Review: The Cafe at Hotel Mulia

Last Sunday, me and my partner went to The Cafe at Hotel Mulia for their Lunch Buffet. I have heard a lot about them, mostly about the dessert place. They said The Cafe has dedicated room for only dessert. How fancy!!

These are foods from our plates;

My 1st Plate; Texas BBQ, Onion Loaf, Beef Croquete, Roasted Herb Potato

 I didn't finish the beef, both of them as it is not really suit my taste. I am sure they taste great. I just prefer my meat to be induced on so many flavors and spices, instead of a bland one. The onion loaf was sooooo delicious. I am not a big fan of onion, but I ate a big chunk of it anyway. Roasted herb potato dipped in chili sauce was super yummm!

His 1st Plate

 He seems to really enjoy his first plate. He said the bread was fluffy and chewy, a good combination with garlic sauce.

My 2nd plate; Safron Rice, Aloo Kulcha?, Dal Tadka, Butter Chicken, Pappadams

 For Indian food in hotel buffet, I would say this is good one. I would not say that this is one of the best Indian food. Because Indian food dedicated restaurant might have better authentic taste. But I still enjoy The Cafe's Indian foods too, especially the Dal Tadka (Yellow Dal/Mung bean soup).

His 2nd Plate; Crackers and Variety of Cheeses

The Cafe has an outstanding cheese collection. They have at least 15 different type of cheeses; parmesan, mozarela, gouda, blue cheese, cheddar, etc. My partner said (He loves cheese, all kinds of cheese) The Cafe might be one of the best buffet with excellent choice of cheeses and those cheeses are grade A quality. 

My 3rd Plate: Dal Tadka again, Garlic Naan, Smoked Beef

I was stunned as turned out The Cafe has a fancy meat section too. All kind of smokey to tapas looking meat are available. I took a slice of whatever that is, my guess would be smoke beef. For Muslim fellow,  they have pork too there. So make sure you read the sign to find out what kind of meat you are about to eat. I had to get another portion of Dal Tadka. I love it.

His 3rd Plate: Cheese Naan, I called it Cheesy Naan

He was so happy with his 3rd Plate. He said there is so much cheese inside. Just look at how chewy looking is that cheese that came out of the naan. Yumm!!!

My 1st dessert; Chocolate Bar with Vanilla Cookie

His 1st dessert: Napoleon looking dessert,

His 2nd dessert

his 3rd dessert. He actually ate this 2 selections twice. Coconut Pineapple and Coconut Oreo

My 2nd Dessert: Floating Island

This one!!! This is it!! The one!!! Spongey Meringue floating on top of cold drippy chocolate sauce. My highlight of that day!!!

My 2nd Floating Island topped with pistachio. This is just keep getting better!!! 

Overview;
Food        : 9.0 (me) 9.3 (him)
Service    : 9.0 (me) 9.0 (him)
Location  : 7.0 (me) 7.0 (him) It was tooooo crowded.

Make sure to call and book a seat as it might be super crowded.

The Cafe, Hotel Mulia
Jl. Asia Afrika Senayan, Jakarta Selatan, DKI Jakarta 10270, Indonesia
+62 21 5747777

Intercontinental MidPlaza Jakarta: Rasa Restaurant and Scusa Italian Restaurant Review

Intercontinental MidPlaza Jakarta is a very familiar place for me. If you check their Facebook page, you will see how close they are with the staffs. It just feels like a home. I mean Hotel Industry is all about Hospitality. But in Intercontinental, they take it to the next step which is Friendliness, just the right amount of it without taking away your privacy.

I couldn't count how many times I have been to their Rasa and Scusa Italian restaurant. Our main reasons for keep coming back were because of the price for their outstanding buffet and with that price you get to enjoy buffet in both restaurant. Yup, you heard me right. Pay one for 2 buffet restaurants. I don't really remember the price, but I am pretty sure it was cheaper than Ritz Carlton, Sultan, Mulia, and ShangriLa.

Plus the staff won't hesitate to approach you and ask about your day or your food experience in the restaurant. They do care and they are friendly without being intruding your space.

These are our plates:

The Indian food was not bad, but I didn't feel the authenticity. Rasa Restaurant

Very creamy. Bf seems to like it. I am not a big fans or creamy milky stuff since I have lactose intolerant.

A plate from Scusa

Was hoping they would have dark choco fountain. This one is too milky for me.

Some kind of interesting looking pasta that made him go yummmmmm

Another plate from Scusa. Aaah look at the fresh looking veggies.

A plate from Rasa yummmm

A pancake plate from Rasa drizzled with plenty of dark chocolate and yes oh yes it was yummy.

