Which could be ideal if you have a client you need to impress, or it’s your dad’s birthday – but know that you’re looking at a €90+ price tag for the full monty including wine. Almost next door to Tempo Doeloe but nowhere near as well-known (I only discovered it very recently) is Tujuh Maret – a family-run restaurant that’s not much to look at but absolutely delivers. Read the Rijsttafel in NYC? And for the meat eaters, a beef rendang that was mild and coconut-y. Plus, if you order enough of them to share, you’ve basically created a custom-selected rijsttafel. Order rijsttafel at a restaurant, and you will find the table in front of you covered with a … The restaurant serves an impressive array of classic Indonesian staples and bases its menu around rijsttafel; should you wish to substitute one dish for another here, the wait staff will happily oblige. I’ve seen restaurants try to posh-up rijsttafel before, and the flavour suffered as a consequence. Literally meaning “rice table,” it’s a great option for people like me who get food envy whenever anyone else at their table orders a dish that looks interesting. The sambal with shrimp crackers was the only thing that didn’t disappoint. Rijsttafel (translation: "rice table"), pronounced RICE-taffle, is a medley of dishes from all over the Indonesian islands, and a perfect introduction to "indisch" (colonial Indonesian, pronounced "IN-dees") cuisine. Near Spuiplein, Kantjil & de Tijger is divided into two separate areas – one that serves delicious takeout rice and noodle bowls, and another for full-service, sit-down meals. There’s a magic word in Indonesian restaurants: Rijsttafel. Join the discussion today. And (wait for the best bit) several of the dishes are actually properly spicy. My only criticism is that I’d have liked it if a few more of the dishes were on the spicy end of the spectrum. There’s nothing wrong with that (and it’s a question I’m often asked) but it’s not for the chilli addicts. Plus, Blue Pepper has opted to serve their rijsttafel in courses (so you can savour each item individually), rather than plonking everything on the table at once. The food arrives in five rounds, which gives the meal a nice leisurely pace that’s often lacking when eating a rijsttafel. All info on Rijsttafel in San Francisco - Call to book a table. The owners are Chinese-Indonesian and it's … This homey restaurant serves an impressive range of Indonesian specialities and divides its menu into several categories that revolve around meat, fish, saté and bakmi noodles. Those that came were lacking in spice (I was told the Dutch clientele generally ask for the dishes to be milder) and a bit of variety – there was a predominance of chicken. And if you’re a chilli fiend, I can only sympathise. Also worth a warning is the service: don’t expect to be seated quickly (even if you have a reservation); don’t expect a lot of smiles (at least, not genuine ones); and don’t expect free tap water. Menu Nusantara Indo Belanda & Coffee. No reservations nor free water, however. A good pick for tasty Indonesian food in the heart of the Canal Belt area – if you can handle all the tourists. This charming eatery is located just beyond the western limits of Amsterdam’s historic canal belt and lies within walking distance of several important landmarks, such as the Anne Frank House, Westerkerk and Vondelpark. So when in the Dutch capital, checking out one of the Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam is a must. Given that this centrally located restaurant is open for dinner service only, advance booking is recommended should you wish to grab a table on a particular evening during your time in Amsterdam. Of course, if you’d rather stick with just one dish all to yourself, these places offer plenty of Indonesian specialties as starters and main courses, too. // 700 Post St. (Union Square); borobudursf.com Blue Pepper is essentially serving a fine-dining-meets-rijsttafel version of Indonesian food. Take a seat and discover the taste of the rich Indonesian flavours. What distinguishes Mama Makan from almost everywhere else on this list is its atmosphere. I like the fact that it’s a bit of a trek – down at the bottom of the Vondelpark on the Amstelveenseweg – which means it isn’t full of tourists. The food here is great, but the overall experience leaves a little to be desired. Veggie highlights were the cauliflower tempura with a creamy coconut and turmeric sauce, and the Jerusalem artichoke (known as topinamboer) that had been roasted and served with an Asian-fusion-style sauce. But when I last visited Blauw (in May 2019) it was back to its former glories with a new team in place who seem to know what they’re doing. But at Blue Pepper, you’ll still find the punchy flavours and chilli kicks you’d expect from the best Indonesian food but in an upscale atmosphere. Suffice to say that the second time the service was much more leisurely, and the food was