Bali Dining
Cafe Teras: A Country Cottage!
Food: Japanese – Price: moderate
It is not what you expect to find in Bali; a perfect country cottage. Even with immaculate gardens and white picket fences. Furthermore it is actually a restaurant, the downstairs part anyway. Eat on the garden terrace or inside in the air-conditioned colonial-style rooms. Café Teras is a Japanese restaurant, and is run by the wife of the Japanese golf professional at the nearby Golf Club [with the Peter Thompson designed Handara Kosaido golf course]. It makes a very pleasant stopping point half way between Lovina and the South, or a worthy target on that day trip to the beautiful Bedugul.
Address: Jln. Raya Denpasar-Singaraja, Lempuna, Bedugul
Tel: (0362) 29.312
Credit card: none
Open: 07.00 – 22.00 daily
Wine: small list
Bogaraja: All You See………is Sea!
Food: International – Price: cheap
A discreet driveway takes you off the seaside road, Jln. Raya Lipah, from Amed, to a rather nondescript parking area. In fact, at first sight, there is nothing very impressive at all about the Vienna Beach Hotel, except perhaps it’s tranquility. But there is a feeling of total relaxation that seems to slowly encompass you the longer you are at this haven by the sea.Who wants to eat in yet another boring restaurant room, particularly for that early morning hearty breakfast or peaceful lunch. At Vienna Beach there are a couple of small tables perched right on the sea wall. Don’t sit anywhere else! As you enjoy simple, yet interesting food, any tensions in your body, or mind, will slowly drift away on the ever-lapping waters. Further along the sea wall is a row of small intimate cabins. You begin to convince yourself that a few days of total peace and quiet is what you really need to escape from the hurly-burly of life!
Address: Pondok Vienna Beach, Jl. Raya Lipah, Lipah, Amed.
Tel: (0363) 23.494
Open: 07.00 – 22.00 daily
Credit cards: none
Wine: local
Vienna Beach: A Seaside Haven!
Food: International – Price: very cheap
After you leave the sea level road that winds south from Amed, you begin top climb a steep mountain. The road hugs the cliff face, ever rising above the sea below. You eventually arrive at the Hotel Indra Udhyana, virtually perched on the edge of time. A stroll through the gardens takes you to the Bogaraja restaurant, where you can sit and gaze at a sea that appears to stretch across the world. The International menu caters for the myriad of guests that come here to dive along the coral reefs, and down into the many shipwrecks, off Amed.
Address: Hotel Indra Udhyana, Bunutan, Amed.
Tel: (0363) 22.349
Open: 07.00 – 22.30 daily
Creditcard: Amex, Dinners, JCB, Visa, Master
Wine: limited
Tugu: The Perfect Lunch!
Food: Indonesian – Price: moderate
The Hotel Tugu is on the small road that runs down to the unimposing black sand beach of Canggu. In fact it is almost at the beach. The exterior of the hotel is so nondescript, that I had always assumed it was just another budget to medium range hotel; one of Bali’s thousands. A recent photo visit to the area that lured me inside, also shocked me with just how wrong I had been.
Address: Hotel Tugu, Jln. Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu.
Tel: 731.701
Open: 6.30 – 23.00 daily
Credit cards: all major
Wine: good list
Nelayan Restaurant: An Extravagant Lobster!
Food: French, seafood – Price: moderata
I am constantly checking out restaurants in Bali, old and new, but always ones that are new to me! My system is to visit as many as possible, perusing their menu, and registering my sixth-sense about the place! Any of those that appear to have something going for them, go on my list for a real visit…..eating time!
Address: Pansea Puri Bali Hotel, Jl. Uluwatu, Jimbaran.
Phone: 701 605
Open: dinner, 18.00 onward
Credit card: all major
Wine: extensive list
Kwizien: A Surprise in Lovina!
Food: Belgian, International – Price: moderate
The first time I ever visited Lovina I could not understand why people went there. Hotels that had not seen any maintenance for years, staff universally underpaid working at illegal slave rates, and very boring restaurants all with those universal tourist menus, the resulting food completely lacking in taste. Remnants of the above are still far too prevalent but the winds of change are blowing with an ever-increasing velocity. Those sprawling hotels, many with amazing sea-frontages, are being bought by new players, the places renovated, faulty bathrooms and swimming pools being repaired or updated, and professional staff hired at legal rates. Even the once dirty beach is being swept every morning. And the prices are still very low, compared to Bali’s southern areas. Great value!
