There is no doubt that Italian is one of the most famous cuisines in the world — whether it’s in a small city in Africa, or in the suburban area of Auckland, you can easily find a restaurant that has pasta on the menu. In Bali, finding an Italian eatery is an easy feat. From Seminyak to Ubud, from Nusa Dua to Canggu, many establishments serve Italian delicacies. But, are they good?
I was in Canggu last June and decided to try Cibo! Bali, and boy, that was one of the best dining experiences I ever had. Cibo! Bali is nestled on Jalan Subak Sari, one of the main streets in the bustling Canggu area. This humble Italian restaurant is the brainchild of Diego Martinelli, a seasoned chef who originally comes from Modena, Italy. Diego has previously held tenure in various five-star hotels around the world, namely Soori Bali, BVLGARI, and Four Seasons. At Cibo! Bali, Diego highlights the simple, home-style cuisine of his native land, all while keeping it artisanal, humble and authentic. His approach certainly did not disappoint.
My dinner commenced with a bowl of simple Caesar Salad which was served with big chunks of grilled chicken breasts. What I thought was a simple salad starter, turned out to be one of the evening’s shining stars. The freshness and crispness of the lettuce combined with the dressing and the cheese, I can say that this was the best Caesar Salad I’ve had in a very long time. Another starter that you must try is prosciutto cotto or cooked ham which is thinly sliced and served with breadsticks. Delizioso!
For the main course, I ordered fettuccine in truffle sauce and wagyu ribeye MB5 with pan-roasted asparagus for the side dish. The steak was delightful. It was juicy and well-seasoned. But for me, it would be better if there were a selection of sauces to go with the steak. However, the fettuccine in truffle sauce was truly the star of the night. The pasta was cooked al dente and the cream sauce was not too thick with a hint of truffle. It was just perfect, and just writing this has made my mouth water just trying to remember that evening.
To finish off the night, we ordered the tiramisu, which came in a huge portion. The texture was cakey and the taste rather plain, compared to the traditional style tiramisu which was what we expected, so that was a let down. But overall, the dinner was very enjoyable and I will definitely come back to try other dishes —or maybe for their celebrated Sunday Brunch!
Apart from being a restaurant, Cibo Bali also operates as a deli and gelateria. The deli offers a selection of artisanal breads and pastries as well as Cibo! Bali’s homemade pasta and selection of wine. Whereas the gelateria offers various gelatos made with fresh milk, cream, and natural flavors.
Diego and the team do their best to bring home cooked Italian delicacies to Bali. And almost 12.000 kilometers away from Diego’s hometown, he and his team successfully deliver a humble, casual dining experience for everyone.
CIBO! BALI
Jl. Subak Sari No. 8, Tibubeneng, Kuta Utara, Badung, Bali 80361
CUISINE
Italian