and juicy but not quite thick enough, the veggies were fresh, the fries was not too crunchy nor crispy so we could actually taste the sweet potato, and the chili sauce and mayo was just perfect. I love it! Hands down the best burger in town...ladies and gentlemen....we have a winner!

You could choose any kind of drinks that you like: cola, sprite, fanta (blueberry even), lemon tea, hot tea and it's bottomless a.k.a free refill until you just had enough.

Okay, we may have just heard of Carl's Jr in Indonesia but they sure have been around long enough back in U.S, dated to 1941. Started out with just a hot dog cart, then within 5 years opened a hamburger drive-in and look at them now? Impressive right?

Since I didn't take any picture, so why don't you just check these websites for a closer look:
Facebook Fan Page consists of burger pictures
www.carlsjr.com

Go ahead and knock yourself up with their burger in:
Grand Indonesia west mall LG 25
Jakarta


Happy trying burger-lover

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

Kitchenette - Restaurant Review

My husband and I have been so curious to try this not-so-new resto, every time we passed it by the curiosity grew and we passed it a lot since we're always around Plaza Indonesia every weekend. But there's something about the place or the atmosphere that just don't feel right.

One night, we finally caved in to our curiosity and decided to give it a try. It was packed, as always, but the waiting list was friendly and we merely wait for 5 minutes before we're shown to our table. I instantly feel even more uncomfortable sitting in the restaurant than I was when we were just passing by. I think that it's because of the open-room concept in the middle of a shopping mall, with lots of people walking by all around us, the crowded que line out front and the fact that the space it self are very minimum, thus making me feel like suffocated. Basically I don't like being in a crowded place, it always makes me gasp for air to breath.

I ordered a simple meal, Spaghetti Aglio Olio with chicken. I always try out the pasta from every new restaurant and eventually became the benchmark for my food review. This aglio olio definitely didn't pass my test. Then my husband ordered the house specialty; galettes named Louis Bundle. This one is quite okay, worth to try.

Note:
Spaghetti aglio olio is worth IDR 45k
Louis Bundle package (incl. salad of the day and coke) is worth IDR 75k

I didn't spend too much time here since the que line out front was growing by the minute. So, it feels like we were rush out to finish our meal.

Well, maybe it's just me who didn't like the ambiance, the rushing, the crowd and other things. So, if you're interested to try out the place, then I definitely recommend the Louis Bundle.


Come and prove it yourself at
Plaza Indonesia level 1
Jl. MH Thamrin


Happy rushing eaters

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

La Collina - Restaurant Review

Who would've thought that we can have some sort of little vacation just by going to the outskirt of Jakarta, just 45km away to be exact.

On that fine day few weeks ago, I had to go to a meeting in Karawang and I practically dragged my ass down there, right in the middle of nowhere. Oow well, sometime you gotta do what you gotta do. I was starving after my meeting and desperately looking for something to eat, at this point, any kind of food will do just fine. Then, I remembered passing by San Diego Hills right after I exited the highway and definitely saw a restaurant banner. So, without further ado, I went straight to that so called cemetery.

I easily found the restaurant and surprisingly shocked to see the place. It was nothing like I ever imagined. Well okay, I knew that San Diego Hills is the most expensive and the best cemetery in Indonesia. But after seeing the place with my own eyes, it's definitely nothing like a cemetery!

I landed in La Collina, an Italian Restaurant. I was starving for sure but I immediately forget all about my craving for food and went straight to observed the whole place. Somehow, it made me feel like I was somewhere out of the country, maybe the landscape, the ambiance, the pool, etc gave away that impression.

After few minutes of photo session, I ordered spaghetti aglio olio and shirley temple to wash it down. Truthfully, I didn't expect the taste would be delicious but I was wrong cause it's one of the great meal that I ever tasted.

Okay, I know how ridiculous it may sound if I suggest you to come all the way here just to try out the restaurant which located inside a cemetery no less. I'm just saying that it could be an option for you if you wanna get away from the hectic of Jakarta or maybe if you're on your way out of town to Bandung per se. Anyways, stop by and try it out. Who knows, maybe it could bring the same joy to you as it did to me.







