This happens to me quite often. I go over the endless lunch and dinner options that Jakarta has to offer. Should it be steak, sandwich, or pasta? Or would Singaporean noodles and Tom Yum Goong soup be better alternatives? After giving it much thought, I eventually end up eating at a fast food restaurant…horrors! You see, there are so many good restaurants in Jakarta ; however, the horrendous traffic jam discourages me from venturing out too far. But judging from what I've read, decoriander is worth the trip.

decoriander is at the Sudirman Place, a brand new mall at the Senayan area that's close to the Sudirman, Blok M, Senayan, and Gatot Subroto business districts. The restaurant sports a stylish deep green theme, with framed pictures of famous sports personalities and movie stars decorating the walls. It has an open kitchen with large glass windows, where guests get to see the chef in action. The chef even greeted one of their regular guests while working in the kitchen, which I thought was a very charming gesture.

Furnishings were a mix of the old and the new; a classic grand piano stood alongside a hi-tech plasma TV placed on the wall. Six LCD screens were connected to the sofas, so guests can dine while watching the latest news, sports, or cartoon programs. “It's not always ESPN… it depends on the guests. Sometimes we tune in to Cartoon Network if the diners are families,” notes Mr. Shandy, floor captain of decoriander.

decoriander serves both Continental and Asian cuisine. “We guide our guests; whether they like sweet, sour or any kind of dish, we want to make sure our guests have a pleasant experience while dining here,” Mr. Shandy adds. The restaurant has a variety of American and French-inspired dishes. Mr. Shandy is particularly proud of decoriander's Vol au Vent (sautéed chicken and mushroom slices in a flaky puff pastry). Even a head chef from a well-known hotel in Jakarta gave it a thumbs up! Singaporean, Thai, Malay, and Chinese main courses complete decoriander's menu.

Showing its strong inclination for thinking out of the box, decoriander introduced us to two of their specialties; decoriander Exotic Beef (roasted beef tenderloin served with noodles and tamarind and red wine sauce) and Ayam Bakar (roasted chicken served with rice and chili). decoriander Exotic Beef was a delicious example of fusion cuisine; the tamarind gave the beef an exotic tang while the red wine gave the dish a flavorful, western kick. They say the mood of the person preparing the food affects the taste of the dish. If this is true, then I think the chef was very happy when he prepared our meal; the beef was tender and tasty.

I've tried Ayam Bakar several times in the past; some were hits and some were misses. As for this restaurant's version, the subtle hint of chili (known as Sambal) added a welcome punch to the dish. This is a must-try for lovers of rich and spicy food.

Most tempting was the decoriander Splash (a mocktail of pineapple, lime, and its surprise ingredient, mustard greens). Refreshingly good, it had the right blend of sweet and sour. If you think a drink is not enough, order a tall glass of decoriander Ice Tea, with hints of apple and pineapple flavors. A participant in the SD Forum said that decoriander had the best iced chocolate drink he had ever tasted. I ordered one myself and had to agree! I closed my eyes and savored the sensation of having smooth, liquid chocolate filling my mouth.

Choose from a wide variety of wines from Italy, France, Australia and Chile to complete your dining experience. “We have lunch packages starting Rp at 24,500++; for this price you can enjoy a 3- course meal and soft drinks. And if you have one appetizer and one main course from our Continental selections, you will get a complimentary glass of wine. It's all about pleasing our guests…and instead of being stuck in a traffic jam, have fun by coming here during your coffee break. Enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and let your fortune be read by our tarot card reader!” suggests Mr. Bambang Irmawantiyo, decoriander's Operations Manager.

Do bring your laptop and catch up on work, as the restaurant offers wi-fi access. You're bound to be productive; staying here is such a pleasant experience.

decoriander
Sudirman Place, Lower Ground Floor A-06, Jl. Jend. Sudirman / Pintu Satu Senayan, Jakarta 10270, Indonesia
Tel: +62 21 30030308
Operating Hours: decoriander is open from 11 am to 10 pm.