Valentine's Day Dinner Jakarta 2014

We're now entering February! For some, this might be their favorite month among the year as it's the most romantic month as some claimed, well Valentine's Day falls on this month dude!

Any plans for celebrating already?

No? Tsk Tsk. Why? Because you're single? HAHAHAHA! Too bad because me also, WTF major loser!

Well don't worry because we can be single together...NOT! It's because you're on the right site as eatandtreats is giving you some restaurant recommendations for Valentine's Day dinner. As usual, the names on this list are based on those that I have visited before and based on my personal point of view. My proper Valentine's Day dinner is somewhere not so crowded, maybe packed but still pretty much quiet environment, has that table for two, dim lighting... more like fine dining typical, but in the same time without you feeling freaking ripped off!

To be honest, you're gonna find names that are not exactly cheap in pricing, but let me tell you this, let's say you're planning to propose someone on Valentine's Day, is it BETTER to be proposed at a fancy romantic restaurant rather than the hawkers? (No offense to any hawker restaurants). Sometimes you need to spend more on the once in a lifetime moment man.

Well, I wish you well and here is the eatandtreats list of Valentine's Day Dinner Jakarta 2014! Sort on alphabetical order!

Bengawan
Keraton At The Plaza
Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 15
Jakarta Pusat 10350

I don't know if couples really go to buffet restaurants for a romantic dinner, I am thinking more like a table dining with table service, but if you want to, from all those buffet restaurants that I have tried so far, Bengawan is probably one of my most favorites because I tend to love when the ambiance scene of a restaurant is a little more calm and reserved. If you're looking for a buffet restaurant that serves nice fresh food (do try their seafood station, they have nice Sashimi), where it's not too crowded and sort-of romantic, then Bengawan could be your choice.

Bengawan is located in the Keraton at The Plaza Hotel which is known for its exclusivity and elegance, it's one of the most upscale hotels in Jakarta. Frankly speaking, eating in Bengawan is not cheap, it's probably the most expensive buffet restaurant in town. For dinner, you would probably want to prepare around IDR 1mil for two people.

C's Steak and Seafood

4th fl. Grand Hyatt Hotel Jakarta

Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30

Jakarta 10350

021 - 2992 1234

Lunch time: 12.00 - 15.00

Dinner time: 18:00 - 20.30

If you're planning to have steaks for the dinner then look no further for C's Steak and Seafood as it is one of the most famous destinations for steak lovers. Located in the Grand Hyatt Hotel Jakarta, C's is offering you an exclusive dining experience with supporting classy ambiance and tons of wine to choose from. For those who don't know, beside its delicious steaks, C's also well known for its wine collections, they have around 3000 bottles of wine carefully kept and displayed in its special room. Dinner for two will cost you around IDR 1 million and still depending on what you ordered.

Cacaote
Jalan Senopati Raya No. 80
Jakarta Selatan
Opening Hrs:
11.00 - 23.00 (weekdays)
11.00 - 01.00 (weekends)
021 - 2930 6127

Cacaote is one of the most famous patisserie and restaurant at the moment, if not, the most famous, quite impressive for a restaurant that has been opening for about four months! Cacaote is a restaurant located in Senopati that serves mostly western cuisine and cakes and completed with a beautiful interior tat most females would love. The restaurant is divided into two floors, the first floor (lower floor) is the more cheerful one with pink and pastel colors all over the room, while the upper one is a little more elegant, classy and dim, go with the second floor if you're having dinner here! One of the most recommended menu here is their Cacaote Burger, do give it a try. Dinner for two will cost you around IDR 600-800k depending on what you're ordering.

Chateau Blanc
Jl. Senopati No. 38
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
021 - 521 3626

Just when you think you're having fancy French dinner, here comes the Chateau Blanc. Appearance wise, Chateau Blanc is one of the prettiest restaurants in Jakarta at the moment, if you've been here before, everyone would agree that this restaurant rings 'fancy' and 'pretty' to another level, as well as knowing that this won't cost you little having dinner here. If you love Foie Gras, then you might want to try their signature version of Foie Gras. Prepare at least IDR 2 mil for dinner for two, and still depending on what you're ordering.

Emilie French Restaurant
Jl. Senopati No. 39
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
021 - 521 3626

Emilie is undoubtedly one of the best French restaurants in town, established in 2005, Emilie has been stealing a lot of costumers hearts, especially those who appreciate an authentic French fine dining. Emilie is not a fancy restaurant with a lot of complicated ornaments and decorations, it's a restaurant with clean and tidy look but still having that touch of elegance to it. They have ala carte and set menu that I found to be exquisite, this should be on your list.

