10th Table, in central Lovina on Bali’s north coast, has been ron Potato Soup and then a temporarily closed and is now open again, this Friday and Saturday and every day [except Mondays] as from December 22. They cater for all the locals who appreciate an evening of fine dining. There have been many additions to the norm, often with special prices. They have added 3 course weekly menus at a very reasonable Rp. 375,000 net, as well as a 5 course set menu for Rp. 550,000 Net. At the same time they still offer the standard 7 course degustation menu [with alternatives for each course] that has made them so famous and popular. A special Steak menu has been added [Black Angus, Wagyu, Grass Fed etc.], the Angus is a 4cm thick T-Bone, and the Wagyu a Tomahawk, whilst the Steak Tartare is prepared at your table in the style of the great fine dining restaurants of Europe. Or if you wish you can select from the normal a la carte menu on which they are many great innovative dishes. Wine pairing is also available. They have also announced their special Christmas Dinner [available all of December]. After the Amuses Medley there is a tantaising Duck Breast braised in red wine, with shallots.[or a Perfumed Fish Mousse], followed by a Potato Saffron Soup and then a Fettuccini with porcini, hazelnut and truffles. A palate cleanser Lime Sorbet is then served prior to your choice of main course;. Slow-cooked Yearling Beef or St. Pierre Prawns. This level of professionalism is a rare find in Bali’s north. It now makes a visit to Lovina very interesting.
Artichoke is the main restaurant at Radisson Blu, Uluwatu. It Focusses mainly on the tasty comfort foods and healthy items such as whole grains, gluten free bread and organic items. The food is served with an ocean breeze at the shady arcade or the sunny terrace by the pool gardens. Their menu is the all-compassing one necessary for a resort; there’s the Blu Power Bowl and Japanese Nori Bowl for the health conscious and the traditional Rendang and Artichoke Mac & Cheese for those seeking comfort foods. Artichoke is open for lunch & dinner from 11.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. Perched along the cliffs of Uluwatu, Radisson Blu, Bali, Uluwatu, overlooks both the Indian Ocean and local farmland.
Warung Dandelion had won the hard fight and made it in the difficult Canguu area. Now, for some reason I know not why, they have decided to change their name, soon to be called Casa Tua. Same management, same staff, same menu, and still with all those friendly, cuddly, rabbits running around waiting for you to pat and feed them. It is sited in an old Joglo house on Jln. Batu Bolong. No it is not a trendy bistro, rather it is a simple place that serves very basic local cuisine, budget-priced, very well and with fun. The menu consists of all those favourite local dishes; spring rolls, corn fritters [perkedel jagung], soft coconut curries and meats wrapped in banana leaf, slowly cooked so they remain moist and tender. Tourists think they are eating Balinese when in reality, as almost everywhere else in Bali, it is mostly general Indonesian. This place has an unusual and very welcome ambience missing not only in other warungs but. sadly, from so many up-market and expensive Bali restaurants. This should not be surprising as their very charismatic owner, Yunus, has a pedigree that explains all. He ‘cut his teeth’ at Café Warisan 20 years ago at a time that the world first sat up and noticed that place, then his intro to American service levels, but still with that Bali smile, was at the original Hard Rock when it was in Jln Legian and he was one of the few selected to make the move to its current location. A stint at Pappa’s, when it was at its prime, and the essential cruise ship experiences followed and he is now doing his own thing in Canggu, and doing it very well. Simple food that is tasty, cheap and served with a smile, what more could you ask for?
Pola offers an up-market Sunday Brunch. This Pala is at the luxury Apurva Kepinsky Hotel in Sawangan, Nusa Dua. This is the 2nd Pala for Bali, the first one was an excellent restaurant in Sanur but there is no connection. Here Sunday Brunch really does combine breakfast and lunch, you can order either or both. Being beachfront, seafood is on offer. From their Grill Bar you can order Spiny Lobster, Tiger Prawns, Clams, Barramundi or Red Snapper. Or you can have beef [tenderloin] or chicken if you prefer, and a full range of Satays [chicken, pork, lamb or beef]. Pasta can be Black tagliolini ai tomato calamari, Beetroot tagliatelle quattro formaggi or Spinach & cheese ravioli. Pala signature dishes include Pandan buntut sapi [oxtail wrapped in pandan leaves], Soft-shelled crabs, crispy with bumbu rujak, Oku karage [crisp black chicken, shichi-mi powder with balsamic teriyaki and the amazing Koral Caropaccio [marinated barramundi with Sturia caviar, fennel ginger mousse, cucamelon, shallots and lemongrass. Breakfast options include Eggs Royale or Florentine, pancakes and waffles. There are both alcoholic [cocktails and wine] and non-alcoholic free flow packages available.
Aperitif, the fine dining restaurant at Ubud’s The Viceroy announces that their special Christmas dinner will be available on both Christmas nights, 24th and 25th. Their New Years’ Eve celebration, one of Bali’s most spectacular, will be on again, your chance to farewell the awful year and welcome a new great one. Prior reservations for both are essential.
For more information see our website: www.balieats.com