just as good. We tried five dishes between two of us, which was just about right for a couple of moderately hungry people, but on other days (when I hadn’t drunk quite so much Zatte before arriving) I might’ve ordered six. Yes, it may be full of tourists, but the food is still good and reasonable value given the location. The gado-gado and green beans were limp, sorry shadows of their former selves, and the side dishes lacked anything to pep up the main event. There are dozens of excellent Indonesian restaurants throughout Amsterdam – high-end establishments, low-key canteens and local take-away joints. Meanwhile, lamb cutlets were still pink in the middle and served with a sweet soy sauce much like the goat satay earlier. Where: Amsterdam has many good rijsttafel options, and some of the better ones get very expensive, fast. That’s not to say that the atmosphere is stuffy or pretentious, but the service is a cut above your regular Amsterdam restaurant, the presentation of the food is a notch fancier, and you can order paired wines with everything. Although something of a Dutch invention (locals in Indonesia aren’t eating rijsttafels), it’s a great way to try lots of dishes in one meal. Our first course was a delicate scallop dish with orange, macadamia nuts and samphire. The rijsttafel comprises classics like beef rendang and various forms of satay (chicken, goat and shrimp) but also more interesting dishes like fish mousse with a spicy yet fresh green sauce. Aside from serving incredible Indonesian meals, Mama Makan also has one of the most stunning dining rooms in Amsterdam, characterised by wide open spaces and long rows of comfy sofas. Reviews on Rijsttafel in New York, NY - Java Indonesian Restaurant, Wayan, Sky Cafe, Awang Kitchen However, I did enjoy Jun’s soto ayam – a chicken-laden broth that’s aromatic with lemongrass, ginger and turmeric. A traditional Indonesian meal in which a wide variety of foods and sauces are served with rice. The dishes were variations on bland, cold, dry, and whatever the opposite of spicy is. Jun serves classic Indonesian dishes, including several less well-known – but very authentic – options such as soto telor puyuh or ayam rica bersantan, which are difficult to find elsewhere in the Netherlands. Rijsttafel at Tujuh Maret, Amsterdam From 1602 and 1945, Indonesia was a Dutch colony, and it was during this time that the Indonesians pooled together their most extraordinary culinary creations into one buffet style menu, the rice table. In contrast, old-timer Sampurna is right in the centre of Amsterdam, just off the bustling flower market on the Singel canal. Whatever we choose, one of the dishes is always the Saté Kambin, the roasted goat sate. Voor een heerlijke Indonesische rijsttafel vanaf 2 personen hoef je de deur niet voor uit. Its fresh botanical interior, its extensive wine-list, its rijsttafel served in traditional “courses”: this is an Indonesian restaurant you want to take your parents to. Blauw went through a rough patch for a couple of years when a few of its original chefs defected to Ron Gastrobar Indonesia (more on that below). Bekijk onze gerechten op de bestelsite. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK", Mama Makan Indonesian Kitchen features stunning design and classic Indonesian dishes, Courtesy of Mama Makan Indonesian Kitchen, Mama Makan Indonesian Kitchen's dishes are inspired by classic Indonesian cooking, Blue Pepper offers modern takes on Indonesian classics, Restaurant, Indonesian, Contemporary, European, 40 Rembrandtplein, Amsterdam-Centrum Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1017 CV, The Netherlands, 291-293 Spuistraat, Amsterdam-Centrum Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1012 VS, The Netherlands, 98 Frederik Hendrikstraat, Amsterdam-West Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1052 HZ, The Netherlands, 61 Spinozastraat, Amsterdam-Centrum Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1018 HJ, The Netherlands, 53A Kinkerstraat, Amsterdam-West Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1053 DE, The Netherlands, 73 Utrechtsestraat, Amsterdam-Centrum Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1017 VJ, The Netherlands, 158-160 Amstelveenseweg, Amsterdam-Zuid Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1075 XN, The Netherlands, 366 Nassaukade, Amsterdam-West Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1054 AB, The Netherlands, 46-48 Rozengracht, Amsterdam-Centrum Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1016 ND, The Netherlands, 14 Herenstraat, Amsterdam-Centrum Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, 1015 CA, The Netherlands. You can sample all of Borobudur's finest with this option, from its ayam panggang bumbu rujak ( spicy, barbeque marinated chicken) to the classic rendang. And the service is very friendly. A rijsttafel may consist of as many as 10, 20, 30 or more side dishes. Discount hotels