Tried out the Warung Selasa, a Pop-up Restaurant serving East Javanese Cuisine, inside an Indonesian Grocery Store, Indo Java Groceries. They are only open on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Dishes are always $10. It was really great to speak Bahasa with Dewi, the proprietor. She's all-smiles, warm & bubbly.
The restaurant is inside a small grocery store so don't expect the comforts of a typical restaurant. There are only 2 mini tables which can probably seat 6 people at most. There isn't a restroom. You'll probably have to share a table with a stranger & eat in a very confined space. However, the close proximity makes for great conversations. We shared a table with a gentleman from East Java & sat across from a Dutchman. We exchanged notes about ethnic restaurants in NYC & the history of South East Asia.
How was the food? Imagine being invited to the home of an East Javanese family. That's exactly how the food tastes like. Homemade with lots of love. Eveey week there's something different. The portion was generous & the individual dishes brought me back to memories of my faraway home. Also, be careful with the sambal (Chilli Paste). It is REALLY spicy. I was leaking bodily fluids from multiple crevices in my head. Loved it. Loved how alive it made me feel! read more
