Enjoy the delights, food and views of Bali
DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Do Bali's white beaches, luxury hotels, friendly smiles and cultural festivals satisfy you? Have you ever sampled the wide selection of delicious foods offered by the famous tourist island's hotels and restaurants?
Bali has numerous restaurants, which are either part of star- rated hotels or individually located in prime areas. Visitors can enjoy any kind of food their heart desires.
Because the island is also well known for its views, visitors can enjoy good food and the island's spectacular vistas simultaneously. For instance, you can find exquisite meals and a fascinating panorama at Balangan Villas in Bukit Jimbaran.
Balangan Villas, located on a tranquil hill between Jimbaran Bay and Nusa Dua, offers traditional Balinese architecture and breathtaking ocean and mountain views.
A panoramic view of the Indian Ocean dominates the southern landscape, and to the north, lies the whole island of Bali with a spectacular view of Mount Agung.
Just enjoy the view while you eat. Balangan serves various Indonesian and international dishes at its restaurant, for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Guests may enjoy a special meal of roast sirloin beef served with mashed potatoes and green vegetable, or grilled prawn skewered with lemon-grass and a turmeric sauce.
Another interesting place to find good food is at Hotel Padma in the famous tourist spot of Legian.
Padma Bali is one of the most popular hotels on this paradise island, offering a village-style hideaway complemented with Balinese hospitality, international-standard facilities and luxury accommodation.
For Valentine's Day on Feb. 14, Padma Bali is offering something special at Pizzeria, Bali's finest and most romantic restaurant.
Let the beauty of love surround you on this special day as Pizzeria chef John Taylor and his creative team prepares for this year's Valentine's Day a romantic menu for those in love.
Some of the special items on the menu include Italian dishes to dine on under the stars; Costata Di Manzo Con Funghi Agilio (prime Australian sirloin steak with fresh mushrooms, garlic and baked potatoes), and Insalata Mista (imported assorted fresh garden salads with a choice of dressings) are just two of the specialties.
The Bali Hyatt, Sanur, is also offering something interesting, where visitors can still enjoy the atmosphere of Chinese New Year at the hotel's Telaga Naga.
For the Lantern Festival, the 15th day of the new Chinese year, which fell on Feb. 7 this year, a large variety of traditional Chinese food served for this particular celebration will give you a rare opportunity to taste this exotic cuisine, including Yu Sheng, a refreshing dish of New Year raw fish salad, and yellow fin tuna with tian of vine-ripened tomatoes and avocado.
For people in a hurry or for those who want to have meals on the go, go to Wayang Bali, which is located on Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai, in the Sanur area.
Wayang Bali is a compliment of Kafe Wayang resulting from a high demand for fast but gourmet food at an affordable price and the need for a real bakery in the area.
Comprising a cafe, bakery and take-away service, Wayang Bali caters for people who like to enjoy a gourmet meal in the privacy of their home, people in a hurry who want to just grab a quick sandwich or quiche to eat in their car on the way to work because of time constraints, and for those who want to organize a last- minute party, picnic, birthday party or surprise party.
Dishes at Wayang Bali include ready-made sandwiches, salads and Asian-fusion dishes. All ingredients are fresh and the food is prepared daily. The bakery offers croissants and other foods such as an Indonesian-oriental-European mix, a unique line of products including black rice with pandanus and palm sugar, and fermented taro with white chocolate.
Also popular is Jala Seafood Restaurant, Jl. Pantai Mengiat, Nusa Dua. One of this restaurant's specials is a Seafood Basket, a dish of baked prawn, crab and tuna chunks, served with a choice of fried rice or white rice. (I.Christianto)