July 23rd, 2012
Bluegrass Bar & Grill has generated a considerable buzz in the Jakarta dining and nightlife scene since it opened in October 2011. Occupying a prominent street level corner space in the Epicentrum complex of the Kuningan business area, Bluegrass is conveniently located and offers ample off-street parking. The concept behind Bluegrass is to serve a primarily American “country-style” grill menu with high quality ingredients and generous proportions- all at reasonable prices. Also boasting reputably the longest bar in Jakarta- a behemoth spanning 22 metres across the back of the large room- Bluegrass embraces the contemporary cocktail culture with a large selection of classic and creative cocktail concoctions. Bluegrass is enjoying a robust popularity, and even with seating capacity for around 200 diners, the restaurant is fully booked on many nights, and bookings are definitely recommended.
The layout for Bluegrass features an external timber deck area that is mostly under cover, but with a completely open air section at the front of the building that incorporates an outdoor barbeque grill. An expansive interior space includes several dining sections, the enormous long bar at the rear, and a pastry and coffee counter in the centre of the entrance area. The contemporary decor features predominantly timber flooring, and a multi-hued timber paneled ceiling. Raw stone work is utilised on internal walls and the facing of the main bar counter to compliment the timber finishes and create a warm, natural-looking interior that has both a stylish simplicity of form, and a casual, relaxed atmosphere.
The large open kitchen is prominent in the far corner of the room- adjacent to which is a glass faced “rib room” where the uncooked specialty of the restaurant- baby back ribs- are showcased and prepared for grilling. Above the kitchen serving counters large blackboards illustrate the cuts of meat available from the grill.
The kitchen is specialising in American style grilled meats- with the signature dish of Bluegrass being their Baby Back Ribs. Other popular grilled meat dishes include Lamb Shanks; 200 gram Tenderloin and 250 gram Sirloin; and a massive 1kg Rib-eye “in bone”. Burgers are also a menu highlight. The other American style dishes range from salads to grilled seafoods and chicken, sausages, and a “Bluegrass Sampler” menu of 80 gm portions of steaks, fish, sausages and chicken. Some selections of local cuisine are available- highlighted by Bluegrass Oxtail ; Bluegrass Crazy Rice; and Pork Belly over Rice.
The Dessert selections are another feature of the menu with an enticing variety of sweets to further challenge the appetites of diners.
Apart from the American grills, the massive bar is the other main attraction at Bluegrass. Serving an extensive selection of cocktails, premium spirits and beers, the bar is a popular spot to hangout for some late evening drinks. Resident DJs add their tunes to give the bar and restaurant an upbeat buzz later in the nights. There is a daily Happy Hour promotion on the buckets of Stark beers, and also special deals on dessert wines to pair with the desserts. Sunday Breakfasts have recently been added to the promotions- with hearty breakfasts served from 8am to 11am.
The distinctive facade of Bluegrass features a stone wall, natural timbers and full height glass
The main entrance to Bluegrass- via an enormous pivoting glass & timber doorway
The interior – contemporary style with dark timber flooring and exposed ceiling beams, stone and stainless steel bar counter
The main dining section of the restaurant overlooks the external streetscape through full height glass
Another dining section at the kitchen end of the room includes high-backed leather banquettes, and a centrepiece large solid timber table
View down the raw stone faced bar from the kitchen end of the room
The large open kitchen with blackboard illustrations of meat cuts
Outdoor tables on the covered terrace
The impressive stone faced, stainless steel topped bar counter- runs a full 22 metres across the back wall of the restaurant space- reputably the longest bar in Jakarta.
From the bar-
White Cosmo : The real version of the cosmopolitan, ketel one vodka, triple sec and fresh lime juice. Shaken hard with a hint of cranberry served with a flamed orange zest.
Jak City Cooler : fresh grapes muddled with watermelon puree, vanila syrup and shaken with lime juice
The Haka : Fresh strawberry and blueberries crushed in kiwi syrup, shaken vigorously and topped with soda water
Menu highlights-
Signature Appetizer: Puff Pastry Brie with Blueberry Sauce – Baked brie cheese wrapped in puff pastry, served with blueberry sauce
Bluegrass Signature dish- Baby Back Ribs- served with mashed potato, choice of sauce- Bluegrass original or bbq
Some other dishes from the menu-
Selected Appetizers: Steak Salad- Mixed green salad tossed in a lime vinaigrette dressing, topped with grilled sirloin; Margarita Grilled Shrimp- Tequila marinated grilled prawns, served with fruit salsa and toasted; & Buffalo Wings- Fried chicken served with blue cheese dip and a choice of flavor –medium, mild, hot, killer or bbq.
Selected Mains- (Top L to R clockwise) : Lobster Tail– Grilled lobster tail, serve with butter sauce; Bluegrass Crazy Rice– Stir fry beef meatballs, diced chicken breast, and beef sausage, on a bed of buttered rice, served with shrimp crackers, and quail eggs skewer; Plank Salmon– Salmon, oven baked on a smoke flavor plank, serve with roasted potato and vegetables; & Grilled Lamb Shank- Roasted potatoes, watercress salad and soy dipping sauce.
Desserts- Devil’s Food Cake -A rich chocolate layer cake, topped with vanilla frosting; Granny’s Apple Pie– A double crust pie with apple and spices filling, topped with vanilla ice cream; & Brownies.
Bluegrass Bar & Grill- Jakarta
Address: Marketing Gallery Building, Komplek Rasuna Epicentrum, Jl. HR Rasuna Said, Kuningan 12940. Indonesia
Reservations: + 62. 21. 2994 1660
Website: www.bluegrassjakarta.com
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/bluegrassjkt
Twitter: @bluegrassBnG
Opening Hours:
Monday- Sunday 11:00 am till 02:00 am
Happy Hour- Daily 3:00 pm ~ 7:00 pm Beer only- Buy 4 Stark get 1 Free
Sunday Breakfast – 08:00 am ~ 11:00 am
Selected food photos courtesy of venue
