There are a ton of places in Bali to frequent if you’re looking for good food. I thought I’d put together a post with links to some of my favourites.

La Sal – fusion/tapas. The food is amazing, particularly the meatballs, squid and paella. And fantastic sangria, too!

Trattoria Cucina Italiana – a great place if you’re sick of going out to fancy restaurants. The menu focuses on traditional Italian fare, simple and delicious.

Chandi – low-key, but wonderful haute cuisine. Located on “Eat Street” and committed to using only locally grown organic greens and spices. The food is divine and the service is quick. Definitely a place to check out.

Ultimo – Another Italian restaurant on “Eat Street.” It is super popular and has great atmosphere. You need to make a reservation, so try to get a table out back. The prices are very reasonable and it is a great value for what you get. Try the grilled lobster or the mixed seafood plate. Also, one of the few places with good wine at a decent price.

Ryoshi – casual, real yum Japanese. Offers a number of Japanese cooking styles, like sashimi, tempura, teppanyaki, and more.

Made’s Warung – the one near Kuta Square is great for a fun, cheap Indonesian meal. The locals go there for a great lunch or dinner and a cold Bintang. Try the fish curry; as a friend says, “it’s INSANE.”

Blossom at Sentosa – like Longrain. Have a lychee martini and betel leaf for your entree, yum!

TJ’s Mexican – Billed as “the best Mexican south of the equator,” TJ’s has been in Bali since 1984. Obviously they are doing something right. They offer a huge menu (including breakfast) and a great bar setting. The food is Mexican and California-Mexican-inspired, and the fish enchiladas with almonds are to die for. A great place to check out when you are tired of eating Indonesian.

A friend of mine recently went to Bali for the first time and returned with some tips for other first-time visitors. I thought I would share them here…

• You may not know this, but Bali only allows you to bring in either 1 bottle of spirits or 2 bottles of wine per person duty-free. If you would like to have a few drinks while you are there, I would highly recommend you take advantage of the duty-free allowance because alcohol is very expensive in Bali. Mixers, sodas, limes, all the add-ons are quite cheap, but the alcohol cost is sky-high. A good bottle of wine can cost upwards of $80 AUS, and even a not-great bottle can run you $30 or so. Definitely a place where you should BYOB! One exception: Bintang, the local beer. It is both cheap and tasty! Stock up on beers at the Bintang supermarker on Jl Raya Seminyak.
• In other alcohol-related advice, only drink alcohol at the more expensive places, especially those places where they mix proper cocktails. Many cheap, hole-in-the-wall type bars serve fake locally brewed grog that is either fake or incredibly strong and dangerous. Lots of places put their alcohol into real-brand bottles, so play it safe and avoid it.
• Try to avoid changing money while you are there. I know there are lots of places that say they are authorized, but it can be pretty sketchy to change money at any of the many money changers around. Your best bet is to use ATMs wherever you can. The airport ATMs let you take out more money than most other ones around (say $3m instead of $1.5m), so it will save you bank fees if you take out what you need for a few days while at the airport.
• Make sure you have $25 USD to pay the arrival tax when you land.The faster you can get to the booths when you get off the plane the better, as you can be in for a bit of a wait. Also, make sure you save 150,000 rp for the departure tax. Most taxi drivers will check with you if you are on the way to the airport, but it’s good to make sure you have everything with you before you leave. As well, you need to double- and triple-check that you have your departure card. You will not be allowed to leave Bali without it, and speaking from experience, it’s incredibly stressful to stand up at customs and not be able to find your card.
• Take the Bluebird taxis (blue with a little bird on top of the taxi light), because they are the most reliable (and cheapest!) taxis on the island. Be sure you look for the little bird, as there are other blue taxis that belong to different cab companies. Bluebirds have meters, so they won’t rip you off.
• If you need a driver for a longer trip, or if you want to go to Seminyak for dinner and don’t want to wait for a taxi, call Gusti 0361 7811 444. He’ll wait while you surf, shop, or eat and he is lovely and reliable, as well as affordable.

Hopefully this info is helpful to newcomers and maybe even to some of you who have visited Bali before.

Another website currently under construction is Wah Wah Burger. But this restaurant is absolutely worth checking out. This is most certainly not your kids’ burger joint. Mr. Wah uses Wagyu beef tenderloin for his upscale burgers, and they don’t disappoint. Toppings range from the classic (tomato reduction and mustard mayonnaise) to the sublime (seared foie gras in a berry reduction). If you’re not craving burgers, try the chicken breast or New Zealand rack of lamb. There are vegetarian options available, including swanky cheese on toast, and the burgers come with potato wedges or truffle-laced mashed potatoes. For my money, the pork ribs are the best on the menu, a definite must-try. In addition to the great food, the restaurant has eclectic decor (much of the art was made by Mr. Wah himself) and excellent staff who give great customer service. To top it off, unusually for Bali the wine list is both good and affordable. I highly recommend Wah Wah Burger.

