Tien Chao Live Cooking at Gran Melia Hotel

A couple weeks ago I was invited by Gran Melia Hotel Jakarta, to enjoy their new concept of 'Live Cooking' at Tien Chao Restaurant. The guest could enjoy variant of 71 dishes and will be cooked 'live' in front of them! It's always fun to see the chefs with their cooking trick isn't it ? You'll also able to interact with the chefs and get some recommendation of the menu.

With it's spacious dining area, this Cantonese and Sichuan restaurant also pleases the eye. Nice mix of Chinese-theme decor and the shades of blue ( that almost like soft jade color). 

From the Live Cooking Menu, I tried some of their appetizer which is, Seared Cod Fish with Orange and Pomelo Dressing - IDR 68.000++. It was beautifully presented, and the taste was also amazing. The Cod Fish tasted fresh, cooked perfectly with a nice crunch-outer texture. With the sour-sweet taste from the dressings, harmony in your mouth!

Still from the appetizer, Soft Shell Crab with Steamed Bun - IDR 68.000++. The super crispy soft shell crab with a soft buns!

And not to be missed on every Chinese feast, Pecking Duck! - IDR 208.000++ ( half portion ). This also tasted nice.

Scallop and Dragon Fruit Roll - IDR 33.000++. The skin was really nice, still soft and crispy at the same time. I barely can taste the scallop, but the mayonnaise and the fruit inside tasted sweet and nice.

I always love soups! That's why I also ordered their Szechuan Soup - IDR 38.000++. It was quite spicy! But that's how I love my 'hot and sour' soup! :D

What's sunday Chinese lunch without dimsum?? We also ordered the benchmark of any dimsum which is Siew Mai, Har kau and Steamed Chicken Feet with Chili and Blackpepper  - IDR 22.000/each. The Siew Mai tasted so-so to me, Har Kau the skin was a bit too thick, the chicken feet had strong blackpepper taste.

Shanghai Xiao Long Bao - IDR 22.000++. Too bad it was lacking a bit of soup inside, but the taste of the chicken meat was awesome. Savory!

Scallop Dumpling with Caviar, IDR 22.000++. This one was beautifully made too. The soft scallop on top just melts in your mouth!

From the 'Baked Dimsum' section, King Prawn with Cheese - IDR 138.000++. The King Prawn perfectly cooked with melted cheese on top! How could you resist this one?

And from 'The Wok' Section, we ordered Wok Fried Rice with Diced Chicken and Salted Fish - IDR 68.000++. Looking for more fulfilling dish? This one is for you! I always love this kind of Chinese fried rice which not using the sweet soy sauce like Indonesian did. The salted fish gives a nice salty kick! 

Wok Fried Australian Beef with Dragon Fruit - IDR 138.000++. This one is the winner !! The beef was super juicy! And the dragon fruit gives a mild sweet taste to it. Interesting flavor!

And for dessert, Mango Pudding - IDR 28.000++.

All of this you can enjoy every Sunday from 11.30 am - 14.30 pm ! Overall I really enjoyed most of the dishes from Tien Chao, and I think you will be too. Try this sunday ? 

Tien Chao Restaurant
Lobby 2nd Floor, Gran Melia Hotel Jakarta
Jl. H. R. Rasuna Said Kav X- 0, Kuningan, Jakarta
Phone : ( 021 ) 526 8080 (ext. 2322)
Facebook Page : Gran Melia Jakarta
Twitter : @GranMelia_JKT

Grand Launching of Rasa Restaurant Intercontinental Hotel Jakarta

A month ago, I was invited to the Grand Launching of Rasa Restaurant at Intercontinental Hotel Jakarta. Rasa, which means Taste in Indonesian language, offer a wide selection of Asian and European food. If you are as hungry as a tiger, Rasa could definitely fulfill your appetite!

The interior of Rasa feels so spacious since it has high ceiling. The Sungkai wood blocks brings unique character to the room, and also the Japanese batik pattern.

 
So are you ready for the food ? I am ! So for the starter, I skip the salad this time and opted some sashimi and sushi from the Japanese corner. The sashimi and sushi was tasted fresh enough.

When I pass by the soup station, I could not resist the aroma of the Oxtail Soup, so I decided to try some, and I was right ! The soup was flavorsome, and the oxtail was tender. Yum!

From the Live-Grill Station, I've try some Lamb Chop, Striploin, and Snapper. The Lamb Chop was tender enough, but the striploin was a bit chewy.

You can also enjoy the King Prawn and the other seafood and satay that they serve. The King Prawn cooked in 'Bumbu Kuning' ( Indonesian Yellow Sauce ) and Dabu- Dabu ( Indonesian salsa ) for the condiment. It was awesome! The meat tasted fresh and delicate !

