Rainy Sunday with Haagen Dazs Banana crepes

I have been receiving feedbacks recently that I have 'abandoned' my blog for quite a while. I am sorry for all the postponed posts, but I will make sure that I start my blogging again pretty soon!

So, to enhance the credibility of my posts, I give you some special dessert menu during your rainy day. It is already in the middle of May, and the weather is supposed to be scorching hot with shiny blue sky.
However, rain has been pouring down these few days and make us lazy to do any our routine activities.  
To enjoy this lovely weather, I will give you a 'cold' menu to complement your lazy Sunday evening.

Haagen Dasz Ice Cream has been my favorite tea-time snack for over the decades. In its outlet, we can have a dine in here and it offers not only the ice cream, but also fondues, crepes, and waffles. I have been a vivid fan of crepes that is topped with haagen-dasz ice cream and yet I can never get bored of it. Yummy ;) 

This crepe consists of two scoops of ice creams (any of your choices) and I chose my favorite ones here, which are the vanilla and cookies&cream. Complemented with sliced bananas and almond flakes as the sprinkles and finalized with caramel sauce on top. A perfect dessert for two and best served when the outside weather is chilling to give a cool sensation. The price is quite expensive for a plate of crepes (around Rp. 65.000,- ++) however it is really worth it.

Oppsie, sorry for the narcissistic picture of me, let's have a perfect picture day ! Happy Sunday all ... 

Luciole Bistro, Central Park, Jakarta

The bistro for all individual taste, where appetite and fun are melting together simultaneously.

Luciole Bistro. Another new concept of restaurants have been introduced for the Jakartans nowadays. Many new restaurant are opening but only some becoming 'hype'. Luciole means fireflies in French and the concept of this restaurant is to give soft light beauty in the details that exaggerates the existence of its luminescent phenomenon to the ambience. From its name, we can conclude that it typically serves  French or Italian food as the main dishes. However, it also serves Japanese food and other Asian favorites such as Salmon Teriyaki, Salmon Crackers, that also become one of the favorite dishes that should be tried.

Before coming to this restaurant, I have seen many reviews about the food and other dishes that are most preferable. By looking at the reviews and feedbacks from the previous visitors, it seems that there are 3 dishes that attracted my munching-instinct.

The first one is the appetizer, Salmon Cracker as the starter.

Salmon Cracker. It looks like a fried spring-roll but with a little twist for the fillings. These crackers consist of chunks of salmons and vegetable combinations, then deep-fried for the cooking process. Yummy! I really love this extraordinary crackers and the portion is enough to share for 2-3 people.

Now, let's jump into the main course, which is Risotto and Spaghetti

Risotto. errrr... I forgot the formal name of this dish, all I could recall is it is a plate of risotto. Personally, I never recommende myself to eating risotto as my main dish as I do not really like eating rice for my meal. But this risotto is somehow a little bit overcooked and the seafood essence is quite strong and I do not like this dish at all. Not highly recommended, but for any risotto lovers, well, you might want to try. After all, taste is just a personal perception, and you might disagree with me :)

Lobster Thermidor Spaghetti. Creamy al dente spaghetti that has a light cream taste for the flavor. It is delicious and I think that the creamy level is accepted (as I do not really like creamy food that much). The dish is topped with chunks of lobsters and some crabs if I am not mistaken. Overall, the dish is quite satisfying and personally recommending to try this dish.

Luciole Bistro is a place where you can have a pretty dinner with your dates, relatives, friends, and families with a view of green scenery (in the afternoon) outside. The ambience is quite phenomena with its dim light interior that gives romantic moments that sooth your emotions for the night.

Prepare your tummy and dress casually!

Location: Luciole Bistro, Central Park, West Jakarta [Jl. Let. Jend. S. Parman, Kav.28, Tribeca Park]

Telephone: +6221-2920-0333 

Email: luciolebistro@gmail.com

Website: www.luciolebistro.com (click the link for direct website) 

Luna Negra Restaurant Jakarta

Luna Negra used to be my favorite trendy Italian restaurant that serves pretty decent Italian food. Luna Negra means the 'Black Moon' and this name for a restaurant is definitely having a retro-chic meaning that could embrace the eaters to visit. Luna Negra is located on the ground floor of Plaza Bapindo and it becomes one of the 'it' places for many businessmen and socialites to hang out at.

The menus of any Italian Restaurant does seem so cliche and always ring-a-bell on the eaters' perception, which are the pastas and pizzas.

Pizza Calzone (Rp 101.000,-) Enough portion for 4 pax and you don't really need to order another appetizers. i think that the size has increased due to my past visit, it was not as big as this one if i could recall. It is my fav actually as it contains beef and cheese (perfect combination).

