Alice by Tom Aikens — Restaurant in Jakarta

I recently had dinner again at ALICE by Tom Aikens at The Langham Jakarta and, as always, it was an experience that left me smiling long after I left. The food here is consistently excellent, from coffee and tea to their cocktails. But what truly makes ALICE special is the people. The service here is not just attentive or professional, it is warm in a way that feels genuinely heartfelt. From the moment you arrive until the moment you leave, you feel welcomed and cared for.

Special thanks to Adin, Carol, and Rafly who went above and beyond during my visit. They were not only quick and efficient but also incredibly kind and sincere. The kind of kindness that makes you feel like you are being hosted by close friends rather than served in a restaurant. It is rare to find this level of genuine warmth, and it made the evening even more memorable.

The last time I visited was a few months ago, and now they have a new menu. I loved the old menu, but the new dishes are just as fantastic. And the desserts remain the shining star of ALICE. If you come here, you absolutely must try them.

Here is what I had this time: • Ravioli de Ricotta et Tomatoes Fondues (10/10) The ricotta flavor was rich and creamy without feeling heavy. Balanced perfectly and absolutely delicious. Highly recommended. • Poulet “Jaune” Rôti aux Poireaux (10/10) Perfectly roasted chicken with a crispy skin and juicy, tender meat inside. The sauce was full of flavor, and even the fries were something special—simple but exceptionally done. • Escalope de Saumon à l’Oseille (10/10) The sauce looked creamy but was actually light with a refreshing tang, pairing beautifully with the perfectly cooked salmon. The fragrant rice served alongside tied the dish together wonderfully. • Profiteroles Tor Sauce au Chocolat (10/10) Quite simply the best chocolate dessert I have ever had. Vanilla choux filled with ice cream, generously drenched in rich chocolate sauce. It was so good that I completely forgot to take a photo before finishing it.

One thing I truly appreciate is how family-friendly ALICE is. I brought my 1.5-year-old toddler, and they provided a super comfy Yamatoya baby chair along with coloring sheets to keep her entertained. It made the dinner not just stress-free but genuinely enjoyable, even with a little one.

Cakes and pastries to take home: • Vanilla Bean (10/10) Beautifully shaped like a vanilla bean, with a rich and fragrant flavor that was perfectly balanced. • Langham “Ma Cherie” (10/10) A unique blend of cherry and sakura, fragrant and gently floral with a delicate tanginess. I have never tasted a cake quite like this. • Méditerranée (10/10) A dream for chocolate lovers, with deep hazelnut chocolate notes that were rich but never overwhelming. • Pastries Buttery and flaky croissants, perfect pain au chocolat, and indulgent cheese pastries that were all simply outstanding.

Every visit to ALICE leaves me not just satisfied but genuinely happy. It is a rare place where excellent food meets heartfelt service. For me, it is not just one of the best places in Jakarta for dinner, it is also where I have experienced some of the warmest hospitality and the most unforgettable desserts...

An Aesthetic Oasis with Unmet Expectations: Alice

Nestled within the vibrant pulse of the city, Alice presents itself as an aesthetic oasis that beckons patrons with the promise of a delightful respite. As an ardent seeker of exceptional culinary experiences, I recently ventured into this establishment to partake in its offerings and ambiance. What I encountered was a dichotomy of impressions that left me with a bittersweet taste, ultimately culminating in a rating of 2 out of 5 stars.

The allure of Alice lies in its visually captivating interior design, which seamlessly marries modern aesthetics with a touch of whimsy. The artful interplay of colors, textures, and decor creates an ambiance that is undeniably inviting, setting the stage for what I had hoped would be a memorable outing.

However, the enchantment of the surroundings was regrettably overshadowed by a disheartening shortfall in service. Despite the presence of a seemingly ample team, the attentiveness and efficiency fell short of expectations. It took an inordinate amount of time—more than five minutes—to capture the attention of the staff and procure a menu, a delay that seemed unwarranted given the lack of apparent busyness within the establishment.

While the quality of the coffee stood as a redeeming feature, the overall experience was marred by the junior level of service that failed to align with the price point of the establishment. This discrepancy left me with a palpable sense of unmet expectations, prompting me to assign a modest rating to my visit to Alice.

In conclusion, while Alice boasts an enchanting interior design and offers a semblance of good coffee, the underwhelming service experience detracted from the overall visit. I hope that the management of Alice takes this feedback to heart, as I believe there is untapped potential for this establishment to truly shine as a beacon of quality...

Beautiful restaurant with elegant European decor but still cozy. It has both indoor and outdoor area for smokers.

Friendly and helpful staff. Service is average - meals are served around 15-20 minutes.

Meals are served in pretty, small portions (high tea concept) so if you’re looking for big, hearty meals this is not the place.

The Porcini Soup (mushroom cream soup) was really good and came in a pastry top like Zuppa soup. Very flavorful and filling.

I ordered the Short Ribs which was a slow cooked braised beef in cubes cut and is served in pastry. The beef is tender, juicy and I love the flavor. Recommended.

The Pan Seared Baramundi was also good. Came in 2 pieces beautifully presented. The baramundi is cooked just right with light flavor.

The Seared Tuna Salad was delicious and came in shareable portion. The seared tuna has a tinge of orange flavor, and served with wakame seaweed and edamame.

There was also a small pink cream covered cake (forgot the name) that was really delicious - it has raspberry and cream cheese inside.

The cocktails were also good and pretty strong😃.

Pricey which comes with such places - around Rp. 98- 238k (mind you the...