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| Arie's Warung recently moved locations |
After finding a cheap home stay in Ubud, we wandered around and found the main tourist information centre. This term ‘tourist information’ should be used loosely however, as the employees are hardly informative on tourist matters and wants. Regardless, Jeff picked up a poorly printed black and white brochure with a smiling cartoon advertising delicious Balinese food at Arie’s Warung. With no other agenda, we followed the directions on the brochure to the small warung – small familily owned Balinese restaurant – on Jawal Sukma.
The flyer boasted of smoked succulent duck, friendly service and great cheap food.
We entered the warung and were greeted by a smiling woman and given menus in the empty, simple restaurant. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until we were greeted enthusiastically by the smiling cartoon himself – Arie.
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| Arie in real life |
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| Arie's prized possession - A Mick Joffe original |
He showered us with Balinese facts – fruits and vegetables, distances to and from other Balinese towns, useful Balinese sayings to keep the street vendors at bay… He also proudly showed us his treasured ‘feedback books’ – bloated journals containing the praises from previous customers from far and wide. Their nationality highlighted at the top of the page. He is proud to be mentioned in lonely Planet, as well as the French Michelin 2010 Guide.
Most customers praised the friendly Arie for his knowledge and food. Most strongly recommended the smoked duck. As I am a non-duck eater among other things, we passed on the duck for two and instead ordered a vegetarian and non-vegetarian Nasi Campur.
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| Vege Nasi Campur |
We were told by Arie to eat each part individually as mixing it all together would spoil the flavours.
We ate our late lunch listening to Arie’s stories and reading multiple newspapers and booklets courtesy of Arie of course.
While we have had more extravagant and adventurous food during our Bali travels, especially during the Paon Bali cooking lesson, Arie’s Warung was certainly one to remember. If you happen to visit, perhaps order the duck.
If visiting Ubud, Bali, Arie's Warung can be found here
