In these trying times it still amazes me that entrepreneurs continue to fight the headwinds and open up businesses when, at least in Bali, the international airport has been shut down for a long time.
There are about 110,000 expats and foreigners, however, who call Bali home, and for now that is the customer base for all foreign owned restaurants and shops, as the tourist business has all but dried up.
Bottega Italiana Bali calls itself a “boutique gourmet café,” and they make a variety of specialty Italian foods. For example they have an impressive selection of eleven homemade pastas. And fresh bread as well.
The space feels light and airy and the staff is very accommodating. As for the food, I tried the fresh pesto with gnocchi, and my wife tried spaghetti with salmon and a cream sauce, and neither of us fell in love. My gnocchi was about 1/3 the normal size and I guess I’m traditional and want more fluff and puff to my gnocchi. My wife’s dish was a bit too creamy for her taste.
This is the difficulty with reviewing restaurants. You bring your own cultural predispositions to the table.
Bottega Italiana Bali is located in the same building as Bottle Avenue Pererenan. They offer daily specials and I think that’s a good way to give this restaurant a try. I’ll be back again to try one of their daily risotto options.