UNION

No matter how much times has passed or many restaurants keeps popping. My heart always stays for this one. Been here once, it was like 1-2 years ago when i wasn't a food blogger and finally! i went there just yesterday and decided to make the review a.s.a.p because by far, their red velvet still ranked as the best red velvet in town (at least for me) and as long as i remember if memory don't failed me, Union was the first one whose red velvet booming in no time.

Full house during lunch hour, well.. i've expected this much and so, i put my name on their waiting list. Not long after that, they called me to informed me that my non-smoking seat was ready. I think this place needs no introduction further more since i seriously think everyone already knows it, good or bad.

Talking about the interior, nothing changes much or maybe at all.. I love how the sunlight naturally illuminate through the black glass windows. It was packed and quite noisy but the services are still first class. Despite the hustle, the waiter took our orders in no time, the foods were fast enough to reached our table, and their waiter could explained the foods in detail, friendly and at the end of the day, he took two good shots of me and my friend.

Pardon this narcissistic selfie 

and.. yes.. this timing rule still applied even on this very hour.

this is what i called complimentary bread. warm, fluffy, fresh baked bread with good quality of butter. 

It took a while for us to figured it out, what to order.. our choices went to

Tropic Berry IDR 55.000

Life is Good IDR 55.000

Both of us chose something which hopefully turned out to be refreshing beverages. Not too impressed with their Tropical Berry because it wasn't too refreshing, almost tasteless for me. Not sweet, not sour. Just where this berry was? But.. Life is Good surely remind me why life has been good lately and drinking something so fresh like this one is another one of the reasons why. It was sweet and really refreshing with all of those clicking mixtures in one glass. The only thing i could complained was.. too much ices. 

Braised Osso Buco ((braised beef shank) IDR 130.000

A generous portion of scrumptious beef shank served with delicate mashed potato below and sauce. The sauce was a bit oily if you ask me but seriously, i love this dish. For me, the components were completed each others. The beef shank was soft and tender. The sauce was also delicious. What's not to love? My friend also love this very much. I'm glad i made a right choice. Fulfilling dish.

Crispy Pork Belly IDR 130.000

My friend felt a big time guilty but don't left the pleasure behind ; because for her, it was too fatty then she afraid she will gain kilos after eating it. For me, yes.. it was fatty and thick but tasted wonderful! I really really love it especially when eaten with their sauce. Honestly, i don't know what was the sauce they used below the porks or even that shiny and oily brown-ish sauce. What i know is : it tasted superb and that's all i need to know. Literally one of the best pork bellies i've ever eaten. Ah.. and that crunchies on top deserves no other word beside : magnifique.

Red Velvet IDR 55.000

Union Made is Well Made ; IKR! that clean plate of red velvet is definitely one authentic proof

Back then it was only IDR 50.000 if i'm not mistaken. And.. yes, here i am proudly stating Union's red velvet still ranked as #1 in my heart. While Mad For Garlic's ranked as #2 bearing the same price tag as Union's. What made Union different from the others, i think it is the crispy peanuts topping covering the cake which giving that addictive crunch crunch while enjoying the delicacy delivered from the cream cheese and the moist beetroot-y textured cake. I LOVE (yes, with capitals) it. Moreover, the portion is huge.. Ladies, to dodge that guilty pleasure syndrome later on. Please, share it with me =P. I even ordered another of it for take away.

the take away appearance. yes.. after a really full lunch at Union. We were waiting for my friend and happened to be sat again at Momi's & Toys which served Japanese cold creepes. Been twice here and their creepes were superb! 

And there it goes..Union successfully spoiled my tummy and no.. this time our tummies happily.. We were really full since the portion was generously big.. Though some of my friends didn't like Union for some reasons.. But, for me. Union still strikes me back to come back anytime soon.. Maybe, their Cronut is another good reason why i have to? But.. no, this journey wasn't over yet.. Then we rushed to Potato Head Garage for early dinner with bloated tummies. Doh!


UNION

Plaza Senayan Ground Flr (inside Sogo)

Jl. Asia Afrika No. 8

South Jakarta

Ph. +6221 57905861

Altitude : Salt Grill by Luke Mangan

a lil bit grumbling or maybe an excuse

It's been quite a while since i became a loney lonely abandoned cat at home while my family went to an oversea trip. Blame it to my upcoming daily routines as a student which soon would be over in matter of days as of the time this post is written. And..... my dad, he bought my camera with him which then it lead to this post where all the pictures taken with phone. 

