Sipping Coffee at Hidden Headquarter of Gordi.id

If we like something, there's no doubt we'd want it in our mailbox. No, we're not talking newspaper or magazine. We're talking coffee. Wait, what? Coffee subscription? Here's Fiona’s story with Gordi.id.

 

I know what Gordi is, so when a friend of mine, Barista Wahyu Nazar posted a picture, I was beyond excited. I asked him whether it's open for public and where exactly is this place. Apparently, I happened to pass through the area with my mom and sister without any plan to stop by. But I saw Gordi and I know we have to stop. The HQ is hidden on a neighborhood at Jeruk Purut area, which is real close with my wedding venue. Should have noticed that earlier.

Despite being tucked away somewhere, this place has parking. An open space to the left matches the glass building on the right. Glass building is always good news.

Typology's Font and Food

Passing through the Wijaya area, we always noticed the glass building that looks like so much fun from the outside. It sparks our curiosity. So when the place, Typology, sent us an invitation to stop by, we didn't want to miss the chance.

Turned out Typology is a working space/eatery in one roof. When we arrived, we saw mothers with their children in one corner and people with laptop on the other end. The interior is fun and homey, with word plays on the wall as well as alphabets peeking out from the decorations. Its books and large shelves, plus the large table by the glass window remind Ruth of her college library.

Typology opened in June 2014 and soon become popular spot on weekdays as well as weekends. A little different from other cafe-like spots, this place doesn’t put coffee as its main attraction. Instead, full-course meals and sweet blended drinks are what they suggested on the menu. Well, lunchtime is here and we have that two hour time-limit from the office, so let’s get started on the food.

Look! The food has font as their names!

The first dish arrived on our table is Marlett Creamy Macaroni (Rp38k). In the typeface world, Marlett is the foundation of the maximize/minimize icon, you can see on the top right side of your windows. In Typology world, Marlett is a baked macaroni dish served with smoked beef, sausages, mushroom, creamy sauces and melted cheese. It's the kind that you can't stop eating once you gave it a try. 

Then the second dish arrived. Hobo Oxtan Rice (Rp68k), an ox-tongue cooked in Teriyaki sauce and served with steamed rice. This dish is as unique as its font name, which is best known for its singularity of having no straight lines and descender. Deliciously soft ox-tongue with teriyaki sauce that isn't too dominant comes in the right portion for lunch. This dish is a must-try.

For dessert (they called it Sweet Course), Medio Fried Oreo (Rp32k) is selected. Fried Oreo served with powdered chocolate powder. It's a surprise in every bite, although we wished there's an optional ice cream to add on. We also spotted Bario Fried Beng Beng (Rp32k) on the list and determined to give that a try next time around. Or maybe it's Helvetica "O" Pannacotta (Rp28k) just because this blog uses Helvetica font.

Both of us aren't sweet tooth, so we're more than happy to find the drinks (although they're blended) don't get overload with sugary aftertaste. Perfect for kids too! Choco Cocoa Smoothie (Rp38k) comes with Oreo on top and soon becomes Fiona's favorite. Peach Berry Smoothies (Rp38k) looks sweet and perfect for those who prefer fruity ending.

Parking is relatively easy during lunch hour, plus they have extra space in the basement if needed. Typology is also open for gatherings, small meetings (they have separated meeting room) and presentation (they have projectors and screen on the main area). It has word games too, so coming here with your children is a possibility.

While the concept of working space is quickly becoming the trend these days, we have to say that Typology does have a concept and they are sticking to it. Selecting the dishes is like choosing what typefaces should be used for a document. All done in a homey environment (especially comfortable when it rains). Whether you prefer Serif or Sans Serif, Arial or Times New Roman, once you've been here, you’re gonna spread the word.

Where is this?
Jl Wijaya I No. 5C, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
(021) 29126149

9 Cups Coffee & Roastery

For those studying at Univesitas Tarumanegara, this coffee shop should be a favorite, or at least easy to find. But for me, who wasn't Dora the Explorer, it was a little tricky. Simple signage that says "9 Cups Coffee & Roastery" was finally found among tall buildings and home-office area. 

There I was and I wasn't even sure it's open.

Fortunately, it was. When I pushed the door aside, I was greeted by Lidya and Iwan, husband and wife pair who runs the place. The cafe isn' that spacious with the roasting machine Quest M3 sharing the seating area. On the second floor is their "kitchen".

I ordered the usual Piccolo and Arum Manis manual brew. I took my time exploring the coffee shop and Iwan introduced me to the manual coffee beans cooler as well as a machine that can hold up to 250grams of beans. Tom, my partner, always enjoyed the process of brewing coffee, so he opted to seat in the kitchen.

The wonderful smell quickly filled the air.

My piccolo has balanced body and acid, like my preference when it comes to coffee. Arum Manis which is almost gone with the wind, managed to be taken away and tested. With sweet after taste and a little acid and body, it can be addictive. 

