A New Catch Called Publik Markette

A new dining experience by Ismaya. Noticeable from far away due to its catchy interior, with a mix of vintage modern, rustic and pop up. Feels like cafe we'd found abroad.

After passing the reservation table, our attention turned to a collection of jars and assorted bottles filled with spices, sauces, even White Truffle Oil Urbani. Prices from Rp35k to Rp550k. Sitting down, I ordered a drink called Green Supreme which is a mix of fruit and veggies. 

  

The dining process here is unique but quite simple. You have to bring the table number and walk through the first section of the bar, from starter to dessert and eventually beverages. In every section, there's someone helping you to explain about the food. At the end of the bar, your order would be repeated.

First Section is Starter. There's Bread with Herb Lemon Basket (20k) but I skip this. Then I'm starting to see meat. I picked Crispy Pork Belly with honey mustard (155k) with coleslaw. Turned out it was the right choice because when I touched the skin with the knife, it was very tasty. It's not bitter at all with the fat melted inside the mouth. The fresh coleslaw is a perfect pair for the salty dish.

Fellow Foodbloggers, Jzzydee and Hanshar, ordered more food. I was glad because they ordered Balinese Butter Corn (20k) on the side and Miso Mushroom Soup from the starters’ side. Corn is too spicy for me, so I decided not to dip on the sauce. But if you're a spicy fan, this is one dish you should not miss.

Balinese Butter Corn & Sausage Crostone

Miso Mushroom Soup

Then comes the Mix bolognese pasta, Peppers & Sausage Crostone (65k). I actually love the pasta because it wasn't drowned in tomato, served with balanced spices and al dente pasta. Sausage crostone is a baguette with sausages and sauce on top. The bread is a little hard, but sausages and the sauce are great.

Rotisserie Chicken with Tapenade (115k) with Nasi Briyani (15k) looked ordinary, but the first taste proved it wrong. The chicken came in half portion, with soft meat and perfect spices. A different turn from the ordinary, especially when matched with Nasi Briyani which are very daring when it comes to spices.

On the meat side is Beef Short Ribs with Cajun Remoulade (155k) is delicious and tasty, the meat can easily be separated from its bones. Sauce is great and not overpowering the meat. Juicy Lucy beef burger is a simple burger with excellent patty. You'd know at first bite that this is a high-quality burger because the meat isn't dry and is more on the juicy side. But I wish they can have something special with the buns.

Crack Pie (front) & Spanish Chocolate Cake (back)

Spanish Chocolate Cake with sea salt and olive oil would satisfy choco lovers. Salt enhanced its sweet taste. Crack pie almost doesn't have any space in my tummy, but I decided to give it a try with a small spoon. But it's not the kind of cake you can easily stop after one bite. Made of brown sugar, less sweet on its outer layer, the flavor is very familiar.

It's good to know that Publik Markette isn't just another Ismaya restaurant. It gives you a new experience, with good food that worth the price and a great space for hanging out with friends.

Thank you for Mr. Ray Soeharto for inviting us and all amazing staff at Publik Markette. We had an amazing #lunchgetaway experience.

Where's This?
Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, East Mall, Ground Fl.

(021) 23581281/82

Benedict Jakarta

When a new spot called Benedict opened at Grand Indonesia a while ago, we had determined to go there someday. Both Ruth & Fiona are big fans of the egg so there are no reason not to visit what seems to be the hottest eatery in Jakarta today.

Benedict is a restaurant under Union group which has two private dining chefs, Fernando and Ivan, on its lead. Both chefs, previously known as Good For Eats (G48), decided to opened an all-day breakfast restaurant. A concept much welcome to the busy Jakartans. Settling down for restaurants, both chefs, who met during their college days in New York, admitted they don’t want to settle for something too ordinary. Seems like a fair trade for their unique private dining jobs.

