by Lori Baltazar
Bali could be called the Boracay of Indonesia. It’s a popular tourist beach/resort destination that is at once commercial and deeply spiritual. After the Japanese occupation during the Second World War from 1939 to 1945, Bali became a province of Indonesia, but managed to maintain a separate, specifically Balinese culture; whereas the dominant religion in most parts of Indonesia is Islam, in Bali it is Hinduism.
The island is ringed by coral reefs; the beaches in the south have white sand, while those in the east and north have black (volcanic) sand. Bali has a population of around 3 million. There are large fruit plantations in the east of Bali, as well as cornfields and coffee plantations.
Coffee from the Indonesian island of Bali was formerly sold exclusively to the Japanese market. The changing face of world economics finds the first exports of Balinese coffee arriving to coffee connoisseurs ever-hungry for new blends.
Enter Bali Blends, a new coffeeshop-slash-restaurant at the Mega Strip A in Ortigas. Upon entrance, I’m hit with a strong scent of sandalwood, emitting from the various scented candles. Coming here is like coming home, since I lived in Indonesia for eight years. So many familiar things: snapshots of familiar Indonesian sights, Indonesian puppets called wayang kulit and wayang golek; the waiters also wear a kopiah, a native hat worn by most Indonesian men.
Bali Blends is a full-service restaurant serving Indonesian favorites: nasi goring dan satay, fried rice with meat kebabs served with a peanut sauce; martabak, a type of filled pancake; and gado-gado, a mixed vegetable salad with peanut dressing. I feel like I’m reliving my childhood.
But it’s early afternoon and I regret having had lunch elsewhere, so a return visit is soon to come. So my friend and I settle for the coffee. Served in either 12 or 16 ounce cups, it’s sophisticated and well-prepared. On my friend’s Café Mocha (P100), there is a delicate flower painstakingly “etched” with chocolate sauce. So pretty and dainty at the same time, I think that if all coffee comes to me looking like this, I may not want to drink coffee again, hesitant I’d be to mangle such artwork with my mouth.
My Sumatra coffee (P80) on the other hand, is plain looking but pungent. Balinese beans are washed (wet-processed) like neighboring coffees from the Indonesian islands of Java, East Timor and Papua New Guinea. My cup has traces of the earthy character, but only in the background. It is a classic, clean cup with much body and mildness.
THIS RESTAURANT IS NOW CLOSED.
Bali Blends
Megastrip Bldg. A
Sm Megamall
631-8891
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Talk about latte art – that mocha is gorgeous!
Wow there aren’t many Indonesian restaurants in Manila — and even less that serve Indonesian coffee. Given the amount of caffeine I ingest (5 cups a day) this looks like a must try. =)
I miss Indonesia too, Lori. Remember the parties at your house where there was a little martabak cart in your back yard? Genius. I wish San Diego had a good Indonesian restaurant, but alas…there is a great one in L.A. called Indo Cafe that did my “Es Alpokat” just the way I liked it…with that amazing brown sugar syrup used often in Indonesian desserts!
lori, you just have some of the most stunning photos around… would you do the photography for a book if I ever decide to write one?
Have you eaten at Queens Crystal Garden on Jupiter St.? They call it an “Indian Fusion” restaurant, but that’s a misnomer. It’s actually a restaurant that serves Indian & Indonesian food, with a few Thai dishes. I believe it’s owned by a few Indian women and has an Indonesial chef. I’ve only tried the Indian food, which I thoroughly enjoyed — especially the breads! The Kashmiri Nan is a must-try!
Hi Lori,
I’ve heard a lot about the state of cleanliness (dirty and unsanitary practices) of a majority of restaurants in Metro Manila. I’m talking about food preparation, storing food in improper temperatures, food storage with roach and mice droppings all around, unsanitary practices of food handlers, slime in the ice, dirty wiping cloths, unsanitized utensils, etc..etc..etc, you name it. This is the main reason why I avoid most restaurants that do not have a good training program for their employees. At least McDo does and so does Shang-ri-La.
There’s supposed to be the local government Department of Health. But can you trust them?
What’s your take on this?
JoAnn
ooh yum! That cafe mocha is beautiful! The creator is definitely down with the latte art. So neat!
Your styling makes the food look even better than the actual plate in front of your eyes. Gorgeous, just simpky gorgeous.
hi miss lori i work at bali blends cafe in mega mall and i’m glad to tell you that we can now accept credit cards pls. try out our breakfast meal! hope to see you there
charles
barista , bali blends