PINK SERIES from Calais to Celebrate International Mothers Day

Last Saturday, May 11th 2013, I was invited to Calais - Artisan Bubble Tea & Coffee. At 1st I'm a bit doubt to attend this gathering. Since the place is sooo faarr away from my crib. The gathering placed in new Calais outlet in Mall at Alam Sutera. But my curiosity beat the long distance, and also because my hubby willing to drive me there hehehe...

The place is not too big. But it's so convy to sit. with a row of chairs and tables in-front of the open bar and also several bar chairs. I like the furniture. It's so unique. With a barrels hanging

Calais at Mall Alam Sutra

In celebrating International Mothers Day, Calais present the PINK SERIES. It's a 4 new kind of variant that inspire by a woman. Calais use watermelon and strawberry as a basic for this Pink Series. Why? Because according to research watermelon and strawberry contain vitamin A that good for skin beauty. Well... woman also needs beauty care from inside aight? And if you curious about this PINK SERIES, you'd better hurry. Because it only served from 8 May - 31 July 2013.

And here are the Fantastic four for PINK SERIES...

PINK SERIES from Calais

Strawberry Milk Tea
Regular   IDR 22.000       Large      IDR 25.000
Consist of milk, strawberry and tea. Shake it all, and we'll get the tasty strawberry milk tea.

Sourberry Smoothies
Regular   IDR 22.000       Large      IDR 25.000
I really loovveee this Sourberry so bad. Consist of sourplum, strawberry and milk. I like the acidity of sourplum and strawberry. Add it with popping pearls. It so freshening.

Watermelon Milk Tea
Regular   IDR 22.000       Large      IDR 25.000
I never thought that watermelon can be this great mix with milk and tea. It so tasty

Strawberry Blush Smoothies
Regular   IDR 22.000       Large      IDR 25.000
Blend strawberry with milk to get this yummy smoothies.

After tasting this PINK SERIES, I get confused which all great. Because all taste great. No Lie. But my favorite is Sourberry Smoothies. Uumm... Calais... Can I have 1 gallon of it? *run hehehe...

PINK SERIES

Beside tea, Calais also serve coffee and chocolate. Like the one that my hubby ordered. The real chocolate so tasty.

Signature Chocolate - IDR 25.000 (Hot/Cold)

Choose your favorite toppings, 'cause Calais have so many variants that you can choose. Try to mix and match between your drink and your topping. But whatever topping you choose, it's gonna be great.

Calais Toppings

*Picture Courtesy Of Calais

Calais also served a lite bite to accompany you drink your Calais. Here are some of them...

Lite Bite at Calais

French Fries IDR 16.500

Fresh string potatoes  deep fried in vegetables oil, then tossed with garlic and parsley seasoning. I think this french fries is so-so. Means nothing to special about this.

Calais Popcorn Chicken IDR 21.000

Hand-breaded crisp fried chicken generously sliced and topped with crushed basil leaves. Actually this popcorn similar like I used to buy in supermarket. But still, I like it hehehe...

Crispy Calamari Rings IDR 25.000

Calamari deep fried in a homemade batter recipe, served with squeezed of lemon. The batter really crunchy. The calamari also tender and not smell fishy. I like it.

All those lite bite came with peanut chilli and spicy mayo. Of course you don't get like the picture above. That just served for sample hehehe...

Overall, long distance worth so much with the freshness from Calais. Thanks Sara and Calais for having us and we still got goodie bags after it yeeaaii...

We are the Pink Team

Thanks for the goodie bag Calais

Calais Tea
Mal @ Alam Sutera #SF -11 Alam
Jl. Jalur Sutera 30D/18 (Alam Sutera)
Tangerang
P. +62 21 9917 0242
E. info@calaistea.com
FB Fan Page: Calais Tea
twitter: @CalaisTea

Taco Local

To be honest, I went to this place also based on my friend recommend. Since the place is next to Mangia, so after dinner in Mangia, me and hubby stepping in to TacoLocal.

