DINING Social Garden
A haven from Jakarta’s concrete jungle, SOCIAL GARDEN offers a refreshing, healthier, vegetarian-friendly menu that doesn’t compromise on taste. ajeng g. anindita reports
It’s like stepping into one of those cafes in Bali!” We heard a lunch goer saying this the day we visited Ismaya’s latest lifestyle venue, Social Garden. Indeed, she was right. Situated at ground level at Senayan City, Social Garden is not like any other restaurant in Jakarta.
The eatery has a tropical vibe, with plants and bushes, and even a small tree, to be found on every side and corner. These are real plants by the way. You see staff watering them as you go in. Sofas and tables are in a brown-hued theme with green pebble accents, while the walls are decorated with wood panels and tropical wallpaper designs.
The lighting is warm, not too bright. You can see the person you are talking to perfectly, and the servers can spot you without your having to wave your hand too much. Floor-to-ceiling windows separate the main dining area from the semi-outdoor space - not so much for lighting purposes, it seems, but to make the place feel even more spacious.
The tropical theme doesn’t stop there, as most of the servers and bartenders sport floral Cuban shirts. A bakery filled with cakes and patisseries opens at 11.30, so you can have a snack and coffee if you arrive before lunchtime.
The indoor area is impressive, but the real hero is the semi-outdoor space. Separated by glass sliding door, we were a bit surprised by the sheer size of the place. There’s a bar on the left where they mix cocktails and beverages, complete with a collection of spirits that fill the wall behind it. There’s also a small wine cellar next to the bar.
Dining spots range from regular tables to sofas and semi-private cabanas, organised into three areas. Steps with yellow lighting guide you down to the garden, where they grow herbs and other ingredients for the kitchen. A floor-toceiling window that separates the area from the garden is opened after 4 pm so that guests can enjoy the breezes. In the next few months, they plan to introduce weekend gardening sessions for the children.
Social Garden offers a collection of healthier menu options, along with some crowd-pleasing classics. Information on ingredients and allergens is given on the menu, and it’s safe to say that the restaurant is vegetarian-friendly.
Social Garden’s menu is curated by Executive Chef Karl Emsen, whose resume includes Jason Atherton’s The Pig & Palm and Pearl Social, as well as Gordon Ramsay’s Petrus. We start with Tasmanian Salmon Ceviche, topped with crispy salmon skin, ikura and spicy mayo, Fresh Tomato Carpaccio with feta pistachio purée, sourdough croutons and a drizzle of white wine vinaigrette. Another option is Miso-Glazed Carrots with smoked eggplant baba ganoush and walnut pesto.
While we are waiting for the next dish, refreshing drinks are served: cocktails, mocktails and tea. The gin-based Hummingbird is served in a bird-shaped glass, mixed with fresh snap peas and mint, while the Caribbean Potion of Youth is a crowd favourite with its combination of coconut, mesoyi wood and clarified milk protein.
Served in a red strawberry-shaped glass, Strawberry Fizz features coconut, aloe vera, chia seeds and basil. There’s also Sugar Bae with Java palm sugar, fresh ginger and lemon. Moving on
to the Garden’s “Specialteas”, we are presented with fragrant beverages that pair well with cakes and desserts. Our picks are Floral, with chamomile, French flower, lavender and dry rose bud and Fruity, with black tea, peach and ginger.
The main courses include earthy Truffle Mushroom Fettuccini with tarragon, grana Padano and parmesan, continued with Wagyu Bibimbap Bowl, served in a big bowl with poached egg, ikura, nori and Japanese curry. Umami XO Congee is served with a choice of crispy pork belly or chicken, spicy XO sauce, poached egg and wonton crisps.
For dessert, two big slices of cake were presented to us: Speculoos Biscoff Crunch Cake and Pandan Kaya Cake. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the former. The latter is glutenfree but tastes just like a regular cake. It is nice to see gluten-free options, even if only on the dessert menu. Not a lot of restaurants in Jakarta seems to care about this issue.
Social Garden comes as a breath of fresh air in the midst of Jakarta’s concrete buildings. It’s a place where you can step back and reconnect with loved ones, as well as a reminder that the earth is the source of all things delicious and wholesome.
Social Garden
Senayan City, Ground Floor - South Lobby, Jl. Asia Afrika, Senayan, Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta 10270
Closes 12 am
Phone: (62-21) 7278 1516