August 2020 - Travel In Heels

Parmesan Crisps Bruschetta

Posted on August 31, 2020May 19, 2021 by admin

Bruschetta is one of my all time favorite appetizers! It is a perfect side dish for summer when all tomatoes are ripe and delicious.

WHAT IS BRUSCHETTA?

Bruschetta (pronounced as Bru-Sketta) is an Italian appetizer or antipasto. While bruschetta is often associated with the diced tomato, herbs and seasonings atop the toast, the word bruschetta actually refers to the preparation of the bread, which should be rubbed with garlic and toasted.

PARMESAN CRISP BRUSCHETTA:

Although the bread is the most important part of bruschetta, it’s not always an option for those with a gluten allergy. Thus, I created a gluten free bruschetta recipe using home-made parmesan crisps (and it happens to be keto-friendly as well). It only takes 5 minutes to make them and they are cheaper and more delicious than the store-bought packages. It just takes a whole parmesan and a grater. More to come below on this step.

THE TOPPINGS:

It’s not a surprise that diced tomatoes are the most common ingredient used over the bruschetta as it perfectly complements the existing elements. There are plenty of recipes online recommending the use of balsamic vinaigrette for the bruschetta but the traditional Italian recipe calls for a drizzle of red wine vinegar so it doesn’t over power the tomatoes. With that said, when tomatoes are in peak season, I prefer to leave the vinaigrette out altogether. It’s critical to select ripe tomatoes for the flavor as well as the techniques described below.

My first recommendation is to de-seed the tomatoes. I have found that by de-seeding it reduces the water content so it’ll sit better over the bruschetta without creating a soggy mess. Further, I take the skin off as well for a velvety texture with better health benefits. It will also be much easier to de-skin ripe tomatoes.

To avoid being wasteful, I place a small strainer over a cup and, with a spoon, scoop the seeds (and the gelatinous center) to throw into said strainer. I then squeeze the seeds to get all the juice back into the cup. You can use this fresh tomato juice in any tomato-based soup or simply freeze for future use. I prefer to drink it on the spot while it’s fresh, adding a pinch of salt!

SHOULD BRUSCHETTA BE SERVED WARM OR COLD?

This appetizer is best served on a freshly toasted bread while the tomato topping is at the room temperature. You can toast or grill the bread for an extra crunch and top it off with fresh tomato and basil.

CAN YOU MAKE BRUSCHETTA IN ADVANCE?

Yes! It will be much easier to prep everything in advance specially if you are hosting for a larger party. Be sure to take the tomato mix out of the fridge and allow it to get to room temperature before placing it on the bread.

INGREDIENTS:

20-25 ripe cherry tomatoes or 6-7 ripe beefsteak tomatoes, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
6-8 fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

FOR SERVING:

1/2 cup of fresh Parmesan cheese, grated

HOW TO MAKE THE PARMESAN CRISPS:

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper . Spoon cheese into circles while patting down the cheese. leave about 2-3 inches between each mound as they expand through heating. Bake for about 3-5 minutes or until golden brown. Make sure that the cheese is completely cooled off before you remove it from the parchment paper or it can break apart.

HOW TO MAKE BRUSCHETTA:

Combine the tomatoes, chopped garlic, vinegar, olive oil, basil in a small bowl. Sprinkle with some salt and pepper. Scoop the Tomato mixture over each Parmesan crisp and serve immediately.

Zuchini Lasagna Rolls

Posted on August 31, 2020October 26, 2020 by admin

Zucchinis are one of my most favorite vegetables. They are low carb, tasty and nutritious. I love adding them into my frittatas but one of my favorite zucchini dishes is lasagna roll ups!

This is a great recipe as it’s filling but not too heavy. It’s gluten free, keto friendly and a perfect healthy dish for the summer. You can also create a vegetarian recipe by omitting the meat and using the marinara sauce by itself.

