Clandestine Places

I like clandestine, hidden, or slightly quite places for private meetings; either for dates, business meetings, or just want to get serene feeling. I just like it because sometimes I don’t want to be seen, particularly when I go for dates or confidential business meetings.  My favourite places were:

• Black Canyon Cofee, which located near Abuba steak. Here you could see people who do not want to be seen. But last time I went there, probably 1-2 years ago, it was quite packed. A nice place actually with good food and it is (or was?) located in somewhat unusual spot for cafe, so no wonder it was a little bit ‘hidden’.
• Cemara 6. It’s a cafe within an art gallery in Menteng. Very quite, but because I am not an Art lover, I find it quite boring (not many to be seen, even the arts themselves).
• Lara Djonggrang. Selling expensive Indonesian cuisine with so-so taste. However I like it because it is quite and not many people go there, probably because it looks spooky. Quite famous among expats, and because very very unlikely they know me, I am quite comfortable with this place.
• Bunga Rampai. In overall it is better than Lara Djonggrang, Great place for date or meeting with big clients.
• Cork & Screw. Used to like the one in Wisma Kodel but met with many acquaintances there, so I moved to Cork & Screw Plaza Indonesia. Not so crowded during weekend, probably because it is located in a hole-and-corner spot of Plaza Indonesia. Nice place and nice drinks. Hopefully it won’t be famous  
• Papilion Duo. Aha! This actually has the best location as a clandestine place. Located near (or inside) Huize van Wely in Pacific Place and you can’t see this place from the inside of the mall. However, apparently this place is becoming famous among Bankers. Last week I went there with my boss to meet with a potential client. There we also met with other Bankers who are pitching to some clients (and we know them all!). Yeah, the news spread so fast. So when everybody thinks the same, everybody goes to the same place.

Now I am considering which place I can consider as my next clandestine place. Last week I went to Nirwana Lounge at Kempinski. Nice place, nice atmosphere and not so crowded, but probably because it was just opened around two weeks ago. Perhaps within few months it will be loaded with people.

By the way, the new management tried to revive the glory of Nirwana Lounge in the past. But the Nirwana porridge (bubur) and satay are so-so and quite expensive. In addition to that, if you pay with credit card, its card machines will ask for your Credit Card’s PIN. Perhaps they want you to use BCA Card or Paspor BCA .

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1. irine says:

   June 3, 2009 at 8:10 am

   So do you take your dates to the same places you take business acquaintances? Or vice versa?

   Jgn sampe ketuker loh lol.

   Btw, that Forever Young song makes me want to cry. 5 boys got killed in a car accident here last year and they played that song at the funeral.

   Reply
2. boy says:

   June 3, 2009 at 8:53 am

   same places )

   gak akan ketukar..dates only during weekend, business meetings only during weekdays haha..

   wah, tragis juga ya beritanya…

   Reply
3. therry says:

   June 13, 2009 at 10:27 pm

   Social House is not included, Boy?

   Reply
4. boy says:

   June 25, 2009 at 11:25 pm

   social house gak masuk ah…tempatnya bagus, tapi service nya payah banget

   Reply