Wonderland Buffett at Cinnamon Restaurant of Mandarin Oriental Jakarta

In Christmas time, there is a tradition to sit with the people you love in a dining table to share some loves and happiness to each others. It is the right time to show how much you care by sharing some stories on the table and to show how thankful you are with the life that gives you many good things by sharing some cooked-with-love dishes.

"The dining table is a good place to warm the love and show some affections."

It is exactly what happen when I get the invitation from the Mandarin Oriental Jakarta to preview Wonderland Buffet at its Cinnamon Restaurant. I sit together with the lovely people to talk about happy things and to eat some delicious food presented by Executive Chef Cyril Calmet and the creative culinary team of Cinnamon Restaurant. It is also a lovely reunion with Mrs. T. Marlene Danusutedjo. Congratulation for your new job, Mrs. Marlene! I am happy for you!

"When you are happy, I am happy too.
That is what I call true friendship."

Let's start the Christmas Dinner, shall we?

APPETIZER

Eggnog 

Oh my lion and dragon! This is my favorite one! I remember that my former boss from Australia introduced me to Eggnog for the first time, and I love it! But Eggnog is not a part of Indonesian Christmas tradition, so it is hard for me to find Eggnog in Jakarta. And when I see this Eggnog in front of me at the dining table in Cinnamon Restaurant, I have a joy in my heart! Finally I find Eggnog again! Yeay!

"When you miss someone, your soul will search for something to represent the beloved one."

Eggnog is an egg milk punch made from milk, cream, sugar, whipped eggs, and rum. The Eggnog in Cinnamon Restaurant is very creamy with thick cream. So creamy that you can't feel the rum in it, and so thick that you need to use spoon to drink it. Sluuurrrppp! Yummy!


Terrine, Cured Salmon, Antipasti, and Condiments

This plate is another favorite in my heart. The Terrine is savory and chewy, while the rest of Salmon and Seafood are fresh and straight to the point! Very good to create more appetite in my hungry tummy. LOL!

"Feed the hungry people, and the world will be a peaceful place."

Beef Tartar and Truffle Whipped Cream

I just can't imagine how Beef Tartar is mixed with Whipped Cream, and both of them are placed into a cone. This is definitely not an ice cream. LOL! But hey, it is a very creative idea by Chef Cyril Calmet to make such a delicious dish in beautiful and creative package.

"Creative people turn the world around."

The taste of Beef Tartar and Truffle Whipped Cream in Cinnamon Restaurant is fresh, rich and crunchy. Thanks to the cone that wrap it, but I need to eat it in a hurry before the cone is melted by the cream. Go! Go! Go!


Seared Foie Grass and Fig Chutney 

Fig Chutney is usually made from fig, vinegar, sugar, onion, ginger, mustard seeds, lemon zest, cinnamon stick, salt, allspice, and cloves. The texture is soft and thick. When the Fig Chutney is combined with Seared Foie Grass, the taste of the Foie Grass is really upgraded.

"Play around with the ingredients in your food.

It will create brand new happiness."

In my mind, the taste of some of the Foie Grass can be a little bit weird, but the chefs in Cinnamon Restaurant really know how to change the perception. The taste becomes sweet and nice. Thanks to the Fig Chutney. That is awesome!


Duck Breasts, Smooth Pumpkin Puree, Apple and Walnut

The Duck Breast is very tender. The Pumpkin Puree adds some color to the dish and increases the taste of the duck. The Apple and Walnut balance the dish with their freshness and earthy feeling. More, please :-D

"When you want something more, just ask.

Don't be shy."

MAIN COURSE

Christmas Wonderland Buffet Highlights 

Talking about buffet, Cinnamon Restaurant has many thing to offer. Without anymore comments from me, please enjoy the beautiful food photography of the Buffet menu in Cinnamon Restaurant from the lens of my camera.

"It is not about the camera and the lens.

It is all about the person behind the camera."

