Nah, ini dia tempat yang dinanti-nanti terutama buat para shopaholic, surganya belanja di Istanbul. Cukup lurus mengikuti jalan utama dan jalur trem di depan Hagia Sophia dan sedikit bertanya-tanya di sana-sini akhirnya kami tiba di Grand Bazaar dengan berjalan kaki. Di sini terdapat beraneka macam barang mulai dari peralatan dapur, sabun mandi, alat musik, suvenir, pakaian, tas dan masih banyak lagi barang-barang lainnya yang tidak bisa disebutkan satu-persatu. Dan yang lebih istimewa lagi semua barang yang dijual di sini relatif lebih murah ketimbang di tempat lain asaaallll..... kalian tidak sungkan-sungkan untuk menawar. Menurut info orang lokal, harga barang yang ditawarkan bisa ditawar sampai dengan setengah bahkan sepertiganya. Yang penting jeli menilai harga dari suatu barang, jangan terlalu pasrah tapi juga jangan terlalu ngotot dalam menawar bisa-bisa dimaki penjualnya.

Setelah puas berkeliling dan berbelanja di dalam Grand Bazaar, saatnya untuk melanjutkan perjalanan ke beberapa tempat sembari kembali ke Airport Ataturk. Tentu saja sambil mampir sana-sini dulu untuk jajan, beli Turkish Delight untuk oleh-oleh, es krim khas Turki, menyantap Kebab, mampir sejenak di Masjid Baru (New Mosque) dan Taman Topkapi yang luas sekali. Setelah itu baru kami kembali ke airport dengan menggunakan tram yang bisa terbilang transportasi yang cukup cepat dan praktis. Sampai jumpa lain waktu Istanbul..... byeeee.....

After last weekend eating Nanny's Pavillon pancake, now it's time to make my own pancake. I got this recipe from my aunty whose teaching cooking class, so I guess it's worth to try. The recipe and the making itself quite simple, so here we go.

Last Saturday me and my best friend Tika decided to used our Nanny's Pavillon promo coupon that I bought earlier from Groupon Indonesia. So we agreed to meet at Nanny's Pavillon Sewing Room, Gandaria City Mall. Why there? Because Gandaria City is the most fair place to meet during our holiday, considering the distance between mine and Tika's place. And the most of all we've never eat at Nanny's Pavillon Sewing Room before. What makes it different from any other Nanny's Pavillon branches? Of course it differs, every Nanny's Pavillon branches are unique, there's none that a kind between them including Sewing Room.

Located on the Mainstreet UG Gandaria City Mall, you can almost recognized this restaurant from afar. With it's country style furniture, sewing props and big logo on the display window. You can choose to sit inside to enjoy the sewing room environment or outside the restaurant if you like much brighter feel and space, we prefer to sit outside that day. Actually this is my second Nanny's Pavillon experience, the first one was at Nanny's Pavillon Terrace, Central Park Mall check here for the blog link. As you can see below, the environment inside the restaurant filled with sewing props such as line of threads on the wall, rolls of cloth on the inner side next to the cute dresses and collection of buttons in jars. And there is a long dining table that has sewing machine on both end of the table, ohhh I soo sooo love to eat here.

And now onto the menu we eat that day, there is various menu provided here but we're not going to brought all that up after all we're still girls with little stomach to fill. We're just want to enjoy good atmosphere while spending the weekend with girly talks and delicious food, specially pancakes. Here we can find many homey recipe's pancakes you all gonna love.

Alvin's Black Crunchy Caramel Pancake

IDR 39.000 (before tax & service)

Soft and thick original pancake served with oreo flakes, one scoop of vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce spread on top. The taste of course delicious, and the portion is adequate, eating one alone is enough to fill your tummy instantly. For you who love the original taste of pancake, this menu is a good choice.

Ynez's Blueberry Cheese Roll Pancake

IDR 39.000 (before tax & service)

A thinner and crispier pancake with cream cheese rolled inside, served with one scoop of vanilla ice cream and blueberry sauce on top. These one I can say suited for cheesy fans just like my friend. The taste of cheese almost dominating the full flavor of this pancake. Combined with the sweet and sour came from blueberry sauce make the taste quite unique in a delicious way of course.

