Expat. Roasters Bali Seminyak

Ending my Bali trip with a stroll along Seminyak Square and I stumbled upon this trendy coffee shop. Just right next to the ever so crowded brunch place, Sisterfield, Expat Roastery seemed to be doing fine on its own. Apparently as I get to know the place, it is somehow correlated with Sisterfield.

The coffee shop is modest in size with a very appealing industrial interior design; a concrete table jutted out which was seemed to be a continuation from the island bar inside. The outdoor seating area is perfect for people watching while sipping the enjoyable coffees.

According to one of the barista, Expat coffee roasts their own bean at Seniman Roaster in Ubud and the beans used are Sumatra Aceh Gayo. If you are not familiar with beans (which I am also still learning), the bean is bold and more acidic in taste.

I ordered the Cappuccino and Piccolo Latte and in comparison I prefer the Piccolo Latte. It has a bold taste and a nice aftertaste.

I would have to say with the growing coffee shops that are popping out across the Island and especially in Seminyak, it could compete well with the others; such as Titik Temu, Revolved and Kim Soo. Always good for me, the more the merrier!

Expat. Roasters

Jalan Kayu Cendana Blok C003
Seminyak Bali 80361

ph  : +62361 738 454
hrs : 7AM- 5PM
IG   : @expatroasters

GYPSY Bali - Canggu

Canggu is slowly growing on me; it is a quaint little village of surfer paradise and trendy boutiques and emerging lovely cafes and restaurants. Away from the crowd, the bustle and hustle of Seminyak, clandestine beach of Batu Bolong only the curious get to find.

Just as I arrived at Canggu, I found a cosy looking café called Gypsy Kitchen and Bar about 10 minutes walking away from the beach. Behind the café is a nice bed and breakfast place named Vassani Stay (@vassanistay), do check it out for your next stay. The café itself is owned by two Canadians who are actually the bar owner and the chef.

The open window that is also a bar area is so inviting and the place is gorgeously hip that it looks effortless. The ambience suits the name Gypsy, carefree, flighty and almost fun; the vintage colorful communal table, high tables and chairs and wanderlust hints scattered across the place. Not forgetting to mention that the staffs are friendly folks too.

Fruits on Fruits on Fruits – IDR 38k

The menu was highly recommended by the friendly staff for a hot and humid weather. It is made of sour sop, orange, strawberry and honey. Fresh fruits were used in the creation of the drink and it was refreshing and perfect for the sweaty me.

Avo on Toast – IDR 64k

The menu usually turns me off, mush avocado is a meh, nut and granolas with fruits gives me shudders and candied orange with cumin mayo as dressings confuses me. Yet I gave it a second look since it sounded fun on a plate and gave it a try and glad I did. Smashed avocado was fresh, poached egg made the plate creamy, the granola made it sweet and the mayo hit it to a higher note, I loved it!

Robin’s breakie – IDR 68k

This menu is actually the Chef’s favorite breakfast and it got me curious to order. The dish consisted of two eggs of any style (I ordered poached), roasted baby potatoes, sautéed mushrooms, crispy bacon, toast and granolas with fruits.

 

The dish was harmoniously delicious, the poached egg burst out nicely, the right amount of seasoning of the salty bacon and the sautéed mushrooms smells tastily while not forgetting the crispy yet soft on the inside of the baby potatoes. The sweet granolas with fruits round up the dish perfectly.

As always, I ended the beautiful sonnet of a breakfast with coffee, the Piccolo and it was good almost like a signing off of a beautiful masterpiece. Until next time Gypsy, I will be coming back for more.

Gypsy Kitchen and Bar

Jalan Pura Batu Mejan

Gang Munduk Catu no 1

Canggu, Kuta Utara

Bali

Ph    : +62 812 3067 0056

Hrs   : Mon- Sun 8am – 10pm

IG     : @gyspy_bali

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Elgin Avenue - Tantalise your taste bud with all day brunch menu

Touching down on Paradise Island of Bali once again with a long list on my hand, a long list of new restaurants I am itching to try. These up and coming Australian influenced cafes and restaurants are spreading like wildfire and I feel the standard for breakfasts and brunches are escalating at rapid speed and I for one is trying to catch up.

The first few on the top of my list is Elgin Avenue, checking out their instagram as per recommendation from #balifood; the industrial décor and the photogenic dishes are inviting. Located in the Seminyak area (Gusto Ice cream is just few doors down) the café in black and white themed is simple and cozy, very straightforward which I like. The place is petite and in my estimation will most likely accommodate around 15 people max. There are outdoor seating’s if you request it, hot when is noon and maybe would be nice in the afternoon.

The menu is simple and to the point and I already know what I want to order, let us proceed to the real deal why I come to the first place.

Rich and creamy scramble – IDR 55k

I think I had mentioned before in this blog, egg is the reigning king of breakfast and I know my egg; it can make or break a brunch place (at least for me) and this place nailed it. I ordered the simple breakfast menu, the scrambled egg, and it came out a perfect ten score from me; it was fluffy, creamy that melts in your mouth with the right amount of salt. The fresh crispy sourdough toast and sautéed mushroom that comes with the dish balanced perfectly with the eggs and cherry tomatoes end the dish in a clean and fresh note. Delicious.

Elgin Big Breakfast – IDR 75k

Second dish was the Big Brunch, the all time classic breakfast people come to love (what not to love, it has a little bit of everything on the dish!). The egg was a good sunny side up with the perfect ooze when you cut through it, the bacon was crispy and I would want to call it my happy pills (bacon in the morning, finger licking good). My other favorite from the dish is the hash brown and oh how delightful it was, it was juicy and crunchy. The plate cost 75K and it was all worth every penny.

