View Full Version : I recommend Pepenero
I recently discovered (Guess I can't say that as I am not the first one) Pepernero Italian restaurant in Menarya Karya on Rasuna Said.
The food is awesome, atmosphere is very nice, staff are very attentive, but not too overbearing and the price is even better.
I fed my family of 5 bule, dinner and drinks and the total cost was around 350,000 Rp. That includes a whole bunch of free stuff they bring out to you automatically before you even order.
Good price + freebies + awesome quality food = happy me and happy family!
Hombre de Maiz
07-10-09, 12:09
I, too, endorse Pepenero, which used to be called not long ago Tratoria.
Thanks Hombre...I have been there 3 times in two weeks.
Making me hungry just thinking about it.
Any of you two guys have a phone number for the restaurant? Thanks.
The number I have for them appears to be wrong. Will try and dig it out for you.
Once again, Om in central Java is jealous, about the only reason I could think of living in JKT would be for the greater variety of goods and services available...
Consultant
07-10-09, 12:37
Their main branch is next to the Citibank in Pondok Indah and their front door is about 20 meters in front of De Hooi bar, has been there for ages.
Consultant
07-10-09, 12:41
Reviews:
http://www.tripadvisor.in/Restaurant_Review-g294229-d810553-Reviews-PEPeNERO_Cucina_Italiana-Jakarta_Java.html
I have been to the one in Graha Niaga building on Sudirman as well. I didn't think it was as good and unfortunately, the owner was having a massive party there at the same time, creating a very noisy and annoying atmosphere.
Very comfy lounges at the one in Kuningan.
As for the number, the one I have, and is confirmed by the website (http://pepenerobali.com/cucinaitaliana/) is;
021 57944727
Although I have tried to call it and keep getting a message that it is not working.
I normally just turn up without a booking and they put me in the comfy lounge area for dinner.
The number I have for them appears to be wrong. Will try and dig it out for you.
Thanks. Looking for it.
Once again, Om in central Java is jealous, about the only reason I could think of living in JKT would be for the greater variety of goods and services available...
It may be an indication that it is time that you open an outlet. :)
Their main branch is next to the Citibank in Pondok Indah and their front door is about 20 meters in front of De Hooi bar, has been there for ages.
Sounds good, I also happen to be around this place when in JKT. I am always eating in the same places unfortunately when transiting in JKT and need to spice up my restaurant list.
Once again, Om in central Java is jealous, about the only reason I could think of living in JKT would be for the greater variety of goods and services available...
Tell me about it. We have sod all in Wonosobo.
Jogja is a bit better but I never have time to hunt places out when I'm there.
<makes note to spend a few days in Jakarta eating like a large haram animal>
Their main branch is next to the Citibank in Pondok Indah and their front door is about 20 meters in front of De Hooi bar, has been there for ages.
Cool! It's good to know there is a branch nearby and I don't have to spend time in traffic..hihi!
I only know their Pondok Indah branch. At the time, it was still Tratoria, (about 1 year ago) it was really good, excellent pizzas, fresh food . We used to go there or make home delivery once a week at least but... short time after they changed their name to Pepenero, I do not know what happened but it got very oily, not very tasty and not so fresh.
Most of my friends share the same opinion at least for the Pondok Indah branch, it used to be quite good indeed but unfortunately not anymore.
There is one restaurant with Asian/French food that I can really recommend for a very good value for money is KOI ! It is what we call in France a "brasserie" which could be translated as a good traditional restaurant.
I only know their Pondok Indah branch. At the time, it was still Tratoria, (about 1 year ago) it was really good, excellent pizzas, fresh food . We used to go there or make home delivery once a week at least but... short time after they changed their name to Pepenero, I do not know what happened but it got very oily, not very tasty and not so fresh.
Most of my friends share the same opinion at least for the Pondok Indah branch, it used to be quite good indeed but unfortunately not anymore.
There is one restaurant with Asian/French food that I can really recommend for a very good value for money is KOI ! It is what we call in France a "brasserie" which could be translated as a good traditional restaurant.
Thanks for the review Captain! Btw, where is KOI located and which dishes are your favorite there?
Hi Maria,
Koi have a website (http://www.koi-gallery-restaurant.com/), they have 2 branches, one is near Grand Mahakam in blok M area and another one in Kemang. I tend to prefer the food in Grand Mahakam, I believe there are also a few wine bars downtown Jakarta which serve "Koi" food but I can only remember about "Cork and Screw Wine bar" but there are probably a few others.