near Rijsttafel Resto, Bandung. Don’t leave the city without trying a rijsttafel (literally: “rice table”): dozens of small, shareable dishes ranging from mild to spicy, in all colours of the rainbow, served with rice. Thanks to a shared history of colonial interaction between the two countries, Indonesian food occupies a special place within Dutch culture, with classic items like rijsttafel (Dutch for ‘rice table’),a traditional multi-course Indonesian meal, Loempia (spring rolls) and bakmi (noodles) ranking among the most popular dishes in the Netherlands. Blauw has been going strong for decades – and I’ve been a fan ever since I first visited in 2009. Rijsttafel is what we do. And all the curries are succulent and distinctly different in flavour. On the fish front, we tried smoked mackerel, steamed in a banana leaf with plenty of spicy tomato-based paste – an umami explosion. I also tried the corn fritters, peppered with kaffir lime leaves and dipped in a spicy sauce, as well as the traditional Indonesian spekkoek (spiced layer cake). Kantjil & de Tijger strives to give its guests that senang-feeling. Rijsttafel - Rijsttafel is a meal that consist of many side dishes served in small portions and accompanied by rice that is prepared in several different ways. (noun) Five seconds later, I felt like my mouth had been woken up by a lightning bolt. The famous rijsttafel, love-hate legacy of Dutch imperial days—at its most numbing brilliance it required 23 men and a boy to serve— […] 1991 May, Guusje Moore, "Windmills and Rice", Vegetarian Times, issue 165, p. 28: I was born too late to experience a real Indonesian rijsttafel, but my mother used to tell me about these feasts. After a trio of starters, a spicy fish soup, and some chicken and goat satay skewers, you’ll move onto the rijsttafel proper: a collection of eight small, spicy dishes to share. SAMPURNA, Indonesian restaurant where small and large groups of friends & families meet to enjoy traditional Indonesian food for over 25 years The venue can cater for anywhere between 15 and 130 people, with group menus featuring an expansive rijsttafel offering. Sama Sebo is one of the oldest Indonesian restaurants in the Netherlands, having been serving customers from its kitsch brown-café location for over 35 years. The first time I went to Jun I didn’t order the rijsttafel, which in hindsight was perhaps a good thing. The second course comprised three mini-dishes in one: a pulled-goose fried spring roll with a sauce fragrant from cloves and cinnamon; a palate-cleansing fruit combo of pineapple, mango and cucumber with a sweet sauce; and a spicy guinea-fowl curry that was pleasantly hot on the tongue. (noun) Are you looking to chow down on an elaborate rijsttafel while in Amsterdam? Namely, AMOI served possibly the best gado-gado I’ve ever eaten in Amsterdam: the vegetables freshly cooked to al dente perfection and the peanut sauce sweetly savoury. Credits: Andrea for design, Simon as webmaster. At Long Pura, wait staff dressed in traditional Indonesian attire cater to guests in a low-lit, intimate setting. the pupusas are amazing. But there are also some less obvious dishes that steal the show: shell-on king prawns came with a tasty sambal that lent a welcome hit of chilli, for example. Kaki Lima Boston serves Indonesian food and Indonesian cuisine in the greater Boston area. Tadah! Many years ago, as a young couple visiting Amsterdam, my husband and I had longingly read the lengthy menus posted at restaurants serving rijsttafel, the Dutch-Indonesian rice table. While MAX serves modern European cuisine, its home-cooked Indonesian dishes are the stars of the menu. A business trip to Bali brought me a long-awaited dining experience. Get menu, photos and location information for Tempo Doeloe in Amsterdam Noord-Holland. We chose Sampurna (Singel 498) based not only on its (mostly) favorable local reviews, but also its various price points (four options ranging from €27,50 to €34,50) and reputation for being one of the spicier Indonesian restaurants in town.. Best Indonesian in Ottawa, ON - Chahaya Malaysia. Tujuh Maret also offers catering services and will gladly help clients organise incredible feasts inside their homes or at other venues around the city. Two chicken dishes were good and distinctly different from each other: a hotter version in a thin, chilli-based broth; and a milder version in a sweet, soy-based sauce with plenty of aromatic anise. The dessert was also a tropical revelation of fruit flavours and creamy coconut. Beef rendang had excellent warm spices and a rich sauce; gado-gado was fresh and fragrant, not cloying with peanut butter as is often the case. More central (it’s on the Utrechtsestraat) is Tempo Doeloe, where the dishes come on three different trays – starting with the mildest and ending with the hottest. Or book now at one of our other 498 great restaurants in Amsterdam. Discover the best with this