When we heard about the opening of new restaurants, especially the ones boasting big names behind the kitchen, we couldn’t help but getting excited and started to set expectations. It wouldn’t be before our visit when we could determine whether or not these expectations are met, or, are these expectations exceeded.
Auroz Gourmet Bistro
Auroz the new brainchild of Gilles Marx, the founder of Amuz Gourmet, one of Jakarta’s top fine dining restaurants, which is well-respected for its authentic and classic French cuisine. Gilles has garnered much praise for his work with Amuz, a restaurant which has elevated Jakarta’s dining scene to a new level of excitement. With its fine food, Amuz has long attracted clientele the likes of Jakarta’s elite and members of international diplomatic corps. Auroz, meanwhile, focuses on bringing a more casual style to its dishes while still boasting a flair that could only come from a chef of Gilles’ caliber.
Auroz combines the French gourmet bistro concept, which is known for its contemporary approach to French classics, with the concept of a modern American steak house, showcasing tasty and hearty meat dishes – with quality premium steaks being the highlight.
When we heard of the recent opening of Auroz Gourmet Bistro as a steakhouse concept by Amuz Group, we applauded those who made it happen, to whom we owe the fact that dining in Jakarta just got a whole lot more dimensional.
Auroz Gourmet Bistro
Menara Merdeka, Ground Floor
Jl. Budi Kemuliaan 1 No.2
Central Jakarta
T: +62-21 2957 3690
aurozgourmet.com
Le Quartier
Another soon-to-be big player on Jakarta’s dining scene is Le Quartier. Founded by talented and innovative chef and restaurateur, Chris Janssens, whose portfolio includes Cassis French fine dining restaurant, Le Quartier aims to bring the honest and friendly dining experience which is often found on the street sides of European capitals to Jakarta.
Le Quartier will delight you with its authentic, turn-of-the-century, seasonal French cuisine with a contemporary European twist, such as the fresh crisp oysters and the luscious foie gras. And what could be better to pair with fine food than a bottle of premium wine? Le Quartier’s wine cellar features distinctive Australian and French wines, a list which is carefully compiled by the in-house sommelier, making it hard to miss.
Expect nothing less than unique and exciting entertainment, themed dinners, brunches and ever-changing weekly highlights at Le Quartier, where every visit is a valued experience.
Le Quartier
Jl. Gunawarman No. 34
Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
T: +62-21 7278 8001
lequartier.co.id
PongMe!
Outside the refined world of fine dining but a no less rave-worthy new establishment is PongMe!, a table tennis lounge which recently opened on Jalan Gunawarman, South Jakarta. The opening of PongMe! confirms that Jakarta is following the global trend of the ping-pong club revolution. A sweaty gymnasium is not the concept – the lounge replicates the experience of a sports bar; however, instead of playing pool, patrons eat light meals and sip cocktails while holding amicable and not-so-amicable face-offs over the ping-pong table.
The U.S. has seen numerous ping-pong clubs popping up in major cities, such as Comet Ping Pong in Washington D.C. as well as in New York and Los Angeles with SPiN Galactic, which is founded by veteran actress Susan Sarandon. In the UK, ping-pong restaurants became the hype last year. So we can see how the opening of PongMe! will not only create a buzz but also a new lifestyle in Jakarta.
Positioning itself as a family-friendly establishment, PongMe! has eight ping-pong tables, including five casual tables and three VIP tables. There is good food – including a kid’s menu – easy-listening music and tons of fun to be had playing ping-pong. The food ranges from western to eastern and Indonesian cuisines. Visit soon!
PongMe!
Jalan Gunawarman No. 37
Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
T: +62-21 726 0989
pongmelounge.com
