Pipiltin Cocoa : a little too late.. (depending on how you see it)

I believe there are always two sides to every story, two ways on seeing how things go and two ways to decide which side you are on. A little epiphany caused by my own idiocy on the term of what so called 'a little too late', put me into some thinking about perceiving it into two perspectives. It may get a bit out of topic from reviewing Pipiltin, but if you have the spare time to carry on reading, I hope it'll amuse you..

SELF-IDIOCY :
For starters, I was given two discount vouchers to enjoy Pipiltin's artisanal plated dessert. Despite the fact that I had been looking at it for more than a couple of times, I failed to realize that there was an expiry date. I came just a few days after and innocently handed the vouchers to the confused waitress. A little too late.. In here, the term late has turned into something permanently wasteful. There's just nothing you can do about it to make things right, to make it the way you want things to be.. A little too late, when the 'little' makes a big difference..

If you let yourself see things from the other side :
The trend of serving deconstructed and plated dessert has existed for quite a while in the international food industry. Although, we are a little too late in tailing this trend, Pipiltin has managed to stay only a little too late, in other words, still has the chance to catch up as it is the pioneer which serves plated desserts in Indonesia.. This fact, in fact, contradicts to my first perspective. The term a little late became almost apologetically fine. Unlike my previous story, Pipiltin has the chance to catch up and make things right. I assume, soon, there will be new cafes copying the same thing.. Soon..

For what it's worth, this is a spontaneous brief post. For what it's worth, I hope you get what I meant. I hope you can see things from the other perspective, from a better perspective for a better insight. Okay, enough procrastinating.. Here's the deal..

A dessert cafe which serves their own bean to bar processed chocolate!

First thing you will see is their own chocolate factory. I even saw the cocoa beans myself!

The cafe is placed on the second floor.. So up up you go..

Filled with wooden furniture in an industrial minimalist interior, the whole place screams simplicity as its best. They are definitely trying to sell their products, not only the ambiance itself. It'll be perfect if they put on some classic jazz songs.. 

Just for a quick view of the whole place.. Plus that poor forever alone Caucasian (who seemed really sad).. 

This big poster tells you the simplified steps of chocolate making..

The menu with animated cocoa beans..

Colorful macarons and flavored chocolates were presented in the middle of the cafe. A good strategy to lure the sweet tooth to spend their money on these babies..

Earl Grey Tea (25k)

Spicy Cinnamon Chocolate (33k). It's really spicy. Well, not in a 'fiery I wanna kill myself' way. It's the perfect drink for a cold rainy day! The mild cinnamon heat gave that extra 'mmph' which differentiates itself from a normal hot chocolate..

Devil Chocolate Brownie (45k). Well well, I am a sucker for desserts. Brownie topped with velvety, slightly thicker chocolate lace and a scoop of double vanilla ice cream. Completed with some crumbs I couldn't exactly tell what it's made from, but to sum things up, I had a brownie sugar rush!

Tabanan Chocolate 64% (50k). It is a completion of mousse, spiced creameaux, chocolate pearl, and dehydrated chocolate mousse (as written in the menu). But since we might have a difficult time in guessing which one is which, I make my own version of explanation. The foam : I could barely taste any scent or flavor. Chocolate balls : Inside was thick chocolate filling. The caviar-like : the chocolate pearl (Guessing), but it was also kinda bland. I'm assuming it's made to balance the sweetness from the chocolate balls. The lump of what looks like little balls of poo : well, it was yummy, in spite of what it looks like. Last but not least, there were those slabs of whatever that is, instantly melts when put it inside your mouth. Ouh, as if it weren't enough, you'll get that little pop rocks-like that will explode in your mouth.. 

Well, two plated desserts seemed reasonable to be gobbled by two people. I, in one perspective, was very optimistic in finishing both. On the other hand, my so called zombie companion, hated the idea of ordering all chocolaty desserts (Now you know who ordered the hot chocolate and who ordered the tea).

