The Café Connection
Love truly is the secret ingredient that makes Lurik Coffee & Kitchen worth a visit
When someone thinks of a blissful getaway in the city, they seldom think of a restaurant, let alone one that’s located in a mall. Yet in busy Kemang Village is exactly that: a brightly lit semi-outdoor eatery that serves as a much-needed escape from the hustle bustle of the city—lurik Coffee & Kitchen.
It is in Lurik Coffee & Kitchen that we find owners Ussy Suilstiawaty and Andhika Pratama showing their delectable delights. Taking inspiration from Indonesia’s lurik fabric, the couple’s vision of their establishment is to create a melting pot between the traditional and the contemporary. “We wanted to put a modern twist to both the place and the dishes, while still maintaining that traditional Indonesian nuance,” says Ussy, pointing at the lurik accents and rattan chairs in the otherwise modern eatery.
Like the ambience, Lurik Coffee & Kitchen melds Ussy and Andhika’s secret recipes with the chef ’s expertise. Taking Tahu Gejrot to a whole new level, the chef adds an extra layer of crunch to the sweet and spicy Indonesian deep-fried tofu appetiser. For the main course, Andhika’s favourite deep-fried dory dish reveals a soft fish filet upon biting into its thick crunchy batter, a mouthwatering juxtaposition that’s simply cooked to perfection. Paired with the sambal matah and lightly spiced rice, each component of this main course brings out the flavours in the others, leaving no room for further cravings.
Although they have recently ventured into the F&B industry, Ussy Sulistiawaty has, at the same time, been building a name for herself in the entertainment industry since the age of 18. It was through her agency that she met her husband, fellow actor Andhika Pratama,
who confessed he had set his sights on her for quite some time: “It took a while for me to muster up the courage to ask her out, but when I did, things just fell into place,” says the dapper romantic. Fast forward to 2012 and the couple got married and started a family of their own.
In addition to building a family, Ussy and Andhika have been building business upon business together. Not only do they head up Lurik Coffee & Kitchen, the lovebirds have also founded several food brands, a make-up brand, and even a real estate company. When asked whether separating work and personal life is hard, they said that, on the contrary, it comes rather naturally. “The most challenging part is actually to find quality time together as a family,” says Ussy, referring to Andhika’s hectic schedule as an actor and presenter. But be that as it may, the two were all giggles in between takes, proving that romance doesn’t fade with time.
Whether the chef caught on that love was in the air or not, the sweetness the couple shares has undoubtedly been translated in the form of their delicacies, one being Lurik Coffee & Kitchen’s Sate Maranggi. As a side dish, these grilled beef skewers offer a succulent bite-sized heaven served with a side of chili and soy sauce. To balance the sweet aftertaste, the restaurant offers a wide range of coffees, even those fit for coffee connoisseurs. While it has stayed true to its name with its coffee selection, the restaurant’s trademark drinks are actually the refreshing fruit-based Es Mumuw and Es Pupuw, the names of which have histories of their own. With such intricate details and a story with every dish, Lurik Coffee & Kitchen is truly Ussy and Andhika’s labour of love.
Lurik Coffee & Kitchen
Kemang Village (Lippo Mall), UG fl. Jl. Pangeran Antasari, Kemang, South Jakarta Instagram: @lurik.coffeekitchen Phone: (+62) 21 29528426
When asked whether separating work and personal life is hard, they said that, on the contrary, it comes rather naturally