Ingredients:

4-5 medium zucchini sliced lengthwise into 1/8 inch thick strips

1/2 lbs ground beef

1/2 medium sized onion (chopped)

2 cloves of garlic (minced)

1 1/2 cup marinara sauce, divided

1 cup shredded mozzarella

3/4 cup freshly grated parmesan

Directions:

Slice the zucchinis using a mandolin to 1/8 inch strips. (The thinner, the better they roll). Lay zucchini stripes flat and sprinkle each side with some salt. Rest for 15 minutes. Then pat dry with a paper towel. This will help getting the excess water from the zucchinis out so it doesn’t water down your dish later on.

in a large skillet, heat some vegetable oil. Add the chopped onions to it and cook for 3-4 minutes. Lower the heat and add the garlics and continue stirring until you can smell the garlic aroma. Add the beef and cook for 10 minutes and until browned. Add 1 cup of marinara sauce to the pan, place the lid on and cook on medium heat until the sauce gets thicker. (You can adjust the sauce by adding 1-2 TBS of tomato paste and water to it) Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 400°F (200 °C). Spread the marinara sauce onto the bottom of a 1 inch oven-proof dish or use the same skillet.

Rolled Zucchinis before they are placed int he oven

Sprinkle each slice of zucchini with some fresh mozzarella and parmesan. Roll up, then place in the prepared skillet; repeat with remaining zucchini slices. Top with remaining 1/2 cup marinara sauce and sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan.

Place into oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until lasagna rolls are heated through and the cheese is beginning to brown.

Serve immediately!

Cheese and Mushrooms Crustless Quiche

Posted on August 31, 2020October 26, 2020 by admin

I love savory breakfast dishes so I tend to make lots of Frittatas, Omelets and quiches! This cheese and mushroom quiche is one of my all times favorite. It’s so filling and there are so may variations you can introduce to the recipe and create your own!

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUICHE, FRITTATA AND OMELET:

In short, a frittata is like an unfolded omelet or a crustless quiche but there are still more differences. Frittatas and omelets are both made without any crust but what differentiates an omelet from a frittata is that an omelet is usually made to serve one, while frittata is made to serve one or many. In making frittatas, you mix the fillings along with the beaten eggs where in making an omelet, you will add the fillings over the eggs once the egg is about to set. You will then fold them in half.

In making frittatas adding milk or cream is crucial while omelets do not contain any milk. Quiches on the other hand are more dairy base. The crust can hold on to the dairy quite well and so the cream to egg ratio is about 2:1. Quiches are made entirely in the oven where omelets are made on the stove top and frittatas are made on the stove top but finished in the oven.

CREATIVE FRITTATA COMBINATIONS:

Spinach, artichoke and feta cheese

Zucchini, squash, dill and cheddar

Asparagus, shallots, chives, ricotta and swiss cheese

Mushrooms, arugula and goat cheese

Broccoli, cheddar and chives

Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil

CAN YOU REHEAT THIS CRUSTLESS QUICHE?

Yes, you can! While you can absolutely enjoy this dish when it’s at room temperature, you can also heat it up in the toaster oven, pan (low heat) or even microwave. I am personally not a huge fan of microwaving food so I prefer the first two options. (Tip: Make sure to not overheat the dish as the eggs can lose their water content and become rubbery)

INGREDIENTS:

4 large eggs

1 small onion (diced)

2 cloves of garlic (minced)

8 oz. sliced mushrooms

1/2 lbs bunch of fresh spinach

1 cup of milk

1/4 mozzarella (grated)

1/4 cup Feta cheese

1/4 cup parmigiano reggiano (grated)

5-6 halved sun dried tomatoes

Salt and pepper to taste

Chopped walnuts (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In a large pan, sauté the onions for about 5 minutes until they are translucent. Add the garlic and sauté for an additional 2 minutes or until you can smell the aroma of garlic. Add in the sliced mushrooms and the spinach.Cook until they become soft and the moisture is evaporated entirely. ( This is quite important as excess water can soggy up your dish)

Preheat the oven to 350 F. In a medium sized bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, feta and half of the parmigiano-reggiano (you can add the walnuts in this step for more texture).

Coat a 9-inch pie dish with some olive oil. Gently, add the sautéed onion, garlic, mushrooms and spinach to the egg batter. Season with Salt and pepper.

