SOHO Fajitas

Fajitas come in four different flavors: beef Rp.45K, pulled pork Rp.43K, chicken Rp.35K or vegetables Rp.25K served with cheddar cheese, guacamole and roast pepper salsa.

Egg nog ala Kudeta

Kudeta’s Bar Manager, Steve, brings his cocktail knowledge to bear on a creamy New Year’s classic – Egg Nogg.

50ml Havana Anejo Reserva Rum
10ml Sugar Syrop
10ml Double Cream
20ml Milk
1 egg white

“The trick is to whisk the egg white before making the drink and also adding a little bit more milk than cream so it becomes a light, fluffy drink.

You can use most dark spirits to make an Egg Nog but I have used rum as it’s my tipple of the moment and it feels right drinking it in the heat.”

Naughty Nuri’s

It would be very easy to drive right by Naughty Nuri’s without knowing, understanding, or comprehending all the fun you’d be missing. But then, of course, that is part of its allure as an Ubud institution of longstanding; part Louisiana bayou barbecue booze shack, and partly a place where overactive imaginations and intellects go to die at sunset daily, it has more than a touch of the ‘speakeasy’ about it, and if its tables could talk they would tell a story of laughter, great conversation, and plenty of the mind-warpingly strong house special martinis.

It is a very unpretentious establishment, and to me that is its great allure as an alternative to a fixed formality that I associate with plastic smiles, foreign chefs, and cuisine which tries to be haute but discovers it can’t spell or pronounce the word. Give us barbecued ribs, towering hamburgers, fresh and flavorful tuna sashimi, ice cold beer, the aforementioned martinis, and plenty of friends, and we will give you the best night out you can imagine; for the Spanish have a saying that goes to the tune of: ‘tell me who you walk with and I’ll tell you who you are.’

To be perfectly honest, I’m tempted to write a gonzo review; the journalist living the subject and object of reporting.
I am equally tempted to write in a Joyce-like stream of words that conclude with the word ‘yes.’

But my editor would then bridle me like a donkey and so I’ll stick to formulas, which seems a terrible shame since Naughty Nuri’s is decidedly not a formulaic place.

My beautiful girlfriend (who I love dearly) and I stared into each other’s eyes over vodka martinis as Nuri’s began to fill up with regulars, tourists, and locals on a recent Thursday evening. Flame was set to the grill as the sun began to crawl over the west, staining the sky the deep blood orange color of Nuri’s barbecued Spanish sausages, which, along with a barbecued tuna steak and a crisply fresh garden salad, were whisked to our street side table by waitresses of such competence and cheer their smiles could melt a candle from thirty paces. Then another martini – this one Gibson – arrived and was shaken and poured into the waiting glass. I was obliged to lean over the table and sip from the rim lest the precious liquid overflow and drip onto the wooden table. Friends arrived, we joked, more food came, I ate the best ribs I’ve had since I was last in Memphis, dusk turned into night and the flames from the grill licked the entrance and tables in a soft glow. I kissed my girlfriend. I drank another martini. I’m going back next Thursday.

Naughty Nuri’s, Ubud, Tel. 0361-977547

MACCARONI al dente

The name offers a clue to its heritage, so it’s no great surprise to find that Maccaroni, in the heart of Kuta, radiates chic Italian style in every form – from its awesome architecture and enticing menu to its cool ambience and sophisticated music. This funky restaurant and lounge, designed by the well known Italian architectural designer Giovanni D’Ambrosio, has been serving consistently good food since 1995.

Maccaroni is an urban masterpiece in polished grey concrete and tubular metal. The building is multi-levelled, comprising a series of intimate spaces despite its gargantuan size. An alfresco terrace is linked to a romantic mezzanine by an intriguing footbridge. A sculptured cluster of iron cylinders – reminiscent of pickup sticks – houses the hidden lighting, and the multi mirrored washrooms privately reflect one’s best and worst features one million times over!

