Four years after launching in the quiet neighbourhood of Biduri Bulan in Permata Hijau, followed by another outlet in Pondok Indah, the Italian eatery, Emilia, has found its way to the bustling Menteng, bringing along a dedicated bar, a live music stage, and even more reasons to celebrate.
If Emilia’s first two outlets felt like that charming and neighbourly, off-the-beaten-path little Italian restaurant that everybody wants to keep under wraps, then this new Menteng opening, Emilia Bar Italiano, dares itself to be more different. Bigger and more sophisticated in design—seemingly taking a page out of an underground Jazz bar with velveted carpet, padded sofas as well as wooden fixtures—the new establishment offers a contrast that is also matched with a more adventurous menu and new energy from the live Jazz performances come Thursday and Friday nights.
Those who have frequented Emilia might immediately recognise some contours of the previous establishments in this new site, including the menu written in white chalk, the framed artworks and the rack of decorative wine bottles, and feel like they’ve arrived at the right place.
They can also rest easy that a lot of the mainstay menu, like the crowd-favourite Pappardelle Con Bistecca, a savoury plate of pappardelle pasta served with sirloin, is generously served here. But the promise of new items also won’t disappoint, introducing diners to their brunch menu, list of antipasti like the Foie E Frutti Di Bosco, a smooth and flavourful bite of foie gras and toasted brioche on a tart berry coulis, to their unique lineup of pasta like the Conchiglioni Carbonara served with maple-glazed thick bacon.
Another highlight distinct to Emilia’s Bar is their signature cocktails, each crafted in-house with a focus on sous vide preparation and curation of ingredients. Take the crowd-pleasing, Paddlepop, a bright and refreshing cocktail that combines lemongrass tequila and passion fruit, topped with a homemade ice cream stick for a hint of bubblegum, and Jack Amico, a combo of jackfruit vodka with passion fruit, lemon and a leaf of kecombrang for a slight minty tinge.
Safe to say that being located centrally in Menteng exposes the establishment to a wider variety of coming diners who would equally enjoy a solo drink at the bar as much as dining with a group. The new setting and ambience of the place also help set the right tone for this, catering to everyone from families and office crowds to solo patrons who want to seek a peaceful nightcap while swaying to live music and enjoying the night in their own way—and Emilia Bar makes no fuss about that.