Originally Posted by StarG
Never been to Lara Djonggrang, but I have to disagree about Dapur Babah, Kembang Goela, and Merah Delima.
I think it all depends on what you order, and based on what I have had at these places, they are quite good.
"Pretentious setting": Not all restaurants can have the luxury of real culture/heritage at their venues. Aren't all others pretentious anyway?
I go to Dapur Babah for the Nasi Goreng Bang Samin, the Lumpia Semarang, and Ice Shanghai - not for the ambience.
Sorry G, don't agree with you there. Not all restaurants are pretentious... tell you those that are:
In terms of decor: Madelaine, heard the interior was done by this a** kissing socialite designer named Ted S*******. What was he trying to do? Replicate a french cafe in a mall? Give me a break. If that is his idea of a french cafe/bistro, may be he hasn't been to France.
In terms of food: like what you mentioned, Dapur Babah and their "Nasi Goreng Bang Samin". I mean, who the hey is Bang Samin.... sounds like my satpam
or is he that ojek guy who hangs around at Tanah Abang
? Was he ever a famous nasi goreng guy or something?
Also, to rate a restaurant for their nasi goreng is pretty lame
If you are not there for the ambience then you are probably better off getting your nasi goreng at some street side, such as the one at Jl. Erlangga (next to the garbage dump, seriously).