H SOCIAL CLUB SCBD: Where Good Food and Fine Drinks Restore Jakartans' Weary Souls

The editor of Indonesia Expat recently had the chance to enjoy a meal at H Social Club SCBD, which is located in the hyper-dynamic Sudirman Central Business District, Jakarta. This is his review of the venue.

Personally, long before I stepped inside, I had always found H Social Club SCBD quite intriguing.

Perhaps it was because of its exterior. The massive letter ‘H’, in my eyes, looks less like a logo and more like a regal insignia. And the fact that, from the outside, this particular dining establishment does not give much of a peek into what awaits inside makes it more mysterious and, thereby, much more enticing to enter. Be it either day or night, the somewhat boxy-looking, architectural shell of H Social Club SCBD boasts a peculiar sense of magnificence. Lucky for me, on a Friday late afternoon, I had a pretty good reason to make my debut step inside.

Allow me to unlock this mystery first: beneath the simplistic appearance of H Social Club SCBD lies a whole different world defined and designed by sophistication, opulence, and the right touch of flamboyance. As I set foot inside, sconces and an LED video wall glowed luminously amidst the calmingly muted ambience. The bar shimmered in a smouldering radiance, as several diners adjacent to the bar appeared to be enjoying a lovely catch-up with each other over afternoon bites. The spiral staircase practically begged for more than a few photo snaps for Instagram. To the untrained architectural eye (such as mine), the overall interior design may charmingly remind one of a Gothic castle. Thanks to its impressive interior and ample space, H Social Club SCBD makes it appropriately suitable for diners to have private events, meetings, or gatherings with friends or colleagues.

That being said, what turned out to be the best-kept secret at H Social Club SCBD was the food. And what this establishment can whip up for the belly may be what the tired and weary Jakartans need after a long day at the office. H Social Club SCBD also happens to be one of Jakarta’s stomping grounds that are quite frequently visited by expats to spend their downtime and socialise, thus making the atmosphere at this venue more diverse than other food-and-drinks establishments.

Tasty for the Tummy

I was ready for a hearty meal—and lucky for me, I enjoyed more than what I had wished for.

My lunch at H Social Club SCBD began with Prawn Black Tacos. Consisting of black tortilla, baked beans, and slaw, topped with diced prawn tempura, mango salsa, and smoked wood aioli, this choice of appetiser turned out to be pretty savoury with a touch of spiciness that was neither underwhelming nor overpowering, which subsequently made it palatable for diners with varying degrees of heat tolerance. There was also a crispy quality to the tacos, not to mention a surprising volume of meatiness, that should bode well for diners who might be too impatient (and too famished) to wait for the main course.

Onwards to the main course, and it was Rigatoni Chicken Parmigiana. For pasta lovers, this dish would be one of the must-try plates here at H Social Club SCBD. With rich, tomato basil pomodoro sauce and topped with chicken parmigiana, creamy stracciatella, Grana Padano, as well as sweet basil pesto, this plate of rigatoni was served up in a slightly modern twist: the thickness of the pasta was paired and complemented with firm, crunchy chicken, as well as sour yet zesty tomato sauce.

The main course did not stop at rigatoni, though. Next up was what was arguably the show-stopper of my lunch: The Fried Rice LAB. This particular dish was no one’s average fried rice, as the fried rice was prepared with smoked MB9+ picanha, black garlic aioli, burnt edamame, ikura, pickled red onion, and truffle. As a metaphorical cherry on top: The Fried Rice LAB was, before my very eyes, imbued by the server with a smoked shallot aroma, which created an actual smoke show once the glass cloche was pulled open from the plate. The taste, as a result, was expectedly exquisite. Who would have thought that edamame and ikura could magically elevate fried rice to a whole new level?

And of course, the mocktails that I had a chance to enjoy while having my meal were equally worthy of full, awe-inspiring attention. The Butterfly Sparkling mocktail, consisting of grape syrup, cranberry, blackberry syrup, citrus, and Butterfly Pea Kaffir Soda, was both fruity and refreshing as a remedy for the summer heat. The Strawberry Creamy mocktail, thanks to its quirky concoction made of strawberry syrup, cinnamon syrup, heavy cream, and fresh milk, added the much-needed sugary jolt to revive one’s energy after an especially exhausting day. Last but not least, the Fruity Lemongrass mocktail, which blends Asian lemongrass syrup with pineapple, orange, sugar, and citrus, delivered a sweet-and-sour balance that helped cleanse my palate in between meal courses.

That being said, in addition to these delicious mocktails, H Social Club SCBD also offers a wide selection of cocktails, wine, and alcoholic beverages for a variety of moods and tastes.

Sundowner After Sundown

The felicity at H Social Club SCBD, interestingly, did not stop at lunchtime. Once the Friday sun went down, more diners popped by, followed by a live band hitting the stage. The evening turned into a jazzy affair as the entire H Social Club SCBD was later buoyed by the band’s rendition of Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why”. A swoonworthy cover of Sandhy Sondoro’s “Tak Pernah Padam” added a touch of romance to the evening afterwards, and so did the band’s soulful cover of Phil Collins’ classic tune “You’ll Be In My Heart”.

When the clock hit 9 PM, the bar takeover commenced. For today’s takeover edition, H Social Club SCBD invited three of the most prominent mixologists in the city: Darren Defretes (Spice Island Distilling Co.), Karina (representatives from The St. Regis Bar Jakarta), and Jack (representatives from HWG Dining). Each of them whipped out their respective signature cocktails for the night’s pub-goers.

Hugo Spritz, made by Darren, incorporated East Indies Bali Pomelo Gin, resulting in a cocktail both fresh and fizzy. Karina’s Negroni, prepared with East Indies Archipelago Gin, delivered a bittersweet flavour on the taste buds while delectably transporting the mind to the tropics. Last but not least, the Spice Route cocktail, mixed by Jack, made use of East Indies London Dry Gin—which afterwards translated into an interesting liquor elixir that was savoury-spicy as well as herbaceous.

Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) is known for its lively bar and dining scenes among the trendy yet hard-working Jakartans. H Social Club SCBD, however, stands out as more than just another venue in this vibrant landscape. During my recent visit, I experienced firsthand that it is the razor-sharp combination of chic ambience, tasty meals, and exciting drinks that makes H Social Club SCBD a refreshing break between work and home. As confirmed by what I have experienced at this venue as well, H Social Club SCBD is a one-stop social dining place that is appropriate not just for a fun nightlife hang but also for lunch, supper, and after-work beverages in SCBD.

More importantly, H Social Club SCBD understands very well that having good food and fine drinks with one’s friends and colleagues is more than just a matter of sustenance; it is also a matter of blissfulness. H Social Club SCBD is highly recommended as one of the must-visit places in SCBD to enjoy food, drinks, and memorable social experiences.

All images, except as noted, are courtesy of Felix Martua.