If you really enjoy packing in those carbohydrates, then there is one restaurant in Bali that is just for you. La Bar'Racca Ristorante! No other place in Bali has specialised in Pasta to the extent that they have. In fact they proudly present you with the option of having fourteen different Pastas, and I may even haved missed a couple.

Having the choice of Spaghetti, Penne, Bucatini, Linguine, Fusilli, Gnocchi, Tortellini, Ravioli, Orechietta, Fettucine, Tagliatelli, Agnolotti, Cannoncini and Bocconcini, does make your ordering difficult. Maybe the management hope that you will return here on another thirteen occasions so that you can try them all! If you are a pasta freak, then no doubt you will!

This is really a Pasta House, with no apologies! Of course they do serve more than just Pasta, but Pasta is what it is all about.

Let us be Italian, and start with the Antipasti! We all know that Italians can take things to excess at times, but the first dish on the menu says it all! Gli Indimenticabile Antipasti di Mamma Lucia, wait for it, `Unforgettable Assorted Traditional Antipasti'. If you don't think that is a mouthful, just wait until you see what they serve on the plate! A pile of green salad is surrounding with little servings of mushrooms, boiled egg halves filled with a cocktail sauce, olives, a potato and vegie salad, a seafood salad, parma ham and slices of tomato some of which are topped with tuna flakes, the others with cheese. Not bad for an appetiser!

Of course you can have a plain old Bruschetta, instead. Thin fried pieces of toast topped with chopped tomatoes and garlic in olive oil. It is pretty good, too. Thin, crunchy bread piled high with the fresh topping! Or the wonderful Prosciutto & Melone, for me one of the most classic entrees of all time. Slices of that unique parma ham layered over juicy quarters of melon. It cleanses the palate and gets all of those tastebuds working!

Meat lovers are not forgotten with a Carpaccio also available, thin slices of raw beef with Grana Padano cheese, marinating in olive oil, lemon, pepper and salt whilst you eat it.

No matter what you decide to order, you will be immediately presented with a small plate of three different breads; a small square of focaccia, a bread roll and a pizza bun. This is not a restaurant where you are allowed to leave whilst still feeling hungry!

Now we get to the main part of the menu; Pasta, Pasta and more Pasta!

So you like Spaghetti, how about a Spaghetti alla Vongole, spaghetti with clams. For lovers of Penne, there is a Penne al Prosciutto, Panna & Piselli, with green beans and ham in a light cream sauce.

Bucatini is different, you could try a Bucatini alla Matriciana for a bit of fire in your life, bacon and chilli in a tomato-based sauce. If Linguine is what you are after, then a Linguine con Gamberoni, linguini with prawns, maybe be the answer.

Curly little Fusilli could be enjoyed with a Fusilli al Pomodoro & Basilico, in a simple tomato-based sauce with basil. Soft fluffy Gnocchi is a delight. Here, their most appealing version is a Gnocchi Agli Aromi Prezzemolo, Salvia, Rosmerino & Panna, with parsley Sage, Rosemary, Basil and cream.

Tortelloni di Ricotta & Spinaci Della Casa is home made torteloini stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, served in a bacon and tomato cream sauce. For Ravioli you can try the Ravioli alla Bolognese, pasta parcels stuffed with meat in a meat and tomato sauce. Having been raised in Australia I'm afraid I am used to our version of this sauce. With us it becomes a thick meat sauce with tomato, etc. Rather than the Italian method of doing it the other way around.

For the unusual try the Orechiette! Similar to gnocchi, but almost looking like little tin hats. Orechiette All' Arrabiata is served in a hot and spicy chilli and tomato sauce. Good old Fettucine is not forgotten. The classic Fettucine Boscaiola is served with mushrooms in a garlic and tomato sauce. A home made Tagliatelle Fantasia is different coloured strips of tagliatelle, with eggplant, carrots and green peppers in a tomato sauce.

Now we get into the realms of special pasta's, the really unusual varieties. An Agnolotti del Buongustaio is a home made pasta stuffed with mushrooms and cheese, in a ham and mushroom cream sauce. A Cannoncini al Salmone is another home made pasta, this time simply served with salmon in a cream sauce. Bocconcini di Pollo alla Vodka are little crimped half-moon shaped pasta parcels stuffed with chicken and served in a vodka sauce.

Then there are the meat pasta dishes. Canelloni, pasta tubes stuffed with minced meat, and Lasagne, layers of different pasta interwoven with mince and sauces. All pasta courses are served with a generous bowl of finely grated parmesan cheese on the table.

If you wish you can augment your pasta with a large Grilled Chicken. Leave it in the centre of your table, for everyone to fight over, and pull apart. Or you can have half a bird if you prefer. What is wrong with a good old serving of Chicken and Spaghetti?

Of course there are also traditional main courses, if you aren't on the carbohydrate trail! The meat and fish dishes are what you would expect to find in an Italian restaurant'

La Bar'Racca also offers you the choice of a number of Pizza's. A Margherita [tomato and mozarella cheese], a Prosciutto & Funghi [tomato, ham, mushrooms, mozarella cheese, oregano and olive oil], or a Napoletana [tomato, anchovy, mozzerella, capers, oregano and olive oil] head the list. The top of the range is a Prosciutto Crudo, mozzarella cheese with thin slices of prosciutto crudo stretched across a thin crispy pizza. For those lovers of proscuitto, only!

A wine list of eleven choices, French and Italian, is priced from 300,000++ to 600,000++. However, the real surprise is the wine by the glass [Rp.29,000++], or carafe [Rp.80,000++]. The red wine is definitely one of the best bulk wines presented at a restaurant in Bali, and whilst it is not cheap, both the quality and the large serve make it one of the bargains of Bali for those of us who have been deprived of our regular tipple. White and Rose wines are also available.

If you are still hungry, traditional Italian desserts are available. Tiramisu, Profiteroles and Panna Cotta are amongst the offerings.

All in all, this is a Pasta Heaven. You wouldn't really go there for anything else.