I hate to admit, but Mr.zombie was right. My burning optimism seemed to cool itself down.. I was so hyped up from all the sugar rush before I can finish the whole thing and found myself sick of the sweetness. In which I can now add a third conclusion, the third case of seeing things: Your mind plays tricks on you!! LOL

Pipiltin Cocoa
Jl. Barito II no.5
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pipiltin-Cocoa/518558441524346?fref=ts

That Certain Feeling I Can't Find Elsewhere

Have you ever put a thought that lately, most of the newcomers in the restaurant industry are just here racing each other to get the hippest attention, to have the most bizarre interior or maybe just, as much as possible, intact themselves with the YOLO generation attitude. You see, they sorta build this current, should I say, "trend", or maybe this atrocious image that the upper middle hedonist class is immune to the fact that they're hunting for ambiance, instead of what is called real good food experience. I can't say that I am against the public's embrace, for what it's worth, those places do enrich the diverse existence of the food industry itself. In fact, I do occasionally enjoy myself, having that one other type of experience, and in every once in a while, I do make a review out of it. Well, who am I to complain about their on growing lineage?

Well, that is just an opening for this post. It has nothing to do with whatsoever I am going to write in the next few minutes. Tiresome of the swagalicious attitude of going from one affliated cafes to another, I decided to write a humble post on a family restaurant that I have been visiting since I have the capability of recalling my own memory.

The name of the owner is the name of the place itself. Simple, no fuss, you order, you eat, you pay, you go home. Specializing in Borneo Chinese home cooking, this is the one place I visit to recollect that certain feeling I can't find elsewhere. Yes, it is a personal thing, almost sentimental perhaps, as this place reminds me of my half identity as a descendant of a great Borneo man, or that familiar comfort and satisfaction I get from the food (which I never find boring in anyway)

FAVORITE THINGS TO ORDER, PROBABLY THE BEST I HAVE EVER EATEN:

Hekeng (30k) (Hakong in khek/hakka dialect), a shrimp with pork lard wrapped, cut and fried in slices, ngohiong alike, but it's not sweet at all.. You eat it with a honey-like sauce, made from sonkit(a type of lime) and caramelized sugar. So far, this is the best place to eat hekeng (including the sauce)

Old Pop's favorite! Fried horfun (30k) with his special request. "Make it a bit saucy", he would say, resulting this horfun a bit like bun horfun, slightly darker. The chef and the owner have known what his loyal customer's favorite request that they'd cook it without further questions

Also my favorite. Pakis with crispy fried anchovies and shrimp paste (25k). A bit crunchy, it has that slimy after taste. Dad said that it grows wildly, probably a cheap commodity. However, I fell greatly in love with these greens from the first time I got the chance to try it.

RANDOM THING/s WE KEEP ORDERING:
A dish we'll order once in a while to entertain our taste buds. I have probably eaten better dishes made somewhere else, but since I have a special thing for this place, I barely did any sort of complain and just ate it with on-going appetite.

Mundane mun tofu with lots of shrimp and minced pork (40k). Actually, this is not how I picture mun tofu in my mind. But what to expect from a simple humble family restaurant. I still found it pretty decent to eat!

Notes to add:
1. Hands down, this is the place to get the best fried Hekeng. I've tried several other Borneo Chinese restaurant, they just don't have it the way I like it. Either the slices were too thick or they put too much flour, I just couldn't find any other places that serve it to my standardized personal bar.

2. Instead of using only shrimps and pork, the fried horfun also has this mushy dark sausage like made from flour and shrimp (I supposed). It has a bit of sweet savory touch to it. My personal favorite filling compared to the others. Can't find it else where. My Dad will always take a big portion of the horfun and leave that flour sausage alone for me to have.

3. They sometimes serve baby sharks. God knows where they got it from, but it's actually one of my Dad's favorite (before I told him not to order it anymore as my concern to WWF's #SOSharks campaign, plus the mercury level on sharks is way over the top). They usually cook it with this warm homey ginger sauce. The texture of the fish is mushy with that thick layer of shark's skin. It's not fishy and you won't find many bones in the meat. BUT THAT'S ALL IN THE PAST! (just to make things clear) ;p

Rumah Makan AHON
Jl. Jembatan Lima Raya No. 183D, Jakarta
Phone : (021) 6255905

Tokyo Skipjack: Japan on a steak?

