I love food, and I mean really love it, and all of it minus some seafood and excessive amounts of couscous. From the top of my head right now, without even flipping through my journal or rustling through the overwhelming number of pamphlets and receipts, I can tell you that ‘Rib Warung' in Sanur, was probably some of the best food I ate.
FOOD & DINING
SANUR
RIB WARUNG
Jl Danau Tamblingan 100, Sanur
The food I ate was seriously intense, except on one occasion where a little too much salt was added. Fave dish was the Chicken Saltimbocca for 42,500Rp, not to mention ‘Bubur Ingin', or black rice pudding, delicately sweet and mouth watering for only 18,500Rp. The fillet of fish was also magical. All meals were very beautifully presented, fresh and juicy, classy selection of sliced vegies, and a good choice of traditional and Bali Moon cocktails with a very happy hour between 6 and 8pm. Staff were also very pleasant, but not ‘in your face'.
BONSAI CAFÉ
Jl Danau Tamblingan 27, Sanur on the beach.
A good old favourite is Bonsai. A trip down to Sanur beach never seemed right without a stop here for a snack or drink. Before walking through a display of bonsai trees, you make your way to a refreshing, breezy café with chequered table-cloths and bright teal chairs. They do make a good pizza here, but you honestly cannot beat the Club Sandwich. Lightly toasted and with dainty chips, it is so filling and addictive at only 21,900Rp. Also really enjoyable was the Nachos for 45,900Rp. Their watermelon juice was also presented amazingly and was only just over a dollar. Service was a bit shabby one day, but out of the norm.
GATEWAY OF INDIA
Jl Danau Tambingan, Sanur
Imagine three very hungry people sitting down with a good experience of Indian dining and a determination to have a bit of a ‘special meal'. Then imagine coming out somewhat wounded by the amount of food eaten. Now imagine the mere 373,000Rp spent for 2 pineapple lassies (icy cold and YUM), 1 Black Moon beer, 2 lemon iced teas, 1 butter chicken tikka, 1 chicken tikka masala, 1 chicken radha masala, 1 palak dahl, 3 giant naan breads, 1 pineapple raita, 3 serves of rice, as well as crispy crackers for starters and tangy dip accompaniments. The place looked a little worn in spots, but great service and great food. I could barely waddle across the road to buy yet another sarong!
DONALD's and KAFE KESUMA
Tirta Empul st, Merta sari beach, Sanur
Also a big fan of some of the Merta Sari beach front restaurants in Sanur including DONALD's and KAFE KESUMA. Donald's pulled a rather large crowd on the Saturday night we went, and Kafe Kesuma was rather quiet mid week, minus the three amigos playing guitar for us. Service at both places very good, with staff at Kafe Kesuma arranging a taxi for our journey back to the hotel. Kafe Kesuma looks rather plain in comparison to Donald's, but makes a great fish curry!
CAFÉ JEPUN
Jl Danau Tamblingan 212
I was interested in trying Café Jepun after hearing good reviews and being promised the best garlic bread in Bali. However, apart from smelling like orange cleaner and the live music, there wasn't all that much to report on. Very spacious, with a high roof and large TV. It had a hint of class, as opposed to the suggestive ‘sports bar' feel, yet prices were slightly higher than expected without much good reason, and staff, or at least one member, was quite annoying.
SHE CAFÉ
Hardy's, Sanur, JL Danau Tamblingan
If supermarket shopping wears you out, I can highly recommend the Mocha Ice Special at She Café (to the left in Hardy's complex as you exit the supermarket) for a mere 15,000Rp. The size of it towered above and beyond any can of soft drink they had on offer, and was so icy cold, creamy and simply delicious. They also serve food, and is the usual place of dining for Hardy's employees.
MATAHARI BEACH RESTAURANT
Inna Sindhu Beach Hotel, Jl Pantai Sindhu 14, Sanur
The Inna Sindhu Beach hotel offered what I thought would be excellent entertainment and dining, but found the latter to be rather miserable and ordinary. The entrée of Fried Won Ton for a steep 30,000Rp looked like a bowl of soup and a crouton. That is, a large dish of accompanying sauce, and a miniscule crumb of wonton. One nibble and it was gone, nice sauce though, not that it mattered. My steak sandwich (28,000Rp), which was somehow cheaper than the entrée, turned into chicken, but they fixed that up. However, the 13,500Rp pineapple juice was actually the best pineapple juice I've probably ever had in Bali. The entertainment of Legong dance was good for some cultural insight, yet just a little loud for my liking.
PLANET HOLLYWOOD
Mal Bali Galleria / DFS.
This was my third trip to Planet Hollywood. It's a bit of fun really, you first walk through an Egyptian setting, then find yourself in Central Park in New York City! Movie memorabilia on the walls, and Arnold Schwarzenegger by the bar! Food is quite nice, nothing spectacular, but I go there for the combined package of interesting venue, often live music and food. I wouldn't recommend ordering chicken though. The two occasions I did order chicken, it came out nicely presented but miserably dry and chewy. I enjoyed their burgers and their Mozz Bread entrée! YUM! The staff are also really great, one lady who served us in particular was just so attentive and friendly.
Nusa Dua
ULAM
Jl Pantai Mengiat 14, Nusa Dua
The old Ulam with the view of the golf course was under construction so we went across the road to the 'other' Ulam. A good range of seafood dishes and Indonesian/Balinese food, but not a lot that I particularly wanted to eat, not being a huge seafood lover. I had ‘Indonesia Curry' and thoroughly enjoyed it. Very nice interior, with a great deal of seating.
Candi Dasa
LOTUS SEAVIEW
Main Rd, Candi Dasa
Set right on the beach, Lotus Seaview was a beautiful place to dine during a trip to Bali's east coast. The fresh sea breeze, views of the open ocean, and classic, traditional flavours, Lotus Seaview was one to remember. Unfortunately there were renovations going on in front of the restaurant, which disrupted the otherwise silence. Service was fine, but not personalised like some other places.
Well that's about it for my Food and Dining Report. I must also add that I am in love with Bread Talk (Centro Discovery Shopping Mall and Mall Bali Galleria), and J. CO Donuts & Coffee at Mall Bali Galleria.
More info to come!
Cheers,
Beth