DESSERTS

Assorted Christmas Delights 

From Mandarin Oriental Jakarta Cake Shop, the friendly and full-of-smile Executive Pastry Chef Remi Martinazzo presents various of desserts, cookies and sweet cakes. They are very good for those people who want to sweeten their dry days :-D

"Keep smiling, and the world will smile back at you."

Thank you very much, Mandarin Oriental Jakarta, Mrs. T. Marlene Danusutedjo, Executive Chef Cyril Calmet, Executive Pastry Chef Remi Martinazzo, and the creative culinary team of Cinnamon Restaurant, for your massive attentions to my hungry belly! You guys know how to change it to become a happy belly. LOL!

"Happy belly means happy soul."

You guys rock my early Christmas Lunch and Dinner. It is never too early to celebrate it, right? Because I want to celebrate Christmas everyday! Ho! Ho! Ho!

Merry Christmas, everyone! Have a sexy New Year 2017!

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas with every Christmas card I write.

May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be white."

MANDARIN ORIENTAL JAKARTA
Jalan M.H. Thamrin,
Jakarta 10310 
Indonesia
Tel: +62 (21) 2993 8888
Email: mojkt-reservations@mohg.com

Christmas and New Year Spirit at Aston Priority Simatupang

Welcome to December. It is a special month of the year, because we celebrate Christmas and New Year! Do I hear the sound of party? Yes!

It is a good day when I have the chance to preview the Christmas and New Year Celebration in Aston Priority Simatupang. I can imagine the crowds, the atmosphere, the music, the food, and any more. But I don't have to imagine about the food, because all the food are there right in front of me! 

When I come to Aston Priority Simatupang, the chefs there have prepared some delicious food to try.

SALTY SNACKS AND SWEET DESSERTS

My first bite is the salty snacks. The Croquette fills my mouth, and the other fried salty snack is good. I like salty food!

All the sweet desserts and the Christmas cakes are good for sweet tooth people and those who are looking for a companion for their tea and coffee time.

MAIN COURSE

Beef

Check out the Burger at Aston Priority Simatupang. I like it very much, because the meat is tasty and the portion is not that big, so I can try another food. The sliced beef is good too.

Seafood and Japanese Food

This is my favorite corner! All the food I love fall into this space. All the excitement for the Lobster, Sashimi, and Sushi! Yum! 

Chicken Turkey

Christmas will sound so quiet if we don't have this dish. Yes, it is Chicken Turkey. And I think this is the best food of all! The spices have come through all the empty spaces in the Chicken Turkey that make the dish taste so juicy and delicious. I don't have to add some sauces to make it more delicious. It is delicious just the way it is. And I ask the chef to give me many slices of its fatty skin. Yeah baby! Come to me, Fat Chicken! LOL!

All the dishes here can be found at the Canary Coffee Shop, Momiji Japanese Restaurant and LA Lounge at Aston Priority Simatupang. 

For those of you who want to celebrate Christmas and New Year in Aston Priority Simatupang, the hotel gives a good price for the Festive Season Package. For the New Year's Eve 2017, the hotel will present Sammy Simorangkir (the famous Indonesian singer) to entertain all the guests who will come to the hotel to celebrate the memorable night with his music and songs. La! La! La! La!

You can read my previous experience at Momiji Japanese Restaurant in Aston Priority Simatupang at: http://astridamalia.blogspot.com/2016/12/momiji-japanese-restaurant-aston.html . 

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year 2017!

All the best prayers for everyone in the world!

Embrace the brand new year with a positive attitude!

Aston Priority Simatupang Hotel & Conference Center
Jl. Let. Jend. T.B. Simatupang Kav. 9
Kebagusan 
South Jakarta
Phone: +62 21 7883 8777

Festive Season at JW Marriott Jakarta

I always love December, because December has two special occasions to celebrate. Yes, December has Christmas and New Year Celebrations. Personally, Christmas time is special for me because it is the right moment for me to celebrate the belief I choose. Yes, I am a proud Catholic! And New Year Celebration is a perfect moment to celebrate with the people I love. So yes, it is always be the Happy December! Yeay!

