Restaurants visited on the Girls Trip March 2007
During our 2 weeks in Bali I often thought of Cupak ( a character in Balinese dance and drama). Well Cupak it seems was a glutton who had a huge belly and when offered a reward for a good deed he asked for rice and sucking pig which he ate all himself. I think Cupak is also the 'mascot' of the Glory restaurant . If for some reason I lose my didiaust BTF name I will replace it with Cupak
Whilst perusing many menus I was reminded of the post Hools told us about when he ordered duck and all the side dishes at Yutz restaurant - in his words 'out came a two kilo duck and six full plate serves of side dishes' - well we weren't quite as bad as Hools. For those of you that didn't read the story, Hools assumed the side dishes would all fit on the plate with the duck.
I do appreciate haute cuisine but having said that I don't turn my nose up to the old fish & chips in newspaper and when hungry and rushed I can also enjoy a tin of spaghetti on toast or a few Chinese takeaways. There is nothing better than a picnic on a rug with cold slices listening to jazz in the vines and then my egg, lettuce and mayonnaise bread rolls are famous with my hubbys fishermen mates- we can be quietly enjoying dangling a line off Pulbah Island and 3 or 4 boats will pull up - not to see what we are catching but to perchance be offered an egg and lettuce bread roll.
I am reminded of the saying horses for courses and in the dining department I believe in plates for dates . You could best describe me as Di the degustation diner especially when exposed to a menu of tapas or a dozen other dishes which are also close favourites of mine.
I favour quite settings and do not like restaurants set on the street where the entrée could almost be carbon monoxide cocktail followed by vehicle & bike horn schnitzel. I can be served the best of meals but it is spoiled by the atmosphere so please take this into mind when reading my ratings.
This trip I decided to pretend that I was a food critic working in my imagination for Michelin and allocating the famous Michelin stars - perhaps being Bali I will allocate frangipanis instead.
So here are the restaurants we visited in no particular order- some reviews you will notice are more comprehensive - not because of the amount of Bintangs I had but because of the fact I completely forgot to take notes and toward the end of the second week I had lost my appetite.
I have rated restaurants out of 10 and warungs/cafes out of 5
Restaurant: La Luciolas
Location: Jln Kayu Ayu
Near Petitenget Temple
Ambience & Service: A beachside haven and still my favourite restaurant for breakfast. Let the lull of the Indian Ocean offer a serenity that matches the atmosphere of the open-air two story Balinese building.
These waiters are most certainly specially chosen by someone with impeccable taste. Even an event like coffee plunging can be a sensual moment girls
Menu & Presentation:
The weekend menu offers more variety
4 set menu specials to choose from plus a combination of granites, juices. Side dishes and mains.
I managed 3 breakfasts at La's and thus I am working my way through their breakfast menu.
Dishes include
Each dish is presented in 5 star application and the tastes matches the food fusion that must be experienced to be enjoyed
Tina has taken photos of many of our meals.
Prices:
Variety of coffees & teas 18,000
Fresh fruit juices 20,000
Granitas
Passionfruit & guava
Lychee & lime
Tangerine & pineapple 20,000
Set menu specials:
1. Basic
Juice or granita
Freshl baked croissant with papaya, mango
& Vanilla bean jam
Coffee or Tea 45,000
2. Original
Juice or granita
Fresh pineapple & papaya plate
2 free range eggs any style with bacon 7
wholegrain toast
Coffee or tea 65,000
3. Healthy Start
Papaya, lychee yogurt & organic honey
Fresh pineapple & papaya plate
Bircher muesli with poached tomato
Coffee or Tea 75,000
4. Sweet tooth
Juice or granita
Caramelized bananas with palm sugar and
Macadamia
Cherry ricotta hotcakes with coconut and
Honey eyed mascarpone cream
Coffee or Tea 70,000
Mains include;
Smoked salmon scrambled eggs with
Truffle oil and sourdough 45,000
Eggs benedict or Florentine 40,000
Tiger prawn , greenpea & chili omelette
With grilled sourdough 45,000
Scrambled eggs with zucchini flowers
Roast cherry tomatoes & focchia 40,000
Eggs baked in roast tomato sauce
With baby spinach and chorizo 43,000
Tuscan baked beans with roast tomato and
Streaky bacon on grilled ciabitha 34,000
Sides include;
Chili jam 13,000
Hash browns(4) 18,000
Grilled tomatoes 15,000
Sautéed mushrooms 22,000
Sautéed English spinach 20,000
Guess you get the picture that this is indeed a must visit breakfast venue.
