Cowhides and Colonialism

Yesterday we had brunch at the Cafe Batavia, which is a delightfully restored building that was built in the early 1800's and is located in the old Dutch quarter of Jakarta. The menu is extensive and reasonably priced, and the presentation of dishes is first class. All walls, including the rest rooms, are covered in framed photographs of celebrities, movie stars and historical figures.

As for the cowhide bar and matching waistcoats, I've got no idea what that's all about.