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[StephanieL]

After reading many posts on CH, I decided to visit Upi Jaya, which specializes in dishes from Padang in western Sumatra. The place is small, with about 15 tables, and I was the only diner at 6:15 on Friday. The owner was very eager to please, making sure I knew that the food was spicy.

Before the meal, I got a complimentary basket of shrimp chips, which had clearly been freshly fried. I started with the gado gado salad, which had various vegetables and what might have been tofu skin, in a mildly spicy peanut sauce. The veggies were all crisp and while there was a lot of peanut sauce, it wasn't too heavy or cloying. On top were crackers that Sietsema, in his VV review, said were krupau emping, made from the sliced and pounded nuts of the melinjo tree. They were savory and tasted starchy, a bit like plantains or cassava. The portion was easily enough for 2 people. I can't remember the name of the chicken dish I had as my entree, but it was 2 pieces of chicken with a dry spice rub (no sauce). It was hard to taste the individual spices--what I could taste mostly was the heat, which is not necessarily bad. Rice was $1 extra.

When I left, there was a couple (she Indonesian, he Anglo) that had come in all the way from Jersey City, which I thought was a good sign. I would definitely come back with other people so I could try more things. It's much better & I think more authentic than Bali Nusah Indah (I've never been to Borobur).

Upi Jaya
76-10 Woodside Avenue, Elmhurst (near the 74th Street E F G R V 7 stop)

[porkwah]

I've been to this place several times. I think it's quite good, and imho it would qualify as a good restaurant in indonesia (where I have only been once).

I like the beef rendang. A tofu appetizer is also really good.