BUMBU
Still in the foodie capital of Bali located opposite the palace on Jl Sueta is Bumbu which serves Balinese, Indian and Vegetarian food. Bumbu, billed as a truly exotic oasis in the heart of Ubud is owned by Janet Malloy (spelling??), an Australian who also owns the well-established and popular Mumbals on the main street. As there weren't any vegetarian or Indian restaurants in Ubud at the time and due to a demand for such a restaurant Bumbu was conceived. The atmosphere is extremely relaxing with a beautiful green garden where you can lounge on cushions in the Madurese huts, watch the fish in the pond and listen to authentic Indian music mingling with the sound of the water falling from the fountain. Kadek, the manager, painted the Indian inspired artwork around the bar and executed the mosaic in the bathroom. Kadek himself has been a vegetarian for twenty years. He strongly believes that vegetarianism is extremely healthy and is in fact a way of life for him in combination with meditation and yoga.

Mostly local ingredients are used with some necessary imported food such as the light and delicate Basmati rice and lentils. Again not exclusively vegetarian but an ample selection non the less. Going straight to the Vegetarian menu there is an interesting choice of dips and salsas, such as the Mango papaya salsa or the Sour cream horseradish dip served with your pick from potato skins, eggplant chips, Tempe krupuk or corn chips. Other options include whole-wheat pasta, fettuccine, pizza, cheese polenta wedges, a vegetarian burger or a salad. I had the Bumbu Pizza which arrived attractively displayed on a bright orange, rectangle-shaped dish, was a satisfactory size, not over-facing; a tasty mix of grilled eggplant, peppers, zucchini, sun-dried tomatoes, capers, olives and Mozzarella cheese and with pesto on the side.

As well as the wide choice from the vegetarian section, there is a Nasi Campur Vegetarian from the Balinese section and you can pick from a tasty selection in the Indian section. My companion was recommended the Vegetarian Thali platter, a medley of dhal, pilaf rice, chopati, raita, sambal and a selection of vegetables that change daily. His evening's fare was Kumbhi Ki Kari (a spicy mushroom curry), Goghi Foogath (a hot cabbage curry) and Korma Gajar (a piquant carrot curry with yoghurt).

Try the wonderfully creative juices and lassis. Janet apparently experiments with combinations and tries them on her friends, if they like it it goes on the menu. My companion had the Cucumber and Cumin seed lassi, which was fresh and invigorating. I had the wonderfully subtle and romantic Rosewater and Cardamom Lassi just a hint of roses, pink and topped with a rose petal. Exquisite!. Tel. (0361) 974 217

KAFE TALI JIWA
Moving now to Sanur on my veggie quest I visited the Kafe Tali Jiwa located in the Santai Hotel on Jl Danau Tamblingan. Both the hotel and caf have been contracted by PPLH, an active, busy and enthusiastic Non-Governmental Organisation concerned with environmental education. PPLH aims not only to educate about current environment issues, but also to inspire and enlarge the curiosity of the people. The cafe is joined to an Environmental Education and Information centre, bookshop and library, with internet facilities, and it is hoped that cafe guests use the facilities and ask about the various environmental and ecological programmes that PPLH is involved in, both in Bali and the rest of Indonesia.

next page

[top]
[welcome page]

copyright © 1999 Bali Echo. All rights Reserved
site design by : Access Bali Online