A. Junaidi, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Stepping into Payon restaurant on Jl. Kemang Raya in South Jakarta, you will immediately feel a strong Javanese nuance.
The restaurant's gate, hallway, floor, poles -- all are made from unpainted wood -- create the atmosphere of a village in Central Java.
Dominant colors of natural brown and green, traditional kerosene lamps, which have been changed into electric lamps, the sound of flowing water and traditional Javanese gamelan music all add to the ambience.
Offering authentic Indonesian cuisine, Payon, which means ""shade"" in Sanskrit, provides mostly traditional Central Java and East Java dishes.
""(The food is) hot and spicy, but is delicious,"" Meera, a Malaysian participating in a training event in Jakarta, commented during a recent farewell dinner at the restaurant.
For appetizers, the restaurant provides a wide range of soups and dumplings, including lumpia (rolled vegetables) in chili shrimp paste.
Steamed rice, tempe penyet (scrambled tempeh in chili sauce), fried fish in chili shrimp paste and fried water spinach are among the choices for the main course.
The restaurant also offers chicken and beef satay in shredded coconut, steamed fish with coconut and chili, steamed spinach cooked in various spices usually found in villages in Java.
For dessert, their is es podeng (traditional coconut ice cream in various flavors) and traditional drinks like wedang jahe (hot ginger tea), wedang sereh (hot lemongrass tea) and es beras kencur (mixed rice and herbal ice tea).
In the evening, it is not uncommon to find many expatriates dining at the restaurant, which can seat more than 100 people.
Many organizers of regional and international meetings in Jakarta often use the restaurant to welcome participants.
Amelie, who was with the same training event as Meera, also praised the restaurant's food and ambience.
The restaurant also sells traditional souvenirs, such as wooden dolls and puppets, as well as key chains. On certain occasions, it organizes traditional dance performances on a stage located in the center of the restaurant.
Perennial traffic jams along Jl. Kemang Raya -- every day, not only during weekends -- and limited parking can make it difficult to get to Payon. But once inside, you will be pleased you made the effort.
