Popolamama Mal Taman Anggrek Jakarta Review

I always feel bad whenever I'm writing a bad review. It feels like I hold personal grudge to the restaurant. But it isn't. I just feel very disappointed that I need to share :(

I've seen Popolamama signage months ago replacing Ajisen Ramen at Mal Taman Anggrek. I wasn't interested bcs I thought it would be as mediocre as Ajisen. But then my friends at social media started to post "sweet pizza" at Popolamama Sudirman and I thought "Hey, Taman Anggrek has this place also." So when my brother asked me to have lunch there today, I said okay. Needless to say, I'd rather eat somewhere else.

First, I should say the service is terrible. When we got in, somehow only our table wasn't prepared with utensils, plates, tissues, ketchup, and basically everything. It's just table.

Brother ordered Pasta Set Menu A (IDR 70k); consists of Pasta of your choice (limited to only Bolognese, Tuna Aglio Olio, and Soy Sauce Beef, Spinach, and Rucola), Mini Salad, and choice of beverage (Coffee, Tea, or Iced Lemon Tea). Brother picked Bolognese & Iced Lemon Tea.
I ordered Cream Based Pasta with Beef, Spinach, and Rucola (IDR 52k) and also Iced Lemon Tea (IDR 20k).

Iced Lemon Teas with Mini Salad

Wait until 5 minutes with many waiters passing by, no one realized we weren't equipped with utensils. I had to raise my hand and asked for it. But what you asked is what you get. Only utensils and still no plate or everything else, while other tables are fully equipped -_________-

Spaghetti Bolognese & Cream Based Spaghetti with Beef, Spinach, and Rucola

I've always loved Rucola when it's cooked right. But this one is probably very raw with very tangy scent and I had to hold the urge of mini vomit everytime I put a spoonful in my mouth. Pasta was chewy and dry, no taste of cream. Only the beef had the cream absorbed -_- Bolognese was also very plain according to my brother, and we had to ask for Ketchup & Chili Sauce to get this through our throat.

Right after the waiter put this down, he took away our receipt (the paper you stick in customer's table to monitor all the orders) and said, "All of the orders have come out ya." And left wtf. We had to call him back to say that our pizza hasn't come ... And he said, we ordered no pizza. Earlier the waitress that took our order didn't bring any piece of paper and just memorize things I thought she's so capable but turns out, she missed the pizza omg...

We had to re-order. Brother was still eager to try the pizza, while all I wanna do just leave right away.

Classic Margherita Pizza

The only good thing in this disappointing lunch. Even though the topping more or less is the same like Domino's Pizza Deluxe Cheese, but the dough is definitely better. 

Popolamama is pretty much like Pasta de Waraku, except no matter how bad Pasta de Waraku is, it's still better than this -_-

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Will I be back: No.

Ikkudo Ichi Central Park Review

2 posts in a row! Hehe..

Visiting Ikkudo Ichi for the first time last Saturday. There's always this continuous debate between Hakata Ikkousha and Ikkudo Ichi (just like Tekko vs Leko, never ending). I think everyone has their own opinion on this infamous debate. Anyhow, I've only tasted Hakata so far and liking it at first. But only the one in Kelapa Gading branch, but then last time I went it somehow turned disappointing. Tried the one in PIK, also disappointing. Tried the one in Taman Anggrek... even more. They don't even serve pork!! They promised pork menu will be available after Lebaran last year, and hey it's almost Lebaran again this year wtf.

So yea back to Ikkudo lol I'm rambling. Went to the Central Park branch, that's somehow famous for its bad service. I'd say after visiting.. not so bad. Few weakness but I wouldn't say bad. The waitress just didn't offer us menu -_-

Buta Signature

Learned that Buta means pork and Tori means chicken! Hahaha.. On appearance, it appears smaller than its competitor, but after I finished this I feel very full! I didn't customize my ramen, but if you'd like to, you can customize the type of the noodle and the thickness of the broth. I like the ramen, despite the very thin slice of the chasiu :|
I read harsh comments that say if you like ramen in Jakarta, means you've never tasted better. Well.. I've never been to Japan and if you're so prude like that you shouldn't be eating ramen in Jakarta -_- sorry occasional rage :|

Bf ordered Buta Curry something. He likes it so much he dips everything in the broth, even the premium pork cheek we ordered -_-

Premium Pork Cheek (5 slices)

I took the pic when it was still 5 slices but the pic magically disappears T.T The meat tastes good and very tender. But I don't lust after pork as much as my bf so in the future I might be unwilling to pay IDR 72k for this 5 slices of pork. But bf certainly will *shift eyes*

Overall this is a fresh change after many disappointment, and I think from now on when I crave for ramen I will only eat Ikkudo :)

Rating: ★★★★☆

Will I be back: Yes.

