CANTINA 18 SENOPATI - JAKARTA

The number of new restaurant in Jakarta, especially in Senopati could be overwhelming, astonishing and surprising, it felt like just a few days ago I mentioned "the newest joint" and in less than a week after my latest post, another new joint is opening, so by the time you're looking at my old posts you're going to see a lot of that so I do hope you're looking at the dates.

I've been noticing about Cantina 18 Italian Grill for a while because I go to the coffee shop below it (Crematology) quite a lot, so it was actually quite accidental for me knowing that it's opened. I didn't know that they actually opened until I finished having meeting at Pacific Place and while waiting for my sister's office hour (she's currently interning in SCBD), I decided to go to Crematology because for me, it's the best place to work on your stuff and actually be alone plus they have comfortable ambiance. I didn't always notice their signboard but it was usually written "Opening Soon" and that day, I noticed quite a few people were walking upstairs so I decided to have a look at the signboard and yes it changed to "Now Opening". As usual, knowing a new place opening I couldn't wait to try it myself!

The venue was totally not what I expected, I thought it's going to be rustic and pretty much like the past resident, Commune, but it wasn't spacious and actually quite serious, quite formal and generally, I didn't find it very comforting. They also have this glass cabinet where they keep the wine bottles, quick look at it, the collections was quite promising.

They also have the live kitchen and grill area.

The more private room, wasn't sure if this is a VIP room because it was just separated by the cabinet.

Complimentary Bread
The complimentary bread came with olive oil if you love having it together. I liked the stick one better. I expected them to be a little more warm because it was served cold.

The food here is dominated by (of course) Italian Grilled cuisine because it's their focus. The range was actually pretty good because you can find good colorful and possibly yummy selections of appetizers, pastas, steaks and desserts.

Strawberry Lemonade
IDR 35k
This was quite refreshing and the flavor was dominated with "sour" with mild sweetness. Didn't find any problem nor complaint for this one.

Salmone Alla Griglia
IDR 95k
I might be underrating the venue, but I won't do the same justice to this beautiful salmon. First of all, I must say I am liking the presentation of the lunch, it's in a way beautiful and simple. If you noticed the burned part of the salmon, frankly speaking, I quite liked it and it actually gave a little texture and hint of flavor to the salmon. The salmon was perfectly cooked leaving the inner part to still be pinkish, seasoning was light and the portion came with olive oil dip, handcut potatoes (which were awesome), fresh lettuce salad with lemon dressing (simple but decent), and lemon if you need one. I recommend this one.

It's such a worth it deal for IDR 95k because it was a big salmon that I had.

Braciola Di Maiale
IDR 110k
Short to say this was the pork chop dish. Again, beautiful presentation and large portion right here! The pork chop was seasoned beautifully and flavor wise, good. Unfortunately, I was a little disappointed with the texture: it was undercooked on certain parts - I got a photo of the undercooked part but that would gross you out - hence the pork was a little hard and very chewy.

From the photo below you can actually see the undercooked area. I was quite stunned to know that the waiter actually asked me if I wanted the pork to be "medium", "medium well" or "well done". PORK SHOULDN'T BE EATEN UNDERCOOKED.

Millefoglie Limone
IDR 55k
Pretty dessert presentation and lots of red as you can see making it attractive enough for the eyes. Flavor wise, not bad, but I didn't find out of the world good. Judging part by part, the strawberries were fresh and the texture of the puff pastry was crispy and I quite liked their lemon cream. If you notice the strawberry sauce glazed all over, I expected it to be sweeter :).

Overall, my experience was just okay, lately I started not to expect things, particularly on new restaurants because I just want to surf and experience, if it's good, it's blessings, if it's bad, it's lessons. Cantina 18 was nowhere near bad, but not as good as I thought it would be, but right after trying their salmon, they have good flavor and I know they can cook good food, I might have to come back for more of their food! Pricing wise, standard and I didn't

But still, wasn't entirely fond of the venue tho, it's just stiff, dull and tad serious for my liking.

Desperate need of coffee, fortunately it's located just below Cantina 18, that's another good thing about this restaurant! GOOD LUCK CANTINA 18 :*.

Cantina 18
Jl. Suryo No. 25 (above Crematology) 
Senopati
Jakarta Selatan 12180
021 - 2751 0539
Opening Hours:
11 AM - 11 PM (daily)
Pricing: $$
Dresscode: Casual
WEBSITE

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Map for Crematology

H GOURMET AND VIBES SENOPATI - JAKARTA

Short to say, there's a new hangout spot opening in Senopati...yet again! I wonder why so many bloody rich Indonesians because truth be told, opening a restaurant in Senopati is clearly not cheap! No no no, no I am jealous tsk tsk, I am very happy for them because I've told you so many times how I love visiting w places and they're like the genies and you can consider me the Alladin, but this time, it's me entering the eateries ME SO PHUNNY! NOT.

