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:

8 Must-Try Yogurt Creations at Yoforia

After the froyo euphoria had subsided, yogurt seems to be just another regular menu for the urban population. Dessert, snacks and treats for children as well as sweet-tooth adults. Then Yoforia created the twist with its tagline “when yogurt meets coffee,” using yogurt as the basic ingredients for food and beverages. Curious? 

Well, expect a long line over the weekend at Paris van Java. You’ll never miss it because the yogurt store has a large sign and located right in front. The yellow and blue exterior will grab your attention. Then the white minimalist interior gives the “I’m in mood for yoghurt” feel. On one of the wall, there’s an unfinished sketch of Bandung city from a mural artist Tufheil. Unfinished because it’s done partially every Saturday. So if you’re a regular visitor at this place, you’d notice the changes. Come on Saturday sometimes before March to see how the sketching process goes. Saturday is also special because young chef Martin Natadipraja is here to serve you his yogurt creation. 

Chill and Chilli, The Best of SenS Hotel & Spa, Ubud

SenS Hotel & Spa + Conference Ubud Town Centre looks fine from the outside. Even though it may not be one of those hotel you're immediately curious about, don't let first impression turn you back from this hotel. Entering its lobby, you're welcomed with slightly ethnic ambiance, cold towel and refreshing welcome drinks. I couldn't wait to see the room!

This is Fiona's adventure in Bali

(Clockwise from top left) 

Hotel front door, contemporary ethnic lobby,

 refreshing welcome drink with genuine Balinese smile and seating in lobby area

Room is comfortable, and as expected, neat. The most important thing for me is the bathroom and it looks clean and contemporary. Tempted to just jump into the bed, but it has to wait because we have a schedule to attend to. Let's head out and peek the pool before exploring more of the hotel's Balinese heritage architecture which blends with its contemporary interior.

(Clockwise from top left) 

First look into the room, and hey, it's swimming pool!

Tasting Japanese Food Culture at AEON Mall BSD City

Finally found my perfect dish, I ordered: a bowl of ramen, a plate of chicken steak with miso and chicken karaage on the side. The cashier gave me a pager along with receipt and changes. I was told to wait for the pager to buzz which means my food is ready. The peculiar experience is just another day at Food Culture AEON Mall BSD City. 

Hello, this is Ruth.

An invitation to attend a food blogger gathering arrived on our inbox last weekend. As curiosity defeated the laziness to drive on Sunday morning, I found myself exploring a food court called Food Culture at AEON Mall BSD City. When you heard food court at this new mall (it’s less than a year old), the first thing that come to your mind is Kedai Bungkus by the supermarket at AEON Department Store area, which is famous for its low-priced sushi and other Japanese take-home snacks. Food Culture is on the other end of the mall.

Beachlife Weekend at Radisson Bali Legian Camakila Hotel

Ever wonder how is it to live near the beach? Stop wondering and start checking in at Radisson Bali Legian Camakila Hotel. That’s what Fiona did. Read on and take a break from the everlasting Jakarta rain.

Lobby with plenty of pillows

Bali’s weather was friendly, at least during my stay there. I can get up and enjoy the warmth of the sun. Enough to received tanning notices from my co-workers (although Ruth was a bit confused -- “did you really tan?”) when I returned to work. Let’s start from the beginning then. Arriving at Radisson Bali Legian Camakila Hotel, 30-minutes away from the airport, a welcome drink was served. The property, which 116 rooms and suites, is within walking distance from popular beaches, hip shopping places and fashionable nightlife.

Gold Flakes and Magic Dishes at Huize Van Wely

Our returning visit to Huize Van Wely is for Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge.  On our previous visit, we were there for a brunch and it was satisfying, This time around they are still as consistent, giving the best by taking this challenge seriously down to the sparkling gold flakes. 

