Places to stay(Hotel), live music, and eat at in Jakarta

ChrisTex

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As with the thread about Solo, these are just places I have been to and reviewed on Trip Advisor.


[h=1]POP! Hotel Kelapa Gading Jakarta[/h]
Jl. Bulevar Kelapa Gading, Blok M | Sentra Kelapa Gading, Jakarta 14240, Indonesia




POP! Hotels are all over Indonesia, but this is the only one I have stayed at in Jakarta.

in December 2014, it was my first time staying at POP ever. From the moment I arrived to the time I left, the staff made me feel welcome and were asking questions and helping adjust to being in Jakarta.

I have since stayed there a second time and the staff was just as friendly. It is next to Kelapa Gading Mall and there is a special entrance to get to the mall along with different places to eat. The breakfast isn't anything to write home about, but it won't tear up yur stomach with the Indonesian food they serve.

More of a budget type hotel.

Live Music


[h=1]Eastern Promise[/h]
5 Jalan Kemang Raya, Jakarta, Indonesia

I went to Eastern Promise with a few friends to hang out. We had dinner and we had one person in the group who prefers live music. Not knowing what to expect, I went along and the venue is a good size. They had one room that had a dj playing music and the room where we went with a live band. From what I could tell they offered a number of different beers and drinks. They also sell pitchers of beer and you can have it brought to your table and they also sell cigs.

There seemed to be a good mix in the crowd: old, young, foreigners, locals. The security and staff are very helpful when ordering a grabcar and there are plenty of taxis.

I will definantly go back again even if I don't go out like I used to.

Places to eat

[h=1]Kashiwa Restaurant[/h]
Jl Pintu Satu Senayan, Tanah Abang, Jakarta(Block M)

I went with some friends to Kashiwa for a small get together. One of them had ate there a few times before. It is located in South Jakarta called Little Tokyo(near Block M) and Plaza Block M). When I arrived in the area, I was taken back a bit as the area did live up to its name. Kashiwa is one of those places if you aren't looking for it, you will miss it.

The food is fairly cheap, about 30.000,00 IDR per item. We ordered several dishes for us all to share and a beer tower. They have a fried tuna that I originally thought was chicken or pork. They had samon and another type of fish that were yummy, but they tend to sell out of those fast.

For beer they had Bintang, Heiniken, Sapporo(Japanese beer, but brewed in Indonesia). Never had Sapporo before, but it was fantastic.

The place isn't very big so seating is limited. There is no smoking or smoking sections so expect to see people lighting up their cigs.

They have a western toliet which is very clean.

Personally I want to go more often, but as I live in North Jakarta, makes it a bit difficult. However when I go to visit my wife at her office, I will stop by again.

[h=1]The Cheesecake Factory[/h]
Tebet, Jakarta, Indonesia

It isn't often when you get a cheesecake in another country that it tastes like it should. I was surprised to see a Cheesecake Factory in South Jakarta, let alone where it is located at.

The inside is cozy and relaxing. They had the different cheesecakes on display which was nice. The tea was fantastic. My wife and I just had a red velvet cheesecake to eat. Nothing off the menu. Did have a look at it and it had a number of western dishes and some oriental dishes.

Compared to some places in the area, they have a decent parking area. They also do home delivery and have some collections(gift baskets to choose from. Might just be for Chinese New Year).

[h=1]Abuba Steak[/h]
Boulevard Kelapa Gading, Jakarta, Indonesia

There are other locations in Jakarta, but this is the one I have visited.

Ok keep in mind I am originally from Texas and steak is a popular food choice. Now I have been living in Indonesia for about 4 months now. Most of the time when I order a steak 9 out of 10 times it is barely a fillet and doesn't taste that great.

My wife took to me Abuba for lunch and when I saw the type of food, I didn't think I would be that impressed. Boy was I wrong! Before we ordered I saw a table that had ordered and eating so I had a chance to see that they served actual steak.

When seeing the menu, they had T-Bone, Ribeye, Sirloin, fillet steak from America, New Zealand, and local product.

The difference between American and New Zealand steaks is between 150-200,000 IDR so I went with the New Zealand Ribeye. It tasted and was fantastic. Not only did it look like a steak, it tasted like one too. It was the best steak I have had in Indonesia.

I had known there is a different steak house in Central Jakarta, but it is very pricey. Abuba is a great alternative and you get better value for money. My wife also ordered a steak. We spent less than 350,000 IDR which included our two steaks, two drinks, and a dessert.




