Where Fire Listens
Fuelled by family memories and honed though years abroad, Giovani Anggasta brings a personal touch to Jakarta’s dining scene. She opened High Table with a clear vision: honest food, a calm setting and a natural rhythm. Wherever she goes, she carries this intention, giving her best just as her family did around the dinner table.
Q: Who first inspired your love for the culinary world, and how did that lead to launching High Table?
A: My husband and I love exploring all kinds of food, from street vendors to fine dining. For me, food is a love language that connects people and creates moments. That passion led me to create High Table, a steakhouse that celebrates flavour and emotion through thoughtful plating, attentive service and music that sets the mood. It is less about formality and more about authenticity and intention.
Q: What makes High Table stand out in Jakarta’s competitive dining scene?
A: High Table blends precision cooking with a lounge-like comfort that is rarely found in steakhouses. Our focus is on creating a holistic dining experience: curated cuts of steak, excellent wine pairings, attentive service and live jazz performances that infuse the space with soul. While others may focus solely on food or ambience, we combine both to provide a setting where people can gather, unwind and create meaningful memories.
Q: What should guests expect when dining at High Table?
A: The concept is simple: a refined, soulful steakhouse lounge. Guests can expect an atmosphere that is both exclusive and welcoming, with an intimate setting that makes every meal feel like a private dinner party. Thoughtful plating, attentive service and music that complements the mood are at the heart of the experience. It is less about formality and more about authenticity, with a constant commitment to improving so every guest feels valued and fulfilled.
Q: Where do you see Jakarta’s F&B scene headed, and how do you plan to keep High Table relevant?
A: Jakarta’s F&B scene is quickly moving towards more experience-driven and emotionally resonant dining. It’s no longer just about what’s on the plate but also about how you feel in the space. To stay relevant, we constantly listen to our guests, adapt our seasonal menus, and curate unique programmes like intimate jazz nights and chef’s table experiences. We want High Table to be a place where people come not just to dine, but to truly feel.
Q: What are the must-haves for a memorable dining experience?
A: Emotion is the foundation. Then come quality ingredients, thoughtful execution and heartfelt service. Beyond the technical elements, it’s about creating a space where people feel present; where time slows down and they can fully enjoy the moment. That’s when a meal becomes a lasting memory.
Q: How would you describe your leadership style?
A: I lead with presence and intuition rather than force. I pay attention to the energy in the room and trust the systems my co-leader and husband helped build. For me, leadership is about knowing when to step in and when to step back. I strive to create a space where people feel safe to grow, guided by empathy, clear expectations and just enough edge to maintain purposes.
Q: What’s your go-to comfort food after a long day in the office?
A: After a long day at the office, I always go for a burger. There’s something deeply comforting about one that’s made right. It’s not just the patty or the bun, but how the textures, sauces and flavours come together. It feels bold, balanced and satisfying. In a way, it reminds me of my approach: layered, thoughtful and not overly polished. A great burger doesn’t need to be fancy to leave a lasting impression; it simply needs to feel right.
Q: A piece of advice you live by?
A: A thought I hold dear is this: heavy is the crown, quiet is the room. If that’s what it takes to bring a smile, warmth and stability to those around me, then the crown feels lighter, and the silence begins to carry purpose.
Asia Dreams Volume 56
High Table
SCBD Park
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman
Jakarta 12190, Indonesia
T: (+62) 82261619733
E: hightablejakarta@gmail.com
IG: @hightablejakarta