handy guide. But I’ve decided to include it in my roundup of Indonesian restaurants because many of the menu items certainly qualify. It was enough to make me want to go back and order a lot more next time. It made the combination of orange-blossom sorbet, mango panna cotta and forest berries all the fruitier. For dessert, we were instructed to eat what looked like a tiny yellow flower. Satay originated in Indonesia, so it's no wonder that the grilled meats at Chicky's are so wonderfully succulent. For those with a sweet tooth, Blauw’s “grand dessert” doesn’t disappoint with favourites like spekkoek and mango ice cream, as well as more adventurous flavours like durian parfait and chocolate fudge laced with cayenne pepper. Well, blow me down. But there are of course plenty of tokos offering takeaway Indonesian food in Amsterdam, or holes-in-the-wall where you can sit down to eat a quick meal without alcohol. FIND OUT MORE. Mixing together traditional Indonesian cooking with super-stylish aesthetics and top-notch service, Café AMOI’s menu features pretty much every well-known Indonesian dish, including classics like grilled saté kebabs, fresh spring rolls and perfectly balanced gado-gado salads. And Kartika also serves one of the cheapest rijsttafels in Amsterdam, which is good to know for those on a budget. Located near the far end of the Vondelpark, this sleek and modern Indonesian restaurant is the perfect spot for a romantic rijsttafel in Amsterdam. A general observation: When I first started visiting Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam around a decade ago, the chilli could blow your head off. It felt like we were part of a production line of tourists being fed our requisite dozen or so plates before the next busload arrived. Quite a lot of meat here so serve with fried rice, good party dish. For delivery service please call 022-6120347 So you’d think, after all that time, that they’d know when they’re doing. Hospitality in Indonesia traditionally requires that a host provide amply for each of his guests. What does rijsttafel mean? 17 talking about this. Rijsttafel, a Dutch word literally translating to rice table, is an Indonesian meal in which a plethora of mini dishes are served. The first time I went to Kartika, we were forced to order our food before we’d even sat down, and were hustled out the door less than an hour later. Plural form of rijsttafel. There’s even a full-blown vegetarian spread available at the restaurant for €33 (£30) per person that features many tasty Indonesian delicacies that have been slightly modified for vegetarians. The restaurant also organises candlelit boat cruises where guests can enjoy delicious food whilst marvelling at Amsterdam’s waterways. I get that restaurants dumb down the spice levels for the western palate, but seriously – this was so dumbed down it was fake news. Book online for instant Confirmation and 24/7 Live Support! I went back a couple of years later to try it, and was disappointed to discover how few dishes are actually included compared to other Indonesian restaurants in Amsterdam. The restaurant was a short walk from the near by tram station and easy to find. And here, Java-born Chef Agus is in charge. Thanks x As all Amsterdammers know but many visitors don’t, Indonesian food is widely eaten in the Netherlands due to the two countries’ colonial history (too complicated to go into here, but Google it). Not uncomfortably so, but I’d have a few friends whose eyes might water a little. Our menu offers many choices, but to keep it as simple as possible, we have made a selection of the most essential Rijsttafel dishes. OUR ULTIMATE COVID BOOKING GUARANTEE. “Looks like a hole in the wall, but offers great authentic Saladorian and tex-mex fair. And that’s a good thing because it’s been regrettably hard to come by in the gathering of this list. The rijsttafel at Indonesian Kitchen may be on the pricey side compared to other restaurants in Amsterdam, but then again it is slap bang in the middle of the Canal Belt – and besides, you do get quite a lot of bang for your buck. Please could anyone give me their recommendations for their favourite Rijsttafel restaurants. I’m not sure whether my taste buds have been assaulted with so much capsaicin by this point in my late 30s that it now takes a lot more to make me sweat, or whether the spice levels in the dishes have been taken down a few notches. What does rijsttafels mean? Editor’s note: I was invited to eat at Blue Pepper by the general manager, so I didn’t pay for my meal. Next came a traditional selection of four rijsttafel dishes: spicy prawns, beef rendang, gado-gado and pickled vegetables. Rijsttafel (/ ˈ r aɪ s t ɑː f əl / RYSSE-tah-fəl, Dutch: [ˈrɛisttaːfəl] ()), a Dutch word that literally translates to "rice table", is an Indonesian elaborate meal adapted by the Dutch following the hidang presentation of nasi padang from the Padang region of West Sumatra. Because