Well, I am French and there are a lot of French dishes such as frog legs or duck confit which are mouthwatering !!! There are some dishes that I prefer but I have never been disappointed by anything and I am pretty picky.
As I said, it is a brasserie which means that it is good food but not great food. My opinion is that if you want great food, you must go to Bali, there are a lot of great restaurants there ! One of my favorite place is Cafe Warisan which has/will shortly moved and be called "metis" (which means bi-racial in French). If you compare with Koi, food at Cafe warisan is great and much more sophisticated than what we call "a brasserie", you have a very good "foie gras" for instance, price is quite reasonnable for lunch but more expensive in the evening.
In any case, it is a VERY small fraction of what you would pay in France for similar food !
Enjoy
wow! I haven't sampled a lot of authentic french food so I will definitely give these a try. Thanks again!
Pepenero is nice. I was there around 3 times and l'ambiente era comfortabile. Yes, I also can try my Italian a bit. So, eventhough Italian food is not really my obsession...I love going there. And in addition, I once met a very cute Italian guy named Max looking at me intently, and we chatted a bit. Hehehe.. :P
Pepenero is nice. I was there around 3 times and l'ambiente era comfortabile. Yes, I also can try my Italian a bit. So, eventhough Italian food is not really my obsession...I love going there. And in addition, I once met a very cute Italian guy named Max looking at me intently, and we chatted a bit. Hehehe.. :P
I take it you are a lady, despite your name being John? Or is this your way of revealing something to us?:bounce:
I take it you are a lady, despite your name being John? Or is this your way of revealing something to us?:bounce:
Nope, I am not a lady. :bounce: And actually this is not my way of revealing something to all of you. I DID reveal it long time ago. So it's really an experience sharing.
Not to dampen anybody's spirit on an Italian restaurant but could be that I live in Italy and I've acquired the real authentic Italian taste since living here that my experience on Peppenero in Pondok Indah was that it had no taste. Good presentation but that's all for me. The same with another Italian restaurant called Toscana. Great atmosphere, great presentation but poor taste. But it's just me...so enjoy to those who appreciate it. I'd rather cook Italian at home...:).
Not to dampen anybody's spirit on an Italian restaurant but could be that I live in Italy and I've acquired the real authentic Italian taste since living here that my experience on Peppenero in Pondok Indah was that it had no taste. Good presentation but that's all for me. The same with another Italian restaurant called Toscana. Great atmosphere, great presentation but poor taste. But it's just me...so enjoy to those who appreciate it. I'd rather cook Italian at home...:).
That explains..lucky I didn't eat too many italian food when I was in Italy, so I still can enjoy Pepenero!!:lol:
That explains..lucky I didn't eat too many italian food when I was in Italy, so I still can enjoy Pepenero!!:lol:
That's a good way of putting it.
my previous boss was Italian. And he used to be chef :)
And he likes Pepenero very much.
Another restaurants he likes are the one in Plaza Senayan near the theatre area (I forgot the name, will try to find it and share here) and Il Mare, Hotel Mulia
i like trattoria in kuningan. The chef is a great person and also Italian but pepenero is still good.
my previous boss was Italian. And he used to be chef :smile:
And he likes Pepenero very much.
I bet my 2-dollar he's left Italy long time ago. I met the guy who managed Peppenero and he's Italian who used to live in the area where I presently live here in Italy and I got the impression I made him nervous. He disappeared after serving me the meal and not wanting to make small talks like at the initial of our meeting prior to knowing I live in Italy. Honestly... Whatever...I envy those who could enjoy any Italian food outside of Italy or the capuccinos and the gelati too. Of course there are exceptions but they are far and in between when it comes to the real authentic tastes as far as I experienced.
I envy those who could enjoy any Italian food outside of Italy or the capuccinos and the gelati too. Of course there are exceptions but they are far and in between when it comes to the real authentic tastes as far as I experienced.
It recoups a discussion I had with Hombre in another thread. He does not enjoy mexican food outide of mexico, while I hardly feel satisfied with any french food outside of France. Concerning the latter I reckon that there is good french restaurant, but in many cases something was missing IMHO.
