Afternoon Tea in Jakarta: Shangri-La Jakarta Afternoon Tea

Up until now, I still don't know whether people actually do "Afternoon Tea" for luxury, lifestyle or daily needs, well, if it comes to me, I think I am pretty much in between, not exactly needing it but in the same time whenever I am meeting a client and have a slightly more relaxed conversation on the afternoon without having heavy meals, then I go with 'afternoon tea'.

FYI I sometimes wonder if the correct term is either "Afternoon Tea" or "High Tea", because sometimes I notice it's written "Afternoon High Tea" or both mentioned. Probably no right or wrong, but I personally love using the term "Afternoon Tea" for no specific reason.

The term 'Afternoon Tea' is slightly turning from its most basic definition, because technically it could also mean "having your tea in the afternoon", most basic DIY if not having a stand alone tea or with some breads or homemade cookies, but nowadays, it is not a strange scene that most fancy hotels and restaurants are now 'marking' their own signature afternoon tea, and of course *ahem* in a fancier way. I do love afternoon tea for its fashionably delicious presentation and the yummy cakes, but sometimes I found it hideous that people would spend let's say 500k just for snacks and tea, and but that's their money and I don't have the power to control it, but still... *scratch head*

So I went to the awesome Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta to try out their Afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge. FOR THE RECORD, what they refer as "Classic High Tea" set is going to only be available during 3 PM - 6 PM (daily) for only IDR 185k++, well for hotel as notable as Shangri-La, I was quite stunned that the pricing was quite reasonable-affordable.

The set already included free complimentary of scones, which by the way were dead good and that strawberry marmalade and clotted cream to go along.... MAZOR ZOMG! Not to mention they have these sweet little treats like the butter cookies and the chocolate cookies which were also good.

White sugar and brown sugar blocks.

SCONED to 'death', frankly speaking, Shangri-La's version of raisin scones were not like those you've probably tasted before in life, they were way smoother and softer, almost bread-like texture but that buttery flavor and scent was just addicting.

The "Classic High Tea" set consist of three towers of treats starting from the sweet to the savory ones:
Tower one: SWEET SECTION, consist of Chocolate Trilogy Layer, Vanilla and Fresh Raspberry Creme Brulee, Pecan and Maple Tarlet.

Tower two: COLD SECTION, consist of: Dill & Yuzu Marinated Prawns with Avocado in Brioche a Tete, Grilled Baby Vegetables with Pesto Aioli on Rocket Bread, Beef & Enoki Teriyaki Rolls on Dark Rye Bread with Cornichons.

Tower three: HOT SECTION, consist of: Lemongrass Marinated Chicken Lollies with Mango and Sago Dipping, Prawn Tempura and Healthy Vegetable Chips, Mini Beef Fillet Mignon Rosini Burger with Duck Foie Gras.

Okay, I would spill my unbearable emotion here because apparently... Shangri-La's Classic High Tea set happened to be one of the best I've had so far. Let me start with the sweet section: the desserts were created nicely and definitely professional looking and my favorite one gotta be the Chocolate Trilogy Layer! It was just chocolaty, in a way rich but not overpowering, smooth mousse texture that wouldn't make you feel noxious, it was just a lovely dessert. Both the 'hot' and 'cold' section were also memorable, my favorite one from the cold section was a tie between the Grilled Baby Vegetables with Pesto Aioli on Rocket Bread or Beef & Enoki Teriyaki Rolls on Dark Rye Bread with Cornichons. Both were pleasant! Meanwhile, hard call but I EVENTUALLY LOVE EVERYTHING from the hot section, the tempura was simple but yet delicious, the fillet mignon burger was also pretty decent even though the Foie Gras was a little lack of seasoning and the Lemongrass Marinated Chicken Lollies was the bomb!

In a nutshell, having this set brought back the memories of the not-so-worth-it amount of money that I've spent in other places, definitely more expensive than this but not as pleasuring as Shangri-La's.

Pecan and Maple Tarlet

Chocolate Trilogy Layer

Left: Vanilla and Fresh Raspberry Creme Brulee, Right: Chocolate Trilogy Layer, 

Left: Grilled Baby Vegetables with Pesto Aioli on Rocket Bread, Right: Beef & Enoki Teriyaki Rolls on Dark Rye Bread with Cornichons.

Lemongrass Marinated Chicken Lollies with Mango and Sago Dipping

Mini Beef Fillet Mignon Rosini Burger with Duck Foie Gras.

