Jakarta Help Wanted

[estone888]

I'm headed to Jakarta where I'll be for a couple of weeks. I lived there from 1995-97, but the last time I was back was around 2002. Mostly I will wander around and eat at warung, but does anybody have any great recommendations for new - well, new to me anyhow - restaurants?

In particular I'm looking for nasi Padang and Sundanese restaurants if there are any especially good ones to make sure I hit. If there is anyone doing anything interesting by way of updates on Indonesian food - nouvelle, fusion, whatever the hell you want to call it - I'd be interested in that as well.

Also, any other culinary highlights of any sort that you think I shouldn't miss?

For that matter, any particular areas with especially good warung?

Thanks.

[klyeoh]

By nouvelle, I take it you probably meant places like:

1) Lara Djonggrang:
http://www.tuguhotels.com/laradjonggrang/

2) Dapur Babah
http://www.tuguhotels.com/taojakarta/

They aren't cheap, but probably offer the chic dining experience if that's what you're looking for.

[ducati999]

my suggestion is forget all the newly upscale indonesian restaurants, unless you want to pay more for less. Always ask the local taxi driver for local indonesia food by that i mean places he would eat. If you want chinese food head to kota, japanese go to Blok M and Korean plenty around CBD.

[FourSeasons]

I belong to the old school so I am not impressed with the new nouvelle fusion Indonesian restaurants that I have visited in Jakarta lately. Lack the rustic feel of the old days. Though I have to admit they are good places for business, corporate people and tourists. Some of the well known ones are Seribu Rasa, Harum Manis , Kembang Goela and Bunga Rampai.

I recommended a few old favorites on an old thread so you may want to take a look:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/510887

[klyeoh]

Oh yes - Pondok Laguna!

I'd also not miss Ayam Goreng Ny Suharti or MBok Berek.

[estone888]

Glad to hear that Pondok Laguna is still there, also the fried chicken spots - although mostly I've been to those in Yogya. Natrabu, I gather, is also still around. Good to know.