Casa Alba Ristorante

Casa Alba sits on Jalan Surabaya in Menteng, opposite the street's antique stalls. Chef-patron Roberto Fiorini, who once cooked privately for the Saudi royal household, built the menu around the Italian cooking he grew up with, then reworked it with techniques picked up in kitchens abroad. The rooms are bright and colourful, with a bar, a glasshouse dining area and a large wood-fired oven in the corner.

Start with the beef carpaccio topped with truffle-scented parmesan ice cream or tuna tartare on burrata. Fresh pasta is a strength: try the strozzapreti with white lamb ragù, pappardelle with duck ragù or black-ink chitarrine with lobster. Pizzas include the Paposcia Pugliese and the house Alba with wagyu bresaola, and the saffron risotto with ossobuco is a good main.

The menu suits a date or a long dinner with friends. There is a private room, a dry-aged steak section and an extensive wine list. Several dishes contain pork, so check with staff if that matters. It is open daily from late morning to 10pm.