[Bali] Rock Bar at Ayana Resort

I got some spare time today but I haven't got anything new to post since I've been busy lately, so I'm diggin' up my old photos and find this beautiful place that I've been wanted to post since forever! And I'm kinda missing Bali right now, so here goes.

Rock Bar at Ayana Resort has been known for ages as one of the best spot to watch sunset in Bali. Hanging at the edge of the cliff at around 14 metres above the Indian Ocean, Rock Bar is definitely offering a different experience to enjoy sunset. And not only the sunset, you can also enjoy the sunny weather, the sound of the waves, and the mesmerizing view of the surrounding cliffs and the sparkling ocean.

The place opens at 4PM everyday, but usually people have started lining up since 3.30, so if you wish to get a good spot, you better come early. On my first visit about two years ago, I arrived here at 5PM and ended up missing the sunset, because the place was already full and people usually not leaving their table until the sun is set. So in my second visit last year, I came earlier.

Rock Bar is serving various cocktails and mocktails, and also light snacks and desserts. There are no minimum purchase per table here, but every person has to purchase at least a glass of drinks. Well since this is an old photos, I've lost the bill and can't remember the name nor the taste of these cocktails that we ordered that day, so I'll just share the photos :)

Potato Wedges, Curly Fries, and Pita Chips (IDR 50.000)

It came with three kinds of condiment: Ketchup, Hummus, and Curry Mayonaise. I was quite satisfied with Rock Bar's light snacks so far, they served it hot and fresh, and all of them tasted really nice.

Chicken Pop Corn served with Herbed Olive Oil and Spiced Dukkah (IDR 85.000)

This chicken pop corn is also a nice dish. The chicken are thick and tender, and the seasoning was really good that we didn't need to dip it to the condiment at all. 

In the end I realize why people keep coming to Rock Bar. Because not only great place and mesmerizing views, the food and beverages they served here are also nicely done that people could really enjoy the views with nice enjoyable food and drinks. Anyway, enjoy the sunset!

Rock Bar
AYANA Resort and Spa Bali
Jl Karang Mas Sejahtera, Jimbaran
Ph. +62 361 702222
Web. Rock Bar
Opening hours: 4pm – 1am

[Bali] Finn's Beach Club

If somebody asks me what's my most favourite part during our trip to Bali last month, I would certainly say that it was the afternoon we spent at Finn's Beach Club. Hidden deep behind the sturdy southern cliffs of Bali, the venue is surely a perfect hideaway from daily routines.

Let me take you for a quick tour to reach the venue. After a long ride by car, following GPS and signs on the road, we finally reach Semara Villas at Uluwatu. Finn's reception desk is located at the right side, so we went there and register our name to get the ticket. The ticket is IDR 250.000 per person, but that amount could be use to purchase food and beverages at Finn's. 

After purchasing the ticket, we need to walk down the stairs to the cable car station, ride the cable car down the cliff, and take another steps down the stairs before we finally reach the venue. It was quite a long way, but it was paid when we saw the beautiful sparkling ocean from the cable car. And even more worth it when we stepped at the soft wet sands and the cold water of Indian Ocean.

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The beach club itself couldn't be more relaxing. Semi outdoor bamboo structured restaurant, beanbags, sunbeds, umbrellas. PARADISE, that might be the perfect word. Even better, Finn's Beach Club is limiting their customers everyday so the venue wouldn't get overcrowded. Our privacy is their priority here.

And the best part is, Finn's Beach Club is providing Kayak, Stand Up Peddle Boards, and Snorkeling Masks for the customers, and its FOR FREE! And also FREE WIFI, so you could still connect the outside world if you wish. Oh there's just too many best part of Finn's that I'm getting confused which one is the best of the best.

Anyway, no matter how beautiful the venue is, it's still goes down to the food. So here's what we had that day.

Classic Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (IDR 120.000)

You know I'm not a big fan of Salad, but I found that this Caesar Salad fresh and tastes nice. Vegetables were crunchy and nicely dressed, even more better to combine it with the grilled chicken, bacon, or the egg.

Ebi Spring Rolls with Sweet and Sour Sauce (IDR 90.000)

Served hot, generously filled, and that tangy sauce that could certainly raise your appetite, this menu has made it to my favorite at Finn's.  

Home Made Hummus with Toasted Pita Bread (IDR 75.000)

Well this is my first time trying hummus. Hummus is a Middle Eastern and Arabic food dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. Didn't expect that peas could taste like this after mashed. Quite nice, I wouldn't mind ordering that again next time.

Balinese Pizza (IDR 150.000)

Thin crusted Italian Pizza topped with Chicken, Mushrooms, Chilli, and Sambal Matah. There's a lot of restaurants in Bali selling Balinese Pizza, and Finn's Pizza wasn't the best, but it was still decent.

Nachos (IDR 90.000)

Their Nachos were served with Grilled Cheese, Salsa, Sour Cream, and Guacamole. I looove that it was served hot and the amount grilled cheese was generous.

