a Weekend Trip To Semarang, Jawa Tengah (Central Java)

Heylloo…

Miss me much? haha, It has been two weeks since my last post, sorry about that, I got caught up with a weekend getaway and my daytime work.

So, Two weeks ago, on 3-5 October 2014, I was invited to a friend’s wedding in Semarang. It was my 2nd time to be in Semarang. First time, the impression was quiet strong, but little did I have memory about my previous trip. The strong impression was Semarang’s special spring rolls. You wanted to know why it leaves a strong impression? It is because its aroma!! man, it stinks so much!!

Spring Roll in Semarang, use Bamboo Shoots as one of its ingredients.

So.. Back to my trip to Semarang, man… It was quire a close call!! I almost miss my flight due to miscalculation of time duration it takes to reach Airport, luckily for me, the flight was delayed. Phew…

I was on a Garuda Indonesia’s flight from Jakarta to Semarang, the trip was about 45 minutes, I think.

I quite enjoy my trip with Garuda Indonesia, first of all, it has a spacious seating arrangement, compare to other domestic flights. I usually travels with Lion Air for many of my Domestic Trip.

After 45 minutes, I arrived in Semarang, and was greeted by people from Horizon Hotel (the hotel that provided to accommodate my friend’s wedding guests). And met with two other people who were supposed to attend that wedding as well, so new friends.

We were supposed to attend a Midodareni, but we were too late, so we headed straight to Hotel, instead. Midodareni, from what I know is a party from woman’s side before a wedding day. It is one of Javanese customs.

Then Come the food adventure….

Eat Out Loud Review

Good Evening Fellow Fooders,

I know it is very late already but I just got the time to write a short review about day one at Eat Out Loud – Brick City by @ilovebazaarjkt held in Grand Indonesia Shopping Town.

When you are at the entrance, you can see that on there are many shops in front of you but on your other sides there are many delicious dishes and drinks await for you. It is up to you to decide where you want to go first.

Entrance to Eat Art Loud Bazaar

Eat Art Loud Brochure and Map

For me, I decided to go to Culinary section first, as I wanted to greet a friend of mine that opens a stand there.

Then together with my friends, we decided to start at shops section to look around.

There are many shops around the bazaar but not as many as culinary stands. Variety of products are sold such as Cushions , Tattoos, Mugs, 3D printings, cute soaps, Necklaces, Shoes, imported snacks and many more.

In my opinion, most culinary stands stand out more than those of shops.

So many food I wanted to try but what can I do?!! As I mentioned a person tummy can only fit so much…

First, I decided to try a low fat milk (20k) by Crunch Melt,

Yakult Low Fat Milk by Crunchy Melt

I chose a Yakult flavour low fat milk. As was mentioned by one of the sellers, It is a low fat milk that contains cereal.

She forgot to mention that it is High in Sugar! It was quite sweet for me, I was expecting for a low fat and less sugar, because shouldn’t low fat supposed to be healthy? too sweet does not seem healthy for me.

On top of being sweet, I didn’t taste any yakult flavour at all. I tasted milk flavour and a hint of yakult, some sort of fruit bits  , what I thought were fruit bits were actually cereal that  already swollen up and there are cereals residue at the bottom of the bottle.

I checked out on their website: Crunchy Melt , it seems that their specialty is pannacotta (a crunchy one at that), maybe that could be a reason why the milk drink was not too special, yet.

Then I move on to the next stand, and met, Nachos Nandutos (@nachostutupmerah).

Nachos Tutup Merah

Our first encountered was at Summer Pop Bazaar at Lippo Kemang. At that time by friend’s recommendation I tried Nachos’ sample and it tasted unexpectantly good. I was only able to taste bits of nachos at that time because they sold out. This time round, I got to buy a snack size (35k) to enjoy… and the salsa sauce still taste yummy! Some people like to have that salsa sauce top with cheese dip.

I then walk a few steps further and found a uniquely looking Ice cream cone by Yikon Ice cream @yi.kon .

Yi-kon Ice Cream

Why is so unique about it? Cones are usually shaped like, well…, a cone. but here at Yikon Ice cream, there are three different shapes.

You can choose whether you want it to be a J, U or a V, it is up to you! and there are four different flavours: Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry and Matcha.

But at the time of my purchase, the only flavours left were Vanilla and Strawberry. I chose a U shaped cone and try with Vanilla flavour on one side and Strawberry on the other.

So I thought what so hard in producing such an Ice cream that it took them sometime (about 5 minutes?), it came out to be a pretty cute looking ice cream.

And the ice cream was not only on the cone but it is IN the U shaped Cone just like any other ice cream cone you purchased. I don’t know how they did it, but it is in it.

