When it comes to cafes, most young people in Jakarta are just looking for a place to kick back, plug into the net and hang out with friends.
Young Society, a new cafe and grill in Kebayoran, South Jakarta, knows this market and goes further by providing a great menu to boot.
Word has spread about the cafe since it opened just four months ago, and on a recent visit I found out why. The interior is modern and minimalist without losing any of the cafe coziness that makes for a comfortable place to hang out.
Glass walls lining the front of the two-story cafe make it a great spot for people-watching. The space is filled with a variety of uniquely designed but comfortable chairs. There’s also a free Wi-Fi Internet connection for customers and a variety of hot and cold drinks.
The offerings may look like standard fare — my friend and I ordered a starter of onion rings, followed by spaghetti aglio olio and chicken cordon bleu — but the quality of the ingredients and careful preparation by the cafe’s kitchen staff make each dish a pleasant surprise.
The chicken cordon bleu, recommended by our waitress, looked tempting, and it was presented with a generous serving of French fries and a green salad topped with mayonnaise.
At first bite, I realized the dish was quite out of the ordinary. The crumbed fillet was crispy on the outside but still moist on the inside. The tender meat was enriched with the flavor of fresh basil — a delicious combination. It was certainly a step above other examples of the popular dish that I’ve tried in cafes around the city.
The spaghetti aglio alio did not disappoint, either. It was prepared with just the right amount of olive oil, minced beef and sliced red chili. The level of spice was spot-on for my taste, but the serving size did not match my appetite.
Still feeling hungry, I thought a hot bowl of Thai tom yam soup would warm up my stomach, but the Asian offering was not as impressive as the first three Western dishes. The soup was filled with a good mix of vegetables, mushrooms, squid and shrimp. The broth achieved a delicate balance of sweet and sour flavors and came with a hearty serving of white rice, which finally satisfied my hunger — I could only finish half of it.
For dessert, I enjoyed an ice-cold Oreo milk shake. Not only was the shake beautifully presented, it was also the perfect refreshment for a hot day.
When the bill arrived, my friend and I could comfortably cover the total between us — most of the cafe’s dishes are under Rp 50,000 ($6), with only the steak menu stretching above Rp 60,000.
Jakarta’s young cafe-dwellers are still discovering this new hangout — many of the cafe’s 100 or so seats were empty. But with its speedy service, comfortable seating, affordable prices and an outstanding menu, Young Society is sure to become one of the cafe crowd’s favorite destinations
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