In this month's edition of Hot New Tables: Mad Sparrow, Alter Ego, Mana Uluwatu, Santorini, Local Parts by Locavore & more!
Last month, the lip-smacking lineup of May’s Hot New Tables was powered mostly by Bali’s biggest names setting up shop in new locations – flagship restaurants gaining sisters or littler siblings across the island.
Well, this month’s bill of food newbies is following suit, but this time, Bali’s culinary greats aren’t only doubling up on addresses, they’re bringing us brand new restaurants with spanking new concepts to keep us on our hungry toes.
Some are weird and wonderful, some are destined to become our next go-to faves, and all of them are worth stepping away from the beach clubs and high season parties to get a taste of the culinary treats in store. There’s sushi and yakitori, saganaki and tzatziki, bright brunchy bites and hella-good coffee. And that’s before we get to the list of first-timers making their delicious debuts. Happy munching Honeys!
Mad Sparrow
As Hamlet once said, there’s method to his madness. And that couldn’t be more true for Mad Sparrow – the latest foodie destination from the trailblazing team who bought us the killer Negronis at 40 Thieves and the best goddamn ramen we’ve ever tried at Mad Ronin. Well, the madness continues, and we’re insanely happy about it. Mad Sparrow is all about modern contemporary Japanese food in a diner-style setting, serving up damn good Yakitori, sushi rolls done right, internationally-sourced craft beers on tap and bacon-wrapped everything. We’re talking bacon wrapped asparagus and cherry tomatoes, alongside skewered meat dripping in juice and chicken wings that use the flip & pinch technique. Yup, these mad hatters know how to create a culinary craze, and they’ve gone and done it again.
Mad Sparrow, Jl Petitenget No.114, Seminyak, p. +62 811 3882 980, e. [email protected]. Open Tues – Sun 5pm – 11pm.
Alter Ego
When we first heard that the peeps behind Hungry Bird were opening up a brand new cafe-cum-communal space in central Canggu, our inner coffee freak went wild. But it’s not only the beans that deserve a shout-out at this new daytime destination. The menu here is as diverse as the earthy-chocolatey notes in the specialty brews, and catering to every culinary crowd is the name of the game. There’s plant-based yumminess for the vegans and vegetarians (we’re looking at you, Kalefornia salad), Piggy Bennies and Chicken Burgers for the carnivores out there, and there’s even a flour-less family of gluten-free options too. And just as you’d expect from Hungry Bird’s flock of followers, the communal space here is a hit with the digital nomads too, with Wi-Fi as strong as the coffee and chill out spots (fitted with plug sockets of course) that are bright, breezy and built for getting those creative juices flowing.
Alter Ego, Jl Pantai Batu Mejan, p. +62 82144 208797, e. [email protected]. Open Thurs – Tues 7am – 7am – 4.30pm.
Mana Uluwatu
Come for the epic views, stay for the soulful food and next-level cocktails. Mana Uluwatu is perched high up on the cliffs of Bali’s Bukit peninsula, standing tall on the stunning grounds of Uluwatu Surf Villas. It’s the first restaurant for this iconic cluster of breathtaking abodes, all of which overlook the pumping waves and glittering horizon. In true surfer style, the food here is all about wholesome, nourishing bites from both land and sea. We’re talking Baja shrimp tacos and jackfruit enchiladas. Soft shell crab gazpacho and roasted chicken with turmeric-dill rice – all dished up in a gorgeous open-air pavilion made of reclaimed teak and ironwood. Open from breakfast through to dinner, you’ll want to stick around for sunset. The views, the food and the hella good vibes here are all best enjoyed with a Mana cocktail in hand and a golden glow out yonder – try the Spiced Espresso Martini and whatever you do, don’t go past the Lilikoi Mojito.
Mana Uluwatu, Jl Pantai Suluban (inside Uluwatu Surf Villas), Uluwatu, p. +62 817 555 421 e. [email protected]. Open daily 7am – 10pm.
Ibu Susu Bar & Kitchen
This new Ubud underdog may well be small in size, but it’s been making one helluva big wave on the Ubud food scene. Dishing up all-day bites done right, the Pan Asian menu goes from pandan hot cakes for brekkie, to pork belly steamed buns, soft shell crab stir fries and Beef Rendang for lunch and dinner. And while the food here excels all expectations, it’s the cocktails that have been causing the biggest stir. The Smoked Negroni would fit right in at a New York speakeasy; the Salted Caramel Espresso Martini is up there with Bali’s very best; and the Your Majes-Tea is served up in a teapot for both taste and Instagram kudos. Cheers to that!
Ibu Susu Bar & Kitchen, Jl Monkey Forest, Padang Tegal Kelod, Ubud, p. +62 361 9084861, e. [email protected]. Open daily 12pm – 12am.