Dining here is not cheap, Emilie is one of the most up class restaurants in town but the food is worth it! Prepare around 1.5-2 million for two.

Espiga
Galeries Lafayette, Pacific Place 17th fl.
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53
Jakarta Selatan

photo courtesy of Lyon+Mia

Espiga is a new joint located in the Galeries Lafayette Pacific Place Jakarta and as you can see from the photo above, it offers you a nice ambiance for dinner. Went here for dinner a while ago and frankly speaking they have series of pretty decent food in an affordable prices for a semi fine dining state, no wonder, it's under the same management as Tapas Movida which is like the Heaven for mexican food lovers! I would say eating here will cost you around IDR 500k-700k for two.

GAIA Ristorante / Salt Grill by Luke Mangan
The Plaza Tower 46th fl.
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
021 - 2992 2448

Another top names in the industry at the moment must be Altitude, every weekend the tables are full and it's always packed, mostly for dinner. No wonder, beside serving decent food, they're also offering you the view from the 46th floor, perfect view during the night from here but apparently not so pleasant for those down there... From the three restaurants in Altitude, I honestly think GAIA Ristorante and Salt Grill stand out for its luxurious classy look, both serves western themed cuisine and I found their food to be pretty great, judging from what they're serving me on the invitation back then. Prepare around IDR 800k-1 million to have a dinner here.

Huize Van Wely
Level 1, The Papilion Kemang
Jalan Kemang Raya No. 45AA
Jakarta Selatan 12370
021 - 719 0789 / 1975

When it comes to class, you can't skip Huize Van Wely from your list, this Dutch franchise brand is a one all-in restaurants, meaning great food and ambiance from the clean and neat looking interior in one restaurant. Located at the Papilion (also managed by the peeps from Papilion), Huize Van Wely is one of the household names for its steady existence, in a good way. Based on my experience, the place is always packed by expats or people who want to have 'arisan' gathering. Prepare around IDR 500-700k to have a scrumptious dinner here.

Kahyangan Teppanyaki Restaurant
Wisma Nusantara 28th floor
Jl. M.H. Thamrin 59
021 - 3190 7012

It's just different when you decided to have Teppanyaki for your dinner, even more special when you realize you could make it just for the two of you, you just need to make sure that you're eating at a very good Teppanyaki restaurant in town and Kahyangan is surely is!

Not only it's one of eatandtreats best meals of 2013, Kahyangan Teppanyaki is also one of the best teppanyaki restaurants in town! Every food cooked here was impeccable, and the chef clearly knew what they're doing. Me fond of the live cooking experience, I always appreciate live cooking because it creates this worry-free feeling. Do try their "Premium Set" for two and get ready to have the juiciest Foie Gras melt in your mouth and bursts!

Le Quartier
Le Quartier French Restaurant
Jl. Gunawarman No. 34
Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
021 - 7278 8001

Le Quartier means "The Neighborhood" in english but this one is not your average neighbor, located in Gunawarman, this French casual fine dining restaurant has that thing for a romantic dinner! The vibe is on fire! Food was terrific, I even declared this as one of the best restaurants of 2013 and they have friendly staffs which just impress me more and *ahem* more points to the judgement. I love when a restaurant has an awesome service. Dining here would cost you a pretty reasonable price. I would say prepare around IDR 700k for dinner for two.

Liberte
Galeries Lafayette 2nd Fl
Pacific Place Mall, SCBD
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53
Jakarta 12190
021 - 5797 3425

Liberte is another restaurant located in the Galeries Lafayette area and it's one of the hippest places at the moment to have dinner or just casual drinks. The last time I went there, I had a not so pleasant experience with the fish course but on the other hand the chicken courses were pretty impressive. LIberte is a pretty petite restaurant that you should visit if you're looking for a good time with the not so crowded feeling. Dinner for two it's best to prepare around IDR 500k or more in advance.

Lyon
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta, 2nd fl.
Jl. Kebon Kacang Raya
Jakarta Pusat 10310

When it comes to French dining places in Jakarta, you surely don't want to miss Lyon from your list as it's one of the best of the bunch! Loving the romantic ambiance of the restaurant and most importantly nice food they're having here, I am a total Foie Gras person I should make a goddamn list of the Best Foie Gras in Jakarta! In a nutshell, Lyon surely worth your consideration.