This picture clearly says it all. I don't need to elaborate much about a good steak as long as they serve mine in that juicy-tender-red-in-the-middle state. Sometimes, JUST the aroma from the grill and the scent of the meat itself are satisfying enough for me.

This is the usual current trend of serving steaks in almost all cafes and restaurants in Jakarta: when not only you enjoy the meat, but they have several selections of sauces to please you.You can easily find mushroom, black pepper, and barbecue sauces as a "side dish" or sometimes, they smolder it all over the meat to add more flavors (supposedly). Whilst I still prefer to enjoy mine without the sauces, apparently, eating steaks have been taken to another whole level. Combined with Japanese fusion sauces and side dishes, Tokyo Skipjack, offering you grilled steaks with a different touch.

Small space with a semi outdoor concept. Almost similar to a street food joint, only with a few more interior and furnished chairs and tables

No local meat though.. Each steak comes with three side dishes of sauce, different types of potatoes and selectable veggies.

NZ Sirloin (75k). Grilled to perfection of what I would call medium. Accompanied with butter wasabi sauce, fries and green salad with Japanese dressing. The wasabi sauce lacked that kick of spiciness and just fell flat. While the greens were sweet savory, unique in its own kind of way.

NZ Sirloin (95k). It was so tender and juicy, I felt like biting it straight from my hands instead of cutting it. Okay, maybe that's a little too much. But I love the meat itself perfectly without the touches of any sauces. This was accompanied with Japanese chimichurri sauce. It is very oily and sour. Though can be refreshing, I finished my steak with very little help from it. The Mitsuba mash was basically mashed with Japanese parsley. It is not too dry, yet, not too creamy

I hope to add a dash of fresh grounded black pepper over my steak, but it came to no avail. For what it's worth, I was quite satisfied with the meal and I might have the potential of craving for it in the future. While I dwell upon my own agreement of the sauces, it was pouring down like crazy..Maybe it's a way of fate not wanting me to leave the place. Nevertheless, I still have to drag my tired as* back home and get some rest.

Tokyo Skipjack
Jl. Bulungan No. 16
South Jakarta, JKT 12130
(021) 9972 5000

Queen's Tandoor : The place to be for smelly Indian spices!

I have spent 10 years of my life in Mahatma Gandhi School. No matter how much I try to deny it, there's still a part of me full with Indian influences. The same thing goes with my school mates as we can randomly sing the national anthem of India (in Indian) while reminiscing our primary school days. Or maybe how we like to tease each other with fluent Indian accent (this goes to my siblings too). The most painful thing is not to be able to buy an Indian snack called frankie at the school canteen while the most tantalizing thing is the fact that I still crave for Indian flavors every now and then.

Fortunately, all of my siblings did go to Mahatma Gandhi School as well, so they pretty much undergo the same thing as me. In spite of giving the freaky face smelling a pungent smelly Indian curry, we embrace it with wide grins and open arms.. 

So after debating where to eat for a 'not-so-ordinary' dinner with our Mum, we decided to eat at Queen's Tandoor : Indian and Chinese Cuisine (what is it with the Chinese cuisine tagging along behind the Indians in an Indian restaurant..? I continually wonder if the Indians love Chinese cooking that much or is it the Chinese who love the Indian cooking)

Despite of solving my personal unsolved curiosity, I enjoyed my time, as well as the dishes there.. 

The place is full with Ganesha statues and ornaments. The elephant-headed God is believed to be the God of success and the remover of obstacles. As a polytheist that I myself am, I can easily appreciate and understand why they put the statues in the restaurant.

Awards and recognitions

I just think this drawer is very pretty and unique..

STARTERS

Mutton (34k) and Vegetable (27k) Samosa. A fried puff pastry-like filled with generous minced mutton and veggies. 

Frankie (34k). I was so happy to see this on the menu. Inside was chunks of chopped veggies with Indian spices. Reminds me of my school days.. The outer wrap almost resembled the texture of tortilla.

