How has old-school heavyweight Union Group owned PI Mall's prime night view for so many years?
qponx
2026-01-23
Discover why CORK&SCREW at Plaza Indonesia remains a Central Jakarta staple. This Union Group favorite offers an unbeatable night view of the iconic HI Roundabout, perfect for dates or special gatherings. While known for being a bit pricey, its divine Beef Tagliatelle, indulgent Trio Molten Cake, and creative cocktails make it a consistently impressive choice. For the best experience, be sure to book a prime window seat in advance and explore their extensive wine list.
Honestly, every time a friend asks me where's a good place to Nongkrong in Central Jakarta—a place where you can eat and drink, and the atmosphere has to be impressive—the first place that pops into my head is this old favorite: CORK&SCREW at Plaza Indonesia.
After all these years, it's still that all-purpose choice for business dinners, friendly get-togethers, and romantic dates. If for no other reason, that prime view directly facing the bustling traffic of the HI Roundabout is worth the price of admission. 🌃
Immersive 'Virtual Dining'
As expected from a place under the Union Group[1], the quality control has always been incredibly stable. They have an indoor air-conditioned area and an outdoor smoking area, but my favorite is always a spot outdoors, especially as the city lights come on. Watching the light trails woven by the traffic below, it just makes you Chill out[2].
The food is also basically foolproof, especially the pasta, which is simply divine. My must-order every time I come is the Beef Tagliatelle[3]. Anjay, that pistachio cream sauce is seriously heavenly—rich but not heavy, coating the al dente pasta and tender, juicy beef. One bite is just a capital Mantap!
Dessert lovers, just go for the Trio Molten Cake[4] without a second thought. You get to unlock three molten flavors at once—matcha, dark chocolate, and white chocolate—served with vanilla ice cream. It's the peak of happiness for anyone with a sweet tooth. Their creative cocktails are also very inventive, well-balanced and delicious, perfect for a relaxing drink after work[5].
The Editor's 'Real Talk'
Of course, no place is perfect. The prices here are indeed on the high side, with the average spending starting around 300,000 IDR per person, which can hurt the wallet a bit. Also, while the pasta is legendary, I personally find their burgers to be just average[6] and not really worth ordering specifically. Another thing is, during peak hours when it's crowded, drinks like coffee can take a while to arrive[7], so my impatient friends will need to have some patience.
Avoiding Pitfalls / Money-Saving Tips
- Book in advance! Especially for weekends or if you want a window seat with a night view, you absolutely must book ahead. Walk-ins are likely to be given a table with a 1.5-hour time limit[8].
- Be strategic about your seating choice: The outdoor area is for smoking, and while the view is great, it can get a bit hot during the day[9]. Also, some of the prime spots have a minimum charge, so remember to ask clearly when you book[10].
- For the wine lovers: Keep an eye out for their Happy Hour; it's more worth it to buy wine then[11]! The wine list is explosively large, definitely a paradise for wine enthusiasts.
- Note for those with kids: The baby chairs provided are wooden, which are more suitable for younger babies. My little 2-year-old friend found it a bit of a squeeze and ended up having to hang on me the whole time[12].
- See HI roundabout's bustling C-position. Watch car lights form light trails at dusk, pure Chill [1].
- Order Beef Tagliatelle! Rich yet light pistachio cream sauce, al dente pasta & tender beef. Mantap! [2]
- Sweet tooths, grab Trio Molten Cake! Matcha, dark, white choc lava. Vanilla ice cream. Pure bliss! [3]
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