Singapore’s ilLido Italian cuisine hits Bali Shores

Singapore’s ilLido Italian cuisine hits Bali Shores

Here in Bali, we are always happy to welcome quality new restaurants – especially Italian ones. So we were delighted with the recent launch of ilLido, which opened its doors in Greater Seminyak’s gastronomic enclave. Singaporeans may well recognize the ilLido name, the creation of renowned Italian restaurateur, Beppe De Vito: since 2006 it has been one of Singapore’s most established Italian fine-dining destinations.

IlLido Singapore brings the same contemporary Italian dining concept to Bali, but this Balinese flagship restaurant flows with the island’s more casual, al fresco dining approach. Previously the premises of an iconic French fine-dining restaurant, Kafe Warisan, the sun-kissed courtyard terrace and open-air interiors have been completely refurbished, predominately with premium warm woods, resulting in a relaxed, yet uber-chic, outdoor dining setting reminiscent of Italy – and typical of Bali.

Open daily for lunch and dinner, the menus, spearheaded by De Vito and Italian chef Luca Masini, feature authentic, timeless Italian cuisine, familiar classics and regional dishes intricately re-interpreted through complex cooking techniques and contemporary influences. Diverse natural ingredients, the freshest seafood and premium cuts of the finest meats come prepared with Italian passion, bursting with flavours and colours. Practically everything is housemade, including rustic crunchy breads, pastas and sauces. Menus cover a daily three-course Set Lunch (IDR180,000), plus one menu for lunch and dinner, with Sharing Appetizers and Individual Mains.

However, all portions come generously sized. We sampled a selection of signature dishes from amongst the appetizers, sharing portions of Crab Cakes with avocado cream, revealing delicate quail eggs within, and Charcoal-grilled Octopus infused with housemade Nduja (spicy, spreadable sausage from Calabria), a modern reboot of a classic Venetian recipe with the smoky heat of the Nduja amplifying the octopus’ fresh flavours. IlLido Bali features daily made artisanal pastas enjoyed either as appetizers or mains; these include the comfort-food-like creamy Pumpkin Gnocchi Gratin. A signature mains dish, Salt Crust Baked Whole Grouper, nostalgically follows the Italians’ favourite way of cooking fish, baking it in a salt dome in a very hot oven.

Italian authenticity comes reinforced with two Italian chefs helming the kitchen and a superior wine selection dominated by regional Italian wines: Old World classics like Barolo, Brunello and Amarone and wines originating from more unusual Italian regions, such as Sardinia and Sicily. Round the meal off with the house limoncello!
www.illidobali.com.