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

Lapar Pagi: Breakfast at Sate Khas Senayan

As breakfast is arguably the most important meal of the day, it's nice to have good food to start with. Heading to the nearest Sate Khas Senayan, we found out they are now serving breakfast too. The restaurant, which can be found in convenient locations around office area, is opening at 8 AM.

The breakfast package, called Lapar Lagi (27k), consists of food and drink, selection includes Nasi Jenggo (salted fish/Teri, chicken or beef) or Nasi Kucing (Bandeng fish, chicken or beef) served with Orange juice, unfiltered coffee or potted tea.

Before you're frowning, trying to figure out the dishes, let's tell you about them. Nasi Jenggo Teri is yellow rice plated together with Kemangi leaves, slices of egg, salted fish with peanuts, and spicy chilli. So Orange juice is the perfect fit for soothing the chili taste.

Nasi Kucing Bandeng is a unique dish. Stir the rice together with the side dishes, which is fish meat (Bandeng), slices of egg, Kemangi leaves. serundeng (shredded coconut meat) and sambal of course. Both dishes are on the perfect size for breakfast. Order tea in a pot (teh poci) to this one.

Traditional taste to early risers definitely worth more than just Rp 27k!

If you're used for a big start, order something from their regular menu. Sate Khas Senayan has Nasi Kuning ( traditional yellow rice set with side dishes) ad fried rice in the breakfast menu. So what are you waiting for? Breakfast menu is available at Sate Khas Senayan fX Sudirman, Citywalk Sudiman, Bintaro Sektor 7, Pakubuwono and Salemba from 08.00 To 10.30 EVERYDAY.

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Calling all food enthusiasts!
Sate Khas Senayan is encouraging you to have breakfast and share it with them. Join #satekhassenayanquiz with the theme of #yuksarapan during 16 - 27 Maret 2015 

T&C
1. Follow Instagram @satekhassenayan
2. Post your favorite breakfast pic on instagram and tag @satekhassenayan
3. Write on the caption why the food is your favorite.
4. Don't forget the hash tags: #satekhassenayanquiz #yuksarapan #LaparPagiSKS
5. Winner will be announced on 31 Maret 2015

First Winner will get voucher Rp500k and Second Winner will get voucher Rp300.000

Lunch at Letter D

The falling rain doesn't stop me fom visiting Letter D. Glancing at its exterior, I know for sure I'm gonna love this place. Letter D is a glass building, a little blurry because of the air conditioner during the day. So, I guess, D is for determination.

Then, entering the building, a little surprise comes in shape of a Barista table full of cakes selection. Then I entered the restaurant, climbing the stairs to my table by the window (which is as requested). D is now for decoration.

After browsing the menu, I went with Salmon Lodeh for me and Aglio Olio with Prawn for my partner, Tom. A rare thing for him to order prawn. We also order Hot Tea Chamomile to counter the cool weather out there and fresh juice. The Aglio Olio with Prawn turned out really good, the best for him, Tom said. Perfect al dente and the right amount of spice. A good thing because Tom is real picky when it comes to pasta. I'm allergic to prawn, shrimp and its families, but after the excited Tom inspired me to try, I dared myself to take a bite. Well, it was indeed fresh and juicy!

So D is for dare to try.

Salmon Lodeh 

Aglio Olio with Prawn

So, when mine arrived, I can't wait to mess around with the salmon, which was perfectly plated on top of the vegetables. A little soup makes it lodeh! Perfectly poached salmon, not dry, is meeting my preference. Even better because after a while I noticed there was no allergic reaction. Yeay! Here's another restaurant I can enjoy the prawn without worry.

D is for Delicious.

Dessert is a must

And gloomy Sunday wasn't that bad after all!

Where is this?
Letter D Cuisine & Bar

Jl. Ahmad Dahlan No.16, Jakarta Selatan

Tel: (021)7278-611

Web:letter-d.co

P.S. Letter D is opened by Chef Degan, known for his perfection and precision while judging Masterchef Indonesia.

