In honour of the holy month of Ramadhan and to celebrate the spirit of silaturrahim, the Aquila Asia team of restaurant reviewers rounds up some of the best iftar offerings in the region.

By Aulia R Sungkar
 
The floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, wood fittings and old lanterns exude an old world feel at Bibliothèque, a semi formal wine and dine venue in Jakarta’s golden triangle. Opened since 09.09.09, Bibliothèque is filled with the crème de la crème cosmopolites who crave discreet elegance. To heat up the night, the restaurant features the live performance of DJ spinning remixes of lounge and jazz tunes after 9pm.

By Dave Koh

I’m suspicious of restaurants that try too hard to woo customers. Get within a seven-meter radius of the traditionally dressed attendant at the entrance of Soht & Baay, a Thai seafood restaurant, and you’ll be formally greeted and invited to come in.

By Dave Koh
 
I was surprised to see a croque monsieur on the menu made with turkey ham, a product that’s usually a giveaway for a halal-friendly restaurant. A quick word with a waiter confirmed it. The French head chef, Adama Koita, is ‘Muslim and very mindful of what goes into his food,’ said the waiter. A surprising find, one that I’m grateful for, as there aren’t many halal-friendly establishments with such élan, the rich wood and gold furnishings giving it a chic yet majestic old world charm.

Perpetually-scented by makrut lime leaves and lemongrass, and given a touch of the exotic in the intricate wood carvings on the lime green walls, one of Ooh Cha’s claim to fame is its hand-rolled deep fried popiahs and, spicy fish cakes.

Marry delicious food enjoyed in a cosy atmosphere with a shopping centre nearby in which to stretch those legs—and wallets—and you’ve got yourself Rizqun Coffee House.

Chef Mariano Liuzza is the man at the helm of Lobo’s, a posh eatery of  burgundy, gold and black interior, located in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton Jakarta. Opened in August last year, Lobo offers a variety of Italian dishes as well as premium grilled meats and seafood in an elegant setting.