Come to La Collina Restaurant:
Exit Karawang Barat 2,
T : (0267) 845 3332
Open 8am - 5pm (daily)

Check this website to have a better view of the place:
www.sandiegohills.co.id


Happy dining explorer.

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

The Cutest Birthday Cake Ever - Icip2 Di Dapur Review

My daughter just had her birthday a couple of months ago. As a typical OCD person, I made all the arrangements 2 months prior to her birthday. I wasn't planning to have a birthday party for her this year, just a simple family dinner and of course a nice cake would be mandatory for the occasion. The dinner part would be easy, I just have to call our favorite restaurant and made reservation. The cake part however, that's gonna be a bit tricky.

Lucky for me, a good friend of mine was throwing her daughter a 1st birthday party at the time. So I asked for her help on the cake matter. Voila....she gave me a couple of vendors for it. I was back on track and kept on planning. I researched on both vendors, I browsed their websites, I looked at every single one of the cake that they ever created and posted, then eventually chose one, I chose Icip2 di Dapur.

The cakes were exactly what I had in mind, it were the kind of cake that I wanted to have for my daughter's birthday. I fell in love.

Now came the second hardest thing to do which is to chose the type of decoration for the cake. It supposedly easy but the level of cuteness of each and every one of those cakes is making me hard to chose. I spent 2 weeks to finally able to chose.

I contacted Ria, the cake creator, to order the cake and to secure her availability in making my cake. She was very helpful, very informative and very friendly right from the start. She's very patience dealing with crazy mother like me, hehe. She understood and accepted my detailed request which I appreciated it very much. She's great!

I waited patiently for the cake to arrive, well okay...maybe not so patience cause I ordered the cake a month before D-Day. Finally, the waiting and anticipation could cease to an end. The cake arrived safe and sound exactly 1 day before my daughter's birthday (as per my request) and exactly on the hour of arrival estimation given by Ria. I value punctuality since it's a rare commodity to find in our beloved city Jakarta and Ria has proven her business once more. Bravo!

I opened the box and gasped a little...there it was...the cutest birthday cake ever! I love it!

I looked forward to see my daughter's reaction when she see the cake, would she recognize the character? Would she love it? Well, I made the cake with Barney figurine because it's her favorite and maybe the only character she loves. So, it has to be Barney, as simple as that.

On the morning of her birthday, we gathered up in our living room and open the box for her to see, then she immediately screamed "Biiiiii" (It's her nickname for barney). She kept on touching the cake, especially Barney figurine and I could tell that she loved it too....(I'm glad).

Dear friends, I know what it feels for wanting a perfect cake to complete your perfect event. We all done our share of confusion, stress, and maybe a little panic. Well, I'm happy to tell you that those days are over. You could have any type of cake you wanted, play with your imagination and share it with Ria who I'm sure would bring those imagination to life.

Check her website and order her cake for your next event:
www.icip2didapur.blogspot.com


Happy creating party-planner.

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

By the Beach - Restaurant Review

I've been walking pass through this restaurant for a few times in the last couple of weeks, I was getting more curious each time and I promised to my self to try it out. I imagined my self sitting on one of those chairs by the window in one afternoon and writing an article about the place.

So, I came during weekends cause that's the only free time I have in the afternoon. The place was already packed by the time I get there which shows a good sign, the food must have taste good. It's considered as a good crowd for such relatively new place like this. But my mood wasn't right ever since I walked in, not only I didn't get my spot by the window but they gave my requested spot to other customer even though I already specifically requested the spot 3 times. My mood was ruin instantly and decided to write the article some other time.

They do have a cool decor inside and outside. It look like a typical restaurant that you might find by the beach somewhere, but....what makes it different, this restaurant was in a middle of a shopping mall in Jakarta and they even have few palm trees inside the restaurant (fake ones of course). Well, I admit....the place do have cozy atmosphere, lots of lights (during day time), and comfortable sofas and chairs.

