Johan Hensen Column The writer is a retired hopitality consultant and living in Bali. Any comment about this article, please email at johan@bits.bali.com or HP 081558582853

Bali: A Paradise with Food from the Gods

"I was reading your last article about the mouth-watering food at the Raja’s Bali restaurant at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and it made me exited that I want to prepare it for my family as well. Please could you send me the recipes about these delicious Bali culinary food items? I can’t wait to start." This request from a dear young lady from Holland was one of the many reactions about the last edition of this magazine and my column.

It turns out that many visitors are not only reading this magazine during their stay here in Bali, but once home continue to do that through our website: www.bali-travelnews.com. Because of the many positive reactions, I gladly dedicate this column again on the culinary discoveries that you can make in Bali. Doesn’t the saying goes that Love goes through the stomach?
However, before going lyric about the Balinese and Indonesian Cuisine again, I wish to please those criticasters who always tell me that there is more than this "Food of the Gods".
Rest assured, my dear readers from all over the world, Bali has much more to offer!
I dare saying that this Paradise is more or less an International Food Court. It is a culinary destination that also caters the more up-market food lovers. One of those places that is frequently visited by visitors and expatriates is The Mezzanine Restaurant in front of the Puri Santrian Resort in Sanur.
Their menu has nothing to do with Bali or Indonesia, but if you want to pamper, to spoil yourself and your loved ones, go for the "Top Culinary Night Out" at this restaurant. The whole atmosphere and service makes you feel like being a royalty. Well, that is not so strange, as the owner himself, Mr. Ngurah, is a member from the Bali Royal family, while his charming wife, Mrs. Dewi, comes from the Royal Family in Solo.
As they already sell Indonesian and Balinese food at their Beach Club restaurant inside the Puri Santrian Resort, they created the food court concept in the up-market Mezzanine restaurant. And I must say that their Royal Invitation is well worth accepting.
The 3 chefs in charge are offering the most delicious food: European, Thai and Japanese. On previous occasions and together with the famous Dutch TV "guru" / celebrity, Mr. Lonny, I had been trying and tasting the various European and Thai food items on their menu. The ambience made me decide to try out their new Japanese menu. The Sushi’s, the Sashimi’s and all the other delicacies with those difficult names, were outstanding. I was not surprised that again I was experiencing a royal culinary discovery trip in Bali. Sense and simplicity, but with an exquisite taste! I can not think of a better compliment and recommendation.
This Royal family is truly inspiring Sanur Village by turning it into a Culinary Paradise.
And yes, although no relation with the Bali Cuisine, this is truly also: Food from the Gods.
Enjoy your mouth-watering discovery of Bali.
NB: But of course, I would be crazy, being a fervent lover of the Real Bali, if I don’t use this opportunity to promote local food and places.
This time I discovered the ideal, real Balinese beach café on a huge, white sandy beach. This is the perfect and very affordable place. Where is that, you ask? Well, just contact me at the number / e-mail mentioned at the top of this column.
We do want to keep some hidden secrets, don’t we?