Huize Van Wely at The Papilion Kemang

Long time I didn't see my friend, the heits blogger 'Mak" Yenny (#yennymakanmulu). So in one bright day I asked them to join me to had a splendid Buffet lunch at Huize Van Wely Kemang. A bit bored at office, made me want to escape for a while. So I picked her up at her apartment and straight went to Kemang Area. Luckily traffic been friendly to us.

Huize van Wely had 2 locations so far. On Kemang Raya area and on Pacific Place Mall, Jakarta. The one that I visited is on Kemang location. Located at The Papilion Building. A glass building that look so chick from the outside. Love the atmosphere inside. Look so sleek and clean without any major furniture. But still it looked elegant and sophisticated. The main attraction in would be the cake display and the bar. That's make the room more alive.

Huize van Wely offered Buffet Lunch Menu that we can choose. It only available every Wednesday. They served Indonesian, Japanese and Western on their Buffet table and rotate it every week. That day, I got the chance to have a try Japanese Buffet menu. 

Potato Salad

Salmon Saikyo

Dorayaki

Black Sesame Mousse

I love most of the dish that they served. It served fresh and warm. The quality of the food is so no doubt again. The food that I took more than one time was the the Salmon Saikyo and the dessert. The Salmon Saikyo, is so delicate, well seasoning, fresh salmon and not fishy. The dessert, both Dorayaki and Black Sesame Mousse was heaven on earth. It melt in your mouth. Other dishes also you shouldn't missed. It captured the authentic Japanese dish. 

The great thing is, I met the Chef behind this amazing dish. And can't stand my self to approach him. Origin from Japan (forgive me I forget his name), he just not delegate the buffet table to his staff, but he the one who check it, whether the Buffet table perfectly served or not. Well, Sir, I guess you've made it so far.

Huize van Wely also sell the scrumptious praline, cookies and very pretty cakes. It all not include in Buffet menu of course. But you still can buy it in their store. Look at their presentation, really spoiling your eyes and makes mouthwatering.

The price for the lunch Buffet at Huize van Wely is slightly expensive. Its IDR 250.000 but I guess it so worth the price. Considering, all menu that they served is really great and none of them was disappointing. For this Lunch Buffet menu only available on Wednesday start from 11.30am to 3pm.

Huize Van Wely 
Level 1, The Papilion Kemang Jalan Kemang Raya No. 45AA Jakarta Selatan 12370 021 - 719 0789 / 1975
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CASA - Kemang Jakarta

Casa located in Kemang area, close to McDonald and in the upper floor of Aksara Bookstore. I've been here twice, and both of my visit is only for their dessert.

Casa don't have any spacious space. But it still really convey with a big glass of windows where you see the busy street of Kemang. Casa set for a big couch around their restaurant and some of wooden chairs and tables in the middle. You also can find the attractive bar in end of the Casa Area.

DESSERT

3 KINDS OF CREME BRULEE - IDR 40.000
Lemongrass, Strawberry Vanilla and Pistachio
This Creme Brulee is the first that spotted on my eye. They have 3 flavors in one plate. I imagine a thick amount of creme brulee in one plate. But then, the creme brulee came in a thin amount. But since it came in a 3 plate, I feel delightful though. I just straight give you conclusion about all 3 flavor of this Creme Brulee. Surprisingly, none of those 3 I like. I'm a bit disappointing that all the flavors not popped out and it feels tasteless. But the texture pretty good. Not too dense or runny. I guess Casa have to make an improvement for this Creme Brulee.

CHOCOLATE PLATTER OF TART, DARK CHOCOLATE MOUSSE & WHITE  CHOCOLATE PANNA COTTA - IDR 60.000
I had this dessert on my second visit to Casa. I still a bit skeptic, remembering that their Creme Brulee failed to impress me. But then, I decided to get my luck. And OMG! this dessert succeed made me moved on from the heart breaking. Consist of 3 kind of dessert on my plate. My 1st favorite is the chocolate mousse that garnish with the chocolate crisp, the the white chocolate panna cotta garnish with raspberry. The texture a bit dense, but still smooth. And the last is the dark chocolate cake. My oh my... this black beauty is also soft and tasty. All those 3 dessert really melted in my mouth. Not too sweet which I like, so its not too overwhelmed.