Address: Jln. Raya Kaliasem, Lovina.
Phone: (0362) 42.031
Open:11.00 to 23.00 daily
Credit cards: Amex, BCA, Master, Visa
Wine: excellent list
Raja’s: Dining with Kings!
Food: Balinese – Price: very expensive
Nusa Dua Beach Hotel was the original luxury hotel on the strip, twenty plus years ago. Since being acquired by the Brunei connection, many improvements have been incorporated. It has become one of Bali’s finest. Real fine dining restaurants are a rarity in Bali. Many restaurants provide excellent food, even top service and a refined locale. However for fine dining all must be excellently executed, with the utmost attention to detail
Address: Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, Nusa Dua.
Tel: 771.210
Open: 18.30 onward daily
Credit card: all major
Wine: extensive list
Lotus Garden: The Garden Goes Mediterranean!
Food: International, Chinese – Price: moderate
Whilst it is situated on the main road in central Nusa Dua, this Lotus is in a most relaxed setting. A myriad of water ponds extend across the front of the main restaurant area. You can seat yourself either in small bales out amongst the ponds and gardens or back in the main restaurant area.
All Lotus restaurants offer a wide variety of International dishes as well as the traditional Lotus specialties. Each provides its own touch as well. At Lotus Gardens the menu has now changed to be that of a true Mediterranean restaurant with dishes from many different countries that surround that great sea. Mediterranean seemed to become the buzz word of 2004 in Bali with many places claiming to be just that! However it takes more than just Nicoise and Greek Salads, a Merguez and some Pasta to rightfully assume that mantle!
Address: Jl. Ngurah Rai, Nusa Dua.
Tel: 773.378
Open: lunch to dinner
Credit cards: Amex, Master, Visa
Wine: small list
Beach Cafe: A Warung on the Beach!
Food: International – Price: moderate
Someone told me that there was a new warung on the beach in Sanur. So what, I thought, but checked it out anyway. Hey, this is no Warung! This modern café, under European management is more like a beachside bistro. No wonder it has been busy ever since it opened, a few weeks ago. Blue, white, shade trees, white sand, salt air and breezes all go to make this the perfect spot for that anytime snack or casual meal. The menu reads different from most others. The food tastes different! Even the simple things are done well, the ultimate test!
Address: Sindhu Beach, Sanur
Tel: 282 875
Open: 08.00 to 23.00 daily
Credit cards: Visa, Master
Wine: Medium list
Lotus Pond: An Asian pond in Sanur!
Food: Balinese, Asian – Price: moderate
You have a choice of dishes from almost every part of Asia. That is what is on offer at the totally revamped Lotus Pond. The only Italian item on the menu is an end of meal espresso. The large bar lounge area is a popular meeting place for locals and tourists alike. Do you like Spring Rolls? Well here you have a choice of three different styles. The Indonesian ones are the usual large rolls stuffed with chicken and vegetables, a spicy peanut sauce for dipping. From Vietnam they are stuffed with a mixture of prawn and pork meat. Wrap them in lettuce and mint leaves and dip them in the nuoc-mam sauce. Messy, but nice! The Thai Seafood Spring Rolls come with a sweet and sour sauce rather than the traditional sweet chilli
Address: Jln. Raya Sanur, Sanur.
Tel: 289.398
Open: 11.00 to 23.00 daily
Credit cards: Amex, Master, Visa
Wine: limited list, reasonably priced
Arena: An Expatriate Arena!
Food: Austrian, German – Price: moderate
In large cities throughout the developing countries of the world, large expatriate communities exist and survive. Most seek reminders of home during their leisure hours. If you discover the expatriate hangouts anywhere there will usually be three common factors; a relaxed environment, good basic food, and overall excellent value for money.
Address: Jln. ByPass I Gusti Ngurah Rai 115, Sanur.
Tel: 287.255
Open: from 16.00 daily
Credit cards: all major cards
Wine: medium list, good price
Antique Bar Restaurant: A New Antique!