It was a brilliant Thursday escapade for two very best friends sitting on a comfy purple U shaped sofa while took gazed upon Jakartan's hustle bustle, face to face from the place we seated. I've made a reservation in advance just in case Salt Grill would be packed by lunch hour.

Hearing this and that hurled about this Altitude, where 3 different restaurants with different cuisines joined in a complex. Therefore, i carry a mission to try all those babies out which sadly only one so far has been beautifully wrapped. No worries, it will take quite some times but i'll definitely paid them a proper visit.

As for our power lunch, their business lunch package won our heart by giving quite reasonable price for IDR 190.000 for two courses (tax excluded) or IDR 240.000 for three courses start from 11.00AM-14.20PM. Reasonable price considering the flawless services given, breathtaking view offered and good foods provided. I am truly a demanding, not easily satisfied type of a guy when it comes down to services. Hence, i hope they're just still that good on the future.

First of all, they're taking their complimentary bread basket seriously. They smelled fresh baked straight from the oven served with selections of condiments.

Baby Barramundi, capsicum salsa, char grilled squid

Examined my plate thoroughly, i thought that reddish colored sauce below tasted spicy but no. It tasted complete with the right click from sweet, spicy and bit sour from its capsicum salsa. Capsicum which commonly known as paprika or red pepper, green pepper, bell pepper as its large mild form gave quite a touch toward the entire dish. Although, i expected it would delivered a bit intense peppery kick from it. I love how the baby barramundi easily cut, soft in texture and seasoned beautifully. Enjoyed my every spoonful of it. I thought they deep fried the skin crisp-ly but no. Beside the salsa, char grilled squid also placed below the fish. It was nicely done.

Grilled Chicken in cajun spice, roast pumpkin, aspargus, persian feta, red wine sauce

A bit too tough to cut from outside but luckily, it was quite tender inside. Again, it seasoned nicely strenghthened by its delicious sauce. A safe dish for whose taste bud adjusted to play safe.

Long Island Berries Tea IDR 50.000

Despite the weather was sizzling hot back then, this (i think it supposed to be) girl's drink managed to chilled me down. Refreshing mixtures from berries ready to sweeten up your day.

Green Canyon IDR 45.000

Amazed how they could pull this drink off beautifully. I mean, that green color is no other produced from blend of green vegetables. Healthy + tasty ; what you can ask for more?

Liquorice parfait "signature"

I love the idea of putting xiancao (cincau; green colored jelly in a nutshell) on the plate. The dark green layer of crumbs on the bottom vividly has that liquorice flavor. This dessert is somewhat unique but tasted wonderful for me. Also, the lime syrup added an extra kick toward it. Sweet & sour dessert with a bit medicine plus matcha tasted like.

Passion fruit cheesecake, orange sorbet

Cheesecakes & chocolates never bores me. But, this is my very first time having cheesecake combined with passion fruit's gentle touch. As for the taste, i had no complains at all. That orangey crumbs beside the orange sorbet was a line of full surprise! It literally was like exploded in my mouth like certain types of candies back on my childhood. Happy i managed to chose such a woke up call dessert like this.

At the end of the day, the two best friends gone home (no, but actually continued their journey) with happy tummy and smile on their cheeks. Au revoir, Altitude!

Cargo Bar & Lounge

Let me introduce you the newest additional around Pesanggerahan area, where it is begin to develop with rows of restaurants and any other culinary stations. Cargo is a bar, restaurant, a place to chill out on the sideline or after streaks of hectic routines. Sandwiched between relieve and cranky for the non-smokers, like me. Because this place is a full smoking area. Looking on the bright side, hey.. they have smoke filters which is quite effective, i must say. How about the food? Keep scrolling down, mate.

SevenTo7 : A Brief Flight to Seventh Heaven

I never thought before that meat is fairly complicated until yesterday i listened about it from Ms.Martha, one of those business women who kindly share about her broad knowledge about meat. So, meat lovers.. you are now currently on the right channel. Located behind the majestic pillars of Sampoerna Building, this humble looking meat shop is quite occupied for luncheon. From Sampoerna to Pantai Indah Kapuk, they also has a branch at PIK area. Some of you might be wondering, why Seven to 7? it was originally operating from 7AM - 7PM. that's quite explained it, no?

MOJO Kitchen & Bar

Dear culinary hunters and readers,

I know, nowadays i rarely posts consistently but tonight is different... I am writing this as soon as i pixilated by one of the newest (can i say) gastropub at Senopati area. Skipping classes were surely worth for Mojo.. There are some meanings for Mojo itself such as : "magical charm", "sexual charm", "sauce" in Europe and literally meaning "charm" of "fetish" is an amulet, often a small flannel bag containing one or more magic items, worn by adherents of hoodo/ voodo.

