Day 3 & 4 : 3 & 4 November 2013, Sunday & Monday
Gastronomy Trail :
Nyiur Cafe and Resto : 3 November 2013, Sunday, Lunch
With a heavy heart, we departed the gorgeous Putri Island and headed back to Jakarta mainland.
After a 1.5 hours boat ride, we almost pounce on any edible species that came into our paths.
Thankfully, we got to Nyiur Cafe and Resto (nearby to Marina Ancol pier) just in time.
Nyiur Cafe and Resto was housed within Putri Duyang Cottages ~ the only exotic beach resort hotel in Jakarta.
There is an indoor and outdoor sector at this cafe, with the latter overseeing the beach.
Nyiur Cafe and Resto ~ housed within Putri Duyang Cottages, the only exotic beach resort hotel in Jakarta.
We had a Tempe, Ox-tail soup, Beef soup, a Noodle, a Deep Fried Fish and a Goreng Pisang dessert.
Having nurtured a sweet tooth, my ‘favorite-iest’ was the Goreng Pisang dessert.
Tempe, Ox-tail soup, Beef soup, a Noodle, a Deep Fried Fish and a Goreng Pisang dessert.
Not only did I had seconds, I even had a third…! (*Blushes*… Ssshhheesshh….Dun tell anyone, ya… 🙂 )
Deep Fried Banana coated with condensed milk and topped with cheese. Ohhh… Heavenly…!!
| Name of Eatery | : | Nyiur Cafe and Resto |
| Location | : | Putri Duyung Ancol, J1. Lodan Timur No. 7 Ancol Jakarta. |
| Contact Number | : | +62 21 2601 680 |
| : | info@putriduyung-ancol.com | |
| Website | : | Putri Duyung |
Istana Ayam Pop : 3 November 2013, Sunday, Dinner
For dinner, we were off to Istana Ayam Pop ~ a Padang feast.
Padang cuisine is often associated with West Sumatra and well reputed for its strong rich coconut milk and spicy chilli in the dishes.
As like any Padang restaurant, customers DO NOT need to order the dishes.
The restaurant staffs will serve an array of small dishes to the table.
The spread we had on our table…!
We had about 21 small dishes, ranging from beef rendang, beef liver, intestines, ox brain curry, sambal petai prawns, chicken satay, ikan bilis, fried chicken and many many others.
At the end of the meal, the staffs will make a count and customers would only be charged for those dishes that they had consumed.
Juggling Act with 11 plates on both hands
When Sock Peng found out that she would be making a trip to Jakarta, she sought out advice on where to go and eat. One of her friends suggested “Taste Paradise” at Plaza Indonesia.
Taste Paradise had its humble beginnings from Singapore, where they kicked off as ‘Seafood Paradise’ in a 25-seater coffeeshop at Defu Lane in 2002.
Singaporeans are quick to snuff out good food and before they knew it, word had spread and foodies started patronising in droves.
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram were not even born yet at that time and their name was already everywhere!
The creation of signature dishes and introduction of live seafood won them acclaim from food critics and diners.
Taste Paradise at Defu Lane. Stock Picture by yellowsing.com
Restaurants after restaurants started sprouting around town and in June 2011, the Paradise Group ventured out of Singapore shores and arrives in Jakarta with Paradise Dynasty.
To a certain extent, I am a little heartened (and with a little pride) that our local company made their way across the seas to share the delicacies with the locals there.
The first Taste Paradise at Chinatown, Mosque Street. Stock Picture abstracted from Singapore-Dine.sg
Woww… That is quite a ‘big name’ to it.
Upon entering, ‘Grandeur’ was really…. GRANDEUR…!
The elaborate interior fittings, the seating concepts, the antique pieces and chandeliers all lived up to it.
Did Taste Paradise really live up to its name as Grandeur of Chinese Dining ?
Elaborate interior fittings, the seating concepts, the antique pieces and chandeliers were impeccable !
The label ‘Grandeur’ transposed from the exterior fittings to its cuisines. The Siew Mai, Cheong Fun, Egg Tarts, Pork Belly, Flaky Char Siew Bun, ‘Flaming’ Claypot rice and 3-combi dessert were all testaments of so.
Grandeur furnishings with Grandeur delicacies
Of them, I found the ‘Flaming’ Claypot rice and 3-combi dessert most interesting.
Unlike most claypot rice, this claypot rice came with a little flame at the side of the pot.
The kurobuta pork topping was fragrant and tasty and the rice was cooked just nice with a little crisp and yet not too burnt.
Flaming Claypot Rice
3 Combi Dessert ~ From Left to Right : Avocado Ice-Cream, Coonde Oonde Durian Ice-Cream (Durian in Black Sesame Shell) and Aloe Vera Jelly.
What an honour… 🙂
Master Chef, Zeus Wong (left) cancelled his day-off and came back to the restaurant to host us before flying off that very night. What an honour !
The Grandeur of Chinese Dining ~ Two thumbs up for this restaurant !
| Name of Eatery | : | Paradise Dynasty |
| Location | : | Plaza Indonesia South Gate, 4th Floor #01JL. M.H. Thamrin kav 28 – 30, Jakarta 10350 |
| Contact Number | : | +6221 2992 3838 |
| Website | : | http://www.paradisegroup.com.sg |
Nature vs Nurture ~ Ocean Ecopark : 3 November 2013, Sunday Noon
Covering 34 hectares, the Ocean Ecopark is an edutainment (education + entertainment) adventure hangout for family and friends.
From Animal Feeding to bumper boats, cycling, tarzan jump, segway, paintball and musical fountain show, there was something for everyone. (Each activity cost separately).
The markets were already closed when we visited after lunch.
