30s Magazine

Foodies and interior design lovers are in for a new treat because Amsterdam gained another cool restaurant and bar that is a feast for the eyes and the palate. Following the popular and successful Ron Gastrobar in Ouderkerk, Ron Blaauw opened an urban version: Ron Gastrobar Indonesia Downtown. Executive chef Agus Hermawan and his protegé Chef Luke Brouwer are giving Amsterdam downtown something to talk about. Set in an urban jungle themed interior the two chefs and team cook up a storm of Indonesian traditional cuisine and present it in a hip and bold way. They take you on a culinary journey to the Indonesian islands’ street foods, grilled skewers and shared dining dishes.

Ron Gastrobar Indonesia Downtown is a hidden gem, literally, as you first have to step into a narrow side alley of the busy Rokin and then take an elevator up to the 5th floor, above department store Hudson Bay. Upstairs you will be amazed by the amazing view on the romantically lit city center. But there is much more to see because there is also plenty of live entertainment. As the evening progresses you are entertained by the spices girl who drops by with her spicy sambal cart full of home made hot sauces, the rollerskating girl, or the Indonesian god and widow Rangda.

Cocktails and gin tonics

Not in the mood for Indonesian food? No problem because the Urban jungle bar at Ron Gastrobar Indonesia Downtown is open until the wee hours and serves exciting and sexy cocktails, gin tonics, wines and other distills. Live music and a DJ swipe up the mood from 11 p.m. till 3 a.m. with their invigorating tunes.

I tried the two virgin cocktails which were both sweet! The nun, with cranberry and pineapple juice and elderflower syrup. But my favourite was the Priest with apple juice, strawberry puree, white chocolate syrup and lime.

The food

The street food snacks that are presented in a bold and elegant way are their signature dishes. I tried the saté lilit; a skewer of grind chicken and shrimps with ginger and hot sauce. It is full of flavour with two delicious dip sauces that enhance it even more. The oyster served with apple, green pepper and ginger sauce is also a winner. An then there was the Pangsit Goreng; a crispy fried Indonesian wonton with ground pork and spicy ginger sauce. Beautiful crispy with a soft and juicy inside. Ofcourse I couldn’t skip a portion of smoking sateh; roasted chicken thigh skewers straight from the grill with peanut sauce, lonton (sticky rice cubes) and three different homemade atjar ketimoen.