Centre Cheongdam • 센트레 청담

Centre Cheongdam (센트레 청담) is the Canadian celebrity chef Antonio Park’s first overseas restaurant that’s focusing on Eastern and Western fusion dishes with locally sourced Korean ingredients. Drawing from his mother’s Korean heritage and going back to his root, chef Park opened Centre Cheongdam (센트레 청담) in July 2022, offering American and European-style brunch and dinner menu with an extensive wine list to pair them with.

Surrounded by floor to ceiling glass windows, the interior of the restaurant is reminiscent of dining in a garden with a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. Keeping true to their garden dining concept, the dishes seem to also draw inspiration from nature and the four seasons, reflected in the way each dish is using various colorful fresh ingredients that are beautifully served on a plate.

My first visit to Centre was nothing but a pleasant experience. Came here for a late lunch with my friend and the place wasn’t all that busy. Maybe it’s because we came way past lunch hour rush on a weekday so there were only a couple of other tables with patrons at the end of their meals. 

After immediately being seated on one of the sofas, we’re handed the menu while our server set up the table for us. We decided on two appetizers and one main course to share and the food came 10 minutes after we placed our order. Pretty swift service. 

Fruit Ricotta (₩23,000) | 9/10

Orange, Grape, Tomato, Blueberry, Strawberry, Pear, Raspberry Compote, Mint Pesto, Dill, Ricotta, Pecan, Radish
오렌지,청포도, 토마토, 블루베리, 딸기, 배, 라즈베리 콤포트, 민트, 딜, 리코타, 레디쉬

The Fruit Ricotta was sweet, sour, fresh and nutty all at the same time. Every single fruit was cut beautifully and the highlight of this dish for me was the raspberry compote. Expecting it to be a little bit on the sour side for my personal preference, I’m pleasantly surprised when I found that it was nothing but. It hit the right amount of sourness and the flavor is very balanced and does not overpower the taste of the fresh fruits but rather a great accompaniment to them. Thoroughly enjoyed this dish as the opening of our meal and I think this dish can also be a great dessert if you want something fresh to end your meal.

Pork Rillette (₩19,000) | 8/10

Pork Rillette, Seasonal Fruit Marmalade, Caper, Cornichon, Pink Peppercorn, Sour Cream, Sour Dough
돼지고기 리예뜨, 계절 과일 마말레이드, 케이퍼, 핑크 페퍼콘, 코니송, 사워 크림, 사워 도우

The Pork Rillette was definitely richer and heavier than our first course. The rillette was smooth and creamy with that typical fatty flavor one usually find in a rillette. The whole dish was brightened up by the marmalade and the peeled oranges that are placed prettily on top of the pork rillette, giving it a nice acidic note to the bite. For this dish, you definitely have to eat everything in one bite to get that balanced flavor.

Lobster Linguine (₩37,000) | 9.5/10

Lobster, Avruga Caviar, Garlic, Onion, Parmesan Regiano, Pepperoncino, Italian Parsley, Clam stock, Chicken Stock
랍스터, 아브루가 캐비어, 마늘, 양파, 파마산 레지아노, 페페론치노, 이탈리안 파슬리, 조개육수, 닭 육수

The Lobster Linguine was my favorite out of all the three dishes we ordered. The pasta was cooked al dente with a moderate amount of well-seasoned broth poured around it. The lobster that’s sitting on top of the pasta was fresh, thick and cooked just right where the meat hit that right firm, springy texture. The caviar and parmesan gave a fun additional hit of flavors in every bite. Overall the dish was light, flavorful and fulfilling at the same time. 

After all the food was served, there are two memorable things that I can say about my dining experience. First, the food was great. Everything was well seasoned, a lot of flavors in each bite and the ingredients were very fresh. Second, I really love the plating, the play on colors and the attention to details they put in every dish. Every plate looks like a well-drawn painting and it definitely excites my taste buds just by looking at the plate before taking a bite into the food. Overall, it was a really nice dining experience for me.

