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.

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

Fat Shogun's Rooftop Romantic

Win a special girl’s heart with a unique and lavish dinner. That’s probably what we brought back from this year’s Valentine’s Day. It’s all started with Fiona’s Valentine’s Day celebration at Fat Shogun.

Hello, This is Fiona.

I’m not celebrating Valentine’s Day with flower and chocolate, but a nice rooftop (romantic) dinner is hard to resist. Fat Shogun is located on the rooftop of BTPN building. There’s this simple Fat Shogun sign, dominated by the gold and black colors and the city lights reflected on the large windows. A bar is located on the corner. Needless to say, this place is romantic. 

Their inspiring set menu only adds on to the sweet ambiance. Called "Epicurian Of Nikkei," a romantic dinner journey related to Nikkei history. Nikkei is a combination of Japanese and Peruvian cuisine. So, set aside the thought of complicated stock exchange when you taste each meal. Its origin can be traced back to late 1800 when the Japanese worker immigrated to Peru, to work on railroads. Some of them stayed and the cuisines blended into what’s known today as Nikkei.

The Weekend Brunch at Yu

Great restaurants are popping out around Jakarta, including this one called Yu (Happiness). Yu Jakarta is a contemporary Taiwanese dining pop up inside the Park 5 Hotel.

Located nearby, Fiona took her family for a Saturday Brunch one weekend.

It’s super close to my house, so I’ve been thinking about trying out this place, but it wasn’t until my family threw the “Saturday brunch” idea on the table that weekend. Park 5 is a boutique hotel, nicely decorated with contemporary touch. Yu is located on the left side of the hotel’s reception. I think the area is where hotel guests go for their breakfast and that’s why Yu is only open from 11AM onwards. But that Saturday, we had to wait until 11.15 because the table isn’t ready.

The first impression of Yu is a hip café-resto with wooden, marble tables, unfinished details and wild flowers in a bottle. While waiting for the table, we decide on what to order. Yu has a special menu consisting of food and drinks and we’ve waited for almost an hour for the food to arrive on our table so the anticipation is high. Here’s what we order:

Fresh Fusion At Wilshire

The name Wilshire reminds us of one of the main roads of Los Angeles. But the Wilshire we discovered at Senopati is a comfy bar and restaurant located on top of a cake shop. Its street-facing window gives the much-needed romantic atmosphere, perfect for your Valentine’s Day.

Fiona is enjoying a nice chit-chat on a cool rainy day at Wilshire.

We found out that the name was indeed inspired by Wilshire Boulevard. And it translates to the cuisines. The foods combine local flavors with international cuisines, and are meant “to liven up Wilshire experience in Jakarta by made several fusion dishes,” said Cla Lisca as General Manager of Wilshire as quoted by the press release. The famous boulevard itself is a melting pot of different cultures which settled down in that side of California. Staying true to its name, well, we know Los Angeles is one lively place, the restaurant also provides extensive wine and liquor collection. Wilshire’s Executive Chef, Dolly Chia, is a University of Southern California and Le Cordon Bleu graduate. And I’m lucky enough to taste the following:

Indonesian Fusion at Gioi Plantery and Cookery

There is one spot in GIOI that makes us thought about eating at home with family. It’s like those perfect family dinner pictures you see abroad. The wooden homey interior with pictures and wall decorations, for a minute, created an illusion that it is actually our dining room at home.

This restaurant was perfect for special occasion, no doubt. So Fiona visited the place when Christmas vibe was still around. 

The holiday decoration is more helpful in creating “I’m home for Christmas” feeling. Red ribbons on chairs paired the leaves-and-pine Christmas décor, as well as the candles and Mason-jar-turned snowglobe table centerpieces. However, it’s a restaurant, and while at home Mom’s cooking of inherited recipes always won everyone’s heart, here you have to order dishes that suit your holiday mood. Here’s what I ordered after asking for recommendations:

Hurricane's Burger Bar Redefining Classic

A successful Australian eatery, Hurricane's Grill, opened its second establishment called Hurricane's Burger Bar in Noble House, Lingkar Mega Kuningan. Passing through the area, Fiona decided to stop by and get a bite of the Bondi Beach patty.

This is Fiona’s super burger adventure.

Yes, adventure. Because at this burger bar there’s something for everyone and tasting each combination is a unique experience of its own. But the first impression is all about casual dining, where you can sit comfortably with friends on large tables. Smoking section is available on the bar. The lively ambiance makes this a perfect spot to hang out with your colleague after office hours. 

Pick your favorite

Homemade Pasta Countdown at AW Kitchen by Akira Watanabe

Pasta party brought Fiona back to AW Kitchen by Akira Watanabe. She was there for her fiance's birthday dinner. But today is all about pasta. Please follow Fiona and her pasta-venture and be prepared to droll over the delicious dishes.

Hi, this is Fiona.

  

Let's begin with two different kinds of cold pasta served as appetizer: Tiger Prawn Capellini with Gazpacho Sauce (red) and Japanese Mushroom Capellini with Japanese Radish Sauce (green). I have an internal conflict about which one I like better. But in the end, the sourness of gazpacho sauce, played with sweet and tender shrimp and fresh summer veggies win the battle.

  

Then just like magic, plates of homemade pasta appear on the table. Fortunately it's for sharing so I can try them all. I guess this is when insanity started to surrender to taste buds.

One Afternoon at Old Town White Coffee Pakubuwono

It’s probably not too much to say that OldTown White Coffee is legendary. While our first encounter is at supermarket shelf, these days the Malaysian brand has expanded into full-serviced restaurants. Opening its latest stand-alone outlet in Pakubuwono, South Jakarta, we’re honor to be part of the crowd.

This is Ruth and her late-afternoon coffee adventure.