Tacolocal only have several chairs with tables and also bar chairs. We also can see bicycle collection for those who have hobby with bike. The store is connected to Tacolocal area. If you want to smoke, choose the outdoor area.

Taco Local from outside

Taco Local indoor

Luckily, the waiter very patient explain all the menus to us. Well, since I'm still a bit full after dinner next door, I want to choose menu that not too full dish. And here what we ordered...

Taco Al Pastor

Single IDR 32.000

Double IDR 58.000

Grilled shoulder, pickled cabbage, salsa fresca, salsa verde and grilled pineapple. The chicken is so tender. A very well mixing between the sauce and the chicken. Pineapple make more fresh. But, what I don't like it left too sweet taste after it.

Carne Tortas - IDR 48.000

Yeeaahh... I know I said I already a bit full from earlier dinner. But I'm not eating it alone aight. There's my hubby who will finished it all Hehehe... Carne Tortas is a pulled beef, fried egg (I'm not using it), trijoles, cheese, salsa fresca, and mayonesa. I like this Tortas more than the Tacos. The seasoning more tasty.

Sauce Jalapeno and Chilli - Add it if you think it not spicy enough

Overall, this place is good just for hangout. Not so heavy meal with a relaxing place. Price a bit pricey. But, I still want to come back here someday. To diggin some burritos or quesadillas.

Taco Local
Jl. Panglima Polim 5, No.38
(021) 9494 9538
@tacolocal

Mangia

I know Mangia when suddenly my eyes drooling saw AnakJajan twitpic. And plus I heard about this place from friend who took Zumba Class next to Mangia Resto.

Mangia took place in Panglima Polim street. Many restaurant and cafe around. Eventhough Mangia have petite restaurant, but it's pretty eye-catching. With 70's look decor and white theme for the restaurant, it seems cozy, like visiting Grandma house.

Mangia Venue

Luckily, I got a place in 2nd Floor. Because it's a;ready full and crowded in 1st Floor. It makes me stay in the line 1st at the beginning while the waitress find us a chair. With rustic and vintage interior, including with the menu list that they put upon wooden chopping board.

At 1st, I'd like to order Swedish Meatballs, but then they run out for the mashed potato. Even when the dinner time is about to begin. Finally... me and hubby ordered this one...

Penne Carbonara Spinach and Mushroom - IDR 47.000

Penne cooked al dente. Paired with a savory carbonara sauce. It so good. Not too creamy sloppy also. It all mixed with fresh spinach and mushroom. Me like it.
 

Nasi Jeruk Sambal Dory - IDR 39.000

A bit spicy rice with lime leaves taste. Even though the leaves taste overpowering, hubby still enjoyed it. But, dory cooked to dry. If Mangia cook it not too long, it would be a perfect dory.

Lychee Tea & Strawberry Tea - IDR 19.000

Strawberry Tea more freshening than the Lychee one. Lychee taste like too much water and ice than the lychee flavor it selves.

Overall, Mangia is so much worth to visit. Homey place, comforting food with reasonable price.

Mangia
Jl Panglima Polim V No.38
Jakarta Selatan
+62-21 72799674
@mangia_jakarta

Cooking Class with TenTen Tempura House & Indonesia Food Blogger

Recently, I've got an invitation from TenTen Tempura House and Indonesian Food Blogger to attend TenTen new menus spread and for Cooking Class. I'm so excited for this event. Well, all this time, I'm so damn curious with TenTen tempura.  How they can make that tempura crispy outside but still tender inside. So here I am with several blogger mates early in the morning at 9am, even when Plaza Indonesia still not open their mall yet hohoho...

We are separated in 5 groups. With 1 group filled in with 5 peoples. The place became a bit crowded, since there are only 5 stoves to cook the rice and 2 deep frying pan that we can use together. But heeyy... the more peoples the more merrier aight?? hehehe... My fab team are Aline Foolosophy, Mullie MyFunFoodiary, Tikka The GourmetChic and Novi FoodieFoodgasme.

After a lil speech from TenTen, then Chef Dian from TenTen start presenting how to make tempura and omurice. It already succeed making me drooling.