Not my usual openings, I don't know why I am kind of excited right now, I just received a very good news I couldn't wait to blast out to you guys, so make sure you follow me on Instagram because they usually get the earlier notice. FYI I've changed my account to @eatandtreats instead of @STANISLAUSHANS because I think I want to make my IG more connected to the blog, so there you go.

H Gourmet and Vibes...emm, I don't know why the naming felt a little complicated to me but I am liking the "vibes", it's just different. This restaurant/cafe/hangout place is located at Gunawarman street (#41 to be exact) and located not too far from The Holy Crab and Pong Me. Talking about the current moment, if you make your way from the Wolter Monginsidi street, turn right and keep straight until to see the H sign (photo above) and an unfinished building, H is located on the fourth floor. Rumor has it that the building's going to be utilized as another restaurant and coffee shop, will keep my eyes on that fow sho!

I must say that I was quite impressed with the interior, in a way it's very vintage but still very simple with a touch of industrial giving it a little more sophisticated feeling, to me, this place fit the "hangout spot" or bar and cafe category more because when you arrived on the spot, you're going to notice a bar, and for some reasons, the setting, the coloring, the design supported that hype, edgy, rough energy it almost feels like you understand their concept. All the elements were very comforting, again, I adore simplicity and something that's pretty without being overdone. The only thing that I was not happy about was the fact that the whole venue was smoking area and the air-conditioning was like very cold. I do recommend wearing an outer or thicker outfit tho! Note this.

 SO PRETTY!

 This was my favorite view, I completely adore how beautiful the view from here and I honestly couldn't emphasize it enough unless you go here and experience yourself, the setting felt almost like the Central Park to me with that beautiful green framing the skyscrapers. It's a beautiful picture in a click.

 It was just the time as the sun started to set.

As expected, the menu was dominated with American western cuisine like sandwiches, burgers, chicken wings are many more. Came here with a few friends and we order some to share.

Vanilla Oreo Blend
IDR 35k
Looks promising, but didn't try it as it's my friend's order, took the photo to give you a little picture.

The Buffalo's Method Chicken Wings
IDR 65k
Hands down, very good wings! The sauce was the mixture of Cayenne pepper and butter and holy moly the perfecty executed sauce works well with the perfectly cooked crispy chicken wings with super juicy inside. Literally couldn't stop munching, must trick them next time so that I could have them all for myself, seriously good. Despite the amazing flavor, if they could make the wings less oily, I would give this a 9/10.

Jerky Chicks
IDR 85k
Jerky Chicks was their interpretation of the good old Jamaican dish, jerk chickens. Again, another flavorful dish perfectly cooked. The meat was still pretty tender with that smokey aroma and flavor (always love that kind of grilled dish), the seasoning was light but align. The serving came with this good Coriander sauce, the sauce had this unique flavor with good tanginess and balance.

Honestly speaking, I knew that Jerk chicken is a Jamaican dish but this was the first time I've tried it and if the original flavor happened to be like this, then this was pretty good.

H Stack

IDR 115k (additional +35k for double patty)

The waiter told us this was the best seller so we tried this, technically speaking, the same good old (almost boring) beef burger with coleslaw and Aioli, but I love how they try to change the fries with thin handcut round fries which by the way a pretty good imperfection. We could choose between the beef or swine patty and we tried the beef one, the patty was actually flavorful but it was just a little dry, as well as the buns. I really didn't like their coleslaw salad for the cream that they're using felt very heavy, it's like having mayonnaise sauce with oil in the same time, but I really liked the brown sauce (wasn't sure of what that was) and the mint sauce. Yum.

Vibe wise, H Gourmet and Vibes is a really good place for you to go if you want to spend your weekend night having good dinner or hangout with your friends, I could picture that. Didn't try their drinks but somehow I got the feeling that they're quite promising. Overall, the food was good (couldn't move on from the freaking chickens), but I think I could find these kind of food everywhere, the thing with those new places opening, I got the feeling that they're selling the vibe and the place more than the food and frankly speaking, only little that really surpass my standard.

Anyway, I would still go back to enjoy more of what they have in store tho, but I have to be with my friends because I think I'd need good companions.

H Gourmet and Vibes
Jalan Gunawarman No. 41
Gunawarman, Jakarta Selatn 12110
021 - 2765 0842
Opening Hours: 11 AM - 2 AM, closed on 3 AM on weekends
Pricing: $$
Dresscode: Sporty Casual (judging from the venue, especially if you're single you better look good)
WiFi: Yes!

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email: eatandtreatsindo@gmail.com

Map for H Gourmet and Vibes