Blog - nya Nemot

Itasuki

When we first step in to this restaurant located at Pluit,it smelled of newness. The building has clear signs of hassled finishing, which lessened the elegance ambience it tried to create through its minimalist interior design.The place was clean though, with large water-veiled windows, the aura is cool and pleasant. Their rest-rooms are adequate. This restaurant is managed by 'Blue Sky' hotel in Balikpapan, and you can book the hotel from here.
Apparently we came rather early, the attendants were still in briefing. We get the impression they're inexperienced . One waitress attended us in a pitched, almost shrilly voice. When waited, one of them are fidgeting and keep on walking to and fro, causing distractions. Many of them even gossipped rather too merrily on dimsum corners, seemed like they're not too organized. They also get one of them dressed in a rather open thai-style not too pretty party dress, not a suitable outfit for sunny afternoon lunch.
We chose to order 'suki steamboat' with tom yam broth. Varieties of dumplings, seafood, and vegetables are on displays. Not too many choices though, you can easily find one of the choice on any street-side 'Mr Celup' tents, and every plate counts. Among them are 'prut ikan' or fish-belly, fish glue, salmon ball, sausages,seaweed roll prawn and fish noodles. We were rather surprised when told that we have to take the vegetables-plate (if you don't eat it, you'll still have it charged to your bill), but even more startled to find out that the modest set consists of cabbage and chinese vermicelli cost us 22000 rupiahs,which was more expensive than any other steamboat choice, which ranges from 9000 to 20000 rupiah per plate, with 4 to 6 pieces each plate. But the tom-yam broth and its dipping sauce is extra-ordinary, with strong tang of lime. It really awakened your senses. But those with high gastric acids or weak stomach should pay extra attention.
We tried their specialty : durian-spring roll,sweet, creamy and melt in your mouth, wrapped in crispy breadcrumbs. It's a new interesting way to enjoy the 'king of fruits'. Their mango salad is mediocre, very similar to our 'rujak'.
If there is something real good about this place, it's their beverages. They offer variety of juices, coffee, floats, smoothies and even bubble tea. Their Thai-Iced Coffee is fresh and strong. Their Kahlua Frappucino is also satisfactory.
Generally, their prices are reasonable, except for the compulsory vegetable set. We rate them 6.5 of 10.

posted by Nemot @ 12:20 PM