Milky chocolate ice cream, too milky for my taste but great for those who loves milky creamy flavor.

BBQ Plate from Rasa Restaurant, freshly BBQ-ed by the staff.

Delicious soft bread and perfectly cooked salmon.

Another plate from Scusa. Boyfriend really loves their cheese collection especially the Blue Cheese. He claims that he ate the best cheese ever in Intercontinental MidPlaza Jakarta. This is big deal, since he is American yet the best cheese he ever tasted was sold in Indonesia hihihi

Grade:

Service: 8/10

Food: 8/10

Place: 8/10

Price: 9/10

Overall: 8/10

Call for Price.

Where to go:

InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza 
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 10-11, Jakarta 10220, Indoneesia 
Tel: (62-21) 251 0888 | Fax: (62-21) 251 1777

Ritz Carlton Mega Kuningan: Asia Restaurant Review

I have been to Asia Restaurant back then when I just started working as PR for this Korean Company I used to work for. We often rent rooms for our guests in Ritz Carlton. I remember I used to pick them up in the hotel and they would offered me to have breakfast with them first. I usually took the offer because I love Asia Restaurant's foods. It was 3 years ago, but it was still vivid in my memory that this buffet could be one of the best or maybe the only best buffet in Indonesia.

I was in a mood to rekindle that memory, so I decided to go there again with Mr.Giant (boyfriend). We both love international buffet and have been trying plenty buffet restaurants and hotels in Jakarta. I told him what I remember about Asia Restaurant and he was so curious. He wanted to prove it that it is indeed the best buffet in Jakarta.

We went there on Sunday brunch. There was a lot of people there. These are my plates;

Dim Sum plate

Variety of Salads: Artichoke salad, Brussel Sprout salad, Soba Noodle salad, Fennel salad, Capri salad. This is the best salad bar I have ever seen. Their salads are to die for. Soba Noodle was the best out the best, like 10 out of 10.

Cheese Selection was not a lot of variety. Hoping to get more.

Mamacita Mamamiya Yummy Yummy Tom Yum Soup. Seriously one of the best I have ever tasted. Fresh yet very tasty.

Had to get more of Soba Noodle Salad

Wish to get more Dark Chocolate variety, but most of this were too milky for me.

Too milky. I prefer dark chocolate. Too bad they don't have any.

Generous amount of Beef Oxtail

Grade:

Service: 7/10

Food: 9/10

Place: 8/10

Price: 6/10

Overall: 8/10

Call for Price.

Where to go:

1. Address: JL. Lingkar Mega Kuningan Kav. E.1.1 NO.1, Mega Kuningan, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Jakarta Pusat, DKI Jakarta, Indonesia

   Phone:+62 21 25518882

   Hours:

   
   

   Open today · 6:00 – 10:00 am, 12:00 – 2:30 pm, 6:00 – 10:00 pm

My 20+ (something) Birthday, A Day Closer to 30

A week before the big day:
Gyaaaaaaaaaa
I am gonna be a day closer to 30 and I haven't reach to a place where I wanna be yet.

2 Days before:
I think I am gonna have a lonely birthday. None ask me out for dinner party nor preparing a surprise birthday party for me. I am no longer in college, none will do that here.

A day before:
I don't think people will even remember.

The Day:

Morning;
Someone left a gift on my doorstep with a cryptic note saying "TO: 나의 사랑하는 진구" which means " TO: My lovely Friend"
I found a really cute wooden color keys and rubber strap. The note says that this might be a key to open door of my happiness or any other fortune door. I love the concept. Totally romantic. I know it then, that my day is gonna be great. I can feel the air of greatness.

It doesn't say who sent the gift. But I could guess. It must be a friend from college who stays in the next dorm. And I was spot on. She admitted it. Love her sweet gesture and looooove the gift.

Morning in the office;
A friend of mine who sat right in front of me and whose face I saw everyday gives me a really cute jar. I was so happy because I am collecting cute jars now. I have always been a fan of cute packaging and jars. I started collecting it after a trip to Singapore where I found small jelly jars. Her gift was the perfect addition to my collection. Also I love flowery pattern.

Afternoon;
Boyfriend has been sulking since last night. He said everyone trying to steal his thunder, first with the first one to congratulate me and now with the cryptic yet romantic gift. I didn't notice he was plotting something. Until the security in my office said that there is a package waiting for me in the front desk.
Turned out he ordered cookies set from my fav bakery in town, The Harvest.

