|
Anyone who remembers the café known as ‘The Beach’ at Batubelig will be pleased to learn that this well known restaurant and hangout has now risen like a phoenix from the ashes. The name and the location have both changed but Ketut Derawan, the Balinese owner and chef is still creating the same delicious food, together with some enticing new inspirations.
Situated on Jl Petitenget, ‘Warung Traditional’ is a spacious open air, traditional style pavilion, bordered by flowers. It is a great venue for parties and large groups, the building is breezy, rustic and immaculate, and at night it takes on a romantic persona with candles, lanterns and flaming torches. Open from 8am until 11pm, Warung Traditional is also a great destination for lunch, borne out by a superb meal that I enjoyed there earlier this week with a friend.
Ketut Derawan has had years of experience as a chef in the hospitality industry, he worked for The Oberoi Bali for ten years, followed by Intan Bali Village, Bali Imperial Hotel and Puri Kamandalu Resort & Spa . He also travelled across the world – in particular to the Caribbean – when he worked on the ocean going cruise ships. Focusing on fresh organic products and seafood, his prices are low and his menu bursts with all of the dishes that were the favourites of his regular customers at The Beach – salads, soups, sandwiches (Rp 22,500 – 29,500), four different pasta dishes (Rp 25,500) six varieties of pizza (Rp 29,500), soto ayam (Rp 14,500), nasi goreng special, bakmi goreng special and a colourful nasi campur (all Rp 17,500) avocado shrimp cocktail (Rp 20,500), sweet ‘n sour fish (Rp 35,500), fish ‘n chips (Rp 29,500), fish curry (Rp 40,000), saté babi (Rp 29,500), and imported sirloin and fillet steaks (Rp 60,000 – 65,000), followed by traditional desserts such as pisang goreng (Rp 9,500).
Ketut’s latest initiative is the introduction of a Jimbaran style fish barbeque. Prices are in accordance with market value, approx Rp 45,000 – Rp 50,000 per person for a meal with fish or calamari, and Rp 75,000 per person for a meal with king prawns. This is unbeatable value for money as it is less than half the price charged by many of the beachside warung at Jimbaran.
Our delectable fish feast was a treat indeed. It comprised super fresh garupa, fillet of barracuda, tuna steak, tender calamari and succulent king prawns, all infused with a traditional Balinese marinade, barbequed to perfection and presented with salad garnish, white rice and ‘Pelecing Kangkung’, a traditional farmer’s water spinach salad, served warm, and topped with fried garlic. This was accompanied by a piquant fish broth and three spicy sambals created from chilli, tomato and garlic, and followed by a refreshing tropical fruit salad. The whole meal was truly sensational, and as good as you’ll find at any of the Jimbaran warung.
Ketut’s next initiative will be a nasi campur style buffet; and if you’ve not yet visited Warung Traditional, then you might want to check it out at the grand opening party on July 1st. Rache
Kama Nights | Soho | Roll of The Durum
|