Top with Shredded Mozzarella, the reminder of the parmiginao and halved sun-dried tomatoes.

place the dish into the oven and bake for 45-55 minute or until the top is golden brown. Enjoy!

Healthy Delicious Banana Bread

Posted on August 31, 2020October 26, 2020 by admin

Craving for something sweet? This gluten free banana bread recipe is all that you need . It has all the simple ingredients that your body loves and it’s easy to make.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Oat Flour

1/2 cup Quinoa Flour

1/2 cup Almond Flour

1/2 Tsp Baking Soda

1 TSP Baking Powder

1/2 TSP Salt

4 TBSP Honey

8 TBSP coconut oil

3 Eggs

4 TBSP Almond Milk

3 Ripe Bananas ( 2 mashed and one diced)

1 TSP Ground Cinnamon and Nutmeg

Walnuts Chopped and as much as you like!

Recipe:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9X5 loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside. In a blender or food processor, mix the coconut oil, 2 of the mashed bananas, honey, eggs, almond flour, quinoa flour, oat flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg and almond milk until smooth. Add the diced banana and chopped walnuts into the batter and gently mix them in.

Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smack down the pan a few times on to the counter to break up the air bubbles.

Place in the center of the oven and bake for 35-45 minutes or until the loaf is golden brown and the top is firm to touch. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Once it cooled off completely, you can slice it and enjoy it!

( I have used a larger pan for this recipe which resulted in a thinner banana bread, also, i’ve used the slivered almonds at the bottom of the pan for a better texture and look)

Bacon and Potato Roses

Posted on August 31, 2020October 26, 2020 by admin

Love Bacon?

Love Potatoes?

How about a fun delicious recipe for bacon and potatoes that not only turn heads but it’s easy to make!

Ingredients: ( for 6 roses)

6 small potatoes

6 strips of bacon

Black pepper to taste

Fresh Thyme ( optional)

( You would need one small potato and one strip of a bacon per flower, however, if you want to make bigger flowers, use a larger potato and two strips of bacon overlapping vertically)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400˚F (200˚C). Using a mandolin, thinly slice your potatoes and set aside. You can, of course, use a knife but a mandolin is much easier and you’ll get a much more consistent cut. Place one strip of a bacon on a flat surface and line the bacon with the sliced potatoes. Make sure each potato is overlapping.

Starting at one end, gently roll up the bacon and potatoes to form a rose. Place the potato flower in a cup cake mold and repeat the steps for the remainder of the potatoes and bacon strips. Bake for 20 minutes then remove from the oven. Cover the dish with foil and place back into the oven for an additional 30 minutes.

Bacon & Potato roses, sautéed vegetables, Spring Salad

Sprinkle with some fresh thyme and serve it with the egg of your choice. I love to serve it with fresh sautéed vegetables on the side! Enjoy!

Fun Easy Summer Desserts

Posted on August 31, 2020October 26, 2020 by admin

Celebrating Independence Day may not be the same for many of us but that doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be fun and delicious. Thus, I would like to share a few ideas on some festive desserts to prep for the 4th of July!

Assortment of cupcakes ( Blueberries, Cherry, Raspberry, Chocolate Hazelnut, Banana and Pecan)

One of my favorite desserts for warm summer days are Popsicles! I have fond memories of enjoying some freshly frozen delights after a day under the blistering sun. The preparation is simple; take fresh juice or smoothies and freeze them! No need for added sugar, coloring or any other additives!

Now that I’m all grown up, I thought I’d try one of my favorite desserts with an adult twist – wine! And it’s oh so delicious. Here are a few suggestions to keep in mind if you’d like to prep your own variation.

Since there is a wide variation of wine characteristics, I’d recommend utilizing a crisp and dry white wine as a base. Wines such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigios pair wonderfully with berries and other summer fruits. Same with many Rosé and sparkling wines! Further, I’d recommend blending the fruit instead of buying juice so you get the texture and aroma without it being overly sweet. I’d suggest berries like strawberry, raspberry, blueberry or a combination therein or other types of stone fruits like peaches or plums.

