One of Jakarta’s most exclusive fine dining restaurants, Tugu Kunstkring Paleis, recently unveiled its new Gallery Room, which radiates an ambiance of both art space and antique market.
Launched in the middle of May, this semi-private dining area features over 100 beautiful objects such as handicrafts, Indonesian traditional fabric batik along with the traditional female outfit kebaya, statues, marionettes, indigenous wooden and shadow puppets wayang, jeweleries.
They are not mere decoration but available for sale, ranging from IDR 50,000 for small items to a whooping IDR 50,000,000 for goods like vintage cabinets or mirrors.
“All items here are made by Indonesian craftsmen. This dining room is inspired by our motivation to preserve this country’s artistic and cultural legacies,” Tugu Kuntskring Paleis Marketing Officer Tirza Juniarti told NOW! Jakarta.
In 2013, when Tugu Kunstkring Paleis first opened its doors, this area was used as the restaurant’s art gallery. As it gained more popularity and customers were impressed by the valuable art collections, the management decided to turn the gallery into an additional dining area.
“We spent about three to six months to prepare the Gallery Room, and our efforts paid off as our customers love it! Their response so far has been really positive. They love to take a look around at the gallery’s display, or even purchase some,” Tirza explained.
The new dining area can accommodate up to 30 people and is suitable for events or customers in large groups who looking for a place to enjoy eclectic food in an arty yet laid-back atmosphere. A pool table, available in the corner of the new area, invites diners to enjoy a game while waiting for their meals.
Tugu Kunstkring Paleis establishment is famous for its distinctive fine dining experience called Betawi Rijsttafel (Dutch for rice table), where waiters wearing a classic Betawi uniform from the early 20th century present dozens of different traditional dishes.
Accompanied by Betawi dancers and musicians, the Betawi Rijsttafel is inspired by an old dining tradition practiced by Dutch plantation owners when hosting distinguished guests during the colonial era in Indonesia.
Besides the Rijsttafel, Tugu Kunstkring Paleis serves Indonesian, Southeast Asian and Western food, including Stoom Visch von Kunstkring (steamed fish mixed with cassava leaves, crispy salted egg, and wrapped in banana leaves), Tahu Masak Jamur Shitake (poached bean curd with black beans, shitake mushroom, and ginger soy sauce), Kangkung Cholat Cholet (stir fried water convolvulus or kangkung served with dried prawn hot dipping sauce or sambal). The dessert menu includes the restaurant’s famous Poffertjes, the indigenous Dutch small puffed cakes served with tropical fruit compote and crusted hazelnuts.
Guests who want to enjoy the delicious food in a more intimate dining setting can book one of the restaurant’s eight private rooms – each boasting a historical theme. The biggest private room is Soekarno Room on the second floor, named after Indonesia’s first president that showcases some original collections of Soekarno himself and can host up to 26 people.
Tugu Kunstkring Paleis
Jl. Teuku Umar No.1
Central Jakarta 10350
Phone: +62 21 3900 899
https://www.tuguhotels.com/restaurants/jakarta/kunstkring/
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