Dining at The Restaurant on the Island of Paradise

Dining at The Restaurant on the Island of Paradise

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): One would not associate Bali with Fine
Dining, which requires strict adherence to dress codes, settings
and venues. So it is a pleasant surprise to find that fine dining
does exist on this island, but with a difference to the norm.

From the vast number of restaurants to be found in Bali, these
are a few of the ones suggested for a Fine Dining experience.

Most of the outstanding dining venues in Bali belong to five
star hotels, one of them is The Restaurant in the luxury hotel
Amannusa. The hotel itself is located on Bali's southern
peninsula and is situated on a grassy knoll overlooking Nusa Dua,
the Indian Ocean and the Bali Golf and Country Club.

Amannusa has several restaurants, the one considered a fine
dinning venue is The Restaurant. Located below the lobby, The
Restaurant overlooks the lawns and stylish swimming pool. The
interior is exquisite, combining tones of black, white gold and
silver. The ceilings and tall lead-light windows create an
atmosphere reminiscent of past dining traditions.

The staff, dressed in elegant black and white uniforms, are
exceptional in their skill. Bone chinaware, silver cutlery and
table decor are just a few of the items adding to the perfect
setting.

The Restaurant serves traditional and newly created Italian
dishes. The hotel's chef Sean Flaklor rotates the menu every two
weeks. Wine selection includes Australian, French, Italian
Californian and New Zealand wines.

A romantic candlelight dinner seated atop the valley is served
at Ayung Terrace Restaurant, Four Season Resort Bali at Sayan,
where the food is as fine as the venue.

What makes this a special dining experience is not only the
price, but the restaurant's fine design and delightful food. This
is perhaps the most architecturally outstanding hotel on the
island, located just outside Ubud, where fine dining experience
is complemented by an exotic setting.

The restaurant is oval-shaped located on the second level of
the resort's main building. This open-air dining room seats 34
with a dramatic view of rice fields and rugged river edges. There
is a large circular table with colorful wooden masks at the base
of the circular wooden staircase which connects the restaurant
with the hotel's lobby.

At the front of the room are tables with cloth table runners,
antique statues, elegant white china and glassware accented by
John Hardy silver and brass accessories. To add to the exotic
setting, ceiling fans stir the fragrant scents of this open-air
venue. At one side of the restaurant is an air-conditioned
private dining room which seats eight, perfect for a small
gathering of friends.

The menu is innovative, showcasing exotic offerings from
Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, China and India. For the resort's
chef Simon Purvis, every dish is a creation of true passion and a
work of art.

Raja's Table, at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, one of the leading
hotels of the world, exemplifies a casual yet elegant restaurant.
Overlooking the hotel's pool, this restaurant gives its diners a
choice of three air-conditioned and open-air terraces, one which
is designed with an open kitchen for the preparation of the wok
dishes on the menu.

While the decor of Raja's is uncluttered, it has been
tastefully designed to encompass local furnishings soothing to
the senses.

The menu, presented in a carved wooden cover, has been
carefully selected by executive chef Andy Cheah. It boasts the
only Asia-Pacific menu in Nusa Dua.

Start with Dim Sim Win Sum, a selection of Asian savories from
the region, then take your pick of Koay Tew Soup, Curry Laksa
with King Prawns, Korean Bulgogi or Sauteed Ginger Pepper
Lobster.

Remember to leave room for the dessert menu. It boasts a
variety of local mouthwatering dishes from Lemon Honey Parfait,
to Fruit Sushi, or Calfoutis, and a baked Royal Custard. For
those seeking a romantic setting, away from the crowd, there is
the gazebo on the swimming pool. The romantics will enjoy the
privacy of a dinner for two served from the menu of Raja's table.

Wining and dining in Bali can also be done in a place that you
would not imagine existed as a cave. The Cave restaurant is one
of Bali Cliff hotel's restaurants. It is an ancient cave,
overlooking the breathtaking Indian Ocean, serving an array of
seafood, Japanese, authentic Indonesian food, BBQ, and European
dishes (please note this not available daily, the cave is only
open on Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 10.30 pm).

For breathtaking panoramic scenery, take a seat and look
around you, and you will see spectacular views of Jimbaran Bay.
You are at the Wantilan restaurant of the Four Seasons Resort
Jimbaran Bali. In the evening, the Wantilan becomes a superb
setting for inspired wining and dining in Bali.

Executive Chef Marc Miron, formerly of Four Seasons Hotel
Vancouver, creates a cosmopolitan menu that is a marvelous
balance of innovative contemporary fare and classic Indonesian
specialties.

Check the alternative cuisine, such as Breast of Chicken
filled with Wild Mushrooms and Mustard Crust or dishes low in
fat, cholesterol and sodium; or the Spa menu for those who love
food but are concerned about calories. The wine selection is
considered on of the best in Bali. Imported Davidoff or Boliviar
Royal Coronas cigars are available to make your dinner
unforgettable.

Since its opening two years ago, Warisan Cafi has become an
extremely popular venue for diners both local and tourist. An
expatriate once mentioned that Grace Jones and Robert de Niro
were spotted having dinner there.

Behind this operation is Said Alem the founder and manager of
Warisan Cafi who says: "We wanted to create a proper restaurant,
a place where people can dress up and enjoy good food and wine at
reasonable prices in a nice setting." And he really meant it.

Situated on the outskirts of Legian, Warisan Cafi is stylishly
designed, yet comfortable, a restaurant specializing in French
cuisine. This two storied restaurant gives you a choice of an
open-air terrace or an elegant yet relaxed second-story dining
room, both venues offer you a romantic atmosphere and delightful
views of rice fields.

The menu, created by the talented French chef Doudou, is
classical French cuisine which has been innovatively adjusted to
the tropical climate. The list includes Lamb Estouffade, a stew
of chopped lamb leg with new potatoes, tomatoes, thyme and red
wine, that is baked slowly in a sealed clay pot for four hours.
Other popular dishes are Escargot and Grilled Butterfish. For
sweet lovers, try the Apple Brown Betty or the Creme Brulee.

The wine list, which is changed regularly, features a good
selection of both new and old-world wines. To end your fine
evening at Warisan, choose one of the Cuban cigars and sip a fine
cognac.

Other interesting restaurant is the Tre, at the five-star Bali
Villas located on Jl. Kunti, Legian. The restaurant's head of
chef Rodney King will offer Indonesian, European and Australian
cuisines ranging from local seafood and fresh salad. Guests will
be spoiled with fresh homemade pastries and bread, Italian
Gellato and a list of European and Australian wine. (Kora
Amalwati)