[h=1]POP! Hotel Kelapa Gading Jakarta[/h]
 
Steak:
Try HolyCow. There are two different "schools", so try them both. I like the one that has a branch at Citos, and the other one is okay. The one that has a branch at Citos has 400 gram Sirloin and Ribeyes (about 14oz). Just don't ask for anything but "medium". It will come anywhere between perfect medium rare and medium-well.

There's Ruth's Chris in Central Jakarta (or is it still South?)

Hotels:
For another budget type but slightly upscale, try Fave Hotel.

For a solid "real" 3-4 star hotel, try the Sunlake group of hotels (Hotel Manhattan, Merlynn Park, and a couple others). It's probably solidly a 3.5 star hotel if we count Holiday Inn as a 4 star hotel. Fave hotel is probably 2.5 stars whereas Pop! is 2 stars.
 
It's in South Jakarta, right next to Lotte Shopping Mal/Raffles Hotel.
Would like to try barbecue shrimp there

Steak:
Try HolyCow. There are two different "schools", so try them both. I like the one that has a branch at Citos, and the other one is okay. The one that has a branch at Citos has 400 gram Sirloin and Ribeyes (about 14oz). Just don't ask for anything but "medium". It will come anywhere between perfect medium rare and medium-well.

There's Ruth's Chris in Central Jakarta (or is it still South?)

Hotels:
For another budget type but slightly upscale, try Fave Hotel.

For a solid "real" 3-4 star hotel, try the Sunlake group of hotels (Hotel Manhattan, Merlynn Park, and a couple others). It's probably solidly a 3.5 star hotel if we count Holiday Inn as a 4 star hotel. Fave hotel is probably 2.5 stars whereas Pop! is 2 stars.
 
Are you sure the Cheesecake Factory was the real thing? (Is it the same as the ones in the US? Was Penny your waitress? :) )There used to be a restaurant with that name near Blok M - it is still there but with a slightly different name. I think they were ripping off the Cheesecake Factory name and got caught.
 
Not 100% sure. I just know it was in South Jakarta and we went there after my wife had an interview.
 
My favourite cheesecake is available ..... in Cafe Batavia.

Hotel 5 stars - Kempinsky for those with money. There is swimming pool for hotel guests https://www.kempinski.com/en/jakarta/hotel-indonesia/spa/fitness-centre/
Budget hotel - Amaris for those with less money.

I am not an expert in steaks. I love pork. So I went to two german restaurants.

Die Stube

Address: Jln Kemang Raya no 2, Plaza Bisnis Kemang 1, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta, Indonesia


Phone:+62 21 71793486




The other was Paulaner Brauhaus.

Located in: Grand Indonesia

Address: East Mall Grand Indonesia Lantai 2, Jalan M.H. Thamrin No. 1, Grand Indonesia, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta, Indonesia
 
I am a bit of a hotel freak, so could post quite a bit in this thread. :)

I tend to try to get top status in a hotel chain. The benefits are really great, and well worth it, if you travel a lot or stay in the same hotel often. I might explain it more if there's interest.

The Grand Hyatt in Plaza Indonesia is one of my favorites if I have a big budget. I first started staying here in 2009 or 2010. At that time, after the global financial crises, prices were relatively low. You could use $75 worth of points, or pay about $100++ for a standard room.

Being a Diamond member, I can get free upgrades, or use one of my suite upgrade certificates for a suite. They have two types of normal suites. The Premier Suite with full kitchen, living room with large dining table. This is our favorite. These types of suites are showing their age, and they don't seem interested in updating them yet.

As with most of my stays in Asia, what makes or breaks the stay is the employees. About 80% of the employees here are really great. 15% are average, and 5%, usually supervisors or higher, are not good.

One other great benefit is having use of the Executive Lounge for free. Their breakfast is really nice, and includes cook to order eggs, and they'll also bring pork bacon on request. They have soft drinks, coffee, tea and water all day long.

In the evening, they have free alcohol, and lots of food from 6-8pm each day. They have high quality sushi, 2-3 hot dishes, with at least 1 Indonesian mie or nasi. Their chicken satays are really good, but they don't have them that often. Usually 4-6 desserts, about half being Indonesian types.

The lounge has comfortable seating, including 3 nice sofas. No smoking in the main lounge, but they have a separate smoking room. Window seating has some nice views of the city.

The hotel has a very large pool, with some cabanas, and restaurant. A kiddie pool, jogging course, and lots of greenery.

I've eaten at all the restaurants, but will save that for another post.

