Corne Port Royal - Uganda, 80%

Dark Chocolate with pure Uganda 80% cocoa. Manufacturers info: Exclusive range of 6 "single-origin" chocolates. A selection of 4 different types of cocoa beans from different geographical areas (Vanuatu, Uganda, Tanzania, Mexico, Peru and New Guinea). Its production is limited and it has a typical and unparalleled taste. "

Hubby bought this chocolate in Brussels during his most recent business trip. The chocolate has red-brown color, smooth surface and the snap is crisp.  I like the smell of the chocolate - clear with a little bit hint of sweetness. The chocolate feels smooth without any other textures are traced. Bitterness was first to notice at the initial taste, then sweetness and chocolaty flavor appeared slowly as the chocolate started to melt. I am left with a pleasant taste in my mouth.

Ingredients: Cocoa mass, sugar, cocoa butter, emulsifier, soy lecithin (E322)

Family Time in Jakarta: Celebrating Ramadan

Menjelang puasa disempatkan pulang sebentar karena ingin menikmati puasa di tanah air. Hehehe.. sejujurnya sih alasan utamanya karena tidak mau bengong sendiri di rumah. Suami tugas ke salah satu negara di Afrika yang sikon nya tidak memungkinkan spouse untuk mendampingi. Mau mengunjungi adek di Perancis, duh ngurus visanya males banget. Sempat mikir juga untuk jalan-jalan ke negara lain yang tidak butuh visa, tapi mengingat bulan puasa mana enak jalan-jalan tanpa makan-makan. Ya udahlah mending pulang ke Indonesia ajah. Supaya bisa ketemu dan supaya anak-anaknya bisa merasakan suasana puasa di Indonesia, adek yang tinggal di Perancis dan sedang berlibur di Jakarta memutuskan untuk memperpajang liburannya. 

Jadilah kita semua sempat berkumpul selama minggu pertama Ramadan. Walaupun selama di Jakarta sakit (sebelum berangkat juga sudah sakit sih), tetap bisa menikmati quality time with my family walaupun tetep tidak lengkap. Tiga dari 4 menantu ortu tidak bisa ikutan; yang satu tugas ke Afrika, yang satu ketinggalan di Perancis dan yang satunya lagi sedang ada urusan di Amerika. Kapan ya semua bisa ngumpul bareng?

Sabtu malam sebelum puasa, disempatkan makan malam di Satay House Senayan. Buat saya makanan di SHS tidak terlalu istimewa sih rasanya, tapi nggak tau kenapa sejak dua tahun terakhir setiap pulang SHS jadi salah satu restoran yang selalu dikunjungi. Yang dipesan selain sate ayam dan sate kambing antara lain nasi bebek (lumayan gurih bebek gorengnya), cumi goreng tepung (biasa aja), gurame bakar (tidak terlalu istimewa) , nasi goreng (nggak sempat nyobain), tumis kagkung terasi, urap, gurame goreng (enak).

Hari Minggunya lunch bareng lagi di Gubug Makan Mang Engking yang berlokasi di area Kampus UI Depok. Tempatnya sih luas dan adem karena masih banyak pohon pohon di sekitarnya jadi tidak terlalu panas. Sesuai pesanan kami memilih duduk lesehan diatas kolam ikan. Anak-anak seneng banget ngasih makan ikan-ikannya. Selain saya yang lain sudah pernah makan disini jadi merekalah yang milih menunya, termasuk udang bakar madu, makanan andalan restoran ini. Selain itu kami pesan udang goreng, gurame goreng polos, gurame bakar kecap, tahu dan tempe goreng (wajib), karedok, tumis kangkung, cumi goreng tepung, sayur asem, plus tiga sambal; sambal terasi dadak, sambal tomat dan sambal cobek. Sambal cobeknya pedes des des. Yang juara buat saya gurame goreng (tetep). Karedoknya boleh lah, cumi gorennya juga lumayan. Udang bakar madunya saya tidak begitu suka karena rasa asli udangnya sudah agak hilang terdominasi oleh rasa madu.
Kembang Goela mendapat giliran sebagai tempat berbuka puasa pada satu hari sebelum adek sekeluarga pulang ke Perancis. Restoran ini juga sudah jadi salah satu restoran yang kudu wajib dikunjungi setiap pulang ke Indonesia. Tempatnya adem dan wangi, makanannya sesuai dengan selera. Klop dah. Selain di Restoran Kembang Goela, buka puasa selebihnya (cuma 10 hari sih berpuasa di rumah) selalu dinikmati di rumah dengan menikmati masakan rumahan yang selalu "ngangeni". Ah... I wish I could spend the whole Ramadan with my family at home.


