Warung Kopi Klotok Jogjakarta: A Traditional Sip of Java

Jogjakarta always knows how to relax and making it such an irresistible escape. Sip your coffee, bite your fried banana while sitting in front of a rice field, and have a great day at Kopi Klotok.

Hello, this is Ruth from her holiday in Jogjakarta.

It’s called Warung Kopi Klotok. Located halfway to the famous Ullen Sentalu Museum and Merapi tours, visitors can easily find the kiosk at the end of a narrow alleyway. If you’re renting a car, the driver should know where to turn, otherwise, there are large yellow signs glued to electricity poles along the way to help you out. Don’t get discourages by the lack of parking space or the rather traditional Joglo house of the so-called café. The place is so popular that there are lines and waiting list for the food and drinks.

For the first timers, this restaurant is rather confusing because first you have to find a table and memorize the number. Then you went to order food on different corners, mentioning the table number each time. The waiter will deliver the food to you. You order drinks on a paper and picked it up yourself. Then you pay everything when you’re done.

I have to do an “indent order” for my second row of fried banana because my son finished over half of the first order in no time. Each party/table can only order up to 6 fried bananas (that’s 3 portions) and if they want to order more, they have to return to the frying corner for the second time. This place doesn’t do take out. They argued that fried banana is best served hot but the talk among townspeople offers a rather mythical version of how those yummy bananas shouldn’t reach the main road to preserve the taste.

Whatever it is, we’re having another round. So we wait.

Fat Shogun Independence Deal

Do you remember Fat Shogun? The Japanese-Peruvian restaurant returns with this awesome line up to celebrate our independence day.

This is Fiona, giving freedom a taste.

When Fat Shogun contacted me to try their Independence Deal meal, I said yes right away. I've been to Fat Shogun a couple of times and it's been on our favorite list ever since. I celebrated Valentine's day here too and would recommend this restaurant for your special occasion. The unique flavor of Nikkei keeps you coming back for more. It challenges the freshness of each ingredient, uniqueness of the sauce and toppings, in presenting you with the mix of the flavors. Definitely my kind of food. Let's see what the menu has to offer.

Ceviche With Acar Dressing
Snappers, red onion, tomatoes, acar dressing.

It's summer for sure! The spicy, sour dan fresh snappers will fulfill your longing for summer in the end of August. It comes with pickles and real chilli, if you like more spicy sensation. For me, this is more than enough. It's a good introduction to freedom. It's hard to stop and this is just the beginning.

Red White Tiradito
Seabass, tuna, mango ginger salsa.

Fresh seabass is one of my favorites, especially Tuna. But the highlight of this meal comes from its sauce: mango ginger salsa. A dominant ginger flavor which is combined with a sweet touch of mango. So it's not overpowering the fish while you still can taste the freshness.

Chicken Roll and Cod Misoyaki

Cod Misoyaki is a familiar dish, so having this included in the menu gives a homey feeling to my palate. This is my must-have menu in Fat Shogun and I'm excited that they decided to include this on theit special menu. For those who aren't familiar with the Cod Misoyaki, it's a buttery cod with crispy vegetables on top. I always ask for crispier veggies. The Chicken Roll reminds you of sushi, but instead of seaweed, Chicken is used to "wrap" the sushi. Inside is super yumny tamago. If you're up to different kind of sushi sensation, try this.

Ceviche With Acar Dressing

Red White Tiradito

Chicken Roll and Cod Misoyaki

Yuccamochi
Cassava cake and crumble.

I can smell cassava when the dish arrived in my table. Surely delicious, according to my nose. The cake is real moist (makes me wonder) plus the vanilla ice cream and crumble pair, makes this a perfect dessert. I really appreciate that the vanilla flavor doesn't overwhelm the cassava sweet ending.

Yuccamochi

If you haven't gone to Fat Shogun then this is a good time to try their dishes. They simplified their menu into these four dishes. The idea is using different ingredients in every plate so expect different range of flavors from one plate to another but still feel the Fat Shogun rhythm along the way.

The package is only 400k ++/ pax and it's only available exclusively for two days on 16 - 17 August 2017. Book today (before the 16th) and get those meals only for Rp375k++/pax.

Where is this?

Menara BTPN - Retail Tower, Rooftop Level, 

Jl. Dr. Ide anak agung Gde Agung Kav, 5.5 - 5.6 

CBD Mega Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan.

Shangri-La's Rosso: A Brunch Worth Every Penny

We think Rosso’s Brunch worth every penny (or cents?). Here are the reasons why.

• A-la-Carte Menu is included in the price. Seriously, it’s like you get the best of both worlds. You can pick and choose the orders, play it on repeat and it will always come to you. Personally, we think it’s like having the fun of buffet and the convenience of regular order-to-table dine. 
• Serious goodness is listed on the menu. And it’s only fair if we list them here for you. Our favorite is Filetto Di Manzo. Foie Gras and perfect medium beef tenderloin are still unbeatable.

• Uova Alla Franco: Black bun with Poached Eggs and Salmon Tar Tar served with Truffle Hollandaise Sauce.
• Uova Strapazzate: Ciabatta Bread with Scrambled Eggs, Pecorino Cheese, Rocket served with Black Truffle Paste and Red Pesto
• Uova Al Prosciutto: Toasted Soft Bun with Fried Egg, Parma Ham and sauteed Parmesan Spinach
• Spaghetti Polpa di Granchio E Acciughe: Spaghetti with Crabmeat and Anchovies served with Fennel Sauce and Spicy Bread Crumbs
• Filetto Di Manzo: Beef Tenderloin and Foie Gras served with Sauteed Parmesan Spinach and Gorgonzola Sauce
• Agnolotti Di Bufala E Pesto: Homemade Agnolotti filled with Buffalo Mozzarella served with Basil Pesto Sauce
• Filetto Di Cernia: Grouper Fish Fillet in Mediterranean Tomato Sauce served with sauteed Mixed Vegetable

• That serious goodness arrived on the right portion for share. So after Filetto Di Manzo.try Uova Alla Franco which has wonderful poached egg and Uova Al Prosciutto with its delicious Parma Ham.

