Page 1

Karangasem, Bali's eastermost Regensy is famous for its gorgeous beaches, diving and views. But what of its food ?

The road to the East from Denpasar is all too  often overladen with traffic; heavy trucks  coughing their way to Padang Bai for the  Lombok ferry, Bemos stopping and starting  and stopping again, Pariwisata buses heading  for Ubud or the Craft Market in Sukawati. It can be very tedious. But as Klungkung fades in the rear view mirror and paddies and valleys replace endless craft shops, the traffic also lightens, and the attractions of the East soon become obvious. 

Link to :
1. TJ's
2. Rice Terrace Coffee Shop ( Puri Sawah )
3. Hotel Indra Udhyana
4. Wawa Wewe

TJ's

Candi Dasa is about 2 hours from Denpasar, and Tj's, our first stop, is the sister of TJ's Mexican Restaurant in Poppies 1, Kuta. TJ's at Candi Dasa is similar to its sister in its
bistro style, but the menu is less focused on Mexican food and more international. The building and decor are  open and light and the atmosphere is relax Inside there's a traditional fishing boat along one wall, a bar along another, and you can peer down into the ponds and watch the fish on another. There are uncovered tables with dark blue ceramic accessories, with a low level cushioned table option too.

We visited TJ's at lunchtime having travelled from Denpasar by motorbike. Absolutely parched, we immediately pounced upon the fruit juices. These were magnificently full of flavour and so thick that the straw stood upright unsupported! My mango Juice was scrumptious, and a friend proclaimed his vanilla lassie as the best he had ever tasted! 

We couldn't take full advantage of the vast range of cocktails on offer (well, it was lunchtime and we were riding bikes) but the prospect of frozen fruit margaritas by the jug hnost swayed us into staying the night in TJ 's adjoining hotel, The Water Garden. This is a gorgeous labyrinth of tropical gardens and lily ponds with very private and appealingly comfortable thatched bungalows In the evenings, TJ's is very popular with expats living in the in the area, as well as with tourists staying in Candi Dasa.

The menu is varied and there are some very tempting options. To start, l tried the  Bruscetta, which is crunchy with plenty of garlic and basil. We also ordered the Supersalad, Spicy Chicken Wings and Vegetable Samosa. The Chicken Wings were tender and served with a powerful and delicious blue cheese dressing, the Supersalad was generous with plenty of fresh, crunchy vegetables and a garlicky yoghurt dressing. The Samosa pastry was crumbly and light and its mango chutney sweet and distinct. The Samosa's mild curry filling was good, although the ingredients were difficult to  isolate. 

TJ's staff are charming and attentive but not at all interfering. We chatted to the chef, l Gusti Ngurah Raka, who explained that he had trained at the restaurant, which has now been open for 15 years. He described how Candi Dasa's fortune has changed during this time, as ten years ago Candi was a very busy resort. These changes, he said, have largely been influenced by the disappearance of the sandy beaches when the coastal coral reefs were blasted away. He explained that the installation of concrete groynes along Candi Dasa's length aims to build the beaches up again, and in some spots they are already succeeding and there are plenty of good spots  for swimming.

For the main course, there is a choice of meat and fish dishes, pasta, tortilla wraps, and Asian specialities. l tried the Indian Chicken Keema Tortilla Wraps, which look colourful and fun on the plate. The whole- wheat flour tortillas are light and the dips delicious. Again, the Indian filling was indistinct but the overall flavour was good. Arsi tried the Catch of the Day, a great success. The snapper was absolutely fresh and pan-fried with spices'and oranges, the  hint of orange really enhancing the dish. The crispy Balinese Vegetables accompanying the fish are served in a separate basket.

Paula chose the Fillet of Steak with demi glace, which was a big disappointment. The meat had been tenderised to a pulp and tasted more like mince than fillet steak. Peter tried the Twice Baked Potatoes filled with bacon, onion, chives and cheese. A comfortable dish, the potato, once baked, is taken out of its skin and mixed with the other ingredients. It is then stuffed back into the skins to be baked once again. This is really tasty and makes an ideal light lunch. 

A light lunch? None of that for us... After  a brief pause, we gleefully selected our desserts! A Creme Caramel connoisseur, l couldn't resist trying Tj's version. It was light, if a little powdery, with lovely burnt caramel. The Coconut Cream Pie was our favourite; fresh and delectable with a soft pastry base.

Tj's is a terrific spot for lunch and, bearing in mind the extensive cocktail menu, an excellent choice for sundowners too. 

[> Page 2]  [>>  Page 3]

[Top]  [Highlight] [Welcome Page]

copyright © 2000  Bali Echo. All rights Reserved
site design by access bali online