Huiz van Wely is dominated by white color, showing its luxury throughout the atmosphere. As we arrived, we're escorted to table by the bar.There we met Mr. Cien Mahardi, the restaurant's Project Manager and Mr. Ade, the senior bartender. Huize van Wely is homey, Mr. Cien said, and they're determined to translate the comfort through everything served on the challenge. Let's take a taste of what's on their menu.

Jasmine Tea Apple

Refreshing.That's the first word that popped to our mind after gulping down the drink. The balance of apple and tea is perfect. Starting simple, the drink leave a lasting impression throughout the course.

Mini Hamburg Steak dan Dilmah Brilliant Breakfast

Mini Hamburg Steak dan Dilmah Brilliant Breakfast

As the first dish arrived, we can't wait to grab the burger right away. Too bad we have to take picture first. The juicy patty is paired with quail egg on top. Take the first bite and sip the tea, it's a combination of light and richness. Then we move on to the pretty red fruit (or is it vegetable?) next door. A tomato filled with something familiar. we're curious about what's inside the tomato and finally found out it was chesnut. Huize van Welly put a lot of details on this dish. The last bite is everything on the plate, a little bit of this and that, and washed down with Dilmah Brilliant Breakfast.

The swirling lemon zest teasing the tea enthusiasts

Chocolate Eclair pairing with Ceylon's Finest - Dilmah Peppermint Cinnamon, Martel VSOP and Home-made Coke Syrup
If you ever heard that Cocktail should be shaken otherwise it isn't cocktail, think again. Mr. Cien explained that tea shouldn't be shaken but stirred instead. That's how this cocktail is created. Dilmah Peppermint Cinnamon is brewed cold (we thought cold brew is only for coffee) and is mixed with alcohol. Served on tall pretty glass with teasing lemon zest. To pair this is chocolate eclair with edible gold flakes and "polkadot chocolate". Same rules applied: take the first bite and sip the drink. But we sip the drink first just because we were too curious and, uh oh, we love the drink despite being unshaken. The tea cocktail actually provoked us to crave for the stylish eclairs. Huize van Welly is famous for eclairs, so the taste is unquestionable. Dark chocolate fillings with crispy skin is perfect for Ceylon's Finest. Can we have another set? 

Chocolate Eclair pairing with Ceylon's Finest -
Dilmah Peppermint Cinnamon, Martel VSOP and Home-made Coke Syrup

Tea is art, you just have to know the tricks

Lapsang Apricot Mousse
The most anticipated dish on the menu simply because this one tested the creativity of the chef (or bakers?). We can't imagine what the mousse would look like and were honestly expecting straightforward sweets. But the one that's arrived is far from simple. A beautiful dessert plated on a cute tea time platter. The Oval-shaped Mousse cake with crunchy homemade biscuit underneath, is decorated with edible gold flakes. First spoonful screams extraordinary inside the mouth. You can taste the tea. It's a unique taste, I haven't tried anywhere else. The creamy texture blends well with crunchy biscuit and it's a little bit smokey like the smoked apricot. Simply magical.

Lapsang Apricot Mousse

Tea isn't boring. You just have do it right. Like how Huize van Wely takes on the Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge. 

Where is this?

Huize Van Wely

The Papilion, 

Jl. Kemang Raya No. 45AA, 

Kemang, Jakarta

(021) 7191975

Staying Until Sundown at Mio Caro Coffee and Sandwiches

Since it’s weekend (hurray!), we drove a little further away from Jakarta. Venturing to Gading Serpong area, we found a beaming café called Mio Caro Coffee and Sandwiches. Arriving just after lunch, the bright afternoon sun lit up the seating area. It invited us to sit down, open our laptop and start blogging.

The smoking area, cozy and has plenty of sun

The non-smoking area

Located on the lobby of One PM Building in Gading Serpong, the parking is relatively easy. But it wasn’t the case when we left after sundown because we encountered a couple incoming cars searching for parking. The smoking area by the window is comfortable. We’re seated in the corner and weren’t really disturbed by smoke because the window can be opened. Then we turned to the cashier to order.