Jiuzhai Valley Restaurant PIK Jakarta Review

I just got email from a certain five star hotel in Jakarta. Though I rarely check my email and the invitation has obviously expired, I do realize people do read my blog hehehe.. (well yea I have statistics but due to the lack of comments I sometimes feel disheartened.)

Anyway, got recommendation from a China native man to eat at this Chinese restaurant at Pantai Indah Kapuk Jakarta. He said this is the closest he gets to the authentic cuisine back in Guangzhou. Closest in Jakarta, but nowhere near the authentic. The statement is ambiguous. Anyway, bf and I gave it a try. Bf has tried the one in Guangzhou and I think he could make a fair comparison.

Gan Guo Pork Intestine

This was bf's favorite cuisine when he visited Guangzhou. Cooked with lots of oil and many kinds of chili. Very tasty but prepare for the spiciness. The spiciness is real O.O There are also few slices of potatoes inside, but the intestines are the stars. (Small portion: IDR 58k, big portion: IDR 78k)

Hui Guo Rou

To be honest, we looked at the menu and got confused, hence we asked the waitress what's the popular dish in there and she pointed this. This is pork belly cooked with, again, lots of oil and chili. But there is edible green veggies there (garlic chives?). The spiciness is not as overwhelming as the pork intestine but this tastes as good. When we visit the second time (yes, there is already second visit lol) we ordered this again. And the pork intestine, of course. The pork belly costs: for small portion IDR 48k, big portion IDR 68k.

Yang Chow Fried Rice

We visit this place after we had massage at Nano Reflexology, Pluit. That place gives free food and beverage as compliment and since I finished faster than bf, I had chicken porridge there hahaha.. So I only took few spoons from this Yang Chow Fried Rice. Tasted okay, nothing special. Price: IDR 30k.

I have to remind if you don't like salty food, this isn't the place for you. I like it and I know when food are overly salty, but for me this is decent and a good salty. Please trust my taste buds haha.. I just have to clarify this because I read people complain of the food being too salty. For me it isn't, but I guess it depends. Jiuzhai Valley opens until midnight, so if you're in the neighborhood and want nice food with rice at very late (bcs Indonesian can't live with rice :D), do come visit.

The only minus thing from this place is the waitresses!! They are not waitress. They're more like your maid or helper from home and asked to serve in this restaurant. Very rude, no manner, talk back to customer, record the wrong order (we order big portion, she gave small one wtf), sit in the customer table, sleep in customer table -_______- but then again, you do not pay for any service charge!

When we visit the second time, there this native Chinese lady (I assume the owner) and the waitresses behaved a bit better :|

Rating: ★★★★☆

Will I be back: Yes. (I need to explore other menus though, since twice went there I ordered the same thing T.T)

Bubur Kam Seng Mangga Besar Jakarta Review

Years ago, I saw one of my Facebook friends posted Chinese food and caption the picture as "Kam Seng!!!". At that time I thought Kam Seng was a Chinese word with a meaning like "Kanpei!". Turns out it's a name :|

So last night I finally had a chance to visit this porridge place with my brother and unwilling bf lol.

Here's what we ordered. From the very left side clockwise: Bubur Tiga Rasa, Tahu Kecap, Cheong Fan/Cheong Fun (Chinese Rice Roll) large, Bubur Guangzhou Special, Cheong Fun small, and 3 portions of Cakue.

Closer look of the orders without the cheong fun. Bubur Tiga Rasa (3 flavored Congee) contains 3 kinds of eggs inside; salted eggs, century eggs, and I forgot the other one sorry :| Bf ordered this. Then me & bro shared Guangzhou Special Congee with peanuts, char siew, and sliced fried eggs.

My portion! Congee is usually eaten with side dishes but even though I'm a Chinese descendant, I'm not a big fan of porridge and never really eat congee. We usually ate porridge plain or just with chicken or fish fillet, the end. Then we're kind of amazed that everyone else in this place ordered a lot of side dishes to complement their congees. As other reviews have stated, their cheong fun is indeed memorable. It's the nicest dish on the table. It has tiny bits of char siew instead (optional) but the rice roll itself tastes very nice.

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (additional comment from bf: Best porridge but not exceptionally great, there's a lot of other menus to explore :D)

Will I be back: Yes.

