Because of my accident I didn't get to visit as many restaurants as I had planned.
Because of a fussy son I didn't get to visit any Warungs especially my favourite Warung Kartini.
First time visits/new restaurants
Bali Beach Shack-Jl Sahadewa - another great find. Opened Australia Day 2008 by brother & sister Jeff & Robby. An extensive menu, very comfortable & pleasant décor I enjoyed sitting in the high backed chairs with cushions and the little bloke loved the secluded corner to play in but I'm sure it was not designed as a kids corner lol. Spring Rolls were very tasty and most importantly not greasy, the calamari rings were the best I have tasted - tender and crisp. The Avocado Prawn Cocktail was described as 'absolutely beautiful' the nice sizzle platter with a T-bone export steak 85000, Caesar Salad 28000- came with a fried egg on top - amusing to see. Tender King Garlic Prawns 65000
Bianco - new restaurant in Jl Padma - site of the old Padma Club restaurant. I asked about Gibson but was simply told, 'not work here anymore'. I liked the driftwood light décor and the band was what I would call a Caribbean/ Balinese combo - the trumpets were a change from the usual guitars & drums. There is also a nice open-air area out back with 6 to 8 tables.
This restaurant has an enormous size menu not just in choices but in dimensions also. It reminded me of the P& O Cruise Ship menus which are written in Italian & English. We ordered a variety of dishes and everyone was well presented and tasty.
I will return again to this restaurant, as there is plenty on the menu to please most appetites.
Food court (Carrefour) - plenty of choice at these little cafes I enjoyed a delicious mei goreng for 18000, the kids had Pizza from Trattoria Pizza 29000 for 2
McDonalds- Kuta Square. I haven't had Maccas in Bali since 1999 been to their loos a few times - so this was an experience. In 1999 we went to the one that was near Time zone in Legian so I have included this in a first time category. Big Macs 18700,Cheese Burgers 13200, Nuggets 15400, Large Fries 14300 and Large drinks 8300. I thought this would be a once of but after the accident the boys actually seemed please to order home delivery Maccas a couple of times. Simple process - just know your phone number when you first ring - after that (the next time you ring) they know your number so all you have to do is confirm the hotel, room number and then give your order.
The number for Home delivery is 14045
BIMC - had some great hospital meals here - most of the choices were Aussie type dishes but unlike the hospital meals served here in Oz and made off site they are tasty, fresh and varied. I had tomato soup, pumpkin soup, ham salad wholemeal sandwiches, sticky date pudding & custard, crumbed fish fillets, beef & cashews, ice creams of all flavours. Breakfasts were juice, cereal, toast, yoghurt, a beautiful fruit platter & tea & coffee.
Some Old favourites
Breeze Jl Sahadewa; What a welcome you are given when you grace this place and it's so genuine and sincere - when Desak calls 'Allo darling' you feel like your in the home of a long lost friend. We dined there a few times for lunch and dinner, as it was so convenient. She makes great icy milkshakes and will deliver meals to the hotel. We were not disappointed with anything were ordered. It is a fairly uncomplicated menu with plenty of choices to please.
TJ's Mexican
Very busy enjoyed the stuffed spuds & nachos - This is the 3rd time I have gone into the gents loo- guess it's because it's the first loo that I come too. Your loo is as nice as ours fellas.
Garden View Cottages- Nice new restaurant and the 70000 baked dinner is still an enjoyable change from the a la carte & indo dishes. Vegies were potato, pumpkin, carrot, peas, cauliflower & white sauce, and the tomato & onion goulash is still there- it now has a breadcrumb topping. The meats were lamb, beef & chicken. (not sure why no pork)
Tommys - Jl Werkudara- dropped in one lunchtime and ordered a dozen salad rolls - can't beat em. Some had the famous corn meat and all were yummy. They will deliver 0361 752836
Drops - Jln Padma. . I have never been disappointed with a meal here. They seem to have increased the menu - now 8 pages. I still find the traffic a distraction but the quality of the meal is worth the few breaths of carbon monoxide and noise. Only 4 tables were occupied. Calamari Frittie 27000, Caesar Salad 29000, Fusion Thai Spring Rolls25000, Bruschetta 19000, Pork Spare Ribs 47500. Pasih Geger is a combination of prawns, crab, tuna fillet, schnaper, and squid, mixed seafood skewers for 2 persons for 175000. This restaurant has both a 10% service charge and a 10% government charge.
Goshas- Jl Melasti had only 3 vacant tables. The overhead fans were giving minimal relief from the heat.
Lobster 400,000kg, Fish 100,000kg and crab 90,000kg. Steaks were 55,000 to 70,000. We enjoyed appetizers of spring rolls 25000, calamari 25000 garlic breads 10000 and chips 10000. I wanted a steak and salad but was advised that steak came with vegetables only and salad would be extra 20000. Pork Schnitzel 35000, Sirloin 70000. most Indonesian dishes 25000 to 35000. Soft drinks were 8000 and Bintangs were 20000 & 15000.
Billys Bar Jl Sahadewa The place was fairly packed once the 45 odd BT fourmites & friends 's took up residence. I had a word to Jack a few days earlier and begged that he didn't run out of small Bintangs (like last year) I suggested that he might need more staff in the kitchen as I thought many of our group would eat . Well eat we did - I had such a good time I can't remember what I ate but it was nice - I didn't hear anyone complain about their meals .
Pacung Indah. Jl. Pacung Pacung. Just sitting in the amazing dining room is enough to satisfy the hungriest diner. The view is breathtaking from every table. I couldn't decide whether to indulge in the buffet or order from the extensive menu. Decided on a plate of pasta, which was aldente and sufficient -considering I had a snack at Crackers Bar an hour earlier. We all enjoyed our meals - the boys had hamburgers and left not a crumb.
Puri Bali Indah Jl Melasti - We were the second table dining there and then the place quickly filled. Some of the dishes are the usual 'Oz Chinese restaurant dishes' but others are not. The prawn dish was whole fried prawns and tasted fairly bland and they were messy to eat especially as we were sharing- the sweet & sour pork was ok All but 2 at our table were sharing as they ordered the lobster but didn't rave about it. I still reckon the lobsters and prawns are transferred from the outside tank to the kitchen tank and then when they close they transfer them back.
La Luciolas. Jln Kayu Ayu near Petitenget Temple Seminyak I am finally over the hash browns - only took 4 years but I believe that mine are much tastier and not as greasy but had to take the family here and as usual didn't disappoint. Love the icy granitas - my favourite lychee & lime and girls I got to see a couple of coffee plunging shows at other tables. We ordered every side dish- Chilli jam 13,000
Hash browns (4) 18,000, Grilled tomatoes 15,000, Sautéed mushrooms 22,000 &
Sautéed English spinach 20,000 - the teenagers have grand appetites ( take after Nana). Jodi loved the sweet tooth selection, 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
The boys had B &E - Juice or granita Fresh pineapple & papaya plate
2 free range eggs any style with bacon &wholegrain toast Coffee or tea 65,000
It is a must for a special occasion and a nice way to begin that special day.