Republik 45

Flying the flag for classic Indonesian cooking with a hip modern flair, Republik 45 showcases the very best of the archipelago in a contemporary setting with a revolutionary attitude.
Elevating classic street food dishes like soto ayam and beef rendang into something approaching more fine dining can be a tricky business – after all, the natural home of street food is out there on the street. The team at Republik 45 are keenly aware of this, and so have created a menu that features real authentic recipes from all over Indonesia, prepared with pride and complimented by the very finest local and imported ingredients. Italian-born chef Luca Masini has meticulously studied the intricacies of Indonesian cuisine, and has assembled a team of kitchen experts around him to ensure that everything they do comes out to the finest quality and flavour.
The bright, vibrant interior is awash with colourful furnishings, bold motifs and rustic touches that reflect the current creativity of this beautifully diverse country, and is the ideal place to come and fill up for lunch, dinner and beyond. Swing by for the lunch sitting between 11.45 – 2.45pm, or escape the midday sun for an afternoon tea between 3-6pm. The dinner menu comes online from 6pm, and the vibe becomes even more sophisticated; think pre-dinner drinks at the bar then an intimate table where you can taste and share a bit of everything. Wednesday nights are for the ‘Ladies of Republik’, where there are free cocktails for the ladies between 10-12pm, and a live DJ set from resident Ben Burgess.
For my first visit to Republik 45, I check out the lunchtime menu, which features plenty of that classic Indonesian fare, but also holds a few European treats up its sleeve as well. First up is a plate of the phenomenal Red Snapper Carpaccio (75k++), enriched with a unique strawberry and basil oil dressing. Following on from here, I order up the Ayam Rica Rica (80k++), while my buddy tries out the classic Soto Ayam – aka chicken soup – (75k++). Both are hard to fault, from the crispy skin and tangy sambal of the rica-rica, to the flavoursome broth of the soup. To get a hint of the European taste, we split a serving of the Smoked Duck Breast (120k++) with cauliflower and pomelo, before rounding things off with the superb Klapertart (65k++) – a traditional coconut pudding served with cinnamon ice cream.
Republik 45 really is a class act if you appreciate high quality, authentic local cuisine – they even have a brand new outlet waaaay up in the rice fields of Cemagi close to Tanah Lot temple. The recently opened Cafe45 embraces all the ideals of its flagship restaurant in Seminyak, but with a more relaxed vibe and an emphasis on breezy brunches and casual dinners. Keep an eye on their website and social media pages in the next few weeks for more info on this exciting new venture.
Dan Ashcroft
Republik 45 Restaurant & Bar
Jl. Raya Kerobokan86A, Seminyak
T. 087 888 661 945  | www.republik45.com