Dahi Puri (36k). It's another Indian snack with the shape of a round puffy shell-like texture, bursting with mashed potato and chickpeas filling when bitten, sprinkled with some spicy paprika and poured with generous cold yogurt.. It's my first time trying Dahi Puri and I LOVE IT. The not so sweet yogurt contrasted with the spicy paprika..

MAIN COURSES

Jeera Pulao (61k). It's basically cumin basmati rice. We were trying something different because we usually order briyani. This one was okay.. I think Indonesians can still accept the taste of this..

Garlic Naan (25k). Well, it's just not complete if not to tear this into pieces and use it to wipe the sauces off of your plate.

Mutton Handi (81k). I remember saying "Mutton mutton mutton! The mutton is so tender" with Indian accent after my first bite. Not only the masala spices are strong, it has that hint of spiciness which completes this dish. 

Butter chicken (74k). Cubed boneless chicken with (yet another) masala spices. They add butter to this one as you can see it's a bit more oily. 

DESSERT

Gulab Jamun (23k). Okay, this I don't like. Sweet way over the top syrup poured into these balls of fried sponge cake like.. NOT FOR ME..

That night, I temporarily fulfilled my Indian food cravings. Feeling perfectly comfortable surrounded with Indian families, I sometimes wonder if maybe I am part Indian inside. Maybe it's just the 10 years of influence, maybe it's just the food that I like, but what I can definitely tell to myself is the smellier the curry, the more me will likey.. Until then, a very good night to all of you (I am literally saying that out loud with Indian accent)

Queen's Tandoor

Permata Plaza

Jl. M. H. Thamrin Kav. 57, Jakarta

Phone : 3903287

Open Hours : 10.00-15.00, 18.00-23.30

12 cupcakes from Twelve Cupcakes

First thing first, I may offend some of you for what I am about to state, and what I am about to state is  none other than the fact how some Indonesians are easily influenced with, what so called, the booming trend (in almost every aspect). 'Food fever', what I like to call it, is one of the examples how some of us may turn ourselves into this bias-judge-it-from-the-cover consumers. Take rainbow and red velvet cake for instance. Some of the people hasn't really moved on from that trend and up to this day, some are still crazy about it.

BIAS.. When the cake itself is basically an ordinary cake but with a lot more

of coloring. Due to the crazy off the charts demand, it is simply overrated.. and over priced. Get my point? Maybe, you are one of those people who are still crazy for red velvet and rainbow cakes, hey, I'm not saying that you can't. I'm just saying this to enlighten you with a little bit of a sensible perspective.

Okay enough of that..

Now, it is the part where you might throw some sentimental-senjata-makan-tuan comments. A while ago, I have been given the chance to try out what supposed to be the number one cupcake from Singapore. Twelve Cupcakes, bringing you with the best quality of cupcakes. Freshly made everyday, they guarantee you with a moist fluffy little sweet treats.

Starting from the left : Rainbow Vanilla, Strawberry Chocolate, Vanilla Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Chocolate Vanilla, Peanut Butter Jelly, Mocha

My instant reflect was to try their Vanilla Chocolate and Peanut Butter Jelly. 

They do keep their promise for a fresh moist and fluffy cupcake. It is so moist that it can make crumbles from each bite. The icing itself fulfills the expectation for what it is named after and for the flavors that you'll expect from hearing that name. The icing for Peanut Butter Jelly, for example, has a really nutty scent and sweet sour blueberry jam in the middle, perfect combo to be put on the moist vanilla cupcake. Both cute and practical, not forgetting yummy.

Starting from the top left to its right, then the next row : Lychee, Chocolate Salt Caramel, Strawberry Chocolate, PB Chocolate, Strawberry Vanilla, Red Velvet, PB Jelly, Rainbow Vanilla, Chocolate Chocolate, Mocha, Chocolate Vanilla, Vanilla Chocolate

12 cupcakes from Twelve Cupcakes

Pardon the photos taken at my home, it was night time and since I have worked, all of my bright sun shiny days are spent at the office. 

Anyway, I have tried a bite out of all the cupcakes. Even my Mother, who is an expert at pointing out flaws out of anything, said it was good. My siblings ate it in no time. The verdict : they really give you for what they promised you. One cupcake will cost you Rp.20k. They also take special custom orders for private events. From what they have to offer, everything sounds great.

