Bali and Your Belly - The Shores of Romance

How is it possible to go to Bali without being swept up in the inherent romance of the island? It has positioned itself as the sensual and mystical, the virginal and passionate, it creates the slight offset beat that heightens our allure.


Funny, isn't it? If you were to assume the male and female between these drinks, you would think the tall fruity thing is mine, wouldn't you? I prefer less sweet, more sour. The hurricane glass is Enrique's. It's a pineapple rum frozen and frothy concoction. Mine is a lime and lemongrass gin. Bali isn't known for the heavy drinkers; liquor here is at a premium, but it doesn't mean their bartenders pay little attention to taste. As odd as this is, I wasn't really interested in drinking much on this vacation, but a cocktail goes well with dinner.








Enrique opted for the four course dinner. The ice cream in that black dish? Wasabi. The salad? it's lobster sashimi. Also on the menu was a deconstructed ravioli, seared scallops and ribs (ah yes, my husband and his ribs...)





I must say he enjoyed the ribs more than anything. He is, in the end, a man's man, and while flavours and unique presentation are all well and good, great tasting hearty food will beat out every time. Yes, yes, I know I said he drinks fruity drinks, but a man in vacation is entitled to the little umbrellas. But a man tends towards comfort foods more than women, so if you offer him ribs, and top it of, with rice, of all things (he is Filipino, after all), can I blame him? To him, this is what he enjoys. Even if the best ribs in the world are half a world away, this is what made him happy tonight.














For me, I chose a freshly caught snapper. Ever try to recreate a great food moment? Mine is a Snapper at a restaurant (El Pescadore) in Mexico. It was the best snapper I had ever tasted. Unfortunately, this snapper fell short. In fact, this snapper was undercooked, and before I could spit out the offending mouthful (into a napkin, I did not intend to ruin the evening, lol), some must have made my way into my stomach because I had to go back to the room after dinner while Enrique enjoyed the night on the beach. I joined him, but of course, it put a great pause in the evening. But then again, that's part of love, right? Right?



Romance isn't always about dressed up food. Some of the best food we've eaten have been in what would be termed, unromantic settings. But it is the passion that makes the romance irregardless of the setting. And though it was wonderful to have a candle lit dinner on the beach in Bali, by no means was it necessary for our love and our passion.


Oh come on, a candle lit dinner on the beach in Bali can't hurt your chances either.