CANGGu
THE CHANGING FACE OF BALI’S DINING SCENE
T
ravelers will find no shortage of fascinating luxury travel options on Bali – from the Instagram opportunities to the nature and the cocktails. There was a time when the term ‘Bali belly’ defined this island’s dining scene. Fast forward to today and you’ll find it hard to eat your nasi goreng without doing so in the midst of upmarket restaurant construction. While Seminyak is firmly on every gourmetlover’s radar, it’s rapidly changing Canggu that’s now in the spotlight.
By Nicole Leigh West
FINE DINING Tugu
COMO Uma
The Canggu food revolution has certainly embraced fine dining. For a cultural experience among a collection of romantic Indonesian artifacts, dine at the lavish Tugu Bali. One of the first hotels to bring luxury to Canggu; culinary journeys include gourmet picnics on the sand, complete with an 18thcentury antique bed illuminated by oil lanterns. The menu at Tugu’s Ji Restaurant is the brainchild of a sushi master and the former private chef to David and Victoria Beckham. Chef Nyoman Antara trained in classical Japanese discipline, and Chef Colin Buchan spent years in Gordon Ramsay restaurants and as an executive chef in global, Michelinstarred establishments. In a reconstructed Kang Xi period temple, choose to dine on Smokey Salmon Zaru Soba, at Ji Bale Sutra. Ji Terrace by the SEA offers 180-degree ocean views, with sensuous, red-themed decor and ancient arts including Balinese Barong heads and Tibetan Mahakala masks. Fine wines, a saké bar, and signature cocktails, like the Smoking’ Coco Sexo, complete the gastronomic adventure.
For a modern luxe vibe, the newest star on Canggu’s dining scene is COMO Uma. Executive chef, Dwayne Cheer, previously headed the kitchen at Soori Bali. He serves up everything from woodfired pizzas to whole snapper on the backdrop of Echo Beach. At the COMO Beach Club, diners recline by the pool on swing chairs to the sounds of acoustic musicians and the crashing surf. 34
