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Perched on the craggy cliffs of Tabanan, Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali Resort, can easily lay claim to the finest setting in Bali, with stunning views over the revered Tanah Lot. The picturesque temple rising from a tiny island of rock is a place of pilgrimage for both the Balinese, who pay homeage to the powerful spirit guardians of the sea, and for thousands of tourists who descend daily to watch the dramatic sunsets over this scenic spot.
Extensive resort renovations have included a revamp of the signature restaurant, and its renaming as Merica, a majestic dining room with soaring ceilings, walls of slate, and a series of outdoor pavilions. As if the distant views over Tanah Lot and the pounding surf weren't enough, the immediate surrounds are exquisitely landscaped, with a rocky pond filled with delicate pink lotus flowers glistening in the sun, beyond which the perfectly manicured lawns of Hole 7 of the Pan Pacific golf course - consistently ranked as one of the best in Indonesia – stretches to the cliffs edge.
An impressive international menu matches the glorious setting, presenting Balinese, Japanese and Pacific Rim cuisine, alongside Executive Chef Sebastien Cassagnol's 'French Asian Affair' - French cuisine with an Asian twist, featuring dishes such as Fois Gras with spicy roasted cashew nuts and satay sauce, and Crab Tortellini infused with chili and coconut, pumpkin puree and lemongrass espuma.
We start with a Crab Salad served with fresh spicy mango, tiny cubes of avocado and dainty cumin crackers, and follow with the Thai Fish Lollipop, an excellent and innovative creation of cod fillet marinated in fragrant Thai spices and kaffir lime leaf then deep fried on a stalk of lemongrass. The sweet spicy sauce is pure magic. The Duck Leg Confit is rich and gratifying with a salty, just crispy skin, masking tender flesh, perfectly accompanied by a superb Comte cheese mashed potato, and mixed vegetables with garlic green beans. A lighter choice is the Vegetable Selection a big bowl of colourful steaming hot vegetables like yellow squash, carrot, broccoli and grilled tofu cooked in a thin aromatic curry. Dessert options include Mango Tatin, a very fancy sounding Chocolate Moelleux Valrhona Manjari served with Whisky Black Label icecream and Ginger Crème Brulee. I opt for the Jajan Pasar a good assortment of traditional Balinese desserts. A separate children's menu is guaranteed to keep the little ones happy with hot dogs, fish and chips and pizza.
Beverages are as well prepared and pleasant as the food, including a very pretty Creamy Vanilla which reminds me of an old fashioned ice cream float, but with a dollop of cream substituting the ice cream, we also try a refreshing, fruity Virgin Kiwi Roska and a lovely Strawberry Berry Biri brimming with fresh raspberries and strawberries. Merica translates as pepper in Indonesian and the adjoining Merica Bar boasts an international weekend brunch and a Bloody Mary buffet with 27 different versions of the iconic peppery cocktail.
With its mesmerising views and fine cuisine, Merica provides a unique and magical Bali experience and gives you the chance to enjoy the power and beauty of Tanah Lot within in a peaceful setting. \AB
