Afternoon Tea for Two and Carvery at CANTEEN

CANTEEN is now serving Afternoon Tea for Two! 

Well I don't think I need to write a long introduction for CANTEEN. Has been serving you since 2008 under the same group as Loewy, Union, Cork&Screw, Casa, and E&O, CANTEEN has now becoming one of the well known and reputable restaurant in Jakarta.

Last Friday I was invited to a private tasting event to try their new Afternoon Tea for Two. Later that day, I happened to be very fortunate to meet Head Chef Chris Moes himself in person, and also tasted his signature Carvery.

CANTEEN's Afternoon Tea for Two

SWEETS
Dark Chocolate Rum Truffle
Dutch Butter Lemon Cake
Olive Oil Madeleine with Blueberries
Dark Chocolate Tart with Raspberry and Italian Meringue
Coconut Cookie
Dutch "Olie Bollen"

SAVORY
Crostino Smoked Salmon with Crème Fraîche and Dill
Crostino with Tomato Jam, Feta Cheese, and Basil
Dutch Bitterballen
Dutch Edam Cheese Croquette

and two choices of CANTEEN's gourmet tea selection:
Earl Grey, Camomile, English Breakfast, Peppermint, Ginger, or Japanese Green Tea

(IDR 165.000 ++)
Available everyday at 3-6 PM


What made CANTEEN's afternoon tea special is the taste of Dutch on the plate, which is brought directly by Chef Chris Moes from his hometown. I personally really like the Olie Bollen, a traditional Dutch food which recipe comes directly from Chef Chris' mother. His mother always made it every year only during the New Year's eve. Literally translated as "Oil Balls", it is the Dutch style Doughnut topped with white sugar, but without the hole, which was crunchy at the outside but the inside was moist and it got a glimpse taste of cinnamon.

From the Savory selections, their Crostino with Tomato Jam, Feta Cheese, and Basil 

is to die for! I've never thought that tomato could taste that heavenly. The tomato jam got melted 

as soon as it enters your mouth, and it tasted sweet. 

Well even though I'm just praising that two items, it doesn't mean that the other's not good enough.

 Every little thing on that plate was more than just satisfying, but I'm leaving it to you to try and decide

your favorite ;p

CANTEEN's Friday Special: Carvery

Carvery is held every Friday night at CANTEEN. It means that Chef Chris Moes himself will be out of the kitchen, slicing the meat for customers based on order. The meat changes every week so the customer can always taste something new. Well that night's meat was Pork Knuckle, so he didn't literally slice it, but he was preparing it for me, how lucky I am :D

Not going to hold you any longer, here's Friday Carvery menu that night: Pork Knuckle Served with Hutspot (another traditional Dutch cuisine, which is a combination of mashed potatoes, carrots, and onions), Brussel Sprouts, and Gravy (IDR 165.000). First impression, the portion was so generous that I think it could fed 2-3 girls. But then I took a bite of that crispy golden pork skin, combined with the succulent and juicy pork meat, and I just can't stop munching. In the end the portion was really too big for me to handle, but it was indeed a delightful dinner.

One last thing, I also tried one of their signature cocktail Sakura Spring (IDR 110.000) which is a mixture of Japanese Sake, Strawberry Liqueur, and Fresh Strawberries. Presentation was lovely and it tasted fresh and light. It could be a great choice to accompany your girls night out.


Well my day couldn't get any better. Thank you Febrina, Nina, Ing, and Chef Chris Moes for your kind invitation and warm companion. Till we meet again!

CANTEEN

Plaza Indonesia 

5th Floor # E02,E10, 

JL MH Thamrin, Kav 28-30, 

Jakarta, 10350  , 

Indonesia

ph. +62 21 3156537

fb. Canteen Jakarta

also available at:

Pacific Place 4th Floor SCBD

Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 52-53

Jakarta 12190

ph. +62 21 57973742

[Bali] Finn's Beach Club

If somebody asks me what's my most favourite part during our trip to Bali last month, I would certainly say that it was the afternoon we spent at Finn's Beach Club. Hidden deep behind the sturdy southern cliffs of Bali, the venue is surely a perfect hideaway from daily routines.

Let me take you for a quick tour to reach the venue. After a long ride by car, following GPS and signs on the road, we finally reach Semara Villas at Uluwatu. Finn's reception desk is located at the right side, so we went there and register our name to get the ticket. The ticket is IDR 250.000 per person, but that amount could be use to purchase food and beverages at Finn's. 

