Semarang Trip -- Cafe and Restaurant Hopping

 First post in 2015! Hi everyone, if you're following me on instagram, you would know that I just got home from a culinary trip in Semarang recently. The trip was fully sponsored by OpenSnap, a new mobile app for foodie developed by the well known food website, OpenRice. They're holding lots of exciting competitions and promotions every month, and this time me and my friends happened to be the winner of their Semarang trip competition.

The prize consists a 2D1N trip to Semarang, with the accommodation and transportation fees fully sponsored by OpenSnap. This is my first time being to the city of Lunpia, and I was so excited to try as many food as my stomach could bear. This is the first part of the story, in this post I will share about the Restaurants and Cafes we visited in Semarang. But don't worry, more excitement (read : STREET FOOD) will be coming up next.

TOKO OEN

Address: Jl. Pemuda, No.52, 50138, 50139, Indonesia

Phone:+62 24 3541683

One of the icon of the city! This colonial style restaurant has easily won my heart with their old style Dutch influenced bakery and homemade ice cream. Looking at their display was such a temptation, I want to try all the bread and cookies they have. We tried one of their old style bread from their display called "Roti Telur / Egg Bread", Poffertjes, and also Rum and Raisin and Tutti Frutti Ice Cream. Everything was incredibly good! Must must must try when you're in Semarang.

PARIJS VAN JAVA

Address: Jalan Singosari Raya, Semarang, Kota Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50242, Indonesia

Phone:+62 24 8311938

This place is such a feast for the eyes. It is decorated to look like a vintage European house, with lots of vintage furniture, floral pattern, and uber cute ornaments. Every corner is photogenic! Even better, they serve various good food here. My favorite is their Nasi Bakar Parijs Van Java. The rice is so fragrant and rich, and it is served with crispy and juicy fried chicken. Totally one of the best Nasi Bakar I've ever had.

KOENOKOENI CAFE GALLERY

Address: JL.Tabanan, No.4, Candi Baru, Jawa Tengah 50231, Indonesia

Phone:+62 24 8415454

This is just the place if you want to enjoy the true essence of Semarang. Not only because the cafe is taking form of the traditional semi outdoor Joglo House, it is also strategically located at the peak of Semarang city. You know, I always love to see the skyline of the city or the city lights at night whenever I travel. If it's a modern city, I'll find their best rooftop bar. But coming to a traditional city like Semarang, I think Koenokoeni is just the perfect place. Too bad their food wasn't really outstanding, though, but the view and the ambiance are worth it.

KABUKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Address : Jl. S Parman no. 56, Gajah Mungkur

Phone : (024) 8509866

When you're craving for Japanese food in Semarang, Kabuki will come to the rescue! They're serving pretty much all kind of Japanese food, from sushi to ramen and Japadog, but they are specializing in Teppanyaki. And I must say that their Teppanyaki taste could even compete in Jakarta. Tried their Dynamite Teppanyaki, which consists shrimps and squids with their signature dynamite sauce, and it was awesome!

FLORIAN ICE CREAM

Address: JL Letnan Jenderal MT Haryono No. 571-A, Karangkidul, Semarang, 50241, Indonesia

Phone:+62 24 8412070

I'm glad we did make it to Florian before our flight back to Jakarta. Love love the place, it was decorated in pastel colors, and lots of cozy sofas. I could imagine spending hours here if only we had more time in Semarang. Their ice cream was quite pleasing too. Some of the fruit flavors were too sweet for me, and kinda taste like syrup, not real fruits, but the chocolate and mocca flavor were rich and yummy. And the waffle, it was da bomb! Probably one of the best waffle I've tasted, it was buttery fragrant and moist.

So that's all the cafe and restaurant I visited during my Semarang trip. Some of them was scheduled by the OpenSnap team, while the others are found by googling and asking some of my fellow bloggers (huge thanks to them). Anyway, the street food post will be coming up next. See you!

Truff it Out Series at Three Buns

Last minute suggestions, how about spending your Christmas lunch with the new menus at Three Buns? I believe this burger joint doesn't need the long formal intro, as they're already very well known for the scrumptious burgers and fries.