I have not had lunch or dinner here since 2004 but I would imagine the standard is much the same
Frangipani rating: 9
Restaurant : Breeze
Location : Jln Sahadewa Legian
Ambience & Service: Situated on Garlic Lane on the site of the old Indonational. You are able to sit further back if you wish under a fan but most diners favour the first few tables to watch the passing parade. The colour scheme of hot pink and black left me wondering about the choice of the name 'Breeze' and I kept thinking why not sea breeze blues or ice wind greens. I would not like to sit in this atmosphere suffering a hangover or migraine and on a hot afternoon the colours were a little confronting- more suited to a late night disco with flashing lights and a DJ. Cold towels on arrival are most appreciated .The staff are all friendly and attentitive and you will never feel alone as staff love a chat yet aren't intrusive. Desa runs a friendly environment for her staff
Menu & Presentation:
A good variety with plenty of choices for even the basic eater. I enjoyed rissoles and onion gravy one day, Sharon loved the Caesar salad, Garlic prawns OK and as many do they were a little over cooked. The milk shakes were wonderful and icy as were all the fresh juices especially the lemon juice. All meals are presented appealingly.
Prices:
Garlic prawns 45,000
Steak burger 25,000
Rissoles 40,000
Milkshakes 12,000
Juice 10,000
Cap Coy 20,000
Avocado& Prawn cocktail 20,000
I dined here on a few occasions and was not once disappointed with the food. I would class this as a café rather than compare to the restaurant and thus as a café I would rate differently which is out of 5
Frangipani Rating: 4
No
No
Restaurant: Legends
Location: Jln Sahadewa Legian
Ambience & Service
Can be both busy and quiet depending on the time of day and the occasion. Another 'on the street' establishment with frangipani trees growing in the mid open air area in the center of the restaurant. Staff are friendly and engaging. This place has a better nighttime atmosphere, as its daytime appeal is somewhat drab and the street noise a little distracting
Menu & Presentation:
Quite a varied menu and as I dinned on St Pats night rather late it would be unfair to allocate any rating as you could have served me Ratsak and I would have requested that you pass me the tomato sauce. I think I had the Nasi Campur which I did enjoy. I stuck to the Bintangs so can't comment on the strength of the cocktails.
Price:Meals are reasonably priced
Frangipani Rating :
Restaurant : Warung Yogya
Location : Jln Padma Utara Legian
Ambience & Service
This small and unintrusive cafe has had a minor facelift since last year. Immediate service and comfortable setting for such a casual atmosphere. It is an always have at least one or better still 2 meals every trip.
Menu & Presentation: Serving only traditional Indonesian food there are 13 choices of dishes which are ample to large size serves. Juices, soft drinks and beer cold
Prices: Most dishes 12,000 with Lontong Cap Gomeh 16,000 and Nasi Putih 3,000
Sm Bintang 13,000 and large 18,000 . Juices were 5,000
I grinned that ice cubes were listed on the menu as 1,000
Frangipani Rating : 4
Restaurant : Un's
Location : Just off Poppies I
Ambience & Service : Courtyard setting with sprinkle of lights and large shrubs throughout the restaurant . Traditional sarongs on outer ceilings. Cold towels with a hint of eucalyptus. Complementary margarita/arrak on arrival. Attentive staff.
Menu & Presentation: A very creative and challenging menu made it difficult to choose. We sharred a few entrees including;
Buffalo mozzarella bruschetta, toasted baguette with kalamatta olives and slow roasted cherry tomatoes
Vol au vents of chicken breast and champignons on a delicious creamy sauce served with the sweetest peas we have ever eaten.
