Indonesia culinary scene has always been colourful. And it is more so today thanks to innovative restaurateurs who continue to offer exciting cuisines, local and foreign. From hawker fare to upmarket dining, new offerings are constantly being introduced and gastronomical adventures await those who are keen. The food culture is indeed blooming in Indonesia and Ramadhan offers a perfect culmination of it all – because not much else compares to rejoicing and enjoying food with loved ones for Iftar.
—–
ASIA
Jakarta – The Ritz-Carlton Jakarta Mega Kuningan, Jl Lingkar Mega Kuningan Kav. E.1.1 No. 1
Tel: +62.21.2551.8882
Website: http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/Jakarta/Default.htm
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ritzcarlton
Twitter: @ritzcarlton ; @asiarestaurant
The whirling Tanoura dancers flown in straight from Egypt are your second Iftar highlight here, after the menu of various Middle Eastern dishes. Head chef Rudolph Blattler presents cold mezedhes (platter) of tabbouleh (bulgur, tomato, parsley, and mint salad), baba ghanoush (mashed eggplant with olive oil and seasonings) and okra salad. For hot mezedhes, there are kibbeh (croquette filled with bulgur, minced meat, and onions) and falafel (deep-fried chickpea balls). If this Tunisian-Syrian-Saudi Arabian gastronomic journey is not enough for you, take a detour with some baklava, a Turkish delight.
Halal-friendly
Price Range: IDR 288,000+++
Operating Hours: Daily 6 am – 10 pm
–
CINNAMON
Jakarta – Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, Jl MH Thamrin
Tel: +62.21.2551.8882
Website: http://www.mandarinoriental.com/jakarta
Facebook: http://facebook.com/MandarinOrientalJakarta
Twitter: @MO_JAKARTA
The only hotel in Jakarta that routinely invites Michelin-starred chefs is also home to Cinnamon, a stylish all-day restaurant. At your disposal are classic dishes such as Padangnese beef rendang, ayam pop sambal hijau (steamed then fried chicken with sambal), oxtail soup and – for those who crave something Western – grilled ribs. Before sitting down for the mains, you might savour the tajil (appetiser buffet) of local delights such as bubur sumsum (rice flour pudding), bubur ketan hitam (black glutinous rice pudding), kolak candil (stewed glutinous rice ball with palm sugar) and refreshments such as iced coconut soup or shaved ice dishes. For Eid, Cinnamon also offers cookies, hampers, and its famous American chocolate cake.
Halal-friendly
Price Range: IDR 179,000+++ (children aged 5-10), IDR 268,000+++ (adult)
Operating Hours: Daily 6 am – 11 pm
–
COLLAGE
Jakarta – Pullman Jakarta Central Park, Podomoro City, Jl Let. Jend. S. Parman Kav. 28
Tel: +62.21.2920.0088
Website: http://pullmanjakartacentralpark.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/pullmanjakartacp/
Twitter: @Pullman_Jkt_CP
Surround yourself with artwork by Andy Warhol and local artists within Pullman’s industrial-style interior while you savour its tailormade Iftar business packages. They start from appetisers such as lumpiah basah (spring rolls filled with bamboo sprouts, eggs, and sweet sauce), tahu telur Surabaya (Surabaya-style fried eggs filled with bean curds) served with bean sprouts and sambal petis (shrimp-based sambal), and many more. The mains comprise spicy lamb stew, fried cuttlefish with sambal and mango salad, honey-glazed grilled chicken, fried duck and many more. The desserts are no less spectacular with Makassar-style es pisang ijo (‘green banana’ and shaved ice) with caramel and condensed milk, coconut pudding and an array of other colourful Indonesian sweets.
Halal-friendly
Price Range: Starting from IDR 200,000+++ (minimum of 20 person per meeting package)
Operating Hours: Daily 6 am – 10.30 pm
–
DE’PANS PANCAKE AND WAFFLE
Malang – Jalan Simpang Balapan no. 8 – Tel: +62.341.3254.58
Jakarta – Jalan KH Ahmad Dahlan no. 18A – Tel: +62.21.7397.665
Website: N/A
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dePansJkt
Twitter: @dePansJkt
It appears that the pancake craze has swept from Jakarta to as far as East Java in the past few years. de’Pans is one of the freshest newcomers to Jakarta with its affordable maple syrup swashbuckling affair. Start your Iftar not only with the free tajil but also with a dish of nine baby pancakes with icing sugar and a topping sauce of your choice. Choose sweet or savoury pancake or waffles,or, if you prefer, a rice box of various chicken dishes like teriyaki, black pepper, kung pao or lemon. A wide selection of coffee, from Italian to Indonesian, awaits you later.
