With the overwhelming options of fusion dishes in Jakarta, it is sometimes hard to get your tongues on the classics, and that includes French cuisines. However, one might feel relieved at the sight of Brasserie Restaurant in Kemang. Promoting classic exclusiveness and the dainty flavors that never goes out of style, the restaurant stands firm to the devotees of gastronomic pleasure.

• The Vibe
  Brasserie is an example of timeless class. From the exterior and interior, it is doubtlessly European, or, to be more exact, French. It is acceptable to say that one might feel like they are transported to the streets of Paris from the moment they set foot on Brasserie's premise. Romantic lighting and classic decor dominated by wood and mirrors provide the much sought-after blend of cozy and chic. The whole aura is enhanced also by authentic French paintings and prints. Although some of the furniture reveals that this restaurant has quite a long history, the good lighting hides this.

  The restaurant features smoking and non-smoking sections, and the latter is divided again into a slightly separated section which can be converted into a private dining room. In addition, a very cozy lounge with large sofas and large bookshelves is available for those who are waiting for appointments or who are just there to sip on first-class wines. Soft background music to accompany the diners is played non-stop, but on weekends, a solo pianist will serenade the guests with classic and jazz music on a grand piano. A bar with many choices of wine ranging from the 1980s is also available, along with choices of cigars.

• The Food
  It's French, and it's tres bien. An array of fine cuisine awaits you in the Brasserie and your taste buds will do the polka upon tasting them. Most of the main ingredients are imported and ensured to be the finest in quality.

  It is recommended to try the Warm Goat Cheese Salad which is simply heavenly. The premium cheese is roasted to perfection and cooked salamander-style to achieve the tempting brownish color, and then set upon slices of crispy French bread along with its dressings, which include capsicum, olives, roasted tomatoes and pine nuts. The olives are not too sharp in taste, giving the dish just the right amount of zing, and the pine nuts give it a delicate crunch. In addition, the presentation is gorgeous, making you consider that ruining this pretty dish would be a shame.

  The Brasserie endows much pride in its Escargots de Bourgogne which is authentically served along with the shells. The amazingly experienced chef, Mr Hilman, claims that the Brasserie merely uses white wine in the process. This is contrary to most restaurants that slosh escargots with heavy liquor in order to get rid of its distinctive smell. In true Brasserie style, these rare mollusks are sautéed with clarified butter, given a splash of wine, flambéed and flavored with fragrant herbs. The result is a mild, exquisite flavor that can only be attained by a seemingly humble-yet-undeniably skillful choice of cooking.

  For the slightly more conservative, the Roasted Duck would be a fine choice. The duck meat is tender and rich in flavor. It is served with herbed Lyonaise Potatoes and green pepper sauce, giving the dish lovely alternating tastes.

  For the dessert, try the divine Chocolate Melt served with vanilla ice cream. For chocolate lovers, it would be the ultimate treat. It is also a perfect choice for those who aren't into over-sweetness in desserts. Slice a bit of the cake to reveal the melting chocolate and top it all off with a little scoop of ice cream to taste the bittersweet ending of a great meal.

  Most would agree that it is best to accompany French food with the proper wine, and the Brasserie's collection surely wouldn't disappoint you either. However, it is also advised to try some of the fresh concoctions from the bar like the Red Orange Squash, composed, amongst other things, of Blue Churacao Orange juice. Another fresh option is the Green Orange Squash, consisting of crème de menthe, orange juice and sprite.

The SD Food Advisor's Take on Brasserie Restaurant
An upscale restaurant worthy of the prices. The classic, Parisian setting makes it perfect for a romantic dinner or an elegant lunch time with friends. Good for small celebrations also. When ordering, it is advised that you go all the way and order the specialties. After all, you are already inside so why hold back?