Another year, another Valentine's day!
So how are things going? Can't believe it's been a goddamn year since last year's list, it's funny when you look back and realize how one year could do so much, last year you might be single, but this year you might no longer be, or even more amazing, tying the knot, well hopefully your love story will be sweet always and for those who unfortunately not, better luck mate and never gave up on love!
I am the type of person who believe in something that's meant to be. One of my favorite movies is 500 Days of Summer and watching the movie felt like blending in Tom and Summer's love story, even though the ending's sort of bad-bad-good but I love when Summer's surprisingly tied the knot with a guy, surprising because Summer's portrayed as someone who never believed in love and never wanted a label for the mutual relationship she's having and claimed everything that happened to her life as "meant to be". The phrase "meant to be" is clearly how your take on things. I believe in that "meant to be" with effort and prayers. That's my main formula in life and everyone has their on. BTW that movie has so many good-inspiring-depressive quotes!
"Your love will always be there and going nowhere", why not you move you ass, chase your love to make you closer since it'll always be there and only time knows the distance. I am the good old "love will find you if you try" :).
Anyway, I will try to change my list a bit, I usually come with so many recommendations because I want to give you guys more options from the venue and the budgeting, but this time I am going to shorten the list giving you the best of the best recommendations. From affordable to high-end, from the blocks to the spot allowing the bird eye view for your eyes only, as long as you're together, the two hearts remain one.
My opening is so poetic I could blood vomit on my laptop right now.
Hope you're enjoying this list! Sorted in Alphabetical order
AKIRA BACK
MD Place Building/Penthouse, Level 12
Jl. Setiabudi Selatan No. 7 (near to Four Seasons Jakarta)
Setiabudi, South Jakarta
021 - 2904 0777 / 0857 7778 8777
Pricing: $$$$ - IDR 2 mil for two
Dresscode: smart attire
As one of the best restaurants in Jakarta at the moment (for me), Akira Back is surely too unfortunate to be missed. Food here is amazing and I am still raving about them whenever people ask me about the best restaurants in Jakarta. To order is their Crispy Tuna Pizza and that oh-melt-in-your-mouth Slow Cooked Short Ribs. Perfection! Book the seats early as they're quite full and packed for dinner.
AVEC MOI
Office Park Thamrin City Block AA-01
Jl. Thamrin Boulevard
Central Jakarta
Ph. +6221 29625878
Pricing: $$$ - IDR 500k for two
Dresscode: Smart casual
The new kid on the block is also one of the must go place for modern French cuisine enthusiasts and even more, bet everyone who's been here before agreed that it's one of the most serious and promising restaurants in J-town. Serious meaning the quality of the food and what they have in store. Its venue might not be the fanciest or the most romantic, but if you're more on the food side, this you can't miss.
BISTRO BARON
Plaza Indonesia 1st fl. Unit E 20-21 (across Kitchenette)
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Jakarta Pusat 10350
021 - 2992 3505/06
BB PIN: 2144528C
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM
Pricing: $$$ - IDR 500k for two
Dresscode: smart casual
I think romantic dinner ambiance seems very close to your fantasy when there are proteins cooked and dressed fancily, wines and even good looking sides, in this case the Italian and French cuisine are closest what I am referring. Bistro Baron is next on the list and deserves a spot for their unbebloodilivably good food, top top notch cooked beautifully and simple lovely venue. They're also quite packed for dinners so an early reservation is suggested!
BOTTEGA RISTORANTE
Menara Bank Danamon
Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. E4 No. 6
Lingkar Mega Kuningan, Kuningan, Jakarta Selatan 12950
021 - 5799 2222
Opening Hours: 9 AM - 12 AM
INSTAGRAM
Pricing: $$ - IDR 500k for two
Dresscode: Sporty Casual
My first visit to Bottega was a love-hate relationship. Love the place, hate the food, but I am still putting them on the list because the owner also owns Wilshire and for me, Wilshire's food is crazy good so I assume they just were not quite ready on the early days, but I heard they're not slowly improving so hopefully the food will be better here. BTW it's currently my top 3 most beautiful restaurants in Jakarta!
C'S STEAK
4th fl. Grand Hyatt Hotel Jakarta
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Jakarta 10350
021 - 2992 1234
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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.
CANTINA 18
Jl. Suryo No. 25 (above Crematology)
Senopati
Jakarta Selatan 12180
021 - 2751 0539
Opening Hours:
11 AM - 11 PM (daily)
WEBSITE
Pricing: $$
Dresscode: Casual
Cantina 18 is the opposite of Bottega in this case, love the food, hate the place. Not that it's ugly or what it's just too serious and stiff, but that seriousness somehow still lands a spot on this list because I could imagine a private loving moment of you and your loved ones over good Italian food and wine (they have pretty decent range of wines).
CHATEAU BLANC
Jl. Senopati No. 38
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
021 - 521 3626
Pricing: $$$$ - IDR 2 mil for two
Dresscode: stylish formal
Chateau Blanc is one of the fanciest restaurant in town, but the fanciness certainly align with its quality and service. Eating here might not be exactly cheap and nowhere near cheap, but once in a year celebration here could be memorable! They're quite famous for their Foie Gras so you might want to note that to the server.
E&O
Menara Rajawali, 1st fl.