The extensive menu bursts with Italian classics, together with Asian dishes, seafood, and exciting creations seamlessly coordinated by Chef Made. His competent team blend hours of preparation with fresh and nourishing ingredients that please the eye and satisfy the stomach. Pizzas (45 – 59), dripping in mozzarella, straight out of an authentic Capri wood oven are ordered in abundance. While other favourites include the tasty crab lime salad (45), grilled tuna kebabs (45) marinated with oregano, thyme, parsley and lime juice, the Maccaroni burger, and the ocean salmon (85) served with a soy and mirin rice wine sauce and accompanied by a salad of daikon, coriander, and ribbons of crunchy cucumber. There is, of course, a whole range of pasta dishes (55 – 99), including the delectable ravioli di mare (69) stuffed with fresh seafood and dripping in cream sauce, and Asian staples such as nasi campur, chicken sate, Saigon noodles, Thai chicken curry, and pork and mango in teriyaki sauce. The wicked dessert menu (33) features white chocolate mousse, pandan pannacotta, tiramisu, home made ice creams, and the scrumptious double layer chocolate mousse cake. There is also a superb selection of fine wines from around the world, cigars, cocktails, freshly made juices and wonderful cappuccinos. Current special offers include “buy one, get one free” cocktails after 11 pm.

Complement all of this with a friendly atmosphere, upbeat DJ music, and live music every night including regular performances from the innova-tive ‘Soulflip’, and you will find that Maccaroni is also a great place to simply hang out and watch the world go by. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8 am until 2 am. Rache

Jazz and Grill

Sanur’s Jazz Bar & Grille has consistently maintained a high standard of international cuisine ever since it first opened in 1999. This main ingredient, blended with a programme of nightly live entertainment provided by well-respected bands from Bali and beyond, in a comfortable and cultured atmosphere, has attracted a faithful local clientele together with many tourists.

The outside of the building has a Mediterranean feel to it with palm trees, metal tables and chairs and a classy, canopied entrance. The décor inside the air-conditioned restaurant is also European but with the Bali touch. The bands don’t start playing until 10pm, so the music is not intrusive if you choose to eat earlier. Meanwhile, if you select to eat later and prefer to listen from a distance, there is a wide sweeping staircase that leads up to a second floor where there is more seating and a pool table.

The food is a fusion of tantalising tastes from all over the world, offering everything from sandwiches, snacks and pizzas, to full 4-course meals enhanced by colour, texture and seriously beautiful presentation. There is currently an “eat your fill at lunchtime” Balinese food promo known as ‘Siang Kenyang’, offering authentic versions of Pepes Ikan Laut (Rp 28,500), and Ayam Kalasan (Rp 37,500), and ice desserts such as Es Cendol (Rp 7,500).

Most of the delights listed on the appetiser menu can be described as ‘finger food’ and the beauty of this is that you can enjoy these tactile specialities as part of a meal, or combine a selection of them and turn your dinner into a private finger buffet feast. A popular choice, and steadfastly good, is the ‘Jazz Grille Nachos’ (Rp 31,000) – a striking, golden sunburst of homemade tortilla chips covered with lashings of refried beans and topped with nacho cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa and sour cream. Renowned as being the best in Bali, there is no skimping on the rich cheesy sauce, beans or sour cream. Another superb dish is the Black ‘n’ Blue Tuna (Rp 28,500), which is sashimi grade, seared tuna, with a crust of Cajun spice, served with Dijon mustard, soy sauce and colourful sautéed bellpeppers.

The chef also creates some tasty soups including the spicy Tom Yum Kung (Rp 24,000), together with a wide variety of salads, including an exotic combination of green beans, rucola and sweet potato tossed in garlic tahini dressing and topped with fresh fillets of grilled salmon (Rp 29,500).

Main courses include Mongolian Lamb Chops (Rp 72,500) marinated in hoisin sauce and fresh mint, and served with homemade pesto fettuccini and grilled vegetables. Everything has an international flavour and is creatively presented with an emphasis on colour and pattern. Check out the juicy Australian Steaks (Rp 65,000 – 79,000), and the Chicken Athenian (Rp 31,500), a grilled chicken breast stuffed with minced beef, fetta cheese, herbs and veggies, and doused in a mushroom white cream sauce. The Indonesian Corner presents Sop Buntut (Rp 29,500), a hearty Oxtail soup enhanced with garlic and shallots in a rich tomato sauce, and there are plenty of vegetarian options such as the classic Indonesian Gado Gado (Rp 18,500), the Veggie Pizza (Rp 37,500) and the Fresh Vegetarian Pasta (Rp 28,500). Wicked desserts (Rp 7,500 – 22,500) include Pecan Pie, Tiramisu, and the Banana Foster Pizza; another revelation of tastes and textures, sweet and gooey on a crispy light base.

