Bali Bali

Of course, the best and only way to find out what Indonesian food is like is to get some inside you. We would be the first to admit that actually being in Indonesia is the very best way to do that... but you would probably be the first to admit that London's West End is a tad closer. And our cooking is pretty damn close to what we eat back home. Many people, when asked to describe Indonesian food, will say, "It's a cross between Indian and Chinese." A bit like saying that a tiger is a cross between a cat and a zebra. All tastes are catered for: carnivores, vegetarians, piscetarians - some grilled, some fried, some gently stewed. And all delicious. OK, so some of the food is hot - but that's a legacy of the Europeans (bringing chillies from south America). Like most cuisines, Indonesian has many influences - yes, Chinese and Indian, but also Dutch, Malay, Portugese, middle eastern... and even a little English, if you look close enough. Talking of chilli heat, we always recommend that our diners choose a balanced meal: some hot, some mild, some spicy and some tangy. If you find that your meal is not as spicy as you would like, ask for some Sambal sauce - very hot, but pungent and aromatic, too. Oh, and rice (not water) is the best cure for an over indulgence in chilli. If you are new to our food, please ask a waiter for help. Also, our special lunch-time and pre-theatre menus are a great introduction. Even better, bring a few friends, so you can all sample a few dishes - BaliBali is a fun and enjoyable restaurant: great for parties, but also perfect for a quiet meal. Important! Only a very few of our dishes contain nuts, and it's easy to avoid them and still have a meal full of piquant pizzaz! Please tell our staff if you have any kind of allergy and we'll ensure your meal is not only delicious, but safe (always a bonus). Also Important! Back home spicing can seem pretty volcanic if you're not used to our cuisine, so we tend to err on the side of caution with our chillies. But we also know that many of our customers want something a little more authentic (or 'hot'). Please take your time to talk to our staff about how you would like your food spiced.