Karena tidak sempat merekam foto-foto makanan di restoran yang dikunjungi selama mudik, sebagai gantinya puas-puasin memotret makanan yang disajikan di pesawat.

My breakfast in the sky; fluffy hotcake served with fresh mixed berries, cottage cheese and maple syrup, SQ's version of pancake. It was very tasty considering a plane meal.

Japanese meal - my lunch on flight SQ12 en route to LA on September 11, 2008.

Satay House Senayan
Jalan Pakubuwono VI/6
Jakarta, Indonesia


Gubug Makan Mang Engking
Kampus UI Depok, Indonesia
Tel.: 021 9956 9150


Kembang Goela
Plaza Sentral, Jl. Jend. Sudirman Kav. 47-48
Jakarta
Tel.: 021-520-5651

Chocolat Bonnat Chuao - 75%

Tidak seperti coklat sejenis yang pernah saya coba sebelumnya, permukaan Chocolat Bonnat berwarna coklat kemerahan - konon merupakan warna khas Chuao- dengan sedikit buram dan pekat. Coklat beraroma vanilla, madu dan kopi. Gigitan pertama terasa kuat, pahit, pungent dan kompleks. Walaupun keras saat digigit, lelehan coklat terasa smooth. Perlahan-lahan namun agak samar samar, rasa madu, aprikot, raisin, cherry muncul dalam gigitan berikutnya. After taste yang menyenangkan bertahan cukup lama. 

Terlepas betul tidaknya coklat ini dihasilkan dari Chuao (Amedei mengklaim memiliki exclusive rights atas Chuao.  Benar atau tidaknya, walahuallam), Chocolat Bonnat Chuao merupakan coklat bermutu tinggi yang rasanya mendekati Chuao yang dikeluarkan oleh Amedei.    

Chocolat Bonnat says: "Chuao from Venezuela reigning county of great cocoas, undeniably Nr. 1 in quality.  The king of kings of the cocoas with a powerful and warm flavor."

Ingredients: cocoa, cocoa butter, sugar.

Amedei Porcelana Limited Edition

A rare chocolate bar. Each box is individually numbered. Mine is  922 of 20,000! Why is this bar so special? 

Hasil research kecil-kecialan menjelaskan bahwa Amedei Porcelana dikatagorikan sebagai single origin dan single variety coklat alias hanya menggunakan satu jenis biji coklat yaitu Porcelana dan Porcelana yang digunakan hanya yang berasal dari Venezuela. Konon Amedei merupakan prabrik coklat pertama yang menggunakan biji coklat varietas ini.

Porcelana adalah salah satu biji coklat terlangka di dunia dan dikatagorikan the elit of the elite nya coklat. Biji coklat ini merupakan fraksi kecil dari biji coklat varieatas premium Criollo (Creolo), biji coklat yang diincar para produsen the world's finest chocolate untuk menghasilkan coklat bermutu tinggi. Criollo sendiri eksistensinya di pasaran dunia kurang dari 1%. Selain langka (hanya terdapat di daerah Anden di Venezuela dan di Mexico) jenis coklat ini sangat sensitif terhadap penyakit yang menyerang tanaman coklat.

Seperti coklat Amedei yang lain, kemasan Porcelana sangat cantik dan menarik untuk dikoleksi (bungkusannya). Begitu kemasannya terbuka, permukaan terlihat mulus dan sedikit creamy. Tercium aroma menyenangkan khas dark-coklat secara samar-samar. Rasanya tidak terlalu pahit untuk coklat yang mengandung 70% cocoa (cocoa content). Sayapun tidak menemukan rasa kacang dan karamel seperti yang tertulis dikemasan. Mungkin indra pengecap saya belum cukup canggih untuk mentraced coklat sekaliber Amedei? Secara keseluruhan Amedei Porcelana coklat yang enak sekali, but I like Amedei 9 more than Porcelana.

Ingredients: cocoa mass, cane sugar, cocoa butter, vanilla.

My Los Angeles - When My Parents and Sister were here

First weekend, February 9-10   

Walked around Santa Monica Cliff, had some Mexican for lunch, and Red Mango for dessert - Relaxed at home on Sunday and played scrabble.

Second weekend, February 15-17   

Started on Friday night with Ethiopian dinner at Fasikas Restaurant in Culver City. Went back to Santa Monica area on Saturday to check on Farmers Market then to Century City mall. Had lunch at Gulen's Mediterranean Cuisine. Sunday was spent in Pasadena. Lunch at President Thai Restaurant was great. 

