Indonesian NYC is largely represented – unsurprisingly – in Elmhurst, Queens. The citadel on the hill, as it were, has traditionally been on Whitney Avenue off of Broadway, where two Indonesian restaurants under various managements have perched for years, overlooking the commercial center. The heyday had Minang Asli and Mie Jakarta up there, the latter to me being the best Indo in NYC, in rivalry with Java Village a mile or so away on Grand Street.
Now they have been replaced by Sky Cafe and Asian Taste 86, which are both very good, but not as good as Mie Jakarta was. Java Village, according to most, has dwindled in quality, but I still enjoy it. Finally there is Upi Jaya on Broadway in the shadow of the seam where Woodside and Jackson Heights come together. That’s a great family spot.
You can ignore the Indo place in Hell’s Kitchen. Not horrible, but just not in the same ballpark of authenticity and quality.
