July 4th, 2012
The latest addition to the range of luxury hotels in Jakarta, Keraton at The Plaza is an impressive expression of contemporary opulence juxtaposed within the heritage of traditional Javanese culture and design. The intimately scaled property of 140 rooms and suites is ensconced within a newly built tower in the commercial and diplomatic heart of Jakarta. A member of The Luxury Collection– a global assemblage of more than 80 iconic and distinguished hotels and resorts – Keraton at The Plaza takes its name from the Javanese word “keraton” which translates as “palace”. The hotel also is directly adjacent to one of the premier shopping malls in Jakarta- Plaza Indonesia– providing convenient access to superb shopping and entertainment experiences.
The culinary and drink options within Keraton at The Plaza feature the Keraton Lounge ( see separate review article here) on the ground floor entrance level, and the Bengawan Signature Restaurant on the 7th floor. The chefs at Bengawan specialise in serving an authentic Indonesian cuisine, combining daily buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an A La Carte menu that features both Indonesian dishes and International selections. In addition to the sumptuous buffets, Bengawan also features an extensive selection of fine wines that can be enjoyed either at the wine bar counter, or with table service. The bar is also serving the signature cocktails of the Keraton Lounge- with the garden terrace offering a pleasant environment to enjoy a late afternoon cocktail whilst absorbing the sweeping views of downtown Jakarta.
Buffet stations are located in the centre of the main dining room.
The restaurant occupies an expansive space with both indoor and outdoor dining areas. With full height windows down the entirety of one side, and across the front of the outdoor terrace, the interior has a bright and airy spaciousness during the day.
The contemporary interior decor has been done in natural, earthy tones, with marble floors and counters, light and dark timbers, and glass table tops. Traditional style earthenware containers showcase the Indonesian dishes. The soft cushions provide splashes of colour to contrast with the natural tones, with colorful flower beds along the window ledges contributing to the relaxed, natural atmosphere. The dining area is broken up into several different zones, with a more casual setting in the area at the front of the space that opens onto the outdoor terrace.
Elegant contemporary table settings and furnishings line the length of the room- with views over central Jakarta
Tables at an inner section of the main dining room
The marble and timber bar counter and wine display at the far end of the main dining room space. The rear wall features an impressive timber panel, intricately carved in the traditional Javanese style.
The wine selection includes many premier imported wines
A more casual “garden” section of the dining space which opens onto an outdoor terrace
As an all-day dining restaurant, Bengawan serves up different buffet selections for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The buffets showcase the finest in authentic Indonesian cuisine, with individual dishes representing recipes and spices indigenous to the myriad of distinctive regions within the Indonesian archipelago. Western and other Asian cuisines are also represented in the buffet selections- with grills, Japanese sashimi and sushi, and a table-side carvery trolley serving premium cuts of meat.
Featured dishes on the A La Carte Menu include Signature Indonesian dishes such as Appetizers of Gado Gado– local vegetables, tofu, boiled egg, crackers and peanut sauce; and Sate Campur– grilled sticks of marinated chicken, beef, prawn, rice cake, pickles and peanut sauce. Signature mains include Bebek Goreng- half marinated fried duck, sambal goreng, steamed rice; and Pindang Udang- jumbo prawn stew, pineapple, steamed rice. Indonesian desserts further tempt diners- with local home cooked favourites such as Warm Bubur Gerundul Pisang– steamed sweet banana, rice dumpling, sago pearls, coconut milk, palm sugar; and Keraton es Pudding Tepe Ketan– sweet glutinous rice, pudding, young coconut, jackfruit, longan, condense milk.
Selection of freshly baked breads
The buffet selections include fresh seafoods, sushi and sashimi
The Indonesian buffet dishes are served from traditional style ceramic containers
From the Indonesia cuisine buffet selections- Ikan Rica Rica (L)- Yellow Spicy Fish is the speciality from Manado, North Sulawesi; and Ayam Saos Mentega (R)- Butter Fried Chicken with local spices.
Pan Fried Foie Gras- Caramelized apple, toasted brioche, macadamia nuts. Appetizer selection from the A La Carte Menu.
Iga Bakar- Grilled premium spare ribs, served with konro broth, sambal balado and steamed rice. Indonesian Signature dish from the A La Carte Menu.
The carvery is served directly from trolleys at the table side
Signature Cocktails
Kiwi Pohpohan Mojito- Silver Rum, Indonesian lime with fresh crushed kiwi mint, local pohpohan leaf over crushed ice
Pasundan Fashioned- Crushed Indonesian pohpohan leaf and beetroot, bourbon, fresh local pineapple, fresh lime and honey
Bengawan Restaurant – Keraton at The Plaza, Jakarta
Address: Jln M H Thamrin, Kav 15, Jakarta 10350. Indonesia
Enquiries: + 62.21. 506 800000
Opening Hours: Daily
Breakfast– 06:00 am ~ 10:00 am
Lunch– 11:30 am ~ 3:00 pm
Dinner– 6:00 pm ~ 11:00 pm
Dress Code: Smart casual
Website: luxurycollection.com/keraton
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/keratonattheplazajakarta