 

Centre Cheongdam • 센트레 청담

Address: 서울 강남구 도산대로49길 9 스타크빌딩 1층 센트레청담
Telephone: +82 507 1372 0559
Hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-22:00 (Break Time 16:00-17:00 | Last Order 15:00 & 21:15)

Instagram: @centre.cheongdam
Centre Website

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Cartel

Cartel is the newest addition to the speakeasy bars that have been popping up around Jakarta recently. Opened just last week, the casual bar that specialized in locally brewed craft beer and crafted cocktails is hidden on the second floor of the building next to their sister restaurant Mookata at SCBD Park Lot 7C.

After walking up the flight of stairs (or take the elevator if you choose to), you’ll be greeted by wall to wall shelves that display various products that one would find in a vintage neighborhood grocery store. Push the middle shelves under the ‘Cartel’ sign and that’s how you enter the unassuming bar.

First thing that you’ll see when entering the space is the bright green and yellow neon sign of two hands, each holding a cocktail and beer glass on the wall. The cool breeze of the air-con will give you an instant escape from the hot weather outside (which is very welcomed considering how hot Jakarta’s weather is these days).

The bar is actually more spacious than what I imagined it to be. There are three seating areas—the main dining area, the bar seating and the three more private sections on one side of the space.

At Cartel, their line of four signature cocktails is called ‘The Protagonists’ which are the Velvetea Tarik, Pisco Mangoshu, Royal Boulevardier, and SCBD Breeze. I got to try a couple of their cocktails as well as their beer selections.

Velvetea Tarik (170k) • Mocktail Variant (120k) | 9.5/10

Vodka, Black Tea, Caramel
Strength : ○○○
Taste Profile : Sweet, Creamy, Nostalgic

A unique blend of Vodka, Black Tea, and Caramel in a cocktail inspired by teh tarik. This enchanting elixir combines the rich flavors of caramel and bold black tea, elevated by the smooth touch of Vodka.

The first drink I tried was their Velvetea Tarik. Ordered the mocktail version of this drink since it’s one of the menu that has a mocktail option. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting anything when ordering this but after my first sip, I was mind blown. If you’re a longtime reader of this blog, you probably know how much I like milk tea and this drink is probably one of the best milk tea I’ve ever had in Jakarta.

First off, it’s not too sweet. The amount of sweetness from the milk, caramel and and brûléed foam on top was just right. The black tea is really fragrant and the combination of all these elements certainly reminiscent of teh tarik, but not quite the same. They definitely put their own spin to it, making this drink pretty unique. If you’re a fan of milk tea or teh tarik or sweeter cocktail, would definitely recommend this menu to try. (I was actually debating to order a second glass but decided against it since there were other drinks and food that I wanted to try. If it weren’t for that, I’d probably order that second glass because it was that good.)

Royal Boulevardier (190k) | 8/10

Royal Special Edition, Bitter Liqueur, Sweet Vermouth Clip USD 100 Aromatic Spray Garnish.
Strength : ○○○○○
Taste Profile : Spirit-Forward, Oaky, Clean

The classic Boulevardier is elevated to a regal experience with the use of a premium Royal Special Edition whisky, meticulously aged in sherry oak casks, imparting rich, complex flavors. This distinguished spirit is expertly blended with a robust bitter liqueur and sweet vermouth, creating a harmonious balance of bitter and sweet notes. As a finishing touch, a USD 100 note is used as a luxurious garnish, accompanied by an aromatic spray, enhancing the olfactory allure of this sophisticated libation.

Very smooth and fragrant, but slightly on the bitter side for my personal preference. My friend liked this one though since she prefer less sweet and more bitter cocktail.

SCBD Breeze (170k) • Mocktail Variant (120k) | 7.5/10

Gin, Jamu, Citrus, Prosecco, Mint
Strength : ○○
Taste Profile : Refreshing, Bubbly, Tart

Inspired by the vibrant SCBD Park in Jakarta, the SCBD Breeze captures the essence of this dynamic urban oasis. This refreshing drink features a base of crisp gin, infused with the earthy and herbal notes of Jamu, a traditional Indonesian herbal tonic. Fresh citrus adds a zesty brightness, while a splash of prosecco provides effervescence and a touch of elegance. Garnished with a sprig of mint, this cocktail is a perfect blend of local tradition and modern sophistication, mirroring the park's blend of natural beauty and contemporary flair.