After purchasing the ticket, we need to walk down the stairs to the cable car station, ride the cable car down the cliff, and take another steps down the stairs before we finally reach the venue. It was quite a long way, but it was paid when we saw the beautiful sparkling ocean from the cable car. And even more worth it when we stepped at the soft wet sands and the cold water of Indian Ocean.

\

The beach club itself couldn't be more relaxing. Semi outdoor bamboo structured restaurant, beanbags, sunbeds, umbrellas. PARADISE, that might be the perfect word. Even better, Finn's Beach Club is limiting their customers everyday so the venue wouldn't get overcrowded. Our privacy is their priority here.

And the best part is, Finn's Beach Club is providing Kayak, Stand Up Peddle Boards, and Snorkeling Masks for the customers, and its FOR FREE! And also FREE WIFI, so you could still connect the outside world if you wish. Oh there's just too many best part of Finn's that I'm getting confused which one is the best of the best.

Anyway, no matter how beautiful the venue is, it's still goes down to the food. So here's what we had that day.

Classic Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (IDR 120.000)

You know I'm not a big fan of Salad, but I found that this Caesar Salad fresh and tastes nice. Vegetables were crunchy and nicely dressed, even more better to combine it with the grilled chicken, bacon, or the egg.

Ebi Spring Rolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce (IDR 90.000)

Served hot, generously filled, and that tangy sauce that could certainly raise your appetite, this menu has made it to my favorite at Finn's.  

Home Made Hummus with Toasted Pita Bread (IDR 75.000)

Well this is my first time trying hummus. Hummus is a Middle Eastern and Arabic food dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. Didn't expect that peas could taste like this after mashed. Quite nice, I wouldn't mind ordering that again next time.

Balinese Pizza (IDR 150.000)

Thin crusted Italian Pizza topped with Chicken, Mushrooms, Chilli, and Sambal Matah. There's a lot of restaurants in Bali selling Balinese Pizza, and Finn's Pizza wasn't the best, but it was still decent.

Nachos (IDR 90.000)

Their Nachos were served with Grilled Cheese, Salsa, Sour Cream, and Guacamole. I looove that it was served hot and the amount grilled cheese was generous.

Well there's one more thing that deserves another paragraph: Service. It was flawless. All the waiter were very kind and serve us well from the table to our sunbeds. Maybe because of the fall of their neighbor, Nammos, which I heard keep losing it's customers because their service is poor, that Finn's waiter and waitress are trying hard to win their customers heart. And they have win mine. So if you're planning your visit to Bali, don't forget to put Finn's on your schedule. You know you won't regret it.

Finn's Beach Club

Semara Luxury Villa Resort
Jalan Pantai Selatan Gau, Banjar Wijaya Kusuma,
Ungasan 80362 Bali, Indonesia

ph.+ 62 (361) 848 2111 // + 62 853 3941 1907

[Bali] Sundara at Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran

Our first evening in Bali was spent at Sundara. It was an impromptu visit, and yet it was quite a memorable one. We accidentally passed it by on our way to the Villa, and we decided to pay it a visit for early dinner.

Situated right by the Jimbaran Bay, the architecture of the restaurant is modern and classy, yet very tropical. The dining room is extending along the bay and designed with contour, so all customers could enjoy the ocean view. Other than the luxurious dining area, they also have outdoor beach club with live DJ show and poolside bed if you want more comfortable option.

Sundara is serving international food. They serve quite various meal, from the Italian delicacy to Japanese sushi and fresh seafood from Jimbaran Bay. Our choice goes down to their wood fired pizzas: Florentine -- soft egg, bacon, spinach, fetta cheese, arugula (IDR 110.000) and Prosciutto --prosciutto, arugula, tomato, mozzarella (IDR 140.000). Both were delightful! Pizzas were thin and crispy, and I surprisingly loved that they topped their Pizzas after the wood firing process, so that the topping were still fresh, especially the arugula. 

We also ordered their signature non alcoholic cocktails: Ipanema  (IDR 75.000). Made of fresh passion fruit, lime, and pineapple, it was surely tangy but refreshing. And it was served in such a huge jug that it was more than enough for the four of us.

Well great place, great food, quite reasonable price, and flawless service, all in one place. What more could you ask?

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Jimbaran, Kuta Selatan, Bali 80361

Indonesia

Ph. (62 361) 701010

www.fourseasons.com/jimbaranbay