Jl. Dr. Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung LOT #5.1
Kawasan Lingkar Mega Kuningan
Jakarta Selatan 12950
021 - 2902 3418
Pricing: $$$ - IDR 1,5 mil for two
Dresscode: smart casual
Whenever there's E&O on my list, I went crazy in a snap. It's still THE BEST restaurant in Jakarta, their food is amazing (they serve Asian: Thai, Vietnam, Fusion cuisine), venue's lovely and supported with friendly staffs. Four times going back and never had a single complaint. I am quite hard to please and I am bitchy enough to rave about my unpleasant experience. To order is their Crispy Pork Belly, Durian Pannacotta, Thai Beef Salad and Choo Chee Barramundi!
EMILIE
Jl. Senopati No. 39
Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan
021 - 521 3626
Pricing: $$$$ - IDR 2 mil for two
Dresscode: stylish formal or smart attire
Emilie is undoubtedly one of the best French restaurants in town, established in 2005, Emilie has been stealing a lot of costumers hearts, especially those who appreciate an authentic French fine dining. Emilie is not a fancy restaurant with a lot of complicated ornaments and decorations, it's a restaurant with clean and tidy look but still having that touch of elegance to it. They have ala carte and set menu that I found to be exquisite, this should be on your list. It's an unspoken rival between Emilie and Chateau Blanc as they both serve French, as fancy, as good and both in Senopati! What's your favorite?
Dining here is not cheap, prepare around IDR 2 mil for a couple.
GAIA RISTORANTE
The Plaza Tower 46th fl.
Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30021 - 2992 2448
Pricing: $$$ - IDR 1,2 mil for two
Dresscode: smart casual
GAIA stood out for its location: The Plaza at level 46 allowing everyone who dine here to enjoy the bird eye view of Jakarta's famous landmark: Bundaran HI. Food here is not disappointing as well, they serve good Italian food with a little touch of French, casual fine dining I would say and prepare around IDR 1,5 mil for a couple.
LE QUARTIER
Jl. Gunawarman No. 34
Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
021 - 7278 8001WEBSITE
Pricing: $$$ - IDR 500k for two
Dresscode: smart casual
Le Quartier means "The Neighborhood" in english but this one is not your average neighbor, located in Gunawarman, this French casual fine dining restaurant has that thing for a romantic dinner! The vibe is on fire! Food was terrific, I even declared this as one of the best restaurants of 2013 and they have friendly staffs which just impress me more and *ahem* more points to the judgement. I love when a restaurant has an awesome service. Dining here would cost you a pretty reasonable price. I would say prepare around IDR 700k for dinner for two.
LYON
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta, 2nd fl.
Jl. Kebon Kacang Raya
Jakarta Pusat 10310
Pricing: $$$ - IDR 1,5 mil for two
Dresscode: smart casual
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.
ORIENT 8
Pricing: $$$ - IDR 1 mil for two
Dresscode: Sporty Casual
Venue wise, Orient 8 is so beautiful it lands a special place in my heart...and list! The whole restaurant's divided into a few rooms but they prefer to call it as "suites". Orient 8 is a serious, fun, heartwarming, elegant restaurant: they're seriously good but you can also have fun and heartwarming lunch/dinner with being spoiled by the elegance that they hold. When you know a restaurant is under the management of an amazing hotel chain like The Mulia Group, you just need to sit back and enjoy. For the food, Orient 8 serves fine French cuisine. I highly recommend their steaks and appetizers, all fresh, delicious and on my latest visit, I found myself enjoying everything and had no complaint. This you should consider visiting. Eating here could cost a couple anywhere between IDR 1 - 1,5 mil.
ROSSO
Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta, lvl. 1
Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 1
021 - 2939 9580
Pricing: $$$$ - IDR 2 mil for two
Dresscode: smart casual
If you're an Italian cuisine enthusiast, the award winning Rosso is the one you shouldn't miss! They serve various Italian cuisine and the food range here is pretty good. Kick things off with their adorable Beef Carpaccio, get the steaks for the mains and end the night with their famous Semifreddo. Bet you're going to have a good night sleep after <3.
TABLE 8
Pricing: $$$
Dresscode: Sporty Casual
You can call Table 8 as Orient 8's sister from another mother. While Orient 8 is the French sibling, Table 8 is the Asian sibling but both are equally awesome! Table 8 is a beautiful restaurant filled with fine designs and dedications, dedication here refer to their Pagoda (photo above), the tallest one took 6 months to make as the modelling, carving and coloring is done handmade (that must have cost a lot). Table 8 serves fine Asian cuisine to the tables of the customers, they also have fresh Dim Sum made to order. Prepare IDR 1 mil for a couple.
Well, I hope this list could help you in deciding where to go on this year's Valentine's day. I gave you the best of the best options some might be very pricey and will cost you a little fortune, but that's not the point of this post, I want you to always remember that you need to be real and stay true to yourself, don't poor yourself just for the sake of making your favorite person happy, Valentine specifically or love in general is beyond that and hopefully you're with someone who wants to stick with you for what you are.
For what life has beneath, a mystery that we all ride together on this infinity roller-coaster ;).
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO YOU ALL! I sincerely want everyone to be happy..in love or not in love! Being single is highly overrated and cheers to all the single people out there!
THANK YOU FOR READING!!!
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