 A-La-Cart Menu from top left: 

Uova Alla Franco, Uova Strapazzate, Uova Al Prosciutto, 

Spaghetti Polpa di Granchio E Acciughe,  Agnolotti Di Bufala E Pesto,

 Filetto Di Cernia and Filetto Di Manzo

Kedai Kopi Bang Ali: Heritage, History and #ngopidigarasi

Coffee has endless possibilities. Just when I thought I had found the best, most unique coffee shop, I encountered another one with a different story, equally interesting and delicious. This time, I (Fiona) visited the home of Ali Sadikin, former Governor of Jakarta, which has turned into a humble yet historical coffee shop.

I arrived with hubby at 10.30. Was planning for an earlier visit but I have been sick for few days and has yet to recover. Well, this visit couldn't wait, and it's hard to be sick if a coffee shop is calling. Haha. So, there we were, entering the garage of Ali Sadikin's house, the one he's living in after retiring from his job leading and serving Jakarta. The interior is rather simple with an corner where pictures and book (of his private collection) are neatly displayed.

Welcomed by the friendly servers, we ordered Ketoprak and Nasi Bakar Tuna Special. The food arrived rather quick, and surprisingly yummy. The Nasi Bakar has decent portion and plenty of fillings. Hubby likes it so much and finished it without realizing that I had been eyeing to try. Then mine arrived, a huge portion of Ketoprak. And I'm glad I'm Indonesian so I can eat that much of Ketoprak in one sitting. It's really delicious, plenty of soft tofu and, well, one-of-a-kind just perfect peanut sauce. Ask for extra chilli if you like spicy dish.

It's really homey if you sit on the corner, and there comes another surprise because the one serving us is apparently Ali Sadikin's son. Whoa! 

I personally think it's genius to combine heritage and current coffee shop trends because if it's not because of the coffee, I wouldn't have known (or cared) about where the legendary governor lived. Furthermore, there's always a story behind a coffee and finding a good one is becoming harder these days when they have turned mainstream.

Here comes the coffee. We order Hot Cappucinno (Rp.20k) dan Ice Cafe Latte (Rp. 23k). Hot Cappuccino arrived with House Blend Smoking Barrels Beans. I put it as "well-balanced". Ice Cafe Latte is another highlight of the visit. You can choose between between brown sugar and regular one. I went with brown sugar and it tastes great. There's an acid aftertaste which I like. If I'm not sick, I would have ordered twice. 

It's an inspirational visit with a great coffee. Very humble and friendly, like I believe he was. Until we meet again.

Where is This?
Kedai Kopi Bang Ali

 #ngopidigarasi
Jl. Jati Murni No.6, RT.3/RW.2, Jati Padang,
Ps. Minggu,Jakarta Selatan

Pepperoni Jalapeno Pizza and Double Chessy Bites

Pepperoni is often found on pizza. But now it has a new, foreign friend called Jalapeno. PHD introduced Pepperoni Jalapeno pizza on double cheesy bites crust paired with Nacho Cheese Dip.

It’s been a busy week at the office, and despite being on payday, we weren’t able to go out and eat fancy. So, it’s pizza time. We ordered PHD and came pizza in a box for lunch in no time (well, it’s PHD’s promise that the pizza will arrive within 30 minutes or you’ll get free voucher) to our office desk. When we opened it, we see a pizza covered in the familiar pepperoni and something else. No worries, Pepperoni lovers, there are plenty Pepperoni on each slice. While Pepperoni is a regular, Jalapeño is more often seen on Mexican – Spanish dishes and probably makes you wonder what makes the chili pepper is doing on an Italian classic.

Jalapeño brings a unique sour hint to the pizza and we like it.

But wait, that’s not all, there’s still another surprise called “double cheesy bites.” Even though the pizza came with every crust, we opted for chicken sausage and mozzarella cheese in one crust. When you dip the piece into the Nacho Cheese Dip, it makes the perfect blend on your mouth. While this probably isn’t going to be love at first bite for some taste buds, but it leaves a nice after taste that make you crave for more. Before you know it, you’re picking another slice and dipping it on the Nacho Cheese. 

We definitely love the combination because aside from pizza, we often think about ordering snacks and ended up with too much food on our table. The Double Cheesy Bites Crust can act as the fun snack. Just like you can order any crust with the pizza, you can order the crust with any pizza. Pepperoni Jalapeno Pizza starts from Rp.78k and the Double Cheesy Bites is at Rp.98k and is only available for the 6-piece regular pizza size.

Now we’re thinking, would pineapple make a great trio on this pizza?

AW Kitchen Pizza Story

AW Kitchen is always fun. They serve good food and great taste. No wonder we’ve been coming back here again and again. This time for pizza and cocktails. AW kitchen has this open kitchen on the side where you can see the oven and watch how your pizza is created. Nothing beat the feel of freshness when you see your order going in and out the oven then to your table. We love the feel of knowing the cooking process.

But before we dive into the pizza and how it tastes, let's take a look on the appetizers.