"People who love to eat are always the best people.” - Julia Child
There is something magical about food.
When visiting a far-off destination food pulls you into that culture. It entices you to smile, sigh, and feel satisfied with your place in the world. It tells a story without words, and places emotion on a plate.
During our recent stay at 5 Sun Island properties across Bali we had numerous opportunities to dine.
I am sure you read our post on 5 hotels in Bali to suite your mood… Well perhaps it’s not a mood you are chasing after all. Perhaps, it’s the food (notice the rhyme? Cool, huh).
Personal Chef
There are holidays where you don’t want to leave the house. You want to relax by your private pool, lay in your super king bed and watch movies.
In those moments even an on-site restaurant can feel like a disturbance. Room service is always a fun choice, but what if you could do one better? Enter the personal chef.
During our stay at Sun Island Suites in Goa Gong we had access to a personal chef who came to our suite and cooked us a delicious breakfast every morning. He laid out the table, cooked our eggs to order and then when it was all finished, cleaned up.
The ultimate private luxury holiday.
Modern Restaurant
If you enjoy heading out to restaurants in Bali, then you might consider a stay at Sun Island Hotel Kuta. Not only is the hotel located walking distance to a truckload of eateries, but also it has it’s own on-site restaurant.
We enjoyed dinner here two nights in a row. Although we tend to venture out for lunch, nearing the kids’ bedtime, we favour the option to stay close to home.
Josh chose the Australian tenderloin steak while I had the New Zealand lamb rack and both were cooked to perfection. The potato bake on the side was not to my liking (swap it for fries), but the other vegetables were crisp and delicious.
Josh’s entree of Tom Yum soup delivered just the right amount of spiciness and my Caesar salad was well executed.
The kids’ menu offered a refreshing variety. The pasta was tasty, however the wait staff member was slightly confused about the additional sour cream with the quesadilla – we got cream cheese and then mayonnaise, never sour cream, whoops.
The restaurant is open to the public and has an accompanying bar, which is frequented by Australians thanks to the live TV coverage of Aussie sports and live music.
Make sure to spend the night and try the breakfast buffet. Josh loved the egg station that whipped up a great omelette.
Other dishes and drinks:
Poolside Dining
Sometimes a restaurant can feel too formal, especially with kids. They just vacuum the food into their mouths and are itching to dash.
The open-air restaurant at Sun Island Boutique Villas & Spa in Seminyak is located directly beside the pool with the opportunity to even enjoy the menu in a lounge chair.
This was quite possibly one of our favourite dining experiences with Sun Island. The kids could finish a meal and jump in the pool, while Josh and I savoured the flavours and took a little more time.
Another favourite was the complimentary afternoon tea provided every day from 3pm-5pm. A simple yet tasty plate with samosas or spring rolls, sandwiches and moist, sweet banana bread. Couple that with an iced chocolate and we made sure we were back at the hotel on time every afternoon.
Other dishes and drinks:
Celebrating Life’s Special Moments
During our time at Sun Island Hotel & Spa Legian we celebrated our 3-year anniversary of nomadic travel. A big deal for a family who thought we’d be going for perhaps 6 months.
Sun Island helped us celebrate by arranging a fine dining experience on the rooftop, under the stars.
The dining area was lit with candles and our table overlooking the main street of Legian and the endless ocean on the western horizon. The moon rose like a giant ball of cheese in the eastern sky. It was magical.
We enjoyed a delicious 3-course menu that you can see below.
Traditional Dining
Sometimes vacationers enjoy a cultural aspect when it comes to dining. They want local food, served by locals in a traditional environment. That is where White Rose Kuta Resort, Villas & Spa comes into the picture.
We tried a cooking class with an Indonesian chef and got the kids involved. We enjoyed the authentic crispy duck dish in a traditional ambiance.
Our favourite meal here was the BBQ night (held every Wednesday). An all-you-can eat buffet of steak, seafood and ribs with the added bonus of a traditional Balinese dance and music performance.
So what’s your dining preference on vacation?
Whatever your food mood, Bali will not disappoint.
Reader Comments...
"I respond to every comment by direct private email. I look forward to your feedback" - Josh BenderThank you so much for sharing a great information. I appreciate your time and effort in your work. Keep posting.
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