not all guests will like the same food, the host prepares many, many dishes to assure that each diner may choose from a large selection of things he likes to eat. Rijsttafel (aka rice table) for hundreds in Java after Goodyear plant built about 1937. © 2007-17 Vicky Hampton. It’s been in business for over 25 years – so they must be doing something right! Restaurant Blauw lies around 100 metres away from Vondelpark‘s southern entrance on a bustling street called Amstelveenseweg, which is famed for its eclectic culinary scene. You’d be wrong. Chicky's BBQ:. Rijsttafel Resto, Bandung, Indonesia. Rijsttafel features an … His satay is to die for – the chicken and goat meat perfectly moist yet charred on the outside, and the sauces spicy yet sweet. The final two dishes are nuclear – you have been warned. 764 likes. Indrapura, on Rembrandtplein, offers different types of rijsttafel that centre around specific culinary preferences and dietary requirements. It seems like Blauw is the "best", but Kantijl & de Tijger seems like a good value. The former option ranks among the most popular lunch spots in Amsterdam and allows customers to design their own meals by combining several Indonesian staples. Near the end of 2020, a video from a young Scottish singer started to do the rounds on the social media platform TikTok. But it’s worth taking a trip to Oudekerk aan de Amstel (around a 40-minute cycle ride from the south of the city centre) to try the rijsttafel at Ron Gastrobar Indonesia. The manager there called me out on what I’d written the first time (he actually remembered me, amazingly), which was awkward but at least we both got to say our piece. SAVE UP TO 75% OFF hotels near Restaurants and Cafes in Bandung. And that’s because it comes with about 70 different dishes to share. Rijsttafel translates as ‘Rice Table’ which gives you a clue as to its magnificence – it’s basically a whole table full of little Indonesian dishes, with rice. The non-veggie rijsttafel costs €27.75, which is cheaper than many on this list, but is just as extensive. Nothing fancy but must be tasty. Dinner here revolves around small, tasty dishes that are perfect for sharing and is served inside a stunning Art Deco-style dining room. This recipe is a simplified version of the famous RIJSTTAFEL given to me by a friend from Holland where it is a very popular dish. And, believe me, you’ll need a decent-sized table just to fit all the dishes that will inevitably appear if you order a rijsttafel. Some popular rijsttafel includes satay, egg rolls, fruits, vegetables, pickles, nuts, and sambals. We hold Indonesian pop up restaurants and also cater food from Indonesia for private parties and dinners. Let me know what you guys think! Foodies after a comprehensive dining experience should commit to a visit when in town. but when we asked they were happy to keep carafes of house wine flowing. Given that the portion sizes are quite generous, it may be best to visit on an empty stomach. However, much of the rest of the food leaves a lot to be desired – in general, I got the impression the kitchen was playing it very safe for its cruise-ship clientele. Privacy. If you have room, don’t miss the starter of Aneka Laut Lilit – fragrant crab and shrimp cakes bound with cornmeal and served on a lemongrass skewer. Reviews on Rijsttafel in Los Angeles, CA - Mr. Sate, Simpang Asia, Borneo Kalimantan Cuisine If you’re lucky you’ll be able to order one from somewhere near you, via your Just Eat app. The former option ranks among the most popular lunch spots in Amsterdam and allows customers to design their own meals by combining several Indonesian staples. There is, of course, the possibility of creating your own international menu with a combination of Indonesian and European fare, and pairing each course with something from MAX’s extensive wine list, which includes natural and biodynamic wines. The rijsttafel is Blauw's signature dish but don't forget to take a look at the A la carte menu. The restaurant was a short walk from the near by tram station and easy to find. Satay skewers – generally chicken and goat – are a staple, as are various curries (meat and fish), boiled eggs in spicy sauces, vegetables in peanut sauce (wonderfully named gado-gado) and fried bananas. Its the only place I've had Rijsttafel so I can't say much about the quality of their offering except that I've always enjoyed it. The website of De Vrouw met de Baard (The Bearded Lady) claims that the restaurant serves “soul food from Brooklyn to Bali”. Best for Finer Indonesian Dining The late Johannes van Dam, a restaurant critic of near-Godlike status in Amsterdam and the Netherlands, called this contemporary take on Indonesian cuisine "Fantastisch" and "9+" -- and if you know anything about Johannes van Dam, you know those kinds of accolades don't come unearned.Pick from one of three tasting menus every evening: a classic rijsttafel … Chef Ron Blaauw already