The spokesman Clandestine | Playing Koi Kemang in

The spokesman Clandestine | Playing Koi Kemang in -

 

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Our epicure expert continues a sting operation to bring you the truth about the culinary scene in Jakarta. No spoon is left to chance in the quest for revisions honest, balanced, long-time favorite with hottest new restaurants in town.

This month, a small favorite South Jakarta, Kemang Koi.

Everyone knows Koi. It's easy, go-to, expat failures. Friday night drinks, dinner midweek or Saturday brunch; it is there for you, standing sentinel on Kemang Raya as a venerable old lady of the night, beckoning you inside with its charms a little dilapidated. With its fashion, industrial-chic interior - no doubt provided by their upstairs gallery - and his bass lines beating gently Koi promises some reliability, tinged with a hint of nonchalance. Come and have a good night, he said. Or not. See if we care.

We sat in the optimistic section entitled "Non-Smoking" smoke drifting over the bar, with a spacious wooden tables with comfortable wicker chairs. Along the wall, rows of denim sofas covered were full of regular customers Koi. Many patrons here seem to have confused the restaurant with their living rooms and lounge nearly as well as they wear stretch pants and watching Oprah. Yet this is obviously an essential part of laissez-faire approach to eating embraced here.

We started the process with a glass of Hob Nob Chardonnay, which was perfectly quaffable with our starters and cheap Rp.85,000. The menu here is extensive. Koi started life as an Asian restaurant in the 90's at its first location, Mahakam, near Blok M. When the chef Benoit Claeys joined in 1998, the menu has benefited from its Belgian influence, through of brewery classics.

Now is the Menu Del Boy - a jack of all trades; probably gastrointestinal master of none.

The recent addition of fresh pasta reinforces a list that now goes noodles couscous to paella to steak. It is a smorgasbord true choice; a death knell for legislative undecided dinner.

We have chosen a new entry, lobster croquettes, which were slightly fat fryer and not as hot as they should be, but still tasted convincing lobster and potatoes. It's probably not my first choice as a topping for a croquette - jamón or the cheese is usually more successful - but it was not bad. Salmon Carpaccio was correct, simply served with sliced ​​radishes, and accompanied by a charming grass-garlicky cheese. A Rp.70,000 and 75,000 respectively, there is nothing wrong here.

Mains were hit-and-miss. The Classic Cheese Burger (Rp.115,000) unfortunately has little flavor, and the cake was well done instead of medium as requested. Adding a taste or mayonnaise would be to keep things interesting here moistly. The American steak Hanger (Rp.175,000) was pretty good; juicy and tasty with a good red wine and shallot sauce. However, we had to send it back to be cooked more like it was rare instead of medium-rare - is clearly the communication broke down between the wait and kitchen staff or kitchen staff were doing their own thing tonight. They also forgot our mushroom sauce, which was cold when it finally happened. On the other hand, the chips (served with both) were well seasoned and side of garlic spinach was tasty and filling.

The desserts are a force, and it is another great menu with lots of choices, from waffles to pancakes with apple pie. We enjoyed the chocolate crisp creamer with caramel mousse served in a jar. It was an inventive idea, granted with room for improving the performance (the caramel was a little soft, and they could finesse the crunchy chocolate bites and the sweetness of the cream), but it was nice to see some something different that tasted good. The monthly specials menu boasted a tiramisu , we were encouraged to order. The sponge fingers were slightly dry, probably because they skimped slightly on alcohol during their soaking, but otherwise it was fine and we had no problem cleaning the plate.

The bar has that kind of ambient light more easily found at a Seminyak beach club with playing sports on the TVs above the shelves. Cocktails here are not the best in Jakarta, but they are not bad. The wine list is long, and divided by reasonable style. We chose from the list "rich, dense Reds an Argentine Alamos Malbec 2011 (Rp.600,000) that has been well maintained, rounded and balanced.

Looking around, a mix of local and expatriate bettors happily chowed down on the crowd-pleasers as easy nasi campur , quesadillas and sundaes. Koi is not trying to make haute cuisine - it just depends on the affability of its customers continue to order from such a mixed-bag menu. I will always insist that whenever a leader chooses to unsubscribe several kitchens in the kitchen, a style will always "win" their remaining strong. We do not know where it comes to Koi Kemang. Clearly, if there is room for improvement, overall, they bring the value of resources used and a haughty dependability appreciate. They are not trying too hard -. Or if they are, they certainly do not want you to know about it

The servers are young, friendly, slightly unhappy bunch, which tonight has suffered the misfortune of not having napery of offer customers (well, after all, he was still wet laundry - what were they to do) instead, they plied us with paper towels until dessert, when the sheets deigned show, precisely the carelessness of this cheeky restaurant embodies.

Please check

Power :! Rp.630,000

Beverages Rp.685,000

Service 10%

  Rp.1,591,150 for two

(inc taxes.) -

Koi Kemang

Jl Kemang Raya No. 72 Jakarta 12730 [

 62 (0) 21 719 5668, kemang@koiindonesia.com

www.koiindonesia.com

 

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