Midtown Owl

With a help of a friend, i managed to bought my second Disdus voucher i ever bought in my whole existence. The more i scrolling down, the more i got tempted and finally, i said hello to Midtown Owl. A restaurant with mostly Italian foods options dominating the entire menu. Personally, i think it is smart to put such a rejuvenescence in the midst of a monotone apartment. But, sometimes you just don't really care about it especially if your apartment located just a cross a shopping arcade.

Commune 25

 

Right after one unsatisfactory early dinner at (just call it) Y, me and the three musketeers immediately rushed to one of the nearest place from it and the decision fell on Commune, Senopati which wasn't too appealing at the same time. The only reason why i went to Commune because my one of my friend recommended it to me. As for me who just recently undergone bad dining experience, this poor stomach demanding to be filled soon with scrumptious dishes although its already quite full. I prayed splashily in my heart, this place gotta be good or the distance taken from my house to Senopati will be die in vain. 

Steak Hotel by Holycow!

Just today, two tired slanted eyes not to mention disturbing blackened eye bags tucked right under the eyes caused by acute insomnia push itself to remained standing tall since the mouth refuse to rest but instead to keep munching. So, we swerved straight to Holycow! we went to TKP Radal, which Radal stands for Radio Dalam. Holycow's eco green building concept took place on the 5th floor of its building. There lies a rooftop with calming breeze that flows naturally surely gave one distinct coolness. 

Ninotchka : Once is Never Enough

Been countless times visiting this cute coffee parlor, for some reasons this diner successfully attracts me to come over and over again. Reviewed it before ( CLICK ) Established as one of the hippest venue around Citra Garden residential area, i really think Ninotchka doesn't needs any promotions to jack up its name because it is already (really) popular and mostly filled with teenagers and school girls who are fond with sweets. 

The Gallery

A long swanky entrance with artistic display and pictures ushering our walked to the main restaurant. The Gallery really suit this either all you can eat or ala carte restaurant which is unimaginably located at Ciputra Mall. But, this restaurant is a part of from their Ciputra Hotel not their mall. I was fascinated by their art collections including sculpture, carvings, and pictures. You can enjoy all the goodness from The Gallery from IDR 212.000 and good news! Every Wednesday they have buy 1 get 1 promo which you really should use this awesome opportunity to indulge youself with their foods, and i must say, their FLAWLESS service.The services were just perfect, really attentive, polite, wide knowledge about their foods and products. Undeniably one of the best in town, i guarantee.

Hotti-kultura World Diners

Hotti-Kultura is a minimalist restaurant with outdoor area for smoking and indoor area with some pastel colored seats and modest appearance. Hearing the word " World Diners " surely pumped my enthusiastic. What was captivated my attention was their mini bar and a mini book shelves filled with some readable books. Looks like they also serves a quite variant of liquors. It gave a homey nuance as i sat and look around. 

NEGEV : Art Dining & Gallery Bar

Dear NEGEV , I'm really sorry that i doubt about their good babbling about you . 

Yes , yes , yes . I mean it, NEGEV The only reason why i paid it a visit in this late century since it stood because the hesitation to try . Some of them said their food was sucks . Some of them said it was worth visiting . Located at City Plaza Building , no wonder if their luncheons are mostly filled with business peoples during Weekdays. Today is Wedne(shit)day, after a had an hour full of bewilderment faced the France exam. I found myself sitting beautifully in a beautiful place with polite , well-trained waiter and waitresses . No wonder they won over Jakartans hearts , they really turned this place out into a good art dining eatery .

Luna Negra

Last Saturday i went to Luna Negra for lunch , i was excited because this is my very first visit after hearing those good gabble from several friends and seeing some of good reviews from fellow bloggers. So , after reserved the seats which i must say it was practical because i just simply reserved the seats via BBM . We were there at Luna Negra .

From what i knew this place is hip and similar to other venues which there are socialites gather and have some quality times. During the lunch it was nearly empty and was surprisingly dazzling . The sun was hot and it was naturally lightened the room through the super big black windows .

I love how they put a tree in the middle of the room and there were some iron balls ( ? ) i don't know what to called it hanging on the ceiling . It was unique and it could be its trademark . Dominated by black & dark brown wooden furniture this semi fine dining restaurant is another must venue to visit .

