Maurizio Bombini has called many places home: France’s Bordeaux region; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Hainan, China; and Bali, his current residence since 2011. But, for the Italian native, there’s no place like Puglia, Southern Italy. After all, it was where he was born and raised within the environment of his parents’ seaside restaurant, the spark that ignited his passion for cooking. This heritage is what he infuses into his first venture, Mauri, eponymously named after his childhood nickname.
The restaurant sits comfortably within the dining scene of Seminyak, where global influences continue to shape its eclecticism. Mauri only enriches it, as Chef Maurizio’s international training in MICHELIN-starred and five-star hotel kitchens across Europe, China, and Bali meets his Pugliese roots. The result is a dynamic blend of contemporary approaches, reverence for tradition, and respect for local practices.
True to Pugliese cooking culture, the kitchen champions premium local produce sourced in close collaboration with Balinese farmers. They are expertly crafted into signature dishes like Tonno, a tartare-like tuna dish topped with burrata, basil oil, citrus sabayon, and vinaigrette. Others feature premium imported ingredients; the Costata di Manzo Wagyu MB 7/8 is one of the highlights, featuring a ribeye served alongside smoked celeriac, mushroom tart, and pepper jus. Still, among the best of the menu are those that feature handmade elements. The Cavatelli is a must-try, pairing the namesake homemade pasta with red wild prawns and seafood ragoût.
Beyond what’s on the plate, patrons can find touches of Puglia in every tenet of the restaurant. The façade is modelled after the stucco houses of Ostuni, a city in the southern part of the region. Sun rays bathe the dining area, filtering in through a replica of Castel del Monte’s skylight. It brightens up the crisp white stucco interiors, fostering a relaxing coastal ambience. If that’s not enough to make diners linger, Mauri’s family-style experience surely will. It’s a kind of warm hospitality that evokes the feeling of dining at a close relative’s home, inviting one to look forward to the next visit.
Exquisite Taste Volume 51
Mauri
Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak
Bali 80361, Indonesia
T: (+62) 817776177
