Pot Boy Aru — Restaurant in Jakarta

We ordered the McLovin, and it was still undercooked. They fried it again, and we waited for around 20 more minutes, but it still wasn't finished. We asked to cancel the McLovin because we had waited a long time and thought we should try another item on the menu, but the waitress said we couldn't. We were still OK and understanding, maybe because they had already cooked it. Then the McLovin came, and it was STILL undercooked. We decided to cancel the McLovin (we lost our appetite on that mclovin already) and ordered another different items.

We moved inside because it was hot outside, but we still had to wait for our food to come. In total, it had been about more than an hour, and our rice had gotten cold. After we moved inside, we expected them to bring our food in, but they almost cleared all our orders from our old table. I think they should have had the common sense to realize we hadn't finished our rice yet because they gave us raw chicken TWICE. We had to stop the waitress from clearing our food. One of the rice had already been cleared, so they gave us a new hot one, but without sesame (the rice was supposed to have sesame on top). We didn't get any complimentary at all. I think that’s probably bcs we were really nice and didn't yell at the waitresses, though I think we should have.

Mclovin 1/5 because they gave us raw chicken meat.

Shrimp 2/5, my friend said it was not tasty, he didn't finish the food. And I lost my appetite already so didn’t try it at all

Beef belly ssam 3/5, the kimchi was tasty, but the beef was a little too salty for us. we must ate it with rice to neutralise the salty taste.

Disco fries 5/5 - to be honest, this is the only thing I don’t regret buying

But sorry it's still a no-no for me to go back there. There are many better options in Row9 that...

Pot Boy Aru is a low key, cozy restaurant that serves straightforward dishes done really well. Edit: updated re bday cake rule (spoiler: no consumption allowed)

⏩Food: 4.7/5 Pot Boy Aru is an asian fusion/modern that brings a refreshing blend of technique and temperament. It blends and bring in flavors where it makes sense and keeps it simple where it matters. The dan dan noodle is creamy, sweet but not overpoweringly so. The croquette was good and the salad is decent (even though it'll be nice to have more vegetarian friendly options). The beef ssam is rather sweet but very good nonetheless. The BDSM chicken (brined and soy marinated) was tender, crispy and oh so good without being oily. The lamb skweres tender and juicy. All of these goodness comes in a very fair price; we spent about 200k ppax.

It never panders with mentai this and truffle that. It doesn't rely on visual spectacle tailored for IG virality. They excelled in bringing comfortable, familiar flavors done well. Kudos to the PBA kitchen team! Unfortunately we didn't get to try the dessert as it wasnt ready by the time our seating time is over (8pm). Boo :(

⏩Vibe: 4.1/5 Clean, simple, and cozy. Reminds me of the smaller restaurants abroad. Not the typical big brand designed polish but very homey. Not very noisy. Parking at Row9 is a nightmare though - valet only (35k).

Edit: recently found out they allowed cutting of bday cake we brought but no eating?? Wow. Also now they allow smoking after 8pm ew

⏩Service: 3.5/5 Nothing to complain, but it did not stand out either. Decently attentive, helpful and friendly. .

⏩Overall: 4.4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ So we came back a few times. Still good, but man what a weird rule to not allow bday cake be eaten there (they did allow us to cut...

I had the pleasure of dining at this charming, small but soulful restaurant, and I'm already counting down the days until my next visit. A hidden culinary gem that tantalizes taste buds, it's an experience I wholeheartedly recommend.

For those considering a visit, reservations are a must. Due to their limited seating, they have divided reservations into two sessions. First seating from 18:00 to 20:00 and Second seating from 20:00 until closing.

The popularity of this place is a testament to its excellence. I opted for Dan Dan Noodle and Sticky Beef Belly. As for dessert, the Hot Miso Toffee Dates Cake was a fitting finale that left me in culinary bliss.

Every bite was a delightful revelation and comfort. Yet, it wasn't just about the food – the ambiance matched the quality of the dishes. The interior exudes a warmth that feels like a private gathering at a dear friend's home.

There's one minor point of improvement. The attentive waitstaff, while admirable, could perhaps give diners a bit more time and space to savor each moment. It's a testament to how enjoyable the experience was that I yearn for more time to relish it.

On my next visit, I'm eager to explore their cocktail offerings, confident that they'll be as remarkable as the rest of the menu. In summary, this restaurant is a must-visit for anyone seeking not only exceptional food but an entire culinary journey that...