They offer seafood based menu selections from fishes, prawns, calamaris, and even sea shells. I ordered prawns with mayonnaise, grilled "ikan sebelah" with Jimbaran sauce, By the Beach Iced tea and Mango mint Iced tea. I love the prawns the most but everything was delicious, even the iced tea. They have ordinary iced tea and By the Beach iced tea as their signature, it was ordinary iced tea mixed with mint leaves and slices of apple which were shaken together so the apple and mint taste mixed with the tea, created a different kind of flavor to our tongue.

One important thing, If you consider to come with your children, then I suggest you to reconsider cause apparently they do not have separate areas for smoking and non-smoking. So, It is very possible that a smoker sits in the next table of an infant. Maybe they should do something about it cause it's bothered me so much.

Anyways, aside from they lack of service quality and smokey room, I do recommend the meal and the atmosphere, it was great...I felt as if I just came back from a vacation in the beach.

Note:
Prawns with mayonnaise is worth IDR 78k
Grilled ikan sebelah with Jimbaran sauce is worth IDR 79k
By the Beach iced tea is worth IDR 23k
Mango mint iced tea is worth IDR 23k
Rice is worth IDR 9k/portion

Come and try this new restaurant:
EX 2nd Floor
Jakarta
(Located at ex Fashion Bar)


Happy eating sailor...

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

Food Kulture - Restaurant Review

I tried the Food Kulture few days ago, I was just curious about the place but turns out it was managed by the same management of Urban Kitchen so there's no wonder that they share the same concept only under different name.

So, it's basically you typical food court consists of plenty of dining choices. The plus side is, you could hang out here with bunch of your friends and not worry about the place capacity for both smoking and non-smoking area. Food choices are vary from Oriental, Western and even Indonesian cuisines.

I tried a Roast duck with Hainan Rice from Maystar, it was quite recommendable. Then I had a BananaBerry smoothie as my desert (I'm a sucker for BananaBerry), but this time the Berry is too much thus it's a bit too sour for me, maybe they should add more banana and less on the strawberry.

Unfortunately, the background music was too loud so it's kinda hard to have a decent conversation here, well you have to talk extra loud in order others to hear you. It's a good thing that I'm not run out of voice here. hihi.

Anyways, it could be one of your choice for a hang out place, come to:

Food Kulture
Plaza Indonesia Extension, 5th Floor


Happy dining people

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

Sinou Kaffee Hausen - Restaurant Review

It's the beginning of May 2010 and the bet is on.

Okay, let me flash back a bit to few days earlier. I made a bet with couple of my friends, the challenge was actually came from my self. I dare them, "Do you guys think that I could make it through a month without shopping?" And they all respond "NOOOOOO !!!". Well okay, challenge accepted. I agreed not to shop anything for a whole month, not even a tiny purchase, nothing. So, It's May already and the bet is on.

This bet will obviously effects on my writing, I couldn't make any shopping review. Instead, I will make culinary reviews. Hope you don't mind. Cause I have to win this bet, for the sake of my own pride. (hehehe) crossing fingers.

I think that I'm starting to have a new habit, I'm starting to love writing an article about a place while I'm actually IN the place. I'm at the Sinou Kaffee Hausen as I wrote this, writing in the way that I love the most...with a nice cup of joe by my side.

Now about the place, I find it hard to be comfortable in it cause maybe the atmosphere just not right for me. I admit that they have unique decor, it's kinda look like an old warehouse filled with bunch of cozy sofas and wooden chairs. But I find it hard to find words to write, I even need a mood boost from my itunes and still the words don't pour out yet.

I can't give you any food recommendation thou cause I'm not ordering any food. Just a cup of Hot Cappuccino, just right to my taste and only worth of IDR 22k. Just try the place yourself and maybe...just maybe it suits you better than it suits me.

