A Taste of New York in Jakarta

Sometimes I get a craving for thin crust pepperoni pizza, red velvet cake and a bagel and cream cheese.  I am happy to say that I have found two places in Kemang, south Jakarta to soothe my bagel and red velvet cake cravings.  However the thin crust pizza has been elusive. Kemang is a far way for me to drive to from north Jakarta, but today I made the hour long journey to my friend Kim first for red cupcakes (because we like eat dessert first) then bagel sandwiches.

An assortment of bagels. Photo by Diana O’Gilvie

Bagel Bagel

Only a few months old, Bagel Bagel is wildly popular.  Boasting New York Style bagels, I was skeptical when I first walked in.  New York is my adopted home and bagels were a major part of my culinary life while I lived there.  Every place outside of New York that boasted “New York style” anything has been a disappointment for me.  The bagels here are baked fresh daily and are the right consistency of fluffiness and firmness.  On the first taste my teeth sank into the soft bread then pulled taunt to complete the bite.  I was thrilled to see a bacon and cheddar cheese sandwich as well as smoked ham and cheese.  My bacon hunt is over!  So far I have tried the tuna salad, the Philly cheese steak and the smoked salmon.

For those of you who live in Jakarta, the store is currently running a promotion on Twitter.  Get a 10% discount for following and mentioning @bagel2bagel.

Smoked salmon and tomatoes on a cheese bagel. Photo by: Diana O’Gilvie

Bagel Bagel Address:

JL Benda Raya 10, Kemang, 12560

Phone: 0 21 7827218

Souly Butter Kitchen

Front counter of Souly Butter Kitchem. Photo by: Diana O’Gilvie

Kim spotted the red velvet cupcakes from the sidewalk.  We went in and fell in love with the bubblegum decor or stripes and white wooden chairs.  Now the red velvet cakes isn’t Cakeman Raven quality, but the color is rich with no food coloring aftertaste.  Kim guessed that they got the color from beets.  The staff wouldn’t divulge if they used beets for coloring, but they did say the icing was made from marcsopone cream.  Souly Butter Kitchen’s big windows allow for a lot of sunshine and comfortable cushions to sip hot cocoa and watch traffic go by.

Red velvet cupcakes. Photo by: Diana O’Gilvie

Souly Butter Kitchen Address:

JL Kemang Raya #15A (directly in front of the KFC)

Yes I will. Photo by: Diana O’Gilvie