WW: Restaurant Indonesia, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Restaurant Indonesia, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Food from home is always something you are craving for, wherever you are. The joy of enjoying the menu that reminds you of your beloved family, warm hugs from your grand parents and heart-to-heart talk on the dining table, is immensely priceless.

No matter what nationalities we are, this basic notion is pretty much what many of us are familiar with, especially when you are living outside of your homeland.

As for me, I have been learning to cook various Indonesian food and drink, but I always welcome the opportunity to buy and to order Indonesian food wherever I am. On the last trip to Napier, Hawke's Bay, we managed to get a taste of home. We stopped by at Restaurant Indonesia, serving since 1983 and making it the oldest restaurant in the area.

Restaurant Indonesia from outside, Napier, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

Although the restaurant is usually closing on Monday - Tuesday due to the shortage of staff during COVID-19, we had this special session and menu at the restaurant as the Ambassador was coming with us as well.

the complete nasi bakar menu

That night, we had Nasi Bakar complete with fried chicken, ikan jambal roti or salted fish, tempe and tahu goreng as well as sayur asam, lalapan and sambal. In addition to that, we also have snapper being cooked as pepes ikan or steamed fish with lots of Indonesian traditional spices. Plus kerupuk or the famous Indonesian chips, to make the menu complete. We also enjoyed Indonesian ice tea with bay leaf and wedang ronde as dessert. Super yum indeed.

Here are some photos I took on the food.

pepes ikan... super yum!

wedang ronde, anyone?

I also love the interior design of the restaurant, with some specific themes reflecting the beauty of Indonesian heritage. It has Papua Room, Balinese and Javanese items and handicrafts, beautiful hand-woven fabrics from Timor and so many more. 

For Mas Riza and Mba Vivi Ambadar, the owners of this restaurant, coming and dining to Restaurant Indonesia is not only about enjoying the food and beverages, but it's also about the experience and the 'real feel' of Indonesia. Through these special menus, we embark on a journey of thousand miles away, diving on the endless beauty of Indonesia as well as the amazing and rich culture of this largest archipelagic state. As you get your first bite, you will feel the warmth and friendliness of Indonesians and their love for traditional and distinct taste of the homeland. That's what I felt when I enjoyed my dinner here.

So for you who get the chance to come and visit Napier, don't miss Restaurant Indonesia with its incredible menu.

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the link party.

WW: El Matador, Argentinian Restaurant in Wellington

 

Join me on my culinary adventure here in the coolest little capital in the world, Wellington.

This time. I will take you to El Matador, Argentinian Restaurant, located in the hip Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand. I guess this place will be perfect to take your loved ones in special occasions or even for a lovely dinner out.

El Matador has long been famous for its Argentinian grill, as it is a cafe, Asador Grill and Bar. Obviously, since Argentinian food is pretty much dominated by the grilled meat, this place is famous for its steak. 

You can definitely have others as well like burgers, lamb chops, venison, prawns, fish, squid, octopus, mussels and more. 

As for the drinks, they have various choices ranging from the alcoholic and non-alcoholic ones, including tea and some hot drinks.

Want to peep on the menu? Here you go! 

And the ambience is also lovely! I really love its industrial settings with 'old world' touch and big, rustic posters and prints. I really enjoy it. 

When we came here, we ordered their famous smoked lamb loin, fugazzeta rellena (which is packed with cheese like we love it!), as well as the steak and burger. I have to say the beef is delicious as well as the fresh salad and fries. Everything blends well in colorful plates that we have. 

Let's check out some photos I took during my dinner in this lovely place.

I really love their fresh salad and baked potatoes

the smoked TE MANA lamb loin

Fugazzeta Renella - the mozzarella - stuffed fugazza bread

I have to say that we really love this place. The food is incredible, the ambience is fun, the plating is lovely and everything is just so enjoyable. Come and visit this place if you happen to be in the city.

Join us in (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the linky party.

WW: Dining at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung

Dining at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung

Lately I have many farewell parties (although I'd prefer to call it see-you-again-soon party) to attend. 

