Would I invoke Uninvited barge nerve in the Soviet embassy to plead - not asylum - but for rye bread? The plan was to walk in the Russian Embassy and ask if one of the spouses of diplomats were heavy bread, and if so, if I could plead with them to sell me extra bread. Arrived here in 1988, I continued my first order of survival: Locate. Black. Bread.
Because without my vollkornbrot , pumpernickel, kraftkorn , pumpernickel bread or nine grains I knew I waste away, miserable and desperate. simple explanation of the country is the food - bread and specifically -. is a very serious business
I decided against the approach of the Russians.
I had already experienced a "false dawn" when I spotted Holland Bakery - one with kitsch lazily turning windmill on the roof. Five hundred varieties of white flour, sugar, and especially gooshy tasteless buns, breads, rolls and cakes, not a sign of anything natural. A colossal disappointment.
Kem Chicks
Jl. Kemang Raya no. 3-5, Jakarta. Such. (021) 71790065
also a branch in the basement of Pacific Place (Sudirman Central Business District, just off Semanggi cloverleaf).
Finally, I discovered breads Vineth Bakery, sold and other bakery products in Kem Chicks, the oldest market-oriented expatriate Jakarta. Most were white numbers tasteless meal, but there was a good country bread, sourdough acceptable and what was then the best kraftkorn in Jakarta. "No!" I commanded the daffy young thing toward the slicer, "Please do not cut until fine bread!" Where I come from, we break bread.
Kem Chicks and Grand Lucky, Lees also sells baked goods, including a nice package rye grape slices to complement an Kaffeeklatsch their other breads, including kraftkorn and multi-grain bread, are reasonably healthy.
Vineth Bakery
Jl. Panglima Polim Raya No. 63-65, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta.
You will notice from the picture site its almost empty shelves Vineth located in a dilapidated building on the corner of Jl. Barito, is very popular, so get there early to buy bread.
CONSUMER ALERT There are also cases where some bakeries and supermarkets are trying to pass the bread for a day as "fresh", but a true bread lover oppose. Is this the bread fresh scent? What if I give it a gentle compression (which of course you can not do if the bread is hidden on a shelf behind a girl looking bored)?
Home again. I park the bike in front of the image Lounge Blacky and prepare to have a sesame butter, avocado and honey kraftkorn spread. My local friends peers suspiciously at his rough texture and dark -. They are always curious about my strange foods
"Oh, I can try a little?"
Reluctantly, I Slice a thin little kraftkorn and pass Budi.
Budi made a face. "It's hard."
Rudi tries a bite.
"There are not even sweet. Tasteless. "
" Yes, "I nodded vigorously, eager to add to their dismay." I told you, you would not want him. It is the European food punishment. Of the war, you know. "
I thought to have discouraged them, but the next time I bring home a loaf of Rp.50,000 they laying in wait for me.
" Say, it is actually quite good, especially when you cover with strawberry jam. "
There goes my investment.
Animo Bread Culture
No. 69 Jl. Kemang Raya. Tel. 62 (021) 719 2681
I will open my odyssey to modern bakeries Jakarta with a spoiler Animo is :. the clear winner
This charming coffee house has a cornucopia of fresh baked goods in the oven, rolls and bread, heavenly aromas greet you if you visit in the late morning, and you can enjoy warm bread, fresh from the oven.
Passion for cooking is motivation Animo, and owners Muhammad Abgari aka Agam and his wife Fasty Adriani Putri based Animo based their love for the good bread.
I happened to show up before noon, as the breads were issuing from the oven. The aroma tells the tale: an almond roll aromatic cranberry, with just the right degree of sharpness in the crust, fresh French baguette, its surface tan crumbled covering an airy, delicious interior, and a walnut loaf grape that is not only tasty and textured, but Rp.50,000 one bread, one of the best deals in Jakarta.
Outside tables on a covered porch are "smoker-friendly".
Animo Bread Culture also offers cooking courses for enterprising hausfrau .
NOTE TO NEGOTIATE bettys :. Have Animo after 18:00 for a "buy one - get one free" deal on the remaining bread, rolls and pastries of the day
Jl. Kemang Selatan 1 No. 2c, Jakarta. Such. (021) 718 0011
Although there are only three tables and several stools (filled with customers - mostly expatriates - during my short visit) the place offers a wealth of pastries, pies, cakes and breads. Their busy kitchen also turns quiches, salads, sandwiches and baguettes.
Intercontinental Jakarta MidPlaza Hotel
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav 10-11, Jakarta Tel. (021) 251 0888
Some Jakarta 5 star hotels have European or European-trained pastry chefs, so they can cook decent whole grains ( Vollkorn ) loaves. "The Deli", located in the basement of the Intercontinental Jakarta, behind the dark Mid-Plaza Building, has a portfolio. From their site: ". Stylish deli for a quick bite, offering gourmet sandwiches, garden fresh salads, homemade breads and a delicious array of cakes "
Their heavy rye is fragrant and delicious, and you can special order a formidable weight block pumpernickel I dubbed "the plutonium bread." (I am told that German farmers crumble pumpernickel in the water and feed the sick cows that which is an interesting folk-cure.) Pumpernickel is particularly rich in fiber, B vitamins and protein.
prices are properly OUCH dignified, as befits a 5 star joint, but if you arrive after 19:00 can pick up unsold items of the day at 50%.
Do not let the high prices of these breads wrong. one or two slices and you will feel like you have eaten a full meal.
Yaudah Bistro
Jl. Johar No. 15, Kebon Sirih, Menteng, Jakarta. Such. (021) 3314 0343
The Bistro Bakes its own European breads: there is a light bauenbrot , a Goldkorn and rollers. A beautiful walnut raisin is available on special order, to Rp.90,000 / each.