Triwik Kurniasari , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Sun, 03/14/2010 9:12 AM | Travel
It was 4 in the afternoon in Ciumbuleuit, Bandung. The weather was fine, even though the sun was hidden behind the clouds.
Some people were sitting and chatting with family or friends on cozy sofas and rattan-chairs in a restaurant up the hill at the edge of a valley in the Padma Hotel. The name of place is indeed “The Restaurant”. The clean air and green view were so refreshing, cooling our hearts and minds.
The best spot to enjoy the scenery was on the porch.
Try sitting on the porch, take in a deep breath, and slowly glance at your surroundings, the trees and the sky above. Feel the wind blowing over your skin. If you get lucky, you could even see an eagle flying overhead.
The Restaurant is divided into two. One part has an open kitchen where you can see how chefs prepare meals. The other, which is much bigger, has beautiful views right into the forest.
The décor is dominated by earthy colors such as beige and brown, with wooden furniture. Here there is no need for an air conditioner to chill out your day.
Here, enjoying nature would not be complete if you didn’t try something from the menu.
In the afternoon, The Restaurant serves high tea, which indulges guests with choices of snacks ranging from sweet cakes to fried dishes, a selection of fruit and hot and cold drinks.
As the clock was ticking, the sky got darker until night fell.
The Restaurant has a different feel in the evening. The area is dimly lit and it was like being surrounded by the dark blanket, giving the place a romantic feel.
It’s dinner time and it’s the perfect time to try what’s on menu, which comprises Asia and Western flavors.
Something fresh, light and cool, such as chicken salad or salmon Caesar salad could be a good way to start. If you want something healty than a salad, why don’t you try carpaccio of medium-cooked Australian Beef Sirloin.
The thinly sliced marinated beef is dressed with olive oil and parmesan cheese, and garnished with salad and wasabi mayonnaise.
Perhaps you are looking for a hot appetizer to warm your body as the weather gets cold up there in the evenings.
The Restaurant offers Western dishes such as cream of tomato soup, or mixed mushroom soup, while it also has local flavors such as soto ayam bandung (chicken soup with boiled egg, cabbage, tomato and crackers).
There is a wide selection of main courses.
Traditional dishes include sop buntut bandung (clear oxtail soup served with steamed rice, vegetables, crackers, pickles and sambal), gulai kepala kakap (braised snapper head in spicy sauce), bebek bukittinggi (braised duck in green chili sauce served with traditional aromatic rice) and gulai kambing (braised lamb in curry sauce).
Other options include nasi timbel ciumbuleuit (steamed rice wrapped in banana leaves, served with fried chicken, salted fish, tofu, fresh salad and sambal), sate campur (chicken, beef and lamb satay, served with peanut sauce) and ikan bawal colo-colo (grilled fish with special sauce).
For those who would prefer a Western meal, there are a variety of steaks and burgers.
A selection of pasta and pizza is also available, from classics like spaghetti alfredo and spaghetti aglio e olio, to oven-baked penne and vegetarian lasagna.
If the pasta is too much, you could go for pizza, which you can share with friends. The selection includes Diavola, Funghi, Frutti D’Mare and Mexicana.
Make sure you don’t leave the place before you are hungry for one of their desserts. On the list, bandrek ice cream was the first that caught The Jakarta Post’s attention. Bandrek is a traditional drink made with ginger, palm sugar and other spices.
After waiting for some time, dessert was finally served. In unique tall ice cream glasses, the ice cream tasted exactly like ginger, and was garnished with slices of kiwi fruit and a strawberry on top.
It’s a mixture of hot and cold. The ice may make you cold, but at the same time the ginger warms you up inside.
Well, now you are full and have finished savoring the menu. Don’t leave your seat too soon though. Try to stay for a while to soak up some more of the refreshing, natural ambiance.
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The green view around The Restaurant
— Photo Courtesy of Padma Hotel
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