Portofino

Dear fellow tasters,

Still from my Hong Kong get away, this post is from the Macau day-trip.  After surviving the ferry ride, bracing through the throngs to get to the Ruínas de São Paulo, a disastrous Macanese lunch, casino-hopping, and more shopping, my friend and I ended at the super spacious Venetian Macao.  Traversing through this massive hotel-slash-casino structure was no easy feat and by the time we reached the main lobby where the Versailles-like dome and ceilings are located, it was past dinner time and our feet were screaming from too much walking.

Cafe Deco

Dear fellow tasters,

Back to my Hong Kong trip, on the evening after intense shopping at Ladies’ market and H&M, my friend and I decided to go up the Victoria Peak or more known as the Peak, one of Hong Kong’s popular tourist attractions.  It involved an hour queuing for the Peak Tram, the iconic 120 years-old tram ride across slanted railways to reach the top.  The ride itself took only less than 10 minutes and upon alighting, the first thing we did was to look for a restaurant because we already felt famished and we needed some place to rest our poor feet from all the walking around.

Starbucks Summer Gathering 2012

Dear fellow tasters,

From so many reasons to go to Starbucks, one of them would probably be because it makes drinking coffee fun.  If black brewed coffee and cappuccino sounds boring to you, then there are other options to choose from, such as the signature trademarked ice blended frappuccino.  For this summer, Starbucks Indonesia introduces two new seasonal frappuccino beverages and I had a chance to try them out during the summer food blogger gathering event at Starbucks Pasaraya Grande.  They are Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino and Chocolate Cookie Crumble Cream Frappuccino.

Umaku

Dear fellow tasters,

I’m guessing most of you have that sushi restaurant that you visit regularly whenever you crave some sashimi or unagi.  For me, there are a few places in that category but I think I’m going to add Umaku as a new entry to that list.  The name Umaku is a Japanese word but is chosen because it sounds similar to the Indonesian word of “rumahku” or Javanese word of “omahku” (both translate to “my house”) with a hope that Umaku may provide delicious food in a place of comfort just like in your own home.

Q Smokehouse – Mexican Food Panel

Dear fellow tasters,

Q Smokehouse is one of those places that I have heard about so many times from so many people but never had the chance to try.  Well, that was before an invitation came for a Mexican Food Panel with other food bloggers, held at their Senopati branch.  The Senopati restaurant is Q Smokehouse’s third and latest venture after opening two successful branches at Panglima Polim and Setia Budi One.  Although they specialize in serving authentic Texas-style barbecue and steaks, the event that afternoon was to introduce us to the Mexican Food menu, as well as to celebrate the first anniversary of Q Smokehouse Senopati.

Nannini’s Menu Tasting

Dear fellow tasters,

Several weeks ago, I was invited to a menu tasting event for Nannini which recently opened its second branch on the second floor of Plaza Indonesia.  The first and more popular Nannini in Plaza Senayan is a successful culinary establishment which has been serving an array of international and local cuisines since 1995.  The tasting that evening was organized by Goorme.com to introduce food bloggers, netizens and other guests to Nannini’s classic favorite dishes, cooked up by Executive Chef Francis Lim and his kitchen team.

Tim Ho Wan

Dear fellow tasters,

On the third day in Hong Kong, my friend suggested that we tried a one Michelin-starred dim sum place, called Tim Ho Wan.  Wow, of course I was thrilled and curious about it.  I suppose this would be my first time going to a Michelin-starred restaurant.  So, using google map to traverse the streets of Mong Kok, we managed to find the restaurant, simply by noticing the queue forming outside the shop.

Under Bridge Spicy Crab

Dear fellow tasters,

I recently went on a holiday to Hong Kong and although I didn’t manage to get a table at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, there were several foodie highlights that I can share with you.  I would start with the restaurant that my Hong Kong friend, Annie Das, recommended to go for my first dinner just after I arrived.  It was called Under Bridge Spicy Crab restaurant and just like the name, it is supposed to be famous for its spicy crab, also known as typhoon shelter crab.

Bunk, Pullman Jakarta Central Park

Dear fellow tasters,

This was the second invitation from Pullman Jakarta Central Park Hotel, this time for an informal evening at Bunk, the lobby lounge at this modern museum-like “industrial raw” concept hotel.  Just opposite to the reception area, Bunk’s two striking features would be the dramatic spiral staircase and the colorful metal drapery.  With pop art works, printed sofas and cozy high-ceilinged area, the lounge provides a perfect place for casual business rendezvous or friendly chilling out.  There’s also a more private mezzanine level, suitable for a relaxing time with acquaintances.

Scusa – New A La Carte Menu

Dear fellow tasters,

Last month, I was invited to a food tasting lunch with several food bloggers at Scusa, an Italian restaurant located on the second floor of InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza Hotel.  I have heard about the place but never had a chance to try it, so getting a lunch invitation there was very exciting for me.