In this month’s edition of Hot New Tables: AYA Street, La Brisa, Oneeighty, Salazon, The Loft, Chai'ba & more!
Though the year may well be drawing to a close, Bali’s wining and dining scene isn’t slowing down – in fact, this month has seen some of the biggest new names in the feasting business open their delicious doors here on the island. From a swanky Peruvian fusion restaurant and bar, to a totally sustainable shabby-chic beach club, Bali is abuzz with creative new concepts and some seriously scrumptious plates to tuck into. So pull up a chair or a sandy beanbag, and bring a very big appetite – you’re gunna need it.
AYA Street
Hot on the lips of almost every island foodie and cocktail connoisseur [not to mention Seminyak’s party animals who are still nursing their hangovers from a raucous opening night] AYA Street is the hip new restaurant, bar and lounge that’s bringing Peruvian-Asian gastronomy to the Petitenget strip, alongside world-class beats, modern street art, and of course, creative cocktails. Yup, there’s a lot to digest here – from the vibrant urban interiors decorated by Banksy, D*Face and Space Invader [all of which are available for purchase] to the open kitchen that pumps out the most beautiful tapas this island has ever seen. The menu is the work of Chef Marco Cueva, who marries Peruvian street food staples with Japanese and Chinese elements. Our top tip? Sit at the “show bar” and let the chef take the reigns of your order. You’ll graze on a Peruvian prawn soup, grilled octopus with kalamata mayo and chimichurri mushrooms, classic ceviche, and even Fish Anticucho with a sweet potato confit, creamy avocado, Lombok chili Huancaina, criolla and an edamame relish.
AYA Street, Jl Petitenget No.99 A, Seminyak, p. +62 0877 6302 9889, e. [email protected]. Open daily 6pm-1am.
La Brisa
First came the quirky beachfront vibes of La Plancha. Then came La Favela that forever changed the face of Bali’s nightlife scene. And then came La Sicilia and La Laguna, following in successful suit with out-of-this-island wining and dining concepts that we can’t help but snap and share. Well now we’re going la-la again for the unstoppable La Familia Group, who have just opened the breathtaking, shabby-chic doors to La Brisa, a rustic beach club situated directly on the oceanfront of Echo Beach. Full disclosure here: this is without doubt our fave new spot to soak up the sun in the outdoor pools [yes, there are more than one – and even more to come] or to graze on lip smackingly delicious seafood and cocktails as the sun sets in one of the cosy nooks and crannies – all of which are expertly hand decorated and curated using reclaimed wood from more than 500 old fisherman boats. This is island living at its very best, and all of what we love about Bali [sun, sea breezes, sustainability, seafood and smiles] in one place. We can’t get enough.
La Brisa, Jl Pantai Batu Mejan Gg. La Brisa, Echo Beach, Canggu, p. +62 81 139 466 66. Open daily 10am – 1am.
Oneeighty at The edge
If you’re like us and obsessed with infinity pools, then cast your eyes towards the 500ft high, glass-bottom lagoon at the brand new Oneeighty clifftop club. It’s the latest aerial destination to blow us away with epic vistas, scrumptious cuisine and designer cocktails that make us as dizzy as the club’s elevated perch, and it’s located within the glamorous grounds of The edge, Bali’s ultra luxe “super villa”. Built alongside a series of cascading ponds that spill into the jaw-dropping pool [which extends 5 metres over the edge – gulp!] there’s a VIP deck for sun soaking, a string of sunbeds in the sandy lounge, as well as an enclosed bar all overlooking the most breathtaking 180° panorama imaginable. By day, the summery menu reads like a playful ode to classic beachside fare [think giant Papuan prawns drenched in kemangi butter and a zesty squirt of lime] whilst by night, its fire pits and uplit coconut palms igniting the twilight vibes. In more ways than one, this new spot is on another level.