From the Indonesian and Indian Station, I'm trying some Chicken Tikka, Lentils and also Mint and Mango Chutney. The Mango Chutney, oh my.... sooooo good! One of the best !

Save room for the dessert ? Always ! From the fresh fruits, ice cream, cake,waffles you name it. I didn't found some stand-out dessert here, but the ice cream was quite enjoyable.

Last words, Congratulations once again for Rasa, and thanks for inviting Intercontinental Hotel Jakarta !

Rasa Restaurant
Intercontinental Hotel Jakarta
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav 10-11, Jakarta
Phone : ( 021 ) 2510 888
Facebook : Intercontinental Hotel Jakarta
Twitter : @InterconJkt

Food Tasting : Midtown Owl

Looking for 24/7 restaurant apparently bit hard besides all those fast-food joint. If you want another option, I think Midtown Owl could be a choice for you. With their wide variety menus from Western to Asian, from Coffee to Cocktail, will satisfy your appetite. 

Midtown Owl has a quite spacious place. You can choose between outdoor sitting area, or cozy industrial look in the inside. 

Start from the appetizer, Mushroom Mushroom and Mushroom Soup - IDR 30.000. I love mushroom soup with it's tiny bits of mushroom in it, and this one just perfect. Perfect creaminess.

Melon and Mandarin Salad - IDR 39.000. Yes this salad has jelly in it! It was bit weird for me at first, but it become more enjoyable since you can taste many different textures on one dish. The balsamic dressing adding a nice sour taste to it. 

For the main course, Spring Chicken - IDR 75.000. It was presented beautifully, but too bad the chicken was too dry. The potatoes tasted nice though.

Bacon, Mushroom and  Parmesan Cream Fettuccine - IDR 42.000. There's nothing wrong with baconnnnnn. haha... This one is pretty yummy and tasted creamy enough. 

King Prawns - IDR 95.000. The prawns was cooked with some kind-of 'sambal', but it tasted way too salty for me. But the prawns tasted fresh enough though. 

For the dessert, Choco Lava. The melted chocolate cake taste scrumptious with vanilla ice cream on the side.

Ogura Green Tea Roll - IDR 35.000. Too bad the cake was too dry, and lacking of the green tea flavor.

And the drinks!

Peach Ice tea - IDR 19.000

Choco and Nut Hot Coffee - IDR 30.000

Cafe Latte - IDR 25.000

Overall, I think this restaurant has the potential, but needs a bit more improvement on the taste. I do think some of their menu was interesting, but it just need a better execution. Last words, thanks Jonathan and Midtown Owl for inviting :)

Midtown Owl 
Main Lobby Apartment Royal Mediterania,
Podomoro City
Jl. Letnan Jenderal S. Parman, Kavling 28,
Central Park, Jakarta Barat.

Phone :

(021)  29427007

Facebook  Page : Midtown Owl
Twitter : @MidtownOwl

Mooncake Festival at Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta

Near the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Chinese people always celebrates the popular harvest festival, which is the Mid-Autumn Festival. During the festival, they usually having some Mooncakes during friends or family gathering. It is also common to give packages of Mooncake to friends or family, to celebrate the festival.

So couple times ago I receive a package of Mooncakes from Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta. Under the direction of Chinese Executive Chef Benson Fok, Shang Palace at Shangri-la Hotel Jakarta prepares an elegant selection of eleven original moon cakes and seven mini moon cakes. Look at the luxurious packaging ! Definitely a show-stopper when you give it to your colleague, friends or even relatives.

Most Mooncakes consist of a thin, tender pastry skin enveloping a sweet, dense filling, and may contain one or more whole salted egg yolks in their center as the symbol of the full moon. There's also wide varieties of flavor that could be use nowadays. But sometimes, I just prefer a classic white lotus filling with egg yolk. Yum!

So the varieties of mooncake that you can order from Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta are the following : 
- Red Bean paste
- White Lotus with single/double yolks
- Red Lotus with single/double yolks 
- Pandan Paste
- Healthy Five Grains
- White/Red Lotus Paste with Macadamia Nuts
- Black Sesame  

You can also place your order here ( only available from 19 Jul 2013 through 19 Sep 2013)
 
For me, I kind of like the Pandan and Black Sesame one. Both of it tasted bit unique compared to the classic flavors. I also like the Healthy Five Grains flavor. It has a nice crunch texture in the middle of the mooncakes. So how about you? Since it's near the mid-autumn festival, go get some of the mooncakes and celebrate !
 

 

Mooncake Festival at Shangri- La Hotel Jakarta

Ph: +6221 29399562

Fax: +6221 29399688

Email: platinumclub.slj@shangri-la.com

Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta, Level 1

JL. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 1 (Wisma Kota BNI 46)

Facebook : Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta

Twitter : @ShangriLaJKT