Java, the friendly neighborhood Indonesian cafe!
Written: Oct 27 '00 (Updated Feb 23 '01)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Unique cuisine, comfortable environment, attentive service
Cons: None really
The Bottom Line: Feeling adventurous and willing to try something new? Java offers Indonesian cuisine that tastes familiar yet incorporates some tantalizing twists on the typical Asian fare!
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| smiles33's Full Review: San Francisco |
In the mood for something different? Forgo the more commonplace burger joints, pizza chains, or Chinese restaurants, and try some Indonesian food! Indonesia is usually not on the radar of most Americans--it’s a country in Southeast Asia composed of an archipelago of islands. The ethnic make-up is quite diverse, including native indigenous peoples, Hindus, Malays, Indians, and Chinese, thus accounting for the myriad of influences on Indonesian cuisine.
Java Indonesian Restaurant is located at 3015 Geary Blvd. in what I believe is the Richmond district (or close to the edge of Western Addition). There is another Java restaurant listed in Epinions that is located at Clement St., but I’ve never been there and don’t know if the two are owned by the same people.
The Geary location is just past the tunnel (going past Divisadero towards the numbered streets) and does not offer parking. Yet there are side streets and it wasn’t too difficult to find parking (relative to the rest of the City).
I went last night for a late dinner with an old friend, so I wasn’t taking notes on my Palm. However, I was surprised to see that this restaurant hasn’t been reviewed yet, and since this was my third time eating here, I thought I could do a decent job of writing a review without my usual detailed notes. You be the judge.
The ambiance and the service combine to offer a warm, relaxing environment
The restaurant is quite intimate, as there are only 10-15 tables. It is decorated with what appear to be intricately woven straw mats on the walls and brightly printed tablecloths (most likely Indonesian, but I’m not entirely sure). It is warmly lit, so I felt quite cozy and at ease.
There is also a small alcove with a collection of small Indonesian dolls (at first glance, I thought they were Barbies in ethnic dress) and a number of other small trinkets that together appeared to be akin to a small ceremonial altar. Indonesian music also plays throughout dinner.
Since this place is somewhat small, I was conscious of not getting too animated, in case it disturbed the other diners. Rarely does one go to a restaurant these days and find oneself lowering one’s voice! My friend and I chatted for upwards of an hour and a half, and still felt quite comfortable staying even longer had it not been for the somewhat late hour. This is the kind of place that probably draws a crowd of neighborhood regulars.
The one waiter was excellent and very responsive. He was very unobtrusive, yet made sure our water glasses were always full. The restaurant was rather full as two large groups of boisterous young people came in soon after us, but he was still very attentive to us as well.
Ahh, the food!
Indonesian food is quite varied, but a few staples seem fairly common to other more familiar Asian cuisines in the U.S. as well. For example, satays (skewered meats), fried rice, curry chicken, and meats with peanut sauce are not particularly unique to Indonesian cuisine. However, there are also a number of distinctive dishes that I urge you to try!
I first discovered Indonesian cuisine and this restaurant, Java, when a former boss brought us here. He spent a few years in Indonesia and speaks the language, so he ordered a number of dishes for a group of 6. I can’t remember entirely what was ordered (this was 2 years ago!), but upon reviewing the menu, I picked out a few dishes that stood out in my memory because of their distinctive names or preparation styles:
- Nasi Goreng Kambing Pete (Lamb fried rice with stinky beans)
- Ayam Goreng Mentega (Fried chicken in butter sauce)
- Rendang (Beef cooked with coconut milk)
All three dishes were unexpectedly delightful, despite my initial hesitation. I remember being rather pleased with the entire meal and brought my fiancee, brace33, here soon after so he could try the dishes as well. I believe my favorites were the Lamb fried rice with stinky beans (which weren’t stinky and the combo actually tasted much better than it sounds) and the Beef in coconut milk (which was moist and very flavorful).
And I remember we also ordered Indonesian drinks, like the fruit juices. One of my favorite fruit drinks is mango juice (like mango lhassi at Indian restaurants), but they also offer avocado, orange, durian (not sure what this is!), mixed sweetened fruits, jello ice, and a variety of sodas, beers and wines.
You are reading an epinion by SMILES33. If this appears under someone else's name, it has been plagiarized! Please report it to Epinions and email me to let me know: smilesesq@yahoo.com. THANK YOU.
In subsequent visits, I have sampled different entrees. Last night we intended to have a light dinner as both she and I had late lunches. So, we decided to share Empal Goreng, the deep fried marinated beef for $7.50, and a Rhoti, a curried ground chicken and onions mixture wrapped in a crisp, flaky, flat "bread" type wrap (around $6). We also ordered 2 sides of rice ($1 each). The total bill with tax and tip was about $20.
The Rhoti is not on the paper menu that I picked up on the way out, so I’m not sure what the exact description is. However, this is one dish I HIGHLY RECOMMEND and will definitely order again when I return. It was about the size of a 5" by 7" photo, cut into six pieces. The flavor of the curried chicken and onion mixture is subtle, but further enhanced with a curry sauce spooned over it. My favorite part is the crisp, flaky wrapping. If you’ve had the flaky green onion "pancake" appetizer of Chinese cuisine, you may be familiar with the texture--crisp, flaky layers over a more substantial chewy center. We gobbled these up quickly!
The beef was a surprise--while deep fried, it wasn’t breaded like I had expected (though I don't know why I did since I've never had breaded beef!). It also had a unique texture that I wasn’t accustomed to. There were 4 pieces of thinly sliced beef about the size of a fist. The beef itself was a little stringy and separated when I attempted to cut it. We still finished all 4 pieces, but I think the restaurant has better entrees.
The final judgment?
While I was disappointed by the beef dish last night, I think the restaurant has much to offer and will definitely return. It’s a great place for a relaxing meal with old friends or a night when you just don’t feel like cooking.
Recommended:
Yes
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