Lotus Garden: The Garden Goes Mediterranean!

Food: International, Chinese - Price: moderate
Whilst it is situated on the main road in central Nusa Dua, this Lotus is in a most relaxed setting. A myriad of water ponds extend across the front of the main restaurant area. You can seat yourself either in small bales out amongst the ponds and gardens or back in the main restaurant area.

All Lotus restaurants offer a wide variety of International dishes as well as the traditional Lotus specialties. Each provides its own touch as well. At Lotus Gardens the menu has now changed to be that of a true Mediterranean restaurant with dishes from many different countries that surround that great sea. Mediterranean seemed to become the buzz word of 2004 in Bali with many places claiming to be just that! However it takes more than just Nicoise and Greek Salads, a Merguez and some Pasta to rightfully assume that mantle!

At Lotus Garden they have really tried to present a truly representative menu from the whole Mediterranean.

A Greek Mezze plate includes hummus, tzatziki, melitzanosalata, Kalamata olives and pita bread. Moules au Gratin are Mussels, French style, baked in the shell with breadcrumbs, garlic and parsley. From Lebanon a Fattoush, or a great Prawn Tabbouleh [Bulgur wheat mixed with fresh prawns, tomato, herbs, onion and mint in a lemon dressing].

The soups include a lush one from Portugal, Sopa Portimao, mixed seafood simmered with tomato. Another is a typical Italian Minestrone Genovese, thick vegetable soup with the unusual flavouring of pesto.

Naturally they also offer wood-fired pizzas [my favourites are the Salsiccia e Cipolla, sausage and onions, Diavola, with salami and chilli, or the Francesca, Bolognese sauce with mushrooms and garlic]. The home-made pastas are very comprehensive and include the Pappardelle al Ragu di Agnello e Funghi, large egg noodles tossed with a minced lamb and mushroom ragout, and a classic Lasagna al Forno.

From Spain is Cochinello Asado, pork chops marinated in cumin, garlic and herbs. The Souvlaki is from Greece, skewered lamb that has been marinated in thyme, bay leaves and lemon juice. The Tunisian Lamb Couscous has been cooked in tomato, onion, celery, carrots, peppers, eggplant, leek and cumin and is served on a cake of semolina flour.

Tournedos au Poivre Vert is a Monte Carlo version of the French original, tenderloins of beef roasted in oil with green peppercorns, cream, garlic and fresh rosemary. Salsiccia Toscana is an Italian pan-seared pork sausage with mushrooms, rosemary, onions and wine sauce, with baked potatoes, simple but one I enjoyed very much.

The Goan Seafood Curry comes from Goa in India, via Portugal. Squid, prawns, mussels and fish are cooked in a coconut curry sauce. Gambas Frito are Spanish style breaded prawns, deep-fried on skewers, served with a chilli sauce. Also from Spain is the Langostinos Catalana, simply grilled king prawns, with a touch of olive oil and garlic. A Moroccan Seafood Couscous sees a myriad of seafood, cooked in tomato, garlic and chilli, on steamed semolina with a harissa chilli sauce.

Fritto Misto is a basket of battered and deep-fried squid, prawns and fish. It is from Italy, as is the Spiedini di Pesce, a variety of seafood grilled on skewers.

Even though this Lotus has gone Mediterranean they still serve a small number of local dishes including their standard Bebek Betutu without pre-ordering.

Desserts include the French Crepe a l?Orange, a pancake coated with orange compote topped with almond flakes and Gelato. Flan de Vanilla is a cold dish of baked cream flavoured with vanilla. It originates in Spain.

Lotus Garden provides far better value, overall, than most of the restaurants in the far too often over-priced area of Nusa Dua.

Address: Jl. Ngurah Rai, Nusa Dua.
Tel: 773.378
Open: lunch to dinner
Credit cards: Amex, Master, Visa
Wine: small list