Thai Spring rolls &
Garlic bread
The mains were artistically presented ,the one exception was the Steak au poiure which was imported tenderloin beef sautéed in pink and green peppercorn brandy cream and demi glaze served with steamed tomatoes and potatoes - eggplant gratin. This all arrived so sweetly on a plate then along came a plate of French fries . the mood and appetite for me was somewhat drowned by the bland looking plate of thin fried spuds. We also received complementary plate of chicken nuggets with 3 sauces.
The 2 diners in our party suffering from the previous nights St Pat's celebration ordered Lemon , lime & bitters and were presented with all 3 ingredients to mix our own.
There appeared a reasonable local and exported wine list.
Prices:
Garlic Bread 15000
Vol au vents 35000
Bruschetta 28000
Spring rolls 28000
Chicken sate 40000
Steak au poiure 115000
Chicken Maryland 60000
Frangapini Rating 8
Frangipani Rating :
Restaurant : Uncle Norms
Location : Jln Melasti Legian
Ambience & Service
Cold towels on arrival - seems to have extended in width since last visit . We did request that the music be changed as was a very upfront and crude song was blasting out of the walls. It was very quite for this end of Jln Melasti as most traffic was being diverted along the beach road.
Menu & Presentation: Basic menu with something to please all tastes. Meals were simply presented and appropriate for this type of cafe
Prices:
Bruschetta 20000
Pizzas 32000 to 42000
Jaffles 15000
Caesar salad 25000
Sirloin 48000
Garlic prawns 48000
Frangipani Rating : 3
Restaurant : Ma Jolys
Location : The Sandi Phala Jln. Pantai Segara Tuban.
I haven't had dinner here since 2004 and at that time it had an impressive range of menu
Ambience & Service: Almost on the beach - The Indian Ocean looks so inviting from this open air restaurant. Would be my favourite restaurant for atmosphere as it's set in a very private garden on the foreshore of the ocean. In fact we were so close that the waves became a little too friendly sending a few of their scouts over the retaining wall to embraced us with a few 'sloppy kisses' causing us to move further back under the main pavilion. Good thing you dry quickly in Bali.
Menu & Presentation: The breakfast menu offers 3 packages, Asian, American & English but all meals are also listed and available separately. Was disappointed that we were not asked how we liked our eggs and we were remiss not to request soft eggs . Each package came with a basket of various pastries and jams 9 too many for one person to eat although we made a fair effort.
Prices:
The bill for 4 of us was just over 500,000 which would be similar in any 3 star restaurant here. If we were paying for the same setting here you could triple the cost.
Frangipani Rating : 8
Restaurant : Wayan & Friends
Location : Jln Padma Legian
Ambience & Service
Although we chose a front almost footpath table I didn't feel the intrusion of the traffic too much. There were also many street vendors and they too proved entertaining as we purchased a number of 'silly items' from them as they passed by.
Service was attentive and as usual the restaurant was busy.
Menu & Presentation:
The menu doesn't appear to have change much in 12 months and offered a reasonable variety to please most diners. Some set menu options with 3 or 4 courses. I know of a few patrons who each year return to this restaurant and order the same dish. I am one of those people and always order the Weiner Schnitzel .
Prices:
Set options around 70,000
Most mains 35,000 to 45,000
Frangipani Rating : 7
Restaurant : Tommys
Location : Jln. Werkudara ( Rum Jungle )
Ambience & Service This is a deceiving and basic café that has been around a few years. There is an introduction page at the beginning of the menu advising they have home made pickles, sauces , jams & dressings and that they do takeaways. In past years we have sent messages back from the beach and our corn meat, tomato & pickle sandwiches have been delivered. The early morning traffic at 9 was no distraction. The décor is very basic and the few pot plants break the monotony of the older building. Service sweet and staff eager to please.
Menu & Presentation:
A basic menu although 4 or so pages.
