Pretty much what the OP says. I had hoped to be in Chicago a week from Monday and dine out Indonesian-style, but the only restaurant that I could find there that served rijsttafel is closed on mondays (August Moon). Maybe next trip.
So, anybody know if August Moon has decent rijsttafel? If not, any other places in the Windy City or environs that might accomodate my hankering?
There’s a great one in Madison 
I don’t suppose it helps, but if you ever come through Madison, there’s an amazing Indonesian place - Bandung - they make their seitan and tofu in house, and I’ve heard it’s one of the few places in the midwest that does a real rijsttafel - I went once, and it was heavenly (and thoroughly stuffed).
Thanks, aurelian. I’m aware of Bandung (Ill omened name, in my estimation). Their next 16 course rijsttafel isn’t until May. I’d hoped to find something in Chicago, but may have to plan a trip to Madison.
What does it mean?
Is that the huge 5,000 course meal like they serve all over in Amsterdam (and, I presume, Indonesia)? Had it my last trip there, and if anybody knows some S.F. Bay Area locations for it, I’d be obliged (and sorry for the hijack, Qadgop).
QtM - check your E-mail.
Have you checked this one? Unsure if it’s quite what you’re looking for, but it’s a start. Penang
Searching for rijsttafel in Chicago is tough; that comedy troupe in Amsterdam called Boom Chicago keeps mucking up my results.
You got that right! That link really got my hopes up! (And check your email!)
Rijsttafel is Dutch for “rice table”. A big multi-course banquet with dish after dish of exotic indonesian treats, usually served with lots of spices, and with rice too! I had one experience with it in Amsterdam, years ago. I’ve been craving it ever since.
Never tried it (there don’t seem to be any Indonesian restaurants in the Tampa Bay area), but I read about it in Michener’s The Covenant. (One chapter is set in Indonesia when it, like the Cape, was a Dutch colony.) Found this link: http://www.thingsasian.com/goto_article/article.2590.html
No, I meant ‘What does Bandung mean’, since you mentioned it seemed ill-omened.
I instinctively have suspicions about any restaurant with the word ‘dung’ in its name.
Yes, but at least they’ve banned it.
Hate to break it to you, but I’m almost positive August Moon is closed more than just Mondays and has been for some time. Did you get the info off the web?
As far as I know there is no rijstaffel in Chicago. I remember reading on Chowhound and on lthforum that there wasn’t any and the closest you could get was the Malaysian food at Penang ( corner of Wentworth and Cermak)