The Italian Restaurant is at the Lotus Bungalows, in Candi Dasa. Seated in a large half rotunda, you look out across the swimming pool area, then further across blue seas all the way to Lombok. This is a most pleasant environment in which to start your day with a Lotus breakfast.
********************************************** Print this review of the Italian Restaurant and present it at any Lotus Restaurant in Bali or Lombok and you will receive a 15% discount on all your food and beverage. Valid to October 31, 2005 ********************************************
Most Lotus restaurants have their own unique specialty. Here there is a strong Italian influence. Although they still present many of the other old Lotus favourites.
Amongst the more common salads and entrees are a few unusual ones. An Insalata Tiepida de Calamari is warm cuttlefish. It has been marinated in olive oil, lemon, garlic and chilli, and is served with spring potatoes. Toast ai Funghi, is toast that has been topped with a creamy mushroom mixture. Fagioli all? Uccelletto are red beans, simmered in tomato and oregano.
Pasta e Faglioli is that unique Italian soup that combines Italian beans and noodles. Crema al Cavolfiore con Pancetta is a cauliflower soup, studded with bacon pieces. Whilst the Zuppetta di Mare is an Italian seafood soup with garlic, fresh tomato, croutons with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.
Tagliolini Verdi alla Napoletana consists of thin spinach noodles with tomato and basil. Fettuccinne all?Arrabiata is egg noodles in a hot fiery tomato and chilli sauce! Fettuccinne alla Carbonara Classica is an egg fettuccinne, with bacon and eggs, in a creamy sauce with nutmeg and parmesan. The Fettuccinne Verdi ai Calamari is spinach fettuccinne tossed with cuttlefish that has been simmered in red wine, garlic and fresh herbs.
There are many Pizzas to select from. All are made in the wood oven, to your order. Pizza Daivolo is tomato with red peppers, onion and chilli. The Tropicana combines ham and pineapple. Peperoni is a mixture of salami with red and green peppers, whilst the Romana is made from ham and mushroom. The Calzone is a folded pizza, stuffed with ham and mozzarella cheese.
Involtini alla Pizzaiola are rolls of beef, stuffed with cheese, cooked in a red wine and tomato sauce. Pollo alla Boscaiola is chicken that has been sautéed with garlic, white wine, rosemary and mushrooms. Spiedini di Manzo is a kebab of marinated beef, with tomatoes and onions.
Sardine Fritte Dorate, deep-fried crumbed sardine fillets, head the seafood menu. Gamberoni alla Griglia are king prawns in a garlic butter sauce. The Pesce al Cartoccio is worth the wait for it to be specially prepared. A whole fish is wrapped with herbs in tin foil, and then baked in the wood-fired oven.
Of course there are also many non-Italian dishes including a variety of Sates, the very popular Balinese Babi Kecap, a Green Chilli Chicken [cooked in coconut milk with green peppers and tumeric].
Finish up with Balinese Crepes. They are served with grated coconut and palm sugar. A small but sensible wine list includes a number of local favourite drinks including the very locals Brem and Arak from this region of Karangesam.