Chef Dian presenting Tempura Omurice

and this is Tempura Omurice receipe...

Ingredients

Tempura Omurice

Ingredients:

Tempura
2pcs Prawn
40gr Sweet potatoes
8gr Green Beans
2pcs  Carrots
52gr Japanese pumpkin ( Kabocha )
70gr Nissin Tempura Flour (you can get this in big supermarket)
140ml Clod Water
Vegetable Oil for frying

Omurice
15ml Oil
10gr Julienne Carrots
10gr Green Beans
10gr Corn
10gr Onions
Salt and Black pepper
180gr Rice
20gr Butter
2 eggs
2gr corn starch mixed with water

Demiglace Sauce
27.5gr demiglace powder
250ml hot water

How To Make:
Tamagoyaki: Mixed eggs with cornstarch  and water, then whisk it. Heat oil on the pan, and pout the egg mixture to the pan evenly. Cook until done

Butter Rice: Heat oil on the pan, saute the onions, carrots, green beans and corn until it cooked. Put in rice, salt and pepper to taste, mix it well. Add butter then mix again.

Tempura: Mix tempura flour with cold water, put all the ingredients into the batter. Heat oil on the pan with low heat. Deep fry the ingredients one by one. Swirl some batter onto the ingredients to make extra crunch. Take it out when it turns to golden color.

Demiglace Sauce
Mix all the ingredients, stir it with low heat.

How to Serve
Spoon the butter rice into the tamagoyaki and fold gently. Put tempura on the side, served with chilli and tomato sauce on top the tamagoyaki that already filled with rice. Pour it also with demiglace sauce in the side of the rice.

Receipe

Tips & Trick:
- A good stove temperature to make tempura is 160-180celcius
- Use the vegetable that have a bit hard texture like sweet potato or carrot
- If you want to use chicken, use the breasts one. Because it more tender
- To get shrimp shape like in TenTen, give a massage in the back of the shrimp while you batter it. OMG... even shrimp need a massage hehehe...
- If you don't have Nissin flour like i mentioned above, just use flour the usual flour and mix it with egg with composition 1kg flour + 2litre of water + 2eggs
- To get golden brown color, just fried it 2-3 minutes.

After Chef Dian done demonstrating the Omurice Tempura, now it's our chance to make the duplicate of Tempura Omurice. And... we WON!! yeeaaiii... So excited... We named our dis with I Heart U Tempura. This just because we love tempura so much, and when we stack the veggies, the shape is just like the heart shape.

I Heart U Tempura

Our Team In Action

After that, the Chef told us the ingredients and the preparation for making pannacotta. Since it took a while to serve pannacotta, they only describe us the ingredients and the step by step of making it.

Since lunch time is coming, so TenTen generously served their newest and yummy donburi and tempura dish that we ordered at the beginning of the event.

Ebi Yose Katsu

Ebi Yose Katsu served as our appetizer from TenTen. Crunch batter outside and juicy ebi (prawn) inside. Pour with teriyaki sauce and mayonnaise. It so yummy...

Tenbara Donburi

Tenbara Donburi is what I had for my lunch. A bowl of rice topped with shrimp tempura, shitake tempura poue with tonkotsu sauce and sprinkle with sesame seeds. The taste is pretty great. Tempura texture still crunchy and the sauce a bit sweet and sour which is good.

Donburi is a meal which rice topped with tempura of beef dish. Beside Tenbara, TenTen also have many varieties of Donburi, like Seafood Furai Don, Tori Soboro Don and Spicy Beef Kinoko Don.

Above : Spicy Tempura, Blackpepper Tempura & Seaweed Tempura

Below : Curry Tempura

TenTen as a Tempura specialty have many bariant of Tempura. TenTen just launched several new menu like Kinoko Tempura that is served for ala carte or for Tendon menu (Kinoko Tendon). All those new menu launched to complete the existing menu like Original, Spicy, Seaweed, Curry and blackpepper. If you like a bit spicy choose blackpepper or spicy one. All those Tempura you can order ala carte or complete package with rice and miso  soup.

