Entering the Jakarta Old City area brought some kind of undisclosed thoughts. Those old rusty buildings built by the Dutch government centuries ago, the old bikes ran here and there, people sat calmly under a tree, some photographers were busy pointing their cameras out.

It was early morning; I walked around the area and enjoyed the ambiance. Almost like a different city; quiet, slow. It’s the most non-Jakarta part of Jakarta. Anyways, I was waiting for my favorite cafe to open. It's usually 10am.

I saw the door was opened, I walked closer and asked the waiter. Still 9am, but yes, they were ready to serve me and a friend.  

There, the café even flew me completely out of Jakarta. Dim lights, wooden bar, black shiny piano, and hundreds old time world’s celebrity pictures hanging on the wall. I sat on one of the chair set, that obviously as old as the building. A waiter dropped two menu books. We ordered. Frankly, the price wasn’t cheap for Jakarta standard, but let me tell you, you buy ambience here, not the food.

I chose Chinese food menu. I should’ve chosen European, I guess, to maximize the feel. But I love chicken porridge too much. Old songs accompanied my breakfast. 

After finishing our meals, me and my friend looked  around the two strorey café. Huge windows let sun light entered the room. Elegant and serene. You can bring your beloved one here, perfect place to put what you feel into words and say them up in person :) Or ssshh…. You might propose your lover too here! And even throw a wedding party.

The old building was built in 19^th century. Once it was a residence, then a warehouse, then an office and finally a café. A nice place to escape for a while.

Check their website here.