One of them is in Bandung, when my office had a big meeting there. We were dining at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung, and I really love the place. 

the meeting room.. but we choose the outdoor area

The place is super comfy and it does remind us of Noah's Ark, complete with various animals (well, their statues only of course, not the real one) as well as wooden accent that resembles the boat. 

I also love the fact that this place is spacious with a lot of open spaces and greeneries. They have meeting rooms as well as upstairs sofas and corners. The health protocol was observed as well.

The food is yum, although I though the service was a bit slow that day because it was quite full. Well, my group consists of around 20 people so we packed the place with our own. 

Wanna know what we ordered that day?

We booked for around 20 people and although it was raining, all of us came down here and enjoyed the evening together.

we ordered fried rice, mushroom soup, fried mushroom, cheese and spinach roll, ayam geprek or the spicy chicken and grilled ribs, pizzas, spaghetti, steak, ice cream, carrot cake and more. It was a lovely dinner for sure. 

fried rice, complete with satay and fried chicken

So, will you come by and try the food here at Noah's Barn Cafe, Bandung?

Join us on (almost) Wordless Wednesday and have fun with the link party

Tasting Middle Eastern Food at Abunawas Restaurant Jakarta

Are you a big fan of delicious mandi and biryani rice?

With lamb or chicken, both are so good by the way, on top of the rice?

Then join me here in this post as I am taking you to one of the best restaurants serving Middle Eastern food in Jakarta. Abunawas Restaurant.

Are you familiar with the Middle Eastern food? I have been enjoying more and more Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food when I was in New York City. My hubby loves lamb a lot and Middle Eastern food has been very famous fo their lamb menus. Since we lived in Astoria and there are many mosques as well as moslem communities in some parts of if, we also found many restaurants serving these wonderful cuisines and they are halal! Not to mention the famous Halal Guys, the food cart selling delicious chicken and lamb gyros as well as falafel. Oh my... I really miss them! That is why up until now we really miss this type of food.

So back to Jakarta, we do have some choices when it comes to Middle Eastern food. As you have probably be aware of, there are huge Arab communities in Jakarta and they do have their authentic restaurants. This place, Abunawas Restaurant, has been very famous for it Arabian cuisine and the setting as well as the ambience of the place is also beautiful.

When you arrive, the front part of the building is so lovely and it directly reminds of the jazeera, complete with shoe-horse shaped patio and door. As you step in, you will be transported to the Middle East as the coordinated theme and accents used depicts the unique Arabian cultures.

For sure the health protocol is implemented so the mask in obligatory and your temperature will be checked and you have to wash your hands or use the hand sanitizers. and physical distancing is also in place.

health protocol is implemented.

As you can see here, the interior is wonderful and I really love the details. It reminds me of La Alhambra in Granada, Spain, as well as La Mesquita in Sevilla, Spain. The fresco, the color choice, the ceilings, the walls.. they are just lovely! I feel so nostalgic when I saw all this beautiful setting. It has wonderful murals and amazing sofa that I would like to bring home LOL. Take a look at them here.

Look at the murals!

I am IN LOVE with this sofa!

Now.. Let's take a look at the menu here!

As I have mentioned before, they are very famous for their mandi and biryani rice. You can have this rice with chicken, lamb or fish. All of them are so good! There is also Zurbiyan rice but I haven't really tried it.

You can have the menu in individual plate or portion, or the portion for two, which for me, can accommodate 4 hungry people. 

Quarter lamb or chicken over your choice of rice is people’s favorite. You can have mandi or biryani rice, or half - half on them. Complete with spicy sauce as you like it.

Chicken over half biryani, half mandi rice

If you order any dippings, like babagamush or hummus, you will get the pitta bread as well. I also tried the cheese samosa and I love it. Tabouleh is so good and fresh, although I would love to have more lemon and fresh tomatoes on it so it has more kick.

I managed to try the smoothies as well. It has I chose the one with peanut butter, which is very nice and creamy. I guess the name of this beverage is Iskandaria Peanut Smoothie. It has a nice ring one it, right! Next time I will try the one with dates I guess!

