XGraphics at Bendungan Hilir, Jakarta

Tuko got to rush for a rush work to be printed. The only option came to mind is Bendungan Hilir area which is full of lots and lots and lots of printers. The challenge is to get parking exactly in front of the shop you want to go.

That day Tuko wasn't lucky and had to walk a few shops away. This XGraphics has been one of the most crowded in the area. So let's go for this rather than going to the small ones with questionable quality.

On the inside, the waiting room is not big. Probably can only hold up to 20 people. But it's most probably because of everyone will actually just return to pick up rather than wait up.

The interior design is very efficient. A small L shaped counter for reception, cashier and pick up. There's sample of bindings to choose by the wall. There's books of catalogs for type of paper, cover and so on to choose for your preference. There's gift merchandises to choose if you want to custom your own. There's computer to use for you to log into your email and send document to the printer's email. The room is bright due to many hanging lights being utilized and none spoiled.

If you let say forget to bring flash disk or CD, you can use the computer  to retrieve the file you wanted to print. Like Tuko which didn't bring flash disk, only have memory card. So the only way is that Tuko needs to forward the email which has attachment on what needed to be printed.

The staff there are very friendly and very skilled on editing the files let say the one you brought need a slight editing. After the job is finalized, the staff will tell you how long until it's done. You can pick up later after paying a down payment or full price before leaving.

Tuko returned 1 hour as promised by the staff. And it really is done. The quality is also not bad. Tuko never try to print by himself, but this looks satisfying.

7 Eleven at Roxy, Jakarta

Tuko was in Roxy which is well known in Indonesia as the headquarter for mobile phones and accessories. Whatever you may need as long as it belongs to mobile phone category, you might have very big chance will find it here. Not just finding it but also getting a good price out of it. That's what Roxy is for you.

Tuko got hungry after going round and round in mission to look for car phone charger. So on the way back to car, Tuko saw 7 Eleven. So might as well give it a try.

This probably is the only 7 Eleven that has no second floor. Usually in Indonesia there's always a second floor. And not just a second floor but also chair + tables and ATM Machines. So 7 Eleven in Indonesia has become a hang out place rather than just a convenience store where you come, choose, buy and go out.

The look from inside actually is pretty much the same as any other 7 Eleven.

The difference that in 7 Eleven nowadays they started to offer microwave ready food such as pasta, friend noodle, sandwich, rice, hot dog, katsu, burger and now they have udon. And luckily they are having promotion for the udon.

The call it Doremi (uDOn goREngan MInuman aka Udon Fried Stuff Drink). The discount is also impressive. If what they say is right, you actually will save IDR12,000 or around USD1 for getting the package.

Of course Tuko is taking it. Since now the price is only IDR22,000 or around USD1.76.

The udon is not bad actually. Tuko likes this kind of noodle, which is quite hard. The soggy type of noodle just taste sucks, Tuko can't understand why people will eat such soggy and soft noodle. They combine the dry udon with chopped Chicken Katsu. You can actually choose which type of katsu is to your preference, original or spicy. Tuko choose the original.

For that price and taste, you can actually find somewhere else with better taste or value. But considering this is a convenience store, it's more than enough. Not the reason you'll want to come back for though.

Tuko actually willing to keep coming back to 7 Eleven is because of the melted cheese. You can take as much as you want and it taste good too.

Melly's Garden at Kebon Sirih, Jakarta

The night is young. Tuko still locked from inside, so Tuko can't get back and sleep by now. There's some friends asking and actually forcing to go for a rather new place called Melly's Garden at Kebon Sirih, Jakarta.

So we went there. The place is actually not in the main street of Kebon Sirih, but more like in one of the small streets. Easy to find though. But the problem is that the parking area seems to be very full at the time Tuko arrived. And the security guy actually asked for IDR35,000 or around USD2.80 for the valet charge. Are they insane? That's even more expensive than the one in the malls. But because of we're already there, we'll have to take it.

The entrance door / gate to the bar is actually very small and Bali feels.

This is what Tuko means by the bar on the left hand side and bar stools + tables by the front and right hand side.

These are the open air area. Pretty interesting design with Balinese architectural designs. There are small fish ponds and fountains around the area. The open area maybe can hold up around 50 - 60 people.

Tuko and friends were sitting inside since the outdoor is already full. The inside is the area where they say not supposed to smoke inside. But once you are inside, there are  many people just smoke casually and the waiters just let them be.

