Royal Weekend Indulgence: Taking Brunch to the Next Level - Bengawan, Keraton at the Plaza

It is no new news that the extent of Indonesia's middle class community keeps expanding. This fact sustained with the culture of the West has both played a significant role in changing the course of our people's minds. Splurging oneself, after (of course) an extensive period of hard work, with fine luxuries has been a slow but steady current of lifestyle changes in everyday social life. Food, apparently, has become one of the most attainable target in catching a fracture of the living large. Moreover, it also plays an unwitting part to upgrade one's social status. Mind the habit of uploading a picture of your food before actually eating it? 

To change or not to change, Keraton at The Plaza - a Luxury Collection Hotel astutely understands this emerging development. Tackling a lavish rampage for the Jakartans, they have offered a weekend indulgence for the brunch junkie (read: Elvina). Serving a luxurious fine range of Foie Gras, Sturia Caviar, and Salmon Roe, it is definitely one of the most prestigious brunch buffet I have ever had. Accompanied with three Chef's specialties live stations, they also have segmented Western, Indonesian and Asian corners for bringing the finest epicurean journey!

Located on the seventh floor, Bengawan Restaurant has a contemporary tropical face with the citywide view of Jakarta. Bengawan, a translation of river in Javanese dialect, incorporates the literal element of river in its interior, a beautiful spectrum of greens and a decorative mini pool.

Once only serving a Sunday buffet brunch, now they have extended it to Saturdays from 12 pm - 3 pm.  

Price list :

IDR 995.000++ per pax, with unlimited alcoholic drinks of wine, cocktails and Billecart-Salmon Champagne 

IDR 495.000++ per pax, with unlimited serving of non-alcoholic beverages

IDR 248.000++ for children of 5 to 12 years-old 

(Prices are subject to 21% service charge and government tax)

Pictures below were obliged to explain the intricate question marks of the price list ;p 

Keraton's Signature Lychee and Mixed Berries Tea

Fresh Seafood Station, includes jumbo prawns, French oysters, Alaskan king crab, Japanese mussels, sashimi,  and  several types of sushi

Slurpppp in those fresh oysters!

Japanese mussels, Salmon roe and Tobiko

Grill Station, with a range of poultry, seafood, lamb and beef selections. Also available by order, kobe and wagyu beef.

Lobsters and jumbo prawns.. The best part was that it's an all-you-can-eat!

Cold Appetizers corner, including canapes, salad stations, flavored yogurts and milk. Behind was the Indonesian food corner, presented in clay pots.  

Pasta station with complete choices of regular pastas and fresh pastas, for instance, ravioli and risotto 

Intoxicating Sop Buntut - a must have in Indonesia's culinary treasures!

Nasi Keraton - a mimic of nasi kucing (a small portioned dish of rice with simple  veggies and condiments) and Tempe mendoan

A few things that I took from the cold appetizer corner : gazpacho, chickpea salad, guacamole, smoked cod, smoked salmon (too salty that one was), and one of the assorted canapes

Pan fried foei gras with pan seared bun, red wine reduction sauce, caramelized shallot and apple jam. My highlight of that day : the soft and smooth fragile foei gras... I was definitely in cloud nine!

Cheese station with a selective range of cheddar, gouda, emmental, blue cheese, brie, and manchego

Dessert bar : The cherry on top for the perfect indulging cease!

I personally get what Keraton has to offer. The experience has donated an expensive delight for my pride. That fracture of a high end glimpse has not just been lively exhibited but also serve a purpose to interpret the extravagant reward of one's uphill struggle. It is the ultimate compact one stop get away for those who might dine in there everyday or merely, just for once in a blue moon visitors. Thank you @KeratonJakarta for letting us have a premium wonderful experience.

More seductive photos of Royal Weekend Indulgence will be uploaded in my Instagram account. Stay tune!
Bengawan at Keraton at The Plaza
Jl. MH. Thamrin Kav. 15, Jakarta
Phone: 021 - 5068 0000

Brunch is for ladies

NARCISSISM.. Cause that's how we like it.. 

Okay.. enough with the self pics.. So last Sunday, my siblings and I headed to Cazbar for brucnh. Yes, it's a bar, but they also serve breakfast, lunch, dinner.. And at night, BAM, it's a bar.. They also have a sports bar upstairs with pool tables and darts, etc. So technically, it's an all in one place. My big sis, Elisse, was like craving for brunch and some place new. So there we at.. Click HERE to go to their web.. They have the menu in their website..

When you walk inside the place, you'll see...

Cazbar Mega Kuningan bar view.. 

Yep, that's the main entrance.. and look what they got there..

Yes, it's a beer pong!!

The place was quiet just like how we expected. There was only the three of us and two friendly waitresses..We didn't order anything fancy, just humble breakfast dishes..

Cazbar Cappuccino 

Now now, this is embarrassing.. This was what Elva ordered and I completely forgot the name of the dish. All I know, it's mashed with sour cream, just like how the Germans like it. The sausage was okay.. 

Steak and Eggs.. Yes, the steak is very small indeed, but it's yummy. I think they marinated it very well, so it doesn't really matter that it's too dry, it's still good. Oh The sauteed mushrooms are TOP NOTCH.. They use onions and bay leaves to make it fragrant.. Surprisingly, I couldn't finish it. I EAT A LOT, and even though this looks very pretentiously little, I can't finish the whole thing.. I left the hash and egg yolks..

English Breakfast.. Gotta love the sausages, bacon, grilled tomatoes, sauteed mushrooms, hash browns, baked beans and scrambled.. Classic.

The staffs are very FRIENDLY.. They dressed up very casually, just shorts and tank tops with sandals.. One of them was listening to ipod when taking our orders.. lol.. I know it sounded very unprofessional, but I think it matches the bar theme. It just wouldn't fit in very well if the ladies there wear formal uptight uniform. They even chatted with us and asked for our opinions on the food, making interactions when they know they can leave us alone at our business. Sometimes I do think the staffs attitude towards customers is crucial indeed. Since many foreigners visit Cazbar, they speak English quite fluently.. I was left with a very good impression about the place and the people there..

The food was yummy. We didn't order much cause the point of going there was only to eat some breakfast and we just can't eat much in the morning.. I recommend this place to you all who are looking for a quiet place to eat breakfast. Those who are looking for a new place to drink, then this is definitely the place for you! The first story is quite small but still spacious and they have another room beside the bar.. I didn't go up to the second story so I don't know how the sports bar looks like..