Iskandaria Peanut Smoothie, anyone?

The restaurant has two floors so you can choose where you are going to eat. You can also have the tables or the ‘tent’ where you can sit on the floor for full Arabian experience. They have private rooms you can use as well. I love the ambience, it’s pretty with fountain, cave-like and tent-like decoration, murals on the wall and Arabic accents.

the tent looks so exotic

It has spacious parking lot, so it won’t be a problem. I am not sure it is disability friendly though, especially for those with impaired mobility. It has spacious room but to reach the second floor will certainly be problematic. I hope they will fix it soon.

So, what do you think? Will you try the food here? I will definitely be back here again soon with my hubby!

Stay safe and healthy, everyone.

Sambel Hejo Sambel Dadak - Rumah Makan Sunda Djaman Doeloe yang Instagramable

Ada yang familiar dengan sambel dadak?

Sambel hejo?

Ayam goreng basah?

Oncom dan leunca?

Sayur asem?

Tumis peda?

Cimplung?

Karedok?

Aduh, baru dengar namanya aja aku sudah ngiler!

Kalau suka makanan Sunda, aku punya tempat yang oke bangeeet untuk menikmati makanan Sunda yang enak. Untuk aku yang foodie (baca; DOYAN MAKAN #danfotomakanannnya), bahagia banget bisa ketemua restoran yang oke, tempatnya keren, dekat rumah, harga friendly dan menyenangkan. Di sinilah tempat yang paling oke untuk menikmati hidangan khas tanah Pasundan! Apalagi restonya yang bernuansa vintage pasti bkin kamu nggak tahan untuk ngga berfoto ria. Instagramable bangeeet soalnya.

So, let me take you to SAMBEL HEJO SAMBEL DADAK RESTAURANT!

Karena restorannya ada beberapa, kali ini aku ajak yang paling dekat dengan rumahku di Rawamangun ya.

Sundanese delicacies and menu are their signature so you make sure you try their wonderful menu.

If you are familiar with Sundanese food, you can definitely enjoy ayam goreng basah, fresh veggies or lalapan, sambal dadak (chili sauce a la Indonesia that is freshly made) and sambal hejo or the green chili sauce, sayur asem, peda, tempe and tahu. 

I know I should translate them all ini English but it's good to know the real name in bahasa Indonesia :).

Whenever we come here, we always order the package for two and get some additional a la carte menu such as sayur asem or gurame bakar.

We love the nasi liwet and the hot tea they serve for free here.

Maybe because it is served in a vintage tea jug like what my hubby and I used to have when we were kids.

Here are some of the menus that we love!

First, as appetizers, we have otak - otak or grilled fish cake.

Then my kids' favorite is cimplung or the Sundanese potato fritters.

It's a bit different from the usual perkedel kentang and we love it.

And of course, I love the sambal as well as the signature fried chicken here, ayam goreng basah.

They both are match made in heaven indeed!

What I really love about the Sundanese food is that it has a lo of fresh veggies. It matches the sambal or the fresh chili sauce that they are preparing on the spot based on request. It tastes like heaven (for me)!

The restaurant as I said is pretty.

You can sit inside, on the second floor, or even on the terrace. 

They do have tons of vintage items, some are even from my parents' childhood.

And that's exactly what I love about this place

They have a mini studio in the back where you can take picture using the vintage costumes and all the properties. It's really cute indeed. you will definitely love this place! 

My family and I didn't want to mis the opportunity to take all those cute photos, for FREE!

And here are some of the photos taken on our last visit there.

Tell me what you think about!

The service is good as well. 

Fast and friendly staff. The price is very reasonable for a lovely place like this!

Come check out my video about this lovely place on YouTube.

I keep coming back to this place with my family and friends. If you are  around, don't miss this place! Kabari yaaa kalau mampir ke sini! oh ya.. Ini tempat dan alamat lengkapnya ya.

Cheers and have a great day!

See you on the next culinary experience ya.