Popsicle in Sparkling wine ( Raspberry, Peach and Strawberry )

You can also vary your approach. For instance, you can make the regular fruit popsicle (fruit only) and dip it into a glass of wine or you can actually make Winesicles – a combination of wine and fruit. Here’s an example of a Winesicle:

Grab your favorite bottle of sparkling wine, white or Rosé. Then for every cup of wine, mix in a cup of fresh juice, add some berries or other stones fruits and then freeze over night!

Cherry and Peach Panna Cotta (front), Raspberry and Strawberry Panna Cotta (back)

Another delightful dessert to make is panna cotta. They are so easy to make and are perfect for the summer. What makes them so great is that they are perfect base to add many different combinations of flavors. Fruit, chocolate or matcha to name a few. Here’s how to make it:

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1 cup whole milk

2 1/2 tsp unflavored gelatin

1/2 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or one whole vanilla bean

1 cup sour cream

Fresh fruit to garnish (optional)

Add 2 cups heavy whipping cream, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1 1/2 tsp vanilla OR the seeds and the pod of one Vanilla bean in the saucepan. (To use the whole bean, simply halve the Vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape off the seeds using a knife). Bring to simmer over medium- low heat, stirring occasionally. After about 5 minutes and once the mixture is steaming, remove from heat and allow it to cool for 5 minutes. Make sure you don’t boil the cream. (Discard the Vanilla bean pod if you used a whole bean)

Place 1 cup of milk in bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over it. Let stand for 5 minutes or until gelatin is softened. Add the gelatin mixture to the hot cream and mix well.

Place the sour cream in a bowl and while whisking constantly, gradually add it to the cream. Once the mixture is smooth, divide it into 6 wine glasses or any dish that you like. Refrigerate around 6 hours or overnight. Top with fresh berries!

Gluten free, dairy free cupcake with cherry

Finally, A simple gluten free, dairy free cupcake doesn’t hurt anyone! speciously when it’s so delicious! While I’m working to create my own recipe, here’s a brand that I trust and use mostly. Follow the instructions on the box, add fresh berries or nuts of your choice into the batter and make different varieties of cakes or cupcakes each time.

Gluten free chocolate cake with Raspberry and cream filling.

For the photo above, I added fresh raspberries and cocoa nibs into the mix. To make the filling, I simply whipped some heavy cream with 1 Tsp of honey along with crushed raspberries. Let me know what are some the combinations you’ve tried?

Introduction

Posted on August 31, 2020October 26, 2020 by admin

While my initial intention for the blog was to focus on travel, I decided to introduce a new segment in light of current circumstances.

Living in San Francisco under quarantine has been certainly challenging for us. We miss our regular hangouts with friends, casual morning walks or dinners out during the weekends. But as human beings, we learn to adapt, to accept the challenges and prepare for what lies ahead.

While the first few weeks of sheltering-in-place was strange and uncomfortable, the following weeks introduced a whole new perspective on life and lifestyle. For me, I tried to focus more on my day-to-day activities; whether it be calling an old friend, exercising at home or spending more time in the kitchen. Sure enough, one thing that has kept me occupied the most has been cooking. I’ve appreciated trying new or creating my own recipes and sharing them with friends. It has been one delicious way to manage the time since travels have been put on hold indefinitely, at least for us.

Here, I will write about my lifestyle and the things that will hopefully get you inspired!

Le Sirenuse, Positano

Posted on August 31, 2020October 26, 2020 by admin

Considered by many to be the best hotel along the Amalfi Coast, Le Sirenuse is perched along the cliffs of Positano, offering a breath-taking view of the hilly town as well as the beautiful coast. This luxury hotel was once the summer home of an affluent family that was converted to an amazing property rich in culture and elegance. The property overlooks the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the ocean beyond it; and the beauty of the view is perfectly complemented by the classic Italian designs and rich colors of the luxurious resort.

The beauty notwithstanding, what truly sets the hotel apart from its peers is its impeccable service. Whether providing ice cream bars to sun-bathing patrons or offering complimentary activities (more on this later) to maximize the day, Le Sirenuse has all the details covered. They’ll even refer to you by name, making you feel right at home. Get ready to be pampered and treated like royalty!

