Sun, Sea, Sanje
Taking poolside grub up a notch, Sanje Lounge at The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa has recently launched its new summer menu, introducing gourmet cuisine to a chilled out, beachfront setting.
When designing the new menu for Sanje Lounge at The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa, world-experienced Director of Food & Beverage Olivier Portret knew he wanted to tick off two things: first he wanted to create a delicious selection of Mediterranean-inspired gourmet cuisine, and second, he wanted each and every dish to match the poolside vibe of the al fresco restaurant.
For some, the two are mutually exclusive. How can poolside food be described as gourmet cuisine? Well, at Sanje Lounge, each dish is flawlessly curated, artistically presented and every bite is totally scrumptious. And the food is so “poolside” you can even enjoy it with your feet dipping into the cool blue, if you so choose…
To the Deck
Fabulously placed right on Seminyak Beach, Sanje Lounge stretches across the resort’s gorgeous beachfront decking area, shaded by towering trees that penetrate through the floor like giant, natural shades. To my left, the dazzling lagoon pools of the The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa glitter beneath the midday’s rays, while to my right, Bali’s creamy sands are just footsteps away.
The menu at Sanje Lounge offers up a number of exotic finger foods and light Mediterranean fare, while barbecued meat and seafood dishes please hungrier appetites looking for something more substantial. There are also gourmet pizzas and pastas, appetisers and desserts, so there is always the option to lunch the day away with a multiple course meal.
Summery Bites
Starting on a lighter note, I begin with the crabmeat croquette appetiser, where five small bite-sized balls rest on delicate beds of homemade peanut sauce. Each ball is nicely crumbed on the outside, adding a contrasting texture to their smooth, spongy fillings. The freshly pulled crabmeat is mixed with a sauce similar to a Béchamel; creamy, rich and not too gooey.
Next up, seared yellow fin tuna comes thickly sliced and placed atop a giant bowl of Nicoise salad. The locally-sourced tuna is lightly cooked on the outside, leaving the middle vibrantly pink and incredibly smooth. Drizzled with a light lemon dressing, the salad itself is tossed with crispy green leaves, plump cherry tomatoes, salty black olives and a few chunky wedges of a hardboiled egg.
Onto the main courses and I try a very meaty hunk of lamb together with a vegetarian pasta. The latter is the rigatoni pasta in a creamy gorgonzola sauce. It comes sprinkled with sprigs of broccoli and sliced almond, which happens to be a very traditional, Italian touch. Each bite is intensely creamy and cheesy, yet somehow it remains light and easy to eat even in the glorious sunshine; so easy that I find myself licking the plate clean.
Straight from the grill, the Australian lamb chops come served on the bone beside a creamy, green-hued basil mash. Herby and lightly smoked, a thyme jus rounds it all off over a colourful mound of Mediterranean vegetables. Despite being the heartiest of the dishes I tried, the lamb is neither too heavy nor too rich to be enjoyed poolside, making for a very memorable and very delicious afternoon in the sun.
(www.theseminyak.com/sanje-lounge)
The Seminyak’s Director of F&B, Olivier Portret, shares some of his favourite vinos to enjoy poolside at Sanje:
Freixenet Cordon Rosado Brut Sparkling Rose from Spain
“This sparkling rosé brut blends together Garnacha and Trepat grapes. To make the wine, they use the same process used in Champagne to enhance its flavour and texture. The result is a premium sparkling rosé that is smoother and softer than your typical Brut. It is very easy to drink thanks to the fresh berry flavours and a hint of sweet vanilla. On the finish, the peach and citrus flavours make it a great wine to enjoy in the sunshine.”Château Roubine Grand Cru Blanc white wine from Provence, south of France
“This beautiful white wine mixes a number of cepages, with Ugni blanc, clairette and Semillon being the most dominant. It is a very elegant wine rich in flavours, a classic characteristic of wines made in Provence. In Sanje, it works very nicely as an aperitif as well as matching the exotic salads and light fish dishes we have available. It is extremely easy to drink and a very generous wine.”
