Dita

Back from holiday hiatus😅 Another food tasting event early february, I got the chance to explore Aceh culinary that I haven't tasted before!

Food and beverages: 3/5
We had aceh noodle (seafood and meat), nasi gurih (with different toppings), timpan, es teh tarik, canai bread (curry and another one topped with chocolate sprinkles and cheese). I'm not a huge fan of Aceh food but somehow I like these dishes. Aceh noodle was rich in flavor, nasi gurih had that savory taste that I love, timpan was my fave! Sweets for dessert, es teh tarik was great also, canai was okay but I like the curry since it had rich flavors.

Pricing: 4/5
Not expensive, worth the price.

Ambience: 3/5
Located in Kalimalang road, this place is relatively easy to find. Positioned at a junction, Jambo Kupi has a red signeage that makes it easier to locate. Has minimum decorations but you can see the cook making the tea tarik which can be entertaining. Not as hygienic since it's an open space.

Service: 4/5
The manager knows the dish well, can elaborate on it, and successfully answered all questions.

Highlight: Timpan, thai tea or es teh tarik is sooo good!

Got the chance to feast on this happening Mexican restaurant thanks to pergikuliner! A collaboration between Union and Loco from Singapore, no wonder this place becomes hip in a bat of an eye. Newest addition of middle-upper class restaurants in Pacific Place. One essential tip from me before you visit this place: lower your expectations! The service was not up to par with its hype.

Food and beverages: 4.5/5
Personally I’m a big fan of Mexican food. Tacos, quesadillas, nachos, guac, you name it! We splurged on a few of their menu, starting from appetizers, main dish, to desserts. 
- Con Todos: corn chips with spicy piña salsa (FAVE! Using pineapple as main ingredient, I love this one since spiciness didn’t overpower and rather addictive), guacamole (tasted great, balanced between sour and savory but lacking original avocado texture - too mushy), and salsa roja (fresh tomato and sour in the right way). Corn chips itself was salty and crisp, combined with the sauces it became even tastier! Served as a great appetizer or snack if you’re in that state where you’re not that full and still want a bite. 
- Quesadilla (Queso): quesadilla filled with fresh aged cheese and mozzarella, topped with sprinkles of jalapeño and parsley. So damn good! The cheese was so prominent, the quesadilla dough was finely sliced, it was almost like thin pizza. Jalapeño and parsley were a perfect addition that spiced it and escalated the whole thing. 
- Tacos (Cachete y Lengua): taco filled with sliced ox tongue, diced ox cheek, coleslaw, and chili. This one’s spicy enough to satisfy me! Tortilla had a distinctive floral scent that contrasted the slightly stinky meat. Somehow worked well together although the spiciness was a little too dominant.
- Tostadita (Cangrejo): crispy tortillas with blue swimmer crab, habanero mayo, avocado, and onion. Another favorite of mine! The flavorful toppings collaborated so well with the crispy corn chips! Crab was fresh and still had its texture. Had the most amazing taste! The only downside was the too small portion.
- Burrito (Camarones): this one’s only available on lunch time so if you want a bite of this, you should come by at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This burrito is filled with grilled king prawns, avocado, lettuce, achiote mayo, and quinoa. This dish is quite fulfilling while the others were more suitable for light bites. Tasted average though, the prawn had a smokey taste. The dressings were too salty.
- Pastel de Maiz Azul: cornbread served with vanilla ice cream and berries, this dessert was quite heavy. The cornbread itself was sweet, vanilla ice cream was even sweeter, and the berries balanced everything with its sourness. 
- Churros: soft batter inside and crispy outside made me understand why there’s always room for dessert. Came with two dippings: berries and chocolate. I couldn’t stop savoring this postre. 
- Orange Juice: fresh orange juice without ice! Gaaawd.

- Mandarine Jasmine Tea: very calming and smelled nice! Great choice to water down the spiciness that’s a trademark for mexican food.

