Luna Negra: a delectable and unforgettable Italian dining experience

This is an experience not be missed! I have tried a lot of Italian restaurants in Jakarta, but I could say that the only one I like so far is Pepe e Nero ... Until I met the owner of Luna Negra, and he introduced me to the food of heavens above.. Haha.

Luna Negra is located at the Citi building in Plaza Bapindo, the building right after the Jakarta Stock Exchange building, in Jalan Sudirman area. Once you get in the lobby, don't go to the 'x-ray door' but instead, take a right turn and you will see a lovely lady waiting for you to greet you at the door. The restaurant has a sense of Italian Mafia kind of place, but not scary, just classy. When you walk in, you will be greeted by the bartenders at the bar and you just walk right through until you see the restaurant area in high ceiling, getting the ambiance of a NYC restaurant. It feels like Little Italy has just moved in this place.
I was really looking forward to indulge in a wonderful midday meal.

I asked what were the food recommended at this place and the lovely owner -who comes from Bergamo, Italy- said to try the 'Linguine al Mare'. Indeed I opt for that. Then I saw a big sign with lots of pizza lists to choose from and I asked what was recommended in that department and he mentioned the Pizza with the 'melanzane' or the eggplants. Ok, not sure what will look like, but he promised there'll be a lot of cheeses. Mmmm... Yum!
The drinks came out first, ordered the lychee tea and it was ok, not that great. Then the pizza came and it was huge! I think it is suitable for 3 to 4 people, even 5 or 6 if you're on a diet. The smell was delicious, I couldn't wait to take a bite. It was amazzzzzing. The mozzarella cheese indeed was tangling and melts in your mouth, to die for! There was also hints of different cheeses inside, including blue cheese. A little plate of different sauces came with it too, including dry chilli and parmeggiano. Buonissimo!

My main course arrived and it was the 'Linguine Al Mare'. Oh, if you could smell it, you could really breathe the sea in Italy, I swear! That's how fresh the seafood are. Cozze, vongole, squid and fish are the stars of the dish. Then combine it with the linguine adds to the whole matrimony of great northern Italian seafood. I was doing the "Mmmmm...Mmmm" sound and just sunk in the moment.. Coz it was that good. Here is the dish from heaven.

I didn't get a dessert but I am sure that everything else is as superb as the courses I've ordered. The chef is from Rimini and only speaks Italian, but he's totally consistent with the beliefs of his cooking, and that is what matters in an Italian meal.
Bring your family at lunch and lovely dinner date with your loved ones, don't forget to order different things from the menu each time you come to the place. I truly enjoyed my day and I really hope to come back again real soon.

My Black Moon has arrived... In my tummy :)

K.P. Bex
29-12-2010

Patriotism: Is it new in our country?

How many times have you seen on TV, Internet or on paper the articles regarding our National Soccer Team?? You might think plenty.. Well, to me it's plentisaurus!! Hell, it should be made into a new word just for them.

Hot news in the country used to be all about Ariel, Gayus or other nonsense religious views that were on the media and now we got to see something really fresh.. And I'm really talking about one particular individual, who has been the talk of the town in the past few weeks. Yes, non other than.. Irfan Bachdim, or the Indonesian version of Haley Joel Osment.
He's playing for Persema, which is the soccer league in Malang, East Java, and got chosen to play with the National Team, representing our lovely country, Indonesia. He's not only talented on the field, but he's somewhat good looking, good enough to be the idol of all the ABGs throughout Indonesia. Not to mention, having a gorgeous, voluptuous model girlfriend, who's none other than the granddaughter of Kwee Hong Sing, a well-known Persija player from the past. He sounds like a pretty good package! Anyhow, either it's him or Gonzales, Indonesians suddenly have the HOTS for their National Team, all because we won through and through with those other ASEAN countries.

These past few weeks Indonesia has been celebrating its victory toward our winning with all the other Asian teams that played us in Jakarta. We kicked some serious asses, especially Malaysia with 5-1, Thailand with 2-1 and the Philippines with 1-0. Well done, mates! But do you think that's enough? I don't think so. Like, hello?? This championship is only for ASEAN countries.. It's nothing compare to say, Asia Cup or something like that (I don't know, I don't follow soccer). People, don't get too hyped! Or even, just take it easy and see what will happen next. Just pray that everything will be alright. (read: Indonesia next match in Malaysia playing WITH Malaysia for finals.) All hell could break loose in this particular match. That's why.. Don't get your hopes up, just have hope.

