Matahari Cafe

• Cuisine(s): Indonesian
  Hours: Sun-Mon, Wed-Sat 10am-4pm
  Price: $ $
• Payment Types: cash
  Attire: Casual
  Features: Takeout, Wheelchair Accessible
• Serving: Breakfast, Lunch
  Reservations: Accepted, Not Necessary
  Parking: Meters

Description

This quaint little downtown eatery features some dozen-plus lunch specials (most $5.99 and each accompanied by a mound of white rice), all freshly cooked and invigoratingly seasoned. Indonesian staples served include grilled skewers of chicken or pork saté with peanut sauce; chili-and-coconut-seeped beef rendang; and rice noodles stir-fried with kecap manis (sweet soy), peas, scallions, carrots, and choice of chicken or pork (bak mie goreng). The priciest item, nasi rames ($9.99), brings steamed rice surrounded by beef rendang, curried chicken wings, sambal-slathered fish, sautéed kale, and a crisp shrimp cracker. Folks attracted to vibrantly hued victuals should try the trippy es cendol, a Javanese beverage/dessert of shaved ice, palm sugar, coconut milk, jackfruit, glutinous yuca, and bright green spätzle-like squiggles of tapioca starch. When Matahari Café gets packed with cruise workers, it is no less colorful.