Chilling out at the Pad

Globe Asia

A new restaurant, Pad@28, is carving out a culinary niche in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the SCBD, making it the perfect spot for both laid-back business lunches and hanging out with friends over food and drink.

Jakarta’s increasingly dynamic dining scene seems to be producing more and more restaurant openings each month. It’s a fiercely competitive market, which means newcomers have to bring something unique to the table if they hope to make it in the long run.

The owners of Pad@28 have focused on a combination of providing high-quality food and beverages in a relaxed, comfortable environment, has earned them good initial buzz and set them apart from their nearby competitors in one of the capital’s busiest business areas.

Having a good location is certainly a big plus, and the recently opened restaurant, located in the Sudirman Central Business District, home to the Jakarta Stock Exchange as well as numerous high-powered companies, certainly looks quite different from other restaurants in the area.

Unlike many new venues that have adopted an industrial chic look, Pad@28 features a rustic, laid-back ambience befitting the charming old-fashioned building that houses it.

The venue is divided into two floors. The first has a more casual, cafe feel, while the second is a bit more refined and spacious. Purple and black are reoccurring colour motifs, as is the extensive use of wood panelling on the floors and ceiling. Numerous black leather seats provide a comfortable setting in which to enjoy charming design details like the hanging lamps over the tables and the
eclectic photos on the walls.

Each floor has its own menu (although you can order from either menu no matter where you sit). The first floor’s focuses more on light dishes and appetisers designed for sharing. It’s where you’ll find a list of tapas including wagyu meatballs, udang api-api (crispy mini shrimp dusted with chili powder) and sirloin pincho (bite-sized pieces of steak served with a creamy Parmesan cheese
sauce).

The second floor’s menu has a complete array of mains, including salads, pasta, pizza and local fare. But the centerpiece of the menu is the grill section, featuring an extensive selection of high-quality steaks.

Pad@28 is owned by a group of friends inclunding Dharma Djojonegoro, the president director of Ancora Indonesia Resources, and Ananda Siregar, CEO of Blitzmegaplex. Ananda used to own the popular Brazilian steakhouse Brassas, and the same level of passion for grilled meats that won Brassas many loyal customers can be seen at Pad@28.

They claim to have the largest custommade, charcoal-fired grill in Jakarta, and upon its flaming-hot surface they cook prime steaks including New York sirloin, US prime rib and Wagyu MB-7 specialcuts. They are so serious about their steaks that there is a note on their menu that reads, “Please note, we will not cook our steaks past medium as we believe it is disrespectful to the cow that sacrificed itself for your pleasure to cook the meat beyond its true taste.”

Another example of Pad@28’s commitment to quality can be tasted in their coffee. All of the beans they use are locally sourced, and after they are custom-roasted, they are specially aged for a week in-house to add an extra level of flavor.

For busy businessmen looking for a quick lunch in a relaxed setting, the restaurant recently started offering special 3-course lunch set menus. They also started a new brunch service on weekends. While nothing is certain in Jakarta’s fast-paced dining scene, we feel Pad@28 will definitely have some staying power.