RESTAURANTS Visited
I decided that I would not just frequent the more expensive restaurants as I did last trip. I was going to patronize some favourites once only and hopefully discover a few new ones. What's that saying about the best plans? Here's my list of the ones I went to - B for Breakfast & L & D you guessed it - Lunch & Dinner.
I enjoy all cuisines and in Bali I don't just stick to the rices & noodles. I can make most noodle dishes so I don't order it frequently - part of my pleasure in Bali is the fact that I can dine well for a fraction of what I would pay here.
I guess I need to point out that I have over the years visited some restaurants and had amazing meals only to return on a later trip to be disappointed. I guess there are some places that are on my never to return list but I also like to give some a second chance.
Gracie Kellys (D) I think I had wedges - nothing memorable but they learnt to make Black Velvets. Has a good pub menu.
Puri Bali Indah (D) on Melasti was very busy 2 tables had 15 to 20 people plus many others with 5 or 6. So if you judge a restaurant on patronage this one was at the top although I would rate it 7/10. I had squid & oyster sauce and crispy noodles (glad I ordered the large) who am I kidding - I always order the large.
La Lucciola (B) I'm still not sure which is best the setting or the food. For the past 16 months I have thought about the hash browns and the Lychee & Lime Granitas, I had the tiger prawns, green pea & chilli omelet with grilled sourdough and I also had sides of bacon, hash browns and sautéed mushrooms. I think I built myself up too much for the hash browns and I was a little disappointed. I think I have perfected the recipe for them and I didn't have to sleep with the chef to get it- I am sure he is very relieved.
Bonsai Sanur (D) ate at the tables on the beach - meal nice - had grilled baby octopus and salad
Pacung Indah (L&D)- Enjoyed the Buffet- overdosed on the pumpkin soup - I guess it was the cooler temperature and it was beautiful. Dinner was steak & salad - cooked to perfection and a nice to have a change from seafood I tend to order.
Wayan & Friends (D) on Jl Padma was as usual busy but fine service & food
Ketumbar (D) was a nice meal. I had seafood fettuccine and enjoyed the setting upstairs watching the passing parade on Melasti .We met the manager Giorgio Curti who provided a nice complimentary liqueur.
Bamboo Corner (L&D) I can't remember having a disappointing meal here - good value for money
De Mi Mide Restaurant at GWK (D) Now this restaurant was one of the highlights of the trip. I can't believe I haven't been before. The view at night was unbelievable I have never seen Bali like this. The food was so reasonable and enjoyable. I think Lynn had fish & chips, I had a schnitzel and Tina had fish in fact I thought Tina grow scales she enjoyed so much fish. I think this is a place to celebrate special occasions it's not expensive but it should be. Its going on my Do's & don't list
Ku De Ta (B) wasn't going to go here this trip but still nice breakie and had basic bacon & egg and I borrowed a hand towel.
Goshas (D) I enjoyed the dinner company Tcoupe & hubby Tony Tina & Lynn but I was a little disappointed in the meal this time.
Bali Garden Hotel (L)- I enjoyed sharing a few pizzas in the garden but I especially enjoyed the gelato and had 2
Drops (D) This place was nice we had 2 farewell dinners there and I had the pork schnitzel and second time the chef made me garlic prawns. . Nice manager Nengah Sudarma . It's part of the Casa Padma. You must check out the upstairs cinema - sound amazing, comfortable lounges to kick back in - it you wanted to veg out and watch a movie it was a great atmosphere.
Baracuda (D) Lovina - Well I managed to drink 2 Lovina restaurants out of Bintang (what I loved that she ran across the road to the supermarket to buy it then sneaked back with it hidden by her side - so sweet. I can't remember the other restaurant but we picked it cause it had a few people in it. When we got to the 3rd floor verandah the 'patrons' scattered' - they were all staff.
Rambuttan Cottages (B&L) Lovina had a very nice Breakfast & lunch there twice - I was impressed with the children's play area in the restaurant.
