My initial review of the Secret Garden caused quite an uproar to say the least. So, in all fairness I returned to the Secret Garden today to meet the owner, Alvin, and to partake in a meal. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised.
By now all of you would have read Nick’s article on the Secret Garden. As the restoran reviewer I deemed it a feasible idea to re-assess the restoran with a fresh perspective. Not because of all the flak I have received, but because I am a firm believer in the old Oz adage ‘Everybody deserves a fair go’. In order to do this, I will review the Secret Garden as I have with any other restoran and with the usual format.
After talking with Alvin for an hour or so, Candika and I sat at a table on the balcony which affords a delightful sea breeze. Rather than rattan, the tables and chairs are solid wood as is the theme throughout the restoran. The balcony has approximately 5 tables for those wishing to dine ‘al fresco’ even though the interior of the restoran is just as delightful. In the courtyard below the restoran there are several plastic table and chairs for those who prefer to dine in a semi-garden setting. Inside the restoran, the square bar gives a touch of uniqueness to the Secret Garden. Ask Alvin to show you his century old foto of Cornish miners!.
The menu is simple. It was designed this way, Alvin says, to enable patrons to make a quick and easy choice. Each section averages four choices, except for the Indonesian section which is a full page of of the usual Indonesian yummies with a few added surprises. I was impressed to see a ‘Baquettes’ section on the menu, as well as one of my old time favourites, Old English sausages with potatoes and gravy. Most of you will know this as ‘Bangers and Mash’!.
I enjoy returning to restorans for a second time cos I reckon you see the place in a different light so to speak. Well, Candika and I definitely did. The staff were polite and friendly, and it’s always nice to hear your order read back to you. A nice touch I thought. How many times have you been to a restoran, ordered something and then received the exact opposite!.
Secret Garden Bar & Restoran
Poppies Lane 1
Candika and I decided on Indonesian for lunch even though the Bangers and Mash seemed extremely tempting to me!. Candika ordered NASI GORENG ISTEMEWA (Rp16,500). A generous portion of Nasi Goreng accompanied by satay sticks, a quarter of crisply fried chicken and a smal salad. I waited until Candika had finished devouring her meal before I asked her opinion. The big smile on her face said it all!.
Yours truly is a big lover of Sate, and I reckon you can judge a restoran by its sate!. So, it was the SATE AYAM (Rp20,500) for me. A half-dozen sticks of sate laid on a bed of shredded white cabbage and topped with a tangy peanut sauce. The accompanying nasih putih and small salad complimented the meal. I found the chicken to be moorishly soft and a definite ‘melt in the mouth’ job. I took particular notice of the cubes of chicken. They were a decent size and the whole meal was very filling.
Atmosphere: Very Pleasant
Food Quality: Excellent
Service: Polite and Friendly
Rating: 8
My previous visit evoked a negative review and of which could have been caused by a variety of scenarios. Having said that, upon my return today for a meal I found myself extremely and delightfully surprised.
I realise there are a lot of Secret Garden supporters out there who will give me heaps for this second review. But as I said previously, everybody deserves a fair go, and I have done just that with honesty and sincerity in this second review. Would I recommend the Secret Garden to those coming to Bali?. Most definitely after being there today, chatting with Alvin the owner and enjoying his hospitality.
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Okay, everything sounds so appetizing, but one question, unless your stomachs are made of steel, what about the rule of if you can’t peel it don’t eat it?
I noticed the sate comes on a bed of cabbage, which is washed, which means the magic stuff in the water will also attach to the meat, which then attaches to your stomach, then voila….who knows what other treats follow!
What do you recommend for me to do? Cause my stomach isn’t so strong…and invariably something happens, no matter how careful I am, I get some thing…and while I will do my best to stick to the eating rule, I’m very envious to read these yummie stories, and wonder how you all can stomach it!?
????
Ok I’ve only been 2x but my sister who just visited from Vancouver was also there last week for her first time and she tells me that KuDeTa in Seminiak has got to be the greatest restaurant and position she has ever eaten in! Eat, drink and be merry along with the best service anywhere and enjoy it all on the shore of the Indian Ocean! Get thee to KuDeTa, but don’t tell too many others….
Great Review Barrie….. Now you just gotta get Candika to order something other than “Nasi Goreng Istemewa”
Than done let’s now get back to other things happening in Bali etc…..