So for the start before we even order up, the waiter let us know that within 15 minutes their hourly promotion will be over. The promotion for that time was Balonku Ada 5. It's a bucket with 5 laboratory's glass filled with 5 different type of liquor. The original price is IDR54,000 or around USD4.30. Gone down on promotion to only IDR25,000 or around USD2. Amazing, so tuko and friends order it up.

And then for the food, Tuko ordered Nasi Goreng Melly's and Gorengan Kampoeng. The nasi goreng price is IDR29,000 or around USD2.30. And the gorengan is around IDR28,000 or around USD2.20.

The nasi goreng is just ok. Edible but something Tuko will want to order up again though. There's 2 pieces of fried chicken + shrimp cracker + sunny side up + pickles and normal nasi goreng. The nasi goreng doesn't even taste interesting.

The gorengan is actually combination of 2 fried banana, 2 fried tofu, 2 fried tempe and 2 fried cassava. With a few chilli being prepared to be eaten with if that's what your palate asked for. Among all these, the good one is only the tempe. Others just simply edible only.

The Balonku Ada 5 drink sucks terribly. What kind of spirits do they put inside? It's just burning feeling, Tuko really doubt and even have the perception maybe this is a knock off fake drink. It's being sold on a very crazily cheap price here Indonesia. Tuko met this kind of knock off cheap drink before and it tasted like you're drinking gasoline.

Hourly promotion certainly is a very interesting idea and can attract people. There's even popcorn up to grab for free. The waiters are very polite. The atmosphere and place's design is impressive.

But with this kind of food and drink, Tuko really will think twice to come back. Not that Tuko doesn't want. Tuko will still want to come back but only with a really good reason.

Pasar Santa at Senopati, Jakarta

Been quite some time that Tuko had a visit at a market. But friends said this market is different. This is the happening place of today. The place's name is Pasar Santa located at Senopati area of South Jakarta. 

Coming into the area, it's really hard to find parking. Tuko managed to find parking by the street outside of Pasar Santa's complex. The complex itself is really like any other market. Nothing resemble cool from the outer look.

But it all changes once you got into the second floor of this Pasar Santa. So there's this new evolution here where the traditional market are located at the basement, the specialized shops located at first floor and the second floor is where the interesting part is. A lot of small restaurants with very unique designs.

Tuko will keep updating this page until everything is covered. So keep logging into this page Komeners.

First Chapter

This time around Tuko visit the very packed bakmi shop, Miechino. The only menu here is Bakmi Ayam Jamur. You can either choose with or without Bakso (Meatball). The price is IDR22,000 or around USD1.76.

The noodle is very spongy.Tuko has taste a similar kind of noodle like this before and it's called Mi Karet (Rubber Noodle). But this time it's different. There's still a good taste behind it. The noodle is cooked first by the chef on white shirt and then will be put on the big pan with some seasoning and sauce inside. The guy black shirt will mixed them all up. After that from one pan it can be divided into 3 portions. The chili sauce served by the table is amazing. The spiciness level is just so right. Not too spicy and not too mild. Tuko likes it a lot.

Look at the people who are waiting to get a seat by the table. Tuko and friend luckily get a seat by the counter and get a shot at the chefs doing the job.

Next stop, Tuko went for a dessert at the place called Sepotong Kue. The specialty of this shop is it's Kue Sus with Ice Cream. It's something like cream puff but without cream filling and filled with ice cream instead. The ice cream is home made and recommended flavor by the owner is Green Tea. Tuko's friend gave the Kue Sus a try. While Tuko went for Earl Grey Bun. Sounds more interesting.

The design of this place is a mixture of country house in United States with traditional warung (small shop). The interesting part is they make use of old looking tea kettle for tissue, sugar, spoon and so on.

The Earl Grey Bun + Green Tea Ice Cream is not bad. Tuko will not say it's really a recommended to try. But if you really feels like wanting a decent dessert, go ahead. The price is IDR15,000 or around USD1.20. For the exact same price, you could get a better one. But to get the experience, sure why not.

That's it for this time around. Let's wait for the next trip.

Coin Operated Public Phone at Jakarta

It's been ages that Tuko actually seen one of these. And surprisingly still in good condition. Are these two actually still being use regularly? Impressive.

Tuko still remember that back in around year 1990, this is a most seek out spot to spend minutes or even hours. Friends of Tuko back than even really prepare many coins, queue up and start spending the coins until they're all gone. Just for the sake of calling their crush. With no assurance the girl they were chasing will actually like them back, but they were willing to spend hours tiring time to stand up, bitten by mosquito, stared by passer by and spend lots of money to call.

