Originally Posted by ducati999

i begged to differ.. i always opt for a stand alone venue / non-hotel when i travel (or when i am not infact)..nothing wrong with Scusa but its just too boring, lack of character very much like any other hotel coffee shops. ..Ditto for Zigollini @ Mandarin Hotel. Here are my top picks of stand alone places to eat in Jakarta. I have lived in Jkt for 7 years and been to all the places..

for ambiance (but foodwise so so, but good for 1st timers to Indonesia)
Cafe Batavia (western and chinese), Dapur Babah (indonesian)

for chinese food
Angke Restaurant in Kota (a bit noisy) or upscale Cystal Jade (singapore chain) in BNI building

for seafood (forget ambiance .. and you need to ask local and taxi driver to find it..)
muara angke, saung greenville, sedap malam

for Japanese (plenty in Jkt, but these are the BEST!! ask any Japanese businessman)
Kho Tavern in Senayan Plaza and Ambai in Blok M

for French (new, good food and ambiance)
Emilie @ jalan senopati this is certainly my new favourite !!!