Bali Highlights (Part 2)

Food

1. Fresh Coconut Water @ Tanah Lot

So, this is not exactly food but it was worth mentioning. A trip to Bali is never complete if you do no visit Tanah Lot. The journey there is about 45 minutes by car from Kuta town. From the main entrance, one has to walk quite a distance before reaching the main attraction in Tanah Lot. Along the way, there will be stalls selling all kinds of souvenirs, arts, t-shirts (tourist-sy kind of things) and plenty of people. One would never miss this stall selling coconut water. Throngs of tourist will be there ( resting, all sweat and tired ), eager to drink a fresh coconut ! During our second visit, we decided to try it and it was totally refreshing ! Serving was fast, coconut was fresh and plenty of water from it :)

2. Seafood Candlelight Dinner @ Lia Cafe Restaurant, Jimbaran Beach

This was definitely our favourite ! One of the reasons we revisited Bali was because we missed this soo much! Some may feel that...'We can get much better and fresh seafood in Chinese restaurants in Malaysia !' We on the other hand felt that Bali's Seafood has a unique and its own authenticity (probably its dips and chilli paste, sambals ? ) But anyhow, for first-timers to Bali, this is definitely worth a try. This cafe is not easy to be located; first of all, there are actually 2 spots along Jimbaran beach which offers plenty of seafood restaurants along the beach. After much checking on forums, we decided to choose Lia Cafe. 

freakzspeaks We had a tour guide to bring us around during our first visit and easily, he brought us to Lia's; no questions asked. During the second visit, it was a free and easy trip to celebrate our V-day. So, we hired a cab and directed him to bring us to Lia's. That's when all the bulls* started. First he told us it was some special holiday in Bali and that all the seafood restaurants including Lia is closed; and that he will bring us to another area along Jimbaran beach. He even made it looked real by calling his friend in the cab and confirming with him that the cafe was closed. I was sooo sooo mad and I knew it was not true because I've read too many reviews and advice from forums; thank God Panda maintained his coolness and insisted that we still go there and check it out. Calmly, acting like nothing happened, and brought us there @__@  So, my advice is DO NOT easily trust the cab drivers; even your tour guides!

Back to the food. So Lia has quite a simple menu and the set dinners would be the easiest if you want to try out a range of seafood that they have. Prices range from Rp230000 to Rp800000 (depending on the type of seafood you choose). We had the Set C (Rp380000) which consisted of 0.6kg lobster, 0.5kg crac, 8 pieces prawn and 8 pieces clams. The set came with 2 small Bintang beers (local beer), soup, salad, fruits, fried vegetables and rice. They also had a variety of dips and sauces which were fresh, spicy and tasty! Their grills were fresh and all well-marinated with some spiciness to them. The clams were exceptionally good I thought:) Till now, Panda and I still drool when we come to think of Lia's seafood ! A candlelight dinner on the beach with your loved ones and good, cheap seafood, what more can you ask for :))

Address : Lia Cafe, Jalan Pemalisan Agung, Jimbaran, Bali

First visit : Set A (Prawn, fish, clams and squid) with coconut 

Second visit : Set C (Lobster, crab, prawn and clams) with Bintang Beer

3. BBQ Pork Ribs @ Naughty Nuri's Warung
It was not very often that we get good pork ribs back home but as this place was highly reviewed, we decided to give it a try. We stayed overnight in Ubud Bali Highlights (Part 1), had a marvellous, relaxing massage and spa at Verona Spa before heading for dinner at Naughty Nuri's Warung for their 'infamous' BBQ pork ribs ! We took a cab from Ubud (not advisable to walk or bike as the road is pretty 'kampung' and dark ). We got a place immediately upon reaching. The place looked more like a bar cum warung; quite unique I would say but some may not like the dimly lit and smoky bbq place. So, we ordered the only thing that we came for; the BBQ pork ribs. The photo may not do justice for the ribs itself; but oh my....the ribs and meat was so juicy and tender that I felt it just melt into my mouth. It was sooo unreal. Panda and I took turns to get a piece of rib ; felt like just yanking the whole ribs and gobbled eat down like a tiger..(muahaha!). A squeeze of lemon gave the ribs a zesty taste which enhanced further the amazing feeling...slurpp !

Address : Jalan Batubelig, 41 | Kerobokan Kelod, Kerobokan, Bali 

4. Babi Guling (Roast Pig) @ Ibu Oka, Ubud

The Bali-style babi guling (roast pig) has made a name for itself among food bloggers from around the world. It is a definitely-must-have meal if you set sight to Bali. The most famous would be Ibu Oka's which is located in Ubud. Their main shop is easily located in central Ubud, opposite the Royal Palace. As we read in forums and reviews that this place is really crowded most of the times, we decided to try out their branch at Jalan Raya Teges, also in Ubud. It was definitely a good choice; away from the crowds even at lunch, proper sitting place without having to sit on the floor, and a nice Balinese building. 

     The rice meal came with a square piece of roasted pig skin, some spicy sauce with pork meat, blood sausage and some spiced vegetables. As I'm not a bigg fan of pork, I thought that this was totally over-rated by many reviewers. I was a little bit disappointed actually and couldnt help but agree with some of my friends that the 'siu yuk roasted skin' was way better than this. The roasted pig skin was actually not bad, but the pork meat was nothing to shout about. It was quite bland but luckily for the spicy chilli sauce that came with it, it did spice things up. I actually thought the spicy chilli and the vegetables were good; well at least its different from the usual Malay warung spicy dishes that we have. Overall, it is worth trying for first-timers but for me, don't think I will be coming anytime in the near future. 

Address : Jalan Suweta/Tegal Sari No. 2, Ubud, Bali

Alternative branch : Jalan Raya Teges, Ubud, Bali

5. Buffet Lunch@Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant, Kintamani

During our visit to the active volcano Mount Batur, Kintamani, we arrange to have a buffet lunch at Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant. Although there were mixed reviews for this place, we decided to give it a try. It is a two-storey building offering open terrace and glassed-in on the upper floor while the ground floor is glassed in. Price seemed to vary everytime but on average its IDR100/person; which is fairly expensive but considering that its dining with a view, its worth a try. The buffet was nothing to shout about but they do have quite a variety of food. Their sate lilit (grilled meat sticks) was tasty (although slightly cold) and even had a choice of chicken/pork. Chilli dips were fantastic as usual. I also found a liking to the fresh vegetables with satay (peanut) sauce. They had quite a variety of desserts as well; banana fritters were addictive !

freakzspeaks If you have the money to spend, the buffet is worth going as you also get to dine with a fantastic view of Mount Batur and Lake Batur. Why not...since you're all the way there ! If not, just snap a few photos around the area and pack your own lunch ! It won't be as fun as well if you have to have lunch at one of those stalls along the road.

Address :Jl Raya Penelokan Kintamani Bangli 80562 Bali

Open daily for buffet lunch and ala-carte