CAFFE MILANO - GRAND INDONESIA, Jakarta

Looks like Union Group had a "Speedy Gonzales" mode regarding opening a restaurant. Because not so long after the hype of UNION DELI and BENEDICT, they already open a new restaurant with a Milan vintage look called CAFFE MILANO.

*Photo credit to Aline Foolosophy

Placed at East Mall of Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, Caffe Milano offer an Italian menu that look so tempting. Split into two area, non smoking area, where we can find an attractive bar and open kitchen with vintage and chic look dining area. Meanwhile the outdoor area more look like a terrace where there's a green plant on the side to make it more cool. But taking picture here so damn tricky. If you look at the bright yellow canopy. It makes my pictures looked yellowish. I have to wait for the sun down or gloomy to get a pictures.

Like I told you earlier that Caffe Milano served many various kind of Italian food that separate in Antipasti, Pasta, Secondi (Main Course), Pizza and Dolci (Dessert). A bit curious what to choose. Italian dishes that cook by the brilliant Chef named Luca Pezzera.

COMPLIMENTARY BREAD 
OMG! This complimentary bread not like other complimentary bread I ever had. This one is so damn yummy. With a crust outside a swirl beef inside make this bread so extra ordinary. Inside of the bread is so moist and soft. I got this complimentary bread on my 2nd visit. On my 1st visit, me and my friend didn't get any ;( . I paired this bread with olive oil and balsamic vinegar that finely served in every table. Those olive oil and balsamic vinegar taste is so good. Savory with a little hint of tangy and sweet. What a perfect combination. I think I'm going to find it in some supermarket.

PIZZE

MILANO PIZZA - IDR 115.000 NON HALAL
Porcini Mushroom, Pancetta, Egg, Parmigiano Reggiano
Because I'm not eating pork, so I asked to the served to substitute it to the beef instead of pancetta. I like the dough. It Italian signature with thin crust pizza and still have a soft texture in the middle. But I'm not a fan of the sauce. I think there's something missing that make it not to kick. Topped with runny egg.

FUNGHI - IDR 135.000
Assorted Mushrooms, Truffle Oil
Love this Funghi Pizza so much. It so fragrant with a generous amount of mozzarella cheese and assorted mushrooms. The sauce more tasty, and the adding of truffle oil make it more scrumptious. I suggested you to drizzled a bit of olive oil that serve on the table to get more savory taste. It so delish y'll!!

PASTA

LINGUINE with VEAL RAGOUT  - IDR 125.000
and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
Our pasta choice come to this Linguine pasta. It executed very well. So al-dente and not overcooked. With a combination of generous amount of Veal with ragout sauce with a hint of tangy taste from the sun-dried tomatoes. This one is one of the pasta that you should order! 

HOMEMADE ANGEL HAIR with BLACK TRUFFLES - IDR 175.000
In Light Butter Sauce
What a surprise when Chef Luca came to our table and offered us one of their signature Angel hair Pasta. I'm so flattered Sir! *hug. Angel hair pasta texture is like spaghetti but thinner. It cooked al-dente with a creamy light butter sauce. The sauce not too overwhelmed and it balanced well with the truffle oil. It so fragrant and hell delicious. Topped with the shredded black truffle mushroom that even more rocks the bowl of this angel hair. If you think this pasta is too pricey, then you should consider the black tuffle that served on top. Super Love!

DOLCI (DESSERT)

VANILLA PANNA COTTA - IDR 65.000
with Strawberry and Citrus Salad
I love the simplicity yet pretty of this panna cotta. So smooth and soft. The taste is not too milky. Like the strawberry compote too. Its sour, tangy and become a good combination for the panna cotta. Topped with citrus to make it more fresh.

CANNOLI SICILIANI - IDR 70.000

Ricotta Cream with Chocolate Chips In a Crispy Pastry Shell

Ricotta Cream that combine with pistachio nut  mixed with chocolate chip as a filling. What I like about this filling is the fact that the taste is not too sweet. But the shell pastry not my favorite. It's too floury. And the shape not too pretty too.

TIRAMISU TRADIZIONALE - IDR 80.000
This tiramisu is the winner for the dessert today. It so so smooth, soft and melted in your mouth right away. With a combination of lady finger that already soak well into the liqueur. But the liquer not too over powering. It so blend well with the mascarpone. So scrumptious.

