Bali’s newest independent fine dining restaurant opened its doors just before Christmas and is already cooking up a storm in Jl Laksmana with a menu that cruises around the sun-drenched Mediterranean. So, on a balmy Bali Saturday night, my enthusiastic companion and I secured a reservation and headed south to see what all the fuss was about. The place was busy and buzzing. Yet the well-spaced tables and sweeping arches, hung with diaphanous aubergine drapes, cleverly divide and create space, so there was never a feeling of being crowded. Colourful glasswork adorns the walls, the ceiling is embellished with vibrant swirls reminiscent of the aurora borealis, a comfy lounge area rests within the bay window and the open kitchen presents the opportunity to engage in a little bit of voyeurism. There is even a garden area at the back for guests who desire to dine alfresco.The concept is 5-star food downstairs, with the alternative option of chilling out on Cloud Nine on the rooftop terrace with its tapas menu.

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