U shaped Ice Cream by Yikon Ice Cream

Then came another friend of mine, so we decided to once again stroll around the bazaar.

When I first arrived at Eat Art Loud, I saw Ichitori’s stand and said to myself: “I will definitely getting some today”.

I first saw @ichitori_id at Summer Pop Bazaar at Lippo Kemang but then, it was also one of sold out items.

I purchased a crunchy Chicken and Mushroom (20k) topped with Sesame sauce and Chili flakes. Unfortunately, I was not careful enough when I was paying for my crunchy bits and ended up knocking it off the table and scattered it all over the floor. As the crunchy chicken and mushroom fell on to the floor, so did my heart (man, there goes my 20k…). Luckily for me though, the owner was quite a nice person, and she said that she would give me another serving. At first I heard it was 28k per serving, but I gave 30k and got a 10k change and a new serving of crunchy Chicken & Mushroom. Thanks @ichitori_id for your kindness.

Crunchy Chicken & Mushroom by Ichitori

To sum up, Inside, chicken was crunchy and yet tender but, what I love most is that crunchy mushroom! Crispy on the outside and soft & juicy in the middle.

* I did not get a chance to take a picture of today’s purchased from @ichitori_id so I used the picture I took before during Europhia Bazaar at Central Park Mall.

Let’s move on to my friend’s purchased.

Mocha Mochi

Thanks to my friend, I got to try this Ovomaltine mochi sold by Mocha Mochi

The mochi was soft, got a hint of flavour (I ate a green one and there was a melon taste on the dough) and do I need to further explain about Ovomaltine? Ok, I’ll do so; I put whole mochi into my mouth as it was small, then I bite it, chew it, Ovomaltine melt into my mouth and there were crunchy bits of Ovomaltine that pop in you mouth when you bite on it. There you go.

Ovomaltine Mochi

Then we continue on. we arrived at Elicxir Gelato stand. My friend knew one of the owner there, so we got a free sample. we got to try two flavours: Coffee and Oreo. I prefer Oreo to Coffee (I want stronger coffee flavour, now is not strong enough and a bit too sweet) flavour.

Coffee & Oreo flavoured Ice Cream by Elicxir Gelato

My personal favourite flavours from Elicxir are Avocado brulee and once I tried i think it was a combination of Taro and Genmaicha (but this one I only tried once at that time where Elicxir opening at Plaza Indonesia).

I then purchased juices from Daily Press Juice , Sunrise Glow, Sand Dunes, Morning Dew (3 for 100k).

Morning Dew is the first one that I drank. Its content: Romaine Lettuce, Celery, Apple, Lemon and Ginger.

All I tasted was Strong flavour of Celery and a hint of Ginger. Not a big fan of raw celery, I do not really like the taste of this juice. As for two other flavours, I have yet to try them but it should taste much better. It is real juice no added sugar nor water as the texture of this juice looked very thick.

Sand Dunes and Sunrise Glow by Daily Press Juice

Sunrise Glow: Peach, Pineapple, Orange, Banana, Lemon.

Sand Dunes: Avocado, Banana, Cocoa Powder, Fresh low fat milk (might be good to start my morning).

And, that’s a wrap for our visit in Eat Out Loud day 1. Though there are many more that I want to eat. I will just have to buy them at different bazaar as I won’t be able to go to this bazaar for day 2 and 3 as I will spend a weekend away from Jakarta.

Hope that you all will have a great weekend and for those who have yet to come and enjoy Eat Art Loud bazaar, come let your taste buds enjoy variety of foods and drinks.

Eat Art Loud – Brick City

2 – 5 October 2014

Grand Indonesia Shopping Town

Eat Art Loud – Grand Indonesia

Eat Art Loud @ Grand Indonesia West Mall Lt. 5

“Eat Art Loud” – Culinary and Food Bazaar by @ilovebazaarjkt

Hey there!

From today till sunday, yes thats a three days festive, 2 – 5 October, you can enjoy a variety of foods and shop a lot of things only in Eat Art Loud by @ilovejakartabazaajkt.

Eat Art Loud – Brick City At Grand Indonesia Shopping Town

Since it is a bazaar I’m pretty sure you will get yourself (and others that come along with you) a very special deal from many participated stands.

For those who are leisurely or working around Thamrin and Sudirman particularly, you can head up to Grand Indonesia Level 5, to grab a lunch or maybe dinner, after an exhausting work day, just to freshen up.

Apart from food, beverage and shops there will be events as well such as Food Marathon 10 KG, Hand and Body Painting, Food and Styling Photography (maybe I should join this as well) and many others.

If you do not have time for it today, don’t worry, there is tomorrow and the weekends as the Bazaar will run from 2-5 Oct.