After I visited Caffe Milano twice in a row, I feel this restaurant is so promising. The food that they served really capturing the Italian cooking. Even though the food choice is  not too wide and perhaps you already familiar with it, but what they serve is really good. And also the service is excellent. Really informative and helpful. Even they bother to remind us about the pork menu when they know that we don't eat pork.  Friendly not snob like the usual typical fine dining. I still willwant to comeback for their mains some other times.

Congratulation on your opening & Good Luck!

Caffe Milano  
Central Dept. Store Ground Floor, 
Grand Indonesia Shopping Town
Jalan M.H. Thamrin No. 1 Jakarta Pusat 10350  
021 - 2358 0638 Opening Hours: 10 AM - 2 PM  
Pricing: IDR 500k for two Food starts from IDR 85k - IDR 300k
Drinks (cocktails) from IDR 100k - IDR 200k  
Dresscode: sporty casual  
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ST. GERMAIN BY CACAOTE GRAND INDONESIA - JAKARTA

After office hour is always a challenge to go home for me and my hubby considering we work at Thamrin area. So before going home, we decided to have dinner around. Our picked goes to St. Germain at Grand Indonesia Mall.

It's almost end of closing time when we arrived. But still try our luck though. Read some of good post regarding this restaurant, make me even curious. St. Germain is a sibling of the finest restaurant Cacaote that located at Senopati. St. Germain located at East Mall of Grand Indonesia UG Level just across the H&M.

Split into two areas, indoor and outdoor. The indoor area, is more like Victorian vintage look. With a chandelier and wooden furniture. Feels like some French restaurant. Meanwhile the outdoor area, is more like replica of street cafe in France that I usually saw in movie. Well I guess, in Jakarta weather like this, so much pollution and can be humid, almost impossible to have nice street cafe like that.

SOUP & SALAD

WILD MUSHROOM SOUP - IDR 60.000
Chives Chantilly, Mini Brioche
Gosh! This mushroom soup is bloody delicious. It felt like I want to lick the bowl. A hearty warm soup with a big chunk of mushroom. The texture not too creamy and milky just wise. Served with mini brioche, not too fluffy, but great pairing.

CAESAR SALAD - IDR 75.000
Baby Romaine, Yoghurt Sumac Dressing, Grilled Chicken
A freshness to start dinner is a must. Luckily, even though its almost end of service time, the vegetables still fresh and crisp. The grilled chicken also marinated well and tender enough. Topped with tortilla to add crispy texture. Love!

MAIN COURSE

OXTAIL & SPINACH RICE - IDR 95.000
Oxtail Chilli Con Carne
When I first saw the appearance, it look not promising.  Well, who would thought that Oxtail in Chilli Con Carne that usually use minced beef can be so yummy. The oxtail texture is tender and the chilli con carne taste not spicy. The tomato paste is perfectly fit.  Meanwhile the spinach rice taste a bit bland. Maybe the chilli it self a balancing to the rice. Topped with soft boiled egg and served with fried wonton chips this food really make your tummy full to the guts.

WAGYU SHORT RIB BURGER - IDR 135.000
Black Bun, Cherry Tomato Chutney, Aged Cheddar
Look at the intimidate burger appearance. How am I going to finish it OMG! The wagyu have big slice and well marinated. The vegetables and the cherry become a neutralize to the generous amount of the cheese. The black charcoal bun eventhough not too soft but moist enough though.

DESSERT

CRUNCHY NUTS - IDR 35.000
Excited to order this cake when I heard the description from the server. But then, I'm not too "nuts" about this cake. The cake taste a bit dry and the bitterness from the dark chocolate not really my things. But I like the crunchiness on top of it though.

MATCHA OPERA - IDR 40.000
Matcha Buttercream, Dark Chocolate Ganache
I like the combination of the matcha and the dark chocolate. The bitterness from the dark chocolate mixed well with the matcha buttercream. The cake texture also moist. So this one is better than the 1st one.

At the end, I feel satisfied with the food and the service that St. Germain gave. Hope the can keep maintain the quality of the food and the service. Surely will comeback some other day.

St. Germain by Cacaote

Grand Indonesia Shopping Mall, Upper Ground level - East Mall

Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 1

Jakarta Pusat 10350

021 - 2358 0018 / 0812 1863 6100

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Cali Deli - Menteng Jakarta

After a quick bite and a quick at Giyanti Coffee Roastery that located next the door, me and my sister still a bit hungry and want to find a lil' bit relaxing and not crowded place. Since we're too lazy to go anywhere, so we decided to have a (again!) quick meal but still can have our relax moment. So here we are at Cali Deli.