There are even times Tuko heard from friend that when they were actually rejected, they got angry and actually slam the phone and beat up the phone booth. Some even say that they actually smelled piss inside the booth. Or in some extreme cases, on the phone itself.

Tuko used it before too for sure. No one have mobile phones back then. No public phone cards too before. There are also people finding ways to cheat the phone's system. Like using stringed up coin to jump start the phone and make free phone calls. Or using recorded dial tones and play it to the mouth piece. And so many others.

This is a very basic initial evolution of mobile phones Tuko thinks. Without this, people probably will still just be relying on the phones at home.

Tuko think that this technology must be preserved not use. The mobile phone is already very cheap and the charge is also not expensive. So there's no reason to go back into the old school. Unless for the sake of being nostalgic and remember the old days.

XXI Djakarta Theater at Thamrin, Jakarta

It's been a while that Tuko haven't gone to the cinema. And so happen there's Liam Neeson's movie, Taken 3. Tuko already watch the previous 2. And like it so much. So together with the request of one of our Komeners, Tuko would like to make use of this opportunity to also visit and komen Djakarta Theatre.

This is the ticket which Tuko bought. Tuko went with Tuko's special someone. Unfortunately the middle center seats are taken. That's supposed to be Tuko's favorite. Because that's the best angle to watch a movie. Even more important if you're watching 3D and 4DX to get the middle and center seats.

 

This is the look from inside. Tuko can't take too many pictures because of there might be a security guy came over and escorted us out. That's not cool at all.

The theater is not so big. The seat is rather comfy but quite annoying with the people at the back either accidentally or carelessly keep on bumping the back of our seats. Sure there's nothing inconvenient to the kicker. But on us, that's a different story. Annoying. There should be a rule where you may not do so too.

The screen is bright combine with the technology of projector nowadays, there's no more blur or threads on the screen anymore. The technology of digital really improve the experience of movie goers compare to the old roll film back in the days.




The film ended. Among all three of the series, Tuko likes this one better. Since there's mind boggling moments and the more complex storyline make Taken 3 to be more interesting. The other 2 are full of action with lesser plots and scenes where we will need to use our brain and think.

Tuko really amazed with the security's SOP for getting into the bad guy's apartment. Very tight and secure. Is that even real?

Well above all, the main purpose is to komen about Djakarta Theater. Tuko thinks that considering the price which is cheaper than most other theaters (IDR40,000 or around USD3.20) this place is an OK to go. Tuko still likes XXI in Puri Mall better though.

Ya Udah Bistro at Menteng, Jakarta

This time around Tuko went for a tummy's nature call. The place visited this time is Ya Udah Bistro, which is located at Gondangdia, Jakarta Pusat. Just from the outer look is already very unique. You simply can't find any name. Tuko even was a little bit confused and had to make a stop to ask the parking guy whether is this really the place.

So after confirming this is the one, Tuko went in and the place is just so simple. Tuko expected to be mind blowing too. But it's not. Tuko will even consider this as sucks actually. It's dark, no signage, arrangement of tables, show cabinets, bbq oven, etc are just so wrong.

Well since Tuko's already here, so better order up something and try. So Tuko ordered The Meat Eater's Delight, as recommended by the waiter. And also for the drink Tuko go for Thai Gold Tea.

This Meat Eater's Delight really up to it's name. There's 4 different types of meat here. Bacon, Beef, and Chicken. So considering there's pork, that means this is a non halal food.

The beef is rather too dry. Tuko likes the barbeque chicken though. The bacon is too soft and gooey. The other chicken is kind of just a side dish maybe they think? Because the size is so small compare to the others.

The sauce is rather interesting. Tuko can't figure out what kind of sauce that is. It's salty but yet also sweet. To savor the taste, Tuko didn't use any chili or tabasco. The actual side dishes which are potato and the colesaw are just normal. Nothing special to mention.

Overall the food is interesting. The menu is also full of intriguing names that make you want to try them. If only that Tuko's hungry or with bunch of friends, to order everything will be great.

  







The Meat Eater's Delight is IDR71,819 or around USD5.70. Thai Gold Tea is IDR16,364 or around USD1.30. There's 10% tax. No service charge.

So after all is finished. Tuko certainly will visit this place some other time. Not anytime soon though. The food is good, the waiter is good, but unfortunately the place sucks. The parking area is also very small which makes you have to park by the street and walk down to the restaurant.