Come to :
Sinou Kaffee Hausen
Jl. Panglima Polim V No. 26
Kebayoran Baru
T : +6221 725 8569

Happy trying friends

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

Pizza e Birra - Restaurant Review

Okay, I've been meaning to write an article about this Restaurant for a while. Been here almost every Friday for the last couple of months. Just found the willingness to write it. Well, here goes...

A friend introduced me to the place, he said that they have very delicious flavor beers in town. Since I'm a sucker for good company and good drinks, so I agreed to try the place.

I've tried few of their menus, tried most of their flavor beers, and just tonight (I'm actually sitting at the restaurant as I write this) I just found out that they have an awesome acoustic band playing every Friday night from 10 pm onwards (til they close down, about 1 am). Tonight, the band sang my favorites songs from the late 90s from Oasis, Matchbox 20, Lifehouse, etc. They set my mood just right and even inspire me to write the article. Ow ya, the band called Legna by the way.

Okay, about the food. I've tried the pizza, the pasta, and the steak. All of the pass with flying colors. I wanna recommend the following:

Meat me in heaven pizza : worth of IDR 49k (regular), IDR 69k (large)
--> It's a thin crust pizza with salami, turke ham, and meatballs. Very yummy.
Baked three-cheese macaroni with bacon bits : worth of IDR 55k
--> If you love cheese, then you're gonna love this macaroni cause the three kinds of cheese makes it very cheesy.
Chicken mushroom Cream : worth of IDR 45k
--> Chicken breast steak with mushroom cream, the cream makes the whole taste very delicious.
Chicken milanese : worth of IDR 55k
--> Chicken breast steak with tartare sauce. The best meal I've tried so far.

And my friend was right, they do have very delicious flavor beer. They have various kinds of flavor:
Strawberry (not recommended) worth of IDR 39k
Manggo (second best) worth of IDR 39k
Lychee (third best) worth of IDR 39k
Peach (reminds me of my medicine when I was a kid) worth of IDR 39k
Chocolate melt (best one) worth of IDR 45k
Sangria (mixed fruits beer with actual mixed fruits cuts) worth of 55k, the most expensive flavor beer.

IMHO, the chocolate melt beer is the most unique beer that I ever tasted. The beer itself has a chocolate taste and they add chocolate syrup on the glass, so when you drink it, the chocolate taste of the beer combines with the chocolate syrup...it was out of this world!

But something happen tonight, one of the waiter just smashed up my blackberry right of the table!!! Hate him for it...then my Mango beer was splashed all over the table and floor, ruining my pants and my phone! Arrrgggg....Hate it!!!

They do apologized a few times, replaced my drink and offered me better service afterward. But still, they ruin my blackberry. Hiks...hiks...

Anyways, I still wanna recommend the place. I love the atmosphere, I love the food, I love the beers, I love the band, bottom line...I love the place. They're responsible enough by extended me their best service.

Have you try it? Come and check the place yourself:

• Plaza Indonesia Extension, 5th Floor
• Setiabudi One, ground Floor

Better prepare yourself to be in a waiting list because the place tends to packed.

PS: Loving the band more and more. It's like they're playing my playlist all night, all the songs are my favorites.

Happy drinking fellow

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

K's Bakery

Already bored with your usual choices of bread? Have you ever feel that you had enough of those bakery which available in most malls in Jakarta? Well, I definitely suggest you to try this new bakery in J-Town (well not so new actually).

If by any chance you're in Kelapa Gading area, then you better stop by at K's Bakery, it's located in the Gading boulevard in the direction to MKG. Since it's impossible for me to give you the direction without mentioning other brand or store, then you should just look on your left when passing through Gading Boulevard from Pulomas to MKG.

I recommend the following types of bread:

1. Japan Pocket IDR 8.5k : filled with smoked beef, cheese, tomato sauce and covered with very thin layer of egg.
2. Yellow Sandwich IDR 9k : triangle-cut sandwich, filled with smoked beef and cheese.
3. Sushi Roll IDR 11.5k : it shaped like a sushi roll (just like its name). slices of chicken, onions, seaweed, all rolled and wrapped with a layer of bread.