Foret Noir Cup & Oreo Cheese Cup

Foret Noir Cup is a chocolate mouse cake with dark cherry and rum. The cake is so moist. Meanwhile Oreo Cheese taste more milky. But the cheese cake and milk layer was not to moist and blend well. It because I still can taste the milk powder within the cake. So I like the the Foret Noir better.
 
Overall, I had a very great time attending this Cooking Class event. Beside my blogger mates that I already known, I also get a chance to met a new fellows from Indonesian Food Blogger. So... More experience, more knowledge and more foodies friends...

Thanks for the gift TenTen

Ten-Ten Tempura House
Plaza Indonesia, Level Basement Unit 16-17
Jl MH Thamrin Kav 28-30
+62-21 299 23730
Twitter : @tentenjakarta
Facebook : Ten Ten Jakarta

Outback Steakhouse : MeatLovers Gathering

On 6th April 2013, I was invited to attend gathering In newest outlet of Outback Steakhouse in Kuningan City South Jakarta. It's a famous restaurant franchise from the States. I first knew this Outback from their 1st outlet in Ratu Plaza. Then I know, that they also have another store in Pondok Indah Mall.

Outback Steak Kuningan City

Outback Steakhouse Kuningan City interior is so American typical ranch diner. With wooden furniture, black sofa and trees around the diner. It makes this place so cozy to dine.

After we seated, Mrs Seli from Outback join us to a little & friendly chit chat accompany with their some freshening drinks.

Various Freshening Beverage From Outback

FLAVORED ICE TEA - IDR 32.900
Choose your flavor Lychee, Peach or Strawberry. The fruit is fresh and the tea also good.

COCO-BERRY SMOOTHIE - IDR 32.900
A frosty blend of creamy coconut and strawberries. It's good and the sweetness is great.

PEACH MOJITO - IDR 32.900
A refreshing combination of peaches, lime and fresh mint muddled together and topped with sweet soda. Aaakk... I love this one. The soda kicking blend well with the lime.

VIRGIN MOJITO - IDR 32.900

Since the combination only lime and soda so the taste is so sour. But still fresh and great.

ORANGE SQUASH - IDR 32.900
Orange Juice mixed with Sprite and soda.

LEMONADE SPRITZER  - IDR 32.900
Choose your flavor: Orange, Mango, Peach, Strawberry an plain.

Not for long, some appetizer came to our tables. And it missing suddenly from the plate after we took the pictures of it hehehe...

Yummy Appetizer from Outback

KOOKABURRA WINGS
Full IDR 79.900  |  Half IDR 52.900
Chicken wings tossed in a savory blend of secret spices and paired with creamy blue cheese dressing and celery. Choose mild, medium or hot. What I like about this chicken wings is the chicken marinated well and so crispy.

AUSSIE CHEESE FRIES - IDR 69.900
It's an aussie fries topped with melted Monterey Jack, Cheddar, bits of fresh chopped beef bacon and served with spicy ranch dressing. Better eat it when it's served. The cheese & the dressing taste more tasty.

CRISPY FRIED MUSHROOMS - IDR 69.900
Lightly breaded and fried mushrooms and served with spicy ranch dressing. The mushroom still juicy when we eat it. Love this mushroom lots...

While we're waiting for out steak to come, Outback allowed us to peeking they secret kitchen. Not all restaurant would do this. See the quality meat that will become our meal grilled, makes me drooling and more can't hardly wait to dig in.

Outback's Kitchen - This is where the magic happened

Outback Steakhouse was so damn generous to us. They let us order main course. So then, we ordered what become signature steak from Outback.

New York Strip - IDR 249.900

A thick cut New York strip steak seared with Outback's secret 17  seasoning blend. I found it too overcooked. So it makes the meat a bit chewy. But i still can taste it seasoning well. Served with fresh veggies, fries, mustard and ketchup.

Alice Springs Chicken - IDR 125.900

Chicken breast flame-grilled and topped with sauteed mushroom, crisp strips of beef bacon, Melted Monterey Jack and cheddar finished with honey mustard sauce. Served with Aussie fries. The chicken is so tender. 

