Food Travel: Exploring Asian Cuisine.
Another collaborative post from a talented contributor regarding some of my favorite locations in the world. Enjoy, C. Cutlery in one hand and your suitcase in the other; traveling the world with an eye on the cuisine that different countries have to offer is one of the best ways to do it. With that in mind here we are going to take at a look at a handful of countries from a continent that has influenced the world’s eating habits for decades and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Asia. China There is little denying the influence of Chinese food on the world outside of China, in particular in the US and Europe. The Chinese takeaway has become a staple of the world’s weekly meal plan, but that doesn’t mean we should be leaving our exploration of this intricate cuisine at our local store. If you like…
Bali Food Safari, Ubud.
Nearly two three months later, I’m finally finishing up on our visit to Bali. Better late than never, yes? So, here’s the concept of the Bali Food Safari: 3 plates x 4 restaurants, 1 van, 1 city — a well-organized mystery dining experience. Staying in Ubud, we opted for the Ubud excursion, however, if you wanted to come up or go down to Seminyak, I think you have the option. Personally, I think its best to stay in the city you’re in (for those who have previously traveled to Bali, you know the traffic leaves something to be desired). Furthermore, at the end of this marathon meal, you’re going to want to relax in a nearby bed — trust me! For our evening, the visit included Sayan House, Uma Cucina, Arang Sate Bar, and a beautiful rooftop restaurant for dessert. I guess the last venue will remain a surprise because…
BLANCO par Mandiff: Intimate dining in Ubud.
After Locavore and the next night of stuffing our faces with Bali Food Safari (another post I need to get around to, a recommended experience BTW), we opted to go for lunch (a birthday treat for Hubs) at Blanco par Mandif. As crowded as Locavore was, Blanco was empty… We literally had a private meal. I kept waiting for others to join us, but we seriously had a team of 12 working on our lunch — talk about an amazing experience. Of course, for any diner, this would almost always be the case. With only 12 seats (the location is currently undergoing renovations), this is the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch or an intimate dinner. While the relatively small (read: sort of cramped) space might be a touch close for some, I liked not only being close to the kitchen, but also the high chairs, complete with a comfortable…
Locavore: #49 in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants.
In planning the trip to Bali, Hubs and I evenly broke the time between diving and eating — which, if I’m honest, is my favorite kind of travel. High on my list was an evening at Locavore, which is listed as #49 in the Top 50 Asia Restaurants (and regarded as one of the top restaurants in Indonesia). Having secured a reservation a few months out, I could only wait in anticipation for the meal itself. What’s the concept? As the name would suggest, Locavore is all about local, from the raw Balinese abalone to the Sumbawa Island oyster, and even through to the plates, silverware and cocktail glasses, which are made in nearby workshops (true story, we tried to hunt down one of the wooden cups that one of the drinks came in). On the menu: Guests can choose from the ‘locavore’ or the vegetarian ‘herbivore’ option; each is…
Villa Markisa: Secluded Diving Oasis.
With a three-hour drive from Denpasar Airport, the tiny driveway to Villa Markisa sneaks up quite quickly in the quieter northeast section of Bali. With plenty of staff on hand, our bags were quickly whisked to rooms (either in the main house or the free standing bungalows). As there is no main lobby or reception area, the process of checking in took place quite informally. The resort is not overlarge (just 6 rooms, for a total of 12 guests), but home to all kinds of wildlife and tropical foliage. The main house is made up of two levels, with a small shop area, library, and living room, with a large covered deck which overlooks the onsite pool and beautifully maintained gardens. Given the surrounding area, there is only a full board option at the property, which works for the slightly rustic quality of the resort. Every morning, we were treated…
Four Seasons Sayan: My #1 hotel in the world.
Having finished our experience in the north of Bali (Tulamben), we ‘drove’ over some ‘roads’ to reach the city of Ubud. Now, I have been creeping on the Four Seasons Sayan website since we made the booking and I can tell you the property is even better than its pictures or reviews. Equal parts tropical and private, the property is perfectly proportioned at 60 keys. With a smaller total number of guests (and a very high ratio of staff to guests), the lush property never feels crowded. I timed our arrival slightly early to (hopefully) take the most advantage of our room (which, unfortunately, was only 2.5 days). On arrival, we informed that although our room wasn’t ready, we had been upgraded. It was at this time we also met the first of many of the senior managers. This was not in a planned way, simply, these hospitality professionals wanted…