Cosmic is an American Diner. There were three but the Lippo Plaza, Tuban outlet is still closed, for the time being, during the Covid pandemic. However both the original on Sunset Road and the classic Cosmic Train in
Sanur are open for both takeaway and home delivery. They offer burgers, shakes and many other things American. My favourites are the New York style Rice Bowls. Whilst the Pork Belly [with fried egg on a bed of s
teamed rice] is the biggest seller I quite like the Chicken Teriyaki version.
The Secret Cave is found at the latest addition to the Bali luxury villa scene, Raffles Bali in the hills above Jimbaran. A part of the chain inspired by the iconic Raffles of Singapore, During the construction process some underground caves were discovered, they were retained and an unique restaurant was developed. Whilst the main cuisine is Balinese Raffles French Executive Chef, Gaetean Biesuz, has added his own twist to the dishes. Raffles Singapore is famous for its iconic Long Bar, at Raffles Bali they have established the Iconic Writers Bar, paying tribute to the famous writers who had resided at Raffles Singapore during the early 20th century including Rudyard Kipling, Somerset Maugham, Joseph Conrad and others. Though, at this stage Secret Cave, the bar and the other four restaurants at Raffles Bali are only open to residents. That is almost enough reason to book a villa for the weekend.
Mads Lange is the restaurant at the unique Capella in Keliki. Capella is a luxurious eco-friendly tent village amongst a natural bushland setting. The restaurant is named after Mads Johannsen Lange a Danish spice trader who was also known as the White King of Bali. The menu is a blend of local, and international with local touches. The Salt & Pepper Prawns are tossed with chilli, coriander, kalamansi and garlic, a Taco is with crab meat, fermented chilli and bacon whilst the Empanadas are spicy, stuffed with braised beef. For Mains the Ribs are baby back ribs cooked in coconut and lime, the Pokee Bowl uses seared chicken breast as a base with broccoli, walnuts, tomato, pumpkin seeds, chilli and olives. The Chilli con Carne has lentils as well as beans and an avocado salsa. It is also possible to order a home delivery from Capella, in which case a portion of the bill is donated to the local families of Keliki, who have been effected by the COVID-19.
The Dining Room, Candi Dasa, is open to serve the local community, visitors and those just passing through. At the southern entrance to Candi Dasa it is almost an oasis in a barren desert, with its views across to the Gillis, so different to the local warungs that populate this area.. Whilst they offer a varied menu of international dishes not commonly found in Bali their specialty still has to be their wood-fired pizzas. They are prepared at a decorative pizza oven street-side at the restaurant. Eat in or takeaway.
Riverside Café, Kalibukbuk, Lovina, after a complete renovation, is re-opening as a Greek restaurant. That will be of no surprise to anyone who knows the owner, that man Marinos. Twenty years ago he opened a small Greek restaurant in Bali, Mykonos Taverna, on what was then called Jln. Oberoi in Kerobokan, amongst the rice paddies. It was an overnight sensation with its very cheap comfort food and started a stampede for restaurateurs to open in the then low rent area of Bali. First Greek, then Thai, Moroccan, Japanese and Belgian, they all flocked here and as a result at the time I christened that stretch of road as Eat Street, a name that has survived till today.
Indian Express at Queens Tandoor, Seminyak, is now open Thursday till Sunday, from 12 Noon to 10.00 p.m. for dine-in service. Queens has been the premier Indian restaurant group now for many years in Bali. Their vast menu satisfies all with its wide selection of vegetarian dishes; the Harra Bhara Kebab [deep fried vegetable patties with cheese paneer and herbs] and the Malabari Aloo [batter-fried baby potatoes tossed with curry leaves and ginger] being particular favourites. Amongst the Mains the Prawn Makhanwala is hard to ignore, a luscious butter curry of king prawns. All the standards are here; the vinegar based Vindaloos, the creamy Kormas with ground cashew nuts, the saffron scented Jalfrazi and the Kashmiri Rogan Josh. There are even dishes from Southern India including the ever-popular Masala Dosa and the unusual and tasty Onion Uttapam.
For more information see our website: www.balieats.com