Nanny's Cocktail Blueberry

IDR 49.000 (before tax & service)

This refreshing drink actually can cover for four persons. Served in a bottle, when the waitresses serve this drink they always offer to pour it to our glasses. Contained fresh fruits cuts such as mango, apple, pear, strawberry, blueberry with blueberry extract. If you like more fresh and sour taste you can choose this flavor, but if not you can try other flavor available which is mango. They both taste good and refreshing.

That conclude my review on Nanny's Pavillon Sewing Room, hoping to see you all on my next review about other Nanny's Pavillon branches with their all uniqueness and other delicate meal that still waiting to tried on the menu. So until then... ^-^

10 September 2013

Basilica Cistern

Selepas dari Sultan Ahmed Square kami segera digiring menuju ke pintu masuk Basilica Cistern, tempat penyimpanan air bawah tanah kota Istanbul. Seperti biasa si ganteng menjelaskan sekilas tentang objek wisata yang menakjubkan ini. Berawal dari sebuah basilica (gereja Katolik yang besar) di masa awal berdirinya, yang kemudian beralih fungsi menjadi istana, tempat penyimpanan air kota sampai dengan kini menjadi objek wisata. Nama lain Basilica Cistern dalam bahasa Turki sendiri berarti "Istana yang tenggelam". Tak heran pemandangannya sangatlah cantik, dengan pilar-pilar yang diterangi lampu sorot. Yang perlu dicatat mengambil foto di sini sangatlah susah, karena kondisi penerangan yang relatif gelap. Tapi pemandangannya sangat spektakuler, jadi merupakan salah satu objek wisata yang harus dikunjungi.

Setelah selesai menjelaskan, si ganteng lagi-lagi memberikan waktu bebas untuk kita berkeliling. Ada beberapa sudut yang bisa dikunjungi di dalam Basilica Cistern ini, di ujung sekali terdapat pilar penyangga yang beralaskan kepala medusa dengan posisi yang tidak lazim. Dimana salah satu kepalanya diletakkan terbalik dan satunya lagi dalam posisi miring. Sedangkan di sudut lainnya agak lebih di tengah terdapat wishing pond, kita bisa melemparkan koin ke dalam air sambil memohon sesuatu. Yah, iseng keluarin uang receh buat wishing apa salahnya kan, kali-kali saja terkabul. Oiya, hati-hati sewaktu melempar koin ke dasar jangan sampai menimpuk ikan-ikan yang sedang berenang di dalamnya.

Saatnya kembali ke permukaan, setelah sempat silau sejenak kami segera dibawa menuju Museum Hagia Sophia yang berlokasi tidak jauh dari situ. Sebetulnya untuk masuk ke sini antriannya cukup lumayan, tapi karena kita tamu istimewa jadi si ganteng yang menguruskan semuanya untuk kami. Setelah tiket masuk di tangan, kami segera masuk dan kembali terpukau melihat struktur bangunan lawas yang masih kokoh sampai dengan detik ini. Semua itu tidak lepas dari usaha restorasi dan perawatan yang rajin dilakukan, seperti apa yang kami lihat hari itu. Yup, hari itu hampir separuh lantai dasar interior Museum Hagia Sophia tertutup dengan rangka-rangka besi yang menjulang sampai ke langit-langit. Sedih memang tapi yah apa mau dikata.

Apa sih keunikan dari Hagia Sophia? Berawal dari sebuah katedral, yang kemudian pada saat pendudukan Ottoman beralih fungsi menjadi sebuah masjid dengan beberapa penambahan fitur-fitur masjid pada bagian eksterior maupun interior. Sampai dengan beralih fungsi kembali menjadi sebuah museum di tahun 1935 sampai dengan sekarang, membuat bangunan ini memiliki perpaduan budaya yang beraneka ragam.

Beberapa penambahan yang dilakukan selama peralihan fungsi Hagia Sophia menjadi masjid, bisa dilihat pada tempat wudhu berwarna emas yang terdapat di pelataran depan, empat menara di sekeliling bangunan yang berfungsi untuk mengumandangkan adzan, tempat-tempat lilin yang bergantungan, mimbar dan beberapa ornamen lainnya.