Mezzanine at Moovina
Plaza Indonesia 3rd fl.
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Jakarta Pusat 10350

When it comes to French and Italian cuisine, for some, Moovina is what they have in mind. Among the two restaurants in Moovina, frankly speaking I fall for Mezzanine more than Dolce or the passed Le Jardin. While the food need some improvement here and there, venue wise, Mezzanine is one of the most comfortable restaurants in the bunch, I love its quite lounge-ish ambiance and nice cocktails they're having. Dinner or casual drinks, you decide, but Moovina worths your try.

Potato Head Garage
Fairground SCBD (Bengkel Night Park)
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53
Jakarta Selatan 12190
021 - 5797 3330

photo credit: yenny widjaja

Dining here doesn't stop at you "paying" for the decent food, but to the awesome ambiance as well! Potato Head Garage is one of the most beautiful restaurant's interior. I could imagine a relaxing warm dinner here :). What's recommended here is probably their signature burger and steaks, they're pretty decent ;).

Rosso
Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta, lvl. 1
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 1
021 - 2939 9580

You certainly don't want  (and not allowed) to miss Rosso when it comes to exquisite dining experience. It has been my favorite Italian restaurant at the moment thanks to the magic hands of Chef Oriana Tirabassi. Starting from their appetizer selections to the main courses, Rosso just simply never fail to impress, no negative comment as far as I concerned, but still, all those delights will cost you a pretty good fortune. Prepare around IDR 1.5 million for a lovely dinner for two here in Rosso.

PS: order their signature Tenderloin steak, if the word 'f*cking' is legal, then I'm going to shout it very often, but at least it's socially legalized.

Scusa

InterContinental Jakarta MidPlaza

Jalan Jendral Sudirman Kav 10-11

021 - 251 0888 || FAX: 021-251 1777

www.intercontinental.com || jakarta@ihg.com

If you're looking forward to have Italian cuisine for your romantic dinner with that special one, then Scusa from Intercontinental Jakarta MidPlaza should not be missed. It's dedicated for serious Italian cuisine adorers, gotta love their salads and some desserts like their signature Pistachio Tart or Sicilian Cassata Dessert (if still available). Scusa also stole my heart for their impeccable service. Probably one of those that captivated my attention, the kind staffs are really well-trained :). Prepared around IDR 1 mil for a fabulous dinner for two.

Sriwijaya
Hotel Dharmawangsa Jakarta
Jl. Brawijaya No. 26
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan 12160
021 - 725 8181
Opening Hours: 6.30 PM - 11 PM

When it comes to the best fine dining restaurants in Jakarta, you surely don't want to miss Sriwijaya restaurant off your list! According to my experience visiting this restaurant a few years back and just a few months ago, Sriwijaya just never fails to impress me! The food was made to perfection came along with delightful looking presentation, well thanks to the fabulous 'celebrity' Chef Vindex Tengker. I am always up for their Tenderloin steaks, juiciest steak ever, even better when you have them in 'medium rare'.

Wilshire
The Foundry 8 at SCBD Lot 9
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53
Jakarta Selatan
021 - 5140 1018

Eating in Wilshire is not cheap, but behind all those hefty price tags you'll have seriously good food! Not only food, but Wilshire is also the master in beverages, they have a great range of cocktails and liquors, try their signature good old Tequila or "Frozen Peach Martini", so so good! For the meals, make sure you'll try their "Foie Gras Sushi" and "55 Degree 24 Hour Slow-Cooked Premium Wagyu Beef", those two were spectacular, burst in my mouth. Definitely a must try!

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THERE YOU HAVE IT! The eatandtreats guide to romantic Valentine's Day dinner in Jakarta for 2014 at some of Jakarta's most romantic restaurants, other than those names above, I also recommend you Amuz in Energy Building, Cassis in Sudirman or Nouvelle in SCBD but I haven't got the chance to visit those two so I didn't put them on the list, so I judge presumed it from the stuff I read online. 

Creating this post was the royal pain in my keyboard, knowing that you're actually typing this for the lovebirds while myself... nevermind, I should be evil sometime I am going to make the top 10 worst restaurants in Jakarta but then they would start blocking me from visiting the restaurants. Major LOL!

Nah I'm just kidding, I don't think I would write about that, let's share the love not the hatred, but I honestly do give negative restaurants in response of my experience and being honest to the readers.

I hope this list is going to help you deciding where to go for Valentine's day dinner, if I happen to have some upcoming names, this is going to be continually updated! I am a 'pro' when it comes to spending a little more for special occasions, but if you don't want to go outside you can also make a lovely self-made dinner for two, but you must be aware of your own skill or else you're going to end up with two instant noodles which going to make it worse (probably).

To all the lovebirds out there, good luck! For those who're single, also good luck. Hey you never know that you might be changing your status this February 14th right?

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST OF LOVE!

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