With all this talk about Bali, a place that inspired the Royal Garden Villas in the Canaries, I couldn’t help but reminisce about a time relishing with some of my oldest friends in Bali.
While gallivanting around, we delighted in an early evening in the exquisite Ju.Ma.Na Restaurant and Bar at the ultra-exclusive Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali.
“To cook with love, passion and to give your relationship with cooking importance in your life.”
A true idyllic haven, the Banyan Tree Ungasan, Bali provides an immediate majestic impact from the moment you enter the grounds. Highlighting the quintessential Balinese style with chic and modern details, the Banyan Tree exudes a lush, tropical paradise further embellished by the traditional architecture found within its large compound of private villas. A real oasis, one couldn’t help but feel mesmerized with the abundant greens and sensuous blooms found all around the property.
We were swept off our feet as one of the staff escorted us by golf cart along the lengthy road that connects the luxe lobby pavilion to Ju.Ma.Na. Restaurant and Bar. We were elated to discover that Ju.Ma.Na. sits at the perfect vantage point right by Bali’s southernmost cliffs. The ideal spot to overlook a fragment of the magnificent Indian Ocean, we were welcomed ever-so-courteously with Arabian-influenced cocktails and snacks. Animated with the glorious pink and purple views of the sea, we continued to carouse in the moment and played catch up while sampling a variety of the most exquisite dishes from their delectable menu.
Ju.Ma.Na., whose name means the “Silver Pearl” in Arabic, is a picturesque restaurant and bar situated in an extremely pleasant and pristine part of Bali. With out-of-this-world floor-to-ceiling views of its unspoiled surroundings, the ambiance in this restaurant is refreshing. Decked in pure white, the atmosphere sparkles vividly as the sunset illuminates its interior and further elevates it with views of the shimmering stars of the night. Bright and brilliant, one could easily cozy up to its plush chairs with soothing throw pillows. The décor further twinkled as the first glass of bubbly is poured. A visit to Ju.Ma.Na. guarantees a dazzling night ablaze with laughter.
Falling under the amorous spell of Bali, our nostalgia deepened after our utopian supper hosted by Ju.Ma.Na. Our dinner started with a delicious appetizer featuring balsamic reduction with beet, foie gras, violets, apple and balsamic jelly paired with a bottle of Undurraga Demi Sec from the Maipo Valley, Chile’s most famous wine region. The plate was followed by another enjoyable appetizer, the Ebi Tartar Shrimp which was delightful to taste while highlighting a beautiful gold leaf edible décor which elevated the pleasurable experience. It was creamy, quite peppery, which provided a satisfying kick that lingers in your mouth.
We continued on to sample the enticing Scallops Cannelloni with apple sauce featuring a lovely pattern made of black squid ink. The taste was everything one could imagine it to be – heavenly and luscious. Moving on, our next plate was a gratifying combination of Salmon with orange zest and a flavorful citrus leaf. The salmon dish was distinctively fresh and divine to taste. As a palate cleanser, mango sorbet with guava jelly was served. It was sweet and tangy, very refreshing.
We continued on to sample a beautiful dish featuring the highest level of wagyu found in Indonesia, the Wagyu # 9 Duo. Exquisitely braised and grilled garnished with Comté cheese in between each layer of potato gratin, it was soft, tender, cooked evenly and perfectly. The turnips and baby carrots on the side were crunchy and fresh providing a lively consistency to the dish.
Another main dish served was the gratifying Angus with truffle sauce. The truffle sauce provided a good unity to the overall taste of the dish and complimented the taste of the Angus beef wonderfully. We also sampled the lamb plate which emanated an overall fantastic and remarkable flavor.
For dessert we had the fruit salsa, hazelnut mascarpone with gold leaf, Baileys ice cream along with dragon fruit, kiwi, blueberry which had a crunchy yet soft texture. An ode to hazelnut, this dessert was the perfect ending to a sumptuous meal at one of Bali’s premiere restaurants, the Ju.Ma.Na.
We had a brief encounter with Ju.Ma.Na’s top chef who shared with us his confidence and conviction to his award-winning dishes. Apparently, his dishes exude his personal objective: To cook with love, passion and to give your relationship with cooking importance in your life. His love for his work truly translated to his dishes for each plate was a real work of art.
Celebrate your love and passion for food and life amidst gorgeous views in Bali with Ju.Ma.Na. Perched at a 70-m. high cliff featuring seamless floor-to-ceiling panoramic views, indulging yourself with its minimalist Moroccan charm will surely exceed your most superior expectations!
Thanks to Ju.Ma.Na Restaurant and Bar | Banyan Tree Ungasan Bali | Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia | +62 361 3007000