Prana Restaurant: Healthy & Wholesome!

Food: mainly vegetarian - Price: cheap
Many things that are supposedly good for you, leave you feeling unfulfilled. The most amazing thing about the healthy food at Prana is that it really tastes good, as well. The room that the restaurant at the Prana International Health Resort & Spa occupies has had a chequered history. Once it was called Tre, and promised to become one of BaliÃÔ finest dining rooms. That dream, unfortunately, was very short-lived.

Most long-term residents of Bali will know Prana by its previous title of The Villas. Whilst some of the more recent parts of The Villas complex still remain and operate under that name, the original section has been totally renovated and converted into BaliÃÔ first international Health Resort & Spa. Although, just to confuse, or maybe un-confuse, the name has now been slightly altered once more to Prana at The Villas!

The restaurant at Prana has a mystical air about it, the colours and Indian motifs [even on the roof] create an atmosphere all of their own. If you are on a health visit, then the food at Prana will complement that purpose. Even the non-vegetarian items boast low fat content whenever possible.

Whilst all the usual alcoholic combinations are available, so too are a myriad of herbal teas and exotic mocktails to start. Beet The Heat with cucumber, beet, jicama, celery and fennel. The De-Tox Deluxe has carrot juice with beet, parsley, kale, spinach, ginger and turmeric. Sweet and Green consists of beetroot juice with carrot, jicama, celery and parsley.

The Vegetable Curry Samosas are served with your choice of chutney [mango, jackfruit or mint]. The Baked Spinach, Cheese and Mushroom, wrapped in filo pastry is light and tasty, served with its Tahini-Miso sauce. The Miso Shanti is normal miso soup with golden beet, sea vegetables and tofu added. But the Thai Pumpkin and Ginger Soup is outstanding as are those cold Thai spring rolls; thinly sliced vegetables, tofu and mint, rolled in wet rice paper and served with a tangy peanut sauce.

The Sushi Platter has coconut sashimi, heart of palm and marinated vegetables added. The Á´attvic¡¦Steamed Vegetables are covered with a creamy green sesame sauce, over brown rice. Fresh Vegetable Curry consists of organic vegetables, Indian spiced, with tofu and basmati rice. A Thai Cashew Curry has a bit of a bite to it; with coconut cream, tofu, and the taste of Thailand. Palak Paneer is that Indian original, spinach and other vegetables combined with paneer cheese, on brown rice.

A Burmese Tofu Curry presents totally different flavours, a fragrant Burmese dish of soft tofu and vegetables. Apricot Chick Peas is about as healthy as you can get. Plenty of fibre in this sweet curry dish! A Cajun Pumpkin Jambalaya is a claypot full of spice!

For the non-vegetarian, or a not unusual mixed dining group, there are still plenty of alternative dishes to choose from. A refreshing Salad is the sweet Mango, Curried Chicken and Cashew Salad Boat. For noodle lovers a choice of Chinese [Kwetiau with jumbo shrimps and sliced chicken], Indonesian [Mie Kuah with chicken and vegetables] or Japanese [Ramen with roasted pork].

A Burger with a difference is PranaÃÔ Spicy Burger! It is a meat patty with tomato marmalade and served on English muffins. So is the Prana Club Sandwich, low fat pastrami, chicken, feta cheese, lettuce and tomato, with accompanying paprika potato wedges.

Even the Sirloin Steak is selected for the leanness of the cut, with potatoes and an unusual but tasty sauce of mushrooms and green peppercorns. Chicken Dijon is saut¡¦d breast of chicken with that mustard sauce with the unique taste of Dijon. Or you can have your chicken breast barbecued, with avocado, tomatoes and olives.

For seafood alternatives, either a Pan-Fried Salmon, on a fondue of leek with steamed potatoes, or a BBQ Grilled Monk Fish and Prawn Kebab.

Now you can undo all the good work by ordering a tasty Apple Strudel with both strawberry and vanilla ice creams, or a Crepe Suzette that has had Grand Marnier ladled all over it! For those who still prefer the healthier things in life a sugar-free Cashew Vanilla Sorbet accompanied by a Wild Berry Swirl and organic chocolate or Carob Mint is the perfect finish!

The wine list is sensible and the service friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. Prana Restaurant provides yet another alternative dining venue for Bali. Presenting interesting food that is very different yet good value as well. If you have strong self-control with your ordering then it can even very good for you!

Address: Prana Health Resort at The Villas, Jl. Kunti, Seminyak.
Tel: 730.840
Email: info@thevillas.net
Open: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Credit cards: Amex, Dinners, Master, Visa
Wine: good list