For residents of Seminyak, Kuta, and Ubud, the Bali Good Food group of restaurants that includes 10 year old Kafe Batan Waru and Terrazzo Bistro are well familiar. As of December 2005, Cinta Grill in Ubud is the latest addition to the family that has quickly established a similarly solid reputation on its reliable, delicious cuisine served in pleasant ambience. Featuring a diverse and extensive menu of offerings from Asia and the West, Cinta Grill was created as a place for “consistent and unpretentious food served in a relaxed atmosphere, much like a neighborhood restaurant,” says owner, long time Bali resident and experienced restaurateur, Karen Waddell. “A place where whatever favorites you might wish to order, are available.” Karen, along with chefs Giswidi and Pak Gede, have accomplished just that with their simple selection of reasonably priced choices with origins in Indonesia, India, the US, Thailand, and Italy, all without the common clutter of fusion cuisine.

Occupying a prime spot on tourist thoroughfare, Monkey Forest Rd in Central Ubud, Cinta Grill offers a perfect respite that is hard to resist after catching a whiff of smoked goodness emanating from their outdoor grill. Cinta’s cozy design is similar to its sister restaurants and is perfectly suited for Ubud with its traditional alang-alang roof, bale section, and open-sided dining and bar area looking out onto the sidewalk and street.

Cinta Grill’s lunch/dinner menu is divided into 7 sections that include 50 choices plus an eight item dessert menu. The decadent Grilled Garlic Sourdough with Gorgonzola Cream (30K) and Crab Cakes with Avocado & Black Bean Salsa (38K) from the starter/snack section set things off right. For the healthy or peckish bunch, the Thai Seafood Salad with Imported Tiger Prawns, Squid and Cashews Over Cellophane Noodles with Spicy Nam Prik Dressing is delicious, as is the Spinach Salad with Spiced Walnuts and Honey Mustard Dressing (28K). Sandwiches and grilled panini served on fresh ciabatta with fries or salad (26K – 36K) are also featured as are pastas including Homemade Tortellini with Ricotta Filling and Tomato Basil Sauce (42K). On the Asian side, Cinta’s curries and soups are created from homemade pastes and stocks. Opor Ayam (38K), a Javanese white meat chicken and vegetable curry is unique and tasty and the coconut milk-based South Indian Fish Curry with Tamarind, Fenugreek, and Mango Chutney (48K) is mild yet exotic in palate. Hot wok stir fries, including Tong Seng Solo (44K), slivers of beef fillet made with Central Javanese sweet soy, is distinctive and incredibly flavourful.
Of course, Cinta’s mainw claim to fame is its grill selection. Beef Burger (44K), Chorizo Sausages (48K), Tenggiri Fish Steak (48K), or a 280 gram Sirloin Steak will surely sate any meatetarian’s craving. Traditional Balinese is also represented well with Ikan Pepes (48K), slow cooked fish marinated in local spices, wrapped in banana leaves and Balinese Chicken or Fish Sate (48K). But it’s the Texas Pork Ribs in BBQ Sauce (74K) that’ll get ya for sure. In this reviewer’s opinion, the best I’ve tasted outside of Austin. Slow cooked, lean, and mean, and as with the other choices, not overly drenched in sauce to disguise lack of flavor. Everything on the menu is seasoned perfectly to accent, not overtake the natural essence of the meal.

Finally, wrap things up with a classic Brownie Sundae with Fudge Sauce and Toasted Almonds (26K) or an artistically presented Exotic Balinese Seasonal Fruit Platter (26K) and you will have experienced what Cinta Grill has perfected – great, simple food served consistently day or night.

 

Cinta Grill
Monkey Forest Road - Ubud
TEL: 0361 975 395