Every morning at 4am, Hadi and team Rumah Makan Cahaya Baru 99, a hidden gem in the belly of Padang Benhil, head to Pasar Senen in search of rich spices and tasty ingredients that make the small restaurant one of the most sought after spots in Jakarta. While most of us scoff at the idea of getting up well before the rooster to serve hungry customers, Hadi relishes it. He loves the constant forehead of sweat that comes from turning the tables and scooping steamed rice on banana leaves beds to take orders. There is a pride most of us will never know what just serve customers and take their supplements to heart.
The fact that Hadi and his team developed the delicacy West Sumatra is not what makes 99 special. There are not that 28 Indonesian delicacy dishes stacked perfectly in a window. The food is just the tip of the iceberg. In the punch culinary trend Jakarta Hadi and his team bring a warmth and hospitality that gives 99 its authenticity. The TV is strong and snowy. The greasy fan in the corner whistled just enough to notice. The wastafel towel is oddly too wet. There is a sign announcing the hours of the restaurant and takeaway service, but they give only the first three digits of the phone number. But it is giving 99 of its charm. The team of 12 people with another joke, making fun of the other weight and bumming cigarettes from the other. It's more like a family than anything else. Three of the 11 other employees have been with since 1999. Hadi The youngest of the team was on board for nearly three years.
"We know that the food here tastes as good or better than the most expensive places Padang," said Hadi, taking a break during rush lunch time, when the line can get up to four people deep. "but it gives us a sense of pride that we can keep prices low."
Hadi worked for Astra, as a welder, but there was no soul in it. Here, 99, Hadi and his team garner a sense of community for what they do. Everyone eats 99, doctors across the street to Rumah Sakit Angkatan Laut, the garbage collectors who wander up . and down Jalan Raya Benhil, collecting bottle caps with magnets duct-taped to sticks
as one of the 12 team members 99, Hadi eats, sleeps and breathes Padang - literally . 99 is an operation every hour, which means that from time to time, Hadi is so exhausted when the restaurant closes he sleeps on the floor where most of the food is prepared. But of course, he's back at 6am to prepare the dishes when guests begin to arrive from 7am. Now that's love.