Judging from the thundering laughs and constant chatter coming from the groups (yes, the plural form is intentional) of ladies having brunch at Blueprint Bites & Brew PIK, the “Welcome home!”greetings that the staffs merrily shout every time a customer walks through the door is not too far off. Despite its newness, Blueprint Bites & Brew PIK has quickly become one of the prime spots for ladies of North Jakarta to hang out, for good reason.
First and foremost, the food is solid. Serving Australian-style brunch and dinner with a touch of Japanese, Blueprint Bites & Brew PIK manages to cater to different palates with a menu list that a number of customers would categorize as rather limited in numbers. The health enthusiasts will be happy to see a couple of salad options and Bircher Muesli, while traditionalists will be excited to see the likes of Pulled Pork Benedict or Buttermilk Pancake. There are also dishes that are pretty peculiar, like French Toast Brulee with its matcha custard.
Our pick falls to one of Blueprint Bites & Brew PIK’s signature Gindara Croquette. The crunchy skin of deep fried panko crumbs gives way to delicate potatoes and gindara wonderfully. Top that with a perfectly poached egg, a subtle Hollandaise sauce, and a touch of saltiness from tobiko, Gindara Croquette is one well-balanced dish. The side dish called Spicy BFC is also dead on for Indonesian palate. How could one resist crispy fried chicken with homemade spicy-sour chili sauce? As for drinks, the café offers a selection of coffee, tea, and ice blended drinks. Keep in mind that specialty coffee is not what they are focusing on, which means there are no imported single origin beans and coffee taste profile mumbo jumbo.
Now, our second hypothesis as why ladies flock to Blueprint Bites & Brew PIK: the place has character. There are traits that differentiate this place, including the shade of blue that adorned the walls and the bizarre graffiti, both unusual choices for a chic café. The hanging lamps also look like something you’d see in Chinese restaurants, but somehow it works. The bright first floor can fit up to 40 people, while the darker and more mysterious second floor can fit around 35 people. The latter, which most probably appeals to the more masculine market, has the kind of mood that gets better as the night falls and booze starts churning. We’re not 100% there will be alcohol in the future, but the place surely fits.
With its quirky taste in decor and tasty food, Blueprint Bites & Brew PIK is an interesting addition to the all-day brunch scene in PIK area. The spacious area is ideal for small events, particularly the second floor. To our knowledge, it has hosted birthday parties, bridal showers, and corporate events. As for us, we’ll definitely be dropping by for another round of brunch, even if we have to compete with the ladies for a spot.
