by Sarah Hendrickx
The Bali Brasserie is located at
the bottom of a block of flats in Hove. Apparently, a restaurant
was part of the original design in the Sixties and one has been
there ever since, this particular one for the last twelve years.
The Tropical Bar is rather
kitschly decorated, with bamboo-lined walls, mirror tiles and
plastic flowers and offers a full range of drinks at pub prices.
You are welcome to just stop by for a drink, but I would urge
you not to do so as you would be missing out on a feast. There
is live music on a Friday and plenty of room for a boogie should
the urge engulf you.
The dining room is a more formal
affair with jazz rather than pop playing, and traditional
puppets and figures around the walls. Hannah and I decided to
anarchically ignore the first rule of restaurant reviewing and
both ordered the same thing: the Rijsttafel - a Traditional
Indonesian Buffet. This commenced with Javanese Prawn Crackers
and Soup of the Day, which was Sweetcorn and Vegetable. The soup
was hot, very tasty and made with fresh vegetables. This was
followed by Chargrilled Chicken and Satay Sauce, made with fresh
peanuts and with a good strong flavour. The highlight of the
meal was the visits to the hot buffet which is made up of around
ten dishes; chicken, beef, big prawns, fish, noodles, rice and
various vegetables in a number of spicy sauces. You may refill
your plate as many times as your capacity and willingness to
appear a gannet will allow. The chicken and fish (halibut) were
particularly good, but everything was fresh, hot and extremely
good. The meal was completed by a choice of desserts from which
we both chose a Mango Torte with Cream and a Mango Sauce. It was
deliciously sweet after all that spice. All of this can be yours
for only £15.95 a head. There is also an à la carte menu with
meat main courses at around £6.50 and vegetarian dishes at
£2.75 each. The dessert menu features exotic fruits and ice
cream from £1.95 and a fairly traditional wine list starts at
£8.95.
The service was impeccable and
the buffet replenished regularly to ensure the freshness and
heat of the food. There are plenty of vegetarian choices on the
menu and they can also easily cater for vegans due to the
regular use of coconut milk and bean curd in Indonesian cookery.
Children can have half portions of anything, although the buffet
would certainly have been too spicy for any but the most
adventurous. They do have a stock of nuggets and chips for the
less hardy little palate.
Bali Brasserie can cater for
parties of up to 150 people and are currently taking Christmas
bookings. There is a takeaway service and they can also do
outside catering for offices or private homes.
Although the decor is a little
eccentric, the atmosphere was pleasant and the food excellent
value. Certainly worth making the trek into darkest Hove for.
Bali Brasserie
Kingsway Court, First Avenue
Kingsway, Hove. BN3 2LR
Tel: 01273 324572
Open: 12-2, 6.30-10.30 (11.00 Fri, Sat)
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