February 14th, 2012
SOCIAL HOUSE is an ultra-chic eatery that opened in 2008 to much acclaim- housed within the (now closed) local branch of the UK owned Harvey Nichols department store at the Grand Indonesia Mall in central Jakarta. Now successfully operating independently as a stand-alone destination in its own right, SOCIAL HOUSE continues to be one of the most popular, casually sophisticated, dining destinations in Jakarta. SOCIAL HOUSE is owned and operated by the local Ismaya Group– who are behind other mega-popular local establishments such as Dragonfly and Blowfish.
SOCIAL HOUSE is open all day from early in the morning to late in the evenings- serving a variety of menus- breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, bar food & small bites, sushi, and selections of main courses categorised under EAST and WEST. Occupying a large corner space, SOCIAL HOUSE has three main zones- the dining area, a bar and lounge area, and the wine display and store. With a prominent and convenient location, combined with the casual all-day dining concept, SOCIAL HOUSE is solidly busy at all stages of the day and evening, attracting a diverse range of customers, from office workers taking breakfast before work, shoppers from the mall stopping in for a coffee or lunch, and an after-work crowd for drinks at the bar, or a full dining experience. The kitchen at SOCIAL HOUSE is under the direction of Executive Chef Tristan Balian who has extensive culinary skills and experience ranging from contemporary British, through to Thai cuisines. The relaxed, “homely” atmosphere of the spacious interiors is conducive to social engagement- synonymous with the name of the establishment- and underlies the endearing attraction of SOCIAL HOUSE.
See also May 2014 update review article
The reception counter at Social House
Inside the main dining area with bar to the right
The interior design of SOCIAL HOUSE features the extensive use of blonde timbers- for ceiling and wall panelling, and also much of the furniture and display shelving. Glass, steel and raw concrete materials are utilised to evoke an “industrial chic” style. Green touches- such as a number of sizeable living trees- soften the space and provide a sense of nature and home.
Two entrances serve SOCIAL HOUSE- one is a via a small street level lobby with a dedicated lift that delivers guests to an entrance within a re-furbished, bright red, shipping container. Access internally from the 1st floor of Grand Indonesia mall brings guests past the open shelving displays of the WinePost to a reception counter fashioned from re-cycled timber packing crates.
The main dining area occupies a large curving section of the space and has an open facade onto the mall interior itself. The table arrangements are broken up into discrete areas, and there are several private dining rooms- two smaller spaces that hold around 12 diners, and a VIP Private Room that includes a MIELE working kitchen where interactive sessions with chefs can be arranged.
Looking inside from the mall entrance area
The main dining area
The bar counter
The lounge area is located along the sides of the space that face out onto the external streetscape. During the daytime large windows on the front corner section of the lounge area remain closed to provide air-conditioned relief from the tropical heat, but fold back in the evenings to open up the interiors to the cooling evening breezes. Counter seating along the two sides of the facade provide panoramic views of the Hotel Indonesia roundabout and Jakarta skyline. The long bar has an “L” shape and faces a large communal table along one side, and with another long high table/ counter extending towards the lounge area.
The lounge area with the large glass panes folded back and open views over the iconic Hotel Indonesia roundabout
The lounge area in daytime- with glass panes in place
Looking inside from the lounge area entrance
The VIP Private Dining Room- with adjacent MIELE Kitchen for live cooking experiences
The WinePost section- over 300 wines available
Located along the internal wall inside from the mall entrance, the WinePost features an expansive space with rows of wine bottles displayed on blonde timber shelving and in re-fashioned wine crates. With over 300 labels selected by the in-house sommelier from the leading global wine producing regions, the bottles can be purchased either for consumption within SOCIAL HOUSE, or for take-home consumption.
The Wine Post- close view of the wine display
The impressive Bar serves up a diverse drinks menu of innovative cocktails and mocktails, beers, coffee drinks and premium teas, frozen frappes, smoothies, fresh juices, plus the extensive selection of wines available from the WinePost. Signature cocktails include Mango Crush- refreshing- vodka based with citron & mango flavours; and Tropical Mojito- a sparkling fruity twist on the classic rum based mojito.
Signature cocktail- FINGER-LICKING TIRAMISU Baileys, espresso, mascarpone, vanila cream, chocolate hazelnut, served with shortbread
From the Mocktail selection- COTTON CANDY– fresh strawberries and orange in strawberry candy flavored milk
HOMEMADE GRANDMA’S ICE LEMON TEA- one of the most popular drinks at Social House
The kitchen at SOCIAL HOUSE serves an eclectic mix of Western and Asian “comfort food” dishes- offering hearty portions prepared from the finest fresh ingredients.
Featuring all-day dining- the kitchen opens early with a breakfast menu served from 8am until 3pm, followed with Lunch, Afternoon Tea, Bar Food, Sushi and Dinner menus available until late in the evening.
Breakfasts at SOCIAL HOUSE are a popular choice for nearby office workers- and can be ordered either as sets , or a la carte from the menu. Favourites include EGGS BENEDICT (see photo below); SEASONAL FRUIT PLATTER– a light & healthy option served with tofu and yoghurt; and “OLD TIME FAVOURITES” of two eggs, baked beans, bacon, sausage & hash.
The SUSHI menu offers a selection of rolls, nigiri and sashimi, and small plates of seafood based dishes.
EGGS BENEDICT OVER BUTTER ROASTED RUSTIC BREAD– with natural cooked ham and melted mozzarella
The Bar Food Menu features selections of authentic TAPAS dishes, PIZZAS, and SOCIAL HOUR SETS.
The Entrees Menu dishes are categorised under EAST and WEST, with an extensive selection under each category. EAST includes Rice & Noodle dishes such as PAD THAI; UDON with slow braised beef; and CURRY RAMEN. Other highlights- STIR FRIED CRISPY JOHN DORY fish with sweet & sour sauce; LAMB SHANK with thick red curry sauce on lemongrass and garlic mashed potato; and WAGYU BEEF SATAY served with home made peanut sauce.
The WEST offers up dishes ranging from GOURMAND PIZZAS, PASTAS, and Entrees such as OVEN ROASTED BARRAMUNDI served with black olives tapenade and sun dried cherry tomato; CRISPY PORK BELLY over sauteed white beans and sage; and WAGYU BEEF BURGER with brie, emmentaler, onion rings, fried eggplant, rocket, sun dried tomato and Social House special sauce & fries.
PIZZA GOURMAND- Peking Duck, green onion, cucumber, fresh chilli and hoison sauce
A large selection of delectable Desserts tempt even the the strongest willpower- CARROT & MIXED NUTS CAKE layered with cream cheese frosting; AMERICAN CHOCOLATE CAKE with gourmet Valrhona chocolate; and BELGIAN WAFFLE ROYALE- topped with caramelized banana vanilla and chocolate ice cream, egg roll & chocolate sauce.
VANILLA AND ALMOND GELATO– with fresh cream affogato “drowned” with frangelico & espresso coffee
SOCIAL HOUSE- Restaurant.Bar.Winepost
Address: Grand Indonesia Shopping Town, East Mall- 1st Floor, Jl M.H. Thamrin No.1, Jakarta 10310. Indonesia
Reservations: + 62.21.2358 1818
Opening Hours:
Daily 08:00 am ~ 01:00 am
Restaurant kitchen– Sunday – Thursday 08:00 am ~ 10:30 pm
Friday & Saturday & PH 08:00 am ~ 12:00 midnight
Breakfast Menu– Monday to Friday: 08:00 am ~ 3:00 pm; Saturday & Sunday & PH: All Day
Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/socialhouse
Website: www.ismayagroup.com/socialhouse/
