Well, we are back now after three wonderful weeks in Bali. We did not have a bad meal the whole time - food everywhere is excellent. However, as to value... Most of the places along the Legian/Seminyak beach strip are seriously overpriced. There is one place that actually levies 21% "tax" (most other places that charge "tax" charge 10% - although I can't help wondering if anyone actually pays this "tax"...) as well as a "service charge". You won't get much change out of 1 million rupiah. This is a major rip-off, and surely they are being greedy. Because the food is already much more expensive than other good places, charging less than half that. Some of these flash newer places seem to equate sky-high pricing with "exclusivity" - i.e., does it make you feel special to know you are spending $100 on a $50 meal. So I would recommend you avoid that area for meals, unless you meet that criterion. Places I can recommend - High End: La Lucciola in Seminyak. Still fantastic food and excellent service. These people understand the meaning of quality and class. Poppies Kuta: Had the best fish I have ever eaten - and I love seafood. And the service was superlative. But when we returned a week or so later, the fish was spoiled through overcooking and the waitperson we had was snooty and disinterested. Disappointing. But I will still recommend Poppies Restaurant as one of the best restaurants on the island. Gorgeous traditional Balinese-style garden setting. I just hope you go there on a night when the wait staff are not unhappy and the chef is having a good night. :) I would also recommend Bebek Restaurant just out of Ubud. Upmarket and fantastic. Very reasonably priced for what you get, and a gorgeous setting amongst the rice paddies. On a less sweet note: we went to Bali Cafe (or is it Cafe Bali) on Jl Oberoi ("Eat Street") on spec. If you want to get dressed up in your party dress and your backless stillettos and mix it with the Beautiful People - and pay through the nose for quite ordinary fare - then this is the place for you. The place was very popular and crowded the night we wandered in. But I would not rush back. The food was ordinary by Bali standards. And not one meal on the menu came with vegetables! Could not even order vegies as a side! Just a very meagre (and expensive) salad. Don't get me wrong - I don't mind spending money. After all, a night out in Australia is rarely cheap. But I don't like getting ripped off. :) We did notice that every restaurant on Jl Oberoi was quite full. So it is certainly a popular area to eat. For Warung (cafe/style) eating, as opposed to your upscale starched white linen tablecloth type places, the best food we ate was at Warung Kartini in Jl Raya Legian Gang XV. It is worth looking for. Indonesian cuisine. Basic but fantastic. And so cheap. A whole deep fried fish with spicy sauce will set you back A$5 or $6. Another favourite is Warung Yogya on Jl Padma Utara. Traditional Indonesian cuisine. Excellent and cheap. We had meals at many other places which were always good, if occasionally relatively expensive compared with what is available all over the place. Overall, I was hugely impressed with the quality of the food and cooking in Bali these days. I am more than happy to provide more info to anyone who is interested.

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"Trees have roots. Man has feet."

Hi Warren! :)

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"Trees have roots. Man has feet."