The rooms:

Le Sirenuse has a total of 59 rooms and suites; thus, the rooms gets booked very quickly. Be sure to check the hotel’s calendar and book your experience early. Almost all rooms have a sea view with a private patio or a balcony that overlooks the amazing coastline. The rooms are spacious and dripping of elegance. Breakfast buffet and resort activities are included in the cost of the room. This will be a fabulous way to take advantage of all the wonderful things Le Sirenuse and Positano has to offer!

Champagne, Lemoncelo and fresh fruit, courtesy of Le Sirenuse hotel

The restaurant and bars:

La Sponda Restaurant and Bar:

This chic one Michelin-starred restaurant is a must visit! With it’s gorgeous view from the coast and delicious food, La Sponda is a perfect place for a unique dinner experience. Their Mariachi-style band, who have been playing together for over 20 years, brings a special element to the evening. Feel free to request your favorite song so you can sing along and all while enjoying vino and freshly made pasta! All enough to fall in love a thousands times over again!

Champagne bar and grill:

Located next to La Sponda, Champagne Bar and Grill is an out-door bar with a fun vibe, delicious food and a stunning view of Positano. It’s the perfect place to take in the sunset with a cocktail in hand; but keep in mind that it gets very busy around this time, naturally, so book your tables early and arrive early for the best seats. Nothing quite like peering out to the Amalfi hills and the coast while the sun sets over the waters; an essential shot for your Instagram collection!

Pool Bar and Restaurant

Another tranquil spot surrounded by lush lemon trees overlooking the sea and next to the pool where you can relax, eat quality food enjoy the most unforgettable view. It is also where breakfast is served.

Activities:

Le Sirenuse offers a variety of daily activities that will fill up your itinerary, whether it be morning pilates, a visit of the limonchello factory or even luxurious boat trip along the coast. Make sure to look over the list of activities on their website and contact the hotel’s concierge to book them in advance.

During our stay, we were able to take multiple boat trips, once to Nerano bay to get lunch and the enjoy the town and another for a beautiful sunset cruise. You board an exclusive hotel boat along with fellow guests and cruise along the coast to neighboring towns only accessible by the sea. The wonderful staff provides fresh fruit and refreshments while you get to enjoy this dreamy view and chatting with your new friends. One can even jump into the warm Mediterranean Sea! Truly an immaculate experience that was out of this world and will forever be engraved in my memory.

Complimentary fruits and champagne on the boat

If you book the lunch boat tour, you’ll need to pick a restaurant in Nerano Bay. The concierge can give you some wonderful recommendations. We opted for Ristorante Le Sirene and I can’t recommend it enough. Le Sirene is located within a small “run-down” hotel and it is well known for it’s homemade pasta and seafood. The view from the restaurant was also spectacular and you can find yourself gazing through it’s windows for hours!

Fresh homemade spagetti with clams, Ristorante Le Sirene

Just like the lunch boat tour, the sunset cruise is another fabulous way to spend some quality time on the sea. Get ready for a beautiful experience on the boat with a nice spread of charcuterie, nuts and dried fruits. The lovely staff will pour champagne as you take in the romantic sunset in the ocean.

Four Seasons, Bora Bora

Posted on August 31, 2020October 26, 2020 by admin

Bora Bora tops the list for many vacationers and honeymooners seeking an island getaway. It’s turquoise water, over water bungalows, pristine beaches and expansive lagoons are nothing short of paradise. For a detailed review about the island itself make sure to click here.

While Bora Bora has many wonderful hotels to chose from, there’s none better than the Four Seasons. The resort is located on the right side of the main island and is a short boat ride from the airport. Like most hotels, Four Seasons offers a boat service from and to the airport along with other destinations around the island. However, Four Seasons distinguish themselves from their peers upon arrival both by the luxury of their boat and the quality of their service. Costs will varies based on the destination as well as the degree of privacy (private versus shared).

Rooms:

This dreamy hotel offer the most remarkable rooms, food and service on the island. They offer a variety of rooms depending on your need and preferences. For families with kids or those in need of a larger space, the beach front villas are likely to be the best option. They have their own private pool with ample room to account for larger parties. But make sure to book them quickly because there are only 8 villas available on the property.

