Avec Moi at Thamrin, Jakarta

This time around let's head to Avec Moi. Got an info from other reviewer that this is a must try restaurant. It's a French restaurant. Shall we compare it with Boka Buka? Okay, let's start with the interior design and the decoration of the place.

 By the first floor there's 2 section, with and without sofa. The one by the sofa has small pillows with entertaining writings. The decoration also be different. By the sofa is filled with paintings and plain cement wall. Making it looks artsy. While the one by chairs only is more of casual feel. Where you can choose by the window or by the big shelves full of cans and bottles. The hanging lamps are very interesting though. The cables are very messy but yet looks very intriguing. Tuko likes this.

 Move up to the second floor and also where the toilet is, there's 3 more tables which can holds up 16 people. Next to the table is actually the kitchen. It's open kitchen type but block with glass so that the smell won't reach the dining area but still can look into it. The funny part on this area is the chairs, they have bunny ears.

This is actually a little note from the chef / owner of the place. He turns out to be was a chef also at Gunther's back in Singapore. That was a quite well known restaurant in Singapore. Where you might actually need to consider making a reservation first before going there during peak season.

Rabbit seems to be their logo. Do notice that the ear of the bunny made out of fork and knife. While the translation of Avec Moi suppose to mean Be With Me. No idea where the bunny from. But it's their own right to choose though.

Ok now let's move to the food. Tuko ordered a few here. Wanna test them out. Let's start with the salad.

The name is Salade Avec Moi. There's a very calculative amount of ingredients here. For example exactly 4 pieces of half cherry tomato and 2 slices of chicken. I believe this means they probably already consider if the salad will be shared by 2 people. Because of Tuko can't identify some of the ingredients so Tuko took a peek at the menu. It says there's Mesclun. That's weird, Tuko never heard of vegetable named Mesclun. The salad dressing is actually very interesting. It's Avec Moi's own recipe of dressing. It tastes like Gado Gado's. But not as thick and creamy. Not bad. The mixture works.

Tuko tried to find out and turns out to be mesclun is a salad mix of assorted small, young salad leaves that is available in France. The mix includes chervil, arugula, leafy lettuces and endive.

The price for this salad is IDR65,000 or around USD5. This price is very acceptable. Cause the taste and the quantity really is nicely done.

Next move up to the escargots.

The name is French Escargots. The presentation is interesting. A big plate with a flat area and only the middle part is sinked in for where the escargots are put. But to compare with the Boka Buka, that one is better. Because they prepare the escargots tong and small fork. But this one here already served with the snail's meat taken out. In addition there's garlic bread. The escargots is not salty enough. Should have probably squeezed up a little lemon by the pesto sauce.

The price for escargots is IDR65,000 or around USD5. Boka Buka's better. Avec Moi's escargot is just an ok. But I'll not order this on the next visit though.

Next is the drink. Which is quite unique in both name and presentation.

The name is Jamaican Punch. Well you can tell it really represents Jamaica with the color and the watermelon. But why have this in the menu? France and Jamaica is not that close. Different continent. Well that's ok, Tuko doesn't really bother on the location though. Let's just komen on the taste now. The taste is really good. Not too sweet as how Tuko likes it. Because of the syrup is not being poured in too much. Usually to pleases guests, people will use more syrup to have a richer taste. But it actually kills it. And Tuko also likes the idea of presenting the drink unmixed. Usually punch will be served mixed and ready to drink.

The price for this punch is IDR35,000 or around USD2.70. That's quite costly considering just banana and watermelon. But is there orange too? Can't really say yes because maybe it's really vague.

Next will be the main course.

 First will be the Seabass Grenobloise. Quite tricky to spell that out. It's mainly is fish, vegie and rice. The rice being use here is Pilaf Rice. No idea what that is, but it taste buttery. The fish is good. Very soft but yet the flavor and the sauce use can easily be tasted. The extra sauce all around the plate is also helpful to make the taste to be stronger.

The price is IDR98,000 or around USD7.50. That's a generous price considering the taste. Not too expensive but yet also not so cheap. Well done guys.

Next is the 6 Hrs Sous Vide Chicken. Tuko really no idea is that 6 hours or it's that French slang for the first course of the set menu (hors d'oeuvre). Well let the chef do their job, Tuko job is to komen on it only. The chicken is roasted while the vegie is grilled. Add a little mashed potato. With additional creamy but yet there's a hint of spicy in the sauce. The chicken itself is good. The skin is not crispy but still taste good. There's some fats left though, need to clean it up before gulping it down. The chicken's meat is a little dry though. Still good, but dry. So it's like you enjoy ice cream, but if it's a little less cold will be better. Tuko doesn't mean the chicken is not good but the dryness makes it a little off. The mashed potato is ok though. But the vegie is not good. Tuko doesn't like vegie to begin with and with this kind of preparation making it even less tasty.

And then let's move to the last part, dessert.

That's a Valrhona Chocolate Fondant. The menu says the ice cream is from Haagen-Dazs. Well done if it's true. Usually other restaurant will just from a local brand of ice cream. The orange sauce is very delightful. That's orange Tuko assume. It's sour but not sharp like what passionfruit taste will give out. The fondant comes with melted chocolate inside. It also taste good. But unfortunately it's not as good as the one by Hermitage.

The price is IDR65,000 or around USD5. For the price when compared to Hermitage, Tuko will choose this one. Since the price is almost half of Hermitage. Which actually wins the heart of Tuko's wallet over the taste.

When the receipt came in, there's 5% charge for service. And 10% charge for tax. Very generous for this class of restaurant. Certainly is a good place to consider to hang out with lover / spouse.

Thanks for the great service of the staff too Avec Moi.