"Happiness is contagious!"

This year, I am lucky enough to have the chance to preview the Christmas Celebration in JW Marriott Jakarta. It is the time to TURN ON the lights of the Christmas tree in the hotel!


Christmas Tree

As I arrive at the Lobby Area of JW Marriott Jakarta, the Christmas atmosphere around it has greeted me. I used to feel that the lobby area looks very formal, but now the lobby changes its mood to look "very Christmas". I see a big Christmas tree, and I can't help to take a picture there. LOL!

"Dear Santa, I have been a good girl.
Can I get my present now?"

Santa's House

Not long after having conversation with the other guests at the event, it is about time to start the celebration! All of the sudden, the staffs from JW Marriott Jakarta open the curtains, and I see a giant JW Santa’s House with so many lights around it! So beautiful! This thing sets my holiday spirit. Welcome to Happy Holiday December moment! Yeay!

During the month of December, the Pastry Chef Indra and his creative team in JW Marriott Jakarta build a magical Santa’s House and they fill it with favorite Christmas goodies.

"Sometimes, all we need is one magic to live our life!"

Do I find my Christmas wish lists in that Santa's House? Yes, I do! I grab Santa Claus himself and ask him if I can take a picture with him. And he says yes! Hoorrraaayyy!

Live Christmas Carol

After enjoying the giant Santa's House, I see some children with Christmas costumes going down from the second floor to the lobby of the hotel. Wait! Who are these cute kids? What are they doing? It turns out that they are the children choir who will sing the popular Christmas Carols.

"Sing, and your heart will be happy!"

As I watch them singing, I enjoy the beautiful angelic voices from the children choir. The relaxing and soothing voices entertain me very much. They sound so cute, sweet, funny and beautiful. Yes, they have all the charms! I am very envy :-D


Video - Santa's House and Live Christmas Carol

You can watch the video of the opening of the Santa's House and Live Christmas Carol session by the children choir here:

Christmas Special Dinner

After all the joy I get from the Santa's House and the Live Christmas Carol, it is my time to enjoy the Special Christmas Dinner. All the chefs in JW Marriott Jakarta have worked very hard to serve some special Christmas food, such as Roasted Turkey (with bread stuffing, cranberry sauce, and giblet gravy), Roasted Rib Eye (with green beans casserole, rosemary and garlic jus, and red wine demi-glace); and Honey-glazed Gammon Ham (with green beans casserole, honey mustard sauce and creamy onion sauce).

"Fatty food, happy belly."

Christmas Desserts, Cakes and Cookies 

Christmas time is going to be lonely without some sweet bites. JW Marriott Jakarta understands the situation by preparing some Christmas desserts, cakes and cookies.

I see the selections of desserts, such as Plum Cake and Pudding, Ginger and Lemon Macaroon, and Ginger Cookies. The other mouthwatering sweets are Pepero Choco Sticks, Crispy Christmas Tree, Pandan Coconut Crunch Cookie, Choco Chip Cookie, Kaastengel, Mango Choco Peel, Red Velvet Truffle, English Christmas Cake and Nastar (Pineapple Cookie). There are also Yule Log and Christmas pudding.

"One sweet thing can create a better world."

So, what is my favorite cake? It is Stollen! Stollen is a sweetened fruit bread sprinkled with powdered sugar. I can taste dried fruits, nuts, some different spices, and a little bit of rum. Honestly, this is the first time for me to eat Stollen. As I take my first bite, I just fall in love with it. Yummy!

"Don't be afraid to try new things.
They will upgrade your thoughts."

Wine and Sangria

To complete the celebration, JW Marriott Jakarta distributes some Red Wine, White Wine and Sangria. Cheers!

"Cheer up, and the world will smile back at you!" 