Overall the foods were great, most came in small portion but since we ordered a lot it was fulfilling enough (especially the burrito). 

Pricing: 3/5
Overpriced! Even though the food tasted awesome, the portions were relatively small. Besides the food, I think they were also selling the “vibes” and ambience of this place. Con Todos costed IDR 110k, Quesadilla Queso IDR 65k, Tacos Cachete y Lengua IDR 70k, Tostadita Cangrejo IDR 105k, Burrito de Camarones IDR 105k, Pastel de Maiz Azul IDR 65k, Churros IDR 55k, Mandarine Jasmine Tea IDR 45k, Orange Juice IDR 55k, with overall tax 20% (10% service and 10% PB1). All in all the three of us spent almost IDR 900k. Pricey!

Ambience: 4.5/5
One word: fancy. A new spot located in Pacific Place, easy to spot since it’s on the outside. There are two parts of this restaurant: outdoor and indoor (you can smoke inside after 4 pm). There are only three tables available outside divided by trees and covered by glass panes that look so pretty under the sunlight. The ceilings are high and a small bar is also accessible. Once you go inside, you’ll find a pleasing bar with inviting warm lighting on the right, and on the left there are cute murals by the wall and the seatings (booths, sofas, and normal chairs). The ceilings are so high that makes the place seem so spacious and you definitely will be charmed by the iconic murals. The booths are quite cramped, the sofa can be a photogenic spot since the mural is behind it. I suggest you take the place outside since it’s very pretty! I sat in the sofa by the murals facing the bar. I just love the vibes this place offer and its super extra decors.

Service: 2.5/5
We made a reservation since the week before and specifically asked for outdoor seating but when we came, the lady upfront easily said that outdoor seatings are strictly for walk-in only and it isn’t available at the moment. They could’ve said that on the phone! We weren’t allowed to take outdoor pictures as well (with professional camera). We were seated in the booth, where we feel cramped; then we asked to move to the sofa. A few minutes later, we were told that the table was only available until 4 pm. WHAT?! Luckily the food came fast and we were able to finish it before 4 pm so all is well. The waitress and waiters were really nice and attentive though (one of them named Akmal and he’s really proficient in English, knows the dish well and was able to answer our inquiries, bravo!). Overall I was not satisfied with the service.

Highlight: start with con todos as an appetizer or snack, then have quesadilla queso and tostadita cangrejo, finish with a plate of churros and a cup of hot tea while you sit outdoor watching the cars pass or simply having a conversation with your friends! A blissful afternoon guaranteed!

Another free tasting invitation! I arrived here on a Tuesday afternoon, the place was quite empty besides the free tasting event itself. As you can tell from their name, this place is hospital-themed, complete with its wheelchairs and IV drip stands. This place can alter into a bar if you come here a bit later and yes, they serve booze. You might wonder what they serve here (like I did), well the answer is Japanese food! They also serve cute desserts that is scary to the eyes but pleasing to the tongue.

Food and beverages: 3.5/5
Like I said, it was a food-tasting event so I did taste a few of their menu and that is: 
- Pizza Creamy Salmon: this is the most outstanding dish they served! Although the dough was quite thin and not so photogenic, it was surprisingly good! The salmon was tender and it combined greatly with the mushroom and onion. The sauce complements it well.
- Teppeiyaki Chicken: this one’s another great dish. Topped with generous katsuobushi, the composition of this okonomiyaki is simply good. You can taste every element they put; especially the teriyaki sauce. Fulfilling portion. 
- Pizza Spicy Chicken: another pizza served by Hospitalis consisted of chicken bits with tomato sauce. I don’t know if it’s because of my spicy tongue but I don’t really taste the spiciness in this dish. Chicken bits was a great topping but it didn’t really make this dish stand out.
- Spicy Salmon Samba Roll: I love the plating! Looked like it came from a masterchef kitchen with green wasabi sauce alongside the chili-and-mayonnaise-topped sushi. The taste wasn’t as good as the presentation though, but it was okay.
- Fresh Transfusion: Hospitalis’ signature drink! Came in an IV Drip, it sure was a perfect fit to the whole ambience they offer. It consisted of orange juice that was contained in a transfusion bag, then you have to open the IV to let the juice fill the glass where the ice is in. A spoon with fruit toppings was put on top of it so when the juice was already on the glass, we can mix it together to create a fresh mocktail-like beverage. Me likey!
- I forgot the name but the juice came on a small bottle and an injection. It was sour even after I put the liquid in.
- Organ Surgery Parfait: Here comes dessert! This one’s full of sweetness. I like the creativity they put here such as biscuits for fingers (wasn’t crispy enough) and fondant for the eyes (this one’s hard to crack open). The parfait itself is good, suitable for a sweet tooth like me.

