the SAFEHOUSE

I'm always obsessed with something basic, monochromatic and simple. Especially, black and white. Both are neutral color. It's always a good investment when you bought things in this kind of color. You can mixed it with almost anything!
 
And that's why, when I first stepped in to this new hip-place, I'm immediately fall in love! The Safehouse is a concept store for Some Are Thieves, a Jakarta-based Hi-End Sneakers Brand. But they also take their food seriously with fresh ingredients and authentic Italian cuisine with a twist ( and native Italian chef too ). On weekends, the space was turn into a Bar/Club with cool playlist and DJ's. The only downside is they don't have any parking lot, so you have to take Valet or park on next door building. But they'll working on it soon though.

Atmosphere :
The Safehouse was quite spacious with two storeys and indoor,semi-outdoor space. It was very airy with high ceiling, and it makes you feel like you're not in Jakarta ! :D Some says it was very 'New York', because it's minimalist, monochrome and rigid. 

 

 

 

their shoes are pretty dope right? Proudly Made in Indonesia!

Price :
Around IDR 150.000 - 200.000/person

Food and Drinks :

We started from the appetizer, Gorgonzola Cheese + Red Beet Salad - IDR 50.000. This salad also packed with pears, wild rocket, walnuts and croutons. I love how 'rustic' it is ( I love the bowl too! ) . Beet gives a nice earthy-flavor, while balanced with the sweetness of pears and pungent Gorgonzola cheese.

Since the chef is Italian, so pasta is something that we can't missed. Sicilian 'Norma' Mezze Maniche - IDR 70.000. It was cooked al-dente, and the basil tomato sauce was very classic yet tasty.

Their sandwiches was also favorite, so we tried The Porca Troia - IDR 85.000. It's a Multigrain Ciabatta with Braised Pulled Pork Shoulder, Fresh Red Onions and homemade BBQ sauce. Never wrong with pork ;p The Ciabatta taste fresh with a bit crunch on the crust, and the meats taste nice with sweet flavor in it. Yum!
 

For desserts, you can try their 'sweet shots' - IDR 25.000/each. There's a Tiramisu, Dark Chocolate Chili Mousse, Vanila+Lemon Creme Brulee with Blueberries, 'Our Way' Apple Pie, Vanilla PannaCotta with Mango Puree. All of it was excellent ! Dark Chocolate Chili Mousse was very interesting since it has chili kick in it :D

 

For drinks, they served free 'oxygen-infused' water on every table! Nice!

You can also try their signature martinis, Peanut Butter. I love it so much since it has Baileys in it, and you definitely can taste the peanut butter. Creamy!

Melonette - IDR 50.000. Kiwi & Mint, Fresh!

the SAFEHOUSE
Lobby Level, Bellagio Mansion,
Jl. Lingkar Mega Kuningan, Jakarta
Phone : ( 021 ) 30050510
Facebook : the SAFEHOUSE

Le Café Gourmand Jakarta Opening Night

Couple of weeks ago I was invited by @inijie and @danieldeka to attend opening of this new cafe at Gunawarman. I could say I had fun that day, because I get to meet my foodie friends and also new people from F&B world. The first talk to begin with was the food, then we talk about tea, then coffee, and then chocolate. Oh my.... That's a lot ! but it's good to have your knowledge grow isn't it!

Le Café Gourmand first starting their business at Surabaya, now they spread their wings in Jakarta. It's quite ambitious isn't it, since Rodney Glick from Seniman Kopi Ubud and tea expert, Ratna Soemantri are behind them. So here are some sneak peak of what we're having on that day.

For coffee, I opted for Ethiopia Yirgacheffe brewed in Siphon - IDR 40.000. It was quite good actually. Fruity, light bodied and bit floral. They're also served other Single Origin coffee like Bali Kintamani, Sumatra Gayo, etc. 

Their milk-based drink was also suited me. Still had the body with medium acidity.

For the tea, I've tried Indonesian Genmaicha - IDR 40.000. All teas here are served properly with Japanese Tetsubin, and in many colors!!! oh my .... feels like I wanna have one at my home :p To use this kind of teapot, we have to rinse the pot and infuser with boiling water ( don't use detergen! ). The tea was surprisingly good. Genmaicha is a green tea combined with roasted brown rice. I love Genmaicha even though I know some people didn't. That roastey flavor brings out the 'umami' , even though it tends to be bitter if not served properly. Le Café Gourmand also served other Indonesian Specialty teas that I think very interesting to try! ( Like West Java Silver Needles )

 

Wanttttttt !!!

Another drink you can try is their Hot Chocolate. Once again, it's Indonesian chocolate ( from Lampung if I'm not mistaken ). Taste really good! Velvety, balanced bitterness.

For the food, I've tried Chicken Pie. It was quite like shepherd's pie with veggies on bottom, and mashed potato on top. Taste quite good actually, even though I think it's a bit dry. Not fresh enough maybe?
 
Next is Triple Chocolate Tart. I think the pastry shell would be even better if it's crumbly as in textures. It's just okay to me.
 

Their Verrine was also their signature, so I opted Pabana Cocktail. It was nice with the crumbles and sweet sour taste of raspberry and vanilla bavaroise. Yum! 