Victoria Fillet - IDR 299.900

The very thick 8oz meat steak cut. It so juicy. Served with fresh veggies and fries and paired with blackpepper sauce and ketchup.

BBQ Beef Ribs - IDR 249.900

BBQ Beef Ribs have USDA "Choice" Certified Angus Beef. These-fall-off-the-bone beef ribs are exactly the way beef ribs  should be! The succulent and saucy ribs are smoked, grilled to perfection and brushed in a tangy barbeque sauce. Served with a very generous of Aussie fries. At first I looked this Ribs, my ind straight to the Flinstone Klan heheh... This ribs is so HUGE! Forget fork and knife. Just get dirty with your hands. The sauce is totally finger lickin'

Toowoomba Topped Fillet - IDR 329.900

I was so interested to ordered Toowoomba just because it wrote in menu book that Toowoomba is #1 Rated ZAGAT Best Steak for 2009 - 2011. So, that make me more curious. Toowoomba is a sauteed shrimp and button mushrooms tossed in a tomato cream sauce and served over a seasoned and seared fillet. The meat is so juicy and tender. Shrimp also taste fresh and not smell fishy. It all taste melted in your mouth  Served with fresh veggies and a very great mashed potato that seasoned well.

Left : Banana Nut Cake – IDR 55.900

Right : Chocolate Thunder from Down Under – IDR 69.900

Looks like Outback has specialty in creating big meal. Because the dessert also a very serious deal.

BANANA NUT CAKE 
A delicious combination of banana soft and fluffy cake, toffee, whipped cream, vanilla ice cream, buts and cinnamon. The sweetness is not too overpowering.

CHOCOLATE THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER 
Alert for chocolate lover. You have to order this when you come to Outback.  It's a fresh-baked pecan brownie is crowned with rich vanilla ice cream, drizzled with classic warm chocolate sauce and finished with chocolate shavings and whipped cream. The warmness of chocolate sauce meets cold from the ice cream, it so melted in your mouth.

Overall, Outback is definitely a great restaurant to visit. The price is suitable with what you have. Big portion with a big taste. The service also quick and friendly. Thanks a billion to Mrs Seli from Outback and Ms. Gricia Effendi for invitation. We're having so much fun

Smiley Face

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE
Kuningan City, G Fl Unit 28
Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. 8
Kuningan, Jakarta
Telp: 021-30480505
FACEBOOK || TWITTER

Steakology - with Openrice

A view weeks ago I attended to the event that held by Openrice and Steakology. Actually, I've been here before. But I expect for another menu from Steakology that I never been try before. Plus, we're going to meet one of Steakology owner. Can't hardly wait... First of all, sorry for the bad picture quality. I run out my battery camera before my works done. Forgetful me to charge it before...

Steakology

Steakology placed in Tebet Raya area. The area that I know very well. Since I just need to blink my eyes from my mother-in-law house. I first know about this  restaurant because I often passing through in this area. Steakology have 2 floors area. The interior took park theme. With wooden furniture and leaves hanging on their ceiling. Quite good though. Second floor, I think good for private area or those whose  come in a group. Big room, great for hang out.

The event begin with quick speech from one of the owner, the famous Metro TV anchor, Prabu Revolusi *wink-wink He explained about Steakology history. You know what? Steakology name came out after one of the owner and also Chef of Steakology, Chef Dimas explained about the consistency of every sauce. They said, Chef Dimas looks like teacher in class who explained things to student hohoho... That the 1st time Steakology came out. So ear catching.

Prabu Revolusi - One of The Owner

Enough speak about the restaurant. I bet you can't hardly wait to scroll down for Steakology menus.

The Steak

Chicken Steak

Medium – IDR 45.000

Big – IDR 55.000

Chicken Steak was what I had that day. It looked gorgeous outside. But when I tasted it, sorry to say... the steak a bit chewy, not so tender and lost it juiciness. The steak came out with veggies salad  that stir in a good way. Not overcooked. Love it. For side dish there's french fries also.

