Monsieur Spoon offers product in Bali that is as close as we can get to the French original. In particular their butter croissants are the best available. Furthermore when ordering a ham & cheese croissant, in house, it is stuffed with freshly sliced ham and generous shavings of emmental cheese [not a slice of the plastic, processed cheese so often used elsewhere]. Also on the board are edible garnish of cherry tomatoes and lettuce. They also offer a full range of French breads, cakes and other pastries [pictured] including their exceptional apple turnovers. Over the years since they first opened in Canggu, outlets have been added in Seminyak, Peritenget, Umalas and Ubud [Padang Tegal]. All day breakfasts are also available as well as excellent coffee.
Honey Bees on Jln. Petienget is that old style Bali restaurant that has almost disappeared. Mainly local cuisine [plus local interpretations of International cuisines] Indo-English on the menu and crazy low prices. Many breakfast sets for less than Rp. 30,000, very good rice and noodle dishes all served with friendly smiles.
Secret Garden on Jln. Pura Dalem in Anturan, Lovina is just that. Only 5 tables in a very secret garden so reservations are always essential. The attraction here is for the experience as a whole. Simple. but very good, food. Italianish [pasta], fish & chips, local curries and seafood plus some local Balinese [sate lilit]. A special place.
Nikkei is the latest rave spot in Ubud. On Jln. Monkey Forest, opp the public car park, next to Habitat and under the same management [they have another winner], it offers Japanese and Peruvian style, cool and fresh! The Salmon Carpacio is ginger flavoured, a Seafood Ceviche combines king prawn, tuna and salmon with wasabi and lemon juice. The Salmon & Tuna Sashimi is served on a bed of wakame salad, the Salt & Sichimi Squid is with Balinese Salt and Japanese Sichimi [red pepper], and very popular! Lomo Saltado is Peruvian, stir-fried tenderloin in a dark Kyoto sake sauce with onion, baby potatoes, capsicum and edamame beans. Grilled Octopus is with a wakame salad. Chicken Onigirazu is teriyaki chicken wrapped in nori seaweed, coated with tempura. The Poke Salmon Soba is so healthy; salmon and soba noodles. Enjoy a glass of coconut water with your meal. All dishes less than Rp.100,000, and many are much less [all menu items are shown as full price, there is no added tax and service].
Café Greco is an air-con oasis on the main road in central Lovina. Mediterranean cuisine and many cakes makes it a perfect spot for an afternoon stop and snack Burgers, sandwiches and smiling staff all add to the pleasant experience.
Filini is the Italian restaurant at RadIsson Blu, Uluwatu. The 1st Sunday of very month they celebrate a special Sunday Brunch @ Rp. 399,999++ p.p. [kids under 12 are free]. There is a flaming BBQ grill, endless homemade pastas and a stone baked pizza station, lush Italian tapas, platters of olives, salamis and cheeses, all sweetly wrapped up with delicate dolcetti. Wines from the cellar are all at less 25%. Live Jazz adds to the atmosphere.
INK is a good name for a Tattoo place but a strange one for a restaurant. However that is what this new Japanese in Canggu [Pantai Berawa] is called but they do at least admit that they are a little bit crazy, cheeseburger stuffed spring rolls, what next? At least they are different not all same, same!
Nebula is a trendy café in the old tourist area of Poppies Lane II, Kuta. Different from the rest it serves great coffee and a range of breakfasts, brunch, snacks and light meals. The cuisine is mostly Asian but also with many western dishes with Asian touches. Healthy breakfasts, wraps, burgers, etc. The Quinoa Salad is very healthy, the ‘Thai’ Beef Salad is not very Thai, served with lettuce [no lettuce in Thailand]. Bruschettas, Spaghetti and Sandwiches. The Asian menu includes a Korean Kimchi Fried Rice, a Korean Spicy BBQ Pork and Thai Fried Rice with pork belly. From Indonesia the usual Spring Rolls, Nasi, Mie Gorengs and a range of satays. The Thai Chicken Laksa is a mystery, ‘chicken tights’ I think they mean thighs , and Thai Laksa? Laksa is a Peranakan dish from a combination of Chinese and Malay cuisines…never heard of a Thai version?
Graze is at the street front of the Maya Sanur, on Jln. Danau Tamblingan in Sanur. It has already established itself as one of Sanur’s best value eating places, whether inside in the cool aircon at lunchtime or dining al fresco on the covered terrace in the evening. Already one of my regular lunchtime haunts with its interesting but great value food, F & B Director Emmanuel is not one to rest on his laurels. New dishes added include a new selection of Crostini. A popular Italian snack that must begin with excellent bread as a base, luckily Maya have one of the best Pastry Chefs in town. I always liked the mushroom & truffle crostini but the new Green Pea, mint and feta and the Smoked Gindara with horseradish and dill were too difficult to choose between so I had both…back again soon for more. I could happily just eat these crostinis for lunch, every day! A range of Hot Stone dishes [still cooking when it arrives at your table] include Tuna with ginger, lime and coriander, Jumbo Prawns, garlic and lemon, Chicken Tikka kebabs and Angus Sirloin that has already been in Maya’s marinade. You want a healthy salad? Warm apple and pumpkin tossed with goat feta, rocket and walnuts, a dressing of apple cider and honey, ticks all the boxes. For those who, like me, enjoy exotic breakfasts, and at any time of the day [served here from 7.00 a.m. till 3.00 p.m.], three new combos gave been added. Mexican [jalapeno and corn fritter and guacamole with a fried egg], Italian [smoked scarmoza cheese and zucchini waffles with balsamic roasted tomatoes, ruccola and spring onion cream] and Sweet Belgian [cinnamon waffles with rhubarb and raspberry compote, dark chocokate and coconut cream topped with clove honey].
Gerry Williams
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