After a long hiatus, we’re finally bringing back Hot New Tables in Jakarta! Whether you’re looking for your favourite new brunch spot or good old American-style steak, we’ve got something for everyone this time around. Read on for some fantastic food finds to consider as you make your dining plans for the month of March.
ST. ALi
ST. ALi is a cafe that needs little introduction, partly because we’ve sung the Melbournian brunch spot’s high praises before. The long line of hungry foodies snaking outside the venue at all times of day speaks volumes, after all, the famous coffee roaster’s Jakarta post has only been open for a little over a month now. On the menu is indeed what Melbourne does best: brunch and coffee.
ST. ALi. Setiabudi Two, Ground Floor, Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Setiabudi, Jakarta. Follow @st_ali on Instagram.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
Leave your diet at the door – Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse’s specialty is its legendary custom-aged Midwestern beef served straightforward sizzling in butter. Diners have their choice of cuts – filet, New York strip, ribeye, bone-in ribeye, T-bone or the massive porterhouse for two – and we also recommend getting the fried asparagus with hollandaise, and the mac and cheese on the side. Heavenly. The US-export is a bit on the pricey side but worth every single penny.
Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse. Somerset Grand Citra, Ground Floor, Jl. Prof Dr Satrio No. 1, Karet, Jakarta. +62 21 522 1178.
Nolita Coffee & Comfort Food
If we had to pick a neighbourhood that won at brunch, Kemang would win by a landslide. No surprise then, that Nolita opened up in the developing area of Kemang Utara. American comfort food is the name of the game at this joint, and boy do we mean comfort food. There is *gasp* deep fried PB&J WITH bacon, buttermilk fried chicken and waffles, pulled pork egg benedicts, beer battered fried everything (calamari, onion rings, fish and chips), four-cheese mac and cheese, and grilled pork belly cheese burger on the menu. Better have a salad for the meal after.
Nolita Coffee and Comfort Food. Jl. Kemang Utara No. 16C. +62 21 718 3039. Follow @nolitajakarta on Instagram.
Gonzo’s Tex Mex Grill Margarita Bar
With bright yellow walls and a vibrant interior, Gonzo’s Tex Mex takes on a fun approach to casual Tex Mex dining. The restaurant offers your staple Mexican menu items like enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas, fajitas, and our favourite: chimichangas. Margaritas and tequila also make a hefty appearance here. What’s not to love?
Gonzo’s Tex Mex Grill. LG Lotte Shopping Avenue. +62 21 2988 8973. Follow @gonzostemex on Instagram.
Bao Ji
From the good fellows that brought you Taco Local, Bao Ji is the latest little nook in Dharmawangsa’s Pelaspas building that also houses SNCTRY and Butfirst Coffee. Serving up tasty Asian baos burger-style, Bao Ji offers a delectable range of steamed and toasted baos of all flavours. You’ll struggle to try just one, but their specialty is the roast pork belly steamed bao adorned with crispy pork cracklings because nothing beats good ol’ pork belly. De-lish.
Bao Ji. Pelaspas, Jl. Dharmawangsa Raya No. 4, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. +62 21 9935 5366. Follow @baojicama on Instagram.