Dinner Date at JJ Royal Brasserie

Hello this is Ruth,

When I heard about JJ Royal, what came to mind was coffee, from Robusta to Arabica and Luwak lining up on my supermarket shelf. But here I was, sitting at a brasserie (a small French café with relaxing ambiance) called JJ Royal at Lotte Shopping Avenue, Jakarta one night, ordering dinner and dessert.

Chipotle Burrito

The benefit of tagging along with a Lotte Shopping Avenue expert called MJ is that we know the best offer around the clock. MJ is one of our co-workers who is also a food (mostly dessert) enthusiast and a frequent third person in our lunch-dates. (Psst... you can find MJ on her instagram @tritamj) We arrived right at 8 PM when the buy 2 get 3 dessert promotion started. The waitress suggested we picked the three sweet items right away before they ran out for the night. Knowing that the mall is lacking sweet shop, dessert at JJ Royal Brasserie is apparently quite popular. 

Left to right: Success, Heavenly Cheesecake and Hello Pretty

“Cronut is highly recommended,” MJ said. Unfortunately they ran out of cronut for the night. Bad luck, but we moved on and selected 3 desserts: Success, Heavenly Cheesecake and Hello Pretty originally cost 39k each. Success was my picked and MJ selected the last two. She’s a huge fan of cheesecake and Hello Kitty. Success is a very thick chocolate and hazelnut blend. Despite its delicious taste (thankfully not as sweet as its look), it’s hard to finish this dessert because it’s filling. I would order this other time with a black coffee. Heavenly Cheesecake is topped with berries, and Hello Pretty (actually almond tart, white choco mousse and fruit jam) is too pretty to eat.

Enough of the dessert, we’re moving on to the main courses. Browsing to the menu, I was tempted to try their burrito (been craving for Mexican for a while). So I ordered Chipotle Burrito (75k) while MJ chose Fettuccine Chicken Broccoli Alfredo (70k) from a section called “Cosmopolitan Flavors”. Surprisingly none of us ordered coffee, probably because it’s too late.

Fettuccine Chicken Broccoli Alfredo

JJ Royal Brasserie has manga-inspired interior with modern and colorful indoor seating. The restaurant also has outdoor terrace, facing the busy Dr. Satrio street. At late night, the place is popular for hangout. Next time, because there will be next time, I’ll visit during the day, ordering their coffee break set or simply just enjoying their outdoor section.

Where is this?
LOTTE Shopping Avenue LG Floor, A01-02,
Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. 3-5, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan,
(021) 29888980
Opening Hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 10:00am - 11:00pm
Friday - Saturday: 10:00am - 12:00am

Celebrating Chinese New Year at Paradise Dynasty

Chinese New Year is a special celebration for us of Chinese descent. Even though some probably prefer to have a private dinner with close family members, many others opt for a restaurant which serves everything. Paradise Dynasty is here with the traditional Northern and Southern Chinese cuisine, placing their well-known 8-colored Xiao Long Bao as the hero.

Celebrating The year of the ram (or sheep or goat, depends on which translation you take), Paradise Group (which include Paradise Dynasty, Paradise Inn, and Canton Paradise) offered a set of program that we can’t miss. From Yu Sheng, Nian Gao Paradise, Longevity Bun and Take Away Signature Roast and Crispy Duck.

In these past years, Yu Sheng has been a regular in Chinese Restaurants during Chinese New Year celebration. The one at Paradise Dynasty include vegetable, fresh fish with plum sauce, peanut, sesame seed and some other spices directly imported from China like five spices powder (wu xiang fen) and fresh tangerine (ju zi). At Paradise Dynasty, there are two types of Yu Sheng: salmon or salmon with Japanese Amaebi. When Yu Sheng is served, the waiter will shout the blessings and all the good wishes, may your year is filled with luck, prosperity, harmony and success.

Pork Samcan and salted vegetables

We’re definitely full with the Chinese New Year set that kept arriving to our table: Tim Sup Abalone soup with Hisit and chicken, Angsio Taugan with Hoisom and Fattchoy, Lap Mei Fried Rice with taro, Pork Samcan and salted vegetables, Steamed rice lotus leaf with egg white, stir-fried Tommeo egg white and crab meat. But the best is yet to come. Macaroon Nian Gao is the best choice ever that we’re glad we had them. It’s a red Macaroon with Nian Gao (the sticky Chinese New Year cake) and shredded coconut.

