Area: Seminyak, Bali

Seminyak area just north of Kuta and Legian, Seminyak is a busy centre of Europeans, offering a glimpse of the island's growing reputation as a stop on the international jet-set circuit.

• The Living Room restaurant Seminyak

  The living room is a wonderful restaurant - very upmarket, if that is what you are looking for you will really enjoy it. If you want a place thats very hip at the moment Hu'u is worth a look, not sure if they do weddings. Friends had a reception at the Bali Cliff Hotel and said it was wonderful
  R Hilly
  Hilly

• Q Bar & Cafe

  Bali's premier gay bar is a very professionally run establishment. All the bar snacks and main meals are well presented and are of excellent value. The service is also what you would expect from such a place; bright, breezy and friendly!

  This is one very professional bar. What a change to find, in Bali, a bar that actually produces bar snacks that really are finger food. More substantial meals are also available, and can be enjoyed at the scattered tables, or in one of the wall booths. Eating on the patio is a refreshingly cool experience, whilst watching the passing parade.

  Needless to say, Bruschetta is available, as are Spring Rolls. The Q Lumpia, however, are quite different from the norm [aren't most things here?]. Two large spring rolls, cross sliced and topped with a sprinkle of fine crunchy noodles, and swimming in a pool of sweet and sour sauce….very good! The Chicken Wings are served with a sweet chilli sauce as are the sensational Chicken Fingers [juicy strips of chicken rolled in bread crumbs, then deep fried].

  Udang Pelalah are prawns that have been grilled before being served with a chilli sauce. Potato Skins come with bacon and cheese, and the Pork Spare Ribs have been marinated in soy &garlic before being grilled. The tender Calamari Fritti comes with a tartar sauce.

  The Pasta dishes are made with either spaghetti or penne, and are available with a number of options

  For more substantial meals, you can order either Beef or Chicken Kabobs. Big chunks of meat, on skewers, that are served with potatoes and a salad. Or select something from Q Bar's Indonesian and Asian list of main courses.

  Pepes Ikan is a piece of fish that has been wrapped in a banana leaf before being grilled. Kare Ayam is curried chicken, and the Sate Campur is a plate of mixed sate sticks [beef, chicken and pork] with a tangy sauce. Cumi-Cumi Bakar is a plate of grilled squid rings in a garlic butter sauce. Q Bar's Nasi Campur [mixed rice] comes with pieces of chicken, beef, some prawns, vegetables and egg.

  Those popular Thai soups Tom Yam Goong [hot & sour prawn soup], and Tom Ka Gai [chicken in coconut milk] are available as is the Q Chow Mein [seafood and vegetables over crunchy egg noodles].

  Early in the evening the place is very relaxed, although late at night the frenzy increases. Late on Mondays, Graeme and the boys from Bali's famous Hulu Café put on a drag show, either using the small stage or by commandeering the staircase that sweeps down from upstairs.

• Prana Restaurant

  Many things that are supposedly good for you, leave you feeling unfulfilled. The most amazing thing about the healthy food at Prana is that it really tastes good, as well. The room that the restaurant at the Prana International Health Resort & Spa occupies has had a chequered history. Once it was called Tre, and promised to become one of BaliÃÔ finest dining rooms. That dream, unfortunately, was very short-lived.

  Most long-term residents of Bali will know Prana by its previous title of The Villas. Whilst some of the more recent parts of The Villas complex still remain and operate under that name, the original section has been totally renovated and converted into BaliÃÔ first international Health Resort & Spa. Although, just to confuse, or maybe un-confuse, the name has now been slightly altered once more to Prana at The Villas!

  The restaurant at Prana has a mystical air about it, the colours and Indian motifs [even on the roof] create an atmosphere all of their own. If you are on a health visit, then the food at Prana will complement that purpose. Even the non-vegetarian items boast low fat content whenever possible.

  Whilst all the usual alcoholic combinations are available, so too are a myriad of herbal teas and exotic mocktails to start. Beet The Heat with cucumber, beet, jicama, celery and fennel. The De-Tox Deluxe has carrot juice with beet, parsley, kale, spinach, ginger and turmeric. Sweet and Green consists of beetroot juice with carrot, jicama, celery and parsley.

  The Vegetable Curry Samosas are served with your choice of chutney [mango, jackfruit or mint]. The Baked Spinach, Cheese and Mushroom, wrapped in filo pastry is light and tasty, served with its Tahini-Miso sauce. The Miso Shanti is normal miso soup with golden beet, sea vegetables and tofu added. But the Thai Pumpkin and Ginger Soup is outstanding as are those cold Thai spring rolls; thinly sliced vegetables, tofu and mint, rolled in wet rice paper and served with a tangy peanut sauce.

  The Sushi Platter has coconut sashimi, heart of palm and marinated vegetables added. The Á´attvic¡¦Steamed Vegetables are covered with a creamy green sesame sauce, over brown rice. Fresh Vegetable Curry consists of organic vegetables, Indian spiced, with tofu and basmati rice. A Thai Cashew Curry has a bit of a bite to it; with coconut cream, tofu, and the taste of Thailand. Palak Paneer is that Indian original, spinach and other vegetables combined with paneer cheese, on brown rice.

  A Burmese Tofu Curry presents totally different flavours, a fragrant Burmese dish of soft tofu and vegetables. Apricot Chick Peas is about as healthy as you can get. Plenty of fibre in this sweet curry dish! A Cajun Pumpkin Jambalaya is a claypot full of spice!

  For the non-vegetarian, or a not unusual mixed dining group, there are still plenty of alternative dishes to choose from. A refreshing Salad is the sweet Mango, Curried Chicken and Cashew Salad Boat. For noodle lovers a choice of Chinese [Kwetiau with jumbo shrimps and sliced chicken], Indonesian [Mie Kuah with chicken and vegetables] or Japanese [Ramen with roasted pork].

  A Burger with a difference is PranaÃÔ Spicy Burger! It is a meat patty with tomato marmalade and served on English muffins. So is the Prana Club Sandwich, low fat pastrami, chicken, feta cheese, lettuce and tomato, with accompanying paprika potato wedges.

  Even the Sirloin Steak is selected for the leanness of the cut, with potatoes and an unusual but tasty sauce of mushrooms and green peppercorns. Chicken Dijon is saut¡¦d breast of chicken with that mustard sauce with the unique taste of Dijon. Or you can have your chicken breast barbecued, with avocado, tomatoes and olives.

  For seafood alternatives, either a Pan-Fried Salmon, on a fondue of leek with steamed potatoes, or a BBQ Grilled Monk Fish and Prawn Kebab.

  Now you can undo all the good work by ordering a tasty Apple Strudel with both strawberry and vanilla ice creams, or a Crepe Suzette that has had Grand Marnier ladled all over it! For those who still prefer the healthier things in life a sugar-free Cashew Vanilla Sorbet accompanied by a Wild Berry Swirl and organic chocolate or Carob Mint is the perfect finish!

  The wine list is sensible and the service friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable. Prana Restaurant provides yet another alternative dining venue for Bali. Presenting interesting food that is very different yet good value as well. If you have strong self-control with your ordering then it can even very good for you!