It would not be too trite to claim that most people go to Bali, at least in part, for the shopping and, for many, shopping is their sole reason.

Equally it would not be too trite to say that most travellers try and relish the local food in some form.
Some relish a super cheap meal from the local carts, the travelling 'Kaki Limas', meaning five legs, alluding to the owner's two legs, the two wheels of the cart and the cart's front leg or small swivelling wheel.
Others, wanting to be a little more up-market, seek out local 'Warungs' or the Balinese equivalent of our fast food restaurants.
Most will at least try the local restaurants and cafes that abound in almost every street but shun the Americanised plastic food sources.
Then there are the five, six and even one seven star eateries usually associated with the larger and better hotels.

Somewhere in amongst these are the surprising finds that seem to spring up in every traveller's wanderings.

The following are some we found and patronised in 2007.

LOVINA -

Herself has always been more than happy to eat in Lovina which offers a surprise to those looking just a bit beyond the norm.

In the past I have written about Kubu Lalang on the Beach located towards Singaraja from Lovina and across the rice fields via a rutted track and a walk of about 100 metres. Again it lived up to Her expectations.

Similarly I have written about The Octopus's Garden on the main road through Lovina and it was a dead certainty that we would visit again given the reports of a major upgrade under new owners and re-named Kwizine.

The new Kwizine now offers outdoor eating in a shaded garden.

The table settings give an early indication of the food and service quality available at very reasonable prices.

La BUMBU - Lovina.

Again out of town, but not as far as Kubu Lalang, and along a rough road towards the Lovina beach, is La Bumbu. (The Bamboo - and I hope I've got that right.)
Not very pretentious as you drive up but the number of patron inside suggested that we had not made a mistake.
 

La Bumbu table setting.
As you would expect in Bali, the flowers were fresh picked.
 

  
Pork in coconut milk with salad and rice and Special Bebi Gulang (pork) with salads and rice.
(The rice is under the coconut leaf cone.)
 

Live entertainment, this the Chicken Dance which we had neither seen nor heard of before.
 

Trust a cat to draw your attention.
This one, obviously a restaurant pet, was welcome to wander the floor
 and beg from patrons although toileting on the chair brought a swift reaction.

BREEZE - Seminyak.

Part of one of the nicer hotels along the beach front of Seminyak, Breeze is class with a price tag to match.
If you're looking for something special, perhaps discrete and romantic, have a look.
 

First impressions of quality are just an indication of what is to come.
 

  
Tables along the beach front, these views towards the airport.

  
Mahi Mahi with white wine and soup at Breeze.

LA CASA - Legian.

The Flying Piano and Yutz's place on Jl Werkudara in Legian have long been favourites and we happily ate at each again this year. Almost directly across the road from these two stalwarts of food service in Bali is La Casa which we have overlooked until this year, a mistake I don't think She will allow to happen again.
 

 
Chicken Escalopes and Sates a la Casa.

Other Links:

* Go on to the story of our trip back along the east coast of Bali including Made's Holy Water.

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* How far is it and how long does it take to go from here to there in Bali?.

* In the 1930's an undeveloped but emerging Bali was a favoured destination of the worldly and famous of America and Europe.  What did Noel Coward think of Bali.

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