Kwizien: A Surprise in Lovina!

Food: Belgian, International - Price: moderate
The first time I ever visited Lovina I could not understand why people went there. Hotels that had not seen any maintenance for years, staff universally underpaid working at illegal slave rates, and very boring restaurants all with those universal tourist menus, the resulting food completely lacking in taste. Remnants of the above are still far too prevalent but the winds of change are blowing with an ever-increasing velocity. Those sprawling hotels, many with amazing sea-frontages, are being bought by new players, the places renovated, faulty bathrooms and swimming pools being repaired or updated, and professional staff hired at legal rates. Even the once dirty beach is being swept every morning. And the prices are still very low, compared to Bali’s southern areas. Great value!

But it is the quiet food revolution that is the most surprising. A handful of interesting restaurants have opened in the area [both inside hotels and stand alone] in recent years, and now even the industry professionals are taking notice and moving in.

The latest addition to the Lovina dining scene, and a most welcome one, is Kwizien [that’s right it is ‘cuisine’ but spelt so no one can miss-pronounce it]. Operated by Rudy Kerremans [of Café des Artistes fame] it is a very professional operation, following the tried and tested formula of his Ubud eatery. Mid-range prices, an interesting well-balanced menu, even a large moderately-priced wine list [a Lovina first], smiling young staff who actually know what they are doing and last but not least, good quality food.

The ever-changing picture gallery exhibits the efforts of talented young artists, and adds another reason to visit.

A Greek style Pumpkin & Tomato cream soup [feta cheese, spring onions and garlic croutons], A Belgian Pate des Ardennes [a creamy mix of pork and beef with all the trimmings including a strawberry jam], Smoked Norwegian Salmon [on whole-meal toast, onions, capers and things], Yellow-fin Tuna Spring Rolls [with that Thai sweet chilli sauce] are all interesting appetizers not normally seen in these parts.

Other soups [traditional French Onion], starters [Toast aux Champignons] and pastas [spaghetti or fettuccini al pollo, pasta and chunks of grilled chicken and capsicum tossed with a creamy tomato basil sauce] are all available on this interesting menu.

The mains cater for just about every taste. Chicken Cordon Bleu is a large flattened chicken breast stuffed with ham and cheese, it comes with a mushroom sauce and is great for the very hungry. Carbonades a la Flamande is a Belgian special, the beef having been cooked in black beer and mustard with onions. Very tasty! The Chicken Breast Provencale is juicy [cooked with the skin of course], the sauce made from cognac, capsicums, onions and tomatoes, and is served with an almond and potato crocquette.

The Pork Spare Ribs are always ‘fall off the bone’ style, covered with a tangy barbecue sauce, an oven-baked potato on the side. Medallions of Lamb are close to perfect, infused with rosemary then grilled ‘pink’ [unless you want them burnt]. The mustard seed sauce is a great accompaniment.

Steaks are one of the main attractions at Kwizien. Your choice of 200 or 300 grams, and also your choice of accompanying sauces, archiduc [mushroom cream], poivre creme [black pepper], provencale [as with the chicken breast] and everybody’s favourite, rocquefort [flavoured with that wonderful French cheese]. All the mains at Kwizien come with French fries, in the always crunchy Belgian style.

For the seafood fraternity the choices continue. Grilled Butterfish is served with a tarragon sauce and potatoes mashed with garlic and spring onions. The King Prawns are grilled then covered with garlic butter. The Salmon Fillets come from Norway and are grilled before being topped with a wonderful sauce of Dijon and fresh dill, a perfect match! There are many surprises at Kwizien but none more so than their simple list of Indonesian dishes. The Nasi Goreng is pre-mixed [kecap manis, etc] never greasy and always tasty. Topped with, not only a fried egg, but also sticks of chicken sate plus the usual fiery sambal, pickled vegetables and shrimp crackers. The Mie Goreng of stir-fried egg noodles is just as good. Both dishes are given the thumbs-up by the local Balinese who would normally prefer their local warung style.

A real wine list with a good well-balanced selection of mid range wines [Australian by the glass] also makes a change for Lovina, as does the stylish modern cocktail bar. The friendly young staff another added bonus.

What a pleasant night out in the new Lovina!

Address: Jln. Raya Kaliasem, Lovina.
Phone: (0362) 42.031
Email: info@kwizienbali.com
Open:11.00 to 23.00 daily
Credit cards: Amex, BCA, Master, Visa
Wine: excellent list