Halal-friendly (certification in process)
Price Range: Starting from IDR 17,000+
Operating Hours:
Daily 10 am – 11 pm (Jakarta)
Mon-Fri 11 am – 10 pm, Sat 11 am – 11 pm, Sun 10 am – 11 pm (Malang)
–
HUMMINGBIRD EATERY & GUEST HOUSE
Bandung - Jalan Progo no. 14
Tel: +62.22.4212.582
Website: http://hummingbird-eatery.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hummingbird-Eatery/
Twitter: @hummingbird_eat
The Jalan Progo street dining scene has never been the same again since Hummingbird came into existence in early 2011. It not only serves modern fare with affordable price, but also never seems to run out of ideas for devising new, exciting dishes. This year, Hummingbird has produced dishes with such mixed yet complementary components as sambal ebi (chili prawns) aglio olio served with asparagus and lime, pan-fried curry-marinated dory served with mixed vegetables in a spicy and sweet soy sauce, and teriyaki beef hamburger served with rice and blanched asparagus. Not forgetting its Indonesian roots is the homemade chicken rendang with nasi uduk (coconut rice), fritters and anchovy sambal; and crispy fried duck with nasi uduk, eggplant sambal and mango salad. If you have room for more, go for the kill and order the sticky date pudding topped with vanilla ice cream and butterscotch sauce.
Halal-friendly
Price Range: Starting from IDR 39,500++
Operating Hours: Sun-Fri 7 am – 11.00 pm, Sat 7 am – 12.00 pm
–
KAFE PINANG
Jakarta – Hotel Kristal, Jl Tarogong Raya, Cilandak Barat
Tel: +62.21.2551.8882
Website: http://www.hotelkristal.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hotelkristaljkt
Twitter: N/A
Kafe Pinang has both European and Asian fare ranging from minestrone soup, osso bucco (veal shank stew) and pumpkin gnocchi with bell peppers and basil pesto sauce to saffron-marinated grilled chicken, spicy Indian potato salad, Malay beef curry and stir-fried prawns with cashew nuts.
Halal-friendly
Price Range: IDR 175,000+++ (all buffet), IDR 60,000+++ (tajil only)
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri 6 am – 10 pm, Sat-Sun 6 am – 11 pm
–
SCORE!
Jakarta – Cilandak Town Square, Jl TB Simatupang Kav. 17
Tel: +62.21.7592.2027.9
Website: N/A
Facebook: N/A
Twitter: N/A
A sports bar might seem like an unlikely for Iftar, but in cosmopolitan Indonesia, the idea is not so strange. As one of the biggest venues in Cilandak Town Square mall, Score! can cater to your Iftar gatherings with family, friends, or colleagues. For minimum of 50 people, the Score! Iftar package includes Pan-Asian and local fare like deep-fried bean curd and spring rolls, black pepper beef, and spicy grilled chicken and beef rendang. Desserts include their famous kolak pisang (banana with coconut milk). Don’t have 50 people in your party? The a la carte menu is available for individuals and smaller groups.
Halal-friendly
Price Range: Starting from IDR 90,000+++
Operating Hours: Sun-Thu 11 pm – 1 am, Fri-Sat 11 pm – 3 am
–
SEASONS CAFE
Jakarta – Four Seasons Hotel, Jl HR Rasuna Said, Jakarta
Tel: +62.21.8795.4400
Website: http://fourseasons.com/jakarta
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Four-Seasons-Hotel-Jakarta/116681685077053
Twitter: @FSJakarta
Enticing Middle Eastern delights are the theme of the month here, presented from July 19th – August 18th by Chef Moustafa Talaat from Four Seasons Cairo at Nile Plaza. If you wish to just have tajil, the Lobby Lounge offers delightful Egyptian snacks alongside savoury and sweet Indonesian delicacies for IDR 128,000+++, inclusive of fresh mocktails and flavoured iced tea.
Halal-friendly
Price Range: IDR 238,000+++ (adult, including free flow non-alcoholic beverages), IDR 168,000++ (children of age 12 and under)
Operating Hours: Daily 6 am – 10 pm
–
SUNDA KELAPA
Jakarta - Jalan Pantai Indah, Ancol Jakarta Baycity
Tel: +62.21.640.6000/7000
Website: N/A
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MCCAncol
Twitter: @MercureAncol
Executive Chef Imam Sudarsono’s love for local food has now translated into a very appealing nasi bakar (grilled rice) recipe with plenty of combinations. Have your choice of grilled rice and honey-grilled chicken with beancurd satay, boiled egg, steamed fish and lalapan (fresh veggies with sambal relish). Don’t forget their fried duck combo or the delightful prawns.
Halal-friendly
Price Range: a la carte from IDR 80,000+++
Operating Hours: Daily 6 am – 10.30 pm
–
SUPER STEAK
Jakarta – Jalan Dempo I no. 76
Tel: +62.817.6396.255
Website: N/A
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Super-Steak/
Twitter: @SUPER_STEAK
Super Steak offers more than the usual trio of barbecue, mushroom or black pepper sauces. Sink your teeth into the velvety tenderloin, juicy sirloin, or scrumptious rib-eye served marinated or accompanied by unique homemade sauces such as butter and fried garlic, mixed dried herbs with lemon, red hot chili peppers or the daringly hot Cajun sauce. This alfresco restaurant in a pleasant, quiet neighbourhood is a great place to Iftar with friends or family.
Halal-friendly
Price Range: Starting from IDR 95,000+
Operating Hours: Daily 5 pm – 11 pm
—–
Pictures courtesy of respective owners
Featured on Aquila Style on July-Aug 2012 Edition
http://www.aquila-style.com/the-magazine/iftar-guide-2012