(DAY III)

Sorry for the long gap between this and the previous post. Last week, I encountered problems with our internet modem and it was fixed just three days ago. Anyway, here's the second and last Bali Bites post for Day 3.

 In the evening, we decided to go out for dinner. My brother-in-law found Bumbu Nusantara, an Indonesian restaurant, still in the Nusa Dua area. It wasn't near our place so we rode a cab to get there. I thought it was just another typical restaurant that's AC'd but it wasn't. And I liked it.

Bumbu Nusantara is quite big. It has tables inside (still not AC'd) but we opted to dine outside...by the beach! I loved it. Thank goodness we went there at night because I don't think I can deal with the blazing sun at noon. It was breezy and peaceful and very beachy. :P And yes, I did take off my sandals to feel the cool sand on the ground.

I took photos of the area while waiting but my camera just doesn't function well at night. Hence, the blurry photos. Anyway, head over to Bumbu Nusantara's Facebook page where they have photos of the restaurant in the morning.

On to our food!

Pineapple juice | iced lemon tea | banana milkshake

Our starter: Pempek Palembang ("a savory fishcake delicacy from South Sumatra, made of fish and tapioca, served with yellow noodles and a dark kuah cuko sweet and sour")

Starter #2: Batagor Bandoeng ("deep fried bakso and tofu, Sundanese fried fish dumplings served with peanut sauce, sweet soy sauce, sambal chili, and dash of lime")

Y'all know I love me some peanut sauce and but I have to say, the sauce of the Pempek Palembang was a winner too! All the fish cakes didn't taste fishy at all which I loved.

Main Course 1: Sate Madoera ("choice of chicken or lamb satay Madura style grilled on traditional charcoal, (with) candlenuts, shallot peanut sauce, served with lontong steam rice")

Aaaand you'd think by this time I've had enough satays. Trolololol. I loved the satays, specially the lamb satays! That + peanut sauce = heaven!

Main course #2: Konro Bakar Makassar ("traditional herbed grill ribs from South Sulawesi, served with Konro aromatic soup, lontong steamed rice, and peanut sauce")

This was my bro-in-law's order. If my memory serves me right, this has a little heat to it but all in all it was yummy. :)

Main course #3: Rendang Sapi ("slowly braised beef from Sumatra infused with coconut milk rich in herbs and spices, served with white rice, stam cassava leaf, and samabl Padang")

This was the order of my sister and no doubt, the star of our dinner. It was so unlike the rendang dishes we've tried in Singapore. This was tastier, creamier, and the spiciness was definitely milder. For the first time in my life, I actually got to enjoy rendang without the feeling of being on fire! It was definitely the best rendang ever. Is Indoenesian rendang really like this? Cause if it is, I'm totally in love.

All in all, dinner in Bumbu Nusantara was really good. Loved the sea breeze and the atmosphere, and of course, the food! Seriously, y'all have got to try their food, specially the rendang. Best. One. Ever.

I've also discovered that like Bumbu Bali, Bumbu Nusantara conducts cooking classes too! They do it outside, same area where we had dinner. If you're not into cooking classes, you can opt to ride a traditional ontel, see the Nusa Dua gardens while riding a becak, or watch Balinese dances.