They have local/Kitas/Kitap specials on weekends. Usually in the $150-$165 range, and include breakfast downstairs. They also have a member card, that includes 2 weekend nights at the hotel, discounts up to 50% at their hotel, high tea service and a few other things. It costs about $325 the first year ($295 in subsequent years), and does provide benefits at some other Hyatt hotels around the world.

A new Park Hyatt hotel is supposed to be opening in Jakarta, next year.
 
Best burger place in Jakarta: Three Buns in Senopati :D
 
Nice advice! - I recall (with yet another one good hotel chain) needing to get 60 days in 3 different locations. This got you the bottle of wine, 6 pack of beer and chocolates during your private check-in along with the automatic suite upgrades etc etc, happy hours etc etc, and all manner of concierge service globally (think storing your bags and getting free beers during a visa run). Jaime C's comment is spot-on!
 
Best burger place in Jakarta: Three Buns in Senopati :D

Better than Fatburger? Probably cheaper, at least ... while we think the burgers are delicious, we can't believe how expensive that place is.
 
Fatburger is ok, but nothing I'd go out of my way for. I haven't found anything that even approaches a 5 Guys burger in Indonesia.
 
Fatburger is ok, but nothing I'd go out of my way for. I haven't found anything that even approaches a 5 Guys burger in Indonesia.

Well, I meant "delicious" by "what's available in Jakarta" standards :)

I have never been to a 5 Guys. If I ever have a chance I will research what I'm missing.
 
Better than Fatburger? Probably cheaper, at least ... while we think the burgers are delicious, we can't believe how expensive that place is.


If I remember correctly 3 buns is quite a bit more expensive than Fatburger. Only tried it once had a burger, fries and an organic cola for idr250,000k and it wasn't very good.
 
Are you sure the Cheesecake Factory was the real thing? (Is it the same as the ones in the US? Was Penny your waitress? :) )There used to be a restaurant with that name near Blok M - it is still there but with a slightly different name. I think they were ripping off the Cheesecake Factory name and got caught.

I meet the owner of the "Cheesecake Factory" the one near Blok M and he admitted that he had been to the original in America and liked the restaurant/concept and had copied it. I think he has another on Antasarri, but haven't tried it.
 
i used to be a frequent customer for cheesecake fact in tebet, way before they open their restaurants.
then i had the chance to eat in cheesecake fact in US .. and then i stop visiting the one in tebet ( they also have one resto in tomang raya) except if i really have to.
totally different.. , and i had some relatively good cheesecake at dharmawangsa hotel and one more place that i forgot the name..

I meet the owner of the "Cheesecake Factory" the one near Blok M and he admitted that he had been to the original in America and liked the restaurant/concept and had copied it. I think he has another on Antasarri, but haven't tried it.
 
How different is pop from harris KG next to it?
Ive only stayed in harris btw.

I would recommend a not so well known place called hanako in #pasarmoi. Its an indonesian chef who learnt japanese food from his time working in USA and is helped by his korean wife whom he met there. So their style is not the usualy kind you can expect of an indonesian-run japanese restaurant.
Try their salmon platter. 4 sashimi slices, 3 salmon sushi (the meat reaching past the end of the rice to sit on the plate) and their crispy spicy salmon roll (better than it sounds) for 100k.
Their other stuff is ok ok to me. They just added soft shell crab to their selections which seems nice. Unlimited ocha.
 
Harris hotel is a solid 3 star hotel and pop hotel is a solid budget hotel at 2 stars for amenities
 
Better than Fatburger? Probably cheaper, at least ... while we think the burgers are delicious, we can't believe how expensive that place is.


If I remember correctly 3 buns is quite a bit more expensive than Fatburger. Only tried it once had a burger, fries and an organic cola for idr250,000k and it wasn't very good.

I'm sorry, I have to step in :)

Three Buns is freaking delicious, full stop. Is it a bit expensive, especially for Indonesia? Yes it is but the quality of food, the setting and service do not compare to fatburger.

The bread is delicious, the meat is delicious, the sauce is delicious, the cheese is delicious and if all of this wasn't delicious enough, you get to add some freaking pork belly to any of their burgers!
 
We head to Jakarta today and will be staying at Oasis Amir, I'll try to do a review when we get back
 
Put a foreign or fancy name on it and you figure you can charge a fortune and still people will come and put money in your wallet. Still, potential Indonesian business people fail to see that someone could open a simular concept, put out quality products and charge a fair price and blow the doors off the competition. Then again, Indonesians have to maintain that image so they need to be seen or announce that they have eaten at some overpriced, big name, place.
 

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