The old Raja Serves it Good

I must have walked past this place a thousand times or more but gave it no more than a mere glance. Candika and I were tucking into it across the road at another establishment, and it was then I noticed quite a few people eating there.

The Raja Restoran on Jl Legian is a Kuta legend (or so I was informed!). Most of you might know its more fancy and chic sister restoran in Kuta Square. Now that I have eaten in both places, I gotta give the old Raja the heads-up. Candika and I sat outside as usual in the al fresco munching area and I must say, it was delightful to sit there and watch the people cruise by.

The restoran seats about 40 people outside with heaps of room on the inside for at least 100. It is a super-clean place with friendly staff who are not short on a joke or two which I like. The whole places oozes atmosphere. Candika became fascinated with the oil and water candle on the table but she wouldn’t have it that oil floats on water!. I shoved a menu in front of her eyes, and she soon lost interest.

There is an extensive yummy menu with what I thought was the works in it - a superb choice of grilled steaks and seafood, a mouth-watering Mexican selection and an adequate pizza list to boot. I particularly liked the Balinese food choice and, tempted as I was, the Wombat loves the sea and so it was into the briny I went. No, not literally but by choice!.

Candika decided on Balinese tucker and chose the Nasi Empal. This consisted of tempe, daging goreng, nasi sambal and lalapan together with, of course, nasi putih. Well, Candika’s jaw dropped when it was placed in front of her, naturally she started salivating. Heck, so did I but I had no chance of pinching a bit of the Balinese delight. Candika was delighted with the Balinese tucker and swore never to eat nothing but again - well, until she gets back To Java that is!.

The Wombat chose a Tuna Mexicana. A super-savoury Mexican dish that I have devoured quite often. It consists of a Tuna steak smothered in a sauce mixture of chilli, sliced tomato, spanish onions, and sliced peppers. Not feeling like Nasi , I had a decent serve of french fries cooked to perfection. An incredeible meal. The Tuna steak was as thick and as big as my hand, and just melted in my mouth. The chilli’s could have been a tad hotter but who’s complaing - not the Wombat!.

Tuna Mexicana: Rp29,900
Nasi Empal: Rp19,900

The Raja is also open early for Breakfast and has a complete selection of foods to suit any western pallet.

Food: 4.5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5

Location: Raja’s Restoran,
New Bounty Mall,
Jl. Legian,
Kuta
(Next door to the new Paddy’s nightclub)