has a series of restaurants in Amsterdam showcasing everything from French cuisine to Oriental specialities. But because the food was actually pretty good, I ended up going back. Prices are extremely reasonable – dinner came to a little over €30 each. This is Indonesian cuisine for people who don’t like spicy food. Rates from USD $5. Perhaps it’s a bit of both. When it comes to the dishes themselves, a couple are excellent: the chicken satay was one of the best I’ve tried, and the spicy shrimps and seabass with shallots were big hits. The restaurant’s menu includes many superb dishes inspired by classic Indonesian cooking, and features an entire section dedicated to rijsttafel. It’s hard to pick out favourite dishes because I enjoyed them all – even the tempeh, which usually I can’t stand. With a large group its a lot of fun. The feeling of being at ease, so that we can feel the same. Reply l. Lori D Oct 11, 2002 11:46 AM In answer to the "anywhere in the states" part of the question, Sabang, in Wheaton, Maryland, serves Rijsttafel. Editor’s note: I was invited to eat at Mama Makan by their PR agency, so I didn’t pay for my meal. The rijsttafel is Blauw's signature dish but don't forget to take a look at the A la carte menu. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. View the menu, check prices, find on the map, see photos and ratings. Whatever we choose, one of the dishes is always the Saté Kambin, the roasted goat sate. When we first looked at the menu, we weren’t sure they served alcohol (shock horror!) This site uses cookies, in accordance with the, Sama Sebo is one of the oldest Indonesian restaurants, Pieter Cornelisz Hooftstraat 27 (Leidseplein), Amsterdam restaurants in lockdown: takeaway, delivery and other resources, 10 of the Best Middle Eastern Restaurants in Amsterdam, Cost: €30-35 (or try the three-course chef’s menu for €37), Cost: dishes sold separately for €6.50-11.75, Cost: dishes sold separately for €5.50-13.50. There are several intricately prepared set menus available at this classy restaurant on Nassaukade, which include many traditional Indonesian dishes that have been adapted to be prepared using modern cooking techniques. Lily Niu contributed additional reporting to this article. Aneka Rasa (Near Centraal Station/good pricing/less spicy) Any direction would be appreciated. I have a confession to make about Café AMOI: I’ve only actually tried three of the dishes there (I ate them as part of a food tour with Eating Europe), but I liked them so much that I wanted to include the restaurant here. A good choice if the prospect of trying Indonesian cuisine in its full, spicy glory is a little intimidating, as they’ll even let you choose the level of heat in your dish. I also like its rijsttafel, which comprises a huge selection of boat-shaped dishes ranging from mild to super-spicy. Both the eggs and the fried shrimps have the perfect level of chilli heat. discussion from the Chowhound Restaurants, Manhattan food community. Near Spuiplein, Kantjil & de Tijger is divided into two separate areas – one that serves delicious takeout rice and noodle bowls, and another for full-service, sit-down meals. But there’s much more besides, depending on the particular restaurant’s selection of rijsttafel. To make your meal complete, choose a Rijsttafel with meat (Matjan), fish (Bali), meat and fish (Kantjil) or without meat (Bandung). I like its split-level interior and bold décor that eschews the kitschiness that often goes along with Asian restaurants. There are classics like beef rendang, gado-gado, and a spicy chicken curry, which are nothing special. With the satay course, we were back in more familiar territory: chicken satay came with the requisite peanut sauce, while lamb satay came with a soy-based sauce. I’ve been to Tempo Doeloe several times (although admittedly the last time was a while ago) and it’s the one restaurant that’s still preparing the odd dish that’ll make steam come out of your ears. The lip-smacking and spicy dishes here are accompanied by a classy wine list and trendy decor that sets the tone perfectly. We’d no sooner got our wine than the dishes started arriving – suspiciously quickly. But either way, if your chilli tolerance is low then don’t worry – there’s plenty on a rice table that you’ll be able to eat comfortably. The pork satay was (reliably) about the best thing on the menu, but the other meat dishes lacked much of the flavour of warm spices that you’d expect from that part of the world. Improbable as it may seem, there’s no denying that sea shanties are having a very real moment in the spotlight. 5. This may be regular rijsttafel fare, but the quality is still impressive. A range of awesome cocktails are also available at Café AMOI’s bar, which pair wonderfully with the restaurant’s menu. The wine list and service are what you’d expect from a fine dining restaurant, but the prices are surprisingly modest. I miss the burn too….