BOTTEGA RISTORANTE JAKARTA

Expensive. That was my impression when I first saw this good looking restaurant, well I bet that first picture above gave you that sort of intimidating feeling already and your mind probably start wondering about the pricing and stuff.

I don't know why but I just LOVE the name, Bottega is such a gifted name and whoever or whichever named Bottega should have class or need to have the effort to act like one, or else you're not a Bottega, err whatever the opening's awkward. This new restaurant located in Lingkar Mega Kuningan (Menara Danamon) could be one of my favorites when it comes to the space! It's indeed one of the most beautiful restaurants in Jakarta to date!

The creator of Bottega is also the same as Wilshire, well I knew it because I happen to know the owner and she told me she's opening this new restaurant in Kuningan and right after my Bali trip, the next day I went here with a friend to have lunch, well... my curiosity needs to be fed! FYI, in no way this review is a sponsored post or paid ads. I paid for everything here.

The ambiance of the restaurant was actually very Wilshire! Probably it's from the usage of the color, the artificial plants and the ceramics forming a certain shape or pattern. The overall feeling sort of had the mixture of elegance, industrial-polished but unfinished look (in a fashionable way), simplicity and warmth. Comparing to Wilshire, my personal preference seemed to like Bottega more not only that it's a little more posh, it's also lighter and helped me a lot in picture taking, Wilshire somehow sort of gloomy because the sunlight was pre-blocked by the canopy set outside, but aside from that, I love everything about the interior and minimal table setting from both restaurants, well here's the thing: simplicity is the best. Period.

Hanging lamps, this restaurant must be feeling pretty romantic during the night: dimmed with shining yellow light bulbs.

Photo courtesy of lulabyspoon

 If you come in two, then you might want to sit on this corner or the other corner just beside this. I found them the most comforting.

When I browsed the menu, I learned that they mostly offered European-Western cuisine (dominated by Italian and French) and from how they explained the food on the printed menu, the range was actually quite appealing and proceed to make me wonder of their appearance. Surprisingly, the pricing was not that intimidating, still affordable despite the first impression you get when you first saw the restaurant, just a little cheaper than Wilshire. They also have the breakfast menu with price ranging from IDR 55k-80k and choices of paninis.

Before I start giving the review of each food, I must say that I was quite happy about their presentation, I thought that they generally did such a good job with the plating, well photos as you scroll down.

Tuna with Anchovies and Tomato Reduction
IDR 79k
The tuna was well-cooked, the seasoning was simple and light with a little tanginess from the tomato reduction which also gave the refreshing hint to this meal. However, they put this on the "main course" tab and considering the portion, I think it would fit an "appetizer" more.

Papardelle with Beef Ragout
IDR 99k
First of all, giving you a little information: papardelle is the wide flat type of pasta with size twice larger than fettuccine and beef ragout is actually a beef-stew dish cooked in (somehow) long time, richly seasoned, and no I didn't "Google" to explain this, I use my own knowledge and experience.

Wilshire made lovely homemade pastas and before actually trying this, I had high expectation already and turned out, the texture of the pasta was beautiful, but there's a but, I was missing that sense of imperfection of the pasta that I was expecting as I slowly finished this. I mean it was good but it's almost too perfect almost factory produced, but don't take this wrong. The beef ragout was seasoned decently, but the texture wasn't my favorite, it was tad hard for me and very chewy.

Beef Cheek Braised in Red Wine
IDR 119k
What I expected to become the winning dish turned out against me, it's just that I think the red wine sauce was overcooked resulting this somehow weird flavor (I've tried some red wine sauce and I know my standard), and I assume the yam wasn't fresh the flavor was nowhere near both sweet or savory (I don't know how to explain it), and I think there should be sweet flavor to the yam. The sauteed veges were okay and lack of seasoning. But...at least, it's not because of the beef cheek, it was in fact cooked perfectly and very tender. When I look at this dish, I instantly thought that this was a brilliant mix, it's just that it's not executed perfectly, and I really do hope when I get back, it could turn into a magic and made me feel ashamed for giving this a bad review.


Tres Leches with Burnt Caramel Sauce
IDR 45k
The sponge cake was good but overall this dessert wasn't anything very special and besides, for me it's a little milky.

I didn't know why, despite my love for the beautiful interior and ambiance, I failed to gain my love for Bottega after trying the food. Wilshire has amazing series of food and it's on my number 2 list of the best restaurants in Jakarta on the 2013 list. A part of me still couldn't believe and don't want to accept the fact and blaming on the fact that since they're just opening for less than 2 weeks hence they need more time to learn and I do hope they could improve because some restaurants that I actually paid attention and really cared, I hang my expectations with them, it's like I saw the potential on them.

But it's just my opinion, you can come, try and always give your honest opinion about this, and oh FYI they open quite early, starting from 9 AM!

Anyway, best of luck for Bottega and when I come back, I want to taste your top-notch cuisine and I feel it already that I wouldn't be disappointed, well at least it's okay to be confident and optimist right? ;).

Bottega Ristorante
Menara Bank Danamon
Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. E4 No. 6
Lingkar Mega Kuningan, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950
021 - 5799 2222
Opening Hours: 9 AM - 12 AM
Pricing: $$
Dresscode: Sporty Casual
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Map for Menara Danamon

Wilshire at The Foundry 8 Jakarta

Few days ago, I went to Wilshire for lunch, but fortunate enough, this lunch session was a treat from the owners themselves: Hanna and Lisca! Thank you guys for the awesome lunch. Very kind of you!