As we’re here on a mission, Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge, we ordered what’s on the Dilmah menu right away. The food arrived in no time. 

The first one to arrive is the Summer Tea Salad. A blend of vegetables and fruit salad gives a taste of fresh summer feeling through the strawberry and orange mixed with greens, peanuts and cheese. The tea comes in the dark-colored dressing, tasting sweet and sour to complement the summer palate. Salad (from Rp27,5k for organic or Rp39,5k for meal size) is a huge thing for this café which put forward their commitment to serve healthy food. So we’re glad they include salad in their challenges.

Summer Tea Salad

Feels like a perfect summer afternoon

Then the first pair arrives, Minty Peach Tea & Crostini. The little toast (as it literally means in Italian) is similar to bruschetta which are often found in pizza restaurants. Mio Caro Crostini Platter put chicken in the spotlight, from sweet teriyaki-like to the spicy ones that are topped with red chili cuts. A great dish to share. The different flavors are easily washed by the ice tea, so have no worries about aftertaste that could carry on to the next course. As sandwiches can be complex on their own, you wouldn’t want to order something as complicated up front. So this is a good and healthy start. 

Minty Peach Tea & Crostini

We go straight to desserts which are the flavorful Almond Tea and Brownies. Soft brownies with a cheese layer cut into triangles are served alongside Dilmah’s Italian Almond Tea. They both carry the nutty flavors. The brownies are just right they don’t make you feel overwhelmed with dough.

 Almond Tea and Brownies

The place is determined to provide the best sandwiches and coffee for those who came to exchange their stories. Fast but still tasty. Mio Caro’s concept is healthy, so expect a lot of fruits and veggies on your plate. We’ve yet to taste their sandwiches (from Rp32,5k) and paninis (from Rp25k) because the Dilmah menu is quite filling, but we ordered coffee and linger a little longer there. Sit down and smell the coffee. Grab a cheesecake too. It's thick but it tastes good.

This is how Mio Caro looks after dark

Real High Tea Challenge mission accomplished. Now we simply hope this place is reachable from Jakarta at lunchtime. But it’s a wishful thinking.

Where is this?
Mio Caro Coffee and Sandwiches
Gedung onePM Lt. Dasar
Jl. Raya Boulevard Gading Serpong Kav M5/ 17-18
TEL: 021 29171620
http://miocaro.id/

Seafood Experience Bandar Djakarta Alam Sutera

A family fun, this seafood restaurant opened another one offshore with similar concept and delicious dishes.

It's the same game:
1. You arrived and stopped by the fish market
2. You picked your favorite seafood and weigh them by the station
3. You chose the sauce and how do you want it cook.
4. You get a number and wait for the dish to arrive on your table.

The choices are plenty. From the usual Gurame, squid, crab and shrimp to the large lobster and Batik Clams. If you're unsure which way to cook, you can ask the helper (they're usually full of ideas) or you can read the recommended cooking on the wooden plate on each cooler box/aquarium. And if you feel like having more variety, divide the dishes and select different sauces for each batch.

Don't stuck with the seafood. Bandar Djakarta also serves soup, black pepper beef and assorted vegetables. Rice and Lalapan are refilled.

I would suggest ordering something iced for drinks because if you're here during the day, it can be really hot. So, something like ice coconut or iced orange juice would help you out. Also, if you're here during the weekend, try to come early before the lunch crowd take over the space, especially if you're aiming to get a spot on the air-conditioned VIP Room.

Coming here with small children will open a new experience as they can look at different kind of fish and even help picking the ones to be weighed. Next to the station is a large aquarium with small shark on it. Kids can watch the feeding time which is in the mid-afternoon.

Honestly I was a little surprised looking at the bill because it was quite inexpensive when divided among the family members who come with me. It came down to Rp250k something for 5 adults and 1 kid. Not bad, right?

Where is this?
Jl. Alam Sutra Boulevard Kav. 6 No. 3, Tangerang, Banten 15325
(021) 53140388