Tugu Kunstkring Paleis: Dining in Jakarta’s Grand Palace of Art
updated the 7 October 2015 à 00:03
The one hundred years old Dutch Colonial building in Jakarta is reopened for art and history lovers – and their hungry tummies.
In the corner of leafy Menteng neighbourhood sits an architectural treasure that first opened on April 17, 1914 as Nederlandsch-Indische Kunstkring of the Dutch East Indies, or Fine Arts Circle of the Dutch East Indies. Works of no less than Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Piccaso, Paul Gauguin, and Marc Chagall used to fill the grand building during 1934-1939. Today, Tugu Kunstkring Paleis brings art and culture back to the house, along with delectable food from many parts of Indonesia.
Enjoying Cwie Mie – the unique noodle dish from Malang, East Java – in the grandiose of Prince Diponegoro Room, it is impossible not to spend some time admiring the details of the 9 x 4 metre painting on the wall. The owner and founder of Tugu Hotels & Restaurants Group himself who painted it to recreate among the most important events in Indonesian history: the capture of Prince Diponegoro on March 28, 1830. The gigantic painting, titled The Fall of Java, is just the third one to render the event after other paintings by J.W. Pieneman and Raden Saleh.
The palatial hall also housed artifacts and antiques relating to the old kingdoms of Central Java. It sets the perfect mood for Rijsttafel Betawi – the ceremonial offering of a vast array of Indonesian dishes. This culinary experience was created by the inland Dutch back at the colonial times. Rijsttafel Betawi consists of different Indonesian meals varying in colour, spices, and flavours, and all come in sampling portion.
The ground floor of Tugu Kunstkring Paleis also has The World of Suzie Wong bar and lounge to celebrate the legendary film from 1960 in a dramatic post-war Hong Kong atmosphere. The other wing of the building is a coffee shop, bakery, and a boutique stuffed with jewellery and antiques. Upstairs is the main exhibition hall that houses carefully curated collection of paintings, statues, and other artworks. Around the exhibition hall are private dining rooms. The balcony upstairs open to the view of greens, and beautiful neighbourhood of Menteng.
Besides Indonesian dishes, the menu also includes Western items like bitterballen, roasted lobster, and steaks. Nasi Lemak, King Prawn Curry are among the Asian must-tries. The Ban Lam Wine Shop offers a wide selection of bottles from all around the world.
The splendour of Tugu Kunstkring Paleis makes a perfect setting for regal functions, romantic dinner for two, or elegant high tea. With arts and antiques all around, how more classy can it be?
Tugu Kunstkring Paleis is in Jalan Teuku Umar 1, Menteng, Central Jakarta, Indonesia. Tel: +62-21-3900-899
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