Restaurant Review: Locanda Latina Bar & Italian restoran

Nick, Josh, Candika and yours truly cruised down to an inviting restoran in Poppies Lane 1. Locanda Latina is a refreshing change, and it wasn’t until I perused the menu did I realise the restoran was in fact the old Fat Yogi’s.

A lot of regulars to Bali will remember Fat Yogi’s as the best place for pizza and a great place to relax and meet friends. The atmosphere is still the same, the food much better, and the original pizza oven is still in use. The name might have changed, but the prices are so reasonabe, and the establishment looking even better. From the outside, Locanda Latina looks expensive but a venture inside brings pleasant surprises.

It’s a pleasure to sit on wood in chairs with soft cushions in the continental decor of the restoran. The bar alone is awesome!. It’s the kind of bar you would expect to find in a five star hotel, and its stock of spirits is varied. Just to look at them all against the large mirror gives you a hangover!.

Just gazing at all the choices on the menu makes one’s stomach howl with delight. I could never tire of Locanda Latina and quite happily dine here every night. There is a choice of 20 pizzas, or create one of your own, and all cooked in that renowned pizza oven. If it is a light meal you are after, then Locanda Latina caters for you with a delightful choice of sandwiches and numerous burgers. There is a mixture of Indonesian and Chinese food in one section of the menu, and each dish unusual with a variety of Indonesian spices used in the preparation.

Once you cruise past the usual sections in the menu, you will come across three selections of epicurean delight. The salads, although restricted to 4 choices, each one is superb: an Organic Herbal Salad, Caesar salad, Hawaiian Garland Salad, and a Fetuccinni Salad. The spaghetti and pasta section is pure ecstacy. the authentic Italian dishes come from various regions of the country. Then there is the selection of chicken. Roasted, fried, poached or sauteed. Each dish a mouth-watering delight. Oh, and then there is the Grill section. Such a variety of juicy steaks such as New York Grill and Fillet Mignon, and the list goes on.

There is also an excellent selection of juices, and all fruit organically grown. Locanda Latina is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner until late.

Locanda Latina Bar & Italian restoran
Poppies Lane 1

Ladies first!. Candika found a dish she has yearned to devour since being in Bali, Mie Kuah (Rp10,000). Basically noodle soup with sliced chicken and vegetables, highly spiced, and served with an ample portion of Nasih Putih. Candika is fond of squeezing lemon juice into this dish and then add a tad of Sambal.

Nick was on the reserved eating side and settled for Chicken Breast (Rp18,000). Softly braised and crumbed, the meal was served with blanched vegetables, a pod of mashed potato (Nick wanted to use it as a baseball!), and a small side salad.

Josh, the ever-adventurous one, decided on Fetuccini Prosciuto e Pisella (Rp17,000). Home-made fetuccini with ham and green peas in a creamy sauce. A large serving of home-made garlic bread was a delightful accompaniment.

I was on the ‘chook run’ and chose the Roast Cajun Chicken in Herbs (Rp18,000). A rather large quarter of superbly roasted chicken served with tasty blanched vegetables and a small side salad. It was cooked to absolute perfection and a delight to devour.

Atmosphere: 8.5
Food Quality: 9
Service: 8.5
Rating: 9

Locanda Latina is ‘value for money’ dining at its best. Don’t miss out on this
place!. Highly recommended.