bali concierge.indd

Dining,Wining,
and Clubbing
An in-the-know guide to some of Bali’s best places
at the best time, writes Samantha Coomber
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Since 1993, a Seminyak institution for its fine-
dining
culture
clockwise
from above
La Cucciola
sprawls across
a manicured
piece of land
overlooking the
beach; Sip Wine
Bar's interior;
guests taking
in the Sip Wine
Bar experience
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dining in quintessential rustic Balinese surrounds,
La Lucciola’s open-sided, double-storey thatched
pavilion—beach-fronting on coconut palm-fringed
Petitenget Beach and neighbouring an ancient
temple—contrasts with the contemporary Italian
cuisine and impeccable service. Weekend brunches are
a must (try the home-made pastries), but “La Looch”
best shines at sunset: sip a Prosecco cocktail in the
refined Frangipani Lounge, then dine on the breezy
upper terrace, surveying crashing surf, for romantic
sunset dining. Fellow diners included David Bowie and
Archbishop Desmond Tutu, declaring this, “his best
Bali experience.”
With its intimate candlelit space and petite streetside terrace, Sip Wine Bar evokes a typical French
brasserie. Helmed by a Parisian Chef de Cuisine cooking
traditional French fare, it is a little corner of Paris, with
a formidable brasserie-type menu and classics, like
French Onion Soup, Peppercorn Steak (all beef organic
45-day dry aged), and Terrine de Foie Gras “Maison”.
Reasonably priced, considering the premium-imported
ingredients, the Prix Fixe set menus are of exceptional
value. Note the name: arguably Indonesia’s most
sophisticated wine bar, with 200-plus different wines,
6,000 bottles in stock, and Sip’s founder-director,
Christian Vanneque, France’s youngest ‘Chef Sommelier’
in the 1970s, imparting wine wisdom.
Hidden within Seminyak’s One Eleven Villas
compound, Shiro transports you to downtown Osaka
to which in-the-know diners can attest. In Bali’s sole
authentic Sushi-Sake Bar, again, distinctive surrounds—
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teak minimalist interiors by famed Shigemasa Noi—
match the divine sushi, sashimi, and other select
Japanese dishes. Pricey stuff but reflecting freshest,
premium fish flown-in and Chef Hiroki Mimaki’s
cutting-edge skills; watch this Osaka maestro’s
executions at the sushi bar. Omakase Sets
(recommended menus) help the uninitiated, as do
several Sakes from an extensive collection. Seating a
maximum of 20, book ahead.
Unassuming down a side-street, this sweet, gastroatelier, helmed by Roman chef-owner Luigi Calcagno
dishes-up traditional Italian cuisine. Zibiru serves not
only rustic homecooking with made-from-scratch fresh
pastas, organic produce, and fine Italian wines that lure
the Italian community, but also less well-known
regional recipes (note the pizza-free zone), which few
restaurants serve, such as Umbrian gnocchi norcina.
White timbered, handcrafted interiors charm, but dine
on the open-air, upper mezzanine terrace, illuminated
by white lanterns. Zibiru goes upbeat Wednesday and
Saturday nights, with live Jazz in the garden.
Get the party started
Barbacoa means “barbecue”: apt for this muy
caliente restaurant-bar, serving genuine Latin
American-inspired dishes—from Spain, Argentina,
Peru, and Mexico—modernised and made for
sharing. Overseen by an Australian chef from
London’s legendary Nobu, Barbacoa is loco for grill
and barbecue dishes, including signature
Argentinean “Asado” wood-fired meats, from
sizzling open grills. With an infectious (yet refined)
South American vibe, the vast dining floor is groupfriendly, out on the terrace or mezzanine private
island
adventure
this page
from top
Inside Shiro;
Zibiru's rooftop
terrace;
Barbacoa's rice
paddy views
opposite page
from Top
Charlie Bali
Bistro; grilled
sardines by
Charlie Bali
Bistro
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Who is Charlie?
He’s classic European,
yet “underground hip”,
debonair but never dull
dining room overlooking rice fields. Things get fiesta-like later
at the sociable bar, with killer Tequilas and Margaritas—
beware the spicy Jalapeño Margarita!
Who is Charlie? He’s classic European, yet “underground
hip”, debonair but never dull. This private member’s club-like
mansion welcomes with downstairs neo-retro Parisian bistro and
upstairs bar-lounge, evoking Berlin cabaret-style. French Chef
Damien Le Bihan, formerly of three Michelin-starred Guy Savoy,
creates magnifique rustic French dishes with modern twists,
without denting your hip pocket. Book his bespoke, amazing
value “Chefs Table Dinner” in the secret chamber behind fake
bookshelves. Curated cocktails are chilled with ice-cubes
hand-cut by ice saws from a displayed block. Charlie reveals a
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more hedonistic side with DJ party sessions and occasional,
“Bordello Nights.”
Shanty chic La Favela pays homage to Brazil’s urban
shantytowns: its cavernous sections eclectically cluttered and
organised in pure favela-like chaos. Latino, South American, and
Mediterranean-inspired dishes range from Peruvian Ceviche and
Barramundi in Creole sauce to Tapas. Order Tequilas from the
Tequilleria housed in a disused VW Combi van. Favela’s buzzy
rear section reveals an Amazon rainforest wonderland with
mini-waterfall and three spectacular private dining rooms,
exquisitively decorated Mexicana-style. Post-dinner, DJ sounds,
and occasional parties bring the house down (literally) in the
timbered front bar.
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