VALENTINE'S DAY DINNER JAKARTA 2018 - ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN JAKARTA

Is it really another February on another year? Wow.

Call this the month of love or whatever your illusion is telling you but I just want to keep it damn real, I believe everyday is a blessing and needed to be grateful at, but each month is just the same month, I do like July and December best tho! July because it's where my birthday is (sometimes I even think that birthday's nothing special) and December because I love the spirit of Christmas in my heart, even though reality is the Christmas vibe in Jakarta is lacking spirit by time.

I believe you should grow love each and everyday in your life, not necessarily because it's freaking Valentine's day and you act like you have this burst of love this month. I might previously open this blog post with sweet-sweet words but lately I just want to keep it real, and by time I've learned that nothing in this world that's stronger than the power of love, and when I say love I don't refer to the love for your partners, but as simple as that little act of kindness like helping others, the love for friendship, relatives, your parents and more.

To love is being kind, and truth is sometimes no matter how kind you are towards some people, some might just want to take advantage of you or take you for granted in the first place, but your anger should never be the reason why you want to stop being nice, otherwise you've changed. I'd take being happy than cool any freaking time.

The list this year is going to be a little different (and a little shorter), some of the restaurants that have previously lasted on the previous Valentine list sadly have to go this time due to the inconsistent performance, not that I don't tolerate that but I feel like some names are more deserving this time. I carefully selected ones that surpasses my standard: romantic vibe, terrific food and service quality and ones that I've visited more than once. As usual, this is NOT a ranking list, list will be sorted based on alphabetical order.

For the new lovebirds who has just started their love story, I wish you guys nothing but the best of love.

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AB Steak

MD Place Building M fl.

Jl. Setiabudi Selatan No. 7

Jakarta Selatan 12910

0877 - 7227 - 8325 / 2966 9272

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM

Average spending for two: IDR 1 mil

Dresscode: smart casual

If you ask me to name my top 5 favorite steakhouses in Jakarta, AB Steak is what I have in mind for that list. This restaurant is well known for their impressive range of dry aged steaks but cater premium cuts as well! Be sure to check out their Flat Iron from the premium selection and dry aged Porterhouse! I love pairing with various homemade salts (my personal favorite is Truffle salt), and dipping sauces!

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

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Average spending for two: IDR 2 mil for two

Dresscode: smart attire

For numerous times, Akira Back has proven its customers why they deserve to be on top of their game. It might be the only 5 restaurants in Jakarta that are so consistent that it never disappoints. I like how they often play around with their Japanese cuisine root, be creative with it add in a little fusion here and there without losing their identity. Food's perfection, service's top notch. I literally don't know what else to say about Akira Back.

Altitude Grill

The Plaza Tower, 46th fl.

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

Jakarta Pusat 10350

021 - 2992 2448

Mobile RSVP: 0859 3992 2799

Opening hours:

Lunch: 12-2:30 PM

Dinner: 6-10:30 PM

INSTAGRAM

Average spending for two: IDR 2 mil

They're one of the newest kids on the block, a newly launched steakhouse on the list, and at the moment I really think AB Steak and Altitude Grill is the two that's going head to head, but of course, one has their own preference when it comes to what they fancy better between the two. Akira Back has a good range of dry-aged steaks while Altitude Grill is mostly about premium cuts (and guests can indulge on their buffet dessert station (with IDR 150k) extra). Hard to decide which one I love more between the two, I guess they're both good, slightly different, but overall AB Steak is a little cheaper than Altitude Grill

ATTARINE

Jalan Gunawarman No. 11

Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta Selatan 12110

021 - 2277 1256

Opening hours:

Sunday - Wednesday: 11 AM-4 PM, 6 PM-11 PM
Thursday - Saturday: 11 AM-4 PM, 6 PM-1 AM

INSTAGRAM

Average spending for two: IDR 400k

Dresscode: smart casual

I remember having this special Omakase for dinner and enjoyed every single one of it from the amuse bouche to the dessert! Unfortunately I am afraid that their Omakase was seasonal so I am not sure whether you can have it for Valentine's Day but I believe they should come with something special for V-Day (so check out their social media channels for more details), but if you're curious with their existing Mediterranean menus then they're actually pretty nice too! Read my review of Attarine to guide you in ordering the food here, but one thing for sure their whole fish is something special! It's THAT good, meant to share and affordable!

BISTECCA

18 Parc Place Tower C - GF

Jalan Jendral Sudirman Kav. 52-53

SCBD - Kebayoran Baru

Jakarta Selatan 12190

021 - 515 1660 (reservation is highly recommended)
Opening hours: 11 AM-1 AM

INSTAGRAM

Average spending for two: IDR 1 mil

Dresscode: smart casual

Bistecca is a relatively new steakhouse launched by the fabulous UNION group and it has gained quite a fanbase. The UNION group establishments have always been either good or very good and their consistency and persistence are probably the main reasons why I am such a fan. The romantic vibe shines at night and the fancy American club lounge interior of theirs just made the setting the perfect fit for romantic dinner just like the movies. Dining in Bistecca is not cheap, but they do have good steaks to cater your palate, and do make reservations, their waiting list is a bit crazy at times.