Taste profile just like what the menu describe. Refreshing, sweet, and sour all at the same time. The herbal note isn’t too strong and the citrus note definitely shines more.

Luwak Negroni (190K) | 8/10

Gin, Luwak infused Bitter Liqueur, Coffee
Strength: ○○○○
Taste Profile: Spirit-Forward, Clean, Nostalgic

Strong coffee luwak taste, very smooth and more on the sweeter flavor profile. If you drink coffee, you probably will enjoy this drink.

For their locally brewed craft beers, they have home brews, seasonal brews as well as new brews every Friday so you can ask the bartender for the availability of their brews.

Cartel Tasting Flight (110k)

Created to help you decide what you love the most, our tasting flight consists of 3 types of beer in a smaller portion.

I personally am not a beer drinker and not very well-versed on the subject, but it was interesting tasting their home brewed beer.

Instead of following the trend on just serving drinks at the bar, Cartel provided a selection of food menu that you can order along with your drinks, sparing you the hassle of looking or ordering food from somewhere else. They have a pretty good selection of Asian, Western and Indonesian menus for you to choose from. And the portion of the food is pretty reasonable compared to their prices.

Korean Fried Mandu Platter (88K)

Spam Fries (75k)

Popcorn Chicken with Salted Egg Sauce

Nasi Goreng Kampung Mewah (105k)

King Prawn Aglio Olio Pasta (105k)

Green Chili Honey Buntut Bakar (155k)

During my visit, the service was pretty good. The staff were also very friendly and quick to act when we call them to ask for something. The ambience of this place is pretty relaxing (but the music’s pretty loud, just like any other bar I guess) and I kind of like how there’s enough space between the tables so the place doesn’t feel too cramped. I can see this place to be a good spot to wind down with friends or even co-workers after a busy day at work.

One thing to note, parking at SCBD Park is valet and self-drive valet only which costs 100k. If you don’t want to do valet, other parking option is available at Lot 17 across from Lot 7C.

 

Cartel SCBD

Address: Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav 52-53, SCBD Park Lot 7C Level 2, Jakarta Selatan, DKI Jakarta 12190, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 822 5888 7326
Hours: Sun-Thrs 11:30 am-11 pm | Fri-Sat 11:30 am - 12 am

Instagram: @cartelscbd

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Pier No. 12 × Magnum × Bakerman Summer Soirée

Last week, I got invited to Magnum Summer Soirée in collaboration with Pier No.12 and Bakerman for the launch of Magnum’s newest product the Mango Yoghurt Parfait ice cream. The event was held at Pier No.12 at Land’s End PIK and together with Winda (@munchandsnap.jkt) we went there to try out some of their collaboration menus featuring the Magnum Mango Yoghurt Parfait.

To celebrate the launch of the Magnum Mango Yoghurt Parfait, Magnum works together with Pier No.12 and Bakerman to create special drinks and desserts menu that’s only available at Pier No.12 and Bakerman outlets all through October ‘24.

Make My Magnum (75k+)

Choose your own 3 toppings to be served with either Magnum Mango Yoghurt Parfait or the Magnum Classic. Topping selections include strawberry sauce, mango sauce, peach, dragon fruit, mango, melon, grape jelly, strawberry jelly, egg roll crumbs, biscuit crumbs, passion fruit popping boba, strawberry popping boba, lychee popping boba and whip cream. If you wish to have more toppings, each add on costs 10k.

magnum mango jasmine citrus

Magnum Mango Yoghurt Parfait, Mango Pudding, Mango Syrup, Jasmine Brew, Mango Konjac Jelly, Lime Twist.
This one is actually a Bakerman exclusive menu, so I believe you can only order this drink at the Bakerman outlets.

Magnum sunkissed spritz

Magnum Mango Yoghurt Parfait, Aperol, Soda Water, Sparkling Wine, Sunkist, Dehydrated Orange.