RED VELVET CAKE - IDR 55.000
Red Velvet cake from Casa in provide by Union Restaurant. If you ever taste the Union's cakes, then you must be already familiar with this Red Velvet cake. The cake is to die for. It so smooth, so moist and not too sweet. The cream cheese  is so devilishly yummy. Topped with crispy crumble.

DRINKS

PICCOLO - IDR 30.000
Take a sip of Piccolo that consist with hot ristretto and topped with a warm silky milk. Piccolo that Casa served is good. With a well balance.

SHAKERATTO - IDR 40.000
Like its name, shakeratto is an espresso that shake with ice till we got the foam on top. Like the medium acidity. Served cold.

CAPPUCCINO

At the end, its pretty great having a nice afternoon at Casa. The service is really great. perhaps, I'll try their meals. Oh ya.... For non-smoking person, I guess Casa is not the one for you. Because Casa did not separate their area. So you can smoke anywhere.

Hot Tea

SUMMER BREEZE - IDR 45.000++
Grapes, Pear, Orange Juice
If you see for a refreshing and not too sweet drink, then you have to go to Summer Breeze. Soo good.

CASA 
Jl Kemang Raya No 8b
Jakarta 12720
Phone : +62-21-7199289
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Cake A Boo - Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK)

So many dessert cafe lately in Jakarta. After visiting Shirayuki we planned that we must visit Cake-a-boo also. Stalked on their instagram, it really caught my eyes. They have a very cute and adorable concept for both their restaurant and cakes selection.

We came to Cake-A-Boo around 3pm and its rainy. When we arrived, the restaurant that have to spacious area already full packed. So we have queue to get our seat. Finally we got a seat infront of the conveyor. Yes, cake-a-boo has a conveyor like in Sushi Restaurant. So we can pick the cake that we want straight from the coonveyor.

When 1st entering the Cake-a-Boo restaurant, i can't stand on my eyes capturing every single details in the room. It so playful and colorful. So eye-catching.

Look at the interior, surely I have a very high expectation on their menu. Plus see the presentation of their cakes, that really makes me drooling.

Cake-a-Boo menu Book. so cute

MIKO'S CAKE - IDR 35.000
Caramel mousse, crunchy caramel, melted salted 
I like the combination between caramel and chocolate. Even though both sweet, but its not too overwhelmed. And I guess Cake-a-Boo already adjust the sweetness so I don't feel it too sweet. The saltiness from the salted caramel make the caramel more tasty.

 
RASPUNZEL - IDR 35.000
Raspberry mousse infused with pistachio brulee
A very pretty and girly cake comes from Raspunzel. So beautiful with a fondant bow on top. Anything goes sour, it worked with me. And knowing it paired with the pistachio cream, make it balance between sweet and sour. Love it. 

NUTELLA BURGER - IDR 35.000 
Red velvet burger bun filled with nutella patty and assorted fruits. 
Love the nutella patty. The combination of rice crispy with the nutella is so addictive. The strawberry balance the sweetness from the nutella patty. However,   I don;t like the bun that made from red velvet. It so dry and not  moist. Really need improvement in it.

CAPPUCCINO BRULEE - IDR 29.000
This coffee is to sweet for my liking. I wonder if the coffee less sweet to make a balance from the sweetness of the sugar caramel on top.

Overall, I'm pretty impress with Cake-a-Boo. Still curious with their other menu. They also serve cake in big version in case you want to have your birthday cake here. Because Cake-a-Boo still new joint in town, just get prepare with the long queue. Specially on the weekend. But don;t worry, the service is really quick and very informative.

