Sea Circus Seminyak Bali : Eyecandy!

Bright colors, flowers and striking contrast.

This little shack off Oberoi, Seminyak knows how to make a statement from the seemingly similar eateries in the neighborhood. The first time I lay eyes on her was in my friend's photos. It was love at first sight. I was on the hook. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, chase her up and finally made it here few months ago with a bunch of hardcore foodie, Jenz, Jie, and the quick learner travel blogger, Vira.

Arriving in the afternoon, with a quarter-full belly we ordered a few drinks and light bites to justify coming here. Haha. A Skinny Dip (pineapple & mint) because Jenz actually feeling like doing so, Bloody Shame (virgin bloody mary) because I was feeling a bit brutal, and the cool, calm, composed Jie had a cup of Cappucino as usual. I didn't quite enjoy my drink. I find it weird having a spicy aftertaste on a glass of juice. Tried Jenz' as well but I have to quit halfway. Not a big fan of minty drinks. I'm a big believer that mints only deserve to be in either candies or toothpaste.

Skinny Dip (IDR 25k) 

Bloody Shame (25k)

Cappucino (IDR 26k)

In the sharing plate was a portion of churros with chocolate dip. Marvelous. Close to the one I had back in Sydney's favorite San Churro Chocolateria in Glebe.

And finally on the confused corner was Vira. As a travel blogger, her first encounter with us, three foreign creatures who doesn't seem to ever get full astound her so much that she put it into one of her blogpost here. Its interesting to hear her point of view, and how much our world actually coincide but we naturally pay attention to different part of an experience that matter the most to us individually.

Churros w/ Chocolate Dip (IDR 45k)

For me that one visit was unfinished. I have yet to taste their lunch and dinner courses. I guess, I can wait. Let's keep it interesting. I'll unravel your other layers next time, but I must admit, you're an eyecandy.

Bali, you never cease to amaze me.

Cheers,

Fellexandro Ruby
Food Photographer & Storyteller

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Sea Circus
Jalan Kayu Aya (Oberoi Rd) No. 22
Ph: (0361) 738667
T: @SeacircusBali

Soto Ceker (Chicken Leg Soup) Kuta : Second Dinner in Bali.

When you're in Bali, it's past dinner time but your belly is sending a hunger SOS to your brain, what do you do?

No, you don't call 500-600. That thing ain't gonna satisfy your appetite. I mean, you're in one of the most exotic island with thousands of local delicacies to explore. Let me tell you what qualifies as a proper second dinner / late supper. 

Meet Soto Ceker (chicken leg soup). Situated near pasar Kuta, the area is well known for several culinary spots like Nasi Pedas Bu Andhika. Soto Ceker also happen to be one of them. Had it once last year, but I forgot the exact location. As me, Jie, Leo & Jenz scour for them, we stumbled upon two different place. A few minutes in the discussion, we decided to have them both! This is how food bloggers roll. When in doubt, eat all of them.

The first one is unbranded. It bears no signboard as I recalled. There's a glass booth with bakso ayam hand painted on them, but nothing more. The easiest way to spot it might be:
1. Look where the crowd gathers. Because this place is effin' packed with people. It might be due to the following cue.
2. Ask for the price. If its IDR 7.000, you've found it.

This one is a straight simple bowl of soto as the base flavor. Supposed to be made from boiling chicken in stock / water thus the rather cloudy soup. But somehow I doubt that the savory feel comes entirely from it. My gut feeling says a hefty amount of MSG was at play. That might explain the seemingly unquenched thirst as the side effect.

The feet were all just as feet supposed to be. Subtly slick & greasy. Easily chewable. It is probably the most overlooked part of chicken that turned out to be quite a feast. I know people who have a fetish over chicken feet. Are you?

However, I find that the second soto, Soto Ceker AA is a lot more festive compared to the one above. It added flavors not found in the first one. Let's call it Soto Ceker 2.0. (You IT geeks who read this is having twice the foodgasm now, right?)

Soto Ceker 2.0 has extra veggies, extra fried onions for toppings, and did I mention the soup? It is thicker with hints of turmeric, probably resulted off of the chicken. The chicken if you notice is yellowish, spiced similar to ayam kuning that's usually goes to be fried. It is also more easily crushed in pieces. I reckon from a longer period of slow cooking. With all that complexities, it brings a different taste to the tastebud. It is only natural then that the price is twice of the earlier. IDR 13.000 is still a lot worth it.

To sum it up, if you are looking for cheap eats, go for the earlier. If you're looking for something more pleasing go for the latter. If you want to go 'foodblogger style' eat both. =D

I'm signing out, but you could tune in on Twitter for live delicacies @Wanderbites

Hail cheap good food & second dinner!

Fellexandro Ruby
Food & travel storyteller / photographer

One Convivial Dinner at Vin Plus Arcadia

Dimmed light, lines of wine bottles, used corks and oldhouse bricks welcomes me with its warmth. Soon after a few fellow food aficionados came in time: Jenz from Jenzcorner, Dino from Good Food Good Life, Imel Budiman and Erza ST. I had a hunch then and there that it would be a great evening. And all the signs along the way lead me to that very conclusion. 

The first of them is the appearance of Ashbrook Estate Semillon 2011. I've always been a huge fan of white wine, and this particular wine came out with a fresh fruity aroma that tickled my appetite, followed with a sweet palate and a rather crisp end. What makes it even better is the pairing that comes together with it. This Crab Salad is one of a kind. The play of texture with the carrot jelly, crab meat, and salmon egg is a feast in the mouth.

Crab Salad with Carrot Jelly & Salmon Egg

Following it is for me personally the opening climax. A very well cooked and presented foie gras in two ways. Munching the pan seared and the terrine in turns was such a pleasure, cause I had the best of both world. And I'm speaking as someone who don't usually attracted to foie gras. I would come back for this and the Madonna Riesling Kabinett that befriended it. 

Pan Seared Foie Gras & Foie Gras Terrine with Lemon Coulis & Date

Halfway through the dinner, as we were expecting the most awaited Pork Belly, time flies by with half-tipsy conversations. Erza was shocked finding out that I worked in heavy equipment and I can even drove Excavator and Bulldozers. Jen was happily bullied on R-Rated jokes. And many others that I couldn't recall as my brain slowed down that hour. I can only remember the laughs and noises. 

Two toilet visits after, here it comes.

I have to say, this 140 gram, 6-hour slow cooked pork is worth to try. Crispy outer skin, and almost-melt-in-your-mouth lower layers. Fat has never been this deliciously sinful. The only setback was that some find it skewed to a sweet end, while my sweet tooth find its okay. That being said, you know what to expect. 

Crispy Roasted Pork Belly with Baby Spinach & Honey Marmalade Sauce

Coco Jala

At this point of the evening, I had almost lost it to alcohol. My head felt so light and heavy at the same time. But I kept my neck straight and mouth opens for a palate cleansing dessert. Coco Jala. Coconut jelly made from pure coconut water, peeled coconut meat, and topped with vanilla ice cream. It was a B+. I had an A- somewhere, but I'm having a hard time remembering it. 

All sober and clean now. I can sum up the night as I titled it. What a great way to spend my first time ever at Vin Plus. Honored to be invited with the pleasure of your company. I'm looking forward for more in the future. 

In the mean time, if you're up for some dose of my non-food articles you can pop out at Captain Ruby Its my new sandbox. My playing field. I can't promise I'll be sober though. 

Cheers, 

Fellexandro Ruby 

Food Conversationalist & Photographer 

Munch on my #Livebites tweets @Wanderbites