If you did come by today and still have not got enough of those delicious dishes and drinks or shopping, you still have your chances to come again tomorrow and the weekends as well.

And as mentioned on the poster, it seems for those who own BCA Credit Card will get themselves a better deal (15% Off Participating Brands), so don’t forget to bring along your card!

I, myself and a couple of friends will be heading down to enjoy festive foods and drinks at Eat Art Loud – Brick City this evening, so I’ll see you around!

*Hopefully will find many tasty foods and cute things to buy ^^v

EAT ART LOUD – BRICK CITY by @ilovebazaarjkt

Grand Indonesia Lv. 5

Opening Hours :

2 – 5 October

Website: www.allaccessjakarta.com

Iga-Iga – “Jagonya Iga & Bebek”

So the sun has set and it is now time for dinner, rumbling tummy keep on growling…

I decided to go to Central Park Mall to grab a dinner, I walked by Iga-Iga restaurant. I have always wanted to try this restaurant but has never went in, but today, after some browsing in the afternoon, I saw a picture of Iga-Iga’s Iga meal and I decided to give it a try this evening.

On its name board what written is: “Iga-Iga Jagonya Iga & Bebek“. (Means that this restaurant’s specialty are both Ribs and Ducks)

Iga-Iga

After I seated, I look through the menu, as name suggested most items in the menu are either Iga or Bebek. As I was eating by myself, there was not much I could order.

I tried Iga instead of Bebek, and was not able to choose between Iga Penyet or Iga Rica-Rica so I ask the waitress to give a recommendation. I like to eat spicy food, so between those two Iga which is spicier? I will definitely try that.

Iga Bakar Rica-Rica (70.5k) and Baso Goreng Cobek (28.5k), those were what I had for my dinner.

Iga Bakar Rica-Rica came and it looks so tempting, specially with Sambal (Chili paste) Rica-Rica on top of it.

Whether that is Iga Bakar (grilled) or Iga Goreng (Fried), It is best to eat it while it is hot, why? because then you will feel less guilty about eating fatty meat!! And as the meat got colder, you can feel all the fat when you chew the meat (even now I still feel the oily fat on my lips).

Rica-Rica Ribs (70.5k)

At first I thought, the portion was small and there were only like two pieces of Iga, boneless. But somehow I got full while eating it. There were only 2 pieces and yet the other one was more muscles (urat-urat) rather than meat, so it was a bit hard to digest.

As for the sauce, it was not too spicy, but has pleasant aroma. I did ask one of the waitresses whether it is possible to make it any spicier but she said it isn’t possible as it was premade (but hey how hard can it be to add a few more chilies? but then maybe it can change the flavour, not only spicier but, may cause it to be less tasty? who knows).

I don’t know why but whenever I see chili paste and smell spicy chili aroma, I feel like I’m going to start drooling *Embarrassed*

Fried Meatballs (28.5k)

Let’s move on, then came Baso Goreng Cobek (Meatballs), in my opinion, these did not look very tempting. At first I thought middle of Bakso are burnt but apparently there were mince meat in meatballs.

Nothing much I can say about Baso Goreng Cobek, I think it is standard and cannot do any praising for it. Actually I got something to say: for three pieces of Baso that cost Rp. 28.500 is quite pricey

First impression: Iga-Iga has a delicious Iga meal, I cannot compare it to Leko (Another Iga specialist) yet as I did not try Iga Penyet, it might only be fair if I do try the same dish at those two places. This can be an alternative if you want to eat Iga, there are various Iga items, fried, grilled or soup and variety of Bebek items as well.

Iga-Iga

Central Park Mall

Lower Ground Level

Tanjung Duren – Jakarta Barat

Introduction to Out2Venture

Hi there,

Let’s do some introduction on Out2Venture.

You might wonder, what is Out2Venture is all about?

by definition (dictionary.com), to venture: to make or embark upon a venture; dare to go;

Out2Venture will contain information regarding a journey to find Food & Beverage and Travel .

Though the name does not suggest anything sweet or fun sounding as any other Food-related blog, doesn’t it sound like “Adventure”? (I accidentally realised this while repeated said “Out2Venture”)

Try and say it out loud “Out2Venture” =]

Delay no futher, let us get on board and ship out to go on a FunTasty adventure with Out2Venture!!

PS. I might use mixture of Indonesian and English, I’m an Indonesian Native Speaker and I spent some time abroad, so I can speak a little English, but I often do not have proper Indonesian vocabulary *embarrassed*, so it is also a learning portal for me.

Sorry for the bland page as I am new to WordPress, I’m still trying to figure out how to “decorate” this page.