Pricing: 4/5
Quite low-budget, parallel with its quality. I’d say it’s worth the price. Most dishes cost less than IDR 50k while the pizza is about ID 75k+.

Ambience: 4/5
I personally dislike hospital vibes. Face it, it’s creepy and reminds me of needles and blood - the two things I fear most in life. But the truth is, Hospitalis is quite convenient - has the theme but lacking the creepiness. Murals of sexy nurses is splayed across one wall and I like how the sunlight goes through the window panes. They also have a dart board here that you can use for IDR 10k/game. Cheap right? Overall, props for the totality of the interior!

Service: 4.5/5
We were accompanied by the manager and a waiter, both were really helpful and they really master they dish like when I asked what was in the parfait, the manager explained with great detail. They were so friendly, never forgetting to smile. 

Highlight: try their pizza creamy salmon and fresh tranfusion and when you’re done, have a game of darts for some more fun.

Went here with fellow foodies to try out Killiney's new menu which will be available next week: Cakalang Fried Rice! Spicy food enthusiasts, you gotta get your hands on this.

Food and beverages: 3.5/5
Killiney offers a range of Malaysian/Singaporean foods, like Kaya Toast and Laksa Noodle. For this visit, we had a taste of their new dish: cone-shaped fried rice with cakalang (tuna fish), omelette, and chips. As I'm a spicy-lover, this fried rice suits my tastebuds (the spiciness is quite prominent so if you can't stand spicy food, order other menu). Tuna fish complemented the rice so well and definitely a perfect addition. Omelette was soft. Overall it was a recommended dish from me. I also tried their toast: it was okay but the butter was so little, the toast was almost tasteless. There was also Singaporean Noodle that tasted more like Fried Noodle rather than Laksa (the seasoning wasn't as strong). I tried their Iced Tarik Tea, it was fine but a tad too watery.

Pricing: -/5
We, foodies, were treated by foody this visit, so I don't have a say in this😜 (Thanks foody!). I did look into the menu though, it had standard pricing (probably around IDR 100k/person)

Ambience: 3/5
Located in 1st floor of south skywalk PIM, this outlet is not so big. Has little distinctive features and minimum decorations, it doesn't really stand out from others. It has a big "Killiney" sign though - easy to spot. A few power sockets are available so that's a plus and you can see the streets through the window for a view.

Service: 3/5
Waitresses were new, when I asked one of them what's the recommended dish - she replied with that "I don't know, I'm new" answer. My friend ordered dimsum and we had to wait so long before it finally came. They need to up their game. 

Highlight: Cakalang fried rice is quite addicting for you spicy lovers🍛

My family is opening a new coffee shop just next door to this famous satay joint. Went to check on the progress and got hungry so I decided to give it a shot.

Food and beverages: 3.5/5
I don't understand what's the hype all about! Yes, it's pretty decent but not that good. I had both chicken and lamb satay; chicken was actually pretty okay but they weren't generous on the sauce and sambal, the lamb I ordered wasn't cooked perfectly and the pungent taste of raw lamb was noticeable. The soy sauce was plenty but it tasted horrible - I assume they used cheap brand for it. Both meat wasn't cut equally. The only okay I can say is for the chicken satay.