This is what we order:

• So, having the opportunity to talked to both chefs on an occasion before, Ruth decided to go for the Mexican called Huevos Rancheros (75k). Still on her mission to find the best Mexican dish in town, she enjoyed the mix Chorizo con Carne, Avocado Ceviche, Sunny Side-up, Grilled Corn Salsa and Tortilla. Churizo was good and even though it comes only in small slices, the avocado was satisfying.
• Fiona ordered Florentine (85k) which is a benedict dish with dill-cured salmon, sauteed baby spinach, tobiko, hollandaise, challah bread. It was tasty overall although more lemon on the sauce is preferred. And she would rather have English Muffin with her eggs.
• MJ (instagram @TritaMJ),  you might remember her as the dessert fan from our previous post, ordered Classic (80k), an Egg Benedict dish with Picnic Ham, Pickled Red Onion, Hollandaise, Curred Tomatoes.
• While Emy, another co-worker who has inexplicable hatred against all kinds of onion, garlic and shallots, ordered Steak and Eggs (120k). She had wanted something from the dinner list but it was unavailable until later in the afternoon. The dish comes with Shishito Peppers, Fried Eggs, Salsa Verde, Patatas Brava.

Huevos Rancheros

Steak and Eggs 

Florentine 

Classic 

Emy: Can we have this egg well-done?
Ruth, Fiona, MJ: What???
Emy: If you're pregnant you can't have eggs like this.
Ruth: But you're not pregnant...
Emy: I'd still want it well done.... (calling the waiter, ignoring her friends protests and amazement)

In case you're still wondering, Egg Benedict is an American breakfast dish consist of English Muffins, Ham or Bacon, Poached Eggs and Hollandaise Sauce. The classic dish sees variations of ingredients over the decades including he Florentine and Rancheros.

Needless to say, we liked the food. Even Ruth liked the Chai Latte she ordered. They had brought the American taste of Chai to the glass. The only problem is that the restaurant is quite pricey. Our bills came out higher than we thought it would be. Although for a restaurant in Eastern part of Grand Indonesia, the amount is probably an acknowledged standard. We would come here again for sure.

Despite our determination, this visit was rather spontaneous. We didn't have anything else in mind on where to eat within the two-hour lunchtime we have from the office. When the decision brought us to Grand Indonesia (again), we jumped for Benedict right away.

Where is this?
East Mall, Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, Lower Ground Floor,
Jl. MH.Thamrin, Jakarta Pusat
(021) 23581238

Popolamama for Pasta

One of the reasons we love Popolamama is because of its charming interior, which is perfect for friends, food and laughter.

Passing through the Grand Indonesia skybridge, you’d notice this restaurant right away. It has one of the best spot on the bridge. Grand Indonesia is one of our sanctuaries from regular office food served at our canteen. 

Eating here, we always start with pasta and dough balls with garlic and butter on the side.The dough balls came first (the’re appetizer anyway) and they are great, not too chewy not to hard. The fried garlic and melted butter are also great. 

The yummy appetizer

Ruth: So, yesterday I had Popolamama for lunch. One friend wanted to try.
Fiona: Yes, I remember Popolamama, it’s the restaurant we had dinner once with everyone from the office, right?
Ruth: Yeah, the one at Grand Indonesia. What did you ordered?
Fiona: I think it’s too oily.
Ruth: I ordered the Chicken Aglio Olio and it’s surprisingly spicy and sharp. Thankfully I ordered Ice Lychee Tea for the drink.

Chicken Aglio Olio

The pasta has no obvious sauce and is covered in green. So, when another coworker ordered a different kind of Pasta, it looks similar to the other ones on the table.

The waiter suggested pizza in the beginning, maybe we should have gone with pizza instead. They look great and they now come in personal portion in case there’s no one else to share. If you’re worried about the price – which can be a little high for some pocket, try the set menu which comes with drink, mini salad and ice cream. Guaranteed will make you happy.

Where is this?
Grand Indonesia Mall, Lantai 3A, West Mall
(021) 2358 0415
Twitter: @Popolamama_ID