Today's lunch was at Cafe Kampung at Ceking just out of Ubud.
Arrived a bit after 2PM after a large Carlsberg at Murni Warung (there is a theme emerging!) As a side comment, I am now favouring Carlsberg as my beer of choice over Bintang as I think it is a better beer but also because Bintang in the supermarket is now 1,000rp dearer than Carlsberg and San Miguel for a large. Tends to now often be same price as Bintang at restaurants.
Staff very attentive and welcoming and I chose a table close to the view. Six other people eating at a large table. First impressions of the place was that the view is fantastic but the premises are looking a tad tired. Menus were presented and it is disappointing to see food stains on the dog eared pages.
Menus are a good blend of Western foods and some less often seen Balinese / Indonesion dishes as well as a couple of standards.
I was planning a relatively quick lunch so launched straight into a large San Miguel (they didn't have Carlsberg on the list)for 22,500++ and a mains of Ayam Panggang Basa Serapah, grilled chicken breast and leg braised in spicy coconut sauce. I ordered it pedas (spicy/hot).
The beer arrived quickly and was as cold as I needed it, it was accompanied by the universal plate of peanuts. I started sipping and taking notes:-
Indo starters ranging from 21,000 to 30,000
Indo mains, 32000 for Bakmi Goreng to Nasi Goreng Ikan (fish) 49,800
Pecials such as Crispy Duck, Grill Tuna and Chicken Mushroom ranging 52,600 to 76,500 for the tuna.
Western starters such as Smoked Chicken Salad, Prawn Salad, Mixed Green Salad around 30,000
Western mains starting at 34,500 for a club sandwich through pastas at 45,000ish Pork Spare Ribs and up to the Tenderloin Beef Medallion (spelt "Madallion" which is unfortunate given past health alerts to do with cattle) at 55,800. (by the way, I usually shudder when I see pasta dishes on Indo menus and don't recall ever ordering one, probably for that reason, but I did notice a bench mounted serious stainless steel paster maker in the kitchen - a good sign, I thought!)
Cocktails, 6 alcoholic available all about 35,000, example "Kampung Terrace" Vodka, Cointreau, Cherry Brandy, Lime juice & Pineapple Juice.
Bottle of Hattens = 80,000, glass 22,500.
Another 10 minutes after drink service my mains arrived. First comment to selve was that it was a very generous serve. They must have large chooks up that way, not the scrawny little numbers that try to wake me up at 5 every morning after a false start at 2! Also quite attractive looking with a whole breast boned out with wing stump attached and a whole leg & thigh, partially boned out, with the delicious thick sauce on top, a good amount of green been and sprout lawa, and a generous serve of white boiled rice topped with fresh coriander.
I tucked into this very tasty meal and almost could not finish it, and it was the rice that was going to be left behind if the plate wasn't empty! The level of chilli and spices was perfect for me, the chicken well cooked being juicy and succulent.
There certainly was no room for more food so dessert was not on. Just for the record, desserts are generally based around the usual theme of banana or black rice, but there was an apple tart with icecream and caramel sauce, and a flourless orange and apple cake, prices from 15,000 for stick black rice to a chocolate brownie and icecream at 26,800.
Overall impression was that it was very good and generous food, served very well in a slightly tired venue that you don't really notice because your eyes are distracted by the view, all at an overall price that is neither a bargain nor expensive. Total bill for 1 mains and 1 large drink = 80,500 rp inclusive.
I would go back there for sure.
I would describe Cafe Kampung as a "Super Warung"!
Stay tuned for Pizza Bagus "home" delivery report!
Cheers,
David