All of the other rooms are over-the-water bungalows with a variety of views. You can either book the mountain-view or beach-view; those closer to the shore or the ocean. The bungalows with the mountain-view have a dramatic backdrop and are often preferred by many guests but it’s not the only factor to consider. For instance, I would recommend a bungalow that faces the west not only for the view but the late afternoon sun explore on your porch #ProTip. Also, if the notion of jumping out into the ocean is exciting to you, you’ll want the Bungalows further away from shore – the rooms closer to the beach are too shallow for jumping / diving activities. It might sound a bit obvious but it’s the sort of detail that you’re not likely to consider until you’re already checked in.

The bungalows consist of a spacious living room with a large adjoining bedroom, which is nicely nestled into the unit to help you get a restful night of sleep. The rooms are equipped with a large bathroom space including a luxurious bathtub with views out to the patio and the ocean.

The outside patio offers beautiful views of paradise with direct access to the waters beneath you. It an excellent place to soak in the sun or to enjoy a delicious brunch, something we’ve availed ourselves of quite frequently.

Activities:

Four Seasons offers many different activities throughout the property. Some of our favorites were the stand-up paddle boards and kayaks. Paddle yourself throughout the property, getting lost within the lagoons or venture off into the ocean to enjoy the jaw-dropping views of the gorgeous resort and the paradise that is Bora Bora (all while burning calories)!

A large area of the resort is dedicated to Volleyball, Badminton and Tennis courts. You get to reserve the court and break a sweat under the sun!

The resort also provides snorkeling gear that can be used in the lagoon or beyond. You’ll quickly find yourself surrounded by schools of fish under the clear waters and perhaps more the further you venture off.

Some of the fun but non-complimentary activities are jet-skiing and riding or navigating a catamaran. You can also request use of their canoes, which are typically used for special occasions.

Restaurants and bars:

Food, drinks and service is top-notch across the resort and you will find yourself getting spoiled with the small details the staff add to make your stay is more enjoyable!

Tere Nui

This cozy restaurant is only open for breakfast. They offer a wide variety of breads, cheese selections, cold cuts, fresh fruits and kid-friendly snacks. You can also order omelettes and other made-to-order items off their menu, available at each table. If you decide to buy a meal plan, it is honored at the Tere Nui. However, it important to note that pre-purchasing your breakfast might preclude you from enjoying the breakfast canoe, a beautiful and romantic ride around the property with breakfast on your porch.

Arii Moana:

Open for dinner service only, Arii Moana is a beautiful restaurant with limited seating on the patio. While the decor is beautiful inside, there is nothing better than to enjoy the open air of the patio. The restaurant is a perfect place to enjoy a surf-n-turf meal with a menu that offers plenty of fresh seafood and succulent meats options. You’ll also find an excellent wine list to pair with your meal.

Fare Hoa Beach Bar and Grill

Offering a casual ambiance right on the beach, Fare Hoa is a great spot if you want to grab food and/or drinks. This restaurant sits right on the sand so it gives you access to lounge chairs on the beach. Depending on the night, they offer music or live bands to listen to some music under the stars.

Sunset Restaurant and Bar

Located right next to the lagoon, Sunset Restaurant offers some light snacks or a mix of island and South-East Asian cuisine. Some of favorite options were the Thai curries and salad. Grab a table at Sunset and watch the lagoon change color.

Canoe breakfast:

Enjoying your breakfast on the beautiful patio overlooking the crystal water seems like a dream but how about a breakfast delivery in a canoe? We truly enjoyed our meal, the set-up and the lovely people who helped set the table. In the end, they offered to give us a tour around the lagoon which was a lovely treat!

Missing this beautiful island and the wonderful Four Seasons hotel. Can’t wait to be back!

Ayana Resort, Bali

Posted on August 30, 2020October 26, 2020 by admin

Bali, this magical island, has so many wonderful hotels and resorts to chose from. In fact, it offers so many beautiful options that can be quite overwhelming! One of the best ways to narrow down where to stay is to find out the desirable location you like. Head over to my post about Bali and read about the different towns within the island. Once you have identified the suitable town, you can look for the hotel or resort that best suits your needs.