Magnum mango jelly fizz

Magnum Mango Yoghurt Parfait, Coconut Water,Mango Konjac Jelly, Lemon Juice, Mango Syrup, Soda Water.

Magnum Mango Sago

Magnum Mango Yoghurt Parfait, Egg Roll, Tropical Foam, Pomelo, Fresh Mango, Mango Sago.

Magnum Tropical French Toast

Magnum Mango Yoghurt Parfait, French Toast, Strawberry, Vanilla Cream, Caramel Jam, Vanilla Sauce, Maple Sauce.

There’s also special decorations around the outdoor area of Pier No.12 as well as various fun activities that they provided for the guests. There were free polaroid pictures, make your own bracelet station and BBQ station serving various seafood menu for us to try. Although the weather was pretty hot, we had fun at the event. Also, I believe the decor will stay until the end of October. So go there for a visit if you want to take pictures with the Magnum orange-themed decor.

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Pier No.12 at Land’s End PIK 2

Address: Land’s End PIK 2, Unit LEP 2 No. T6 Jl. Yos Sudarso, Tangerang, Banten, DKI Jakarta 15211
Telephone: +62 821 2121 2460
Hours: Sun-Thrs 11am-11pm | Fri-Sat 11am-12am

Instagram: @pier12.id

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Noransang Sogalbi Anguk • 노란상소갈비 안국역점

Noransang Sogalbi Anguk (란상소갈비 안국역점) is a Korean BBQ restaurant that is well-known for their beef ribs. The restaurant is located on the second floor of a building 1-minute walk away from Anguk Station Exit 2 as well as the famous Cafe Onion nearby.

Noransang Sogalbi has multiple locations and I believe the Anguk location is the newest addition to their other three locations in Seoul. The first time I visited this place was for lunch last year after taking my relatives sightseeing around the nearby Bukchon Hanok Village. The restaurant is newly opened then so the interior was still in pristine condition. There are 13 tables that can sit 4 people comfortably in each table and every table has its own meat grill.

(To note, this is their menu from 2023 so the prices are slightly different from what they are now. You can check their current menu and prices on their Naver page.)

saenggalbi/Fresh Galbi 생갈비 (200gr) ₩25,000 | 8/10

We ordered two kinds of meat. The first one is the Saeng Galbi which is just fresh beef ribs without seasoning. The meat was fresh but overall it was okay (okay as in it’s good, but I’ve tasted similar meat at other places before. Still worth ordering if you like non-marinated meat more).

Also, a plus point of this restaurant is that they cook the meat on the table for you so it won’t get burnt and the only thing you have to do is watch and eat. Very convenient.

idong Galbi 이동갈비 (280gr) ₩22,000 | 9/10

For the second meat, we ordered two portions of the Idong Galbi, which is beef ribs with soy sauce seasoning. This one is their best-selling menu and I can understand why after I bit into my first bite. The meat is juicy, tender and the seasoning is on point.

I’ve brought two families with kids to this place and all the kids and adults liked the Idong Galbi better than the Saeng Galbi.

Doenjang-jjigae (Soybean paste stew) 된장찌개 ₩22,000 | 8/10

We also ordered the Doenjang-jjigae (soybean paste stew) and it was pretty good. Flavorful broth with plenty of vegetables and meat inside the pot.

If you visit on a weekday during lunch, they do have lunch set specials available. The place is pretty family friendly and just like any other meat restaurant in Korea, they do have the 1 order per person rule.

During lunch or dinner rush hours, the place can get pretty busy and you might have to wait for tables if you don’t have a reservation. But they do have the waiting list machine available at the restaurant where you can put your name and Korean number in, and they’ll text you when your table is ready so you can walk around the area while waiting if you choose to do so. If you don’t have a Korean number, you’ll probably have to wait at the restaurant so they can call you immediately when your table is ready.

If you’re looking for a place to have a proper meal at near Bukchon Hanok Village, Anguk Station or Cafe Onion, this is a good place to go.