The website isn’t up and running yet, so you have even more cause to go to the shop and check it out: I Made Living sells fabulous furniture. Not only does the store sell gorgeous solid wood end tables and the like, it also carries an array of unusual homeware and designs. There is a lot to look at, but I definitely found some favourite pieces. I especially like the wooden trays and bathroom amenities. For those looking for a hostess gift or a quirky find for their own home, check out the mini tabletop games like a Tic Tac Toe board and pieces made from lovely carved wood. If you aren’t in the market for wood pieces, don’t despair: I Made Living also stocks silk cushions and bedding to add a special touch to your home. Keep checking for their website to go live here.

Usually when you go to the spa, you have a great time, get a treatment or two, and then you leave the pampering and relaxation for the real world. But if you go to the Spa Alila at Alila Villas Uluwatu, you can take a piece of the spa home with you so you can keep up the pampering. The Spa Alila’s shop carries a wide range of products which are used in the spa’s treatments. Products include cleansers, scrubs, bath salts and oils, and some fantastic soaps in both his and hers scents. In addition to the bath and beauty products on offer, Spa Alila also carries some wonderful incense. So if you find yourself short on time, or you want to expand on the treatment you received, be sure to check out the shop at Spa Alila. For a full product list, click here.

Sometimes you just need a little bit of extra pampering. While there are many, many places to get a pedicure, most do not compare to Fabulously Feet. As they say on their website, they have mastered the art and science of pamperology. Although traditional pedicures are offered, Fabulously Feet really sets itself apart with the other treatments that are available. The Pampering De Luxe treatment comprises a fantastic foot massage (based on acupressure techniques) that focuses on relaxation and well-being. You are given a iPod and sit in wonderfully comfy chairs that really help get you into the zone. There are a few other variations on this treatment, including a foot mask, or the addition of a traditional pedicure, but the fact that Fabulously Feet focuses solely on your feet has helped the pamperologists to perfect their craft. Whether you have had a long flight, overexerted yourself during your daily fitness routine, or have simply spent too much time shopping, a stop at Fabulously Feet will definitely rejuvenate you. A small caveat: the foot massage is quite intense, and may border on painful for some people, so be aware before you go.

The railway across Canada was a long time coming, and part of the reason it took so long is because of the Rocky Mountains, a huge mountain range that travels through the Western part of the country all the way down into the United States. The mountains may have made for some rough travel, but they offer some truly majestic views and scenery, and the Rocky Mountaineer is a novel way to experience this section of Canada. There are fourteen different travel experiences to choose from, ranging from the “classic” two-day journey from Vancouver to Banff (or vice versa) all the way to an eleven-night ferry and train ride that takes you in a huge circle starting and ending in Vancouver. In addition to the Rocky Mountaineer, Via Rail also operates the Whistler Mountaineer, which takes you on the “Sea to Sky” route from Vancouver to Whistler. A fantastic way to navigate this sometimes harsh part of Canada, the Rocky Mountaineer is a must-ride if you’re in that part of the world.

Train travel is experiencing a bit of a resurgence, and for people who want to enjoy the journey as much as the destination, trains are definitely the way to go. The Ghan offers travellers an incredible chance to journey through the Red Centre of Australia in comfort and luxury. There are three levels of service (Red, Gold and Platinum) so whether you’re on a budget or have the means to travel in high style, the Ghan can cater to you. If you’re looking for a really fancy way to travel, you can even reserve a full carriage exclusively for your party. There is no better way to travel across Australia.

For some people, travelling by train is an everyday, commonplace thing. We travel by train to commute to work, or to get a little break from driving, but train rides are rarely an experience we want to cherish and remember. Then there’s the Eastern and Oriental Express. This train trip is the very definition of luxury.  The full trip goes from Chiang Mai in Thailand to Singapore and lasts a week, but you can also get on or off at a few spots along the way, including Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur if you don’t want to make the full trip. Travelling in Pullman cars across the expanse of Southeast Asia is like travelling back in time, and every little request is taken care of by the amazing staff. The food is amazing, the views are spectacular, and there really is no better travel experience. This is one of those trips that everyone should take before they die.

Pearl Restaurant in Melbourne is one of those great places that feels like a great place to meet up with friends, but also provides some fantastic food. The menu offers the best in Australian cuisine, specialising in Australian ingredients like barramundi and gippsland lamb. The restaurant and bar were renovated in 2007, and the new decor is clean and streamlined. Pearl’s relaxed atmosphere lends itself to fun-filled dinners and conversation-laden lunches. For those in a bit of a hurry, or who want an even more relaxed meal, Pearl Cafe is just down the street. They offer a similar menu, and breakfast too, so after a great night out, run out and get a great breakfast at Pearl Cafe.