Also loved their attentive and polite waiter-resses who can explained their menu in detail . Their BBM on my friendlist was also helping when i want to reserve seats there.

And our ( hopefully ) evening makers were coming one by one .

chicken breast mushroom 95k

This is mine , it came in a very big white plate with appetizing presentation . There were also mushrooms , cucumber , eggplant , red & green paprika and tomato which i couldn't ate them since i didn't like them . How i can recommend to change them with more edible substitutes . Their chicken was tender and tasty . And i love their mushroom sauce all over the chicken . It was satiated and I totally recommend this menu for you to try except those vegetables.

salmon pink sc 175k

The salmon came in a beautiful presentation . poured by cream sauce and those pink pepper made it cuter . The meat was pink and yum . it was soft and somehow those combination between the salmon and the sauce was unexplainable tasty in some way .

spaghetti carbonara turkey 83k , hainan duck rice 89k

Carbonara was just okay . Seriously i could only tasted the cheese and i didn't know where the turkey part was and so with the hainan duck rice , tasted just okay and nothing to babbled about . These two are not bad dishes but not that special thou .

bento I 108k

A big bento box consists of cooked vegetables , crackers , sweet sour sauce fish , and risoles 

Everything in the box were okay .And the fish was tasty .

creme brulee 55k

The top perfectly caramelized and sweet , perhaps the most impressing creme brulee i ate so far . And their custard base was simply made me keep me wants to eat it . Enjoyed every spoons of it . But i thought it was kinda overpriced for a creme brulle.

SHABADABADOO 35k

My favorite drink , similar to "Happy Days Are Here Again By Tin Pan Alley .. Definitely my favorite over boring Luna Ice Tea . Sweet & refreshing also i could tasted the orange pieces in every suctions. 

Overall we were all satisfied with our visit and hopefully there will be some promos here so that will be the reason for us to come back anytime soon . With decent foods and flawless services , I totally recommend Luna Negra as one of your must visit list :) 

see how the place was brightly shine and my camera couldn't handle it

And not forget to slipped another narcissistic picture of me and my companions 

Plaza Bapindo

Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 54-55

Citibank Tower, Ground Floor Senayan - Jakarta Selatan

021 2995 0077

BBM : 23B83D4C

Kemang Icon's Icon : The Edge Bistro

The Edge, a beautifully decorated lift brought me to the 5th floor of Alila hotel , Kemang . As the lift door opened , i saw a beautiful stairs dominant in white with natural greens motive embedded on it and what mesmerized me was the pink petals along the stairs . Their indoor wasn't spacious , i think what's being emphasized was the outdoor and yes i was right .  The ambiance were classy yet romantic . I was like having a sweet dine on the yatch

It wasn't packed back then so i could explored the place thoroughly .Outdoor was spacious and i could see the open kitchen there . There were some white comfy looked sofa with white curtain installed on it , it drew my attention unfortunately we couldn't sat and relaxed there since you got to pay at least for 2000k . I sat near the pool located on the upper floor of the outdoor . And my curiosity about those petals were answered . An anonymous couple were celebrating their anniversary there . Aw, that was sweet and the place was suitable for celebrating anniversary or maybe birthday.

After we took seats , the waiter gave us the menu and surprisingly it was only made of from 3 sheets of papers written with big captions and there weren't much options in the menu . So , i went to their sandwich 65k and it was their specialty sandwich . I forgot the name but it was on the first place in the sandwich menu . My friends ordered their nasi goreng kampung 65k & smoked salmon 60k. For the drinks we were ordered the boring lychee ice tea , the juices priced 55k and i thought it wasn't worth juice at that price.

The bread was crunch in fact a little bit too hard for me . The wedges were nicely cooked but tasted plain, it need to be more seasoned . Inside the bread were tasty smashed chicken , cheese and greens . I really loved their smashed texture chicken , and the size was quite satiated.

Their nasi goreng kampung was delicious , too bad the portion was just small and kinda overpriced if you ask me . For 65k i think they should made the rice in a bigger portion . Their salmon was just okay .

minimum purchase IDR : 2.000.000

Overall I was having great times there and looking forward my next visit here to taste their very limited menu and maybe i'll try their steak next time .. the steak starts from 180k +
The place was nice , the foods were decent and the service was nearly flawless .

see you soon The Edge Bistro :)

The Edge
Opening Hours:
10.00am – 11.00pm

 +62 21 719 7989 

 email: kemangicon@alilahotels.com.

You can also download the menu in their official site : HERE