MAD

MAD is an acronym for ‘Modern Asian Diner’. This restaurant is yet another work of Singapore’s TungLok Group and inspired by Singapore’s own music talent Dick Lee who interestingly, used to be a judge in Singapore Idol.

MAD’s interior is quirky and modern, suitable with the Asian fusion food that it serves.

The walls and furniture, even their menus, are splashed with bright colors and bold graphics, giving the restaurant a very fresh look.

While the open kitchen, spacious dining area and simple dining table sets gave the place a clean feel.

We started of our dinner with a range of Dim Sum. 

The first dish featuring their Crispy Pork Buns turned out to be one of the better ones you can find in Jakarta. I love how the crispy outer layer gave a nice contrast to the softness of the fillings. However, I had to request them to rewarm the buns to get the temperature nice and hot.

I was excited that the dinner started off great. Unfortunately, it went downhill after this.

The next dish is the Siu Mai. There was nothing special about the Siu Mai and I have tasted more delicious ones at other local Chinese restaurants.

Then comes the Xiao Long Bao, which were also very forgettable, a far cry from those in Din Tai Fung or Paradise Dynasty.

MAD’s Dim Sum was average at best, with the exception of their Crispy Pork Bun.

Our Cream Crab Croquette side dish was lacking the much anticipated crab taste and was quite bland.

For the first main, we ordered MAD’s Foei Gras & Beef Claypot Rice.

I have to say that the foei gras, tender beef and the sauce makes a very flavorful taste combination, a positive turn to what was becoming a monotonous dining experience.

Then came the Josper – Grilled Wagyu Claypot Rice. The beef was extremely tender but the sauce came off a little bit bland.

The last claypot dish, the Black Bean Japanese Momoiro Pork Belly Katsu Claypot Rice, was the biggest disappointment.

When it first arrived, the dish looked extremely appetizing as apparent from the above picture.

The rice tasted funny and the katsu was tasteless. We had to return the dish as no one in our table wanted to eat it.

The next dish; the Charcoal Grilled Spicy Coconut Scented White Cod was one of the more delicious dish we ate so far.

The presentation made it look appetizing and the fish is done just right, not over or under cooked.

MAD’s Spicy Miso Moroimo Pork Belly Mini Mantau Burgers was not too shabby either.  The mantau sandwiches the juicy pork belly that is garnished with spicy miso sauce. 

Overall, MAD made little or no impression on me. I might come back to try its other dishes, but not anytime soon.

Food: |**    |          Ambience: |***   |         Price: |$$$    |

Opening hours: Weekdays (11am-10.30pm); Weekends (10am – 11pm)

Location: Lotte Shopping Avenue 4th fl. Unit 33 (Next to XXI Cinema), Ciputra World 1,

Jl. Prof. Dr. Satrio Kav. 3-5

Telephone: +62 21 2988 9499

Posted by FidoDido