TIMNAS...You are now being unfairly treated. Yes, coz all these times WE have never shown such enthusiasm, and now that a 'bule' managed to kick some goals -whatever naturalization you may call, he's still caucasian- and because one good looking Haley Joel Osment did a funny turkish victory dance after he made a goal for his team, people are sooo into you... No! That is wrong!! We are guilty of being so shallow. Maaf.

Anyway, in two more days we are going to kick some serious Upin and Ipin asses, and we hope that our faith lies from this final match. Though it's a small championship, we have to dream big. We should dream big. Indonesia is rising. Hell to the YEAH!

K.P. Bex Bachdim *dear gawd! oh just laugh!! HAHAHAHA*
25 December 2010

"Garuda Pancasila.. Akulah pendukungmu.. Patriot proklamasi.. Sedia Berkorban untukmuu.... "

One word to describe this blog: Determination

Yes, I would totally describe that day as that ... Determination. To get Maroon5 pre-sale tickets!!

The day started the night before, when I calculated for myself to sleep early, so that I can wake up at 6am and leave home at 7am. I actually left at 6.50am to get an 'ojek' ride to Adrie Subono's house.

Adrie Subono is this mega well-known promoter in Indonesia under the name Java Musikindo. He's brought Suede, Sonic Youth, Foo Fighters, Alanis Morissette, Bjork, Arkarna, Muse, Black Eyed Peas and many more to Jakarta. Thanks to him too, lots of other promoters got inspired by him and are now doing a great job inviting artists that basically are not into Adrie's type of music.. hehehe.. Seriously.
I first enjoyed his first concert in 1997, when he brought Arkarna to Bengkel Nightpark. Truly, his professionalism in the business makes him the best of the best in the music promoter business in Indonesia.

Anyway, going back on that day, Sunday, 5 December 2010, I came out from the house at 6.50am, walked out to the portal to see if there were any ojek drivers waiting for passengers. Unfortunately, no one was in sight so I took a walk to the next station and took the ride from there. I then arrived at Adrie's house around 7.15am. Uh-oh. I saw cars parking, lots of them. Then the ojek took a turn to his house and UH-OH. Major crowd were already packed outside Adrie's house and when I got to the gate to get the Q number, I knew I was very, very, -waaay- late, there is no way I would get one of the 100 pre sale tickets given. My number was 685.

Holy %*#$@.. 685!!! Not 50, not 300, not 558.. But 685. I swear, I think I screamed in my head for awhile. The crew said people were already coming at 2.30am and some other people said that when they came at 6am, the number was already in 350 something. Amazeballs. People really like Maroon5. Or people are really hypnotized by Twitter. Yes, people. Twitter made all of these happening.
Adrie Subono was already standing in front of his gate talking to a couple of guys who seemed like they came very early in the morning. Think dawn.
Anyway, I approached that group to talk to Adrie Subono as well and he said that we should come back later in the afternoon, while he would tweet the numbers in waiting. Well, I had to go back since I had wedding reception to attend. One other thing Adrie Subono said. He's actually not so familiar with Maroon5 and he kinda felt that the type of music they play is too 'soft' or 'meye-meye'. HAHAHA.. I loved the way he said it :P . While talking to him, I knew that I won't be seeing him as relaxed as then and so I asked for both of us to take a picture together along with my Q-ing number in hand. Man, I kinda felt defeated. Happily defeated, at least.

Long story short, the fun actually began when Adrie started to tweet the numbers. I had to keep the updates so that my number would not be surpassed. It was 300smt when I arrived at the wedding and it was almost in the 600 range when I decided that all of us should leave the wedding (it was a cousin's wedding, so all the family came by too). Then it was 631 when I arrived at his house again. Wow. The power of Twitter.
These pictures can give you ideas on how hectic that day was:






Mrs. Subono, the lady of the house showed up in the front porch of the house to take a few pictures of the line. She was out for a few minutes, and I was looking at her from outside the gate, but I could see how beautiful she is. I think Adrie will never cheat on her. Ever. She's such a keeper :)

I got my tickets in 40minutes and I came out from the house thanking Adrie for my ticket, which is not exactly called ticket but voucher to be later redeemed at their office in Kuningan in April. *sigh* another Q in waiting.
Well, the story isn't that interesting but it does give you an idea of how complicated and hard working being successful is. You have to do the best for the people so they won't lose your trust. And Adrie Subono with Java Musikindo never fails to impress us. Kudos to him! Long live Maroon5 *lhooo??* Hehehehe.... Oh, and by the way, Maroon5 ticket sales was SOLD OUT to tha bone in 10 hours. Amazeballs. Thank Twitter again. Thank God for determination.

Peace out,

K.P. Bex
7 December 2010