For us, it was Jimbaran because of its proximity to the airport and Seminyak, where restaurants, bars and clubs are plentiful; but most of all because it houses The Villas at the Ayana. The beautiful resort may very well be the largest on the island as it contains 3 affiliated hotels within the property, The Villas, Ayana and Rimba. You get the picture, right?

The massive property has a total of 19 restaurants and bars, 12 swimming pools and offers every amenity your heart desire to the point that you only need to leave the resort to explore the rich history on the island! We weren’t able to visit all the restaurants and swimming pools during our extended stay.

What is the difference between The Villas vs Ayana or Rimba?

All 3 properties are laid out beautifully and you get to enjoy most of the bars, restaurants and pools within the property. The major difference between The Villas and the other two hotels is the size and the layout of the rooms. The Villas offer their own private bungalow-like units along with butler and driver service. The other two have more a traditional hotel set-up with elevators and adjoining walls for neighboring rooms. This is the main reason for a higher price-tag.

Romantic bath with a beautiful view of our backyard

While the size of the room or having a butler may not be interesting to you, having transportation in the resort is is a real peak in the large estate. The property is around 90 hectares (223 acres) near cliff-tops; thus, walking around can be exhausting and time-consuming. Also, The Villas will give you access to some of the most popular areas within the resort that do not accept reservations such as the ever popular Rock Bar.

Another feature of The Villas are the private in-unit pools with accompanying huts to get a break from the sun. More on this below. Guests also gain access to exclusive pools with elaborate designs and a quieter environment.

Restaurants and bars at Ayana resort:

Rock Bar

One of the most sought-after bars in Bali is the Rock Bar. The bar is perched 14 meters above the Indian Ocean over natural rocks, a perfect place to take in the glorious Bali sunset. The DJ booth is set in the middle of the cliff and plays wonderful music throughout the night. Villas guests can access the bar without a wait leveraging the butler service; but be forewarned that guests of the other resorts are likely to encounter lengthy lines during peak hours due to the popularity.

Dava Steak Bar and Grill

The dramatic backdrop of the mountains and ocean make for an amazing and romantic dining experience at the Dava. The menu has a focus on steak and seafood, so we ordered the Wagyu, naturally. We accompanied that with truffle potatoes and pork chop and ate to our heart’s content!

Chocolate soufflé, Dava Steak Bar and Grill

Unique Rooftop Bar and Restaurant:

This beautiful pool-club by day and vibrant restaurant by night offers delightful Mexican food along with wonderful cocktails. It also has a beautiful view of the sunset with a 25 meter infinity pool and (most importantly?) floaties! Despite measured expectations since we were ordering Mexican cuisine in Indonesia, we were pleasantly surprised by he quality of the food and flavors. The food and experience was so wonderful it may be our most favorite restaurant within the property. (And we are accustomed to great Mexican food since we live in California!)

Kisik bar and grill

This lovely restaurant also boast some of the most amazing views of the ocean. Kisik is located on cliffs near the Rock Bar. Thus, it’s another romantic location to take in the wonderful sunset. It is known for its wonderful selection of fresh fish, rock lobster, crab, squid and other local seafood. The fresh seafood will be lined up before your eyes and you’ll get to select and have it cooked your way.

We ordered the rock lobster and crab and never looked back!

Padi

Padi happens to be where the breakfast buffet is hosted each morning, which offers separate food stations for Asian, American and European cuisine. However, by night it is an Asian themed restaurant with a chic Balinese setting. It’s a great place for a quick bite (well, quick on resort time) and late night drink to finish off the night!

Floating breakfast, The Villas at Ayana Resort

Floating champagne brunch :

How could I visit Bali and not order a floating breakfast? While this is not a “restaurant” per se, it is a food service option in The Villas which is fun and unique! We got to enjoy our brunch by the pool while taking in the view and the sun. If you are staying in The Villas, the floating breakfast will be a luxury you will never forget! Who needs a breakfast by the pool when you can have it in the pool?