 

Noransang Sogalbi Anguk • 노란상소갈비 안국역점

Address: 서울 종로구 율곡로 67 2층
Telephone: 0507 1489 9314
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00-21:30 (Break Time: 15:00-17:00, Last Order: 14:00, 20:30) | Sat-Sun 12:00-21:30 (Last Order: 20:30)

Instagram: @noransangsogalbi

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Barcadia

Hidden inside an unassuming building near Bundaran HI is a secret small library that serves as an entrance to Barcadia, a speakeasy bar at the very heart of Jakarta. Serving classic cocktails as well as innovative mixes inspired by sweet treats and local delicacies, Barcadia offers patrons a sanctuary to escape the busy life in the city.

When you arrived at the building, step into the small library where you can find Barcadia’s house rules hanging on the wall next to the entrance.

House Rules (For Season Two):

1. Keep the Peace

2. Mind Your Manner

3. No Smoking (E-Cigs Only)

4. Respect the Cocktail

5. Love Reading Book

6. Payment is Mandatory

7. Keep This Place Exclusive ;)

This is also the place where you can search for hidden old coins that you can use to exchange for special gifts from the bartender. The coins hidden are limited per day so you might want to come early if you wish to find one.

This week, Barcadia is kicking off their Season 2—The Prohibition Era: Step Into The Twenties. 

“Inspired by the clandestine speakeasies of the 1920s, we’ve crafted an immersive experience that pays homage to the spirit of defiance and indulgence that defined the era.”—Barcardia

As soon as you enter, you’ll be greeted by one (if not more) of Barcadia’s friendly bartenders who’ll quickly get you seated. The space feels like an extension of the library and is decorated with wooden panels, marble tables, leather sofas and bar stools with framed vintage art deco posters hanged on the walls. The warm dim lighting and jazz renditions of pop songs playing in the background create a cozy atmosphere to wind down after a busy day.

This (almost) 5 months old bar has about 25 seatings available inside the space—8 seats at the bar, 4 seats at the two small booths for two on one side of the room, and about 8 seats at the leather sectional sofa with an additional 4 round chairs around the circular marble table.

For their new season, Barcadia is introducing 12 new cocktails menu while keeping 2 (out of the 12) menu from season one. With 14 different unique cocktails on the menu, there are options for everybody to choose from. Or if you’re feeling more adventurous, you can always go with the “Surprise Me” option and the bartender will gladly mix you one.

Season 2 Menu. Courtesy of Barcadia Jakarta.

Tuberose (170k) | 8/10

Naked Malt Whiskey Sedap Malam, Spiked Gum, Absinthe, Peychaud’s Bitters, Aromatic Bitters.
ABV 35,7% • Floral • Spiced • Fragrant

Cheese Cake Factory (200k) | 9/10

Corazon Blanco Tequila Fat-Washed Butter, Blueberry Vanilla Liqueur, Malic Acid, Cream Cheese, Milk Clarified.
ABV 21,5% • Creamy • Toasty • Sweet

Funky Collada (190k) | 7.5/10

Roku Gin Cempedak, Roasted Grated Coconut Cordial, Pina Juice, Milk Clarified.
ABV 14,3% • Fruity • Tropical • Toasty

King of Fruits (200k) | 7.5/10

Jung & Wulff Guyana Rum, Local Leaves, Durian Syrup, Lactic Acid, Foam Agent.
ABV 16,7% • Custardy • Gentle Sweet • Aromatic

Other things that might be worth mentioning, they do serve light bites such as Wonton, French Fries and Shin Ramyun and they welcome outside food and online food delivery. There’s no minimum charge, walk-ins are welcomed and reservation is recommended for guaranteed seating. And if you make it ’til here, say this season’s magic word “Boleh pinjem buku?” to the bartender and they’ll let you mix your own cocktail behind the bar. Also, check out @munchandsnap.jkt’s reel for a special discount (valid until 30 April 2024).

 

Barcadia

Address: Jl. Blora No.10, RT.2/RW.6, Dukuh Atas, Menteng, Kec. Menteng, Kota Jakarta Pusat, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10310, Indonesia
Telephone: +62 877-8808-0998
Hours: 6 pm - 2 am

Instagram: @barcadia.id

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