Penne Carbonara with Turkey (Rp 83.000,-) Creamy al dente penne with turkey bacon bits served with parmesan cheese and a triangle chip on the side dish. Honestly, the food does not look attractive as the execution is pretty BORING and it would be better if they push the chip aside. For the taste, it was sadly disappointing.

Spaghetti Aglio Olio with Seafood (Rp 93.000,-) Typical aglio olio taste cooked with seafood. The taste is very 'seafood' and I like the presentation, it seems simple but attracts others to try it. Well, looking at the price it is very expensive, and I do not really think it is that worth it for a plate of aglio olio.

Based on my personal visit in the past, i remembered that the size of the calzone is not as huge as the recent one. The taste of the overall menu is slightly declining hence with the rising price, it is not worthy at all. I love to eat at Luna Negra during the day-time as we could see the total nuance. I recommend to visit Luna Negra during the day-time especially around 3 to 4 pm.

I was pretty disappointed with the food offered by Luna Negra as they should maintain its taste rather than charging it too high and yet horrible taste. I recommend you to make a reservation even though it is weekdays, and definitely crowded during the weekends.

Location: Luna Negra, Plaza Bapindo, Ground Floor (Jln. Sudirman, Kav. 54-55)
Phone: +6221 2995 0077
Website: http://www.lunanegra.co.id/

Rate: 6/10

Moovina Mezzanine

Being on the same group that opens Ocha and Bella, Moovina Mezzanine is pretty popular with its French cuisine and Vietnamese menus, still the menus are different from Ocha & Bella. There is a special concept that can be captured from this restaurant which is it has 2 floors of spaces. Things that make it different from each floor are either of the floors are meant to be bar and snack seat and light meal, while the other one is for the heavy-meals. i forgot which of which is meant to be the light meal section, but you may ask the receptionist about that. 

Moovina was first opened in early October 2012 if i was not mistaken, and many peeps were buzzing around about this new hype place. Being a vivid and curious muncher, i always insist my friends to try the latest place in Jakarta. Gratefully, having a quick getaway on last Saturday, I summoned my friends to try Moovina together as three of us have not been here yet (in spite of all the trends that many have tried this restaurant)

Open kitchen. I always love to look at the chefs preparing for food. Somehow, I look like a fool drooling on every food being plated. HAHAHA

Not being able to comprehend, but I could simply guess it relates to food ?

Lemon tea sorbet Rp 38.000,- I like it as it is not too sweet no too sour and yet it is refreshing. I ordered for a lime one actually, but the waiter ended up hearing for lemon instead of lime.

Just an exhibition but really photogenic. I wish I could snatch it away from ice-plate.

A starter, mushroom soup, typical taste but PRICE-Y ! Rp 55.000,-

Penne Estate Rp 70.000,- The penne is al dente, it means that it is not overcooked and slightly has a good texture when it is bitten. I like the Bolognese sauces really marinates the overall dishes. Definitely I will be coming here again eating this one.

Bread Basket, complimentary from the restaurant. The garlic butter really has the "it" taste when it was applied to the breads.

Trio of mussels Rp 95.000,- These mussels are served in 3 different ways and taste. These remind me of the three musketeers movie who have different personalities within one another. It has the spicy, sour, and wine sauce over in each bucket. I didn't order this one, but I had a try. As I am not a vivid fan of this kind of seafood, I realized that the mussels were not marinated well enough as the sauces were all at the bottom, and the top mussels were not blended in it. My friend said that the mussels were not cleaned enough as she swallowed bits of sands while eating them. 

Beef Prov, Rp 170.000,- According to the taste and size of the meal, I still could not understand what makes it so EXPENSIVE and hence it is just an ordinary beef stew. The meat contains of beef and pork meat with dice of potatoes. Nothing so special and the taste is average, do not really recommend this one. 

Candid shot, taken by my friend. I like the lightning without any needs of editing it.

I was wearing: Forever 21 Green Blazer and Shorts // Zara Black Top // Tory Burch Wedges // Balenciaga City Bag.

When you initiate to visit Moovina, it is better to go during the day time as you can see the window view while eating. however, when it comes to night time, Moovina is transformed into magnificent elegant for having both light and heavy dinner. Despite the high price, the service here is not that bad as the waiters are friendly and have quick response. Besides, if you want to have a relaxing weekend night, you can just sit at the bar section and have a light conversation with your partner and friends.

Location: Moovina Mezzanine, Plaza Indonesia 4th Floor

Phone: +6221 2992 3999

Rate: 7/10

Tee 9 (Nine) Resto & Lounge

MODERN HOSPITALITY. Remember the time when I said that restaurants in Jakarta are expanding from time to time? Yes, they DO! Recently, I went out to try this new resto and lounge which most of us are not that familiar enough, as it is NEW. Located in the heart of Central Jakarta, IndoSurya Plaza (Thamrin), this recently opened place was really comfortable, with less crowd, especially during the weekends.