I enjoyed the wholemeal bread with my bacon & eggs
Price:
Bacon & eggs 20,000
Wheet bix 10,500
Croissants 13,500 to 17,500
Salad Roll (cheese+5000) 18,000
Chip sandwich 15,000
Most juices 8,000
Imported teas 7,000
Frangipani Rating : 3
Restaurant : KETUPAT ( A hidden culinary treasure)
Location : 109 Jln Legian
(behind Jonathan Gallery)
Ambience & Service
A Shangri-La and an oasis set around a pool with private and open small and larger alcoves scattered around the perimeter of the restaurant. A very busy restaurant with sufficient staff to attend to your every need. We sat inside the restaurant and occasionally glanced at the many other parties enjoying the fine Indonesian cuisine
Menu & Presentation:
Advertised as genuine Indonesian food. An extensive menu with photos of dishes to help you decide. So hard to decide I chose to have 4 appetizers instead of a main. The corn fritters were a little too dry with just a sprinkle of corn kernels. I was also disappointed with the granita but it was only called a granita and was listed as 'nice fruit syrup with crushed ice'
Prices: My appetizers were 18,000 and mains varied from 35,000 to 90,000
Our total bill for 4 was 580,000
I would certainly return to this restaurant each visit to Bali and would call it the find of our trip
I am sure Tina took a photo of this menu
Frangipani Rating : 9
Restaurant : BALI BAGUS
Location : Jln padma Utara ( Southern end)
Ambience & Service A new restaurant , with local paintings adorning the walls. A very fresh and clean décor and very well patronized place. Staff very attentive on arrival and that was the best part of our dining experience. About 20 minutes after ordering our meal we were asked if we would like desert . Fairly soon after that our meals arrived. I requested that a rather hot barbacue/chilli type sauce be removed from my steak and it was not a problem.
If service and staff that night were any slower they would slip back in to the day before. Not sure if it was because the place was so busy and we were conscious that Belinda had to catch a plane that night but it took forever to work out our bill for 3
Menu & Presentation:
An interesting menu with enough choices of basic international or Indonesian choices.
The food presentations were simple ad in keeping with the atmosphere of the restaurant
They also offer a choice of breakfasts
I will certainly give it another try as I believe it is a place with potential
Price:
Mains from 35,000
Happy hour is between 6 & 8.30
Bintang 7000 & 13000
Sprits 19000
Breakfasts packages from 19000 to 27000 for full English
Frangipani Rating: 5 (it will improve I am sure)
Restaurant: OURS
Location : Jln Sahadewa Legian
Ambience & Service A very welcoming place with staff who are both casual yet attentive and friendly. We attended around 7.30 and at first were not distracted by the background shrill of 'would be' Jimmy Barnes bar patrons who had hold of the microphone. By the time our dinner had arrived we were wishing for a power failure or at best microphone malfunction. I am sure we all ate our meal rather quickly and we were pleasantly surprised with the arrangement of fruit that arrived for Sharon with 4 or 5 lit candles adorning it. The Jimmys began the 'Happy Birthday' chant and staff and other patrons joined in.
Menu & Presentation:
There was a variety of meals available and they were simply presented
Price:
Mains from 30000 to 80000
Frangipani Rating : 5
I will certainly give them another chance as they are all local staff who have banded together to form a co-op and operate this place
Restaurant : deMemedi Restaurant
Location : Garuda Wisnu Cultural Park on Jln Raya Uluwatu Ungasan
Ambience & Service
Watch the amazing Bali lighting show evolve as the towns and villages below and to the far north come alive. Planes pass across the runway and this causes no distraction to the serene atmosphere of the restaurant. This visit we were lucky enough to see Kintamani and Mt Batur surrounded in a veil of clouds. I find this place the best varied and most interesting view on the whole island. You can see over Jimbaran Bay, Tuban, Kuta, Legian up to Seminyak, and across to Benoa Harbour and if lucky the mountains in the background. I was a little bothered this time by mozzies but they quickly provided coils and I also borrowed some spray.
Menu & Presentation:
We were given complementary garlic bread - nice gesture if we were eating there last week because that's how old & dry it was. The menu seems to have no new additions and diners can have a varied choice from Indonesian, Pastas & International dishes which include a number of seafood dishes
Price:
Given the location one is quite surprised at the moderate prices. Mains begin at 50,000
Frangipani Rating :
Restaurant : Ketumbar
Location : Jln Melasti Legian
Ambience & Service
Very new modern building with 2 levels to choose from. Was again busy the night we visited and sat to the front down stairs watching all the traders return from the beach markets in Kuta. The street was very busy but not noisy. I had problems reading the menu as the lighting was very dim- once I made my decision I appreciated the dull setting. The service was prompt and the manager Giorgio flittered from table to table. Tina felt his presence unintrusive but at the time it annoyed me as he seemed to be always in the background. Let me say it didn't spoil my enjoyable meal.
