Sarong, Seminyak, Bali

Before we left for Bali a couple of friends gave me a list of restaurants we should really try to get to while staying in Seminyak.

Entrance

Entrance

On our first day in Seminyak we went for a walk along the narrow, treacherous and busy street with virtually no footpath that led from our accommodation.  After about an hour I found it was just too challenging to get around on foot so we crossed the road and started heading back to Peppers.

Typical footpath in Seminyak

A wee bit hazardous

As we did, we walked past Sarong, one of the restaurants on the list.  It was around lunchtime and although not open for lunch service, we could see there were staff on the premises.  We decided to walk in to see if we could book a table for dinner that night.

Path to the restaurant's entrance runs beside a water feature

Path to the restaurant’s entrance runs beside a water feature

The entrance is beautiful with big, carved wooden doors on either side of the entrance with a wide opening that leads to tropical gardens and a pathway surrounded by ponds and water features.  We went inside the restaurant that is large but as it’s divided into pavilions, it’s not a cavernous space.  The dining experience remains intimate with beautiful furniture, low lights and high ceilings giving a feeling of space.

Bar

Bar

We walked up to the bar and asked if we could make a reservation.  As it was a very hot day and as we had been walking around for quite a while we were pretty hot and sticky.  The staff asked if we would like to sit down.  They led us to a table and produced the menu and while we were looking at the incredible selection, they brought over two bottles of sparkling water, complimentary.  So nice of them!

Tall ceilings

High ceilings

We asked if we could make a reservation for that evening however, the restaurant was fully booked as it was for every night we would be in Seminyak, apart from our final evening where we would have to rush through a meal then head to the airport.  As that was our only option, we decided to book a table for our last night in Bali.

Water features

Water features

Sarong opened in 2008 and is one of the most sought after Asian cuisine restaurants in Bali.  The founding chef, Will Meyrick, whose career has taken him from London to Sydney and onto Asia, used to work at Sydney’s very successful Longrain.  In starting Sarong, he has created a menu based on inspiration he found from street-food vendors around Asia.

OUtdoor seating

Outdoor seating

We arrived at around 6pm and the restaurant wasn’t yet busy.  You can sit outside although those tables are quite close to the street which is chaotic and noisy.  We asked for a table towards the back of the restaurant where you can leave what’s going on in the street behind you.

Beautifully decorated

Beautifully decorated

The interior throughout the restaurant is opulent.  Parts of it appear more like a lounge room than a dining room with upholstered chairs beside coffee tables and lots of lamps, curtains, candles and indoor plants.  It had a feel of dining in someone’s home rather than being in a restaurant.

A very spacious restaurant

A very spacious restaurant

We were shown to a table in the rear pavilion that opens onto a garden with a water feature.  It was a very calm and serene setting that would have been a great place to relax and unwind and forget about the time on the clock if we weren’t so conscious of needing to get to the airport.

Stylish interior but dark!

Stylish interior but dark!

The service we received was impeccable with quiet and softly-spoken staff being extremely attentive and forever smiling.  The Balinese people are extremely gracious and their standards of service are incredibly high.

Dinner for two

Dinner for two

The food sourced by the restaurant comes from eco-friendly farmers who grow organic produce.  The restaurant believes in supporting rural communities who maintain and develop sustainable farming practices.  We were handed the standard menu however if you have specific dietary needs like being gluten intolerant or vegetarian, they can give you a menu specific to your dietary needs.

Outdoor seating

The pavilions open onto outdoor seating

Complimentary cracker bread was brought to our table with a yoghurt-based green dipping sauce.  The bread was light and crispy and the dip very refreshing.  This was a lovely way to start our meal as we sipped a glass of wine.

Complimentary bread and dip

Complimentary bread and dip

We shared an entree of Signature crispy pork belly with Sichuan chilli salt tamarillo and tamarind sauce.  I just love tamarillo but had never before had it paired with pork belly.  This was a beautifully presented outstanding dish with the sour and tangy taste of the tamarillo cutting through the richness of the pork.

Food

Signature crispy pork belly with Sichuan chilli salt tamarillo and tamarind sauce

For a main, Drew ordered the Tandoori squid stuffed with paneer cheese cashew nut potato cauliflower marinated in a jwani seed kasoori methi and yoghurt.  Drew couldn’t stop raving about this stuffed squid dish.  He said the squid was extremely tender and the flavours amazing.

Food

Tandoori Squid

I ordered the crispy chicken tangkap with green chilli curry leaf which is a Malay dish.  The chicken was very crispy although I did find the curry leaves a little difficult to chew.  There was a rich and dark and sticky sauce on the chicken that was divine and I did love the heat from the chillies.

Food

Crispy chicken tangkap with green chilli curry leaf

Unfortunately we had to end our dining experience there as we rushed to the plane but definitely Sarong left us wanting more.  The entire menu fits onto a single page however there are so many tempting and amazing options I would love to have visited Sarong again.  If only we could have stayed another couple of nights!

Food

Squid

Sarong was a highlight of our Bali experience.  The restaurant isn’t open for lunch, it allows children over the age of 12, and you definitely need to book.

Verdict:  Fabulous

A very pretty setting

Bye, bye Sarong

Sarong:  Jl. Petitenget No, 19 x, Kerobokan, Bali 80361, Indonesia

Comments

  1. That’s a beauty of a restaurant and don’t the two of you look good. It’s been too long since I’ve seen you!

  2. That place looks and sounds awesome, shame you couldn’t enjoy it more. Just means you will have to plan another trip there and book before you leave for the restaurant 🙂

  3. Love to see a verdict at the end of a post being labeled as….Fabulous 🙂

  4. Wow, I’d break my neck on that footpath! But, would be comforted by that beautiful food! xxx

  5. It all looks delish! I have only been to Bali once, a zillion years ago, and it looks like everything has become much fancier! Except for the footpaths – I remember thinking they were a death trap waaaaay back then!

  6. The restaurant looks amazing and I can see way you hated to be rushed through your meal. The comfortable setting would definitely be an invitation to stay and enjoy a long, delicious meal.

  7. I’m so glad you had a good dining experience in Bali, the food looks delightful. I love your dress Charlie, so pretty and feminine. You and Drew look great.

  8. We absolutely loved our meal here too! I’m glad that you made it there. It was quite a while that we went and the chef is no longer there but good to hear that it is still as good!

  9. What a lovely place. So fun to experience dining in venues like this via your words and images.

  10. What an elegant place! It all looks so welcoming, peaceful, and utterly relaxing. What a great find. 🙂

  11. Such a delightful way to end your visit! The setting and food look amazing!! I’d drag Bill to Sarong and keep my fingers crossed he’d find something to his liking on the menu!

  12. What a wonderful place to spend your last evening en route to the airport.
    Have a wonderful weekend Charlie.
    🙂 Mandy xo

  13. It sounds worth squeezing in even if that required a pre-airport meal! I’m glad you could manage a visit as it does sound like an excellent dining option.

  14. It’s too bad you had to rush your experience, but it sounds like it was worth it. Hopefully you’ll get back to enjoy it at your leisure one day soon. It looks fabulous. Love the decor and the food sounds very good. 🙂

  15. I’m glad you sat least enjoyed the experience before you boarded the plane for home! Sarong must be very special to have such constant and full bookings! I think you’ll have to return to Bali to have dessert! 🙂

  16. Sounds like a fabulous restaurant Charlie, too bad you had to rush.

  17. What a beautiful restaurant and the food was gorgeous as well. Refreshing to go to a place where the level of atmosphere, food, and service all match up for a fantastic experience.

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