Just like my subtitle above, the modern hospitality, the interior was really very decent yet has the classy style. It's the remedy kind-of-thing that I have been searching and hard to find. it is modern, simple, and yet hospitality. It feels like you have never been far away from you home.

 Shrimp Cocktail. 

As these photos were taken months ago, I did not remember for the dish name and prices as well. My friend, Bryan, helped me to take these shoots as I forgot to bring my memory card (yes, indeed i only brought my camera, such a shame).

After all, the price of food is not that fancy and yet affordable, and the place is not crowded at that time, even though it was weekend. The taste is average rating, does not have its specialty, it should outstands its 'recommended' menu so it will differentiate it with other competing restaurants. Definitely, a good place to hang out for hours as it is quiet and soothing.

Location: Tee 9 Restaurant, Gedung Indosurya Plaza, Jl. MH Thamrin Kav 8-9, JakartaSelatan

Phone: +6221 3190 6198

Rate: 6.5/10

Ratatouille French Bistro & Bar

Bonjour, foodies! It's been a while that I have abandoned this little corner of my food blog. First of all, I would like to apologize for the no-post in 2 months period due to my busy schedule (Christmas events and final exams/projects were occupying my time a lot). However, I am currently having my short break and I make a comeback to upload new photos on the blog.

Secondly, HAPPY VALENTINE's DAY to all of you, hope your day was filled with joy and lots of love :* . This post is about my pre-valentine dinner that was celebrated before the actual Valentine's Day. My friends and I went to a French cuisine restaurant, that is called Ratatouille. Well, all of you might remember the Disney movie titled Ratatouille, aren't you? It is about a 'fantasized' mouse which has the ability to cook and have a great taste for food. However, it does not happen in this restaurant (of course!) and the cleanliness should not be doubted.

 Le wall of wine - you may select your own preference wine and shows your vinery skills of choosing the best wine on the wall.

Our Balenciaga bracelets in two different blue colors. 

Lychee tea. The taste is typical and yet refreshing. I love the pink rose as the background it is cute and yet boost up the lovey-dovey mood. Rp 30.000,-

Salades (Salad) - Salade d' Orange Rp 60.000 - Rp 75.000,- I didn't try this salad as it contains smoked salmon that is not yet half-cooked.

A bucket of complimentary bread served with garlic butter.

Soup of the day ! On that day, we were lucky enough to be served this delicious tomato soup (served while hot). The four of us agree that the tomato soup taste like Bolognese sauce with a little creamier texture in it. Rp 45.000,- 

Amuse Bouche (Bar Snack) - for the starter, we ordered these fries fritters that consist of Frites aux Truffes or Truffle French Fries (Rp 45.000,-) and Frites de Patates Deuces or Sweet Potato Fries (Rp 35.000,-) 

Entrees (Starter) - this is literally the main dish that represents the restaurant's name, Ratatouille. The dish consists zucchini, eggplants, bell pepper, tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese on top of the thinly sliced vegetables. The taste is quite good as it was my first time trying it and I am pretty satisfied with it. Rp 50.000,- 

 Poulet Roti - it is basically a roasted herb chicken served with the ratatouille. Honestly, I like this dish the most that I have ever tried in the restaurant. I recommend eating the sauce with the truffle fries as it creates new taste sensation and blends well in mouth. Rp 85.000,-

 Tartines or Galettes section - Steak minute Tartine,  a fillet beef steak with caramelized onion and served with homemade mustard. It is actually quite tasty for my personal opinion, however it was too salty when i tried it. I am a type of person who loves salty food however this dish is given too much salt. it would be better if they put less salt on it. When I told the waiter about this 'too salty' issue, he directly told the chef and the chef was kind enough to make me a new one. But I refused because it is still acceptable especially the marinated beef, it was so tender and nicely spiced. Rp 75.000,- 

L' Asie (Asia Cuisine) - Crispy Chicken, crispy fried tender chicken served with rice, bean sprout and traditional chillies. Rp 80.000,- 

with my lovely friends, the single ladies and gentlemen *winks*

Ratatouille French Bistro & Bar is a homely dining experience when you enter the restaurant you will feel like you are in traditional Parisian bar and accompanied with French songs. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and starts its operational hour at 8 am daily. The ambience that you feel gives more sophisticated feeling and you will feel amazed with the surrounding areas. I am pretty satisfied with its service and the dish, and feel comfortable for many hours hanging out in there.

Location: Ratatouille Bistro & Bar, The H-Tower GF and Mezzanine, Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said, Kav 20 Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan

Contact number (booking reservation): +6221 529-00351 / www.ratatouillejakarta.com (click the link for direct website)

Rate: 7/10