During this jolly season, Excecutive Chef Adam Penney created something new and artistic to please the loyal customers.Using truffle as the main concept, the Truff it Out series is setting higher standard for all the burger and cocktail fans out there.

Street Truff Burger (IDR 105.000)

Prime 150gr beef patty, melted cheese, lettuce, truffled onion jam, and silky den miso mayo. Definitely one of the best burger I've ever had! If the picture hasn't tell you enough, well take another look at that thick patty, it tasted as tender and juicy as it looks. And combined with the melted cheese, sweet onion with just perfect hint of truffle, also fresh lettuce and lovely homemade miso mayo, burgergasm alert!

Truffle Mac and Cheese (IDR 35.000)
Mac and cheese is such a simple yet delicious dish, but adding truffle on it has brought it to a whole new level. As sometimes creamy cheese could be overwhelming the whole dish, the earthy truffle comes as the savior to balance it. Very recommended dish, especially because they're very affordable and yet so good!

Truffle Chocolate Martini

Truffle Passion Martini (left) and Truffle Pear Martini (right)

Truffle Cocktail Selections (IDR 110.000)

Not only food, Three Buns also brought truffle to their cocktails by adding truffle oil into them (you could see the truffle oil floating at the Chocolate Truffle Martini picture above). According to Chef Adam Penney, they did research and experiment for weeks to find which ingredients match best with truffle, and these three are on the top of the list. If you want to get the strong taste of the truffle, I recommend you to try the Truffle Pear Martini though.

Truffle Gelato (IDR 25.000)

Another happy news, Three Buns is now also serving gelato! Their homemade gelato is created by the famous Milkbar. Here's the Truffle Gelato, vanilla gelato with a hint of white truffle. Unfortunately, for me, the truffle aroma was a little too overpowering, but still acceptable though.

If you're having confusion on which dish you should have because I know all of them are tempting, don't worry, because you could have it all! You could simply order the Truff It Out Set for IDR 250.000, and you'll get the Street Truff Burger, Truffle Mac and Cheese, one choice of Truffle Cocktails, and a cup of Truffle Gelato. Best deal indeed!

And while you're here, of course don't forget to order their famous Naughty Fries (IDR 55.000) as they're very damn good. It tastes so Western yet so Indonesian, you know, with that minced beef, chilli sauce, and fried shallots on the top. Finger-lickin good!







Unfortunately, the Truff It Out Series will only available during December 2014 and January 2015. This is definitely not something you could miss, dear burger lovers and fancy truffle eaters. Get on your way now.

And a couple hours too early, but Merry Christmas everyone! Have a jolly Christmas :D

Three Buns

Jalan Senopati No.90

Jakarta 12190

Indonesia

ph. +62 21 29307780

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM

Bakerzin Plaza Senayan Reopening

Bakerzin has renovated their outlet in Plaza Senayan and came back with a brand new concept: Dessert Bar. Now you can have your favourite dessert in a sophisticated bar, isn't it great?

At the first day of their opening, I got invited to their press and media event. The outlet is quite spacious, separated into two areas, which the inside is for smoking customers and the outside area is for non smoking customers. The ambiance is kinda more casual and warmer than before, love the combination of patterned floor tile, wooden furniture, and the stone on the wall.

image taken from google

image taken from google

The place was quite crowded, lots of media people and other invitations came that day. On the event, everybody is served with choice of main courses, the new dessert creations, and beverages. But before that, we were also served with the overflowing canapes.

Salmon Steak (IDR 90.000)

Grilled salmon served with sauteed baby potatoes and vegetables. Everything is cooked with perfection. Fresh and tender salmon, and perfectly seasoned baby potatoes and vegetables. Love everything about this dish.

Veal with Pesto Linguini (IDR 120.000)

Pan-fried veal with homemade pesto linguini and tomato vinaigrette. Another satisfaction. I'm actually not a big fan of pesto, but this one was actually nice. The veal also tender and beautifully seasoned.

Sliced Beef with Crushed Potato (IDR 160.000)

Tenderloin slice served over mixed vegetables and potato crush. Probably the only drawback we found that day. Actually everything's good, except the rubber-textured meat. It's just too chewy no one could chew it. Too bad since the sauce is delicious.