Menu & Presentation:
A creative menu with plenty to choose from . Disappointed that no salad was available ( day after Nyepi) We enjoyed sharing entrees of seafood rolls, bruschetta and garlic bread.
Tina had catch of the day and it looked taste tempting.
Chicken parmagina looked nice and the Calamari fritti that I had was bland & over cooked
Creme Brulee was especially nice.
Finished the meal with a complementary Ginger limoncello. (Giorgio admitted they created this flavour liqueur by chance). I prefer the original lemon but the ginger was a nice variation
Prices:
Our total for 4 mains, 3 entrees, 2 aquas & 30000 corkage was 300,000
Frangipani Rating : 8
It's one of those places that I will leave on my visit each trip list
Restaurant : Ku de ta
Location : Jln. Laksmana Kerobokan.
Ambience & Service
On the beach watching the passing parade of expats, beach sellers , dog minders and the occasional tourist in budgie smugglers. We had breakfast on 'Family day' and it was nice to watch the kids be entertained under a marquee on the lawns.
Unbelievable security.
Menu & Presentation:
Not such a creative menu as that of La Luciolas but ample servings and nice fruit platter each to finish off.
Prices:
I think our costs averaged 75,000 each
Frangipani Rating : 8
Restaurant : Bobbies
Location: Jln Padma (not on street front) Opposite Indonational
Ambience & Service
Very peaceful restaurant nice Balinese background music to match the décor .We were the only diners and after eating I understand why.
Menu & Presentation:
Plenty of choices on menu - 5 pages
Food was very ordinary and disappointing
Price:
Mains 25000 to 50000
Frangipani Rating : 1
Restaurant : Warung Katini
Location : Follow Four Brothers Lane from Padma Utara and head to Jln Legian you should stumble across it
Ambience & Service
It's a family run warung with very basic ' how do you do' décor although I noticed a few changes and improvements from last year. Family all happy to see 5 hungry looking tourists walk in . I would imaging it would be hot at lunchtime but there were fans that kept us comfortable.
Menu & Presentation:
Menu has extended since last year but I feel the serving sizes have reduced although they were ample. I had to remove a small ant from my plate and fortunately he hadn't eaten much otherwise I may have eaten him to compensate the serving loss.
Price:
We had 5 mains , 2 large Bintangs, 6 small Bintangs , 4 soft drinks and miss piggy had 'tried''bananas. We were also treated to a complementary fruit plate . Total bill was 168,000
Frangipani Rating : 3.5
So nice to see them still doing OK
Restaurant : DROPS
Location : Jln Padma Legian
Ambience & Service
Very ultra modern décor and attentive staff . We were only there for cocktails & desert and I felt the service rather slow.
Menu & Presentation:
Deserts to die for
Price:
I think for 5 deserts and 5 cocktails our bill was just over 500,000
Frangipani Rating : 7.5
Restaurant : Billys
Location : Jln Sahadewa Legian
Ambience & Service
Excellent attention the minute we walked in . We mentioned we were expecting more and the tables were immediately joined. Jack ( I assume the manager) should be called Jumping Jack Flash - he was so 'with it' and enjoyed spending time will all at the table - his friendly conversation engagements were sincere and genuine. A great venue to kick back and enjoy moment.
Menu & Presentation:
Plenty of different dishes to choose from and something to please all.
The garlic bread with cheese topping was enjoyable to help wash down the 3 or 4 Bintangs. Beer was extremely cold only disappointment there were only large bottles available. The Beef Schnitzel was a little greasy.
Price:
Very cheap prices with mains from 25,000
Frangipani Rating : 7
Restaurant : Café Wayan
Location : Jln Monkey Forest Ubud
Ambience & Service
If you make the mistake of sitting in the front restaurant area then you miss the charm and appeal of the individual bales that the lush garden has to offer. I tried to count the various different plants in the garden but the task was too difficult. Attentive staff who seem to serve and disappear without fuss or fanfare. This was the bussiest I have ever seen the restaurant and it was 1.30 ish . Complementary prawn crackers were appreciated.