Setelah puas berkeliling di dalam Hagia Sophia, kami diberikan waktu bebas untuk berbelanja di sekitar situ. Sebelum akhirnya dibawa kembali ke Tamara Restaurant untuk makan siang (lagi-lagi gratis). Setelah bertanya-tanya tentang arah ke Grand Bazaar dan cara kembali ke airport, kami pun memutuskan untuk berpamitan dengan si abang seusai makan untuk melanjutkan sendiri tour kami di Istanbul hari itu (biar puas keliling dan belanja ceritanya) di review selanjutnya tentunya, soo byee for now ^-^

Untuk bisa masuk ke masjid ini harus berpakaian sopan, untuk pria maupun wanita harus mengenakan bawahan melebihi lutut. Sedangkan untuk wanita harus menutupi bagian atas tubuh dan kepala, seperti gambar peringatan di atas. Tapi jangan khawatir tempat ini cukup bersahabat untuk para turis selain gratis biaya masuk, di pintu masuk juga disediakan kain penutup yang bisa dipinjam dan plastik untuk membawa alas kaki yang harus dilepas selama berada di dalam masjid. 

Masjid Sultan Ahmed memiliki 6 menara di sekelilingnya yang berfungsi untuk mengumandangkan adzan lima kali sehari ke berbagai penjuru, 1 kubah utama dan 8 kubah yang lebih kecil di sekelilingnya. Sedangkan untuk bagian interior dikelilingi oleh 4 pilar besar utama, dengan kapasitas muatan maksimal bisa mencapai sekitar 10.000 umat. Ditemani dengan lampu-lampu yang bertebaran di atasnya dan karpet yang khusus dibuat hanya untuk Masjid Sultan Ahmed, merupakan pemandangan yang luar biasa dan susah dilupakan.

Setelah puas berfoto-foto kilat di dalam Masjid Sultan Ahmed (kilat karena kami hanya diberikan waktu bernarsis ria sekitar 10 menit), kami pun digiring keluar dari pintu depan ke pelataran Sultan Ahmed. Pada zaman Romawi pelataran tersebut merupakan arena olah raga dan tempat perkumpulan. Hippodrome sendiri berasal dari bahasa Yunani, hippos (kuda) dan dromos (jalur) yang bisa diartikan pacuan kuda yang memang populer di masa itu. Setelah di-ekskavasi sekitar tahun 1950-1951 sampai dengan sekarang Hippodrome sudah menjadi salah satu tempat publik di Istanbul dan kini lebih dikenal dengan nama Sultan Ahmet Square. Beberapa peninggalan yang masih bisa dilihat adalah Serpent Column, Obelisk Theodosius, Walled Obelisk, Patung-Patung Porphyrios. Lagi-lagi kami diberikan waktu sekitar 10 menit untuk bernarsis ria di sini. Selesai puas foto-foto saatnya untuk lanjut ke tempat wisata selanjutnya, di review selanjutnya pula... elveda ^-^

To have a healthy body is always everyone's dream, especially in today's way of living. Where all the people just want to enjoy good life, pampering your tongue with delicious food without even considering the effects to your body. That's where Heavenly Blush came along, with it's motto "Wellness Yogurt Specialist". It is a commitment for Heavenly Blush always providing healthy food and drinks to improve quality of life, no preservatives, no fried food, and of course no MSG.

Okay let me tell you all a bit about Heavenly Blush, established in December 2008 under PT. Heavenly Nutrition Indonesia. With just frozen yogurt as the main and only product at that time. But later on Heavenly Blush adding more varieties to the menu still with yogurt as the ingredient such as yogurt drink, salad with yogurt dressing, yogurt cake, yogurt sandwich, steak with yogurt sauce, yogurt soup, and many other dishes. Started from Pondok Indah Mall 2, now Heavenly Blush also available at Mal Kelapa Gading 3 and Plaza Indonesia.