Classic Oxtail Soup (IDR 90.000)

Bakerzin's signature oxtail soup served with steamed rice and melinjo chips. Didn't expect much from this, but I found it the best main course of the day! Tender meat, rich soup, warm rice, Indonesian food at it's best.

Drinks, clockwise from the left: Iced Tiramisu Caffe Cinno (IDR 35.000), Sweet Peach Sparkling Fruity Tea (IDR 30.000), Iced Honey Lemon (IDR 33.000), Blue Passion Macaron (IDR 35.000)

Red Velvet Lava (IDR 55.000)

If you think chocolate molten lava cake is good, then this dish is a genius! The cake itself looked dry from outside, but actually it was kinda crunchy outside, but moist inside. Take a bite of it with the vanilla ice cream and cream cheese, and you'll find yourself drown in delicacy.

Deconstructed Foret Noir (IDR 55.000)

Another great choice for chocolate lover. Nice warm brownies, served with chocolate mousse, dark cherries, and vanilla ice cream.

Iced Puma (IDR 55.000)

The last dessert of the day. Chocolate mousse served with meringue and berries. Not a fan of chocolate mousse, but love the meringue.

Bakerzin is definitely one of the leading restaurant in Jakarta, especially in the dessert section. I've been a loyal customer of Bakerzin since long ago, and I'm going to visit it more and more now for the new dessert creations. Thank you Bakerzin for having me on your event. 

Bakerzin
Plaza Senayan Level 2

Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8 Senayan - Jakarta 10270 Ph: 021.5790 0408 Fax: 021.5790 0409facebook

E&O

It is now my third year of blogging, and it has never crossed my mind (or even my wildest dream) at the beginning that one day I could get the opportunity to eat the food of such talented and experienced chefs as Will Meyrick and Palm Amatawet -- with them also sitting in the same table. But well, it did happen last week.

I received this E&O's private media dinner invitation earlier while I was in the office, and I got really excited that I felt like jumping off my chair. I accepted the invitation and replied the email immediately. How can I not? I've been a big fan of Chef Will Meyrick since I read my fellow blogger's review on his amazing collaboration with Chef William Wongso at JCF Dinner last year. And I also have heard a lot of praises of E&O from other bloggers and friends who work around Kuningan area.

About E&O

E&O is the newest addition of the group behind Loewy, Union, Cork&Screw, and Casa Kemang in collaboration with Chef Will Meyrick and Chef Palm Amatawet, the men behind the famous Sarong and Mama San in Bali. The name E&O stands for Eastern and Oriental, representing the food they serve in the restaurant, which mostly are Thai and Vietnamese dishes. The interior has the characteristic of Loewy, but they're covering the column and ceiling with ceramic tile, adapting the Dutch Bunker in Colonial Era in Indonesia.

Pre Dinner Cocktail and Canapés

Dinner started at seven, but they're serving cocktails and canapes before the dinner time. The canapes were  made from their actual menu, but served in a bite size. 

Before we get into the pictures, I have to say sorry that some pictures don't look as good as it should be. The restaurant was warmly (if it's not dimly) light so this amateur photographer (read: me) was having trouble capturing the gorgeous food.

Pineapple Coriander Margarita (IDR 90.000)

It is a combination of pineapple, lime juice, coriander root, and silver tequila, but mine has no tequila in it. Well I'm not so into alcohol, so this one is enough for me. I am a big fan of pineapple, and combined with lime juice, it was so refreshing.

Crispy Pork Belly with Tamarillo and Tamarind Sauce (IDR 190.000/portion)

This is the only canape I tasted because I was too busy taking pictures, but the others said this one is the best among three canapes, so I feel no regret. It was indeed very good. Soft and savory at the upper part, while the bottom was very crispy. The sauce also complimented it well.

