Tucked away in the beachside bays of Tanjung Benoa, Bali Luna at Hotel Nikko has a brand new, health-conscious menu dedicated to guilt-free feasting...
Turns out, there’s more to Tanjung Benoa than just wild watersports, white sand beaches and family-friendly destinations galore. We travelled down south to check out the brand new menu at Bali Luna – the signature restaurant at Hotel Nikko Bali Benoa Beach – and we weren’t disappointed with the foodie feat we found…
Sitting poolside on the manicured grounds of this tropical beachfront hotel, Bali Luna has flipped its food concept upside-down, moving from a menu that’s all about indulgence, to one that aims to change the way we see wholesome, nutritious food.
Proving that eating well isn’t only about salads and slim-line soups, the menu here takes all of our favourite comfort food and gives it a healthy twist – all the while remaining utterly delicious and kicking any bad cravings to the kerb.
The trick? Healthy, locally-sourced ingredients are used in abundance to fix up a guilt-free feast. We’re talking grilled barramundi from sustainable farms in Negara, served up with scrumptious sides like steamed broccoli and asparagus, or creamy potato puree with plenty of parmesan. One of our faves is the gluten-free Tuna Tataki, sprinkled with pickled cucumber, sliced strawberries, avocado puree, berries and pea sprouts. Much like the rest of the menu, it uses fresh veggies sourced from a hydroponic farm in Plaga, and a dash of sea salt that’s been ethically farmed and sourced from Amed.
But that’s that’s not all. To really give you an idea of what’s going into your bod, each menu item at Bali Luna is marked with the calorie count to help you manage your own intake. And the proof really is in the (low-cal) pudding, because “naughty” dishes that you’d expect to tip the calorie scales have been trimmed down to guilt-free status. Salt & Pepper Calamari Rings are a mere 132 calories, and the Chicken Fajitas are just 130 calories, leaving plenty of room for Bali’s Luna’s Lemon Cheesecake or Chocolate Lava dessert – both just 95 cals! If this is healthy eating, you can count us in…
Yet perhaps the biggest draw to the menu here is its sheer variety, proving once again that a nutritious diet doesn’t have to be boring, no matter your foodie fancy or dietary restrictions. Whether you’re a sucker for sandwiches, crave curries or are wholly gluten-free, there’s something for everyone on the menu, and it’s been curated with utmost care by Hotel Nikko’s Executive Chef, I Dewa Gede Eka Putra.
This kitchen whizz has created a section for building your own sandwiches and artisanal pizzas, as well as an enormous selection of vegetarian and gluten-free options, a “Wok n Pan” lineup of East-meets-West noodle dishes, a seafood and meat grill, smaller bites and nibbles to graze to your tummy’s content, and there’s even a whole variety of dishes served raw or cooked below 45℃ to preserve the bounty of nutrients in each ingredient. Now that’s a heathy menu done right!
Of course, it wouldn’t be a nutritious dining experience without some fresh and fruity juices and smoothies to wash it all down, so Bali Luna has gone and covered that too. Designed to quench, cleanse and provide a good boost of energy, there’s no better way to while away a sunshiney day in Tanjung Benoa than with one of these cold quenchers by the lagoon pool. And because life is all about balance, Bali Luna just so happens to have its own built-in wine cellar too – it is a paradise island getaway, after all!
See you by the pool, Honeys!
Hotel Nikko Bali Benoa Beach, Jl Pratama 68X, Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua, p. +62 361 773 577, e. [email protected].
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