Bali Bali

I went to Bali Bali last night, a quiet Monday night, after reading the great reviews on this site. I must say i was very disappointed with the overall experience.

We were seated straight away and it actually is a very nice small restaurant with a nice atmosphere. However, the waiter needs to learn some serving manners. He set up the table grabbing the forks on the top, which did not make me feel like eating with it.

Reading the reviews i expected outstanding food quality and taste. However food was mostly bland and boring. We had chicken satay and vegetable spring rolls as starters. The Chicken Satay were more fried chicken on stick than satay. The peanut sauce was clumpy and very sweet. The spring rolls were very oily and mostly filled with carrot and potatoes, felt like i was eating a veggie samosa.

As a main we had the Nasi Goreng Special, which was great. However i did not understand the need of damp prawn crackers on them, nor the need of fried chicken wings. The other dish which we ordered was the Traditional Medium hot malaysian curry, which was very bland and had no taste. Even having it with the egg fried rice did not improve the taste at all. We paid about £40 for this (including two cokes, which were served in a can), which was definitely overpriced for what the food was like. There is a Hong Kong cafe just down the road which has better malaysian curry than Bali Bali for less than a 5er.

We decided to skip the dessert and rather go to Haegen Dasz. At least you know what you get there. Will not go there again.
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6 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Food is fantastic and service is excellent! I have been going to this restaurant for the last 13 years and will be going again tonight!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 22, 2009

My Partner and I have been there twice in the past couple of weeks. Service and food was excellent, the beef rendang was to die for, and the mixed starters were also top notch.
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Kim
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Thursday, September 17, 2009

Ate here last night. In summary, very good value and friendly restaurant and the food was delicious!!

We've holidayed in Malaysia and the flavours of the dishes we ate last night took us back there.

Soups to start (prawn & coconut and Indonesian beef and rice noodles)arrived quickly and tasted great. The Kari Ikan (sea bream fillets in Malaysian curry sauce) was delicious, had just the right amount of spice and sweetness and the portion was generous. The coconut rice was perfect and was topped with fragrant pandan leaf.

Service was prompt and pleasant.

The only downside is that the restaurant is a little cramped and tables very close together. But I will be rushing back for more of this great food.
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Bethylou
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 04, 2009

I have been visiting Bali Bali (also in previous incarnations) since 1985 so its probably about time I wrote something. For fans of 'oriental food', the menu variety, the value for money, the wonderful flavours, the consistent standards, and the friendly ambiance, all add to a dinner thats always eagerly anticipated. Down the years, I've dined with family, friends, colleagues and clients all of whom have been won over by the above factors. Whilst exploring the menu is fun, letting Johnny and his team decide for you with a Rijstafel menu encourages you to try dishes that you might not otherwise order. Whilst top chefs 're-invent' themselves and their restaurants every few years, it's refreshing that Bali Bali's strong basic customer values and menu/cooking constistency carry it on from one decade to the next.
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Mark H
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Good Roti canai but accompanying curry sauce a little wet. Pankin Dagin (sp?) was perfect balance of hot and sour. Acar lovely. Chicken curry also very nice Excellent value for money. Came away very satisfied.
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Sarah - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 27, 2009

Very busy but a great atmosphere. Excellent and interesting food, although our sauces were a little sweet, and not expensive. Very friendly staff and good service. Recommended.
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8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, February 15, 2009