Salmon Betel Leaf with Galangal, Dried Shrimps, Roasted Chillies, Coriander and

 Salmon Roe (IDR 32.000/pc)

Chicken and Prawn in Egg Net with Peanuts, Lemongrass, Mint, Pickled Cucumber 

and Shallots Relish (IDR 65.000/portion)

The 8 Course Dinner

The 8 Course Dinner is divided into five rounds. I did noted Chef Palm's explanation of the food, but I lost it :( So all the reviews below are based on my memory. lol.

Before the dinner started, we were told by our waiter that most of the menu were meant to share. Some are spicy, so we better pair it with the white wine or the red wine.

Selection of Northern Thai Relishes with "Nam Prik Ong (Chicken and Tomato Based Condiment)", Nam Prik Goong (Ebi and Tomato Based Condiment)", Nam Prik Num (Eggplant and Tomato Based Condiment , and Crispy Tempura Vegetables (IDR 125.000)

The actual way to eat this is using the fresh vegetables as the outer skin, fill it with your choice of tempura and condiment, and eat it like Tacos. My favorite condiment was the Nam Prik Ong, as it is the least spicy.

Southern Hot & Sour Soup of Fish with Tamarind Leaves, Turmeric, Chillies, Lime Leaves, and Coriander (IDR 80.000)

It tasted great at first, but it was getting spicier that I cannot finish the soup. Well I'm not really good at eating spicy food, but maybe it will be a grat dish for chilli lovers. The only thing I managed to finish was the fish as it was so fresh and soft.

Grilled Beef Salad with Green Mango, Shallots, Peanuts, Mint, and Nahm Jim Jiaw (IDR 90.000)

It was love at the first bite! Sour and tangy green mango was actually great to be paired with the medium grilled beef. It kept me wanting for more and more, oh I wish this wasn't meant to share. lol.

"Cho Chee" of Crispy Barramundi with Chilli and Thai Basil (IDR 170.000)

The sauce tasted like red curry. It was hot and spicy, but in a delicious way. It is better to eat this dish with rice.

Oh and the rice, it is worth an extra paragraph. They are using Jasmine Rice, improted directly from Thailand. It smelt really good and made all the food more appetizing. 

Twice Cooked Beef Short Ribs with Sweet Fish Sauce, Cucumber, and Nam Pla Prik 

(IDR 220.000)

The beef short ribs was very soft and tender, and seasoned perfectly that it was sweet but also savory at the same time. 

Massaman Curry of Slow Braised Lamb Shank with Cardamom, Shallots, Pumpkin, and Tamarind (IDR 170.000) and Roti Canai (IDR 45.000)

This dish really brought our dinner into climax. Well massaman curry is the champion of the top 50 best food in the world according to CNN Travel 2011, so no wonder it's good. It's sweet, savory, spicy, definitely very rich. Usually I smell a certain aroma that I don't like when I eat lamb, but this lamb doesn't have it. It is great to be eaten with rice, but I think it is best to pair it with their Roti Canai. Definitely my favorite dish of the night.

Cocoa Ganache with Peanut Butter Palm Sugar Ice Cream and Honeycomb Crumble (IDR 50.000)

Desserts has always been everybody's favorite part of the dinner. This one is very rich in texture. Soft home made peanut butter ice cream, smooth and solid cocoa ganache, and sweet and crunchy honeycomb crumble. Spoiling your mouth at its best.

Durian Panna Cotta with White Sticky Rice (IDR 50.000)

Beautifully presented, well tasted. You know I'm not a fan of Durian, but this one has just changed my mind. You can definitely taste the durian, but it's not overpowering the whole dish. The panna cotta is sweet and smooth and already a great dessert itself, but the sticky rice just complimenting it well. The two of them really made an excellent combo.

And the night wouldn't be complete without taking picture with the duo masterminds behind the menu. Thank you Chef Will Meyrick, Chef Palm Amatawet, Ms. Raechel Temily, Ms. Catherine Vilia, and Ms. Ni Putu Wulan for arranging this fabulous event, and having me in it. And thank you to all my new blogger friends, for such a fun night. It was definitely one of my best dinner. Ever!

E&O 

Menara Rajawali 1st Floor

Jl. Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung Lot #5.1

Kawasan Mega Kuningan

Jakarta Selatan

ph.+6221.2902.3418

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