Talking to David Smith from Papa’s Cafe in Kuta
Papa’s Cafe on Jl. Pantai Kuta is one of my choices for best 3 restaurants in Kuta.
Last week Andrea and I enjoyed great food at Papa’s and today I got to meet the General Manager David Smith who was nice enough to answer my questions.
…………………………………….
Nick: When did Papa’s Cafe open?
David: Papa’s opened 4 years ago June 29th 2000.
Nick: Where are the owners from?
David: The owner is Nunzio from Fremantle Australia.
Nick: Where are you from?
David: I’m from Sydney Australia.
Nick: How long have you been here?
David: I’ve been in Bali for 2 years.
Nick: What is your background?
David: I am a chef by trade and have worked for the Four Seasons and Intercontinental in Sydney plus private hotels in Fiji.
Nick: What brought you here?
David: I came on holiday, still on holiday
Nick: What is the concept of Papa’s?
David: The concept is casual alfresco dining with a focus on hygiene. We spent $150,000 AU on our kitchen which includes UV water filtration.
Nick: How would you describe the setting and the dιcor?
David: Meditterreanean, terazo, water features. The goal was to have ocean view from every table. Even upstairs at the back. People are here for the beach and the island. Instead of closing them in we want to let them enjoy it.
Nick: How would you describe the menu?
David: A lot of traditional Italian dishes, authentic wood fired pizza. We are trying to give people familiar tastes. We’re not into fusion. We buy are peking duck from Niko Hotel and its authentic. Our chefs are experienced in Italian cooking so we don’t try to make them do the Asian items which are catered by the hotel behind us, the Alam Kul Kul.
Nick: What is Papa’s specialty?
David: Wood fired pizza and espresso. It’s a traditional wood fired oven. Authentic thin crust.
Nick: Who comes to Papa’s?
David: 60% Aussies, the rest Japanese and local expats. The chefs I know from big hotels only come here for the pizza.
Nick: Why do people come to Papa’s?
David: I think its for any restaurant its 3-4 things you have to get right, ambiance, food, . Our food standard is very consistent and the service is good. The Italian family concept is to leave people full and we want to give people value for money.
Nick: How has the bombing affected business?
David: Our business was affected for 6 monthes with 50-70% reduction in trade. Now we’re at better than pre-bombing levels for trade.
Nick: Do you plan to open other branches?
David: We’re opening a wood fired pizza outlet in Waterbon Park, one in front of Pepito in Tuban and one in front of Kartika Plaza in 5 weeks calling it Papa’s Pizza Cepat.
Nick: Why do you think Papa’s is one of the 3 best restaurants in Kuta?
David: We’re not trying to be something we’re not, just trying to deliver a value for money meal.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
Papa’s is located close to Kama Sutra on Jl. Pantai Kuta and is open 7 days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8am to midnight.
(0362) 755055
By Sean | Permalink
Related Posts
- More photos from Ubud
- Bali Pictures from December 2003
- In search of a house
- Local photos - Kuta Beach and Poppies Lane
- Interview with Balinese gift shop worker Made
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share              |
Comments
Nunzio is one of the Fremantle “characters”.
It’s good that he has done well in Bali.
hello nick, i remember the original papa`s in fremantle, west australia, i know it from 1976, though i`m sure it was going a long time before that, you can alway`s tell a good italian cafe/restaurant, because it`s alway`s full of italians, it`s hard to get a seat. the original papa`s in fremantle was alway`s good value, and the family & and staff who ran the show, were well respected, i`m sure it will be the same in beautiful bali. hey barrie!, FREO, way to go!
Mate - I am a little bit pissed off that you never took me here. 
Let’s go next time…I am sitting here in Portland, Oregon drooling (sp?).
“I came on holiday, still on holiday.”
“We’re not trying to be something we’re not, just trying to deliver a value for money meal.”
With those words, the attractiveness of the place and scottycol’s comments, this isn’t a restaurant that will go away.
G’Day Scottycol,
Yeah, Freo the way to go!. At least I hope so this weekend against the St Kilda mob!.
G’day Nick,
Read your article on the Balinese family compound. Excellent mate.
Yay go you Dockers!!!
Raining and misarable here in Perth. Even ‘though we need the rain I much prefer the sunshine. Only 71 sleeps and I’ll be there.
YOU PERTHITES DONT KNOW HOW GOOD YOU ALREADY HAVE IT…..I MEAN ******* LOVELY BEACHES AND WHEN THE SUN SHINES WELL A DAMN NICE PLACE TO LIVE…BEATS A RAINY WINTERS DAY IN LONDON. COME OVER HERE BARRIE AND SUNBATHE ON THE BANKS OF THE GLORIUS THAMES,LAPPING UP THE RAYS AND PERHAPS EVEN BEING A BIT DARING AT LOW TIDE DO A BIT OF PADDLING IN THE LOVELY TURQOISE GREY WATERS.ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT IF YOU LIVE IN PERTH AND STILL CANT WAIT TO GET BACK TO BALI BARRIE, IT MUST BE A BLOODY NICE PLACE MATE THATS FOR SURE.!
REGS M
I grew up in Yorkshire not far from the Yorkshire Dales. Beautiful scenery, often “difficult” weather.
I looked on the weather map of Australia and liked the look of the Perth area.
Been here nearly 42 years. Live 30 minutes south of Fremantle near the beach.
In the Summer, why would you want to be anywhere else? In the Winter, why would you not want to be in Bali?
G’Day Mark,
Bali is a beautiful place. I got out of Bali 10 years ago because of the mass tourism and went to Java. Since returning to Bali, it has captured my heart. The island and it’s people have that certain ’something’ that I have never found anywhere else in Indo. It’s hard to explain!. Take my word for it, once Bali has captured your heart then you will understand mate.
Hi Rex,
Perth is without a doubt the most beautiful city in the whole of Oz. In summer or winter, Perth is great. However, I have never been the suburban type [and never wil be] and much prefer to be travelling and meeting other folks from around the globe.
Sure there are a thousand places in the world that I would love to live in, but, Bali will be my permanent home when I put down roots.
Yorkshire Dales. Stunning area with beautiful snow covered landscapes in winter. I was born at the back of Old Trafford, left the UK when I was 2 years old and never stopped travelling!. At first with the folks but then alone!.
G’Day Nick,
Concise and excellent interview. Sure do prefer those thin crusts on pizzas to the thicker ones.
There is a certain something about a woodfire pizza oven.
It was interesting to read just how much they spend on hygeine. Way to go!.