Well there's one more thing that deserves another paragraph: Service. It was flawless. All the waiter were very kind and serve us well from the table to our sunbeds. Maybe because of the fall of their neighbor, Nammos, which I heard keep losing it's customers because their service is poor, that Finn's waiter and waitress are trying hard to win their customers heart. And they have win mine. So if you're planning your visit to Bali, don't forget to put Finn's on your schedule. You know you won't regret it.

Finn's Beach Club

Semara Luxury Villa Resort
Jalan Pantai Selatan Gau, Banjar Wijaya Kusuma,
Ungasan 80362 Bali, Indonesia

ph.+ 62 (361) 848 2111 // + 62 853 3941 1907

[Bali] Sundara at Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran

Our first evening in Bali was spent at Sundara. It was an impromptu visit, and yet it was quite a memorable one. We accidentally passed it by on our way to the Villa, and we decided to pay it a visit for early dinner.

Situated right by the Jimbaran Bay, the architecture of the restaurant is modern and classy, yet very tropical. The dining room is extending along the bay and designed with contour, so all customers could enjoy the ocean view. Other than the luxurious dining area, they also have outdoor beach club with live DJ show and poolside bed if you want more comfortable option.

Sundara is serving international food. They serve quite various meal, from the Italian delicacy to Japanese sushi and fresh seafood from Jimbaran Bay. Our choice goes down to their wood fired pizzas: Florentine -- soft egg, bacon, spinach, fetta cheese, arugula (IDR 110.000) and Prosciutto --prosciutto, arugula, tomato, mozzarella (IDR 140.000). Both were delightful! Pizzas were thin and crispy, and I surprisingly loved that they topped their Pizzas after the wood firing process, so that the topping were still fresh, especially the arugula. 

We also ordered their signature non alcoholic cocktails: Ipanema  (IDR 75.000). Made of fresh passion fruit, lime, and pineapple, it was surely tangy but refreshing. And it was served in such a huge jug that it was more than enough for the four of us.

Well great place, great food, quite reasonable price, and flawless service, all in one place. What more could you ask?

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Jimbaran, Kuta Selatan, Bali 80361

Indonesia

Ph. (62 361) 701010

www.fourseasons.com/jimbaranbay

[Bali] Mama San

Hello! I just got back from a super fun trip to Bali with my high school friends. Got lots of stories and pictures to share, so let's start with Mama San.

Having heard countless stories and rumours of how great the food they serve here, it's only normal that we went here straight away from the airport. It was Thursday afternoon post lunchtime, only a few tables were occupied, and most of the customers were not Indonesian. 

Upon entering the venue, the modern industrial interior is dominating the place. The element of wood, concrete, and bricks are blending well along with the huge painting of 'Mama' figure at the back. Planted pots and standing lamps add more colors to the monochromatic ambiance.

With Will Meyrick as the name behind this establishment (he's also the man behind Sarong and E&O), of course the food they serve here are Asian, widely varies from the rich curries to delicate dim sums. Here's our pick that day:

La lot  (IDR 68.000)
Vietnamese grilled minced pork belly wrapped in betel leaves with nuoc cham (Vietnamese dipping sauce). I'm really happy that my Bali trip started with such a great dish. Savoury minced pork belly was seasoned excellently, betel leaf adding textures and aroma, and the Nuoc Cham is sweet, sour, salty, and spicy at the same time in a balanced way. What a good start!

Vietnamese “Pho Bo” (IDR 115.000)

Vietnamese rice noodles served with twice cooked beef, Thai basil & Hanoi chilli sauce. Usually I'm not a big fan of pho, but I have to admit that this one is good. Nice warm broth and generous beef. Enough said.

Green Curry  (IDR 135.000)

In the other hand, curry is my all-time-favourite food. Mama San's green curry of sliced beef with bamboo long bean apple eggplant & Thai basil is one of the best green curry I've tasted so far. As usual, green curry is not too heavy, but still got the curry taste in it. But I hope they could reduce the chilli a little bit since it was too spicy for my taste bud.


To counter the spiciness in Mama San's food, they also have selections of cold and refreshing beverages:

Red Fruits & Raspberry (IDR 35.000)

Red fruit tea raspberry sorbet & lemon juice. Just looking at the presentation could chill me a little bit. It was sour and refreshing, just a perfect companion after dealing with that much spiciness in such a hot day.

Honey Lime (IDR 35.000)

Black tea lemon & honey lime sorbet. This one is a sweeter option if you can't handle that much sourness. Sweet or sour? Your choice.


After tasting all of he food, my favorite is definitely their La Lot. But all of them were great, really worth trying. Thanks Mama San, for serving us such a delicate meal to start our vacation in Bali.

Mama San Kitchen, Bar, and Lounge

Jl. Raya Kerobokan No. 135

Bali - Indonesia

ph. (0361) 730436

web. Mama San