Otel Lobby: Excellent taste in casual style
updated the 7 October 2015 à 00:04
We review one of Jakarta’s culinary hot spots and deliver our verdict.
Entering the dimly lit premise feels more like checking in to a cool boutique hotel. The reception desk is set against a screen that regularly plays classics like The Godfather, muted. Right next to it is a trolley with a stack of vintage Louis Vuitton suitcases.
The intimate bar boasts the longest happy hour in town. “Hell Hour” – so it is called – happens every Monday to Thursday from 5 pm to 9 pm, where both cocktails and bar snacks are in buy-1-get-1-free mode. Ladies should try the chilli Burning Mandarin, or the smooth operating Uva Bella, while gentlemen can opt for Kudus Cocktail and Otel Cider. Never miss the home-made bun with roasted duck and fried shallots. For more filling snacks, try the Pigs in a Blanket.
Executive Chef Maya Aldy is among the very few skinny chefs in the world that you can trust. She’s trained in French Cooking at French Culinary Institute, has worked in restaurants in New York and Bali, and she’s a runner, a yogini, and a CrossFit trainer. Her cuisine is not only meticulously prepared and delicious, but also carefully balanced and healthy.
Otel Lobby’s dining menu is not extensive, with new items replacing old ones every once in a while. The favorites, though, will be always there; Beef Wellington, and a selection of pasta that comes in two options of portion. Herb papardelle is served with tender lamb meat, tomato and mint. Trust whatever they do with any kind of fish. The barramundi is legendary, and the slow-poached salmon is unforgettable.
Chef Maya Aldy also plays with red meat rather creatively by pairing them with kimchi. The lamb shank comes with tomato tart. And, local dishes like Nasi Uduk, Nasi Campur and Soto Mie deliver authentic flavours on the table. Dessert selections include fruit pavlova, excellent banoffee pie, and home-made gelatos and sorbets. Consider it a lucky day if their jackfruit sorbet is available.
Otel Lobby has a delightful outdoor terrace for winding down. More than a mere hangout place, Otel Lobby is for those who appreciate good food, great cooking techniques without being complicated – and perfectly mixed cocktails. It all comes at a very reasonable price that won’t break the bank.
Otel Lobby, The Annex Building of Bakrie Tower, Rasuna Epicentrum Complex, Kuningan, South Jakarta, Indonesia (Tel: +62-21-29941324)
Ve Handojo
