Jazz Meets Marine Cuisine At the Black Cat

Jakarta's Black Cat jazz supper club has plenty to celebrate for its second birthday this month: mouth-wateringly authentic Cajun/Creole cuisine, unrivalled musical talent - and all that jazz, of course.

Black Cat has concreted its position as the premiere live jazz venue in the city, with oozy tunes every night of the week, plus a legendary 'open-mic' night every Monday. Nestled upstairs in the ubèr-stylish Plaza Senayan Arcadia, overlooking Senayan's luxurious shopping district, Black Cat's décor is shadowy and cosy while still being sleek, and is infinitely enhanced by the unrivalled sexiness of its grand piano.

"We want to make it intimate so there is no space between the musicians and the people. You feel close to them," says Black Cat's newly appointed manager, Tonny Nursanto.
"Jazz is the music of truth, of honesty. Jazz is freedom. When you listen to it, without knowing it you can feel tears coming from your eyes."

His words ring true when we are treated to their Wednesday night special, the Idang Rasjidi Trio. Idang's talent is unassailable.

"Jazz is the most revolutionary music in the history of the world," he says.

"Music teaches us how to listen. It teaches us how to be honest. I feel what I play and I play what I feel I love jazz and I love this club and I love playing here."

And it shows.

But top-notch entertainment is not all that Black Cat boasts. Our appetizer, the Charlie Parker Cajun calamari, was perfectly crumbed and crispy, and was followed by two equally delicious signature dishes, namely the Wynton Marsalis Jambalaya, a delicious blend of chicken and beef chorizo sausage and tomato sauce in a rice palif, and also the Sonny Rollins Seafood Gumbo – marine cuisine at its best.

Black Cat can attribute their menu's success to their chef who worked in a New Orleans restaurant prior to Black Cat.

"He preserved authentic recipes and brought it all here!" says Tonny.

The drinks list has an extensive range of dangerously delectable drinks, as well as a range of New Orleans and Hennessy City cocktails to stick to the theme. This month is a special month for Black Cat not only for its anniversary, but also for the Java Jazz Festival in March. Artists from the festival have been known to 'pop in' to Black Cat after the shows. However, in the true spirit of jazz, Tonny says Black Cat doesn't plan too far in advance.

"Every song we perform is not rehearsed. Jazz is where 'impromptu' comes from – it's a celebration of freedom. In here, you never know what's going to happen," he insists.