Third weekend, February 23-24

My parents were on their own during the day after my sister went back home this week. Saturday we had a lovely breakfast at our favorite spot Le Pain Quotidien followed by a nice stroll around the neighborhood. Then drove to Beverly Hills to get some stuff from William Sonoma store. Mom loved this store - who doesn't? Went to the Grove on Sunday for another Farmers' Market experience and to show them a little bit of LA life.

Santa Barbara Shellfish Co

Two of my sisters visited us this month. Since both of them have been to LA before we didn't take them to places where most tourists go. Instead we took them to our favorite spots where we go on weekends to hang out or dine at our favorite cafes and restaurants. Santa Barbara is one of those spots. 

So on Sunday off we went to this American Riviera city. We walked along the city's main drag State Street that is lined with shops, restaurants, and vintage movie theaters then wandered loosely around downtown. After driving around lovely Spanish-Mediterranean neighborhoods we headed for the Santa Barbara Shellfish Co at Stearns Wharf for their fresh and yummy seafood and of course for the view of the Pacific Ocean!!! 

We ordered local Dungeness Crab which its season in Santa Barbara begins in November.  Cannot get any fresher than that. Just plucked from the shell and we got delicious and sweet crab; I liked my dungeness crab in its plainest form, no butter or anything. Dungeness crab and oysters are the two items we always get when we eat at SB Shellfish Co. Our server suggested that we tried the lobster taco as well since they just got fresh lobster. So we went with lobster taco as well. It was very sweet and yummy. Glad we tried that as well. 

Santa Barbara Shellfish Co.

230 Sterns Wharf

Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(805) 966-6676

Pak Webee

We just got back from a very relaxing and wonderful vacation in Bali. Having Pak Webee to help us get around Bali definitely enhanced our experience very much. Pak Webee was very nice, honest and most importantly he was a good driver. He was a dependable and clearly knows Bali very well. Well, he is from Bali after all. He was quick to learn what we liked or which spots we wanted to avoid and gave recommendations accordingly.

One day he stopped the car on a countryside road so we could view the three highest mountains in Bali- Gunung Batur, Gunung Batukaru and Gunung Abang. It was the perfect spot to see all the three mountains. Another day, he pulled over and walked us to a perfect spot so that we could enjoy a very beautiful valley overlooking two lakes. He was very knowledgeable and patiently showed us around. We never had to worry about whether or not he would show up or he would be on time. He always came early to our hotel in Ubud. It was great to have someone as dependable as Pak Webee. If we return to Bali, we will definitely want Pak Webee to be our driver again. We highly recommend him.

Pak Webee
p: 081 236 40 160
e: webee@dps.centrin.net.id

The Viceroy, Ubud, Bali

We were so pleased with our 5-night stay at this idyllic place. Staying at this hotel really made our vacation in Bali incredibly relaxing. We chose this place for its serene and tranquil atmosphere, in contrast to Kuta, Legian, or other locations that usually come with a lot of tourists and noises. The fact that it was a small property and not a chain hotel was a real plus. Its location couldn't have been more perfect. Nestled at Lembah valley, this small resort is surrounded by rainforest and rice paddies, a truly wonderful romantic gateway for those of us who enjoy absolute privacy and appreciate a quiet spot. 

Although it is located in a very private and serene setting, the hotel was also within easy reach of central Ubud. The Viceroy provides a free shuttle that took us back and forth from the town center per our own schedule. You gotta love that :-) The entire experience was extraordinary. The spa was soothing; the infinity pool was refreshing and peaceful; the views were magnificent. And the staff was tremendously friendly and helpful; they always greeted us by name. We were told that all 11 villas were occupied when we were there, but we hardly saw anyone. They served a great breakfast, which we never missed during our stay. Their lunch was not bad either. This place was truly an idyllic place for vacation! 


Some of delicious meals we really enjoyed ....

Bubur Ayam

The Viceroy Bali

Jln. Lanyahan, Br Nagi, Ubud, Bali 80571
Indonesia

Ngiring Wedang, Traditional Bali Coffee

So after spending our morning in Bedugul enjoying the beautiful Lake Bratan and Ulun Danu Temple, we told Pak Webee that we wanted to have lunch at a spot that wouldn’t be too touristy and if possible a spot with a great view. He drove us up on a narrow road towards a ridge over looking lakes Buyan and Tamblingan. Along the way, we were wowed by the view of these two lakes beautifully framed by so much greenery and wild flowers. We breathed wonderfully fresh air and appreciated the quietness of the surrounding area. So serene. Even a group of monkeys seemed to enjoy it as well. They just sat quietly on the curb watching cars by.