I bet my 2-dollar he's left Italy long time ago. I met the guy who managed Peppenero and he's Italian who used to live in the area where I presently live here in Italy and I got the impression I made him nervous. He disappeared after serving me the meal and not wanting to make small talks like at the initial of our meeting prior to knowing I live in Italy. Honestly... Whatever...I envy those who could enjoy any Italian food outside of Italy or the capuccinos and the gelati too. Of course there are exceptions but they are far and in between when it comes to the real authentic tastes as far as I experienced.
This one has just come recently to indo. Did not speak much bahasa or English so i had to remember how to speak Italian.
Its also hard to find good middle eastern over here. Though i prefer spanish over mexican but neither tastes the same here or have never heard of some of the dish names that they use here.
exiledgooner
08-10-09, 08:33
just spentthe weekend in bangkok pigging out on thai food at street stalls and small warung type places
somehow cant bring myself to pay the lan na thai prices for food that is lesser quality
luckily there is krapow serving decent thai food here ...
Was in Pepenero with teh wife a couple of weeks back, Kunigan branch. They have a new Italian chef in. Definetly one of our hot spots. Can be quite busy though, I would recomend booking if you are keen and do not want to be dissapointed. Have not tried the other branches.
Another restaurant you might want to try if you like Japanese food is Akane in crown plaza. More a yakatori restaraunt, but sushi and sashami if you so inclined. The biggest compliment I can give it is that my wife being japanese likes both teh food and teh prices. Again not top end but reasonable value for money.
Hombre de Maiz
08-10-09, 09:30
The case with Mexican food, allow me to present my case, is a bit different. Mexico, due to its proximity to Uncle Sam, has had its cuisine trivialized by the likes of TacoBell, Wendy´s Taco Salad and Chili, Chili´s, etc., and by the food of Texas called TexMex. What is served in those restaurants are not even Mexican dishes (let alone with Mexican condiments and spices), unlike Italian or French restos where the dishes are those that would be found in the Mother Country. The food is those so-called Mexican restaurants can still be tasty and enjoyable, but it is not Mexican.
Give me some good, Chiles en nogada, guacamole, chorizo, tamales and tortilla. THough i dont want this. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tex-Mex_cuisine
Hombre de Maiz
08-10-09, 10:08
Guacamole is easy to make here cuz you can get all the ingredients (avocado, oregano, lemon juice and onions). That being said, Guacamole is not a dish, but rather a side accompaniment . One does not eat a Guacamole meal. But the corn is key. After all, we are men of corn!
never had a guacamole meal but love it with many other thing such as chips, steak or tacos.
I'm glad to be understood by Atlantis and also Homre. And I understand Homre for all those Mexican restaurant chains in the US. The same with all those Italian ones in the US such as Olive Garden Restaurant (I nealry puked with their pastas while the salad was ok) and that was in LA. Pizza Huts (started liking their Super Supreme after being away from Italy for some months first). Can't stand Starbuck with all their fancy Italian coffees/capuccinos.
But if you find yourself in New York and fancy for some good Italian food, then go to the restaurant called "Il Naso" on 6th Avenue in the same avenue of Sheraton Hotel and paralel to Ed Sullivan Theatre. Their Italian steak, salad, etc., was really tasty.
In the meantime, back to Jakarta...would anybody who's familiar with the authentic taste of each cuisine recommend an Italian or French or Mexican Restaurant please. All three cuisines are my favourites.
Thai food too is one of the best and I lived in Thailand too so know their dishes. Love their papaya salad. Their manggo with sticky rice dessert, etc.
waarmstrong
08-10-09, 20:00
Oregano is not that easy to come by in these parts, Hombre. Perhaps I should move to one of the expat ghettos?
Went to Peppenero with my hubby yesterday for a second time visit. Nice ambiance, food and service (grilled beef is very nice and tender), except both the wine list and the olive oil(from the balsamic dip) are quite poor. Wine is expensive, as in most other dining places, with 2 glasses of white at 120,000 Rupiah total. The dessert (white chocolate mousse with passion fruit on top) was mediocure, since the mousse is anything but creamy, the sugar didnt dissolve completely, and not enough passion fruit to swallow with the white thing. We spent a total of a bit over 400,000 Rupiah and from the second time experience, I can say that the food is recommended if you want to enjoy a nice & rich meal. Not worth it though if you want to get a nice cup/bottle of bubbly.
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