Sumptuous Asian cuisines by celebrated chef Will Meyrick at his flagship restaurant in Bali
August 29th, 2013
The establishment of Sarong restaurant in Bali in 2008 was the culmination of a decades long passion for Asian cuisines by chef-owner Will Meyrick. An exceptional fine dining establishment, located in the heart of Bali’s burgeoning Seminyak district, Sarong serves an eclectic and evolving assemblage of Asian cuisines to a discerning international clientele. The restaurant occupies a pair of Balinese style open-air pavilions- within a walled, private tropical garden setting. Widely acclaimed by media and industry critics as one of Asia’s finest restaurants, Sarong has garnered a stellar reputation for its sumptuous renditions of Asian street foods- cooked under the direction of Meyrick and his team of regional chefs who ensure the culinary authenticity and cultural heritage of the cuisines.
Of Scottish descent, Meyrick had launched his restaurant career in Sydney opening several notable restaurants, and subsequently re-located to South East Asia to pursue his passion for Asian cultures and cuisines. From an initial base in Thailand, Meyrick has spent the past 15+ years exploring the origins of Asian street foods and accumulating a deep knowledge of truly authentic recipes, ingredients, and cooking techniques across the diverse spectrum of Asian societies- ranging from India and Sri Lanka, to the countries of South East Asia, and China. Inspired by the success and acclamation for Sarong, Meyrick has subsequently expanded his presence on the local Balinese dining scene with the opening in 2010 of the hugely popular MamaSan restaurant, and more recently (2013) extending his Indonesian presence with the establishment of the E & O Restaurant (Eastern & Oriental) in Jakarta in collaboration with the team behind leading Jakarta dining institutions Loewy and Union. Popularly known as the “Street Food Chef”- Meyrick recently published his first book- “Sarong Inspirations”– a chronicle of his signature dishes at Sarong, and solo culinary travels around Asia.
SARONG’S ASIAN STREET FOOD INSPIRED CUISINE
Chef-owner Will Meyrick has crafted a Dinner Menu comprising a consummate assemblage of Asian street food inspired dishes- with an emphasis on dishes with Thai, Indian and Indonesian origins. Ensuring authenticity in cooking techniques, ingredients and flavours, local Indonesian, Indian and Thai chefs, alongside Meyrick, head up the culinary team at the Sarong kitchen. Taking inspiration from their street food origins, dishes undergo varying measures of refinement in both cooking and presentation by the Sarong culinary team- but without compromising on the intense flavours and spices- to create the exquisite dishes for which Sarong is renowned.
The menu lists dishes under groupings reflecting their respective cooking techniques- following selections of Starters and Salads, the main dishes are listed under “Curries & Mains”; “From the Tandoori”; “From the Coconut Char Grill”; “Stir Fries“; and finally “Vegetarian”. Some of the stand-out dishes include- the signature Starter of Chicken betel leaf with flat leaf coriander lime leaf– with roasted chili capsicum relish; and main dishes such as Vietnamese caramalized duck with young coconut– with juice black pepper & fresh lime; Deep fried turmeric crispy fish with cassava leaf curry salam leaf – with lemongrass & sambal hijau; Black bean crusted grilled baramundi with garlic green chili lime & fresh coriander; and Zafferrani paneer tikka grilled cottage cheese stuffed with north Indian chutney.
COCKTAIL SPECIALTIES & WINE
The Drinks Menu at Sarong features a comprehensive selection of refreshing beverages that include the well-thought out cocktails list, selected apertivo, a concise range of premium spirits, and a broad variety of wine labels sourced from leading international wineries that have been carefully curated for their compatibility with the bold flavours of the cuisine.
Many of the cocktails have been crafted with local Asian ingredients, tastefully combined with premium spirits to create bold and distinctive drinks. Characteristic of the Asian-inflected cocktails are the Sarong Signature cocktails such as Passion Fruit Margarita– tequila, fresh passion fruit, passion fruit puree, triple sec, lime, and honey blossom; and the enticing Sarong Smash– Absolut Citron, Cointreau, fresh lime, orange, pink grapefruit, and kaffir lime.
Sarong opens daily for dinner from 7:00 pm, with advance table reservations definitely recommended for the main dining pavilions. Casual “walk-in” diners can be accommodated in the limited seating of the bar area. Consistent with is refined dining experience, a smart casual dress code is requested, and children under 12 are not usually accepted in the dining pavilions.
Sarong- the open-air Lounge & Bar
A timber-decked area at the front entrance to the main Sarong pavilion functions as an open-air lounge for casual drinks and dining.
The bar area inside the front pavilion provides an informal setting for pre-dinner drinks at the high tables, or seated at stools facing the bar counter.
Sarong- inside the dining pavilions
Open on two sides, the front dining pavilion with its traditional Balinese-style high ceiling exudes a luxurious spaciousness. Dining table settings include a centrepiece grouping of tables and sofas positioned back-to-back. Muted tones, and subdued lighting from the crystal chandeliers contribute to the refined dining atmosphere.
Dining tables set across the front of the open pavilion look out between billowing drapes to the verdant greenery of the garden.
Original Asian artifacts and artwork are showcased on the walls of the pavilion.
A rectangular pond stands on the timber deck- anchoring the space separating the two pavilions. Further outdoor tables are set in a garden terrace adjacent to the rear pavilion.
Elegant dining settings in the rear pavilion follow the same refined aesthetic as the front dining room.
A series of comfortable sofa settings feature across one side of the pavilion.
Selections from the Sarong Dinner Menu
Signature betel leaf starters- a zesty tumble of raw tuna with lemongrass, shallots, and fresh lemon basil, with finely julienned chilli for a little kick.
Seared scallops with green mango sambal and sweet, crispy salted fish.
Grilled twice-cooked lamb shank- in western Sumatra spices and with shredded coconut curry leaves & ginger torch flower
Crispy quail tangkap with chilli, pandan leaf and curry leaf.
(Click on image for full menu)
Sarong – restaurant & bar-lounge in Bali
Address: Jl Petitenget No.19x , Seminyak, Bali. 80361 Indonesia
Reservations: +62. 361. 4737809
Website: sarongbali.com/
Facebook Page : www.facebook.com/pages/Sarong-Bali/189383637848647
Opening Hours: Daily 7:00 pm – 12:00 am
Dress Code: Smart casual
Food images courtesy of Sarong
