CAFFEINISM AT DHARMAWANGSA

     BUT first Coffee

Drinking coffee represents different things to different people; some drinks for a pick-me-up during dull days, some drinks for social purposes, some drinks as an obsession to find that perfectly brewed cup of coffee and this is where I come in.

I started drinking coffee as a caffeine fix in college during those overwhelming nights cramming those textbooks for quizzes and exams where you need to be fully awake and where normal people sleep. I was not a coffee snob back then, drinking coffee while thinking they all taste the same. I started distinguishing coffees since I met people who literally fall in love with their coffees as they sip their cup of ‘black gold’ as they like to call it. They taught me how to taste and smell that perfectly brewed coffee, I began to see myself as a coffee snob in no time.

I’m always in the quest to seek little gems of coffee shops that knows how to select and brew their coffee. In recent days coffee shops pop out both in Jakarta and Tangerang area like wild mushrooms. They might compete with each other for patrons, but as for me, is my indulgence to roam around these shops to look for that perfectly brewed coffee. In my delight, another new coffee shop just open that got me curious of their coffees, the new place is located at Dharmawangsa and named ‘But First Coffee Shop’ and did not disappoint.

Located right behind the Pelaspas Buidling, I find a cozy little nook, perfect place to have that morning coffee when you are trying to get yourself together for the day (place opens bright and early!). The place is decorated with vintage vibe that reminiscence of yesteryears of what you would’ve called home. A definite place to spend time; if you ever looking for a place to work by yourself in the corner, undisturbed, or a get together with friends over great coffees.

Each brewed coffee is poured into hand made pottery ceramic cups that gives off a touch of intimacy and a sense of belonging in that coffee shop. The aroma of fresh brewed coffee welcomes you as you enter and as you sit deciding to spend the entire day and work there or leave right after you had your caffeine fixed. Either way, the baristas that serves your coffee will not disappoint you.

Coffees price ranges are between IDR 25K to IDR 40K, including selections of freshly made bread and pastries to accompany your cup of coffee. Don’t lose heart when it takes a wee bit of time that the baristas would prepare your coffees (there’s only so much baristas, one to two persons, to prepare all orders).

picollo IDR 28K ; latte IDR 32K

All in all, I had an amazing time at this place. The coffee is up to par, has a smooth after taste; ready to compete with any established coffee shops nearby, or far. The owner is friendly and approachable; the people serving you are welcoming and accommodating your every need.

Make a quick stop (or a slow stop) and enjoy this place as much as I did. A little side note when you get there, find a table by the window, is definitely a perfect spot to sip on your coffee.

But first coffeeshop

Jl. Dharmawangsa Raya no 4

Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta 12160

Instagram  : @butfirstcoffeeshop

Opeining hrs : 07.00 AM -21.00 PM

Payment : cash/debit

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Negiya Donburi -Citiwalk Sudirman

Negiya Donburi

Growing up in Jakarta, we are familiar to Japanese food. Japanese restaurants used to be this fancy, wear-your-Sunday-best-outfit, and maybe twice a year feast thing. Nowadays, Japanese restaurants are for common people who like to wear their sandals and t-shirts trying to get their belly filled.

Negiya Donburi restaurant is an established franchise from Melbourne making its debut in Jakarta. Donburi literally means ‘bowl’ and in Japanese, it referes to savory stews, katsu curry or yakiniku over rice. Located at City Walk Sudirman, Negiya has Menya Gyutan Don as their signature dish. For those Gyutan lovers out there (for those acquired taste) it is a special treat! 

The décor is minimally designed with red and light oak wood dominating the furnishings. Ordering the food starts by making your way to the cashier before you seat yourself and food will be served at the table. The staffs were patient enough to guide you through the ordering of the food; from favorite menu to additional toppings you can add on your Donburi.

Giving you a peek of what I had ordered

Chicken katsu don with egg topping (IDR 48K)

My favorite of the food I ordered was the Chicken Katsu Donburi. The chicken is tender, moist and slightly creamy from the egg makes it extra delicious. The signature sauce gives the extra boost that propels the dish into a must-try when you visit this place. One additional note about this dish is that it only comes in Large portion, but fret not, I have a hunch that even those that eats little might finish that large portioned bowl of yummy goodness!

Menya Gyutan Don (IDR 60K for R and 110K for set menu)

The set menu comes with Japanese salad and miso soup with the portion that they mentioned to be 25% bigger than the regular menu.

As the server came with my Gyutan order at the table, my mouth waters with anticipation. Just as delicious as it looked, the Gyutan is tender, thickness to its perfection, seasoned in an umami effect and unmistakably spiced. It was not a disappointment.

However, the rice was problematic for me, Japanese rice has a distinct flavor (I feel that I’m experienced enough to recognize the taste of Japanese rice) and the rice on that Gyutan bowl was not Japanese rice that I’m accustomed to; it almost actually taste bland. The blandness when eaten together with the tasty Gyutan dragged the Gyutan bowl into mediocreness, and that is a huge dismay. I hope that in the near future they fix the little glitch.