GIOI

Jalan Senopati No. 88 (beside Cacaote)

Senopati - Jakarta Selatan 12190

021 - 7211 468

Opening hours: 11 AM-11 PM daily

INSTAGRAM

Average spending for two: IDR 300k

Dresscode: none

Gioi (read: joy) is one of my most favorite restaurants in Jakarta at the moment, and it's one of the serious ones in Senopati (and to be frank not many in Senopati), and when I say 'serious' I mean it reflects from the food, service and everything in a package (aka restaurant), and honestly their homey venue is super . Gioi serves Indonesian cuisine with a twist and what not to miss is surely their highly famous Fried Duck (or if you can't eat duck go for their grilled chicken), Salmon Lodeh and Sate Lilit!

LE QUARTIER

Jl. Gunawarman No. 34
Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta
021 - 7278 8001

WEBSITE
Average spending for two: IDR 1 mil

Dresscode: sporty casual

When someone asks me about the best "fine dining" restaurant in Jakarta, my mind often instantly directed to this particular restaurant. Le Quartier is the classic type of how a beautiful fine-dining restaurant should look like! It looks like one, food tastes like one, top notch service and for me, the price tag was still relateable. The interior had this beautiful Victorian look with romantic ambiance, and even more at night. What to order? Of course their steaks, pan fried barramundi or if you fancy chicken, Butterfly Roasted Chicken. Been here three times and purple heart, everything that I've had here was superb.

Lyon

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Jakarta 2nd fl.

Jl. M.H. Thamrin - Menteng

Jakarta Pusat 10310

021 - 2993 8888

Opening hours: 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, 6 PM-10 PM

Average spending for two: IDR 2 mil

Dresscode: smart casual

Short to say, Lyon is a very recommended restaurant and one of the leading French dining restaurant in town at the moment. Food is cooked to perfection, attentive service, they bring friendly into fancy without leaving what class is.

Oku

Kempinski Hotel (Hotel Indonesia)

Jl. M.H. Thamrin - Menteng

Jakarta Pusat 10310

021 - 2358 3896

Opening hours: 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, 6 PM-10 PM

INSTAGRAM

Average spending for two: IDR 1 mil

Dresscode: smart casual

When it comes to impressive Japanese restaurants in town, Oku is surely one of the top players in the game right now! I think I love everything about Oku really, the food, the interior of the restaurant, the attentive service, but I think it has to be the food that's making me go back for more! What I love here? Aburi Salmon Roll, Truffle Gyudon, and the Chicken Karaage that I never had elsewhere before. Aside from this list, Oku is certainly one of the best restaurants in Jakarta, period!

ORIENT 8 AT HOTEL MULIA JAKARTA

Hotel Mulia Senayan Jakarta
Jalan Asia Afrika Senayan
Jakarta Selatan 10270
021 - 574 7777
email: info@hotelmulia.com
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

Average spending for two: IDR 1 mil

Dresscode: sporty casual

If you’re looking for something grand, in terms of venue, food and ambiance with very classy and expensive feeling to it, I suggest look no further to either Orient 8. Orient 8 is made for the eye, your palate and your stomach. The food in Orient 8 is nothing to worry about: extensive French cuisine that's available in pretty good range and supported with top notch service and beautiful music surrounding the area, because when you know that a brand as magestic as Mulia is backing you up, you can rule the world. Won’t say much.

PLATARAN MENTENG

Jalan H.O.S Cokroaminoto No. 42
Menteng, Jakarta Pusat 10350
021 - 2962 7771
INSTAGRAM
Average spending for two: IDR 1 mil
Dresscode: sporty casual

When it comes to my personal pick for the best Indonesian restaurant in Jakarta, the pace that I had in mind to think of one name is flash-like and Plataran Menteng is totally deserving! I love everything about this restaurant: it being one of the classiest looking and one of the best designed (and of course supports that romantic Valentine vibe), food is always on point delicious, service too. How can one just not love Plataran, particularly Plataran Menteng.

SAINE DAISE

Jalan Mandara Permai VII Blok 6 KA (beside Legend of Noodle)
Pantai Indah Kapuk, Penjaringan
Jakarta Utara 14470
021 - 3005 1662Opening hours:
Sun-Thu: 11 AM-11 PM
Fri-Sat: 11 AM-2 AM
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
Average spending for two: IDR 300k
Dresscode: casual

If you're looking for a place to have awesome romantic dinner without the need to spend too much, then Saine Daise is the perfect place to consider and comes with such great quality as well. The food here has this very little (or almost none) chance to disappoint your palate as I personally know the owners and how they always try to maintain the upmost quality of the ingredient before actually serving the food to the tables. Another thing that I like about Saine Daise is the fact that it's not too spacious, but it's so pretty and simply designed (almost a Modern-Victorian touch) making you feel comfortable dining here while still managed to have a spare for intimacy and privacy with your partners.

VIEW Restaurant

Fairmont Hotel Jakarta 3rd fl.

Jl. Asia Afrika

Senayan, Jakarta Selatan 10270

INSTAGRAM

Average spending for two: IDR 2 jt

Dresscode: sporty casual

One visit to View and I knew right away that no one does it like View at the moment, they treat food like art here: beautiful presentation that one might expect to see at Michelin star restaurants, the composition of the food is also thoughtful yet they still paying good details at what matters most: taste and flavor. I remember vividly my dinner here and frankly had nothing negative to say, I enjoy the harmony from the beginning (Amuse Bouche) to the closure (dessert). View is seriously one of the strongest restaurants in Jakarta at the moment and deserve to be more appreciated and acknowledged!

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.

Valentine's Day is still 14 days away, keep your eyes on this list because if I happen to go to a good romantic restaurants I will definitely add and update! Feel free to recommend me some if you have some you know where to find me (below)

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