History Of Rindu Alam, Legendary Resto In Puncak

Rindu Alam (Instagram / @ toekangkulineran)

JAKARTA - Feelings of joy and happiness enveloped naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace when he first set foot in Bogor (Buitenzorg). As written in his book entitled The Malay Archipelago (1869): For people who have long lived in warmer areas, Buitenzorg is a comfortable area, the air is always fresh and pleasant.

Sure enough, it is still accepted today. Especially when the visit was directed to the Puncak area, Bogor, West Java. This place certainly makes those who visit will get a comfortable atmosphere enjoying the fresh air as well as fun.

However, Puncak does not only offer that. Because, for some people, walking to the Peak is always able to turn back the time to reminisce about many things, one of which is longing to visit the legendary restaurant Rindu Alam.

What is certain is that it is not without reason that Rindu Alam is the top of people's minds when they go to Puncak. Apart from this restaurant as the oldest dining venue at the top which was built in 1980. The offering of the taste of the cuisine that is serving the equivalent of five stars and the atmosphere is cool and comfortable, making this restaurant always stick in the hearts of travelers.

Rindu Alam Restaurant (Instagram / @ toekangkulineran)

No exception for Rizky Saragih (29) who works as a private employee in Jakarta every day. Rizky and his family often take advantage of the weekend by visiting with their family to Puncak. Of the many locations he usually visits in Puncak, the most frequent is a visit to the Rindu Alam restaurant.

For him this restaurant has a magical power that can invite anyone to come back. Moreover, the image of Puncak is always jammed on weekends, so paripurnalah Rindu Alam, as the right stop when coming and returning from Puncak.

"How can I not stick with it? There are many strong reasons Rindu Alam restaurant really becomes the top of my mind when I mention the Puncak area. Starting from meetings or ending points when touring, to filling a hungry stomach after being tired of driving in the Puncak area which is usually crowded and congested, ”he said, contacted Wednesday, February 26.

Not only that. He also added, "Apart from that, the name Rindu Alam restaurant is very down to earth. In terms of brand, the name of this restaurant is very complete to fulfill the culinary enthusiasts of peak area travelers, although it cannot be denied that the price is somewhat higher than other restaurants in similar areas. "

Because he often visits, Rizky even has a favorite menu at this restaurant, namely lead rice to fried chicken along with mortar sauce. In fact, he still remembers the sensation of opening the rice wrapped in banana leaves. "The smoke really made his appetite increase," he added.

Uniquely, the memory is not only in the restaurant. On the outside, to be precise in the parking lot, the beautiful memory of the visit is still clearly etched in Rizky's memory. "It is undeniable that local snacks typical of the Puncak area that are colonized by traders in the car park add its own value. Typical snacks from moci, gemblong, to large kite toys become dishes that make those who have children just whine for a moment to buy. "

The same thing was also revealed by Rizki Rakhmat Abdullah. He, who works as a Content Creator in the Capital City, revealed, “When you go to the top, you always stop there (Rindu Alam). And indeed, besides the large parking lot, the view is also great. "

Famous from the first

If traced, since it was first operated in the 1980s to the early 2000s, it was a time when Rindu Alam was at its prime. That's thanks to the general public who want to have a vacation in Bandung, West Java, surely crossing the Puncak area and stopping at this restaurant. Therefore, Rindu Alam is never empty of visitors, both local and foreign visitors.

To the point, some of the visitors did not get a seat to taste the food at the restaurant owned by the former Siliwangi Military Command Lethen Ibrahim Adjie. The reason is simple. At that time, there were not many similar restaurants that offered the sensation of eating with a calm atmosphere at an altitude of 1,443 Mpdl, plus the beauty of tea plantations.

Evening view from Rindu Alam (Instagram / @ toekangkulineran)

Unfortunately, the proliferation of new places to eat at competitive prices along the route to Puncak, plus classic problems such as traffic jams, have made Rindu Alam less busy before. Even so, still. People who miss the atmosphere of eating at Rindu Alam keep coming back.

There are those who remember the nostalgia of the past, some come with the excuse of enjoying the delicious food menu served, and there are also those who specifically come with their family to feel the comfortable atmosphere at Rindu Alam.

Whatever the reason, what is clear is that it is not just ordinary people who make visits. A series of big names of national celebrities, up to the sixth former President of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yodhoyono, have visited this place.

Forced to close

Unfortunately, the legendary Rindu Alam Restaurant will be closed since February 2020. It is quite heartbreaking for those who have a beautiful memory in that place. The closure is reasonable because the asset contract between the restaurant and the West Java Provincial Government has been completed.

It adds to the weight, this location will later function as a green area. The decision is certainly reasonable. Moreover, buildings in Puncak are often blamed for causing flooding. However, there is still hope that Rindu Alam Restaurant can operate again.

This was revealed by the Head of the Assets Section of the West Java Provincial Government, Yayat Sutarya. He said, there is still a possibility that this legendary restaurant will resume operations if the contract extension application is approved by the West Java Provincial Government.

"Because it has been completed according to the agreement, we will close it first. If later the application (extension) is approved, it can operate again," concluded Yayat in his statement to Merdeka.com.