In posh Menteng, I had Jakarta's most 'schizophrenic' meal.
qponx
2026-01-23
Discover GIOI, a stunning villa restaurant in Menteng offering a high-end, homey vibe perfect for photos. The dining experience is a true rollercoaster; signature dishes like the Salmon Lodeh and Crispy Duck are heavenly, but other menu items can be a major letdown. With a live band, valet parking, and a weekend kids' play area, it’s a beautiful spot for a get-together. Just be sure to stick to the recommended must-try dishes for a guaranteed great meal.
Girls, just got back from GIOI in Menteng, and I have mixed feelings, I just have to get this off my chest!
The moment I stepped into that standalone villa, I was instantly a fan. The warm lighting, the classic spiral staircase, the whole atmosphere has that high-end yet relaxing, homey feel, perfect for photos 📸. I feel like bringing family or friends here would be super impressive. But you think it's all smooth sailing from there? Heh, the real show is yet to come.
A Rollercoaster for Your Taste Buds🎢
After sitting down to order, the waiter enthusiastically recommended a few of their signature dishes, and I pretty much tried them all:
👍 Must-order! It's a waste of a visit if you don't try these:
👎 Order with caution! Your wallet will ache for you:
In short, their dishes are like opening a blind box. The signature dishes can send you to heaven, but a randomly ordered regular dish might bring you crashing back down to earth.
- Salmon Lodeh[1]: This dish is seriously Mantap! The salmon skin is pan-fried until it's crispy and fragrant, but the meat is incredibly tender, paired with that rich yet refreshing coconut milk vegetable soup, one spoonful just warms you right up. It completely overturned my traditional impression of Lodeh, amazing!
- Signature Crispy Duck[2]: An upgraded version of crispy duck rice. The duck skin is super crispy, the duck meat is juicy and succulent, served with aromatic Kecombrang rice and three types of sambal, the layers of texture are just off the charts. One portion is enough for two or three people to share[3], which is a great deal.
- Fried Rice dishes: I'm speechless... A friend ordered one and said the ingredients were pathetically scarce, felt like the 90k+ was a total waste of money[4]. The taste was also unremarkable, not as good as what you'd get from a street stall.
Some Honest Truths & A Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls
To be honest, the ambiance and service here are definite pluses, the atmosphere is very Chill. But the consistency of the food is definitely an issue. There's a live band on the second floor at night[5], so if you like a lively scene, you can go there to Nongkrong, but if you want to have a quiet chat, I'd recommend sitting on the first floor.
Price-wise, it's about 250k IDR or more per person, and there's a minimum charge if you want to book a private room. They have set menus for two or five people[6], which might work out to be a bit more cost-effective.
Finally, a few tips for the girls who want to check this place out:
Alright, that's all for today's honest review. Save this, so you won't get lost on your next get-together
- 🚗Parking: Parking spots are extremely limited, I suggest using the valet service[7], it saves you the time and hassle.
- 👨👩👧Bringing Kids: On weekends, this place turns into a family paradise, with a dedicated play area for kids[8]. Families with kids, go for it!
- ☎️Reservations: If you have a large group or want a private room, remember to book in advance, you might be asked to pay a deposit[9].
- Detached villa entrance: warm lighting, classic spiral staircase, posh, chill vibe. Insta-worthy! 📸
- Salmon Lodeh [1]? Game-changer! Crispy salmon skin, tender fish, rich coconut veggie soup.
- Upgraded Signature Crispy Duck [2]: Crispy skin, juicy meat, Kecombrang rice, 3 sambals. Texture bliss! Serves 2-3 [3].
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