A PALATABLE NEW LOOK
at The Seminyak BEach Resort and Spa
With so many swanky new hotels and restaurants popping up each week along the streets of Bali’s snazziest tourist district, the more established residents of Seminyak are pulling out all the stops to remain on the lips of the happening crowds. And that is exactly what The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa are doing, having recently opened their premium wine outlet, The Cellar, and appointing the world-experienced Olivier Portret as their new Director of Food & Beverage.
Since arriving on the island, French-born Olivier has been hands-on in transforming The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa’s restaurants, whilst simultaneously kick-starting the success of The Cellar. He has leapt back into the kitchen to play with the fresh flavours of Indonesia’s landscapes, whilst setting up regular food and wine events to bring in the crowds for a taste of the delicious new offerings.
For the wine lovers
With Seminyak being the island’s capital for eager oenophiles, Olivier and the resort knew The Cellar had to be a totally unique concept. And voila! It is the first of its kind on the island: a wine shop within a five-star resort, yet open to outside guests as well. Not only this, but the wines from The Cellar can be ordered for the same price from each of the resort’s restaurants, or for an even more luxurious experience, guests can even purchase their beloved bottle of vino straight from The Cellar’s shelves, and enjoy the delicious grapes within the resort’s oasis-like gardens – again, even as a guest staying elsewhere.
The Cellar opened right at the end of last year and it is as grand as The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa itself. It is encased by chic glass walls and marble flooring, and yet it has that rustic feel to it that you expect from a wine rack, accented by a panorama of unpolished woods. Inside, it stocks over 150 wines and Champagnes from all around the world, and what is most impressive are the extremely competitive price tags that come with them.
To showcase the fantastic array of wines, Olivier has helped to initiate a series of wine tastings that will continue throughout the year called the “Cellar-Brations,” where different winemakers will be invited to the resort to foster the shared, social experience intrinsic of drinking wine.
For the foodies
Olivier has also been hard at work revamping the menus of The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa’s two signature restaurants. The first is Santan, the Asian-inspired, pavilion-studded restaurant surrounded by the resort’s tropical, landscaped gardens and fish-filled ponds. The chefs serve up some explosive twists on Asian classics, like the refreshing heart of palm and green asparagus salad appetiser. It is flavoured with a dash of lime and a sesame dressing which pairs exquisitely with the Condrieu Viogner, available to order directly from The Cellar.
The Asian flair continues within the main course offerings, like the duck yakitori served with grilled asparagus and broccoli. The succulent cut of duck is skewered and glazed with a sticky, salty and sweet sauce, which is nicely cut through by the crunch of the green veggies. To complement the rich aromas, Olivier suggests matching the dish with a glass of The Cellar’s premium red, the Domaine Seguela.
From the garden to the sandy shore, the resort’s second restaurant is Sanje Lounge, fabulously placed right on Seminyak Beach. The restaurant dishes up exotic finger foods, salads and lighter fare during lunch, with a fine Mediterranean menu for dinnertime. It is a particularly romantic spot to dine beneath the stars, with unparalleled views across the swaying Indian Ocean on one side and the dazzling resort pool on the other.
Olivier adds: “With Bali’s warm climate and the stunning seafront just footsteps away, the Mediterranean cuisine we serve at Sanje Lounge works really well within the paradisal environment. It is also the ultimate setting to unwind and enjoy Bali’s celebrated sunset over a refreshing drink or two.”
For the socialites
The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa’s social calendar is jam-packed each month with gourmet celebrations, because Olivier has committed himself to introducing exciting new events throughout the year for both in-house and outside guests to enjoy. Look out for international DJs paired with beachfront wine tastings, as well as premium brand vodka events situated poolside.
Each night of the working week from sunset onwards, the resort also holds sensational beachside buffets at Sanje, with each one showcasing a different culinary theme, such as East Asian, Balinese, international barbecues, Mediterranean cuisine and fresh seafood – and of course, with the accompaniment of a cellar stocked full of world-class wines.
The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa
Jl. Kayu Aya, Seminyak Beach
Phone: (+62) 361 730814
www.theseminyak.com