CAKE-A-BOO

Rukan Garden House Blok B22

Pantai Indah Kapuk, North Jakarta

 

Open : 11 AM – 22 PM

Smoking area : No

Wifi : yes

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Spirit Ramadhan at Bengawan - Keraton at The Plaza

I always excited when Ramadhan come. The ambiance, the atmosphere and of course the food. There are some food that taste even more good when I eat it in Ramadhan. Even though we can cook eat in usual month, but dunno why it taste different. Traditional food like my mom always made, like Kolak Pisang, Kolak Biji Salak and so on. Now in the spirit of fasting month, Bengawan - Keraton offer Ramadhan Package for you to enjoy

Spirit Of Ramadhan at Bengawan – Keraton

*picture courtesy of Bengawan – Keraton for octaplayground

In this holy month, what could be better than have it with your family. To indulge your festive moment of Ramadhan, Bengawan - Keraton have many kind of food that you can enjoy affordable price. You just need to pay IDR 350.000++ per person including hot beverages and tajil. Price are subject to applicable service charge and government tax. With that you can enjoy Bengawan - Keraton buffet menu featuring an array of Arabic, Japanese, Indonesian and Mexican. What an offer!

If you want to stay at Keraton Hotel during Ramadhan Month, don't miss their special package also. With price start from IDR 2.850.000++ for Grand Deluxe Room on 23 June to 24 July 2014  on the weekdays (Monday to Thursday) and IDR 2.550.000++ for Grand Deluxe Room 25 July to 3 August 2014 on the weekends (Friday to Sunday). Those price already inclusive Buffet Breakfast / Sahur for 2 and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Chef Lamberto Valdez Lara

Meet Chef Lamberto Valdez Lara, who welcome us and take us for a grand tour to the whole dining area and introduce us with Bengawan - Keraton menus. I first met him at Cinco de Mayo Mexican Festive  earlier at Bengawan - Keraton. Let's begin the tour. Keep scrolling.

MEXICAN MENU
I still remember when the 1st I tried the Mexican Menu here. How I fall in love with all of their Mexican menu. even for their simple guacamole.

As a start I choose the crispy and crunchy Nachos from the Mexican Stall. I love how the melted cheese combine the tomato and onion into the nachos chips. For companion, I also had a yummy brown bread topped with tomato and cheese. No too forget the 3 choice of sauce, Salsa Verde, Sour Cream and Tomato Salsa.

JAPANESE
Bengawan - Keraton have many selection of sushi and sashimi. Love the sashimi. It taste fresh, sweet and not smell fishy. On the other hand, I guess Bengawan - Keraton have to make improvement with their sushi. The rice so dry and fell apart easily.

SALAD BAR
Here at Salad Bar, you can mix salad as you like. There are Japanese salad, Middle East salad, Western Salad even Indonesian salad like Gado-Gado. Yeepp... in here Gado-Gado include in their Salad selection. So freshening. You surely can't miss it.

BREAD AND CHEESE
The presentation of bread and cheese stall is so gorgeous. The freshly made bread is so tempting and smells so good. Try some, and it so moist and fluffy. Great also if we pairing it with soup. As for the cheese, they also have many variant of cheese. Be creative with pairing it with the bread or even with the salad. So scrumptious.

ARABIC
Middle East Stall offer many signature dish that you can't missed. From shawarma, kofta, Shish Kebab even their Lentil Soup. I'm so curious with all their menu.

Look at that amazing chicken that made for Shawarma.It made from chicken thigh. It look so tempting. We can still see the juice come from the meat. And here are what I got from the Middle East Stall

SHAWARMA
This shawarma is fantastic. Like I mentioned above, the chicken taste juicy and tasty. Mixed with vegetables that really fresh. The skin that cover the chicken and the veggies also great. The texture is good. Not to thick. So it not end with chewy texture. Not crispy kind of skin like crepe. But smooth enough.

