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Shopping in the new Discovery Mall? Need a break? Need to sit down? Need to cool off? Need a bite to eat? A drink? A cocktail at sunset or a three-course evening meal?
Offering a diverse menu of delicious dishes at reasonable prices, and fast efficient service within air-conditioned comfort or upon an outdoor terrace with 120Ú views of the Indian Ocean, Bali Colada is a beachfront mall café that fulfils the needs of busy shoppers.
I visited Bali Colada last week for lunch. Almost every table indoors was occupied, so I chose to sit outside under the turquoise perspex awning, which casts Curacao blue shadows against the dazzling white façade of the building. The aquamarine Curacao theme subtly continues throughout the trendy interior with co-ordinating walls, table runners, chair cushions and staff T shirts. A splendid seawater aquarium is set into one wall like a living picture, portraying an exotic coral garden inhabited by flamboyant tropical fish.
 
As the name suggests, Bali Colada offers an impressive range of cocktails (29 – 49) with pertinent names such as ‘Discovery Punch’, ‘Barong’s Golden Dream’ or ‘Denpasar Moon’. Still nursing a hangover from the night before, I opted for a mocktail (21) a ‘Virgin Bali Colada’ created from pineapple, passion fruit and blue Curacao syrup. The glass was garnished with bougainvillea and the drink was cool and refreshing, I quickly followed it with a ‘Ginger Chilled Out’ composed of ginger ale and lime with chunks of fresh ginger, and then ordered a ‘Prawn Avocado Salad’ (27). This crisp salad is a favourite with the customers. My generous portion featured an abundance of fresh healthy ingredients including slices of hard boiled egg, tomato, and red and yellow capsicums, in addition to the large juicy prawns and smooth avocado. Other extremely popular lunchtime choices include a selection of burgers (29 – 32), together with focaccia, baguette, pita and toasted sandwiches (25 – 32) stuffed with a variety of fillings and served with French fries. The Indonesian delights and the pasta dishes, such as the homemade pumpkin ravioli (27), go down well at anytime of day or night. Meanwhile, the more substantial seafood, meat and chicken main courses (24 – 75), and side orders such as mushroom risotto (12), make Bali Colada an attractive destination for an al fresco dinner complemented by that famous view of the coastline all the way up to Canggu.
Just as I was trying to make up my mind between the ‘Nasi Goreng Vegetarian’ (20) and the ‘Three Ocean Friends’ (56), a buddy of mine cruised by, decided to join me and we ordered both. The ocean friends – prawns, tender calamari and fish – were presented on wooden skewers upon a bed of spaghetti drenched in a full bodied green pesto sauce, and the colourful nasi goreng (fried rice)was cooked with a myriad of veggies and spice including turmeric, carrots, green beans, peas, onions, leeks and chilli, served with crackers and pickles, and topped with a fried egg. Chef Alexander Erich focuses on fresh products and it was interesting to compare his interpretation of an Indonesian specialty with his fusion of local seafood saté and an Italian staple; both were artistically arranged and both tasted great. We finished with another colourful temptation, a fresh fruit tart (16) from the homemade pastries and cakes counter.
Bali Colada is open daily from 9am until 11pm, and everyone is invited to the Grand Opening Party on the evening of 24th June. The event will spill out onto the beach to the accompaniment of DJ music, a fashion show, dancers, lasers and fireworks.
Rache
Metro Sports Bar | Tasteful Tapas
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