With that mediocrity of Gyutan Don that has been claimed their most requested/signature dish from the menu, I personally prefers the Chicken Katsu bowl. There I said it.

Grilled salmon miso set menu (IDR 79K)

The Grilled Salmon miso set menu comes with Japanese rice salad and miso soup. The salmon tasted fresh and cooked perfectly. The sauce comes in two flavors, the sweet savory teriyaki sauce and salty miso sauce with sesame seed.

I personally would choose the salty miso sauce over the sweet teriyaki sauce (I heard miso is a healthier choice) I would also recommend the Grilled Salmon miso set menu, it is my second choice after the winning Chicken katsu bowl.

Negiya Donburi

Citiwalk Sudirman

Ground Floor

Jl. KH Mas Mansyur Kav 121

Sudirman, Jakarta 10220

021-29704051

Opening hours   : 10.00 AM- 10.00 PM

Payment              : cash/card

Instagram            : @NEGIYADONBURI

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FROM Italy to Jakarta , My favorite GELATO

What’s up, Jakarta?!

Today I want to share with you what Italian has sworn by and perfected from many ages ago, their Gelatos. Grom, which recently make Jakarta their new home on the 1^st floor of Pacific place, do know their gelatos. Grom has a slogan “IL GELATO COME UNA VOLTA”, which would roughly translate to “like it used to be made”. They vow to make Gelato like their ancestors used to make, how Gelato taste should be.

People at Grom are not messing around on how they make their Gelatos. They use only the finest and absolute highest quality of raw materials; fresh fruits from the chosen consortium in Italy and their own bio-diverse organic farm Mura Mura. Grom’s gelato uses fresh milk and free-range chicken eggs (means happy chickens, awesome eggs), sorbets with 50% fruit, water only from Sparea springs and white cane sugar.

I did my time once working at an Ice cream industry and know my icy dessert; there is a huge difference between Gelato and Ice cream. Gelato has lesser fat than ice cream as it uses fresh milk instead of cream that is a basis for making ice cream. Gelato also has a warmer temperature to ice cream, which is set more or less at -10 degree Celsius.

I would add one crucial point, that Gelato is more forgiving on your waistline than ice cream. One of the perks of Grom’s gelato is that it contains 9% less fat than normal gelato which is around 14% fat and 0% on its sorbets, remembering again how kind it is of Grom to remember our waistline. In addition to having less fat or no fat, Grom has no preservatives, flavorings, emulsifiers nor coloring, and that is being kind to our body.

Grom now serves 70 branches worldwide from its hometown Italy to Dubai, Los Angeles, New York, Paris and now making its way to South East Asia, Jakarta.

There are 4 types of serving portion whether you have it in a cup or on a cone:

Small size, 2 flavors – IDR 48K

Medium size, 3 flavors – IDR 60K

Large size, 3 flavors – IDR 72K

Extra large size in a cup with a maximum of up to 4 flavors – IDR 85K

Remembering how low fat or zero fat Grom is I tried 6 different flavors to taste, just because I could.

The flavors I tried were Crema di Grom, Bacio, Triple choco, Double choco, Lemon sorbet and last but not least Pear sorbet.

Crema di Grom is their well-known signature flavor; it is tested and do lift up to the expectation. It is based of egg cream gelato with corn biscuit and Colombian Teyuna choco chips. A definite must try! Or at least try a sample of it when you visit Grom.

I must recommend pairing Crema di Grom with the Pear sorbet. You might think of nothing out of the ordinary from a Pear sorbet. However, let me convince you wrong, it is actually quite a little delight flavor! It exactly taste like pear, soft and sweet smelling yet it is chilled! Let it surprise you!

Crema di Grom with Pear Sorbet

Another recommended pairing is the Bacio (choco hazelnut) and Double choco; bacio on its own tends to be sweet, with the double choco that has a more bitter dark chocolate flavor, it makes a perfect pairing. If double choco is not enough dark for your taste bud do opt for the choco instead, it has a more prominent dark chocolate taste and does not contain milk.

Other flavors I tried have their own unique taste. The lemon sorbet has a strong flavor of sourness. Their nocciola has a smooth and light hazelnut flavor compare to Bacio. But overall their gelato blows my mind away .

Nocciola flavor

extra dark choco with lemon sorbet on top

Being a self-professed die-hard foodie, I have tried many Gelatos in my lifetime. What makes Grom stands out from the rest is that it has unforgettable and unique flavors and refined gelato finish. Do not forget to put your Gelato in its crunchy cone; it completes the Gelato experience, in my personal opinion. One thing that I do have to mention the fact that it is au naturale, Grom Gelato has a rapid time of melting. So do eat them in a jiff and might as well order for your second serving right away!

Have your own Grom experience, peeps and do let me know your favorite flavor!

GROOM Gelato II Come Una Volta

Pacific Place Mall 1^st floor #70-72

Jalan Jendral Sudirman Kav 52-53, Kebayoran Baru

Jakarta Selatan 12190

Opening hrs : 10.00 AM- 10.00 PM

Instagram : @grom_indo

Payment : cash/card

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