IO, Jakarta – In a megapolitan environment, various culinary options are available, ranging from local cuisines to international specialties. That’s why restaurants respond to the strong appetites of the capital’s citizens. One of these is GIA Restaurant, specializing in Italian signature food. Situated in Sampoerna Strategic Square, this business is run by the Ismaya Group, and is arguably a semi-fine dining restaurant, as the food display is beautiful while portions are smaller than at comparable fine-dining places. In addition to serving Italian specialties, GIA also provides a bar with a rich collection of alcoholic beverages. GIA Jakarta is thus suitable to conduct meetings or merely to gather with relatives.
GIA is divided into two dining room sections: a restaurant area and front bar corner. Entering the bar, the comfortable ambience surely involves your senses with a simple design and purposely set drink-only furnishings. Moreover, the dining area at GIA Jakarta looks classic with a 1950s Italian-style concept, comprised of ornaments and wooden chair that reinforce a classic impression.
GIA offers a classic and original Italian dining experience with a pizza, pasta, and steak menu. This place serves a typical Italian welcome bread, a tasty focaccia with soft texture served with balsamic sauce and tomato sauce as an appetizer. Before approaching the main menu, it is good to sample fresh appetizers, such as Carpaccio Al Tartufo; thin beef tenderloin slices are served with black truffles, parmesan and gorgeous greens sprinkled over the meal. Don’t forget to use garnish for further pleasure. The next menu is Cartoccio, a soft and tender fish dish, properly cooked to yield a perfect taste.
Appropriate to an Italian restaurant, pasta is prominent. According to GIA best recommendation, guests definitely should try Tortellini di Pollo Burro e Tartufo Nero; a tortellini pasta filled with cacciatore chicken meat, thick cheese sauce, and a large truffle piece atop it. Such a savory combination to delight your appetite.
As a dessert, you should try GIA’s recommended Cremoso Al Burro di Arachidi. A perfectly-displayed dessert with a peanut butter cream pudding served over soft dark chocolate and accompanied by concentrated honey caramel sauce to complete your dining experience. As this cake possess dense sweetness, it’s not recommended for those who are restricted to a sugar-free diet.
At the moment, GIA Jakarta does not operate all day long. Lunchtime extends from 11.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., later, dinner is served from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. every Sunday – Thursday and 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. every Friday – Saturday. The Lounge area itself is open from 11.30 a.m. to 1 a.m. every Sunday – Thursday and 11.30 a.m. to 2 a.m. every Friday – Saturday. As one of the best restaurants owned by Ismaya Group, it is obviously a perfect place to experience Italian signature foods. (Aldo)