Oneeighty at The edge, Jl Pura Goa Lempeh Banjar Dinas Kangin, Pecatu – Uluwatu, p. +62 361 8470 700, e. [email protected]
Salazón
Think that Bali’s party scene went a little stale after high season? Well not anymore, ever since Salazón swung open its industrial-chic doors to reveal a restaurant and bar that could quite easily fit into New York, Paris or Sydney. Dazzling designs, wood-fired scents and the sounds of busy chefs curing, smoking and grilling in the open kitchen sit alongside Seminyak’s socialites sipping on made-to-order craft Negronis shaken, stirred and burned at your tableside. As for the menu, everything is made on-site, from the dry-aged meat and fish, the charcuterie, the sourdough bread and butter, to the vinegars, tomato sauces, relishes, ice creams and pastries. Try the Chopped Tuna that’s cut from dry-aged loin, cheek and belly, then smoked and served with tattie scone and sea urchin. Or the dry-aged Beef Tartare with four different cuts of beef, infused with cured beef fat, salt, pepper, chives, then served with eggplant crème, pickles and seaweed crackers. Everything from starters through to desserts can be shared or enjoyed solo, whilst the after-dinner party is best enjoyed with the on-site wine cellar as company, beside what is one of Indonesia’s longest bar tops. Cheers!
Salazón, Jl Kayu Aya Oberoi, Seminyak, +62 361 9342100. Open daily 6pm-12pm
The Loft
Cruise down Batu Bolong in Canggu and you’ll struggle to miss The Loft – a brand new healthy restaurant that’s kept very quiet about its opening, except for the bright and unmissable pink frontage with a cryptic mural that reads “You’ll see it when you believe it!”. Well, we could hardly believe our luck when we heard that this Bondi-born resto was coming to Bali, and even more so when we heard what delicious treats were gracing the menu. Their famous Bondi matcha burger is going vegan for Canggu’s health-conscious bunch, with roasted jackfruit, rocket, red onion and coconut matcha sauce, whilst the much-loved poke bowl [which was voted as the best in Sydney by Timeout Magazine] is coming to Bali in all its glory, complete with chunky Ahi tuna, red cabbage, a sprinkling of quinoa, edamame and heaps of veggies. Take it from us, you’ll won’t believe how good it tastes ‘til you try it!
The Loft, Jl Batu Bolong No. 50, Canggu, p. +62 361 973 310, e. [email protected].
Matcha Cafe
Health nuts and adventurous foodies, listen up! Something fresh, something green and something matcha’licious has arrived in Canggu, and it’s not only healthy, not only organic, but utterly delicious, too! Yup, Matcha Cafe – in honour of its namesake – comes loaded with both ceremonial and culinary grade matcha from Uji, Japan in a very big way. We’re talking matcha pancakes, matcha buns housing a hearty chicken and bacon burger, sprinkles of matcha throughout healthy smoothie bowls, matcha cheesecakes, vegan matcha banana bread, and soon, matcha gnocchi is rumoured to hit the all-day menu, too. What’s the big deal with matcha though, we hear you cry? Well for starters, it’s high in antioxidants, boosts memory and concentration, burns calories, detoxifies the body, and improves cholesterol. Got that? Good – because life is always better with matcha!
Matcha Cafe, Jl Pantai Berawa No.99, Berawa, Canggu, p. Open daily 7.30am – 4pm.
Gin1717
No longer are Ubud’s thirsty folk only into kefirs and kombuchas. Gin1717 is a brand new cocktail bar that’s joined Ubud’s ever-growing bar scene, and it’s all about artisanal gins with handcrafted, carefully infused botanicals. To give you an idea of the expertise here, all of the botanicals are specifically sourced from Indonesia’s Spice Islands, from the lemongrass, licorice and kefir lime leaves, to the turmeric, tamarind and tropical fruits – and there are over 30 botanicals to choose from. But don’t panic, you don’t have to choose just one [how could you?] because Gin1717 also hosts professional gin tastings and tours, so you can sample and select your favourites, and hopefully remember them by the end…!
Gin 1717, Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud, p. +62 821 1046 1717, e. [email protected].
