Thursday, March 14, 2013

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

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

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