Warung Jogya (L) twice next door to Garden View Cottages on Jl. Padma Utara is such good value for money, a clean kitchen. And very basic décor but great cooking. Mei gorreng I think 12000
Posers (L) can't remember what I had - was OK but I don't like the location right on the road & corner - carbon monoxide entrée.
Warung/café (L) on Jl Legian it has a Commonwealth ATM inside had nice rolls - fancy getting excited about an egg & lettuce roll.
Hard Rock Café (D) and an early dinner at that waiting for the Ogoh Ogoh Parade - Tina and I had been 'tarting' it with the Kuta lifesavers and I had a few too many Bintangs. We shared a platter of something.
Garden View Cottages (D) Had the baked dinner - basic but hot and fresh - we got they're early - 50000 all you can eat. The darling Pom Kirsty (not you David) - I will tell you about her later - just loved the roast dinner as she had been away from home for 4 months.
Indus (L) Ubud - meal was nice, view panoramic but the atmosphere left a lot to be desired - they had piped music playing and it was loud and not suitable for me it spoilt the occasion. I had nasi campur and to die for black pudding. Café Wyan is still my favourite Ubud restaurant - much more peaceful
Gado Gado (D) I remember bouncing around in this place 20 something years ago to the sounds of Men at Work, The Angles & Air Supply (we lulled to Air Supply) I had a nice mixed sushi platter.
Legends (L&D) perhaps it was the proximity of this place (just across the road from the hotel) meals were great and the friendly staff are so welcoming it makes you want to return.
Pica Tapas Bar & Churrasqueria (L) Istana Kuta Galeria Centre. Oh boy!!! Almost needed a forklift to get us out of there. Ordered so much - 2 Miss Piggys and the good part about it was Kirsty loved Spanish cuisine too as she has holidayed in Spain for years. We had Tapas by the mile there are 17 on the menu and we ordered 13 of them 'oink oink' of - if you are really into Spanish this place is amazing for the menu variety. Vegetable tapas 15000, meat tapas 20000 and seafood tapas 25000. And the sangria well!!!! I wanted to sit there all afternoon 'slurping'- I am a sangria expert - well I like to think I am.
Warung Kartini (D) behind Sri Ratu a family warung well most are aren't they - only newly open - now the décor is 'how do you do' but the atmosphere with all the family - mum & the kids serving - dad cooking - oh how wonderful - 5 of us ate and drank and the bill was 130000. They gave us a 'complimentary omelet and a fruit platter'. The 5 of us loved the place, the food & the people. I think our tips outranked the bill. I took a ton of stuff to them before I left - stuff for the kids - and I emptied out my fridge. They were so happy as I had 3 big bags full of goodies. Dad was impressed with the torch and Gran loved the umbrella.
Linda's Bungalows (L) Nusa Lembongan we skipped the free lunch on the yacht and enjoyed a couple of light pastas here - sitting almost in the Indian Ocean looking out to Shipwrecks. Inspected the kitchen - impressed - spotless!!!
Cat & Fiddle (D) Sanur - now this night rates amongst the highlights. What a place - what entertainment - I was back in London in pub- I was just as tidily too -loved the draft Bintang but couldn't keep up with Smudge and the pints - Kirsty & I settled for schooners and schooners and schooners, and then the Guinness Pie wow!! Another must do for the list.
Hot Mango (L) at the Court Yard Hotel- it's a pleasant clean cafe at entrance to hotel. The food is always tasty, different and well presented. It's nice eating by the pool
Koris (D) Can't not go there only once but this trip I did. I had Singapore Chilli Crab and Black Rice Pudding also had some homemade crusty sour dough bread. Presentation tops and servings were ample.
Papas (L) this is one of my favourite restaurants and I have always said they make the second best steak Diane (after me) but I was very disappointed. The sauce was like gravy and they must have waved the garlic over the pot. It cost me just over 130000 for the meal & 2 waters. I left there feeling very dissatisfied and ripped off.
Santa Fe (D) I was one of these restaurants first customers in 93 and ate there often that trip and many others as it was just up the road from where we stayed. Still reasonably busy the night I visited. I wasn't too well and had a late of stir-fry veggies.