Living in A Big City

In a big city like Jakarta want it or not you just fall and follow the lifestyle. During my last visit, I realised it is not cheap to live here (eventhough the income is very little). Lately a lot of people go and hangout in the "it" restaurant and cafe here. And since most of them also sell the ambience, the food doesn't come cheap eventhough they are not nice.

Out of curiosity, I went to some of these restaurant with my friends just to experience the place. And yes, they are not cheap..

Seggara
Located inside Taman Impian Jaya Ancol. This place is at the furthest end of the beach (after the Dutch cemetery). It faces the sea and from the seat outside you can see some factories near Ancol - so you better see carefully before you choose where you sit.

The food itself is good. I tried the calamari and pizza (I forgot which one) and they were nice. I don't know if I was too hungry but from my cousins comments, they were nice.

The view around sunset was nice though the sunset is not directly infront of you. The down part is only the mozzies. They will come out when it gets dark so make sure you bring your mosquito repellent when you o to this place.

Le' Bridge
Located in the same complex like Seggara, this restaurant is literally on the water. To reach the place you have to cross the bridge which is quite crowded in the evening.

I am not sure about the food since I didn't try it. I was just came across this place on my way to Seggara. Maybe next time I should try it.
* to go to both Segarra and Le' Bridge you have to pass Ancol entrance. This will cost you another Rp13,000 per person and Rp13,000 per car besides the food.

Cafe Batavia
Located in Kota Tua, North Jakarta. This cafe has "oldie" interior. Guess its location which is in the old city of Jakarta inspired the feel. Though has a western feeling, the food is a mixture of western and asian food (which I find a bit weird).

There were lots of Caucasian came to this place to have lunch or just to have a cup of tea.

For me the food wasn't so great. It is just OK. But the ambience was nice. There were lots of pictures on its wall and somehow you feel like you go back in time to the very old days of Batavia.

Social House (SoHo)
Located in Grand Indonesia shopping mall, inside Harvey Nicholls to be exact. This place is always packed after office hour since it is strategically located in Jakarta's CBD. You can see a lot of businessmen and women here. Tough the food wasn't so great (I have tasted better lasagna), its location made it a place to hang out ofter work with your colleague or just to meet your friends who work in the area.

* the pictures for SoHo was taken using my iphone since the place was too dark and I don't have external flash yet.

Bibliotheque
I guess this place is more of a bar or lounge than a restaurant. I went with my friends here during lunch but I can say even or lunch the place was great. The ambience, the food, the location was great. The food worth what you pay for and I bet the place must be nice at night. Too bad I didn't have a chance to visit during the night time.

This library like bar is located at the ground level of Sampoerna Strategic Square which is also a very unique and beautiful building. From outside the bar look like a normal bar but once you step inside the interior is very unique. A friend of mine said there even some people mistaken it as a real library.

Even the seats look like a real "Europe-kind" of library seat and yes they are heavy.