Food: SE Asia – Price: cheap
One of the initial oddities the first time tourist to Bali always notices, with amazement, are the constant signs advertising ‘antiques made to order’. Well this new antique is in fact a restaurant. The décor and furniture are mostly made from artistic forms of wrought iron, but I would hardly call them antique! Yet another new restaurant is to be found in Jl. Abimanyu, Seminyak. Three previous tenants of the same arcade strip have already closed their doors within twelve months of opening, yet Q Bar and Antique seem to be thriving.
Address: Jl. Abimanyu, Abimanyu Arcade, Seminyak.
Phone: 730.907
Open: 18.00 onward
Credit card: Visa, Master
Wine: Limited
Gateway of India: Gateway to…….. Heaven?
Food: Indian – Price: cheap
Indian food affects people in many different ways. For those who are used to it, and enjoy it, life without it is unthinkable! For others it can cause immediate physical discomfort! Evidently there are enough people of the former category, living in and visiting Bali, to ensure that the little Gateway of India is almost always full on most evenings. Only open since August 1999, it has already doubled in size. The chefs were a part of Restaurant LG’s short flirtation with Indian cuisine, but are now with family and friends in this new location.
Address: Jln. Abimanyu 10, Seminyak.
Tel: 732.940
Open: lunch and dinner daily
Credit cards: none
Wine: none
Warung Bale-Bali: A Warung with Style
Food: Indonesian, Chinese – Price: cheap
At the beginning of Jln. Kunti, just off Jln. Seminyak, is a little Warung that stands out from the rest. Small and unpretentious, but with a certain class and style not normally encountered in this type of establishment. The place is not a secret, as it has obviously already been discovered by many if you judge by it’s regular clientele, a mixture of local foreigners and seemingly foreign-educated Indonesians. It does not try to do what so many others attempt and fail, be a complete answer for everyone. Bale-Bali just serves a small selection of well-prepared Indonesian and Indonesian-Chinese dishes, and at most reasonable prices.
Address: Jln. Kunti 488, Seminyak.
Tel: 732.731
Open: from 11.00
Credit cards: none
Wine: limited
Ary’s Warung: Ary’s Grows Up!
Food: International – Price: moderate
Ary’s Warung, in Ubud, has always been an above average restaurant. Now, since a major redesign and menu upgrade, it has become an exceptional one. The lower level is dominated by a very stylish bar setting, with minimal dining areas and what there is mainly used for luncheons. Upstairs is a spacious room, an open tree-lined veranda, which seems to catch whatever cooling breezes are present at the time.
Address: Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud
Tel: 975.053
Open: breakfast, lunch, dinner daily
Credit card: Amex, BCA, JCB, Visa, Master
Wine: excellent list
KUDETA RESTAURANT
Ku De Ta’s architectural environment is undeniably modern minimalist with its clean lines, subdued lighting, and elegant design. But it is also very much in harmony with the organic Balinese concepts of open-air, communal form that functions within the natural environments that surround it. In this case, blue ocean and green landscape. It is through this duality, manifested by a panoramic vista of the Bali Strait and a lush green lawn dotted with coconut trees, that Ku De Ta has created a peerless venue known amongst visitors from the West and the East for its food and entertainment, from sun up to sun down.
Address:
Jalan Laksamana No.9 Seminyak Bali
Phone. +62 361 736969 Fax.+62 361 736767
La Luciola Restaurant
La Lucciola is perched right on the edge of the beach. An enormous open, thatch-roofed building, with dining on two levels. I always head for the upstairs section, as a nice breeze is almost inevitable. The large bamboo furniture seems to suit the place and the occasion.
Sarong-clad waiters are ready to assist. Service here is always simple and professional, attentive yet never pushy nor over-the-top. Menu knowledge is excellent, and most visits go off without any hiccups.
Excellent fruit juices and/or granita?s make a pleasant beginning for many diners, particularly during the day. Very thirst-quenching and most enjoyable.
Cuisine Italian
Hours Daily 8am-midnight
Location Oberoi Rd., Kayu Aya Beach, Legian, Seminyak
Phone 361/730838
Prices Main courses Rp40,000-Rp150,000 (US$4.40-US$16/£2.45-£9.15)