A Serene Brunch

What kind of brunch do you like? I like noisy session with sizzling egg corner, scent of charcoal on toasted bread with butter, and smells of fresh orange juice on hotel buffet. But despite of that, simply private brunch are good choice either. You tend to focus on less menu which awakened your sense to enjoy the food until last bite.

I was dreaming to have lovely brunch at SoHo, all just because my friend tell short story about their egg benedict and my mouth keeps watering ever since. But when the chance arrived, somehow i change my mind due to certain moods craving for delicious street food. He throw another idea and later i start searching and locating places near by and remember one name, Pastis. I heard the name few times, again mentioned by my friend in her blog.


Their facade reminds me of classy restaurant: full height glass window with wooden white blinds inside and french style logo stamp in front. Located together with suites residential, this restaurant applied white fancy chair style for dining and few high chair on bars. A green backyard on the right wing with few parasols and lazy chair under suddenly made our eyes relaxed. An exceptional in the middle of the busy business district.

Soon as we were seated i could not wait rushing on their brown menu book. They served brunch, Asian, Italian, international menu and of course: dessert. Not to mentioned special daily menu written on movable board served by the waiter. Since it was still 11.30am, we decided to have brunch menu (served until5.00 PM) instead of ordering heavy one. Our previous roti jala as appetizer was enough to forward us to next destination.

They served egg benedict, but i can’t decide which menu to order. I was too excited to try anything that i keep flipping the menu book over and over. My friend was tempted enough with my story about egg benedict that she decided to have one, leaving me with no interesting brunch menu afterward. Last surrender, i ordered warm almond crepes for my sweet tooth. Next, he executed turkey sandwich served with deep fried toast bread and mozzarella.


Bamboo steam basket served for appetizer bread , dipped in balsamic vinegar and olive oil. Nice small chopping board with baking paper replace small serving plate. Not for long until our dishes appeared enticingly. Her egg benedict feast our eyes with its bright yellow tone, garnished with coleslaw and yellow sauce poured over. Beneath the egg lies thick layer of sliced thin meat atop plain bread. I was drooling enough to drag her plate to my side but sure we are going to have tough battle. Instead, i chopped her egg generously as if i want to have it by myself. A good chef know how to execute boiled egg perfectly : delicate boiled white side smoothly brushed your tongue while the yellow ones bite deep with its soft crumbly texture leaving intensely sense. Salty delicatessen meat combine with bread and yellow egg sauce added richness to the whole which makes me crave for more.


I put my warm crepes aside because i was too blind for another menu except mine. His turkey sandwich looks plain but the golden brown rosti was too hard to resist. I dip my fork upon and started to scoop little by little. Ou la la, crunchy grated potatoes with golden brown side upper combined with moist texture inside and very nice butter smells tickling my mouth that i could not stop digging more and more. However, the turkey sandwich tastes just ordinary.

Satisfied with my invasion to another, finally i spoon over my crepes as the last stop: the only sweet dishes on this table. Surprisingly this one also impressed me much. Pale color but has soft texture, little bit dry on edges with marmalade jam spread inside. Generous almond bits and icing sugar topping surprisingly made perfect companion. I try to forget mister benedict for a while and focusing my sense on this lingering nutty crepes.

It was a perfect serene brunch until bunch of kids jumping around the room to attend some kind of birthday party. The moment turns out to be cheerful children afternoon which left us no further privacy. We enjoyed some times while thinking to order another dishes but seems our belly was full enough. The serene was over and it was about time to start another useful activities. Leaving a promise to dine in here for another brunch session.

Pastis
The Kuningan Suites Lt. Dasar
Jl. Setiabudi Utara Kuningan,
Jakarta 12920.
Phone: +62(21) 5260260

Brunch: Bakmi Asoei BSD

Flea market would never be a wrong place for a brunch. With so many men and women flocking there every morning, food would be perfect to replace the energy burnt to hunt the fresh food ingredients.

Our case was slightly different. Due to some business on Saturday morning, we end up near BSD's Pasar Modern (Modern Market). "There is a nice noodle restaurant that I want to try", Kiko said. So we pulled near the entrance. We never been to the restaurant before, so we just tried our luck, which seem on our side that day. Crossing few shops, we saw the name: "Bakmi Ayam Asoei".

Don't be tricked with the chicken noodle written in the name. Once seated, we can tell that they served more than chicken noodle; there are foods with pork in the menu. We ordered a bowl of chicken noodle and fried kweetiau. While waiting, we enjoy nipping the Pork Siu May.

We have a good time our food as well. The noodle is resilient, but delicate, almost pass all the criteria of al dente. The kwetiau is less smoky for those who fancy one. It was cooked with seafood, which is fresh enough for me who normally defy anything cooked with seafood.

Not long after that,we were back in the car, energized, despite of early start for the weekend

Bakmi Ayam Asoei, BSD Modern Market
Ruko Pasar Modern Blok R No. 52
Phone: +62 (21) 53158365
Mobile: +62 (815) 9618008

Brunch at Olio

In case you are wondering, yes, I'm back to Olio. For a different time of day though. In my last visit, I was tempted with their breakfast menu, so I'm back on Saturday morning for Breakfast.

The shop has jsut opened when I came in, around 10:30 am. There are 3 breakfast menu set, called Set 1, Set 2 and Set 3. It is actually same menu, though, with different content. Set 1 is toast bread or plain croissant, jam, and a cup of coffee or tea. Set 2 is Set 1 plus selection of egg and toppings, and Set 3 is Set 2 plus a glass of orange juice.

I ordered Breakfast Set 3 with toasted bread (they ran out of croissant), omelet with cheese, mushroom, sausage and beef bacon, and a cup of coffee. I certainly wished that they have the morning newspaper, or maybe I'm just to ignorant, because I end up with my laptop.


Overall it was a good brunch. The juice is cold and refreshing, although they would better use a fresh one. The bread was perfectly toasted, crunchy outside, with soft inner part, perfectly eaten with honey jam. The omelet is moist, with enough mushroom and sausage. But somehow I can't trace the taste of the cheese. Coffee served is Americano, made from Espresso.

And they would definitely better if they have more selection of breakfast, and smoking-free area.