I also tried few others but the above are absolutely the must-try items.

Come to the store and try it yourself, will ya?
K's Bakery
Kelapa gading Boulevard Sel No. 1-2
T : +6221 4584 1006-7


Happy tasting breadeaters....

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

Potato Head - Restaurant Review

I know this from a culinary forum and I'm curious to try. Lately, I finally have the chance to try this Restaurant.

They have indoor and outdoor seating, but you don't have to worry that you might get wet if you sit outdoor during rain time, cause the roof got it covers. They have 2 floors for indoor seating with unique restaurant design, I feel like I'm walking into an art gallery.

I ordered Beef Tendon Roll Sandwich, Spaghetti Aglio Prawn, Hot tea Earl Grey and draft beer. it's a bit weird for me, the price difference for hot tea and beer is only IDR 5k? It doesn't make sense. Hmmm....If I could give a score for this restaurant, then it would be 7 out of 10.

IMHO, The meal taste is kinda usually (just a bit above average), the place is great but the music is too loud and I can't have proper conversation here (making me feel less comfortable in it), the price that they charged us are kinda not worth it. Or Maybe I sat in a wrong place so the music become too loud and maybe I ordered wrong choice of menu so the taste is not as I expected. Ow well, maybe next time I should try it again.

Note:
Spaghetti Anglio Prawn is worth IDR 100k (rather small portion)
Beef Tendon Roll Sandwich is worth IDR 75k (the beef kinda smell weird or is it me who's weird?)
Hot Tea Earl Grey is worth IDR 30k (entitled for 1 time refill)
Bintang Beer is worth IDR 35k

Come on, let's try it again and proof me wrong. Hopefull, I choose the right meal next time.

Potato Head Restaurant
Pacific Place Mall Ground Floor
SCBD, Jl. Jend. Sudirman
T : +6221 5797 3322


Check this website to see the restaurant and promos:
www.ptthead.com


Happy tasting eaters....

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

The Apartment - Restaurant Review

Where can we get good company, delicious meal, and a comfort like in your own home? It's the hippiest new place in J-Town, The Apartment Restaurant, can give you all the above.

I know the place from a friend of mine, she said that this place is the talk of the town. So, I wanna know what so special about this new restaurant. I checked few forums and read visitors comments about the restaurant, some are good and other aren't. All those review make me even more curious to try it my self.

I wanna avoid the weekend rush so I decided to come during weekdays. The place looks exactly like what I've seen online and I immediately feel like home. I asked for a grand tour of the restaurant before I choose which room I wanna be in. They have libraries, Bathroom (the only non-smoking area), bedroom, kitchen/pantry, living room, terrace, and bar. After seeing all the rooms, I chose living room. Each room offers the same comfort, the same homey atmosphere and full of cozy sofas/chairs.

Do you ever feel that sometime it's hard to have a good conversation when you're in a restaurant because the background music is too loud? So you end up screaming to each other. Well, this is one of the reason why I love The Apartment, they play an easy listening jazzy music in the background and the volume is very friendly to your ear. I always thought that music will help set your mood or ambiance and I think The Apartment did a fantastic job for considering this into their homey concept of a restaurant.

I ordered Pizza (forget the name but it must be a pizza with meat topping), hot earl grey tea, and chocolate lava for desert on my first visit. Frankly, I didn't expect much from the meal taste because I didn't want to end up disappointed. Boy oh Boy...was I wrong. The thin crispy pizza crust combine with peperoni made a great combination and it was delicious. Then my chocolate lava came, they serve it a bit different from other restaurant, they separate the ice cream and brownie cake apart, this make the ice cream last longer and you will have hot chocolate and cold vanilla ice cream in your mouth to the very last bite....it's the best chocolate lava I've ever had.

