Sardinia at Trans City Mall offers simple Italian plus a good selection of local Indonesian dishes. Italian is mainly, as is Japanese, a simple cuisine, fresh quality ingredients being the main requirement.
Sardinia is the brother restaurant to Café Sardinia, possibly the most popular restaurant at Kuta’s Beachwalk, both places under the Cocoon management, so quality is not a problem.
Owing to the large number of locals who visit daily to this new mall [and there will be even more when all the future planned facilities are available] a substantial local menu has been added to the original Italian one. Both of which are under the control of their International chef, Ketut Santi [ex Aman Resorts].
The starters include some Italian [an authentic Minestrone, a hot Salami Panini and a Grilled Calamari Salad] and many International ones; Burgers, Wraps, Tom Yum Goong and Thai Beef Salad. There are a few vegetarian some of which are also gluten free such as the Roasted Beetroot Salad [feta, rocket, orange, candied walnuts and a balsamic glaze] and a Super Food Salad of quinoa. chick peas, avocado, sunflower seeds, coriander, tangerine, mint, edamame, tomato, eggplant, zucchini and pepitas dressing.
It is good to see such a modern international menu in a Bali shopping mall, how things have changed here over the years, with the tourist influence.
Though Italian, rather than Spanish they also offer a range of Tapas, as is the norm these days are almost all restaurants. Salt & Pepper Calamari with lime aioli, Chicken & Vegetable Spring Rolls with sweet and sour, Prawn Rolls, minced prawn crepes with sweet chilli or Angry Potatoes with spicy tomato.
Pasta, and Pizza, of course!
What could be a simpler Italian dish than Spaghetti & Meat Balls? Because of that I ordered it, and was pleasantly surprised. The coarsely ground meat balls were way superior to the usual Bali “Bakso’ style. The pasta was ‘al dente’, as you would expect with an Aussie Italian as the overall General Manager, Anthony Bevilacqua [the man who launched Ku de ta]. A simple dish but when prepared by a chef with talent, a very good one.
Other pasta dishes include Fettuccine [seafood or chicken and mushrooms], Penne [pesto or Carbonara], Gnocchi [Sorrentina, with Napoli sauce], Ravioli [spinach], Lasagna [beef] and Linguini; Alio Olio with prawns or Vongole [clams]. Your Risotto can be Seafood or Mushroom.
Pizzas are all the standard ones plus a few specials [smoked chicken or the ‘Aussie’ with an egg]. If you prefer you can create your own pizza with all of your favourite ingredients, just select from the list.
Mains are Italian [Chicken Parmigiana], International or Indonesian. Steaks can be T-bone [300gm] or Tenderloin [200gm], with your choice of sauce. Fish & Chips [tempura-battered Barramundi], is everyone’s favourite as are the BBQ Pork Ribs.
The Indonesian menu is quite extensive. Top of the list is a Gulai Kambing [pictured] an excellent spicy goat curry. Bali specials include Ayam Bakar and an Ayam Kecap as well as the Udang Sune Cekuh, grilled prawns tossed in garlic, wild ginger and other Bali spices. The Ikan Bakar Dabu-Dabu is grilled Barramundi with that sauce of tomato, shallot, chilli and basil.
Dessert [white chocolate Creme Brulee, Apple & Raisin Crumble] and an attractive Kid’s Menu of mini portions all at Rp.25,000 each completes a menu with something for almost everyone.
For a shopping mall restaurant, it is all very impressive. Good taste, good value and very professional.
QUICK REVIEW
Restaurant : Sardinia
Address : Trans City Mall, Imam Bonjol, West Denpasar.
Telephone : 620.1266
Open : 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m., daily.
Non-smoking Area : Inside
Smoking Area : Street-side terrace
Parking : Secure parking, in mall
Price : Rp. 300,000 for two [+ drinks]
Credit Cards : All major cards.
Food : Italian & Indonesian
Wine : Excellent list [many Italian]
Service : Professional
Atmosphere : Eating house
Overall : Great taste, value, for a mall restaurant
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.
Copyright © 2019 Gerry Williams