Love the classy packaging and colorful cookie jars. Another addition to my jar collection and I am sure it will taste great. Tho I will try not to open it till July 28th for Ied Day. I am sure everyone in my hometown would love to try this cookies.

Evening after office:
I spent an hour dinner with my boyfriend's mom. She was a sweetheart. We talked about the house, her trip, my trip to Bira Island this upcoming weekend, and about his son/my boyfriend. We shared a lot in common like our favorite chicken part is the leg or how we like tempe, etc. It was fun. And I get to play with the adorable cousin whom her laughter will lit up any room she is in. Love this little girl.

Night:
Earlier this morning, my fav hotel called me to congratulate me. I was surprised because it has been a while I haven't visited that hotel. To my surprise, they said they want to send something. I have them sending it to my home. I thought it was probably some merchandise.
When I came home, my 'mbak' said there is a package for me and she put it in the fridge. Turned out it was a huge Strawberry Cheesecake. They also came with a note of congratulation. They wrote it with pen and they signed on it. I can feel the sincere of it. How nice of them to send me the cake, write handwriting note too.
I must have talked a lot about this hotel and brag a lot about it. How could I not if they are this sweet?

Intercontinental

I decided to bring it to the office. And now, everyone has been urging me to cut the cake. I think it is gonna be all gone by the end of the day.

It was a perfect birthday. I got so many wishes on all my socmed account, not to mention the personal message on almost all of my chatting app. I feel blessed and loved. I wasn't even thinking about how old I feel like. If being 28 years old is gonna be this amazing. I will embrace it gracefully. The first day of 28 has been awesome!!! I am proud to be 28.

JimBARan Outdoor Lounge: Grand Opening Night

JimBARan 4 days before the launching

Address: Intercontinental Jakarta Mid Plaza Hotel. Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav 10-11, Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10220, Indonesia

Phone:+62 21 2510888

Website

Jakartan will be very happy to know that there is a new hotspot to hangout with a new unique concept located in the heart of Jakarta or known as the Golden Triangle of Jakarta, Sudirman area.

Intercontinental Jakarta Mid Plaza Hotel or known internationally as Intercontinental Hotel and locally as Mid Plaza Hotel, finally launched their new bar with a unique concept. They merged a bar/lounge with an essence of Indonesian culture on their design. It is not just any bar, it is more like an outdoor lounge where you can gaze at the stars or Jakarta lights. The lightning surrounding the area made to look romantic and comfortable for the eyes. The sounds of dripping water merge beautifully with the music.

Prior to the event, they sent me an invitation by mail with the cutest form of invitation. I adore the design so much that It will definitely stay in my table as a room decor. I didn't expect the invitation to be this gorgeous yet adorable. I am a sucker for everything cute. They definitely know how to capture their audience. When I got the invitation card, I know the event would be an awesome one. And I was right!

Catrina, their friendly PR, told me that I can bring a +1. So I came with Dewi (I met her from an online gathering community once, and we have been friends for almost 2 years now). We were so surprise with how packed it was around 6.30pm. Usually the party would not start that early unless it is a really cool place. We saw the line for the seafood was so long. We decided to stroll for other tasty sweet tapas collection. 

I am a big fan of Churros. So happy to find it there.

The Wine was so light and smells nice. It has a little hint of sweetness on the smell and the taste. I love the taste. Too bad I forgot to ask the name for this wine.

We also tried their Photo-box section. The photographer was impatient, we didn't get to practice our best pose. Both of us were not happy with how it came out.

We decided to get back to Seafood section. We had to stay on the long line for a while. But it was super worth it. Their main chef cooked it himself on the outdoor area. It was amazing to see the master worked on his art. I forgot to take video/picture. We were too amaze with the foods. We both fell in love with the mushroom tapas and their fish delicacies. Super Lezato!!

 I ordered this sweet and delightful "Red Revenge" from their free flow cocktail bar. Surely a very pretty and pleasant-tasting beverage. I was quite content. Not too long, I met my friend that I met previously in Peeta Planet Blogger Gathering, Tasha. She introduced us to 2 of her friends. We had a quick chat. I told her she won a price but she was not coming to the stage so they had to choose another winner. Unfortunately, I won nothing that night. But the night it self already very rewarding experience for me. I suggested my 3 gorgeous  friends to try JimBARan's "Red Revenge".  I hope that would make Tasha less disappointed about not claiming her winning prize.

Before I went home, Aileen and Catrina reminded me that they have goody bag for us. There are what I got on the bad; A picture frame that looks like on of JimBARan's Bamboo decoration and a voucher worth 35% discount.

Oh, you can also check my friend, Tasha's blog for another story of the event in this link;

WeLoveJakarta