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)