West Pacific is a recent addition to the helter-skelter of Jakarta’s current bar/restaurant scene It’s a hard game out there at the moment, so what does this new kid bring to the block? Well, the owners – Aditya and Aline – told Jakarta24 that their objective is to give some space where Jakarta’s cosmopolitan young and young at heart can get chilled out. They’re not into super loud music, dazzling light shows and all that gaudy overkill.
Aditya has a wealth of family tradition behind his new venture. He’s the son of Frans and Rima, the owners of the famed Jaya Pub and a string of other successful restaurant/entertainment spots around town. In fact, West Pacific is directly below the Jaya Pub, in a location vacated by Le Bistro. But while his father entertained lovers of the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties with some of the ragingest rock and blues in Jakarta, Aditya has taken a different track. He wants to bring a new generation of guests to West Pacific, not by winding them up into foot-stomping frenzy as the Jaya did, but by allowing his guests to wind down in a carefree, foot-tapping atmosphere. Of course, that’s earlier in the evening. As the night rolls on, the lights go down and the music goes up - but you can still see your hand in front of your face and you don’t need your eardrums replaced the next day. Even when West Pacific’s hot, it’s cool.
Aditya’s wife, Aline, also has an entertainment background. She is a radio and TV presenter and well-known model and, along with her rather leggy model friends, she certainly adds that touch of style to the establishment. So while the successful Frans and Rima show is still going strong upstairs at the Jaya, downstairs the new generational Aditya and Aline show is finding its feet in the Jakarta scene.
Central to WP is the open plan design. The design is simple and unpretentious – basically a square with - a hint of Bali – four pillars placed across the middle. The aim of this design is also simple – to maximize social interaction. It’s not a place where business takeovers can be discussed in dark private corners. It’s all about bringing groups of people together, allowing them to move and mix freely in something akin to a housewarming atmosphere. There’s a sunken area with soft sofas with the restaurant on one side and the bar on the other and more comfortable seating along the opposite wall. The open center is for just mingling or perhaps some dancing when things warm up later in the evening.
Music is also a pivotal feature of the Pacific. “Music is important to West Pacific” says Aditya “and we’re very eclectic in the choice available.” Early in the evening there is an unobtrusive duo or trio of musicians (including a pianist) who supply a soft background of popular songs. As the evening moves on there is a DJ. Often a friend or even a guest will be asked to take over this role and choose the music for the evening. The night J24 were there, Aditya’s sister Keke was the DJ of choice.
J24 didn’t get to partake of West Pacific’s restaurant fare (though we plan to in the future) but the menu looks the real deal. “We developed our menu around the food philosophy of British TV’s Jamie Oliver” Aditya informed us “and that means fresh, healthy and tasty.” Some of the menu items seem to bear this out – Grilled Chicken with Coriander, Ginger and Garlic, Tomato, Basil and Mozzarella Salad are but a few. The prices are very reasonable as well. Sliced Tenderloin with Béarnaise Sauce is the most expensive at Rp 65,000.
West Pacific serves lunch and dinner and is open from 11:00am until midnight. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays it stays open to 3:00am and often on these nights things don’t start really moving until after midnight.
So if you’re looking for something in the middle of the city, a little cool, a little laid back with nice food and good music – with a promise that things could warm up up later in the evening – surf on down to West Pacific.
