April 20th, 2017. I got invitation from Public Relation Manager at TUGU Hotels and Restaurants. I heard about their hotels and restaurants. But I’ve never went to. So, when they invited me, I think it’s my time to visit one of their restaurants. Tugu Kunstkring Paleis.
The grand historical building originally housed the Fine Arts Circle of the Dutch East Indies (Nederlandsch-Indische Kunstkring of the Dutch East Indies) and was opened on the 17 April 1914. This organization was founded for the first time on 1 April 1902 in Batavia, with the purpose to promote the practice of and the enthusiasm for the fine and decorative arts of the Indies. This building had various functions, as it stayed faithful to its mission to promote anything related to the arts. It featured various creative arts between 1934 and 1939 as well as world-class masterpieces of Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Paul Gauguin, Marc Chagall and the likes. One of the wings of this building also housed a very popular café that sold fine food and wine, known as Stam en Weynes.
When I stepped inside, I was stunned. Elegant and mysterious atmosphere with dim lights all around the place. I came for dinner so it’s already dark outside. There were some foreigners came for the gallery, and some people came for dinner too, like me. I took some photos but not much, because it’s too dark. It’s a beautiful place, indeed.
In April 2013, this legendary building of Bataviasche Kunstkring has been reopened under the name the TUGU KUNSTKRING PALEIS, and brought back to life by Tugu Hotels & Restaurants Group. Without changing the beautiful palatial architecture, Tugu has breathed in new life into the building through majestic interiors, filling it with a vast collection of beautiful artworks, in creating an atmosphere that represents Tugu’s mission: the art, soul and romance of Indonesia. The Tugu Kunstkring Paleis is a proud center of art exhibitions, as well as other events with high appreciation to the beauty of arts and history. It also houses a large event space with the capacity up to 1000 people, a gallery/shop that features beautiful artworks, jewels, lifestyle products and other design items, a fine restaurant, a grand elegant lounge as well as a tea house.
The Traditional Grand Rijsttafel (translated as the Rice Table) featured in each property of the Tugu Hotels & Restaurants Group, portrays the sumptuous social feast that used to be celebrated by the Dutch plantation lords when they hosted their honorable guests, starting from around the 1910s. The Grand Rijsttafel is a display of the richness of the spices that grew in Indonesia as well as the culinary arts of the indigenous people, as seen from the many different flavors which were all brought together to make the one elaborate Rijsttafelmeal.
Grand Rijsttafel Betawi of Tugu Kunstkring Paleisis usually served in the ‘Ruang Diponegoro’, with a capacity of 85 seats. The waiters, uniformed in Betawi circa 1910 style, present the dishes in the artistic ‘pikulan-pikulan’ Betawi. This ceremonial dining is enlivened by musicians who usually perform the festive, traditional music of the ‘Ondel-Ondel Betawi’, a pair of colorful giants characteristic of old Jakarta street parade.
Mineral Water
MAIN COURSE
Tahoe Telor 68k
Crispy fried tofu with eggs served with sweet soya lime kaffir
One of the best tahoe telor I’ve ever tried. Tasted delicious with sweet flavour dan rich texture. The fried tofu was delicate and well-seasoned. The combination of the spices were also amazing. It’s delightful and I still craving at it when I was already at home. I think I will be back for this tahoe telor. Funny thing, the PR Manager ordered it one for himself because he loved it so much. Hmmm.. I wish I could help him finish the dish hahahahaha..
Duivelse Kip (Ayam Setan) 98k
Attention – for lovers of hot food only: aromatic roasted chicken dressed with a sauce dominated with fresh chilis, dried chillies, green curry mustard and tomatoes
Duivelse Kip means Devilish Chicken. It’s Dutch language. It meant to be very spicy *like the devil?* hahaha. It’s a good thing that they ordered this dish less spicy. The chicken was tender and delicate. And I love the skin hahahaha.. Sinful enough.
Sayoer Boentjis met Udang Api-api en Telor Asin 68k
Sauteed green bean, shrimp, sweet corn with crispy salted egg
Not really my favourite, but it’s pretty good. The Udang Api-api was crunchy with appetizing flavour. I love green beans. It’s also crunchy texture with sweet flavour. I was hypnotized by the tahoe telor, that’s why this was my last option LOL.
DESSERT
Kue Pancong with Coconut Ice Cream 58k
Fried savoury coconut cake – A National betawi traditional cake coconut top with young coconut ice cream
My childhood’s dessert. My Dad was always brought this home when he went to traditional market. Of course this was different from those traditional kue pancong. It’s more classy with additional delicious ice cream. Recommended!
Apelflappen 58k
Crispy apple pannekoek with cinnamon and vanilla ice cream
I never liked apple, but this one was quite good. Crumbly texture. Sweet. Tender. Delicate. Love the texture for sure. And love the puff pastry. Perfect.
Poffertjes 58k
Small puffed cakes served with tropical fruit compote and crusted hazelnuts
This was my favourite. Delicate texture of the puff cakes mixed with crunchy texture of the hazelnuts. Tasted very very delightful.
Poffertjes (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈpɔfərcəs] are a traditional Dutch batter treat. Resembling small, fluffy pancakes, they are made with yeast and buckwheat flour. Unlike American pancakes, they have a light, spongy texture. Typically, poffertjes are served with powdered sugar and butter, and sometimes syrup or advocaat.
Thank you Tugu Kunstkring Paleis for the delicious dinner. And I had fun watching the Grand Rijsttafel Betawi. Cool!
Tugu Kunstkring Paleis
Jl. Teuku Umar No.1
Gondangdia, Menteng
Jakarta
Phone: +62 21 3900899
IG: @kunstkring
