After a makeover, one of Bali’s most iconic and popular eateries, Hog Wild with Chef Bruno in Batu Belig, is serving up even more tempting plates and delectable drinks to its eager guests under the watchful and fun-loving eyes of its fabulous staff. Easily accessed and with good off-street parking, Hog Wild is a laid-back, street-side family restaurant and bar with a deserved reputation for its signature dishes, a range of brutal martinis and all round family fun. But don’t be put off by the name, Hog Wild serves a whole lot more than just its famous martinis and ribs. The expanded menu now offers healthy salads, like the green mango salad infused with red chilli and drenched in a sour but slightly sweet dressing, as well as a selection of Indonesian favourites too. There’s the silky smooth oxtail soup, noodles, chicken or pork satay with either the traditional peanut sauce or a tangy BBQ sauce, alongside one of Bali’s most famous dishes, crispy fried duck, and the highly recommended Pak Wayan fried rice special. All the pork served at Hog Wild is free-range Balinese pork. Aside from the pork ribs, the grill serves the most tender beef ribs, succulent grilled chicken, pork chops served with a tangy sauce, seared sashimi-quality tuna steaks and beef skewers made with grain-fed Australian beef and vegetables. From the starter menu, the Bang Bang Chicken Wings grilled in luscious Thai spices are superb!
The original Wild Ribs are BBQ’d in a heavy, charred secret BBQ sauce. They are meaty (and messy) and full of rich flavour, just perfect sided with grilled corn on the cob and paired with a signature mojito. A new, but sure-to-be-favourite, is Dare to Rib – marinated and sous-vide before being grilled, this delectable dish is cooked in a lighter and very tasty sauce. A little more tender, a little less rich, it’s perfect with a side of some the best hand-cut fries on the island and a signature Apple Martini. Order a cocktail and you’ll instigate the “shake, shake, shake” dance. On goes the Miss Hog Wild dress and the bartender leaves the bar to shake your cocktail on the raised stage, complete with Marilyn Monroe updraft, before serving it at your table. Seating options vary, from smaller tables for couples to the bench-like wooden tables – just perfect for families and groups. A mix of rustic distressed woods, Miss Hog Wild motifs and hog-inspired art take the theme still further. There are two giant pigs suspended from the ceiling made locally in the style of the traditional Balinese demons, the paintings are all piggish and they even have their own themed souvenir shop next door where you can buy Hog Wild-themed gifts and t-shirts.
The black and white hand-painted bar stretches the length of the front dining space and is a cool place to hang either whilst waiting for a table or just kicking back with a beer, juice or cocktail. Although renowned for its martinis, Hog Wild’s bartenders serve up an excellent range of beverages, including a very good Bloody Mary, the Naked Shrek, margaritas, caipiroskas, mojitos, caipirinhas and arak madu, as well as a good selection of beers, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks. If that is not enough, Hog Wild with Chef Bruno also does take-away and caters for parties and special events. So whatever the celebration, get Hog Wild’s awesome BBQ and brutal martini bar to come to you!
