It started as not much more than the shop downstairs under
the Yoga office, somewhere for the friends of yoga to meet
and relax. It doubled in size within months, but not much
else changed. Kafe serves simple breakfasts, snacks and light
meals, most of which are healthy or as they call them, ‘yogi-friendly’.
It is located half the way down Jln. Hanoman in Ubud, the
one way street going the opposite way, and adjacent, to Jln.
Monkey Forest. Small pleasant balconies front the café,
under the abundant greenery, but the tables thereon are difficult
to find empty. Inside is a variety of comfortable seating/lounging
positions where the main aim is to relax and enjoy, whether
you are reading, meditating or people-watching.
Open early in the morning for breakfast, the healthy options
include a Macrobiotic Breakfast of brown rice tossed with
steamed vegetables, tofu and toasted seeds, and served with
a lemon tahini sauce. A Special Porridge consists of flax
meal, raw seeds, raisins, nuts, cinnamon and sliced banana.
Muesli features as well and can be combined with fresh fruit,
yoghurt and/or soy milk.
For those of us with less self-control there are Buckwheat
Pancakes [wheat-free, with ginger-spiked brown sugar syrup
and assorted berries], or a Breakfast Burrito [whole wheat
tortilla rolled around scrambled eggs, avocado, cheese, salsa
and sour cream. Your any-which-way eggs can come with sautéed
mushrooms, breakfast potatoes and if you are totally out of
control and cannot break old habits, like me, then as many
rashers of bacon as you care to order! Nothing like starting
the day with a good hot breakfast.
The most popular snack plate or shared entrée at Kafe
is their Mezze Plate; hummus, babaganoush, tabouli, roasted
peppers, feta cheese and olives, served with pita bread for
dipping and wrapping. The great crunchy Samosas are served
with their perfect match, a coriander chutney, and the Spring
Rolls [vegetarian with tofu and vegetables] can be had deep-fried
with a lemongrass side dip, or rolled in fresh rice paper,
Vietnamese style, with a peanut and coconut sauce. I have
a problem because I like both. The much maligned spring roll
is a great anytime snack, if done right and at Kafe they are.
Whilst all of the salads are healthy and tasty, the Crunchy
Salad, is particularly good; rucola tossed with mushrooms,
apple, roasted seeds, parmesan and a honey mustard dressing.
Soups include a Carrot and Ginger, served either hot or cold,
Herbed Tomato and a Spicy Pumpkin.
A Chilli con Carne, but without the meat, combines beans with
tofu and chilli, adding a salsa and sour cream. Similar, but
different, is the Mexican style chicken and bean chilli.
All the sandwiches are made with your choice of multigrain,
baguette or pita bread. Very healthy is the Tempe Rueben;
marinated tempe with sauerkraut, but the good old BLT , Burgers
with sautéed mushrooms or crisp bacon are also on the
menu. The Mains are in two sections; Asian Inspired and Global.
The first includes a wonderful Cashew Ginger Chicken and a
Nasi Goreng made with red rice, the way it is supposed to
be, and littered with shredded vegetables, cashew nuts and
tofu [can be had either `with or without’ chicken].
Global is very worldly. Kafe’s popular Indian Plate
heads the list; dhal, eggplant bharata, aloo ghobi, raita,
pita bread and that red rice again. The Chicken Chermoula
sees Middle Eastern spices used with the chicken, serving
it with couscous. A Californian Burrito consists of black
beans, brown rice, avocado, salsa and sour cream rolled in
a whole wheat tortilla.
The variety of Coffees include all the standards as well as
many specials; Sidha Coffee or a Soy Milk Latte, but I think
the Cocoa Nut Latte beats them all; espresso, cocoa, hazelnut
and whipped cream. The list of Teas is just as impressive,
hot and cold. Rooibos African Red Tea, Green Tea Mango and
Chai Masala. There are many fresh juice [Cranberry, Watermelon
Blueberry] and Vegetables [Carrot, Apple & Beet, Aloe,
Apple and Ginger just examples].
Kafe could not pass as a healthy café without a range
of Lassies [Cardamom, Blueberry, Rosewater], Smoothies [banana,
hazelnut and nutmeg] and non-dairy Health Shakes and Soy Shakes.
The kids are not forgotten at Kafe, with a range of specially
down-sized portions of Spaghetti, Pizza, Quesadilla or Fish
and Chips, and to drink and keep amused; Vanilla-Lime Soda
or a Cranberry Sparkle.
Kafe is a fun place for all the family, day or night.
QUICK REVIEW
Restaurant : Kafe
Address : Jln. Hanoman
Padang Tegal,
Ubud
Telephone : 970.992
Open : 8.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m., daily
Parking : Street only.
Price : Rp. 200.000 for two [+ drinks]
Credit Cards : Visa, Mastercard
Food : Healthy, with a touch of American
Wine : Very limited, by glass only.
Service : Laid back.
Atmosphere : A meeting of friends.
Overall : The perfect spot to relax.
Reviews that appear in Bali Advertiser are based on actual
visits to the establishments listed, without the knowledge
of the restaurants, and are not paid for by the individual
restaurants.
Opinions expressed here are those of Gerry Williams and not
necessarily those of Bali Advertiser. Gerry Williams attempts
to write from a ‘typical’ diner’s perspective
and whilst quality of food is the most important criteria
overall, value for money is the real measuring stick.
