BokaBuka, a True Excitement!

BokaBuka features selective French dishes from appetizers to desserts. When you ask for the menu, it won’t come in a small compact size like in any other restaurants. by Galuh Wulandari / January 14, 2007

The Parisians are renowned for their sophisticated and elegant styles of cooking and dining. While most French restaurants in Jakarta feature their haute cuisine style, BokaBuka introduces us to the merriment and relaxed part of France. It surely is one of a kind.

The excitement starts with the interior. ‘Maximizing the Minimum’ might be the phrase that best describes this dining spot. Because of its small size, it can only cater not more than 40 patrons. Its warm and laid-back atmosphere creates such an all-embracing welcome complete with a patio at the garden area. The paintings of promising artists decorate the walls and are purchasable if you’re interested. As for the placemats, the other diners draw those. So while waiting for your dishes, you can draw on the plain paper provided and show your talents. If yours is good enough, it will be laminated and exhibited too.

Preferably known as a bistro, BokaBuka features selective French dishes from appetizers to desserts. When you ask for the menu, it won’t come in a small compact size like in any other restaurants. Two large chalkboards will be brought to your table listing BokaBuka’s menu. The excitement doesn’t stop there. An extensive list of games including poker, scrabble, puzzle games, even BokaBuka’s Wheel of Fortune are ready to entertain you while dining. If you are lucky enough with the latter, you will have up to 50% off from your total receipt (food only)!

The menu is selective and changes on a weekly basis. When I went there, the chalkboard listed about 5 kinds of appetizers, 10 main courses and several desserts. True in giving French’s authenticity, the escargots for Escargot de Bourgogne are imported from France. Do try the BokaBuka Salad (lettuce, green paprika, broccoli, apple and smoked beef served with vinegar and honey dressings). A platter of freshest vegetables mixed with BokaBuka’s special dressings will simply whet your appetite.

Another excitement comes from the main course. The menu served here is quite flexible. Instead of serving a not-too-fresh salmon, BokaBuka then creates other dishes that are as delicious. Usually they served Salmon White Wine and Salmon Vanilla. However, when I went there the salmon in the market didn’t meet Boka Buka’s standard quality thus they varied the menu with black cod fish. Moreover, the Beef Fillet with Mushroom sauce is a top-notch. It comes in quite a generous portion (unlike the customary French cuisine) served with gratin and vegetables. Upon the first bite, you will find it succulent and juicy, similar to imported meat. Vice versa, BokaBuka uses the local one. It turns out that BokaBuka goes straight to the meat market to find the freshest one, not using meat suppliers. The Garlic Prawn with Pasta and Lasagna Mushroom are also note-worthy.

Cap your meal with the tempting Apple Crumble (apple pie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream). The sweet sensation from the apple and cinnamon blended with vanilla ice cream is surely remarkable; a sensational sweetness up to the last crumbs. Accompany all your meal by ordering the favorable Ginger Juice (ginger, lemon, sugar, and chopped mint leaves served cold). Its surprising blend will surely thrill your palate!

After sampling so much food, you might assume that you would shell out hundreds and hundreds of rupiah. But in spite of its French affair, dining at BokaBuka is easy on the pocket. Still not excited enough? BokaBuka offers interesting set menus, starting from 85,000 (for a 3 meal course). If you are having a special occasion at home, do serve your loved ones French Cuisine as BokaBuka provides several catering packages, both a la carte and buffet. Like I said before, at BokaBuka, it’s all about the excitement! (SG/GW) Boka Buka
Jl. Cipete Raya No. 7
Jakarta 12410
Tel: (62-21) 759 17471, 759 13284
Cuisine: French, Mediterranean

To know more about the restaurant, click here