The 18th Restaurant and Lounge is not only a place to dine in. This restaurant and lounge offers you a new experience and sensation while visiting Bandung.
STORY BY Dhion Gumilang PHOTO BY Bagus Tri Laksono
An unforgettable time awaits at the restaurant located on the 18th floor of the Trans Luxury Hotel as The 18th has become the venue of choice for extravagant wedding receptions, Sunrise Yoga Sessions, Zumba Morning Groove Classes, corporate events, birthday parties and any occasion for up to 400 pax - here the sky is not the only limit while the party keeps going as if you are eighteen years young!
The fun becomes transparent through the design with all the walls, indoor and outdoor, that are part of the restaurant being made out of glass. These see-through glass walls give guests a scenic view of Bandung: During the day the mountain of the surrounding Parahyangan (an alias of Bandung) while at night the lights of residential and high-rise buildings of the Paris Van Java sets the scene. The 18th Restaurant & Lounge has three designated areas, each unique in concept and design. The first two areas are the Club Lounge and The 18th Restaurant which was designed indoor, while the last, The 18th Lounge was meant to be an outdoor area. Since its borders use transparent walls, the indoor areas are like outdoor areas and all the rooms can enjoy the spectacular view.
Club Lounge was designed following a Moroccan inspired style. Handmade carpets in red, gold, and black - that are custom made - cover the floor which can cater for up to 80 pax. The ornaments on the walls in a form of Middle East vessels are arranged in a mosaic to strengthen the impression of Morocco. Meanwhile, a massive marble bar desk becomes the center point of this classy lounging area. There are also two private areas to complete this luxurious lounge that are used for informal meetings. This exclusive lounge is completed with internet connection and a business center so that corporate guests could sit and manage their business while ordering from an ala carte breakfast menu.
Another enchanting part of this area is of course The 18th Restaurant itself. It is prepared as a semi dine-in venue. The seating arrangement adapts to a western style and can cater for up to 100 seated pax in a high-end dinner service settings. Synthetic leather chairs in silver and gold are custom-made - these furnishings are arranged to intimately accommodate up to 8 people per dining table set-up.
A partially open kitchen is installed in the middle of the restaurant. Square openings on the walls are disguised with trellis in a derivative form of butterflies. This kitchen is the cold kitchen where salad or seafood and sushi gets prepared. “Snacks and beverages for the restaurant and lounge are prepared in this kitchen as well,” Nalendra Anindita, Executive Sous Chef of The Trans Luxury Hotel adds.
A relaxing lounge was designed for The 18th with an al fresco concept combined with parquette flooring and candle lights presenting a romantic ambiance. This half-rounded lounge attracts those who are young at heart to come and enjoy the scenery of Bandung along with live music everyday between 4 pm - and 12 midnight.
Japanese inspired culinary creations and Western food are combined into a fusion concept. Hand Dived Seared Scallop with Pickled Beetroot, for instance, an Atlantic Scallop which gets marinated in vanilla and miso and seared to medium paired with pickled beetroot, “This dish is perfect to be combined with a crisp white wine” Chef Nalendra mention. Another favourite dish among guests, is the traditional French dish: Pan Seared Foie Gras with Pumpkin Puree, a dish which needs a touch of sweetness, the reason to put a pumpkin puree with it.
These three luxurious areas are completed with a sky walk as a prolong of The 18th Lounge floor. Jutting to the above of busy Gatot Subroto street makes this 10 m x 3 m sky walk a means to see the busy traffic or take some photographs with a backdrop of limitless exoticism. “Steel frames support the roof, walls, and sky walk here,” Melody Siagian, FB Marketing and Promotion Manager, comforts those who might have a fear of heights.
The use of double glass with 2 cm thickness on the indoor and outdoor bordering walls guarantee the guests safety while dancing on the sky walk. “No worries for our guests to sit and dine in our restaurant and lounge,” Melody added. That is why there are guests who request to have a private romantic dinner on the sky walk in order to create unforgettable memories. For groups or just for two The 18th has it all just for you!