Getting back together at Union Jakarta

Last Saturday, My family and I went to this well-known restaurant in Plaza Senayan, Union. Almost every youngster in Jakarta would know this restaurant, for this restaurant is famous for its decadently delicious Red Velvet cake. Anyway,  we made a reservation at 12 o'clock for lunch there and we arrived at 11.53 AM, which was amazing for us considering the place is far from my home and the notorious traffic in Jakarta. As soon as we arrived there, the waiter  usher us to our pre-booked table and hand us our menu. It took us quite a long time in deciding what to order because our parents did not understand about the menu (it was in English), so we were busy in helping them reading the menu (children obligation?). 

When we already placed our order, my big brother and I immediately went to the cake counter to order the famed Red Velvet cake, because the cake often ran out due to its popularity. We asked the waitress to send the cake for dessert. When we went back to our table, the waiter immediately served us two complimentary bread basket and butter, followed with Deep-fried breaded Calamari with Tomato sauce and Tartar sauce that we ordered for appetizer. My second brother also ordered a bowl of Cream of Mushroom soup for him..alone..

The free complimentary bread, nice the bread was soft enough for my preference.

Deep-fried Breaded Calamari served with Tomato Sauce and Tartar Sauce (Rp. 50,000,-). Delicious, though I had no idea why they put some fried chili with the calamari.

Mushroom Soup with Truffled Ravioli (Rp. 65,000,-). It does looks like soapy water, I know right? Tastes just right though the ravioli tastes like pita bread for us.

When we finished tackling the calamari, Dad's Wagyu's cheek fried rice arrived, and it does looks appetizing and the portion is HUGE. My dad however, did not like his fried rice because according to him, the wagyu tasted too raw. Well, since I did not tasted any of his fried rice I could not make any comment on it taste..

Wagyu Cheek Fried Rice with Egg and Chili jam (Rp. 105,000,-) 

Then my big bro's creamy mushroom spaghetti is served. He said this pasta is his favourite menu in Union, and he usually asked the kitchen to add some pork crackling to his pasta. When his dish arrived however, he was confused because instead of pork crackling that he ordered, the cook add some pork cracker (kerupuk babi) . The taste is good though, not too creamy and seasoned just enough. 

Roasted Mushroom Spaghetti with White Truffle Cream and additional Pork Cracker (Rp. 70,000,-)

My second brother ordered a Filet Mignon for his lunch that day, I found it weird because He usually doesn't eat beef, I guess United States has changed him eh? Anyway, he picked Au Jus sauce and mashed potato to accompany his meat, and he told me that it was delicious.

Grilled Angus Filet Mignon with Seared Foie Gras and Black Truffle Jus (Rp. 295,000,-)

My little sister ordered Crispy Salmon accompanied with fries on the side for her lunch (which what I should ordered, more on that later). Her salmon was delicious, juicy and cooked perfectly with pinkish colour in the middle and crispy skin which she loathed (such a waste right?). The fries however is mediocre though, more salt would boost it to another level.

Crispy Skin Salmon with Fries, Orange and Ginger Soy (Rp. 135,000,-)

The lunch special, BBQ-glazed Grilled Chicken was my mom's dish that day, served with truffled creamed corn, roasted vegetable and coleslaw. I had a bite on her chicken, and it was not bad. The chicken was juicy enough and well seasoned. 

BBQ-glazed Chicken with Truffle Creamed Corn, Roasted Vegetable and Coleslaw (Rp. 95,000,-)

My dish came last, and I can only tell you this..it was...DISAPPOINTING. The portion was small and the side dish was really really small. The price was EXPENSIVE and not to mention the fish was half RAW on the bottom, smells FISHY and DISGUSTING (I had to sent back the fish to the kitchen to have it cooked again). I can't believe that I spent Rp 250000,- on this Grilled Japanese Hamachi. To other reader who is planning to visit this restaurant, please do not repeat my mistake by ordering this food, I was traumatized by this food. I used to loves fish the most, and this food almost changed that.

