First restaurant review in the Tropical Bale v Kampung Cafe discussion. This is an unbiased review.
Arrived Tropical Bale in Ubud at about 2:15 this afternoon after a couple of large Carlsburgs at Murni Warung about 1 km down the road.
Greeted warmly by staff and shown table overlooking the green padi. Rolled towel brought to table on glass dish, most welcome as I had gathered quite a moist brow on the walk there due both to the humidity and the light rain.
I ordered from the 2 course tasting menu an entree and a main course, and a diet coke.
Soon arrived a basket of bread with 2 white rolls, two slices of rye baguette, a bread stick and a plate of fruit/shallot/garlic salsa to have with the bread. My drink was served very cold and also placed on the table was a glass of cool bottled water which was topped up regularly during the meal.
A complimentary appertizer arrived. It was a salad of smoked salmon and fruit salsa on a mini pancake - delicious!
Next was entree. I ordered the brie soup with mushroom and seafood. A long rectangular glass plate arrived with a seared scallop on top of a grilled prawn served on a salad, a heap of spiced seared sliced mushrooms with a shredded cucumber and yoghurt/sour cream salsa on top, and a small mug of brie soup with chives. It was all delicious.
Having finished that the complimentary lime sorbet arrived served in a martini glass with mint leaves and strawberry slices. - refreshing and delicious.
Next came main course, the seared chicken breast with a quail salad. Another rectangular glass plate with a green salad with strawberries and blueberries and a plump grilled quail leg & thigh all surrounded by a strawberry sauce, and next to that sliced chicken breast on a bed of sautéed mushrooms and purple sweet potato mash surrounded by a delightful mustard and banana sauce - again all delicious.
At this point I was full so denied myself of the dessert, although the chocolate strudel had been looking good until then.
Criticisms: there was a Balinese sambal matah that was used in most dishes as a seasoning and for my taste it had a tad too much salt. It didn't interfere with the food as it was optional whether I ate it.
Tax & service = 20% (this percentage not noted on menu)
Upside: Great service, great food, overall very good price given the setting, service and food.
Driks list: 13 alcoholic cocktails all at 60,000rp each - example being 'Frivolous Filly', brandy, midori & cream
Small bintang 20,000
Diet coke 19,500
Bottle of Australian wine (Hardies) 400,000
Glass of the above 75,000
Local wine available by the glass but I forgot to note it down.
The bill: 2 course tasting menu = 95,000 ++ Diet coke = 19,500++ Total bill for my lunch = 136,000
Free transport into Ubud is usually available. I didn't request it today but have used it before.
I have put the link to their website at the bottom, there are photos and menus there.
And don't forget to look at the toilets!
Regards,
David