Bale Udang - Ubud, Bali

I took a long drive from trendy Seminyak to green and serene Ubud. I thought it would be the perfect quick get away before I had to back to my temporary nest in Legian. Half through the journey, my tummy started to rumble. Obviously a stale Pain au Chocolat could not hold my hunger for long. I needed something more substantial. Rice, to be precise (I blame my Indonesian root in this case). I searched the nearest restaurant on trip advisor through my mobile and I came across to Bale Udang. There is another Bale Udang in Kuta apparently, but I don't think I would not survive that long.. 

The Reception Hall

Bale Udang Ubud is a pretty place, I find. I appeared to be quite new. It's a large compound with one main reception hall where the hostesses welcome guests, followed by another smaller hall with tables and chairs and a bar. But I think the main attraction are to dine on one of the bamboo huts above massive fish pond, or al fresco. I chose one bamboo hut all for myself ... Awesome. I'm liking this place more and more. 

I didn't wait too long to order the food. I asked for fried prawn dumplings, fried rice with salted fish and lime juice without sugar (just to make me feel a little less guilty as I was about to devour starter and main course altogether.. Yes, I was that hungry). While I was waiting for my food to arrive I connected to the venue's Wi-Fi. Wow.. Impressive!! The connection was really good. Thumbs up to Bale Udang! Oh.. and each hut has power socket too.. so I could charge up my gadgets while munching. Whoop .. whoop.. 

The food did not keep me waiting too long either .. All served nice and hot in less than 20 minutes! Overall, I think I got very good value for money here, in comparison to average pricing in the rest of Bali, anyway. Friendly and efficient service, nice ambience and generous portion of food that tastes good. I could not have been happier. 

Ok, if I can be critical, the fried prawn dumpling could do with more prawn, as it was overpowered by mixed vegetables filling. I barely taste any prawn. But it was still a pleasant starter to share (not that I shared it with anybody at the time). 

Full and content I wander about the compound. I would imagine this spot is family friendly, ideal for family gathering, leave the kids to play around with the fish (under parents supervision, of course) and introduce them to nature that they rarely see especially in big cities. So, there's a recommendation for you if you happen to be in the neighbourhood :) And by the way, if the adults fancy dunking their feet on the water, they can too... Nothing wrong with being childish from time to time.

If you have a slight concern about slow service because of those individual huts, you don't need to worry. There's staff post in between huts, so you can get their attention quickly but just waving at them. 

Bale Udang Ubud

Jalan Raya Goa Gajah, Banjar Teges Kanginan, Desa Peliatan, Ubud.

Bali - Indonesia

Opening Hours: Daily from 11 AM - 10 PM

Phone: +62 361 978 754

Website: www.baleudang.com

Red Carpet Champagne Bar - Seminyak, Bali

I dropped by at Red Carpet Champagne Bar after my visit to The Bistrot as it is located right in front. Preparing myself for a long, hot and humid day I need to fuel myself with a glass of fresh juice. I know, it's not a usual choice since I'm a champagne bar after all. But, I know myself rather well.. (sometimes) and if I start my day with a glass of champagne, it's very likely that I would not move anywhere :D

The costume that the staff is wearing that excites me the most. They looked like a group of marching band. Quite catchy, I must admit. They're friendly too... I was served with cold towel, which did a great job cooling my face down after being exposed for a merely one minute. It may sound strange to you, but I have no idea why I could not agree with the sun considering I was born and raised in tropical country, like Indonesia. When most people looking for the sun, I'd be the first one to hide from it. I was feeling more like home, back in Europe. I don't understand why people get so miserable during a cloudy or cold winter. Just put a coat on. Problem solved. Unlike the heat strike, I can carry umbrella or wearing pandora hat but I still can feel the warmth and still air.. I will pass out successfully in a little while.

Ok, the juice. Well... there's not much I can say about it. It's called vitamin booster. Sounds great, right? It tasted good too.. It's a mixture of fresh carrot, orange and turmeric. I was happy with it. To me it was the perfect thirst quencher. After a pot of ayurvedic tea at The Bistrot and Vitamin Booster at Red Carpet Champagne Bar, nothing bad would get me. Except for the sun. Unfortunately. 

