SHINE A LIGHT. In Italian, La Luce (18 Parc, SCBD; 62-21/515-3860; lalucejakarta.com) means “the light,” and that’s exactly what this new Italian restaurant in Jakarta hopes to bring to the table.
Aiming to be more authentic than any other restaurants serving Italian food in the city, La Luce’s goal is to recreate real Italian cuisine and hospitality. Executive chef Alessandro de Boni and his kitchen team put out excellent renditions of classic Italians recipes.
Highlights of the menu include a spaghetti with venus clams, cherry tomatoes and saffron filaments, as well as sarda fish with an olive and caper tapenade. That last one isn’t listed on the regular menu, so make sure to ask for Chef Alessandro’s suggestion menu.
Also of note is the overall design of the restaurant. While other new places in Jakarta tediously choose to adopt 50s or 60s styles, La Luce keeps its interior chic and refreshingly modern.