Golden Monkey re-opened on Jln. Dewi Sita with small banquettes at the windows, overlooking the passing parade. It is Ubud’s only complete Chinese restaurant. Now they have added a special Dim Sum Sunday. At a cost of Rp.175,000++ [children under 12 half price] and it is completely free flow. A seemingly endless supply of dim sum standards and creations keep coming until you can eat no more. From 11.30 a.m. till 2.30 p.m. Har Gao [steamed whole prawn dumplings], Chicken Feet,  Xia Lon Bai [Shanghai pork broth dumpling], Siu Mai [pork and prawn dumpling], Pork Buns, Crystal Dumplings [steamed prawn and chives], deep-fried Duck Spring Rolls, Fried Wontons [pork and prawn] and Fenkow Dumplings, a vegetarian mix of carrot, broccoli and peanuts.

Naughty Nuri’s Seminyak is actually on Jln Mertanadi, Kerobokan. Whilst Ribs are obviously the specialty of this franchise, unlike the original in Ubud they also offer quite an interesting menu of other options [their Fish Wings are sensational]. They are constantly adding new dishes to their menu, a sure sign of a switched on management, never resting on their laurels. The latest ones all have ‘unusual’ names, another quirk of the management but one that never detracts from the taste. Porky Soup, is a bowl of pork ribs, potato, carrot seasoned with Balinese herbs. Potato Crisp Nachos are thin slices of potato fried till very crisp replacing the usual corn chips, they are covered by baked beans, diced tomato, melted cheddar cheese and sour cream. You can also add chicken or pulled pork on top. Then there is the Naughty Pork Quesadilla, once again an interesting creation.

BatuBara is self-styled as an Argentine Grillery. It is Ubud’s secret restaurant, totally hidden from view unless you know exactly where it is? A very narrow street front entrance takes you into a large rear open space. It is directly beside the entrance to the Arma car park on Jln. Pengosekan, Ubud. Argentine cuisine is all about prime cuts of meat cooked in the flame, Asado, a beef barbecue. The cuts of meat that are available each night at BatuBara are displayed on a board, and priced at a cost of per 100gm. As each order takes quite some time to prepare at the grilling area, by Pablo and his crew, the norm is to also order some Argentine entrees to munch on whilst awaiting the main event. Empanadas [half-moon shaped stuffed pastries] are essential, either with a cheese or beef filling, and do not miss their Croquetas, amazing creations with a chicken stuffing.

104Bar & Grill is an Aussie enterprise amongst the Dutch operated bars of Jn, Danau Poso, at the Blanjong end of Sanur. It encompasses what was before two separate restaurants, one of which was Brad Harrison’s excellent little eatery, Elsewhere, which sadly a lack of air-con prevented that one from becoming a long term player. Not so for 104 which has air-con inside and an outdoor smoking area street-side as well. The cuisine on offer is best described as ‘comfort food’, simple dishes that are recognisable by all, no surprises. Burgers that include the essential Aussie [beef, bacon, egg and beetroot], as well as one with chicken or lentils for the vegetarians, Steak Sandwich, onion jam and pepper sauce and the very English Bangers & Mash or Fish & Chips. There are also many finger food snacks for the drinkers at the bar.

Daebak is Korean on the Renon loop at Jln. Jok Agung Tresna. The big menu covers all of the traditional Korean dishes plus a few new creations. Kim Chi [cabbage soaked in chilli] is a popular base to many dishes, sometimes just eaten as a side dish, here you can have it in a soup, with noodles or even mixed with the Korean fried rice, their version of Nasi Goreng. Bulgogi is a beef staple of Korean cuisine, it is thin strips of meat that have been marinated before grilling. In view of the current conflict between north and south it is interesting to note that Bulgogi is actually a traditional dish from North Korea but one that has long become adopted in the south as well. Many Japanese dishes have been modified to Korean tastes, sushi and noodles particularly, and are available here.

 

Happy Chappy on Jln. Raya Pantai Berawa in Canggu has joined the Dim Sum Sunday craze, as have most Chinese restaurants in Bali. All the favourites from their main restaurant on Jln. Braban, Kerobokan [but without the dim sum carts] , Har Gao, Shu Mai, etc. Plus a little bit of fusion, Nutella BakPao, hazelnut flavoured steam buns, now that sounds very tempting?

 

Cubite has opened on Jln. Dewi Sri with its Indonesian street food options. It is another local Indonesian restaurant chain of a style perhaps more suited to city living and working. Customers complete their own food order on the supplied form, what you want and how you want it. There is a large variety of ‘so called’ trendy drinks served here. They continue the questionable practice of presenting them in large glass jars…why? No handles to hold, cream overflow everywhere, makes a good picture but how about customer comfort, or does that not matter anymore?

 

Gerry Williams

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www.balieats.com