Fat Mermaid
More than just a name for this wild and wacky restaurant, the Fat Mermaid is a bodacious personality that lives tropical island life to the fullest. She’s a fun and flirty lover of the ocean, and she never says no to a cocktail-fuelled night out. And with a waistline that says there’s more to life than Crossfit, this girl also loves to eat – and we can see why. The menu here is a modern mishmash of East meets West, with dishes like avo on toast for brekkie, penne pasta for lunch and Surf n Turf for dinner. Just a few fin flicks from the ocean, you’ll struggle to miss this coastal Canggu restaurant. Standing two storeys tall and decked out in vibrant, tropical interiors with a botanical wall as the centrepiece, Fat Mermaid is big, bold and full of surprises.
Fat Mermaid, Jl Nelayan No.33, Canggu, p. +62 361 9067001, e. [email protected]. Open daily 7am – 11pm.
Local Parts by Locavore
Carnivores and cavemen rejoice! Indonesia’s very best restaurant is making all of your meaty dreams a reality with the opening of Local Parts – a neighbourhood butcher shop in Ubud that’s all about high-quality meat from healthy animals, sourced directly from farms they know and trust. Ray and Eelke – the unstoppable duo behind Locavore, Nusantara and Locavore-to-go – have been experimenting for years to perfect their own range of charcuterie, and Local Parts is the result. The chefs are rolling out fresh and air-cured sausages, pâtés, professional cuts of meat and other delicacies. And, in keeping with Locavore’s nose-to-tail philosophy, expect to see unusual bites like blood sausages and lamb carpaccio. There’s also chicken, duck, air-cured Bali beef, Java lamb, rabbit, goat, pork from traditional black Bali pigs, alongside excellent pickles, preserves and jams. And the best part? Everything is available online for delivery! Pâté by the pool, anyone?
Local Parts by Locavore, Jl Dewi Sita (next to Locavore-To-Go), Ubud, +62 361 977733. Open Mon to Sat.
Santorini
Saganaki, tzatziki, baklava, and Moussaka. You’ll find all the Big Fat Greek foodie names at Santorini on Echo Beach – a brand new Canggu munching spot that’s all about authentic Greek flavours. But how do they capture those traditional tastes of Thira, we hear you cry? The authenticity here is all thanks to the founders – a Greek family that’s treating us to their age-old recipes so that you know you’re getting the real deal. The pastitsio is baked until creamy, the gyros are made-to-order with the best olive oil around, and the Moussaka is as traditional as they come, with layer-upon-layer of eggplant, potato, beef and béchamel. Add to that the splash of blue and white interior that’s oh-so-Santorini, and you’ll see why we’re saying this place is simply a-mezze-ing!
Santorini Greek Restaurant Bali, Jl Batu Mejan, Echo Beach, Canggu, e. [email protected]. Open daily 8am – 11pm.
NamNam Noodle Bar
Wanna know where Singaporeans get their fix of noodles in the Little Red Dot? NamNam’s. And now, this go-to noodle bar has landed in Seminyak, meaning we don’t need to jetset to Singers to get a taste of NamNam’s classic Vietnamese dishes that take you straight to the bustling streets of Saigon. NamNam Noodle Bar’s “pho-losophy” is simple: no MSG, quick bites and an affordable pricetag – perfect for busy lunch-goers or to grab on the way to the beach. Try NamNam’s classic beef pho, the banh mi bursting with veggies, and the crispy chicken that’s sticky and simply delicious. And did we mention, this new address overlooks the rice fields too, which means you can pair a Seminyak sunset with piping hot pho? Yes pho-lease!
NamNam Noodle Bar, Jl Petitenget No.110 – 111,e. [email protected]. Open daily 11am – 3am.
Lena’s Kitchen
What was once the Recovery Room in the sleepy town of Nelayan, has now become Lena’s Kitchen in Berawa, together with some fancy new digs and an even cooler concept. Just a hop skip and a scooter ride across the shortcut from its original location, the new-and-improved Lena’s Kitchen specialises in noodles and Indonesian food, but also epic brekkie staples. Juices and smoothies are served up alongside fruit and acai bowls and bacon-laced Eggs Benedicts, whilst lunch sees noodles galore (made fresh each day, no less) with homely toppings and lashings of deliciousness, like the honey-roasted pork belly noodles. YUM!
Lena’s Kitchen, Jl Raya Semat 58, Berawa, e. [email protected]. Open Tues – Sun 8am – 5pm.
The Den by Sea Vu Play
Tucked away at the back of Sea Vu Play – Seminyak’s nautical-themed restaurant and watering hole – The Den is essentially a bar within a bar, with a wholly different concept. Instead of captains and mermaids, The Den has become the stomping grounds for a number of Bali’s finest DJs and natives. With a Bible-thick list of cocktails, wines, and spirits, and with DJs bringing the house down every Friday & Saturday night, this is the newest name for painting the Seminyak strip red.
The Den, Jl Petitenget (at the back of Sea Vu Play), Seminyak, p. +62 361 473 6579, e. [email protected]. Open Friday and Saturday 9pm – late.
See you next month Honeys!
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