We came to the pond and each of us had a packet of feeds for the carps.
We got quite overwhelmed when we saw the horde of carps wolfed down the feeds within seconds and wished we had more feeds for them.
Feeding the hungry carps
A ride on the dolphin boat brought us around the park and to Eco Island where we hopped off to feed the deers.
As we strolled to the deer enclosure, all of them were already sticking out their heads waiting eagerly for us.
On-board the Dolphin Boat. Every boat had a different theme ; Octopus, Mermaid etc.
I was feeding / trying to feed them when my shades slipped off the top of my head.
The deers looked at me in amazement and must be thinking, “Hellooo… What is this silly girl doing with our food ?” Haahaahaa… 🙂
I was quite hesitant to put up this pic but I felt that this picture really captured the “Kodak-Moment”, although I think I looked really silly, comical and so ‘un-glam’.
(“Kodak Moment” captured by Darren Ng, explorelah.blogspot.sg)
Deers : Hellooo… What is this silly girl doing with our food ? Comeon, hurry and give us our food…!! : D
| Name of Attraction | : | Ocean Ecopark, Ancol |
| Location | : | Jalan London Raya, Jakarta Utara, DKI Jakarta, 14430 Indonesia. |
| Contact Number | : | +6221 2922 2222 |
| Website | : | http://www.ancol.com |
Retail Explosion
Explosion is the exact term that I think needed to express what I see of the retail scene in Jakarta.
With 130+ shopping malls and still counting, there is no lack of shopping diversity in this city! From community malls to destination malls, from local souvenirs to foreign retailers, one can really go gaga, shopping in Jakarta. Thankfully, I do not stay in Jakarta, otherwise, I’m not sure if my income suffices for my shopping expenditure! 🙂
We visited two mega malls, both having a distinct characteristic of their own; ITC Mangga Dua and Plaza Indonesia.
ITC Mangaa Dua : 3 November 2013, Sunday Noon
The Mangga Dua area itself comprises of 6 large shopping malls;-
(1) Mangga Dua Mall
(2) The Harco Mas Mangga Dua ~ Electronics
(3) The Dusit Mangga Dua ~ Electronics
(4) The ITC Mangga Dua (two of it;- ITC Mangga Dua I and ITC Mangga Dua II) ~ Clothes
(5) Pasar Pagi Mangga Dua ~ Clothes
(6) The Mangga Dua WTC ~ Complete shopping mall with entertainment, food court, swimming pool, hypermart and apartment.
With so many malls and so little time, we had to narrow our shopping expedition to only one; the ITC Mangga Dua for apparels and accessories.
We arrived the mall at 4pm and with only 2 hours to go through 6 levels of retail shops, it was truly a test of speed shopping! (Shopping mall closes at 6pm.)
ITC Mangga Dua ~ for apparels and accessories
There were shoes, bags, clothes, accessories and all.
It was as like Bangkok’s Platinum Mall, except that at Platinum Mall, many retailers sold pretty much the same things, whereas at this mall, we hardly come across retailers selling the exact same apparels.
Darren picked out a Tee at one of the shops and bought it.
As we continued shopping, we did not come across a second retailer selling that exact same top.
6 levels of retail shops with so little time, it was truly a test of speed shopping!
| Name of Attraction | : | ITC Mangga Dua |
| Location | : | Jalan Mangga Dua Raya St. Ancol Village, Pademangan District North Jakarta City, 14430. |
| Contact Number | : | +6221 6264815 |
| Operation Hours | : | 10am to 6pm |
Plaza Indonesia : 4 November 2013, Monday Morning
We checked out Plaza Indonesia on the Monday morning, couple of hours prior to our departure.
Located in Central Jakarta, Plaza Indonesia opened its doors in mid-1990s and positioned themselves as the first high end shopping mall in Indonesia.
The mall is home to a multitude of international brands, fine-dinings, F & B concept stores, authentic cuisines and cafes.
Plaza Indonesia – First High End Shopping Mall in Indonesia
Any high end brand you name it, it is here…!
| Name of Attraction | : | Plaza Indonesia |
| Location | : | Plaza Indonesia, Jl. Mh Thamrin Kav – 28 – 30, Menteng, Gondangdia, Jakarta Pusat, Indonesia |
| Contact Number | : | +6221 2992 0000 |
| Website | : | http://www.plazaindonesia.com |
Our Last Night ~ Aston Marina Hotel and Apartment : 3 November 2013, Sunday
We spent our last night in Jakarta at Aston Marina Hotel and Apartment.
Known to us as Aston Marina Hotel, we were in for a pleasant surprise when we stepped into our accommodation for the night.
Aston Marina Hotel and Apartment
It was an apartment with a little pantry and dining area.
Not wanting to let the pantry go unutilized, we bought instant noodles and some beers.
A nice kitchen area to whip up some yummies for our tummies.
It was such a nice homely feel as we lazed by the sofa pigging out the noodles deliciously whipped up by Chef Ng.
What a great way to wrap up our virgin Jakarta experience.
Lazing on the sofa and pigged out the noodles whipped up by Chef Ng. What a fanta-bulous way to wrap up our last night : )
| Name of Accommodation | : | Aston Marina Hotel and Apartment |
| Location | : | Marina Mediterania, Tower AJl. Lodan Raya No. 2AJakarta 14430, Indonesia |
| Contact Number | : | +6221 6983 7120 |
| : | info@AstonMarinaAncol.com | |
| Website | : | http://www.aston-international.com |
Check out my other adventures in Jakarta… 🙂
Day 1 : Cultural and Historical Trail
Day 2 : Putri Island & Sepa Island
With sincere thanks to Jakarta Tourism Office for hosting us.
霞女之旅 