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Today's Outfit: Going Up and Winding Down at BART

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Last time we were at Central Jakarta’s Artotel, it was to conduct our very successful Blogger Workshop event. The artsy vibe and colorful interiors of this Central Jakarta boutique hotel were very conducive to the creativity bubbling over from our blogger friends.

Last week, we were invited back to Artotel — but more specifically, we were invited to check out to the gorgeous new space at their rooftop, which has been converted to a bar called BART — a cute little acronym that stands for Bar At the Rooftop. I took the opportunity to do a Today’s Outfit post, so here’s the look I sported when I headed uptown to the location. It was also the first time I took my brand new Celctic necklace from Creamline out for a spin. I love simplicity of the little freshwater pearl hung on a gold-plated brass chain. I might never take it off.

Just hanging out with my new BFF. Tenun blazer: Spotlight | Dress: Promod | Pumps: Naturalizer

Songket blazer: Spotlight | Dress: Promod | Pumps: Naturalizer | Necklace: Creamline

Anyway, we stepped out of the elevator on the seventh floor and walked onto a giant balcony overlooking the skyline at Menteng and Thamrin. This was an open-air space, but they’ve somehow managed to make it feel cozy and warm at the same time — I think this is in part thanks to the wooden floorboards, which gave the place a homey feeling. The walls were swathed in geometric black and white decor that complemented the monochromatic furniture. We were seated at an air-conditioned alcove, although you could easily take your pick between seating at the bar or deck lounge.

The open and friendly spaces of Bart rooftop bar (click to embiggen!).

The open and friendly spaces of Bart rooftop bar (click to embiggen!).

So while the space itself is a treat enough, you can’t talk about a rooftop bar without talking about its food and drinks. We started out with two different sweet signature cocktails (IDR 110,000) that were refreshing and sweet, perfect for the humid and windless evening we were having.  We were introduced to Bart’s executive chef, the affable Faizal Irvan, whose professional background in French-Italian cuisine gave the menu that great East-meets-West twist.

Not long after, three dishes of three deep-fried appetizers arrived on our table, with the standout favorite being the deep-fried mushrooms. Of course you can never go wrong with deep-friend mushrooms — or deep-fried anything, in fact. Then came the main courses: true to the menu’s the East-meets-West philosophy, we were presented with a turkey panini and the best-selling kemangi (lemon basil) fried rice.

The cameraman who accompanied me on on this quest kept alternating between taking bites from his turkey panini (“SO good,” he gushed after the first bite), and surreptitiously taking spoonfuls of my fried rice. The chef told us that he used a pesto recipe and replaced plain old basil with lemon basil, for a more Southeast Asian twist to a Mediterranean sauce. And then to finish off with something sweet, we split a jar of bananas foster that were earlier soaked in local spices like cinnamon and star anise. YUM.

Clockwise from top left: appetizers, turkey panini, kemangi fried rice, bananas foster

Clockwise from top left: appetizers, turkey panini, kemangi fried rice, bananas foster

One thing I should mention: we barely finished the main courses, because the portions were super generous. While BART itself only serves drinks and finger foods, you can ask for special requests for dishes prepared in the kitchen on the first floor.

Overall, we had an enjoyable (and delicious) time and BART. This is the kind of place that encourages conversations, so if you’re in the Central Jakarta area and are looking for a super chill place to hang out and wind down after a long day, gander over to this little spot at the rooftop of Artotel and sip a drink over the skyline to relax.

Bart is located on the 7th floor of Artotel Jakarta – Thamrin, Jl. Sunda No. 3. It is open every day at these times: weekdays 17:00 – 01:00, weekends 17:00 – 02.00.

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