Roasting Process

Pak Webee took us to a place called Ngiring Wedang Restaurant and Villa on the ridge in Munduk Village in North bali. The place was nice and clean, overlooking the wide valley of rice terraces opening to the ocean. According to Pak Webee, on a clear day you can see part of Mt Rinjani in Lombok. The food at the restaurant wasn’t bad, but the coffee was terrific! They serve simple Indonesian food and some limited western food. I don't remember what I ate, but I do remember the view. And my husband remembers the coffee! He usually adds plenty of milk and sugar to his coffee, but the coffee here was so good that he drank it without either. Clearly people come here to enjoy the view and the restaurant's home-made coffee. The restaurant roasts and grinds the coffee beans by hand using traditional equipment. Their coffee is picked from their own coffee plantation across the street from the restaurant. Talk about fresh coffee! It is not a big coffee roasting company so they roast their coffee daily in small batches. I am not a coffee drinker and only tasted a sip here and there. We bought their Arabica fresh bean for our coffee-drinker friends at home. And they liked the coffee very much.

Ngiring Wedang Restaurant & Villa

Munduk Village, North Bali

P: 0812-380-7010

Kembang Goela, Jakarta

Tidak banyak yang berubah di Jakarta sejak saya mudik bulan Februari taun ini, kecuali kemacetan lalu lintasnya yang tambah parah. Kemacetannya menurut saya sudah gila-gilaan. Belum lagi kalau hujan, jarak yang seharusnya bisa ditempuh dalam waktu sepuluh menit, harus ditempuh dalam waktu hampir satu jam! Salut buat warga Jakarta yang kuat dan tabah menjalani kemacetan seperti ini setiap hari.

Untungnya kami tidak perlu terlalu sering berada di jalan, kecuali waktu ketemuan dengan Mbak Ria, Yola, Ratih dan Tia di Warung Pojok di Plaza Senayan dna untuk pergi makan. Bangkrutlah kalau makan di hotel terus. Anak-anakpun tampaknya senang saja tinggal di hotel karena mereka bisa berenang dan main kartu rame-rame. Hehe.. setiap cakep ikut pulang, kegiatan yang dilakukan tidak jauh dari berenang bareng dan main kartu. Kalau tidak main kartu atau berenang, ya leyeh-leyeh di lobby atau di kamar hotel dan coba restoran baru (maksudnya restoran yang belum pernah dicoba, bukan restorannya yang baru). 

Senin tanggal 19 November yang baru lalu kami sekeluarga mencoba makan siang di Kembang Goela, restoran yang menyediakan masakan peranakan Belanda dan Indonesia. Begitu memasuki restoran tercium bau wangi yang terpancar dari rangkaian besar bunga sedap malam segar diatas meja dekat pintu masuk. Mata langsung tertuju ke chandeliers di ruangan restoran berlangit-langit tinggi dan berjendela kaca besar. Kain-kain batik memenuhi bagian atas dinding restoran, meja kursinya berwarna gelap. Makanan yang ditawarkan dikemas dan disajikan secara elegan dengan cita rasa mendekati sempurna dan sederhana tanpa memakai bumbu yang complicated dan tidak terasa berlebihan. Konon seperti itulah masakan peranakan Indonesia-Belanda ini diramu dan disajikan di rumah para bangsawan dan keluarga Belanda pada jaman kolonial.

Kami betul-betul menikmati makan siang di Kembang Goela. Serasa  menikmati masakan di rumah bangsawan bergaya kolonial jaman baheula. Yang unik adalah penamaan makanan yang ditulis dengan menggunakan ejaan lama atau menggunakan figur yang mengingatkan jaman baheula. Dari bon makanan yang kami pesan tercatat antara lain: Es Peyeumpuan, Es Jangan Ditanya, Soda Pelangi, Ayam Mevrouw Lientje, Ongseng-ongseng Kecipir, Hot Plate Kangkoeng, Nasi Goreng Si Pitoeng, Tahu Sedap Malam dll. Yang paling saya suka siang itu adalah Dendeng Balado yang dagingnya diiris sangat sangat tipis hampir transparan dan Ikan Krapu Bakar. Oh Wedang Jahenya juga nikmat.

Kembang Goela

Plaza Sentral Parking Lot, Jl. Jend. Sudirman

Ph.: 021-520-5651