Lemongrass Marinated Chicken Lollies with Mango and Sago Dipping, Prawn Tempura and Healthy Vegetable Chips, Mini Beef Fillet Mignon Rosini Burger with Duck Foie Gras.

Prawn Tempura and Healthy Vegetable Chips

After having a glorious afternoon tea, Joris walked us to the herb garden just behind the famous Shangri-La pool, it's one of their personal CSR campaign to contribute to the society, community, and environment by running the "GO GREEN" campaign. The garden was not exactly spacious, but it looked like it's pretty well care taken and oh, the plants here are all organic.

I also managed to learn some new words I never knew before! Totally virgin for this one.

SO GREEN, eh!

If you consider yourself an "Afternoon Tea" enthusiast or you're just a human being with appetite, then I would highly recommend you having Shangri-La's "Classic High Tea" creation. Top to bottom..wasn't disappointing, and yet, told you guys that this is one of the best flavors I've tried so far, how can you not believe me? LOL!

A little recap, for IDR 185k++, you're getting the "Classic High Tea" set which consisted of the high tea towers, Shangri-La's signatures scones and selections of tea, coffee or hot chocolate to accompany you (pictures above).

It was a fine afternoon well spent with chit chats and delicious treats, Special thanks to Joris for the kind invitation! Pleasure meeting you after some time ;).

Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta (Lobby Lounge)

Lobby Level Shangri-La Hotel Jakarta

Kota BNI Jl. Jendral Sudirman Kav. 1
Jakarta 10220

021 - 2922 9998WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

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email: eatandtreatsindo@gmail.com

Berta, Surry Hills Sagra Night: Mushrooms

Phew! I'm back. So after a whirlwind month that included trips to Dubai, Melbourne and Hong Kong, I'm home again in Sydney. I've missed you. There was a sigh of happiness at Sydney's blue skies, waking up to birds chirping and there may have even been a tear or two when I was reunited with my bed. It's the simple things.

And despite the jet leg and impending sickness, nothing could hold me

Howdy Hello Hola Hey Ho Jakarta

Again, the kind peeps from Opco Indonesia (thank you Sylvie and Priscilla) invited me and some bloggers to dine at their newest branch Howdy Hello Hola Hey Ho, or simply known as H5. Okay, never found such a catchy name for a restaurant but here you go.

I sometimes (have to) pass this particular restaurant because it's located on the 5th and life knows how often an event is being held on the 5th floor, and at first I thought this was just another western themed restaurant serving western food only with different packaging but there I was given a lesson NOT to judge because I was quite stunned to learn the fact that they're actually a restaurant with Asian food concept! Now I am curious!

But it did NOT look like typical Asian themed restaurant as you can see from the logo and the entrance, very western retro with a little touch of sophistication *self-defense*.

The venue was spacious but not huge and I totally love the idea of separating the smoking and non-smoking area! Restaurants with this policy ALWAYS get higher points from me, talk about supporting the health! The design looked like a traditional eatery with mixture of earthy materials, metals, in a way quirky but hip and yet comfy.

THE RIGHT ONE IS SO ME!!! minus the fat.

Enough interiors! FOOD PHOTOS!!!
Gotta warn you since the restaurant was really dark and dim, these are not the best photos that I took, I think I should really start consider buying external flash, only thing that it's totally not handy. Beauty is indeed pain.

There were around 12 courses served to us (big dinner!!!) and most of the menu consist of eggs which I am such a sucker for and they were...

Mr Phat (Pork - Non Halal)
IDR 50k
The first course with egg! Okay let me start with the egg, I think they made simple great pan fried eggs, lighty seasoned, semi-crispy layer underneath with runny yolk still pouring like lava! This was a good starter, more like a salad which consisted of vegetables and meat addition, both elements were fresh and all topped with a little tangy sauce dressing.

Uncle Ho's Crunchy Wings
IDR 32k
For appetizers, I have always loved deep fried chicken wings, well I think most of you would probably agree with that, but H5's take on this was a bit unique because the chicken wings were marinated before, fried and then tossed in what could be the most unthinkable: FISH SAUCE, yes this dish was inspired by the Vietnamese culture and guess what? IT WAS DELICIOUS! The chicken was still juicy and tender, the coating was crispy with fish sauce on, totally unique and worth trying

Son-In-Law Eggs
IDR 18k
If you know Tamago or that runny boiled egg(s) in ramens then this would be the deep fried version. A little fried texture-ish on the coating but still pretty much runny on the inside! This was being served with the tamarind-caramel sauce which was just a perfect match to this whole dish. Simple but pretty yummeh!