Wilshire's located in The Foundry 8 at SCBD and as soon as I walked in, I pretty much fell in love with the concept, the design and the vibe of the venue. Major applications of wood were used in this restaurant. The whole area seemed so vintage but in the same time, sophisticated and warm.

The first thing you'll notice when you enter the restaurant from the main entrance is the VIP room which could hold 15-20 people, the room's is simple but chic and (still) has that vintage soul to it. You could have this if you're planning to spend IDR 5 million for the day, but let me spoil a top not-so-secret secret: the food is good! Nothing to worry about.

The mini bar/the magic "factory", the home for all those incredible Wilshire cocktails and mocktails.

Since it's December and we're almost reaching Christmas, a lot of restaurants are decorating their restaurants to create that Christmas vibe and not to mention, Wilshire.

Loving this area where it's decorated with fresh flowers, Hanna told me they got special "grooming" every two weeks.

As in capacity, I would say Wilshire would fit around 60 people maximum (including the VIP room) and by the time of the visit, the restaurant's half-packed, normally when a sort-of upscale restaurant is half-packed for lunch, I knew there was something going on and by the time, I was getting more curious on what is it that's so special about Wilshire aside from its brand and venue.

For a casual dining and gathering this was such a great place, all the elements were very supportive to one another when it comes to creating the vibe, but for taking food photos, I wasn't really sure about that because technically I was depending on the side light and the back light to take photos the whole time. Except if you're lucky to be seated at that one table on the corner near the entrance. Experience it then you'll understand.

Portobello Fries

IDR 99k

We started off with Portobello fries for appetizer, the Portobello Mushroom chunks were big and they were really fresh. Loving how they managed to fry the coating to be medium, as in not too crunchy and dry but not too soft either, the consistency of the fried coating was pretty much like JJ Royal Brasserie's Fish and Chips and they both applied the beer-battered cooking method. This was also served with Tartar sauce. Awesome start!

Sheila's Carnival
Thumbs up for the presentation, extremely unique especially for the cotton candy on top of the drink. Kinda reminds me of the drink I once had in Loewy. The idea was to mix the cotton candy to the beverage and stir it together. There wasn't any specific flavor from the cotton candy but it definitely added up the prettiness level. The drink itself was really refreshing, sweet but with a little touch of sourness to balance from the strawberry chunks and passionfruit.

Frozen Peach Margarita
To be honest, At first, I didn't try this because it contained alcohol and I wasn't feeling too well that day, but then Hanna treated us with each a shot of Tequila that everyone needed to drink so I had that and it was good and kinda live up my body! Why in the world didn't I taste this damn it, our systems do needed a little percentage of alcohol (but don't get too overwhelemed)! Anyway, according to my friend whose sense of taste is believable, this was really good and refreshing.

Garlic Noodle with Tiger Prawns
IDR 165k
Aside the slightly dry noodle, this was freaking good. I love the al-dente consistency, the flavor, and especially the uber fresh tiger prawns. So far their prawns landed on my top three so far, the other top notch ones came from Nishimura at Shangri-La Jakarta and JJ Royal Brasserie's. The prawns were also tasty and appropriately seasoned. You could share this portion, it was pretty big but as for me, I could have this all for myself, happily.

Foie Gras Sushi

IDR 168k
The Foie Gras Sushi from Wilshire was not cheap, but when you mention Foie Gras, everyone knows that Foie Gras does cost you money! I personally was fond of this dish, maybe a little thicker in consistency would be better. But the Foie Gras was super smooth and juicy, almost like fat texture and they burst in the mouth!

Jumbo Lump Crab Cake
IDR 179k
Starting from head to toe, this was an impeccable dish. The crab cake was nicely cooked, awesome seasoning and the crab meat was so damn fresh and stink free.

24 Hour Slow Cooked 55 Degree Wagyu Beef
IDR 275k
I have been overusing the word "awesome" and "delicious" on this post but the thing is, Wilshire deserves it! So, excuse my French here but this one is fucking good. This might be the time when that word is not a curse, it's a blessing! I love everything about this dish, especially the main star which was the 24 hour slow cooked Wagyu Beef in 55 degrees. Even though it's been cooked and marinated for God knows how long, but this one is still having that redness to the meat which indicated the medium-well current state. The meat was super juicy, extremely tender and tasty. Recommending you guys this one and a must order once you pay a visit, and if you have this alone, make sure you won't share.

Smooth and tasty mashed Pptato and sauteed corns to complete the dish. Lovely.

They also had creative and funny quotes written on their cup bases. One (first photo) was actually written by their own chef, Dolly.

I had an amazing lunch!!! The food was superb, the vibe was lovely and the experience was impeccable. Thank you so much Hanna and Lisca for the treat. It was very kind of you two.

Guys, if you haven't been here, I am telling you now, you should! It's almost the end of December and guess what? Wilshire is rocketing on my list of best meals in 2013! The prices here was high, even Hanna admitted that, but the food worth the heavy price tag. Start booking the seats for Christmas dinner maybe? ;).

Wilshire
The Foundry 8 at SCBD Lot 9
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53
Jakarta Selatan
021 - 5140 1018

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