Menu & Presentation:
Extensive menu although it doesn't seem to have change in the past few years.
Prawn & bacon rolls were coked to perfection and served on a bed of rice with accompanying salad.
Price:
Mains range from 35,000 to 70,000
Frangipani Rating : 7.5
Still my favourite value for money and best casual setting restaurant in Ubud.
Restaurant : Dirty Duck
Location : Padang Tegal Ubud
Ambience & Service
Pass through the restaurant main and discover this well kept sprawling garden that was once a rice paddy. The story of how the restaurant got its name is at the beginning of the menu .
Each separate eating area had a sprinkling of lighting and gives each dining group their own dining intimacy. Tables of various types & sizes from Japanese pits to tables of 16. Service was prompt and obliging.
Menu & Presentation:
A very extensive menu with a dominance of international dishes. All mains were well presented and servings were ample. I was disappointed with the Caesar salad dressing as it tasted simply like a very sweet vinegar.
Prices: Wine of the Gods Shiraz 150,000
Total bill for 4 was 500,000
Frangipani Rating : 8
Restaurant : TERAZO
Location : Jln Suweta Ubud.
Ambience & Service
Large open air restaurant on two levels . Running water from the fountains provided a pleasant atmosphere . Staff were very prompt to bring a menu and return to take our order. Cold towels on arrival were also appreciated.
Menu & Presentation:
Extensive mixed menu with emphasis on international dishes. There were blackboard specials which I assume are changed daily so this is one restaurant would would not tire of easily.
Price: mains begin at 75,000
Frangipani Rating : 7
Restaurant : Murnis
Location : Campuhan
Ambience & Service
We chose the lower level and felt in touch with the rainforest type atmosphere. You could almost reach over and touch the cliff which ran to a running stream. This is my type of setting. Staff were happy to explain dishes and ingredients and also happy to make slight alterations
Menu & Presentation:
Varied menu to cater for most tastes. We all enjoyed our meals here
Prices:
Special thickshake 28000
3 Mocktails 12, 16 & 18000
Hamburger 45000
Fishburger 30000
Nasi Campur 28000
Thai beef curry 39000
Garlic bread 15000
Frangipani Rating : 4
Restaurant : Warung Enak
Location : Jln Raya Pengosekan Ubud
Ambience & Service
Once you get over the horrid placemats you begin to enjoy the dining atmosphere this place provides. Staff were warm and accommodating. We enjoyed watching the geckos close to the lights. We assumed they were warming themselves but they were actually waiting in anticipation for the next bug/insect that flew too close to the light. Maybe that's their version of eating out The ladies toilets had photos of young men over them .The toilets had grotty walls and smelt of very strong urine ( except for the photos I would have sworn I was in the mens)
Menu & Presentation:
Menu of mains with a blend of both Western influence and traditional Indonesian. The menu had pictures which aided in the decisions of what to have . very ample servings of all dishes.
We enjoyed all our choices which included
Nasi Goreng Ayan , Squid, green chilli & coconut milk and pork spare ribs
Even the cigarettes and cigars available are listed on the menu
Prices: didn't get prices but the bill I believe was under 400,000 for mains and drinks
Frangipani Rating : 7
Restaurant : Cinta
Location : Monkey Forest Road Ubud
Ambience & Service
Situated on the road I felt I was more in Sydney as I watched the passing parade on the footpath. The traffic was unintrusive and not distracting and I was amused by the Spanish background music. Staff very attentive and willing to discuss the various items on the menu.
If it were a quieter setting I would rate this place amongst the better in Ubud.
Menu & Presentation:
A very extensive menu and I'm sure if your choice were not available they they would happily cater for your request . Creative presentation of even the most basic of dishes. Enjoyed garlic sourdough with gorgonzola whilst waiting on our mains
Prices:
Milkshake 22000
Ginger Fizz 15000
Caesar Salad 35000
Steaks 95000
Mie Goreng 35000
Pastas 34 to 55000
Total bill for 4 was 320,000
We did receive a voucher that gave us discount at a couple of other places in Ubud . One was for Terazo which we used on Sharons Birthday dinner
Frangipani Rating : 7.5