Hot new eats

A trailblazer in semifine dining, Rodney

Wages’ (former chef de cuisine of Atelier

Crenn) roving popup RTB Fillmore has found a permanent home along Fillmore

Street. Avery, named after American modern artist Milton Avery, will once again introduce

San Francisco to

Wages’ inventive take on East Asian flavours through three prix fixe menus. They are inspired by the artist’s oeuvres, starting from the seven- to ninecourse Cello Player (US$89). Book the Avery’s Room (US$289), where a surprise menu awaits six to eight diners within a private dining space. The official tasting menu has yet to be confirmed, but we can expect delectable plates such as Trout Eggs with farm greens and buttermilk as well as The North Point, which combines abalone and sea moss with 45-day aged lamb. Wages is joined by sommelier Daniel Bromberg, who complements the affair with artisanal sakes of nama (unpasteurised), junmai and aged varieties. 1552 Fillmore Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, U.S.A. Tel: +1 415 817 1187

Top Chef season 11 runnerup Nina Compton has added another restaurant to her repertoire. Bywater American Bistro follows the success of Compère Lapin and offers a produce-driven Caribbeaninspired Louisiana menu. Duck, a common ingredient on New Orleans dining tables, is served with braised red cabbage and charred scallion (US$26) here, while a hearty Hogs Head Boudin (US$10) gives a glimpse into South Louisiana traditions. Compton’s lauded goat curry also makes an appearance as Rabbit Curry (USD$26). A comforting bowl of Smoked Ricotta Agnolotti with Sunchoke (US$14), on the other hand, is a testament to Compton’s pasta-making skills. Rice Mill Lofts, 2900 Chartres Street, New Orleans, LA 70117, U.S.A. Tel: +1 504 605 3827

With globally-inspired dishes, innovative cocktails and a buzzy atmosphere, it’s no surprise that Potato Head Jakarta is known as a great dining hangout in Indonesia’s capital. Be it a casual business lunch at the main dining area or a cosy catch-up on the leafy patio, the restaurant and bar offers a respite in the Sudirman Central Business District. Its culinary team has launched a new menu, featuring a diverse selection of American, European and Asian dishes, both familiar and compelling. Must-tries include Tuna Nicoise (Rp110,000) and Homemade Black Ink Angel Hair Pasta (Rp140,000), complimented by a stellar range of cocktails, crafted with locally sourced produce. Pacific Place Ground Floor 51A, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kav. 52-53, Jakarta Selatan 12190, Tel: +62 21 57973322

Bogor Café’s Sop Buntut may be one of Hotel Borobudur Jakarta’s highlights, but Indonesian fare is not the only cuisine available at the five-star hotel. There’s also Chinese food at Teratai Chinese Restaurant, Japanese delights at Miyama Japanese Restaurant, and Italian fare at Bruschetta Italian Restaurant & Bar. Many business deals have also been sealed at the Pendopo Lounge and Churchill Wine & Cigar Bar, a favourite among visiting dignitaries. For a caffeine fix and a selection of breads and pastries, head to Borobudur Gourmet. Jl. Lapangan Banteng Selatan No.1 Pasar Baru, Jakarta Pusat 10710, Tel: +62 21 3805555

Seminyak’s favourite brunch institution has finally landed in Jakarta. Sisterfields recently opened its doors at PIK Avenue Mall to much fanfare. Similar to its fabulous older sister, it serves an all-day brunch menu and a selection of smoothies, juices, coffee, and cocktails. Diners can expect the same popular classics from Seminyak as well as new dishes dedicated to the Jakarta market. The dining continues well into the evening, as the space transforms from a casual garden setting into a luxe bar. PIK Avenue Mall, Jl. Pantai Indah Kapuk Boulevard, Jakarta Utara

14470. Tel: +62 813 8333 2758

To celebrate the holy month of Ramadhan, Sari Pacific Jakarta has created tasty offerings for four of its F&B outlets. Enjoy the Archipelago Ramadhan Buffet (Rp299,000) at Restoran Fiesta where well-loved Indonesian dishes are presented according to weekly themes. Special desserts for breakfasting are available at the Lobby Lounge (Rp109,000) and at The Japanese (Rp109,000). Don’t forget to check out Sari Delicatessen for its range of gift hampers. Jl. M.H. Thamrin No.6, Jakarta 10340. Tel: +62 21 29932888

Since opening in 2013, Wilshire Bar & Restaurant has become the crowd favourite on Jakarta’s hottest eat street, Jalan Senopati, thanks to its Californian-inspired dishes. Under the direction of chef Dolly Chia, the restaurant now offers a menu lineup that emphasises on wellness. Healthy and hearty, the dishes are low-fat, high in protein and fibre and gluten-free, as evident in the Vietnamese Lemongrass Grilled Chicken Salad (Rp155,000) and Burrito Bowl (Rp129,000) with quinoa, guacamole and salsa. Jl. Senopati No. 64, Jakarta Selatan 12190. Tel: +62 21 7228129

Get ready to sail in a Phinisi cruise ship from July. AYANA Lako di’a is a state-ofart traditional vessel built according to an age-old craft of the Konjo people in Sulawesi. With nine luxury bedrooms, dining options, and spa treatments, expect pampering service throughout the excursion, which can take up to five nights. Explore the crystal waters of the Komodo Islands and discover remote diving spots where manta rays and vibrant coral gardens are part of the experience. Together with the upcoming opening of AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach, sailing to eastern Indonesia just gets more exciting. For more information on AYANA Lako di’a and AYANA Komodo Resort, Waecicu Beach, log on to ayanakomodo.com Arkipela Spa & Wellness at Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali celebrates the rich diversity of the archipelago’s herbs, spices, roots, and fruits. A dedicated apothecary blend bar showcases the natural mixture of remedies, scrubs, and oils used in the treatments. Try the Arkipela Signature Journey (Rp1,8000,000), which includes a root ritual, signature massage, black Borneo lulur and natural facial. Jalan Wanagiri No.1 Jimbaran, Bali. Tel: +62 361 4725777

Indonesia’s top toque Mandif Warokka has outdone himself again, this time with the launch of Padi Fine Dining – a dinner only intimate restaurant for 30 guests. Serving up degustation menus with a focus on vegetarian and pescatarian dishes, Warokka aims to dazzle even omnivores with his culinary creations. Set in a dramatically dark restaurant under the bridge and by the river, Padi showcases Warokka reverential approach in using local produce to craft unique flavours with global influences. Desa Visesa, Jl. Suweta, Banjar Bentuyung Sakti, Ubud 80571. Tel: +62 361 2091788 Enjoy a great meal at bridges restaurant in Ubud with your family for a good cause. For Mother’s Day on 13 May, the restaurant has put together a tasty all-day sharing brunch with cocktails and wines (Rp380,000/person and Rp195,000 for children up to 12 years). A percentage of proceeds from this brunch will be donated to Robin Lim’s Bumi Sehat foundation to support its extraordinary work in providing healthcare for disadvantaged pregnant women, supporting natural births and child care in Bali and beyond. Jl. Raya Campuhan Ubud 80571. Tel: +62 361 970095 A new entry to Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2018 is Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin in Tokyo. Ranking at number 28, the restaurant is renowned for its contemporary interpretation of traditional Italian cuisine and use of top-quality seasonal Japanese produce. Enjoy the same experience at

Il Ristorante – Luca Fantin at Bvlgari Resort Bali. Led by resident head chef Fabrizio Crocetta, the tastefully designed restaurant is the perfect fine dining destination for Baliphiles. Jl. Goa Lempeh, Banjar Dinas Kangin, Uluwatu 80361. Tel: +62 361 8471000