For those of you not interested in the various restaurants Bali has to offer, then you probably won't be interested in this, but for those like me who love eating out and the fact that you can do it in Bali for next to nothing, then I hope you get something out of the following information.
All the restaurants in this part are located in Jl Laksmana (Eat Street). Most of the meals included a couple of bintangs and a couple of wines so I won't list that each time.
Punto & Basta - this would have to be one of my favourites. We ate here twice last year and twice again this time (3 times infact if you include stopping in for dessert one night). My partner and I always select our favourites to dine in on our last 2 nights. This is always my choice. On arrival you get complimentary brushetta and risotto balls. First visit - Calamari, Spinach Ravioli, Chicken with Advocado, Chocolate Coated Strawberries and a Mixed Dessert plate titled "Unconventional After Dinner Something" which consisted of 3 sample desserts. Total 220,000 ($30). Second visit - Spicy Calamari, Spinach Ravioli, Exotic Chicken, Tirimisu, Mixed Dessert Plate. Total 231,000 ($31).
Lotus Grill - this is part of the chain consisting of 2 restaurants in Ubud and 1 in Candi Dasa. It's new to Eat Street. Unfortunately we picked the wrong night to go as most of the staff were at a ceremony and we waited 2 hours for our meal. By the time it arrived, we didn't feel hungry (I think it was about 10.30pm), but it was very tasty. Spring Rolls, Nasi Goreng, Mie Goreng. Total 112,000 ($15). I'd definitely give it another go as the Mie Goreng was extremely good.
Rumours - another one of our favourites. Always packed. Always good. Always cheap. Fresh Tuna Spring Rolls (which I've been craving since last year) with 2 dipping sauces, Chicken Strips, Beef Stroganoff x 2, Blueberry Puff, Lime Sorbet. Total 120,00 ($16) - can you believe that !
Trattoria - another always-jam-packed establishment. BBQ Octopus x 2, Ravioli, Tuna Steak. Total 200,000 ($27). Complimentary basket of bread slices and bread sticks and shots of something quiet potent at the end of your meal.
Paul's Place - now this was something special. Paul's Place consists of a boutique down stairs and restaurant upstairs, and they are the steepest stairs i have ever seen. Trust me, you wouldn't want to drink too much. You actually sit on the roof top surrounded by candles, it's really quiet lovely. Spring Rolls, Calamari, Seafood Risotto, Pan fried Chicken, Black Rice Pudding, Cream Caramel. Unfortunately, I can't give a total for this meal as we were shouted by friends. What I will say though, is the meals where exquisite. I know spring rolls and calamari seem to pop up a bit, but everyone has there own way or preparing and presenting. These spring rolls were wrapped in thin rice paper, chock full of vegetables and served with a devine sweet dipping sauce. And the calamari was melt-in-your-mouth tender. The seafood risotto was just out of this world.
Mykonos - this one is my partners favourite. Mixed Dip (consisting of homus and something else - can't remember the name), Pita Bread, Lamb Medalians (that just melted away in your mouth, they were cooked to perfection), Grilled Chicken with vegies, Creme Caramel. Total 175,000 ($24).
I'd better leave it there for now. One thing I did notice this trip was the quantity of food seemed to be a little less then last year at a lot of places - not all, but we did notice a bit of shrinkage.
Hope you're all still with me.
Leanne