Elgin Crispy Egg Benedict – IDR 70k

Another breakfast favorite is the Egg Benedict that consists of two halves of an English muffin of which is topped with ham and hollandaise sauce; legend to be told that it was conceived when a Wall Street stock broker came in to Waldorf Hotel looking for a cure to his hangover. It was enticingly presented at my table and it was a delicious dish; poached egg was at the right texture and a generous amount of smashed avocado was placed right in between the egg and the bread along with the ham and cherry tomatoes is quite a breath a fresh air from the classic Egg Benedict. Kudos.

Hot Cappucino – IDR 28k

The fantastic brunch would not be complete without a cup of Coffee so I ordered to satisfy the caffeine craving in me. It came with a nice art latte but the taste is not as satisfying as the brunch. I do prefer the bold flavor than a soft one due to the concentration of the milk just like I was having.

 

This place very easily had climbed up to the very top of my list of favorite brunch. I hope they maintain their quality (and price) until I get back to Bali!

Elgin Avenue

Jalan Mertanadi, Kerobokan Kelod

Kuta Utara

Bali

Ph    :+62 877 6131 4449

Hrs   :Sun- Mon 8am to 5pm

           Tue- Sat  8am to 9pm

IG     : @elginavenue

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New A la Carte menu by Publik Markette

Hey Ya’ll!

Without the need of much introduction, I am quite sure many of you or all of you are aware of the well-known hip restaurant in town, Publik Markette at Grand Indonesia Mall. 

The restaurant is known for its impressive food gallery right when you walk in to the restaurant and you can pick and choose what you see. If you were the few who did not like the excitement of picking as you see and all those walking of back and forth for getting back for seconds or thirds, well Publik Markette does not neglect you. The new concept is the introduction of A la Carte menu that allows you to order from the menu book In the convenience of your seat. 

Fret not, the food gallery is here to stay and it will display arrays of specialties with different menus every day. One of my fave which I thankful that will still be available is their Pork Belly on Monday and Saturday! A must try!

Let me elaborate more on their A la Carte Menu, which is about 10 new menus offered, and let you be the judge whether you want to try (I tried about 70% of this new menu!)

1.Bacon Cheddar Fries

Let me repeat that title, Bacon (which is actually beef), Cheddar, Fries, a combination only heaven can make! This is definitely in the appetizer category and I simply cannot skip my aficionado with these three simple basic needs; bacon, cheddar cheese, fries and the mayo on the side is like love in its simplest form. I am not exaggerating. 

Fries are individually seasoned generously so you have that full dimension of flavor when you taste it, a simple menu but boldly executed. Two thumbs up!

 

2. Homemade Pasta Beef Ragout

The pasta is homemade with the right texture and a lot of love into it yet it was not really up to par for me. Tomato based sauce is rich and toppings are generously distributed over the pasta. I personally had seasoned it with parmesan cheese as apart from the right textured pasta and the generous toppings, the sauce was on the dry side, if only they put on more sauce on the pasta it would’ve been perfect. Maybe next time I should voice out the need of more sauce when I dine.

3. Super Lord of the Bacon Burger

The name is Super Lord is not for nothing, it is to name a humongous sized burger loaded with goodness! Ample beef patty, sunny side up egg, two layers of bacon, cheddar sauce, fresh tomatoes, lettuces, onions with crispy potato chips on the side. Forget all food table manners as it gets super messy and it worth every dripping sauce all over mouth and dirty hands! A must-try!

4. Salted egg yolk pork belly 

It would be very selfish of me if I did not mention dish as this is the ultimate must try and on the very top of my list dining at Publik Markette. The deep fried crispy pork belly goes extremely well with the thick and generously portioned salted egg yolk sauce and the runny poached egg elevated the whole overall taste. What a monster-licious dish! . 

 

5. Char Grilled Bone in Pork Chop

The roasted baby potatoes are nice with the perfect crispy skin, the baby tomatoes are fresh and yet the rocket leaves have just right seasoning. The pork chop has super less fat and yet the pork is still tender and moist. This dish is definitely not for the faint of heart. 

6. Nasi Campur Bali and Jimbaran Tiger Prawns 

 

Jimbaran Tiger Prawns

Nasi Campur Bali

I had put these two dishes together because for me they have similar or more likely the same taste with the difference thatt one is Halal and the other is not. If you been to Bali and you miss Bali food, I do think that this Balinese dish in Publik is just the right choice to have a little taste of bali all over again, with the  menu created by a Bali origin chef makes it authentic. On the nasi bali menu, it consisted of sate lilit, urap, babi guling meat and crispy pork skin while on jimbaran tiger prawns it consisted of three big prawns with Urap and both of the menu are served with potent sambal matah and rice. Be warned that the sambal is scorching hot!

7. Crispy Salmon Skin

Crispy Salmon skin with baby potatoes, baby tomatoes and rocket leaves has all the right combination of crispiness, freshness and perfectly seasoned. A delightful dish!

8. Nasi Goreng Buntut 

  

On this one, I would let you to tell me how the taste is in the comment box below :)

After all the feasting I came into conclusion that the new menus are delectable and exquisitely executed. Kudos to the heads that has been put together to create an outstanding menu. Do also try the breaded chicken fries, Tokyo aglio olio, and the Quattro formaggi Pizza as they are also notable to be mentioned. Publik Markette is coming back in full swing, folks, so brace for impact!

 

Publik Markette

Grand Indonesia East Mall

Jl. Moh Thamrin No 1

Menteng, Jakarta Pusat

+6221 2358 1281

IG : @publikmarkette

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