Festive Take Away Package

Besides enjoying these yummy food at the award winning restaurants located in JW Marriott Jakarta, you can order these food to be taken away to your home because the hotel offers Festive Take Away Package if you plan to celebrate Christmas at your home. The hotel staff will prepare these food in thermo-insulated bag that will keep them warm and fresh as they reach your door. Yes, you can enjoy your Christmas without any hassle by letting JW Marriott Jakarta staffs to prepare the celebration for you!

"Wrapped!
Sealed!
Sent!
With love!"

Video - Special Cocktails at Blu Martini Bar and Lounge at JW Marriott Jakarta

To celebrate the happy moments in December, Blu Martini Bar and Lounge at JW Marriott Jakarta offers some special cocktails that you can order in December. And I am very lucky enough to have the chance to sit down at the bar and witness the process of making the cocktails, while interviewing two bartenders personally. This time, the two bartenders mix two cocktails named Snow White Espresso and This is My December.

"Direct experience is always the best."

You can watch the live video of me at the Blu Martini of JW Marriott Jakarta enjoying the works of the bartenders to make two cocktails named Snow White Espresso and This is My December for me here:

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, everyone! Ho! Ho! Ho!

"Oh, jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way!
Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh!"

JW MARRIOTT JAKARTA

Jl. DR Ide Anak Agung Gde Agung

Kav. E.1.2 No. 1 & 2

Mega Kuningan

Jakarta 12950

Indonesia 

Lunch with Chef Hugo Bertolini at C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant - Grand Hyatt Jakarta

It is one lovely afternoon when I have a plan to go to the Grand Hyatt Jakarta Hotel to meet my sweet friend, Miss Gina Desmeralda, at C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant.

In between the happy feeling to meet my friend and the hungry feeling I have in my tummy, I look around the C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant, and I still remember that C's is a great place to get fresh seafood, salad, beef, and many more. Then I realize that I have not visited the restaurant for such a long time. How time flies! What a happy feeling to have the chance to visit the restaurant again! 

While waiting for my friend, as usual, I start the lunch by ordering my favorite Cappuccino. A lovely afternoon is always good for a cup of Cappuccino. As I sip the coffee, I can feel the lightness of the cream and the boldness of the coffee. How beautiful to know that two contradiction things can complete each other in a cup of happiness.

"There is a reason why God creates differences in our life, so we can complete each other with our strengths and weaknesses."

Well, on the other side, I know that my life is beautiful too, and I never wish to replace it with someone else's life. Happy!  

Cappuccino at C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant

After a few sips of coffee, Miss Gina arrives and we have a deep quality chat about something special. During the conversation, Gina told me that C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant has a brand new chef de cuisine, and she wants to introduce the chef to me. Wow! I am so excited!

The new chef de cuisine in C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant is Hugo Bertolini, a wonderful and a fit guy from Argentina. Usually, the chefs I meet look very big, but Chef Hugo is a slim and a healthy man. Maybe next time I have to exercise and practice yoga with him :-D

"Either being slim or not, the most important thing is to be happy.
Happy mind, happy body!"

Chef de Cuisine Hugo Bertolini told me that he wants to show off some of the best food he creates for C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant. Ok, bring it on, Chef!

The first food he presents is Mussels Parmesan. The Mussels are baked with olive oil, and the Parmesan are melted on the top of it. There is a small bowl of Lemon at the side of the dish. As I eat the Mussels Parmesan without the Lemon, I feel that I have an awesome moment! I love Seafood and I love Cheese! And the Mussels Parmesan is a perfect one! The perfect combination of the fresh Mussels and the tasty Parmesan really kicks my excited palate, and maybe the biggest factor is because the two of my favorite dishes are unified in an oh-so-yummy-plate. Oh my gosh and devil! I really love this dish very much!

"From the eyes to the throat, from the throat to the heart, from the heart to the tummy.
Falling in love at the first bite!"