CHEESE SAMBOUSEK
If you see the puff pastry below the shawarma iin the picture above, well it call cheese sambousek. It's a puff pastry filled with melted cheese. Love the puff pastry. Its fluffy and moist inside and crispy outside.

SPINACH FATAYER
Similar like the cheese sambousek, but it filled with spinach with cheese. I like this one better than the cheese sambousek. The spinach make the cheese  not too overwhelmed. It so addictive.

Sauce & Condiment for Satay

CHICKEN & BEEF SATAY
The chicken and beef satay is so tender, It also perfectly marinated. You can pairing it with the sauce. Whether its soy chilli sauce or peanut butter sauce. Me like both. the peanut butter sauce a bit thick and a bit spicy.

CHICKEN KEBAB
A fatty cut of chicken kebab. The burn look caramelized and tempting. But too bad, I think this chicken kebab too overcooked. It make the chicken a bit chewy and dry.

KOFTA WITH POTATO and TOMATO
I forget to ask the Chef what Kofta made from. But from what I taste, this Kofta is made from lamb meat. And the great thing is, the lamb so tender inside and not have weird smell at all. It also seasoned well.

POTATO HARA
Potato Hara is a spicy kind of dish. I taste that there's a garlic, chilli and pepper in it. It good if you pair it with Kofta or Kebab.

INDONESIA

Indonesian Stall

Never forget also to stop by to Indonesian stall. Bengawan - Keraton have some Indonesian's signature dish. And here are what they have:
1. Nasi Kuning (rice with coconut milk with yellow color because using turmeric in cooking it), that have savory taste. It has the right consistency. So the rice not dry and not so mushy also.
2. Beef Rendang, the meat is so tender and marinated well. The coconut milk and spices really blen well together and soak up into the meat. You have to try this Rendang. So good.  
3. Soto Ayam ( yellow spicy chicken soup ) with complete condiments.
4. Opor Ayam (chicken that cooked in coconut milk) has savory taste with the right thickness and great in seasoning
5. Kepiting Saos Padang (Crab in spicy sauce) didn't get a chance to try it, but my friend said the meat so tender and the sauce is superb.

Nasi Kuning

*Picture courtesy of YennyMichael for octaplayground

Kepiting Saos Padang

Soto Ayam

DESSERT

When visited Dessert Stall, I felt like children who come into the candy store. My eyes keep drooling in all over the place and make me almost forget to take a picture of it. Because I'm too busy admiring at every dessert that served. From west to east, everything served here.

INDONESIAN DESSERT

Kolak Pisang

WESTERN DESSERT

ARABIC DESSERT

-          Kurma

-          Assorted Dates and Dried Fruits

-          Balousha

-          Mouhalabieh

Umm Ali

And here are dessert that me and my friend tried that day...

Rosallion, Chocolate Rollade, Hazelnut Mousse Cake, Maringue, Caramel Puding

All cake that Bengawan - Keraton served is moist and soft. And also not too overpowering in sweetness.

On the Plate: Orange Kurma, Nut Kurma, Dried Fruits, Umm Ali

On the Glass : White Choco Mousse & Mouhalabieh

Mouhalabieh have dense texture with milky taste, but not too sweet like I thought earlier. And it melted in your mouth straightly.
Umm Ali is a traditional Egyptian dessert that consist crushed nuts, and have a creamy texture. Love this Umm Ali. Beside its not too sweet, it have a well balance in taste
White Choco Mousse Love the mousse that so smooth, on the other hands, the sponge cake not too moist.
Kurma & Sundried Fruits I love all... Specially the kurma. Its flaky, chewy, sweet nice for a break fasting starter.

Overall, I had so much fun here in Bengawan - Keraton. Entering Fasting month wont never be the same any longer. Thanks so much Fiona & Yosua for having me that day.

HAPPY FASTING y'll

BENGAWAN
Keraton at The Plaza, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Jakarta

Telephone: 62-21 5068 0000

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