Phoenix Gastrobar by Holywings — Restaurant in Jakarta

The only reason why I am giving this two stars instead of one, is because the ambience and atmosphere within this place is great. The look and feel of the facade and structure within is very alluring and appealing.  However most everything else I had issues with.

This first thing I noticed when I was brought in and seated at our table was that the area rug that was under our table and chairs was stained with split food and drinks. I also noticed that a table next to us, which previously had customers, still had their used dirty dishes, drinking glasses, and dirty silverware still on the table from the pervious service.

During ordering, the waiter was trying to sell us and promote the more expensive cocktails as well as the line of cocktails they had partnered with TWG Tea for.  We were not interested with that at all.

Also, prior to ordering, we were never informed of any items that were either out of stock or no longer being sold.  It was only when we began to place our order with the waiter, that we were informed that 3 of the main entrées were no longer in stock, and 2 more were no longer being sold.  That was not a good indication of a restaurant when 25 percent of your main entrées that you have listed on your menu are no longer available, and also not properly informing your customers about it.

We ordered one appetizer and 2 main entrées.  I don't consider it good timing for a restaurant when you bring out the main entrées nearly 3-4 minutes after you have served the appetizers.  The timing of the food delivery was not good.

For me, the food was okay, but not spectacular as one would expect from the price range. I believe that the food did not deserve the inflated price range given to them.

And if you're reading this review, do you remember the table next to us that still had the dirty dishes and trash and everything leftover from the previous customers there? That table stayed like that the entire time we were there at the restaurant, for almost an hour. It was only right before we left, that we saw a crew come over and remove the dishes and clean the table, right before they seated a group there at the table. Seems to me they only feel the need to clean the tables right before they seat a group down. Not sure how long that table remained filthy for.

Overall, I think the service and quality of this establishment is very lackluster and I will not be returning to this restaurant at any time.

Another thing I wanted to point out is their rather hypocritical viewpoint towards their smoking and vapeing policies.  Before we visited this establishment, we were informed by email and whatsapp messages that there is no vapeing allowed inside. However cigarette smoking is allowed, and they also sell cigars on their menu to smoke inside too. So I was very confused when at the front door they sell vape pens and customers are allowed to use those devices inside the restaurant and bar when they are sold to them. When I inquired with the hostess as to why they sell those and yet state on their descriptions that they don't allow customers to vape, I was informed that they don't allow the big vape devices and only allow the vape pens because they don't produce a large smoke quanity. I don't understand this interpretation because when you sell cigars, those produce a large amount of smoke.  So it led me to believe that they are intent on pushing their own selling of vape devices in lieu of allowing customers to use their own...

I came with my family at around 7:55 pm prior to my booking. The place generate the exact vibes as the pictures we saw on social media.

At the time arrival, they were singing Christmas theme songs.

Live band: 2/5 The band were below average. The most disappointing compared to other lounge. Three hours of boredom🥱.

DJ: 2/5 Before I left with my family, the DJ started performing but the Performance from the DJ wasn't enough to make up for the three hours of disappoinment.

Food: 3/5 The Food was just average. Indeed pricey for the food it offers. I ordered Nashville chicken, Aglio Olio, fruit platter, pasta, mushroom and handcut fries. The Aglio Olio only has a huge shrimp as a side to go along with the pasta. Nashville chicken was exceptional. Fruit platter was decently fresh. Hand cut fries was average but it took 30mins to be served. All the dish was just average so I had no recommendations.

Service: 3/5 The service tax was quite high but the service it offers isn't worth the huge tax they charge us. It was challenging to call up the waiters because our seat was beside the stairs and deep inside. All the waiters wasn't always stand by in place, they often move around. It was like they were short-staffed.

The cashier counter: On that day, one of my family members were celebrating her birthday. I have requested at the counter that they help sing a birthday song since they do offer the help when I ask during my booking via chat. At first, the staff at the counter told me the waiters can't sing birthday song, will have to wait for the band which arrived 21:30. I waited and I saw two big tables were greeted by waiters singing birthday songs. I was extremely mad when I saw it. I felt discriminated, the whole situation was like they were favoring the big tables over the small tables. A Fancy place yet offers a low quality service! Totally ruined the birthday celebration! Such a shame!

Waiter: One of the waiters even questioning our orders by asking there are a lot of different steaks to try just because we order spaghetti's. The waiters were like forcing people to order expensive ones. Please train your staff professionally especially with the tax you charge us!

Overall, if you are looking for a fancy bar to hangout with friends or colleagues. It suits you. But if you are looking for extreme performance from the band and DJ, I don't recommend. They are better options out there. Definitely not...

Driven by FOMO, I decided to stop by and try this place for myself at last after only having seen celebrities and common people alike raving about it on social media. And sure, upon entering I was immediately mesmerised by the intricate yet tasteful ambience of the place. Loved also that within minutes of entering we were served a welcoming drink in the form of a refreshing cocktail, as well as bread with fluffy herbed butter

Despite their claim for being a gastro bar, I am highly disappointed by their cocktails. For the exuberant price point, every single cocktail we had severely fell behind our high expectations. Sure, the cocktails were pretty, but even the basics like old fashioned were all weak and mediocre at best.

Food was just ok too. We had loaded fries, soft bun with crispy chicken. The main we ordered, crispy pork belly, would have been amazing if it didn’t come cold, one hour after I made the order.

I want to like the place so bad because I enjoy the consistent prohibition era vibe they’re being very consistent at portraying, especially with the jazz band playing. But the speed at which they service patrons simply dampens the whole experience. Between me and my partner, we ordered at least 6 drinks and they all respectively took more than 20 minutes to come. Food even took as long as an hour...