At 27th October 2013, I as one of the newest member of Indonesian Food Blogger (IDFB) has the honor to review Heavenly Blush. The meet up took place at Heavenly Blush Pondok Indah Mall 2 3rd floor and consist of 19 members of IDFB, include 2 administrators in them (Anne and Tika). As I get there, the waitress welcome us and asking what drink would I have. After asking a bit about some of the drinks, I choose Sparkling Kiwi Strawberry to quench my thirst after facing traffic jam that day. Not for long Mr.Ricky Kapoyos as the Heavenly Blush Marketing gather all the IDFB members to give a brief explanation about Heavenly Blush and it's products before we continue to food tasting. Overall, the meet up itself give me many experiences by meeting and watching senior food bloggers in action and it all thanks to IDFB and Heavenly Blush. Hoping there will be another invitation for me in the future ^.^

Ricky Kapoyos, Heavenly Blush Marketing

Back to the main purpose of the event, now I will move on to the part you all will love "the food review". One thing you all should remember that all the menu provided here not only delicious but also healthy. With the idea, value of the food not depend on the amount of the food you eat but on how much nutrition in it.

Non alcohol drinks combination of nutrition, vitamin, and fresh fruit with scented tea, pure water, or sparkling soda. Also contain special Heavenly Blush booster that can be customized to fulfill your needs. Such as for isotonic, slimming, replenish energy, anti-aging, maintain digestion, or to improve immune system. Enjoying good drinks while improving your health sounds like a piece of cake now.

Refreshing sparkling soda with real kiwi and strawberries cut in it. My choice directly fall to this drink combined with Heavenly Blush booster that contains LA5, BB 12 live probiotic and inuline prebiotic to help maintain a healthy digestive system. The taste is balance not too sour nor sweet, just the perfect taste for me.

Virgin Lychee Blueberry
IDR 37.000 (before tax)

This one is a perfect choice for who loves cocktail but can't stand to soda. A pure water based drink with lychee and blueberries. Also available to be combine with any Heavenly Blush booster you prefer.

Iced Hazelnut Latte
IDR 36.000 (before tax)

For you who adore coffee do not worry, tea and coffee also available in the selection of Heavenly Blush menu. Like this Iced Hazelnut Latte, prepared not too sweet for the healthy cause. But you can adjust it to your liking by adding more sugar that always ready on the table.

Oven Baked Norwegian Salmon with Yogurt Sauce, served with mashed potatoes
IDR 90.000 (before tax)

Finally arrived to the main dish, the one I choose because my fish addict. Slice of Norwegian Salmon baked with oven, accompanied with beans and broccoli and yogurt mushroom sauce on top. And it can be served along with roasted baby potatoes, roasted potatoes or mashed potatoes whichever you like. For the taste, without any doubt I can say it's delicious. It proven when everybody still taking pictures of their food, I already finish this delicious meal.

Japanese Beef Yogurt Wasabi Salad
IDR 80.000 (before tax)

And for Japanese cuisine especially wasabi fans, you can pick Japanese Beef with Yogurt Wasabi Sauce & Salad. Served with rice, but as usual you can switch to potatoes. The sauce has an unique taste so it's a must to try.

Selection of Cakes
Start from IDR 35.000 per slice (before tax)

For the cakes, although they all very tempting but I can't put anymore food to my tummy that day. And of course they're on my wish list now. Who are they? Heavenly Red Velvet, Heavenly Cheesecake, Heavenly Rainbow, and Black Forest. As usual the main ingredient is yogurt, so I bet they really soft and tasty.

Beside the menu I mention above, as you can see Yogurt Drinks also sold here. Just like the ones we see in supermarkets, they came in various flavor for the bottle packaging and Strawberry flavor for Yogurt To Go pack. There is also Yo Salad, which you can choose from the salad bar. And of course the delicious Frozen Yogurt that had brought up Heavenly Blush until now, came with various topping started from IDR 27.800 (before tax). Speaking of Froyo, before I forgot Heavenly Blush has an offer for all of us. What offer? How? You'll just need to read and print the voucher below, only at Heavenly Blush PIM 2 until 31st March 2014. So don't miss it, see you there folks ^-^

Just click on the image to print

Plaza Indonesia

2nd Floor #071, next to Zara

(+62 21) 2992 3556