We were conversing wih Lidya, who was cooking my pancake (seerved with maple syrup). Surprise surprise it only costs me Rp 15K. No wonder this place is popular with college students. The pancake was gone within minutes too... with the rest of Arum Manis. They have pasta too, a tempting alternative which only cost Rp25k

I spotted a cold brew machine in the corner. Would love to come back and try their cold brew. Or to one of the cupping sessions they hold. It's like visiting an old friend's kitchen, complete with a warm welcome and a sincere send-off that made you promise you'll visit them again someday.

Where is this?

Jl. Taman S. Parman blok. A4, Grogol, Tomang 

(Beside Tarumanagara University Building 1)

Jakarta 11440,Indonesia

08161998716

A Dill Kind of Lunch

We're stuck with no idea what to have for lunch when a friend tag us for a short trip to Plaza Indonesia because she needed to get her bag from the laundry. Then we remember about Dill.

Serving a combination of sandwiches, pasta and Asian rice dishes, Dill is also home to various good-looking desserts and pastries. Ruth ordered Chicken Ranch Sandwich Set, which includes fries and coffee for additional Rp15k. The sandwich is tasty although the crispy bread made it a little messy to eat. Fiona's Spinach Mushroom Egg is too runny and the sauce is not as creamy as preferred. 

Fiona: How's your Americano?
Ruth: It's okay. You can get this taste anywhere though. Is that your latte?
Fiona: Yes... I thought it was a hot chocolate. I was expecting some latte art. *cry*

      

We went with two other friends, each with their own perks and favorites. So here's what on our menu:

Blushing Ice Tea (29k)
Chicken Ranch set (48k)
Korean Spicy chicken (34k)
Roasted Duck Noodle (60k)
Spinach Mushroom Egg (55k)

We spotted people working on laptops and having meetings at Dill. With its homey place, hidden under the escalator on LB level of Plaza Indonesia, no wonder many opts for this place for business meetings. Overall it's a great place to visit with friends. It's pretty for pictures too. ATM is nearby which was usually one of our reasons to go out at lunch that day.

We still have to try the dessert.

Dill Interior

Where is this?

Dill
Plaza Indonesia LB F43
021-29924512

Pastry and Coffee Story at Authentique

Our business took us to Kemang today. So, our lunch option should be around the usually-crowded-at-night area. Kemang at lunch apparently isn’t bad at all. One turn right next to Papillon, on the road that leads to Hero Kemang, brought us to Authentique. We've seen it online and had been planning for days… determining to stop if we can find the place.

Turns out there was no parking – but you can park at Hero Kemang and hike up a little bit.

The small shop has roughly 12 seats indoor and 6 others on the patio. The decoration will remind you with those little patisseries found on the street of Paris. It feels homey at the same time. When we arrive around lunch time, it wasn't that crowded.
Ruth: Fiona is doing her “healthy food week”, so no lunch except what’s on her box.
Fiona: But I can still order black coffee or tea.
Both of us ended up ordering Long Black (Rp25k) for drinks. They served water with the coffee. 

So there’s only one menu for lunch today: croque-monsieur, a French grilled ham and cheese sandwich, which comes with salad (Rp50k). Served in perfect portion, but guys probably need a second serving. The cheese is a little strong, but the crispy bread balances it well in the end. The sandwich arrives fast and goes in seconds too.

Ruth doesn’t eat vegetables, so she thinks it’s unfair to judge the greens that were sprinkled with egg white.
Fiona: You don’t eat salad…
Ruth: I don’t like vegetables.
Fiona: What kind of cheese is that on your salad?
Ruth: (tasting the salad anyway) it’s not cheese, it’s egg white.

Pastries are the highlight, spoiling the eyes with assortments of Croissant, Danish, Canale, Madeline, cakes, Macaroon, Meringue, Brownies and Moelleux (Molten Chocolate Cake). French Vanilla Custard Doughnut placed on the counter top managed to grab a spot on our takeaway bag alongside with other pastries.
Almond Croissant and Danish Chocolate are both crispy on the outside and soft in the inside. Danish chocolate comes with a perfect crunchy layers and nice chocolate filling, but almond isn't there for the croissant. Chocolate Cake is too sweet for our taste but would be a perfect pair with black coffee. You will know it's made with the finest ingredients when you taste it.

For bread lovers, they have homemade bread (multigrain, whole wheat, walnut & raisin, sourdough and baguette (Rp25k – 60k). But make sure to come early for the bread. 

But the best part is the napkin, which comes in the size of medical pill and expanded when you drop in the water. The homey feeling makes us want to return, eat some more and probably dunk some more compressed napkin. It was fun!

Authentique
(021) 718 00 11
Monday – Friday 9AM – 5PM
Saturday 7.30AM – 5PM
Sunday 8AM – 5PM