I had dinner twice at Lara Djongrang this week. First for pleasure, second was all business. We ordered too much food on both occasions.
On the first one, I was educated on the subtle flavours of various Indonesian dishes. Subtle distinctions in style between different ethnic regions. The differences in all the different sambals and what appetizers go with which dish. I found that fascinating so I repeated the lecture to the people I was with on my second visit. They too, were duly fascinated.
I didn’t do any ordering on the first one. We just turned up and were shown to our seats, discreet and private but generous in the atmosphere. We had little colored fish swimming between our feet. The food magically appeared, one dish after another in their correct successions. Each time the waiter announced what they were, each exquisitely prepared.
The first people I was with wanted to build a house just like the restaurant. Play with colours and Imperial Chinese ambiance. The indoor garden was nice with comfortable couches. The second group was curious of the mismatched tiles in the bathroom and inquired minute details about Javanese traditions.
The waiter on my table was nice and casual and called me by name on the second visit, but he never asked. Maybe he read the blog or kept the card receipts. He wasn’t sure so much of the wine and not at all helpful in choosing the food (the menu is huuuuuge). But he was nice and agreeable and we were pleased.
The price is on the expensive side but not stratospheric. Kembang Gula is pricier and the service less nice. Considering that we ended up ordering too much food on both occasion, I considered it the price for glutton.
I was happy both times.
Lara Djonggrang & La Bihzad Bar
Cik Di Tiro 4 Menteng, Jkt Pusat
Tel: 315 3252, 316 0288
Fax: 316 0488
laradjonggrang@tuguhotels.com
note: the original post put it wrong until LavanyaLea provided the correction.
The one time where i actually did a good review, i spell it wrong :(
thanks anyway
8 comments:
The waiter called you Treespotter?
that would actually be pretty funny.
been there once, love it! a year later i was in waterstones looking for a travel book to milan (under italy) and met 2 brtish women (mom and daughter) looking for one for indonesia! what a small world eh? so i recommended roro jongrang to them =p
who told u abt which appetizers go with which dish etc etc... cos maybe i don't know either!
ps: made gudeg a couple of days ago, yummy! miss home...
Just being anal..:P
Shouldn't it be Lara Jongrang?=)
The tree by the entrance and the statues sometimes give me the creep, but nevertheless, yeah, nice place. Samarra is not bad either (part of their group).
lava: gudeg sounds good, except that the colours always put me off :D
the food, well, just someone that knows really well about Indonesian food. and food in general, i guess :)
miss lai: actually, i'm not sure at all. i thought the card says Roro Jongrang, but i lost it somewhere. Will check and correct it. Samarra is great, too. I'll write it up later.
i found my card! it says
Lara
Djong
grang
in terms of colour and consistency, nth put me off more than chilli con carne!
Lava, thanks. Care to share the full address and number? i lost mine and couldn't find the number online.
Thanks!
Lara Djonggrang (& La Bihzad Bar - never knew the bar had a different name!)
Jl. Cik Di Tiro 4 Menteng, Jkt Pusat
Tel: 315 3252, 316 0288
Fax: 316 0488
laradjonggrang@tuguhotels.com
it's actually Lavanya but Lava is hotter me thinks!
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