Vietnamese Chicken Chop Rice

IDR 55k

This particular dish was H5's take on the classic broken rice, I was honesty expecting the rice to be how it should be instead of plain white rice because I wanna experienced the uniqueness, but the honey-glazed chicken saved it all, it might look a little burnt and dry physically, but the flavor was just pretty decent! The portion also completed with Chicken Meatloaf which was just okay to me, and (again) soft-centered Sunny Side Up.

Nasi Campur Aunty K
IDR 52k

If you know "Nasi Uduk" then this one is H5's version of it, the rice was really fragrant and perfectly seasoned and flavorful! I honestly found their coconut milk rice as the top ones I've had in life so far. The portion was also completed with papaya salad, amazing shredded beef, addicting peanut cracker and (again again again) egg topped with chili jam. This was just simple but overall pretty yummy.

Tom Yum
IDR 60k
While the portion and the filling was appropriate enough, their soup was not my favorite one, I just felt like it was a little too strong for my taste bud but in a way I was expecting it to be a little sourer, maybe spicy and smoother soup texture.

Crispy Roast Pork Knuckles
IDR 199k
One of my favorites, hands down gotta be this one! Their cripsy roast pork knuckles was seriously good, it's share-able for three beasts and since we've had that much food already, we kind of "snacked" this one, the skin was crispy but still chewy and the meat was just tender but one thing for sure: both pretty much addictive! The portion also completed with Zesty Apple Slaw, Lettuce wraps and special H5 sauce, but even without the sauce, it was great already!

Before we move to the more detailed explanations of the desserts, quick word: THEY HAVE AMAZING DESSERTS worth going back for!!!

Bangkok Betty
IDR 35k
Warm black sticky rice with coconut cream, Thai tea sago (mini orange pearls), Durian ice cream and fresh Durian on a bowl and you could feel that burst of flavor in your mouth even on that first goddamn scoop! It was very good and the Durian ice cream turned out to be passing my expectation. The black sticky rice was on the perfect state of consistency, and the fruit was fresh, but maybe if they could have a fuller one that would be better. The Thai tea sago however was not really 'screaming' but it did give a little texture play tho.

Mango Mania (seasonal)
IDR 40k
Presentation wise, not the best looking dessert but I just don't know how to put it: THIS WAS PERFECT! At first, I saw the mango and felt a little turned off already because the color sort of led me to a thought that this ain't going to be sweet but again, your favorite scum seemed to have to learn a lot because the mango was sweet with a very little hint of sourness and definitely fresh! The mango-cream icy bar had two layers: the top one was the more sorbet-ish texture and the below one was the creamier, smoother, silkier one but both was equal friggin delicious, so delicious I want it right this second! The sticky rice was also lovely made with proper consistency and stickiness! Another thing that needs to be highlighted was the simple salted peanuts, played a major roll on the flavor and the texture man!

Not the best idea to write reviews during the night because it friggin kills!

Asian Mess
IDR 33k
Presentation wise, it did sort of mess looking but the complex presentation actually led to amazing dreamy flavor (told ya they made great desserts!), the portion consisted of vanilla ice cream, coconut cake chunks, meringue, lemon curd, mango slices and salted peanuts (yes that one). Now I finally found a beautiful mess and I love everything on the plate, no negative comment. Period.

Affogato
IDR 35k
It turned out to be a pleasant surprise when I learned that they're using creamy avocado pannacotta and dark chocolate shards as the base because I never had one before. The pannacotta was smooth, silky, flavorful without overpowering everything. Funny thing that made this simple dish capital AWESOME was the aftertaste: if you don't like avocado then the coffee will tone it down for you, but if you don't like coffee, then the avocado with sort of balanced everything. One scoop and the flavor faded to this one moment of balance. LOVE LOVE LOVE!

That was such a big dinner eh?!

Overall I think that Howdy Hello Hola Hey Ho served pretty good food in general but maybe they just need a little factor to make the food stands out and to 'WOW' the costumers! No further negative comments on the desserts, they were very very good and I'll be back for more!

THANK YOU HOWDY HELLO HOLA HEY HO FOR THE SCRUMPTIOUS DINNER!!!

Wishing you best of luck and go win a lot of hearts!

Howdy Hello Hola Hey Ho

Grand Indonesia 5th fl.

Jl. M.H. Thamrin No. 1

Jakarta Pusat 10310

021 - 2358 0045

Opening Hours: 11 AM - 12 AM

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email: eatandtreatsindo@gmail.com