Pricing: 4/5
Quite affordable. Less than IDR 30k for 10 pcs of chicken satay and lontong. I forgot the price for the lamb satay.

Ambience: 3/5
It's better to eat in the car since the hygiene of this place is questionable. Not that large, located in front of RSPP in the junction. If you drive by fast, you might miss it.

Service: 4/5
They serve really fast! Satay came only in 5 minutes after I ordered.

Highlight: chicken satay!

Went here way back when my boyfriend’s doing his thesis and I was in need for a chocolate fix.

Food and beverages: 3.5/5

I had a cup of hot chocolate - it was dark and very rich of chocolate. Personally I liked milk chocolate better than dark, so this wasn’t my favorite. My boyfriend had radler, it was light and refreshing.

Pricing: 3/5

My hot chocolate was about IDR 45k and Radler was IDR 49k both tax excluded. I’d say it’s not that worth of the money.

Ambience: 4/5

Located in Citos Ground Floor, this place is dominated by dim lighting, black interior, and its big bright white ‘Liberica’ signage. Smoking room is inside and non-smoking is the one by the corridor. A pretty decent place if you’re into watching live sports because they have a large TV.

Service: 4.5/5

Waiter was attentive and friendly.

Highlight: If you like rich hot chocolate, this place could be the right choice for you!

Was around Tebet area, ended up hungry after tagging along my boyfriend on his basketball session (him due to basketball and myself due to waiting). I’ve been curious about this place since many has given good reviews (and of course its uncostly price) so we hailed a cab and went straight here.

Food and beverages: 4/5
Woah. I know all the hype around this joint but I didn’t expect it to be this good. We ordered Fish and Chips, Cheese Melted Sauce, and Thai Tea. Both fishes were fried to a golden crisp yet still maintained to be soft inside. A hair’s breadth from Fish & Co. Fish and Chips was topped with buttermilk and came with an option of french fries or curry rice (here my boyfriend opted for the curry rice that unfortunately wasn’t served fresh) while Cheese Melted Sauce was powdered with what I assumed to be chili powder and it came with mozarella coated spaghetti. The cheese was plenty to the point it was nauseating but the pasta was okay. I had hoped that the cheese would be on top of the fish but turned out otherwise. All in all both dishes were satisfying. Thai tea was nothing but average, sweet but average. The fish itself and generous portion made up for all the downsides though.

Price: 5/5
Big-sized, great taste, AND cheap? Fish streat’s pricing is one of their selling factors that contributes to the long line of people wanting to savor this seafood. Fish and chips is sold for IDR 29k, Cheese Melted Sauce IDR 38k, and Thai Tea IDR 15k. Less than 100k for two person is a great deal indeed.

Ambience: 2.5/5
Located in Tebet Timur, it’s not hard to spot this outlet, with its large ‘Fish Streat’ signage in bright lamps. This place has minimum decorations (only a few wall posters), small tables, dirty floor, a couple of fans, and air-con. Dominated by white, this place has blue streaks and orange accents to contradict the plain-ness. Very small compared to the ever-coming customers. Should clean the floor more often and probably expand? Or add little decorations to make the place a little more eyecatching.

Service: 3/5
With the overflowing customers, they should’ve made the waitlist more organized. I came in not knowing whether I should sit right up or whether there was a waitlist that I have to queue, since no waiter/waitress were standing by the door. Damn chaotic. It turns out the waitlist-waitress was standing next to the cashier and the waitlist was written on a piece of cardboard. Cardboard, not paper. All the staffs were all over the place and not wearing the same colored shirt so its hard to differentiate between the staff and customer. It wasn’t long until I was seated but they could be more well organized.

Highlight: Fish and chips is so delish! 90% similar with Fish&Co. Worth to try.