Who could resist the chance to eat at Sarong, named as Condé Nast Traveller's World's Hottest Restaurant shortly after it opened in 2008. I also wanted to try mixologist Joel Fraser's Thai basil candy floss cocktail.
| The low-lit restaurant looks gorgeous/stylish and is said to be the place to be seen in Bali. There is a magical atmosphere, with friendly and happy staff. The friend I was going with had a business trip and so I took Issy, wearing his Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay Balinese outfit, instead. At the bar the candy floss cocktail came with Havana Club rum and fresh citrus & strawberry juice. I took a bite of the candy floss and the sugar rush hit me. The barman pours the liquid into the glass and you watch the candy floss 'melt'. I started to think the cocktail would be too sweet for me but the flavour turned out to be refreshingly delicious. I also wanted to try the signature pork belly, with a honeyed Sichuan chilli salt glaze and a grilled tamarillo. A lime-tamarind dip provided moreish tart relief and it was a mouthwateringly good starter. For the main course I had the smoked chicken red curry with pineapple, Siamese watercress, pea eggplants and fresh Thai basil. The rich smoked flavour meant the main course matched the starter and worked perfectly with jasmine rice. The dining room was full of glamorous ex pats, with birthday parties and lots of happy customers. It is a stunning venue for dinner, with food to match. 🐻🐻🐻🐻 (4 out of 5 ‘teddies’) - this place is worth the one hour drive from Ubud and ideal for a special occasion. It lost one 'teddy' because, even with the powerful fan, it was warm in the open air at times. My tips: make sure you book well in advance, wear light clothes and let the staff know if you want the spice toned down. |  The glamorous room, large fans helped to keep you cool in the open air.  Despite the night before, I was back on the very dry Grey Goose martinis.  The excellent Sichuan chilli salt pork belly starter, with the lime-tamarind dip.  My mouthwatering smoked chicken red curry, with the spice beautifully toned down for me.  My mother's theory is you can tell what a kitchen will be like by the condition of the bathroom. No worries here. |
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