Grilled Japanese Hamachi Loin & Belly served with Fennel Pollen and Roasted Vegetable (Rp. 250,000,-)

We were already full when we finished our food (For my case, I was disgusted). But we still managed to demolished the two cake that we ordered, Red Velvet cake and Cheese cake though with struggles and we fought to decide which one of us that must finish the cake. I finally understand why people loves the Red Velvet cake here. The cake was moist and soft, the almond was crunchy and the cream cheese wasn't overpowering the cake. I should have ordered a WHOLE cake of this...The Cheese cake was OK, though it did not leave any deep impression on me (we ordered this cake due to our little sister demand, all hail the princess).

Red Velvet Cake (Rp. 55,000,-)

Cheese Cake (Rp. 55,000,-)

We leave the restaurant with full stomach and empty wallet. I ordered a slice of Carrot Banana Cake that was also famous for takeaway (I didn't capture any photo of it, as it was messy the time we got home, not pretty). I would say I prefer this cake over the Red Velvet cake because..dude, I loveeee Carrot Cake...

Intermezzo, just me trying to get reconnect with blogging

Hi guys, so basically I know that I've left my blog since 2011 I guess? that would be almost 2 years by no..So, I know it is kinda surprising that I'm starting to write a new post, however since I have this sudden urge and passion to write again in my blog and here I am !

tadaa, this is me after approximately 2 years, so much difference eh?

Firstly, let me update you with my personal information, because..well, 2 years has almost passed already, I guess there are a lot of things that changed about me eh? As you can see, I wrote my last post in Malaysia where I finished my 1 year of foundation there (CIMP, Canadian International Matriculation Program) at Sunway University. I graduated from there in July 2012 with honor, Thank God (though I still don't know why)

Gosh, I miss the feeling when I put on those robe and those hat, it made me feel so AWESOME

I was supposed to attend university right after that, but my mother however told me to go to China to study Chinese there, hence I went to Shanghai and studied Chinese in SISU (Shanghai International Studies University) for a year.

This is the landmark of Shanghai, the Oriental Pearl Tower or also known as Pudong tower

It was quite a tough year for me as I've never learned any chinese before and yet there I was, stranded in China, with people who speak something that I didn't understand at all. Thank God he sent me a companion who have been my best friend during my senior year in Jakarta, who now is my boyfriend *blushing* to accompany me to embark on our adventurous journey in Shanghai (more like culinary journey, trust me, the food there is AMAZING)

Shanghai's most famous food, xiaolongbao (小笼包)  or soup dumpling. Basically it is a dumpling filled with pork meat and gelatinized pork broth that will burst when you bite it. Soooo Gooooooood. You can get these little angel with (usually) 5 元 for 8 pieces. Trust me, the food here in China is so cheap and delicious!!


Damn, that was quite an explanation to explain 2 years gap right? Anyway I'm going to start my university year in United...wait for it... States, United States!!  at San Francisco! and I'm leaving on this July 31. Which major am I going to take? well I don't know that for sure right now..I however am thinking about becoming a dermatologist. So let us all crosses our fingers and wish me a good luck !!

Meet My New Camera

Let us give our respect to my former camera, Canon EOS 500d. Kidding, nothing happened to the camera, I just gave it to my brother. Anyway, like I'd told you guys on the last post, I just bought a camera on my holiday. Now I do remember that I've mentioned about the planning to buy Canon G12. Well, forgive me for my uncertainty, apparently the ghost of marketing got into me, and so I was persuaded to buy this camera instead.

Messing Around at The Starbucks

It's at the airport while waiting for my flight to Malaysia

Enjoying My Only Order in Starbucks

Pop Quiz - What is it? (clue - it's not a coffee)

*Answer at the end of the post

The truth here, it was kinda awkward for me to use the camera as it was to computerized unlike any ordinary SLR camera. But, I'm starting to get a hang on it, so please do bear with me throughout the journey of my really-really-poor photography skill.

My Headphones

I like the message here - " It All Begins With a Dream "

*Pop quiz answer : It's a Green Tea Latte, infused with Skimmed milk. Yes, I prefer skimmed milk than whole milk as I found the milk fragrance was too strong, also to cut some fat here right? However, here in Malaysia you can't have it with skimmed milk, so I prefer to go with Soya milk. Which one is better? For soya milk, it thicken as it getting colder, however great taste. But, if you prefer it to be thin and mild taste, just have it with skimmed milk. You can never goes wrong