Osteria Gia

Osteria Gia is the Italian brand from Ismaya Group, built around the idea of the osteria as an everyday place to eat, much as a warung is in Jakarta. The Pacific Place branch sits on the ground floor of the mall in SCBD, with arches, warm tones and a long bar, and the menu was developed by Italian chef Tommaso Gonfiantini using some ingredients imported from Italy.

Start with the Angus carpaccio, then order the spaghettoni al burro e pepe, a rich take on cacio e pepe, or fettuccine with US prime short-rib ragù. Pizzas run from quattro formaggi to pepperoni, and the sirloin bistecca and salmon filetto cover anyone not eating pasta. Finish with the classic tiramisu, and the bar mixes a good Negroni.

It is a dependable choice for a mall lunch, a pre-cinema dinner or a group that wants something familiar, and it stays open until midnight at weekends. Other Jakarta branches are at Plaza Indonesia, Central Park, Pondok Indah Mall 2, Kelapa Gading (Gafoy) and Orange Groves PIK 2.