Oh yeah one more thing, their Ice Cream was awesome. You should give it a go for that one. And sorry I didn't have any interior photos, because it's sooooo packed and I'm only brought my fixed lens :p 

Le Café Gourmand
Jl. Gunawarman No 65, Jakarta
Facebook : Le Café Gourmand
Instagram : @instagourmand

Odysseia

Another new addition to Pacific Place, Odysseia located on the outside of Galeries Lafayette, just opposite the french bakery Paul. Odysseia looks interesting from the outside. There's a small dome on the exterior, and it looks very European. 

Atmosphere :
Odysseia was separate into indoor and semi-outdoor area. The indoor was quite warm with wooden floor, and the beautiful Victoria Arduino espresso machine immediately capture my eyes. Semi- outdoor area was more like European garden. Nice ambiance with combination of Asian and European style.

Price :
IDR 150.000 - 200.000/person

Food and Drinks :
For starters, you definitely won't miss their Escargot -IDR 95.000. Perfectly cooked with garlic, herbs and butter. Yum!



Next you can try their Italian menu, Creamy Chicken Mushroom Pasta - IDR 110.000. The pasta was cooked al dente, and the sauce was very creamy! Love it !



Odysseia Burgers - IDR 135.000. The interesting part is they put some cheese inside the beef patty. So when you bite into it, the cheese will melted out. Sexy!

And if you had steaks here, they will serve it with Yorkshire Pudding! I'm always curious about this British classic, and finally I could taste one. It was very light and a bit chewy, the texture kind of remind me of choux. 

And for dessert! Tropical Coconut Matcha - IDR 75.000. This one is a layer of Matcha Mousse, coconut, and biscuit base. Didn't know that matcha could really goes well with coconut before. It was quite enjoying actually, and not too sweet.

Another beautifully presented dessert, Jasmine Blanc - IDR 65.000. It's a white chocolate mousse infused with jasmine tea, then layered with jasmine pannacotta, dark chocolate mousse and almond genoise. You definitely could taste the jasmine!

Mocktail : Grape Sour Punch - IDR 55.000

Cocktail: Classic Grape and Champagne - IDR 150.000

 Odysseia
Pacific Place South Lobby,
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kavling 52 -53, Jakarta
Phone : (021) 514 00028
Facebook :  Odysseia
Twitter :  @ODYSSEIAjourney

Largo Bistrot

I could say Largo Bistrot is another my favorite restaurant. Even though big name of Aksan Sjuman was behind them, they prove that they had the same passion of 'F O O D'. With it's new interior and 'French- Western food' concept, definitely will bring some fresh air to Jakarta culinary-scene. 

Atmosphere :
Largo Bistrot were quite spacious with its 2 storey space. The 1st floor was more 'masculine' whilst the second floor more 'feminine' with floral-print touch. Since it's Aksan Sjuman, they also take their music/live band seriously. There's a small stage for gig on 1st floor, and the band who performing was selected by Aksan himself. 

Price :
IDR 100.000- 150.000/ person

Food and Drinks :
First of all, I'm sorry I couldn't including the prices because somehow I lost the data :p 

When you dine, they will give you some complimentary of.... sorry I didn't know what they called it :p mini bread? mini dough? dough balls ? anyway..... IT TASTES SO GOOD !! Baked fresh daily, served with olive oil and butter, also coarsed sea-salt sprinkled on it. It's a bit crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Just perfect! And by looking at the picture... I'm craving it >__<

 
For appetizer you could try this Mediterranean Salad. Oak leaves, romaine and aragula , marinated capsicums, marinated zucchini, tomatoes, mozarella marbles, eggplant caviar toast and Honey balsamic dressings. I love their dressings! Sweet and sour gives the harmony! The mozzarella marbles also gives a nice textures to it.

For mains, you should try their 200gr Largo Tenderloin. They use local beef!!!! The chef want the freshest meats as possible, that's why he opted using local beef rather that frozen imported beef. Doesn't it makes sense?!Yeah we've been fooled by those imported products so we forgot that our local beef also could taste better ( if you could prepared it perfectly of course ). And yes.... the meat was surprisingly tender and cooked perfectly in medium-rared. I love how they use purple yam and enoki mushroom on the sides. It's really gives color to the dish and it's different IMO! And btw, please don't ask for chili sauce ( I know many Indonesian do ), they also served the steak with their 'homemade spiced oil'. So if you like to be more spicy, just add that and it won't ruin your meats.  
 

For the 'French' side, you could opted their Confit de Canard l’Orange. It's a duck leg that cooked in duck fat, served with homemade candied orange sauce. The duck leg was quite savory, but it would be better if the skin was more crispy in my opinion. The candied orange sauce gives a nice sweet-kick to the dish.

For dessert, you cannot missed this Fondant au Chocolat. It's chocolateyyyy and the berry coulis gives a nice balance to it. Yum!

And for the drinks......  

Blue Curacao Ice Tea

Lychee Mints. Fresh !

Largo Bistrot 

Jalan Benda Raya No 7A, Kemang.
South Jakarta, Indonesia.
Phone : +621 780 4263
Facebook : Largo Bistrot Kemang
Twitter : @largokemang