A gorgeously green landscape peppered by thought-evoking reliefs in a grand open-air theatre design sets the scene for the new Sunday Brunchcation programme at The Apurva Kempinski Bali.
As if I wasn’t already blown away by the massive lobby decorated with intricate cultural details storifying the legendary Kingdom of Majapahit circa 1500s, the seaside-facing part of the lobby reveals a spectacular view of the Indian ocean and a resort complex with Pala Restaurant and Rooftop Bar at its heart.
For a fixed price of IDR 750,000 (IDR 1,150,000 for the alcoholic option), you’ll get a king’s share of a modern buffet that combines international favourites with Indonesian flair. It didn’t take long for me to locate the semi-outdoor grilling section, where a slew of freshly caught marine bounties were calling for me. I went for a whole lobster straight off the grill almost immediately and made another stop at the fresh salad section to grab some black olives and baby tomatoes as well as some warm buns. The lobster exceeded my expectation with each bite delivering a soft and buttery flavour, and before even making it halfway through, I went full caveman mode as I put my fork and knife down and started using my bare hands to devour the poor lobster.
Cashew and garlic rice, spiced baby chicken and chillied beef tongue were my next target. It was a lovely plate highlighted by the fluffiness of the rice, which perfectly balanced the complexly spiced chicken and beef tongue. Exactly the kind of flavour sophistication you’d expect from an Asian section.
Traditional Indonesian herbal drink, jamu highlighted my beverage experience as I sampled several different brews with differing beneficial effects—temulawak (Javanese ginger) for a healthier appetite and kunyit asam (turmeric and tamarind) to promote healthier skin, to name a couple.
The desserts section couldn’t be more tempting with a diverse variety of sweets, cookies, candied fruits, puddings, and other delightful treats. My personal favourite was the candied apple, which combined two different levels of sweet, and a soup of refreshing diced fruits.
Other sections—which I obviously didn’t miss—include an exotic cold seafood section headlined by Alaskan king crabs and oysters, a ravishing sushi and sashimi section, a scrumptious Indonesian traditional snacks section and a generous cheese section.
Directly next to Pala Restaurant is a 60-metre infinity swimming pool along with adjacent play pools, perfect for a post brunch, fun-filled water frolic session. If that’s not your cup of tea, a brief stroll seaward and you’ll come to multiple rows of cosy sunloungers complete with proper shades and wooden tables for your sun basking needs accompanied with refreshing cocktails or cold beer ordered from the nearby rooftop bar. Use of these fun facilites and more are included in the brunch package with the prices mentioned at the start of the article.
The Sunday Brunchcation at Pala Restaurant, The Apurva Kempinski Bali, starts at 12pm and ends at 3pm. For more information and reservations, call +62 361 2092288.
