[Indonesia: Bali] Mandapa - A Ritz Carlton Reserve

November 30, 2024

[Indonesia: Bali] Mandapa - A Ritz Carlton Reserve

We continued our anniversary celebration in Bali at Mandapa, A Ritz Carlton Reserve - a breathtaking natural sanctuary in the heart of Ubud! The beautiful resort is really something that you have to see with your own eyes. Surrounded by lush jungle, rice paddies and the sacred Ayung river, the tranquil grounds are perfect for relaxing one’s mind, body and soul. Accommodations are comprised of suites and villas with contemporary Balinese design and valley or river views. We stayed in the dreamy Ubud Pool Villa with a separate living room and our very own private pool. The best part was the 24 hour butler service who attended to our every need during our stay.

We had a most romantic evening at Kubu - the fine dining restaurant at the resort dedicated to the biodiversity of Ubud! Every ingredient here is sourced within a 100km radius from local sustainable fishermen and organic farms. Helmed by a Balinese Chef, guests can choose from a regular degustation menu in addition to a plant-based version. While European wines are available, we opted for the Island pairing with super interesting concoctions made with local liquors and wines. The best seats in the house are the 9 private cocoons overlooking the Ayung River. Ours was decorated with flower petals for our anniversary - what a wonderful surprise!

Singaraja Bonito Crudo
Wild berries | home-fermented blood berries vinegar

Plaga Royal Galia Melon
Air-dried beef

Payangan Wild Foraged
Mushrooms

Tabanan Braised Beans
Slow-cooked beans

Bali Heritage Pig
Pork belly carbonara espuma

Jimbaran Lobster
Lobster | cauliflower

Java Takusen Wagyu
Oyster blade | 48-hour slow-roasted wagyu beef

Seraya Lontar (Palm Fruit)
Belimbi sorel | palm fruit | pomegranate seeds

Negara Tropical Fruits
Tropical fruits

Petit Fours
Kluwek chocolate | guava fruit jelly | tape choux

Aside from Kubu, other dining options included the all-day Indonesian restaurant Sawah Terrace where we had daily breakfast and a delightful lunch overlooking the Ayung River. The yellow curry served in a coconut and the Jimbaran lobster omelette were just some of my favorites bites there. The creative handcrafted cocktails at Ambar are also not to be missed! With front row seats to the sunset, we enjoyed the drinks with live jazz music and Japanese fusion dishes for one of the nights during our stay.