Rumah Adi, Amed 12-2014

The two food places in this post aren't actually at Rumah Adi (which is a guesthouse and convenience store in Amed) but are stalls located a short two minute walk down the road. There's also a restaurant front that is known for babi guling, but on this occasion they had sold out already and the meats in their stall were happily attracting flies.

Luckily these two other places were around as options. One shop makes gadogado to order with rice pyramids cut up from freshly de-twined packages and the ingredients are assembled on top. It was the most authentic gadogado tried throughout Bali (of around 12 altogether) and was tremendously satisfying. Additionally their deepfried jackfruit or ladyfinger banana fritters were sensational taking advantage of the natural sweetness of these tropical fruits. Throughout all times of day people would walk or motorbike (to/from work) and load up.

Around the corner, a man served chicken noodle soup with a very strong soy-flavoured (possibly MSG) broth.

As cheap and as local as it gets.

Sails, Amed 12-2014

If Amed has one fine dining restaurant, it is Sails. The reputation means that I've read about it online in recommendations and had it suggested by my accommodation owner and also someone else I was talking to locally. After eating (happily) at local venues, a slightly higher splash seemed appropriate for the final night in Amed. It was after a long day of morning scuba diving, afternoon walking and snorkelling and so appetite was at a high.

Sails has its own van with which they offer complimentary pickup and dropoff. It's a great luxury but necessary considering that the restaurant is quite a way down the Amed coast.

The setting is great (although only outdoors from what I could see) and the sunset was nice, although sadly facing the wrong way (east) so the full colours were behind us. Given the warm, lit outdoor evening, there were a few kamizake insects, but not enough to detract from the evening. The restaurant specialises in seafood, caters for Western dishes, actively avoids MSG and promotes cleanliness.

- Sail's own Fish Cakes (with chilli dipping sauce) - unusual in that the fish is not blended, but rather small chunks. Great win in texture and flavour;
- Fish soup signature dish (flavoured with lemongrass, citrus leaves) - better than Harmony's version with a more flavoursome broth although I probably prefer the stronger flavoured Thai and French seafood soups;
- Gado gado (lightly steamed vegetables with tempe, tofu, farm eggs and peanut sauce) - one of the more fancy versions with chunky ingredients to mix together, chopped hard boiled eggs and nice thick peanut sauce;
- Balinese Chicken Curry (slowly simmered in traditional Indonesian sauce) - mild creamy sauce served with a touch of yoghurt. Would have liked more heat in the curry;
- Pork Spare Ribs (trimmed of fat & gristle & slow cooked in Anik's special sauce) - reasonable ribs with some chew and not as tender as the wording said. The description is proud of these being unlike any others in Bali, but I didn't feel there was anything incredibly unique;
- Seafood Pasta (ribbon pasta with fish, prawns and calamari in a light cream sauce with wine and parmesan) - I think I've been spoilt by the seafood pastas of Italy. The seafood was a bit sparse and the overall sauce didn't have the impact of seafood flavour for me;
- Mie Goreng - nice addition of fried egg on top. Simple and effective dish.

This is a special occasion place with the ambience that could only be described as luxury for Amed. The food itself didn't excite me as much as I had hoped. I think part of the issue is that for a place that specialises in seafood, there aren't that many Indonesian/Balinese seafood dishes. Most are western which is fine, but not what I was looking for. However if I was to come again, I'd stick with Indonesian seafood entrees and the fresh seafood mains (eg. prawns or mahi mahi fillet).

Sails Restaurants Menu Reviews Photos Location and Info - Zomato

Cafe Harmony, Amed 12-2014

A very short walk (ie. less than 1min) from the accommodation in Amed at Rumah Adi was Cafe Harmony. In fact, one of the owners of Rumah Adi recommended Harmony. It wasn't until arriving there that one of the waitresses informed us that the Harmony and Rumah Adi owners were brothers. Nonetheless it wasn't a strong enough reason to leave to find somewhere else.

Of all the more local places, Warung Enak (TA #1) and Warung Pantai were on my list, but not knowing exactly where they were and the effort involved in finding a driver to take us there meant close enough was good enough.

- Fish, coconut lime soup - thin soup with fresh fish stock and meat;
- Fried noodles - very savoury version requiring two serves to keep the flavour going;
- Kangkung (water spinach stir-fried with garlic & spices)
- Jukut blingbling (leaves of star fruit plant with red beans & fresh coconut) - polarising salad of bitter leaves and beans. I liked it;
- Pesan be mahi-mahi (fish fillets wrapped in traditional-style banana leaf with Balinese herbs & grilled)
- Mixed seafood BBQ served with homemade sambals - given the cost of 125,000 IDR (compared to how much things generally cost), expected more than 2 prawns, some calamari and piece of fish. Nothing special and not worth the cost in the end;
- Special pancake with coconut a la Harmony (green pandan pancake with fresh coconut) - simple dessert with sweet palm sugar and nice overall flavours.

It was a reasonably expensive meal given the setting and standards of a more local restaurant at 586,000 IDR (compare Sails was 680,000 IDR). The food was fine without being exceptional. I'd happily eat here again, but just as easily find something else in the area to try.

The last comment I'd make it that sitting outdoors in the evening eating under a roof light, be aware that insects may kamikaze into your food. Just smile and pick them out (they aren't small).

Cafe Amed Harmony Menu Reviews Photos Location and Info - Zomato