Ti Moris Kitchen & Bar
Every heard of Mauritian cuisine in Bali before? Neither had we, but since Ti Moris opened up on Batu Belig, the island now has access to fresh and flavourful bites that simply scream easy, breezy, beachy living. Inspired by the unique and as yet untouched culture of Mauritius and its surrounding islands, Ti Moris [which actually means ‘small island of Mauritius’ in Creole] is dedicated to introducing Bali to Creole culture – not only the food, but the drinks and even language, too. Loads dollops of their treasured chutneys [like the coconut, chilli, tomato or aubergine] onto some native Mauritian delights: our fave is the ‘Gateaux Piments’ chilli cakes made from yellow split peas, and the pillowy Gato Pima balls made from beans and nuts. For mains, try the slow-cooked Beef Salmi that’s thoroughly marinated in a full red wine, or the signature Maurice Fish & Chips that pairs unsurprisingly well with the infused rum and cocktails….
Ti Moris Kitchen & Bar, Jl Batu Belig, Gg Merpati No.1, Seminyak, p. +62 361 316 7129, e. [email protected].
Chai’ba Street Kitchen & Bar
Though Bali is world famous for its fresh spices, aromatic pastes and rich, fragrant flavours, surprisingly there are very few really good Indian restaurants on the island. That was, until Chai’ba recently opened in Seminyak. Featuring all of your fave Indian go-tos [like chicken tikka, rogan josh, tandoori kebabs and lamb biryani] Chai’ba puts a contemporary spin on the classics, whilst also offering up a few healthy selections, too. We don’t simply mean half measures of coconut cream though – the Green Grain Bowl, the Pumpkin Zoodle and the Sweet Potato Paneer Salad are all serious players in Bali’s health scene, yet they still maintain the signature Indian flavours that we’ve all learned to love – and craved year-round until now. Hallelujah!
Chai’ba Street Kitchen & Bar, Jl Raya basangkasa No 47p. +62 361 9342 739 . Open daily 10am – 11pm.
Chachara
Wander down a bamboo-clad alleyway set back from the hustle and bustle of Batu Belig, and you’ll find Chachara, a new Mediterranean restaurant that’s dedicated to celebrating the romance, the fresh flavours, and vibrant colours of the region in a bright and playful setting. We’re talking a neon-orange, vintage combo-van bar, a BBQ deck and even a paella station to get your fix. More than 60 dishes feature on the menu – all made for sharing – including tapas, wood-fired pizzas and the signature El Willy paella that’s as authentic as they come. Almost all of the ingredients are sourced locally [except for a few premium Spanish imports] and everything is made in-house for ultimate freshness. Try the Salmon TNT tapas to start, followed by the squid ink paella with sautéed squid, and don’t be afraid to wash it all down with the South East Asian Smash.
Chachara, Jl Batu Belig, Seminyak, p. +62 819 3469 9559 e. [email protected]
Makase at Hotel Indigo
Just recently, Seminyak’s swankiest new hotel resort opened up on the beachfront of Dyanapura, and with it came a friendly “neighbourhood cafe” that serves up a homey take on casual, rustic dining. Using local produce and Balinese flavours, the open kitchen serves up Asian-European fusion cuisine [like Balinese pork ribs, corn dumplings and fried noodles] alongside pitchers of sangria, homemade lemonade and a tidy wine list. Settle in for brekkie, lunch or dinner, and be sure to save time to admire the hotel’s interiors.
Makase at Hotel Indigo, Jl Camplung Tanduk No.10, Kuta-Seminyak, p. +62 361 209 9999. Open daily from 6:30am – 11pm.
Seniman at TONYRAKA
Meaning “artist” in Indonesian, it might come as no surprise that Seniman – Indonesia’s leading specialty coffee and design brand – has recently set up shop in the stunning TONYRAKA Art Gallery in Ubud. Pouring various different kinds of their revered coffee alongside teas, juices and coffee-infused cocktails, Seniman at TONYRAKA is already drawing in the island’s digital nomads, coffee connoisseurs, and of course, anyone interested in admiring contemporary and tribal artwork. An espresso martini in-hand is of course optional, but comes highly recommended from us…
Seniman at TONYRAKA, Jl Raya Mas No. 86, Mas – Ubud, p. +62 361 9082 435, e. [email protected]
Coming Soon…!
Soon to follow in the footsteps of this month’s Hot New Tables, keep your hungry peepers peeled for a brand new Petitenget location for everyone’s fave Italian, Bottega Italiana, as well as the much-anticipated Kembali in Umalas – the new restaurant concept from the Nude Cafe trailblazers.
Selamat makan!