Macaroon Nian Gao

Longevity Bun

When it comes to gift boxes for family members, Paradise Group has peach-shaped  Longevity Bun, arranged in a basket, available in small (38 pcs), medium (88 pcs) or large (118pcs). So, don’t worry about going home empty handed.

About Paradise Dynasty

Famous for its La Mian (handmade Chinese noodle), this restaurant’s signature is no other than La mian with Sliced Pork in Signature Pork Bone Soup. Currently opens its doors in Plaza Senayan, Jakarta, Central Park, Jakarta, Ciputra World, Surabaya, Center Point, Medan and Beachwalk, Bali.

Breakfast Menu at Pepper Lunch

Once upon a time, Pepper Lunch arrived with its unique concept: food served on a hot plate (260 Degree Celcius), mixed with secret ingredients that makes food even more delicious. Recently it introduces a breakfast menu, saying "It's never too early to enjoy our hot plate."

Early Bite is the latest breakfast menu from Pepper Lunch, perfect to start your weekend. Breakfast is served every Sunday from 8-11 AM at Pepper Lunch fX, Cilandak Town Square (citos) and Kota Kasablanka.

So, what’s on your bite?

Cheesy Omelet & Sausage
Soft and cheesy omelet with extra sausage, [buncis] and corn. Served with mashed potato and gravy in a large enough size for your power breakfast.

Hamburg Steak & Sausage
One other favorite is Hamburg Steak, served with special melted butter on top. Added to the mix are sausage, [buncis], vegetables and mashed potato. Apparently this Hamburg isn’t only great for lunch and dinner but also for breakfast. Sounds like a great idea.

Pepper Lunch first opened with the concept of DIY Japanese Teppan, giving the guests a chance to cook their own food and mix the sauces according to their personal taste. Melted butter and crushed pepper soon becomes their tasty signature. Operated under Boga Group, this restaurant is using imported ingredients from Australia, Taiwan, Norwegia and USA. Today, Pepper Lunch isn’t exclusively for the Jakartans but also opens its doors to Bandung, Surabaya, Medan, Bali, Yogyakarta and Makassar
For us, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. What do you have for breakfast?

Cheesy Omelet & Sausage 

Hamburg Steak & Sausage

What's New for Lunch: Carl's Jr. Plaza Semanggi

Carl's Jr. gave a great end-of-the-year gift, opening its 9th store in Plaza Semanggi to cater office workers’ lunch need. A relief for both of us too, because Plaza Semanggi is close to our office. So this definitely can be a lunch getaway option. 

Carl's Jr arrived in Indonesia in 2010. Three years later it was acquired by Mahadaya business group and had been opening more branches. Recently, the burger chain added breakfast to its menu. The one in Plaza Semanggi is open everyday at 7AM – 11PM daily so you can stop by here for breakfast and overtime dinner.

Why we love Carl’s Jr? Well, they serve premium, made-to-order, burgers, made of 100% pure beef and cooked with Charbroiled grill method. The result is a juicy (and filling) burger.

Let’s get to the menu!

The star is Western Beef Bac Cheeseburger. Made from juicy beef burger, cheese, beef bacon and fried onion rings. When you’re in doubt, choose this!

Well, our favorite among all is Portobello Mushroom and Cheese.

For those who prefer white meat, Charbroiled Chicken Club comes with tasty and juicy chicken meat. 

A table full of juicy food

On a diet? You can still have a burger. Just ask for their “Less Carbo” option. They put lettuce instead of the bun. Or go for the Grilled Chicken Salad.

Say YES to Less Carbo

Come dessert time, pair your burger with Hand Scooped Real Ice Cream Shakes. Carls Jr never leave you thirsty with free-refill drinks of soda, ice tea and lemon tea options.

But what we’re looking forward to try is their breakfast menu: Breakfast Burger, Sunrise Croissant Egg and Cheese, Tea and Italian Premium Coffee. Anyone up for meeting us at sunrise?

Where is this?

Plaza Semanggi, Lantai Upper Ground

Jakarta
(021) 500101