A recent visit, probably
my twentieth, produced the most memorable meal I have
ever enjoyed at this very well run restaurant. So good
that I had to return very promptly. Although no visits
have ever been disappointing. A few things have changed
over the years, the pool table has gone [did they ever
need it?], and the courtyard has now been paved. No
longer do the chairs rock about on the uneven ground.
In fact all of the changes seem to have been for the
better.
When you are first seated at your table you immediately
notice, even before the pleasant ambience of sitting
under the trees in an open courtyard overlooking the
now unlit rice paddies, your name painted on a leaf
signifying that this is your table. No, you do not come
to Kafe Warisan for dinner unless you have already made
a reservation.
This is one of those restaurants where the most difficult
part of the evening is always choosing what you are
going to order. If ever there was a place in Bali that
should consider offering a degustation menu, this is
it! The choices are all so tempting, and almost all
of the surprises are good ones.
For entree you can have Les Escargots [snails stuffed
into roasted mushrooms and covered with pesto butter].
They are so simple, yet sensational! When you are finished
this dish, as with many others here, you have to be
very French and take some crunchy slices of bread and
soak up any of the remaining pesto sauce. If you are
really hooked, then you can order a double serve!
The Salmon Gravelax [raw slices of salmon marinated
with dill] is served with toast slices which makes it
filling as well as tasty, as are the various pates.
A Warm Duck Salad comes as a part of a green salad with
a basilic mango coulis. If you want something different,
then order a Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tart. Capsicum
and zucchini toasted with goats cheese, served with
a basilic pesto and cream tomato-based sauce. Or maybe
you would prefer a Seafood Linguini. This is sprinkled
with fresh herbs and an old fashioned mustard dressing,
and served with scallops, squid, butterfish, mussels
and prawns.
If you are quite hungry and want to be very healthy
then order that classic dish from the south of France,
La Salade Nicoise [ a salad that has had tuna, baby
beans, potato, tomato, capsicum, anchovy and black olives
added to it].
If you desire a soup then there is the mandatory onion
soup, Gratined Onion. Nice and thick with the usual
cheese covered crouton on top. Otherwise there is a
Mediterranean Fish Soup. No Bouillabaise this, but very
pleasant enough if that is the type of dish you desire.
Now comes the very difficult decision, main course
time! Do you neglect the best steaks in Bali[tenderloin
beef from Australia, the kitchen skills provided locally]
and order the wonderful Duck Confit? Or even a Tenderloin
of Venison if you happen to pick the night when it is
on special. These are my favourite three mains here,
but occasionally I stray further.
Of course the choices are far more varied than just
these dishes. A grilled Rosemary Chicken Breast arrives
with mashed potatoes, and a rosemary cream sauce. Fish-lovers
are not neglected with three alternatives including
a Grilled Tasmanian Salmon and a Seafood Fricassee,
fresh seafood, sauted with olive oil and thyme, served
with creamy spinach, pasta and a saffron veloute.
Like everything else at Kafe Warisan, most of the mains
are exceptional. The steaks are superb, and even if
you have that strange fetish for your steak to be cooked
`bleu¡¦ it will arrive exactly the way
you order it. The Duck Confit is always the same, crunchy
skin surrounding great tender flavoursome meat. That
most Royal dish of all, Venison, is cut from the saddle,
and the meat just dissolves in your mouth.
Kafe Warisan has an excellent and very extensive wine
list.
Standard Desserts are not forgotten but you have to
choose between nine of them. A Millefeuille Tatin is
rather special. Apples cooked in a creamy caramel sauce,
served with a crispy puff pastry and a yoghurt sauce.
Naturally, all the usual French desserts are here including
chocolate profiterolles and creme brulee as well as
very fruity homemade ice creams and sorbets.
An evening spent dining at Kafe Warisan is always a
special occasion. One that you can rely on not to spoil
the reason why you are dining out in the first place.
Latest Visit: The food just remains so consistent here,
as it has been since opening! Just a shame about the
front-of-house service which can be found sadly lacking
for a place of this quality.
|