Finally, the evening should be rounded off with a cup of freshly roasted, locally grown coffee from Kopi Bali, while mentally planning a return visit for a further infusion of indulgence, stimulation, seductive flavours, generous portions and all that jazz!
The Jazz Bar & Grille is open for lunch and dinner from 11am until 2am daily and is located at Komplex Pertokoan Sanur Raya No 15-16, Jl By Pass, Sanur, tel: 0361 285 892

Bali Deli

The name Bali Deli is well known as a household word synonymous with quality imported goods and homemade products ranging from bread and pastries to terrine and sausages, a one-stop shop on Jl. Kunti where one can find taco fixings for a Mexican feast or fresh sashimi for a Japanese dinner. Many of the items available in the store are also available at Le Spot, Bali Deli’s bistro-style restaurant that offers a staggering array of reasonably priced, delicious international a la carte and special menu options throughout the day. Located in the rear outdoor area of the store, Le Spot features a garden dining area dotted with café chairs and tables as well as elevated mini-bales, that opens at 7 am serving breakfast and closes at 11 pm with last dinner orders at 10.

All the items at Le Spot are prepared “a la minute,” freshly made to order without pre-preparation. This is true even of the fruity drinks (18 – 28K++) that start off the extensive menu. From fruit extracts (juices) such as the exotic “After Travel Booster” made from pineapple, guava, and kiwi, to health juices that contain a mixture of liquefied fruit and vegetables like the Health Tonic drink which consists of apple and celery juice with ginger. Even if feeling a little more hedonistic then healthy, a full bar is also available, as well as a wine selection that covers every major wine region. Bottles purchased in store may be consumed at Le Spot with a minimal corkage fee of Rp 50K. An ongoing wine promotion offers a glass of red or white Chilean wine for only Rp 35 – 60K++.

Le Spot’s most varied and enticing menu options are the ones introduced by Chef Don who has implemented a number of special menu options that highlight his culinary skills in French and Indian cuisine. A la carte Chef’s Specials that include starters, mains, drinks, and desserts, are listed on blackboards and switch every 2 days. An Indian themed dinner menu (24 – 60K++) with soup, starter, and main, is served every Monday, alternating with a Wednesday French themed dinner menu (55K++ average) with a choice of 2 main courses. Both menus change weekly. Another current ongoing special dinner promotion includes a bottle of Chilean wine for only Rp 70++ served with dinner chosen from the a la carte menu only. And on Saturdays and Sundays a couscous special (58K++) with all the fixings is served for both lunch and dinner. In keeping with store standards, all meat used is imported from Australia and New Zealand and no MSG is used.

Moving on to a la carte options, breakfast (18 – 30K++) is served till noon and consists of the standards as well as European Breakfast Specials like Norwegian Eggs Benedict, Spanish Omelets, or French Breakfast Crepes. For lunch, sandwiches served with fries and salad (Rp 50K average), such as the popular Bistro Euro made from Parma ham, fresh mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, and pesto butter on homemade baguette, are a perfect choice. If more than a little peckish, begin with a starter salad (20 – 38K++) then choose from a pasta selection (35 – 45K++) before a main course (53 – 99K++) of Beef Bourguignon, Shish Kebab, or Grilled tenderloin, rib-eye, sirloin, lamb or pork chops. Kids can pick from their own menu (12 – 30K++) that offers smaller portions of many of the same items and on the Asian side, sushi sets and a la carte options (9K – 55K++) are available, as are hot standards like Pad Thai, various curries, or Salmon Teriyaki (35 – 70K++). Finally, wrap things up with decadent homemade desserts (12 – 40K++) including tiramisu, tarts, mille feuille, cheese plates, plus a full range of coffee, tea, digestif and cigar choices for afters.

Add in take away, delivery & catering options and Bali Deli/Le Spot reveals itself as a one-stop shop and dining paradise.

Jl. Kunti 117x Seminyak
Tel: 0361 733 555