Located in Menteng Area, across the antique market, Jalan Surabaya, Cali Deli specialize them self into a Vietnamese Sandwiches (or it usually known as banh mi in Vietnam) Restaurant. Built in the year 2006, and also has another eatery called 'Madame Ching' that served Vietnamese Noodles  and located also in Cali Deli area.

Cali Deli split into 2 area, indoor and outdoor. After look at the indoor area, we decided to have a sit outside the area. Because it more bright and convy. The indoor area is more dim light and more dark. Maybe because the sofa color is maroon. Meanwhile the outdoor area is more attractive. We just wish that there's wind and the fan can cover the hot weather outside. Since only few visitor, and no one smoke, even though the outside area is allow you to smoke.

LEMON GRASS - IDR 50.000
Toasted banh mi with marinated tender slice chicken in Lemon Grass signature Vietnamese  sauce and combine with fresh Vegetables.
Well, even though the presentation is not pretty, but this banh mi surprisingly taste delicious. The lemon grass gave a fresh taste and a bit tangy taste. the chicken also marinated well and tender. So its a well balance. I like the vegetables that still have crunchy texture.

COMBO - THE SIGNATURE - IDR 57.000
Toasted banh mi filled with chicken ham spread with delicious chicken pate and fresh vegetables.
Loved the chicken ham, but the chicken pate was too over whelmed. Oh, FYI, Chicken Pate is a mashed chicken Liver. It was good if you ate it one bite. But then, you'll feel enough after next bite. Luckily the carrots that already marinated with vinegar and sugar can neutralize it.

Overall, for a quick meal, Cali Deli still one of fine restaurant to have Banh Mi. The baguettes is great, the ingredients fresh, and the service is good.

Cali Deli Menteng

Jl. Surabaya 22, Menteng

Jakarta Pusat

Indonesia

Phone: 021. 98011061/62

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Giyanti Coffee Roastery Jakarta

Been heard about Giyanti Coffee Roastery for a long time. But never got a chance to come here. Since I have a baby project program, so I often avoid Coffee Shop. But lately, I seldom cheated to my forbidden list hehehe... So when my sister ask me to join her for coffee and for work, I said... lets go...

I've been worn by my friends, that Giyanti can be a really crowded on weekend. And usually the seat will be sharing with others if its already full. Mind the privacy. Located in Menteng Area, or to be precise at the antique area, Jalan Surabaya no 20 Jakarta.

Giyanti split into two area, indoor and outdoor. With theme minimalist and eclectic, Giyanti ambiance look so much fun and friendly. With a sofa and wooden furniture at the indoor area. Its a combination between traditional and modern. I used to sit at the indoor, but since I have to sit with others (yes... that Saturday is bloody crowded) and I only sit at little stools, so me and my decided to move outdoor.

Outdoor area is so humid. Even though they already give a big Floor Air-Con outside. So finally we sit at bar stools. And sip our coffee.

BLACK COFFEE - IDR 34.000
Full body with a little bit acidity. I like the composition It so fragrant. I like if the coffee taste a bit bitter. So I passed the sugar and just enjoy my original coffee.

AFFOGATO - IDR 45.000
Since the weather is so humid I think I need a cooler. So I cancelled my Piccolo and ordered the Affogato. A vanilla ice cream with espresso.And surprisingly it's so good. The espresso make a balance to the sweetness of the vanilla ice cream. A great redemption for the hot day.

APPLE PIE - IDR 30.000
Aaakk.... Giyanti have the very great Apple Pie. Look at the layer of the pastry. It's crisp out but it so fluffy and soft inside. Not too forget the star is apple it self. A bit tangy, sweet it all have a great balance. Specially Giyanti pre-heat it again on their microwave. I Die!

Overall, Giyanti Coffee Roastery that run by Hendrik Halianto is superb. Despite of the over-crowded place, all coffee that they served is beyond amazing. Probably you should avoid weekend.

Giyanti Coffee Roastery Jalan Surabaya No. 20, Menteng Jakarta Pusat Opening Days: Wednesday - Saturday Opening Hours: 9.30 AM - 5.30 PM WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

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