The bar itself,... it's a little bit tired, I'd say. The bar stools were worn out. The glass champagne display was stained, it looks like it could do with a good scrub. I guess in the night time with the right lighting this bar would look more lively. But during the day, I could not help noticing a lot of flaws. 

One other thing, the free Wi-Fi there was really poor. I believe I was the only customer at the time and I was struggling to connect. Considering that free Wi-Fi nowadays is a standard service by any businesses, I was expecting a bit better than that. Or.. remove the Free Wi-Fi sign completely. 

Red Carpet Champagne Bar

Jalan Oberoi 42C - Seminyak, Bali

Indonesia

Opening Hours:

Phone: +62 361 737889

Website: www.redcarpetchampagnebar.com

The Bistrot - Seminyak, Bali

Happy New Year 2015 everyone!

Hope you had a great celebration and hopefully it was not followed with an acute hang over :)

Good luck with whatever resolutions you have planned. Eating less is certainly not on my list.

And thank you for keep reading my posts (you're the best!) x

The Bistrot

I was very fortunate on my recent trip to Bali, although I stayed only for very short period of time, I have managed to visit a handful of cafe and restaurants around Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud. Enough to keep me busy writing all about it for weeks. 

Let's start with The Bistrot. 

I reached Seminyak around 8 in the morning. Perfect timing to take gentle stroll before the sun hits. 

Lots of local businesses were still getting ready to open at the time. And I believe lots of foreign visitors were still tucked in bed after a wild party the night before. So peaceful. I love watching the locals doing their morning prayers and preparing offerings. They're doing it so religiously, yet elegantly. 

I have checked out The Bistro before my visit, was thinking of having lunch there, but since I reached  so early, then light breakfast it is. Oh... I fell in love with the deco. It's kind of unexpected to find a spot with such vintage look in bustling Seminyak. It gave me the feeling like I was in a quaint and quiet countryside, somewhere in France. 

I wish I have this set back home

What's not to love?

Since I'm in a Frenchy set, I thought it's only right to order Pain au Chocolat or Chocolate Croissant as the staff called it to complete the scene and lovely pot of ayurvedic tea. Ok, the ayurvedic tea isn't very french, but it sounded so blissful and healing. Not that I have any kind of health ailments (thank God). And I think the French people would like that combo too.. Don't you agree Madame et Monsieur?! 

The breakfast menu is quite extensive. From granola, pancakes, all sort of eggs, you name it. Their lunch and dinner menu is even more impressive, they serve tapas, sandwiches, seafood dishes, duck confit and even fillet mignon. Just looking at the list, my mouth started to water. I wish I could spend a long lunch there, but as I wanted to visit several places on that day, I should leave plenty of space in my tummy (yes.. even with my astonishing ability to eat). 

Unfortunately, my amazement of The Bistrot stained by Pain au Chocolat as it arrived on my table. As you can see, it's not fresh baked as one would have expected. It's stale to be exact. Surely, heating it up for few minutes in the oven before serving would make so much difference. My disappointment topped by knocking noises by the builders IN the venue. How inconsiderate. I feel bad for two English ladies who sat right next to the part where the builders was doing work. It was not their fault, as when they arrived, the waitress sat them there and the builder started to work a little while after. Their conversations got interrupted so many times due to the crash bang .. crash bang noises.. Yet the waitress did not have the decency or initiative to move them away considering they were having drinks and light snack. To my knowledge, that situation is against health and hygiene standard. That minor work creates not only disturbance but definitely dusts. Such a shame that a beautiful place like The Bistrot has to leave negative impressions to its paying customers. 

I believe that situation rarely happen there. But still, is the old saying 'Customers are Kings' no longer exist these days? 

I hope the work has been finalised before more customers leave with long faces. 

The Bistrot

Jalan Kayu Aya 117 Seminyak - Bali

Indonesia

Opening Hours: Daily 7.30 AM - 11 PM

Phone: +62 361 73 83 06

Email: info@bistrot-bali.com

Website: www.bistrot-bali.com