Me again,
Thought I'd take another run at it while the coffee is still working.
The Coffee reminded me of Bali and how nice I think Bali Kopi is. I was lucky enough to have a really good one at the brekky buffet each morning.
We ate here there and every where inlcuding Indo National a couple of times and Legends just down from Indo. Have to say we had a good laugh at Legends. They have a variety of entertainment that ranges from bands to cultural dances to really bad drag queens and a Michael Jackson impersonator. They try to promote Karoke as much as possible but to the good luck of all with me I simply wasn't drunk enough to sing. When I have the kids with me I tone it down as you do. Speaking of drinking, I found myself having Bintangs mostly but found that I was leaning towards Margaritas after dinner. - go figure. The Balinese give the Mexicans a good challenge with this.
The place I'd like to plug the most is a new place called Bobbie's. It opened in April and is down a lane off jalan Padma just up from Lokha. We didn't even notice it for about the first 4 days. I really liked it because it's clean, great food, cheap and one of the friendliest staff I've ever experienced. It seems to be in a family compound so is in sections. If you are in Legian please give them a go. I had a friend there who is a chef and he said that the chicken kiev was one of the best he'd ever eaten and of course 20.000rp makes it a joke. They always give you heaps of food, can be a bit slow sometimes but really just a great little spot. I really wish them well. It became a very regular haunt of ours even if we just wanted a snack or coffee. Try the spring rolls.. please.
We ate at Uncle Norms and I wandered into Legian Snacks often as they do a sensational Crepe De Bali. There's is just like the one we made at Made's cooking class last year. I've ordered them in heaps of places and am always disappointed but Legian Sancks reigns victorious. Some of the more expensive and well regarded restaurants don't have it on the menu. Wish they'd buy more vanilla ice cream though as they run out all too regularly and it's just not the same with Strawberry or chocolate.
If you're reading this Bali Barbie and Kuta Ken I'm ashamed and embarrassed to admit that I never got to Niksoma for the infamous Lychee Martini. I promise not to be this remiss ever again. I will get to it, maybe even with you guys - that's got you thinking hasn't it????
I was devestated earlier this year when I confidently strode up the beach front walk to Cafe Warna to take some newbys in for a meal. It had been torn down and something else was being built there. It's now some really swish looking affair called Sea View or Sea side something. It really looks very modern contemporary tre' chic but I'm still devestaed that they cut down the big tree with the tree house in it. This time we ate at The Sand next door which is the restaurant attached to Kumala Pantai. While the food was fine I found the staff to be a little indifferent. Pity as it's a nice location.
Kubuku in Poppies lane 1 which is my 12yo's favourite and in his opinion does the best Banana juice in Bali has been taken over by a lady named Heather. We ate there on our first night in keeping with tradition and then three days later it was all spruced up and looking much better. The new owner has produced new menus but with the same food and pricing and also new table cloths etc. She was smart enough to keep the exisiting and very lovely staff. Well done Heather, we love our Kubuku.
Most of you will know that the Galleria at Nusa Dua has been closed for some time now. It is to re-open towards Decmeber and will be called Bali Collections. Apparently the layout will be very similar but as told to me by the Res Manager at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, it will be far better than ever before. The 5 stars along that stretch have all put in to make it a going concern again. We'll see. I used to like to go over there for a bit and then wander down to the beach and pretend I was staying at one of the 5 stars.
While I remember it I'll have a little whinge. There is a supermarket just past Posers on Jalan Padma that has a massive Fuji film sign over the top of it. They ripped me off.... My 8yo had a temperature and I'd forgotten the liquid panadol. So I bolted down there and grabbed a couple of cards of panadol and they charged me 37.000rp. As I was a bit flustered because he had a temp and I was hoping it wasn't his ears they got me. I did challenge the price to which he just took them back and said forget it. I was amazed. The next day I priced them in Circle K and they were 4500rp per card. Now it didn't break the bank but I think to rip someone off who's buying any type of medication sucks to be honest. Feel free to boycott. The supermarket accross on the other corner is much friendlier and the staff always readly to smile and have a laugh.
I think that's enough for this installment. Time for a little nap before the dinner tonight.
Cheerio
Nicno :-)