Tenderloin Steak

Small – IDR 60.000

Medium – IDR 70.000

Big – IDR  80.000

A bit surprise when I taste this tenderloin steak. Because it totally different than the last time I had one. This time the steak more juicy, more tender and the herbs more tasty. Paired with mashed potato. Eventhough, the mashed potato still there's still some flakes, probably it didn't mashed well. But it forgiven with the seasoning. The veggies also still fresh & not overcooked. This tenderloin steak become my favorite that night.

Sirloin Steak

Small – IDR 50.000

Medium – IDR 60.000

Big – IDR 70.000

Sorry for a blurry picture. Guess I'm too mouthwatering with the steak hehehhe...  Sirloin steak also a bit chewy and not too juicy. Paired with fresh veggies and french fries.

Seven Wonders Sauce

Seven Wonders Sauce - IDR 5.000

What make Steakology different with other similar steak restaurant is that Steakology have many varieties of sauce that they called with 7 Wonders Sauce. We usually only know Mushroom or Blackpepper  for the sauce. But Steakology have many more. Steakology give an effect explanation after eating their sauce. Dunno whether it's true or not, but it's quite funny to read. Below the description.

BEARNAISE
A very romantic sauce made 1st time in France. The texture is creamy with sour & savory taste. Made from melted butter, egg yolk, vinegar and spices
Effect : suddenly melancholic
My Thought : I like the sour & savory taste. This one of my favorite.

MUSHROOM
First made for steak in 1864. This creamy sauce made from mushroom, butter, cream pepper and spices.
Effect : comforting
My Thought : the mushroom chunk pretty big. Not to milky, Seasoned well. It's good.

BARBEQUE
Some history said this 1st found by the Colombus. Made from tomato paste, vinegar, liquid smoke, pepper and sugar.
Effect : Freedom Sensation 
My Thought : This one is good too. The texture a bit thick.

RATTLESNAKE
Sauce made from jalapeno, mustard, tobasco other spices sounds eccentric because its name taken from rattles snake type.
Effect : dropdead gorgeous (suddenly I take my mirror hehehe)
My Thought :  This one is my other favorite sauce. The spiciness blew me away.

TERIYAKI
Teriyaki is a cooking technique from Japan, Heated or Grill. Made from soy sauce, Japanese vinegar and sugar with comparison 1:1
Effect : Make you shine bright ( like Rihanna ? )    
My Thought : A bit weird. Too watery. I'm not that shining after eat this sauce hehehe...

PESTO
Italian sauce typically sauce from Genoa that know since ancient Roman era. Made from basil leaves, olive oil, parmesan cheese and pistachio nut.
Effect : Being Unique personality
My Thought : My 3rd favorite sauce. All blend well.

BLACK-PEPPER
Black-pepper based sauce, became known   as one of cooking ingredients since 1840 by the European. First used for medical and beauty
Effect : Keep Spirit On
My Thought : Same like other black-pepper sauce I've known. Pretty good.

Dessert Wars

We had a chance to taste the up-coming dessert that Steakology haven't release yet yeeaaiii... I'm so excited hearing about dessert...

Steakology Dessert

FRUITY CREPES
Soft and sweet crepes mixed with a bit savory strawberry sauce and sourness of apples. Would be better if Steakology caramelized the apples a lil bit to add more flavor in it. This crepes taste so-so.

CARAMEL CHEESE CREPES
Suddenly it became my favorite dessert. Cheese mixed with caramel sauce that taste like melted alpenliebe candy.

CHOCOLATE CREPES
Filled with a lot of melted chocolate that spread generously and topped with chocolate sauce. Love it also

PANCAKE WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE
They really have too improve this pancake. Not a fluffy pancake. A bit tough also.

BANANA CARAMEL
A sweet crunchy caramelize banana. Love this one.  

Overall, we're having so much in Steakology. Nice service, nice ambiance and great price to dine. You should to try it y'll... Thanks Steakology and Openrice for having us

The Happy Face

Steakology
Tebet Raya No 38
Weekday  : 12 - 10 pm
Weekend  : 12 - midnight
For Reservation  : +62-21 83786620
TWITTER