Going back to the first real deal, cupcakes has once been a 'food trend' in Indonesia, and they have submerged to a downfall cause I think people started to think, for that kind of price, it just doesn't address enough satisfaction for the belly. For 20k, we can get a simple lunch set worth of meal. Therefore, the cupcake eating trend has ended. 

Since it was originally established in 2011, maybe Twelve Cupcakes has gotten on the train a bit late, but with their strategy for custom made orders, I think they still can survive. The cupcake eating trend might have died, but people still order custom ones as substitutes for birthday cakes (and many other events). 

By the way, even after days of staying in the fridge, I still can feel the moist texture from the cake, aside from the fact that of course, it has turned a bit firm. Well, money talks, doesn't it? Now you know why such a little sweet (also cute) treat may cost you a price of a simple lunch meal. 

Twelve Cupcakes

Central Park LG #156

Website : http://twelvecupcakes.com

Twitter : @12cupcakesID

Facebook : TwelveCupcakesIndonesia

PUBLICO : full of 1920's classics

With that classic 1920 underground mafia setting, Publico has definitely completed my expectations for what it might feel like to be in a mafia movie setting. The whole level is basically divided into two parts, one is the brighter side with enough sunlight coming naturally from above, and the other one is the dimmer side which is filled with leather sofas. The only missing thing was men with long coats, fedora hats, and vintage guns. It really made me feel that this is the place to be for a conspiratorial meeting.

The brick walls and the black shelves, chairs, tables are perfect! It really brought up that sense of vintage elegance. To sum up, the place is what I would call a 'vin-chic' (not trying to be emo with the whole black theme, but I have always loved the color black)

The bar was gorgeous and it is presented like it's the center piece of the whole place. You might not be able to see this, but there are classic green table lamps on the bar. I feel like stealing one home.. hihihi.. Pardon moi on the interior photo, as you can see, it was quite packed and I didn't feel like making the other customers and myself uncomfortable with me roaming around the whole place snapping pictures.

We didn't order much that day because we were still going some place else for dessert. The thing is, I forgot to take the receipt with me, thus, I lost track to some of the names and prices. Sorry -____-?

Besides from serving western food with charcoal-grilled oven, which they have pride upon, some of the food has strong Asian influence.. It's kind of a set back to the whole theme of the place because the food might sound like they're taking the easy way out.

Orange Latte. I would call this a "cute" drink. It has a pungent citrus smell and taste mixed with that velvety thick latte..

Stuffed chicken wings (45k)--> not sure, once again SORRY! This was one of the dishes with the most Asian influence that we ordered that day.  The waiter said that this is the most favorite appetizer. However, it was kind of a let down because there was nothing special actually. The sauce was basically oyster sauce-like with sprinkles of sesame seeds.

This, I completely forgot. What I only remembered, it was written to be spicy in the menu. It turned out to be not spicy  (and I am one of those people who can't stand spicy food). The mayo was way very heavy that it has overtaken the whole flavor. The salad itself was very much coated with mayo. Trying to cut back some calories won't be reaching any success with this dish. The chicken itself was good though.

Creamy smoked scallop pasta (80k). I am really not trying to make it sound bad, but this pasta was really creamy! The scallop texture was almost similar to crabstick's texture. 

I didn't know whether they are trying to adapt their dishes to typical Indonesian taste buds so they can be easily accepted by most people, or maybe I just ordered the wrong things, but the whole experience was ended with a disappointment to the meals, after an overlapped expectations due to the  harlequin exciting rush of being in such a wonderful "vin-chic" mafia setting. The food wasn't that bad, but they just seemed not to compete with the beautiful interiors and the prices given.

However, I love the place so much that I think I will come back to taste more, especially the food using their charcoal-grilled oven (Now I'm being one of those mainstreams who go to places for only the place itself).

PUBLICO
Senopati Raya No.65
Kebayoran baru, Jakarta, Indonesia
Phone : 021-52964960
Twitter : @PUBLICOJAKARTA
Facebook : PUBLICO