A taste of Indonesia at Bali Breeze

Known as ‘the island of the gods,’ Bali is also famous for its mouth watering cuisine. Bali Breeze Restaurant, located on the new Jomtien Second Road, about 100 meters past the Jomtien Market between Sois 7 and 8, offers this food of the gods right here in Pattaya. The spacious venue consists of two, covered, open-air dining areas and an indoor dining room, for those who prefer air conditioning over cool, Bali breezes. The menu offers many Indonesian specialties and some international dishes. Although ‘Thai’ food isn’t offered, my Thai friend ate every morsel of his share of the ‘Bali’ Rice Table for two, which consisted of ten dishes and was priced at 300 baht per person. The food is prepared by an authentic Balinese chef and I enjoyed sampling all ten items. The individual dishes were not large, but with a starter of sate babi (pork satay) with its thick, delectable peanut sauce, we were quite satisfied.

One of my favorites was the beef rendang, which was very tender, perfectly spiced and quite tasty, indeed. It was as delicious as the beef rendang I have eaten in Bali. Also notable, especially by my Thai friend, was the ayam kecap (sweet chicken) and the babi manis (sweet pork).  There was also a tasty spicy chicken dish (ayam pedis). Pork balls, two kinds of vegetables and peanuts were among the other delicacies that rounded out the rice table. The rice tables are accompanied by a choice of four popular rice or noodle dishes, such as nasi goreng (rice) and the one we were glad we chose, tasty bami goreng (yellow noodles).

If you’re very hungry, there are larger rice tables with more dishes, ranging from 375 to 500 baht per person.  Bali Breeze also offers a selection of rice tables for one at 250 baht. What is more, you can order any of their dishes from the a la carte menu.  If you can’t make it to Bali, you can have a taste of the gods, here in Pattaya, at the Bali Breeze Restaurant. They’re open daily from 5:30 pm until 11:30 pm. (Phone: 038 231323; Web site: www.balibreeze-pattaya.com)

Note to readers: The Frugal Gourmand always pays for his own meals and rarely mentions that he is doing a review before the meal. If he doesn’t care for a restaurant, it doesn’t make it to this column; which is why the reviews are mostly positive.