Eating at the mosquito pit and the sister in Kuta Bali

Last night Candika and I continued eating out way along Jl Benesari but with one heck of a surprise. Two restorans opposite each other but with the same owner.

Next to Warung 96 is an open-air warung that looked promising but in fact was the exact opposite. There were a few westerners in this establishment of midgie horror and so we sat down looking forward to a scrumptious meal.

the menu reads like most in Kuta with the exception that this place has a wood-fire pizza oven which looked impressive and that was most probably because it was recently installed. This was evident with the cemented floor still drying. I did ask the waitress ‘What figures here with this?’. A grunt and a moan later she informed me they had just extended the length of the restoran to accomodate 3 tables. I wasn’t brave enough to ask her about the pizza oven!. But it was the mass influx of mosquitoes that were a problem and this was an instant invasion!. With much slapping, cursing and the odd yelp, a mosquito coil was brought over and off which the mossies were grateful becuase they ate it.

Warung Wulan
Jl. Benesari (Next to Warung 96)

Candika (unaffected by the mossie army) decided the night was for Chinese and ordered Coloke (Rp10,000), ayam goreng in a sweeet and sour sauce. However when the meal was served, Candika had to ask for a dish to drain the thin liquid from her plate so that she could find the chicken. Candika commented that the sauce was insipid and the scarcity of the chicken pieces left her hungry.

I on the other hand tried an old Javanese favourite of mine. Mie Goreng Jawa (Rp7,000) is a mixture of sauted vegetables tossed in noodles and usually in a hot wok. But ‘wok’ I received was not what I desired. I have eaten a lot of different food on my travels but never rubber band-noodles. Needless to say, I eat a half of what was served and no doubt the mossies had the rest.

Atmosphere: Pleasant
Quality of Food: Hmmm.
Service: Just Average
Rating: 4

Still scratching from last nights debarkle, Candika and I decided to dine on the other side of the road unaware that the restoran was the sister to the mossie pit. However, the difference was extremely notable in many ways.

Warung Lingga
Jl. Benesari (Opp. Warung 96)

I had just sat down and Candika quietly informed me that this place is nice but it is the same owner. My hunger dissipated but at least the mossie army wasn’t prevalent. I surmised it must be a territorial thing. The menu was the exact copy of Warung Wulan, it too had a wood-fire pizza oven, and the staff wore the same T-shirts. I should have picked that up straight way but my excuse is that I didn’t have my glasses with me!.

Candika ordered Mie Goreng Java (Rp8,000) and I thought that was extremely brave of her considering the night’s previous disaster. However, taking one look at Candika devouring the Mie urged me to pinch a little from her plate and in turn received a wrap over the knuckles with a fork. The taste was superb and the texture of the noodles was delightful. With eager anticipation I awaited my meal to arrive.

My choice was an old favourite of most Bali trippers and the one most reliable meal. The Nasi Goreng Istemewa (Rp10,000) was accompanied with an oversized Krupuk which was devoured instantly, and a large chunk of roasted chicken. The Nasi was absolutely beautiful to taste with just the right amount of shredded vegetables to accentuate the flavour. It was a pure delight to devour.

Atmosphere: Pleasant and interesting.
Qualty of Food: Superb
Service: Above average
Rating: 7

It will never cease to amaze me how two restorans owned by the same person can have two totally different atmospheres and attitudes, as well as the incredible difference in food quality. I realise there are two different cooks, but the owner should be able to recognise by the takings which restoran has the shit cook!.