Jakarta has quickly developed a reputation for high-quality French restaurants with Emilie serving as a staple feature since 2005.

When passing through the hedged entrance at Emilie, you could be excused for forgetting that you’re in central Jakarta.

Torrential rain, nightmare traffic and the bustle of a metropolis seem a world away as you take a seat at the two-story stand-alone restaurant.

It’s hard to miss the delicate attention to detail at the restaurant.

The flowers on each table are chosen carefully by attentive staff to match the wall features. Cabinets of French vases are simplistic features, matched with shade lamps that adorn adjacent corners. Elegant white tablecloths line square tables that support a range of wine glasses and silverware. Yes, this place breathes française.

The man on the pass at Emilie is Chef de Cuisine Mikael Robin, who arrives in town with a long list of culinary credentials. Prior to Emilie, Robin was Senior Chef de Partie at L’Espadon, a two Michelin star restaurant in the Hotel Ritz, Paris.

Indeed Emilie’s chefs have always hailed from France, whether from La Baule-Escoublac like Robin or from the cities of Nice and Bordeaux — making it appears that the management place importance on food being steered with a clear direction.

Late afternoon was a quiet affair at Emilie. Yet the restaurant never felt empty as the room was filled with the bustle of staff preparing for another busy service.

Heirloom Tomato Tarte
While the staff was by no means stretched, they mentioned that during busy periods waiters never serve more than two tables at a time to ensure attention to detail and quality service.

While filling one of many glasses on the table, the waiter mentioned that during evening service it was nothing to rub shoulders with ambassadors from all over world or highflying businessmen and celebrities.

The fact that staff is aware of their clientele is indicative of their menu pricing, which is clearly geared to the affluent circles of Jakarta.

Lobster and Mango Ravioli with Crustacean EmulsionThat’s not to say that the restaurant does make efforts not accommodate curious diners. For those after a more affordable option, the restaurant offers a set lunch and dinner menu, with three dishes priced at Rp 200,000 (US$20.61) and a three-course meal at Rp 300,000.

The bar menu is also reasonably priced for those looking for a light meal and drinks. Choose from breaded sole with pomme gaufrette, a selection of French cheeses, or even try baked escargot with Provencal butter priced at Rp 70,000.

In a city where wine can be a little hard to come by, Emilie has developed a reputation as haven for wine lovers.

The restaurant certainly didn’t disappoint in this regard. The establishment’s wine list so extensive it could serve as a novella by any other means.

The menu is segmented for wines by region and vintage, from France to Australia’s renowned wine valleys. Perhaps it’s not surprising then that Emilie’s are the only restaurant in Jakarta to have been awarded the prestigious “Award of Excellence” by the New York based Wine Spector Magazine every year since 2007.

Country Style Pork Terrine with Pickled VegetablesThe culinary offerings are from vanilla butter poached lobster with Mango Ravioli and coarse lobster emulsion to seared yellowfin tuna belly with foie gras. The entrée of fine French Sturgeon Caviar “Baeri” with condiments will set diners back Rp 1.5 million

For starters, it was the La Tomate, with chilled capellini and fresh summer tomatoes. An elegant dish that matched the ethos of the restaurant: to provide simple, modern French food without abandoning traditional techniques and full flavors.

Next up was the seared barramundi with sun chokes mousseline, seasonal vegetables and a light curry beurre blanc.

The fish was elegantly seared and perfectly cooked. The vegetables may have been arranged a little awkwardly on the plate, yet the beurre blanc was exceptional.

As for desert, well who can go past well executed French indulgence. The L’île Flotttante dish features a floating Meringue with a crème anglais and summer berries topped with an elaborate angle hair caramel basket.

Emilie’s restaurant is great venue for those looking for somewhere a little special, perhaps for a romantic date, an important business meeting, or just simply a night of indulgence.

The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post

— Photos Courtesy of Emilie French Restaurant