Carnivor PIK Jakarta Review

Meatballs Spaghetti (served with Cranberry Sauce)

Meh.

Is a review allowed to only have a word? Lol. 

Okay background story. I was wanting to try a pasta with Pesto sauce and I read here and there that Carnivor serves Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken. I was very excited and decided to went there, even though bf already gave early warning that this place is meh. (He went once before me and even though Carnivor is specialized in meat, bf said the steak is bad)

I still want! Because all the reviews are so good but when I was handed the menu... It's not there. I even asked the waitress, which look confused, and said grilled chicken pasta is served but not with pesto sauce fml.

So I'm forced to pick this because there are no other pasta that caught my fancy and also order calamary hoping it will be good. But no. Meh. The pasta itself is overcooked, meatballs are tasteless, the mushroom cream sauce is savory but overwhelmed with MSG... Meh.. This place is just meh. I don't know it's because I had such a high expectation before, but I really can't find anything nice.

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

Will I be back: No.

Freeze Mal Taman Anggrek Jakarta Review

On October 15, 2013, a new ice cream store was opened in Mal Taman Anggrek. I've been eyeing this place a week before its grand opening, I even approached the stall when they were preparing but I wasn't able to buy at that time. But it's finally opened! It's an ice cream made using Nitrogen o.O I somehow noticed that this usage of Nitrogen is currently popular in ice cream industry but didn't know it would reach Indonesia this soon.

Here is a picture tweeted by Mal Taman Anggrek which shows the selection of ice cream creation you can make at Freeze.

But most of the ice cream flavor I like contains nuts in the menu :( I hate nuts!!
But!! They actually allow you to make your own creation!

Picture I took while queuing. Your order is made on the spot!

One of the ice cream maker. They use a lab coat and they will shout your queue number to make sure you are there since nitrogen ice cream melts faster than regular ice cream, as you can read from picture above. (if it's readable T_T)

My ice cream in the making! *-* The smoke is really fascinating lol.

Banana Ice Cream with Pretzel!

It really tastes different from regular ice cream and has smoother texture. But it does melt quickly. The taste is not so bold and feels a bit watery. I would like to go back to try other flavors but it is quite pricy for a light snack and if I'm in rush, I might run for bubble tea (again) as cheaper and easier to consume alternative.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Will I be back: Yes. (I love ice cream! :p)

Holycow Steakhouse Jakarta Review

Few weeks ago, I finally got to try the famous Holycow Steak. Heard that it serves good quality steak with cheap price. What I know after I ate there, it is not that cheap as people said :/ I think Gowagyu is cheaper (don't mean to compare).

We arrived at 7 or 8 PM at the Senopati branch, located at Jalan Bakti. Heard that now there's 2 kinds of Holycow: Steakhouse and Steakhotel. The original with Chef Afit is at Senopati, as well as other branches at Kelapa Gading and Kebon Jeruk. Upon arriving, greeted by queue of people. I thought it's quite late for dinner time but the place is still really packed. Waiting for our turn, we took time to learn the menu. The price for the steak is above IDR 80k though. Don't know how it is said as cheap? (If compared to those in mall of course is way cheaper, but I meant with other independent steak stalls)

200g Tenderloin Steak with Mushroom Sauce

Here's my order. You can customize the steak (200g or 400g), the potato (mashed or french fries), the veggies (sauteed bean or sauteed spinach), and the sauce which I picked the mushroom sauce which is marked as chef's recommendation.

My brother picked BBQ sauce while bf picked Blackpepper sauce. Both are much better than my mushroom sauce T______T My sauce just doesn't go well with the steak -________- for the meat I asked for medium well and it comes of tender, also I have no complain over the veggies and the potato. It's good but nothing is really special about it. It's not that kind of high end steak but it's an affordable good steak if you crave for one. For the drink there is bottomless choice for those who needs lots of liquid while eating *cough* bf *cough* you can choose Nestea Lemon Tea, Green Tea, and Blackcurrant Tea.

Tiramisu by MiSU

Order this for dessert. I thought I would get this for free but I was charged :( later on I know that they have like limited quota of the day, so not everybody can get free misu. Boo. It was delicious though. Only when I got this, it was really cold and I had to break the surface of the tiramisu (by knocking it with the spoon lol). But very yummy. It got an actual cake inside and everything they put just went well together. I once purchased tiramisu from famous bakery in mall (B**** T*** :p) and it only contains WHIPPED CREAM. What a waste of money.

My brother also had Apple Crumble by Mini Love Bites offered in their dessert menu and it was very good as well!

Rating: ★★★★☆

Will I be back: Yes.