Strategically positioned among the multitude of restaurants in Ubud, Spice stands above the rest with an affordable, local-inspired menu that blows minds with technique and originality. Using 100% local produce, Spice pride themselves in showcasing the culinary wealth of Indonesia, by feeding their guests with the full spectrum of flavours through fun and interactive food and drinks. Chris Salans is Bali’s acclaimed culinary ambassador, having received multiple international awards and bringing the culinary spotlight to Bali for 20 years. It was no surprise our date venue was so lovely, from start to finish – a gastronomical adventure, with a modern twist through Indonesia’s history of food!
Alongside the amazing food, Spice are a self-proclaimed gastro-bar, exceling with tasty innovative cocktails… So delicious!
We wanted to try everything on the menu but knew we had to pick carefully so we went for the four-course paired Best Sellers Set Menu (295k) and chose a few stand-out dishes from the ala carte.
We embarked on the journey at Spice with a pairing of Beef Rendang Croquettes, a delicious rum re-interpretation of the Old Fashion cocktail. A divine way to start our date; sweet & spicy with a touch of class in the glass.
For our next few courses, we sat by the open-face kitchen, watching the action up front. A number of dishes were being plated simultaneously, including the flavourful Spice Salad (95k), Tuna Tataki (95k), Pan Seared Baramundi Fillet (135k) and colourful Pork Belly & Crispy Skin (145k). The Spice chefs use subtle yet inventive techniques within each dish – the Tataki was cooked so well, lightly seared on the outside and juicy on the inside, with a hint of cream to balance the dish. The Baramundi had a vibrant Balinese style pesto sauce that tasted divine with its cocktail pairing. Not to mention the Pork Belly dish, with its turmeric tinted sauce and incredibly balanced flavours to go with it. We recommend to choose the pairing, as each sip from the drinks offered complimented and accentuate the culinary trip throughout the entire experience.
It was time for dessert and we thought it couldn’t get any better. But the reality is that the standard at Spice is so high that there is a delightful surprise around every corner. We tried the Pineapple Cake (45k) and the Deconstructed Banana Kolak (50k) paired with the scrumptious Pino de Bali. A truly memorable meal but that wasn’t the end! Head bartender Bili Wirawan treated us to some of his latest creations, which again did not disappoint. If ever in Ubud, Spice is a must-try!