As I try them with the Lemon, I think I understand that the job of the Lemon is to color all the fatty-yummy Parmesan Mussels with its flirty taste. Very savory and orgasmic!

Mussels Parmesan at C's

Mussels Parmesan at C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant

The second food that comes to our table is Clam and Seabass Ceviche. The plate arrives beautifully with its perfect color composition. The bright orange color from the Sweet Potato on the top really captures my eyes. On the second level, I can see the balancing color of the raw Seabass Fish. On the bottom of everything, I can see the Clam is facing up to kiss the Seabass. It is officially a threesome dishes! LOL!

"Colorful life brings happiness to the Universe!"

The dishes are cooked with a touch of Corn, Coriander, Onion and Lemon. The Sweet Potato gives something sweet, while the Seabass and the Clam contribute to the freshness, and all the other spices complete the dishes.

Once again, look at the color! Bright orange, yellow, green, red, and white. Very colorful, fresh and delicious! A sight for my sore eyes! 

Clam and Seabass Ceviche at C's

Clam and Seabass Ceviche at C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant

The third food that comes to our table is King Prawn Wok Fried. Oh! This is another heaven that falls under my feet! Remember that I tell this too many times that I really love Seafood, right? When the plate comes, I am stuck by the vibrant color of the Prawns. It is between Orange and Gold. When I chew the Prawns, the juicy taste meets with the high tone taste from the Black Pepper. For the people who like spicy food, this is your choice!

King Prawn Wok Fried at C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant

There are other dishes as bonus. Check out the plate that I am facing now! I get a cut of Fish, a cut of Prawn, a scoop of Mashed Potato and a spoon of Creamy Spinach. Another plate of awesomeness!

Wait! Let me show you more about the yummy food I eat! Be careful, you will drool over for sure! LOL! You can watch the live video about how the server at C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant cuts and places all the dishes on the plates here:

After all the happy chit chat and all the yummy and tasty food, it is about time to end the lunch with something sweet. The dessert to close the lunch is Caramelized Pineapple and Orange served with Black Pepper and Sorbet. Wait! Black Pepper in a dessert? Really?

The dessert arrives in a too cute composition. I feel like I don't want to eat it because I don't want to ruin the beauty of the dessert :-D

The combination of Pineapple, Orange, and Sorbet gives fresh and sour taste with a little bit of sweetness from the sauce. The Black Pepper comes in the middle to twist my palate around. It is like watching the drama series in the television where there will always be an antagonist character that spices the story around. Hahaha!

"The world is a stage, our life is the story and everyone plays their own roles."

The real pair for the dessert is an Ice Cream, but I request to replace it with Sorbet. I always prefer to choose Sorbet, because of its fresh and tangy taste that I love. And you should know that Sorbet is healthier than Ice Cream.

Caramelized Pineapple & Orange at C's

Caramelized Pineapple & Orange with Black Pepper & Sorbet at C's Steak & Seafood

Thank you very much, Chef de Cuisine Hugo Bertolini, for all the orgasmic, savory and tasty food you cook. You really know how to read my mind, calm my heart and charm my tummy with all the right food you make for me. I will definitely come back for more!

"Lovely chef, happy guest!"

With Chef Hugo Bertolini from C's Steak & Seafood - Grand Hyatt Jakarta

And thank you very much, C's Steak and Seafood Restaurant, Grand Hyatt Jakarta and Miss Gina Desmeralda, for your friendly hospitality. It is nice to see you all again!

"Friendship is one of the reasons to survive in this world."

Have a great lunch, all!

"Love your tummy and surround yourself with the people who can cook the right food for you!"

C’S STEAK & SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Grand Hyatt Hotel Jakarta 
4th floor
JL. M. H. Thamrin Kav. 28-30
Jakarta
Indonesia
Phone: +6221-29921383
Website: https://jakarta.grand.hyatt.com/ 
Instagram: @grandhyattjakarta