Note:
Hot tea is worth IDR 20k (you could ask for 1 time refill only)
Pizza is worth IDR 98k (8 slices of pizza)
Chocolate lava is worth IDR 58k

They made me craving for more of their delicious meal, so I came back for second round. This time I ordered Calamari Fritter for appetizer, Gracia Tower Lasagna (one of their signature) and black burger (one of their signature also) for main course, then I order for another round of chocolate lava for desert (it's my favorite desert, so I must try it in every restaurant I visited). However, only the black burger and calamari fritter that pass my test, maybe because the lasagna taste is too sour for me. But I extremely recommend you to try the black burger, it's very yummy. They called it black burger because they made a special burger bun colored black, I'm worried about the taste at first cause I don't know whether the black color will effect the bun taste. But my oh my....they proof me wrong again. The black burger bun is even better than original burger bun, the meat is so thick, the veggies are so fresh, it just perfect. The Calamari fritter also a must try meal, they served it in big sizes cuts of calamari but it still crispy, have it with chili sauce and mayo...hhmmm....heaven on earth.

Note:
Calamari Fritters is worth IDR 55k
Black Burger is worth IDR 78k
Gracia Tower Lasagna is worth IDR 98k
Hot chocolate is worth IDR 25k (no refill)

Now I understand why this new restaurant become the talk of the town. I recommend you to come and try it yourself. Not only will you have delicious meal but also comfortableness like in your own home. You better make reservation prior to your visit especially during weekends cause the place is packed.

Restaurant information:
The Apartment
Menara Gracia Ground Floor
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Kav c-17
T : +6221 520 0380
F : +6221 522 0939
(It's right after Australian Embassy and before MMC Hospital)

Business hour:
Sun - Thu : 8.30 am - 12 am
Fri - Sat : 8.30 am - 2 am

Also check this official websites of The Apartment to see pictures of whole restaurant and check for new promo:
www.culinaryconcepts.asia/theapartment/


Happy eating homey....

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

Rakuzen Japanese Restaurant

I'm not actually a Japanese food fanatic but I'm open for new option. So I decided to try this Japanese Restaurant as per my friend suggestion.

People who have tried Rakuzen, all suggest me to try the sushi cause the taste is completely new to our tongue. Okay, noted.

I order what I love most from sushi which is Grilled Salmon Roll and they were right...The taste just blows my mind. It has this unique flavor from the combination of Grilled Salmon (with thick salmon meat), seaweed, rice, and shitaki mushroom as their very own signature. The last ingredient which makes it different from other salmon roll. Simply delicious (I'm actually drooling when writing this).

I also order Yakiniku Don and Salmon Don, all have passed my expectation. The taste was exquisite, the portion was just right. Very yummy meal...It's just too bad that I could not order any desert as my first intention. I'm full and could not eat anything else.

Aside from their outstanding meals, I would give 9 out of 10 points for their services. The waiters were always near you to fulfill your every needs and they all do it with sincere smile. Also love the restaurant atmosphere, Japanese's touch everywhere yet cozy.

Interested in giving this restaurant a try? Come and dine at:
Pacific Place 5th Floor
Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD)
Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53
T : +6221 5140 0499
Business hour : Mon - Sun 10 am - 10 pm

Happy eating...

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)

Warung Kuning Warung Bebek

March 22, 2010

Found this cozy little restaurant by accident actually, located in Southern Jakarta.

This place has an outdoor concept and surrounded with large trees, making it more cozy and breezy. A nice place to hangout with friends in the nights. It's just too bad that the place only open until 10 pm.

Like the name of the restaurant, it offers variety of fried ducks menu. They offer standard choices like:

• Bebek Kremes
• Bebek Cabe Hijau
• Bebek Bakar
• Bebek Saos Mangga
• Bebek Rica-Rica

All at the price of IDR 18k per portion (not incl rice)

The taste is quite recommended, thou they do not bring any exquisite taste to the table. The portion is rather small but the "sambal" is quite spicy.

Interested to try this new place in town?
Try finding it on Jl. Iskandarsyah II No. 19.
And proof it for yourself.

Cheers,
MissCandyBar
=)