We find Café des Artistes tucked away on one of Ubud's charismatic side streets – an ideal setting for a sidewalk café. The parasol-shaded terrace is paved with loose pebbles, while leafy foliage shrouds a small private courtyard on the side. I am desperate for a good coffee so it's a relief to see the illy coffee sign out front – and am soon sipping a creamy latte. More seating is provided in the open air pavilion, which has a casual continental vibe and simple furnishings of wood and rattan. The well priced menu, created by Belgian owner/chef Rudy Kerremans offers a mix of European, Mediterranean and Indonesian dishes, as well as Belgian specialties such as Carbonades a la Flamande with beef cubes slowly braised in brown beer, onion and mustard, and Boulettes sauce tomates Pork and Beef meatballs.
We start with Grilled Prawns Diabolique, juicy prawns pleasantly arranged atop a lovely, thickly textured sauce of tomato and capsicum with just a touch of brandy. My penchant for goats cheese is well satiated with the next dish, Goats Cheese Piperade, a very Continental style snack, with wholemeal toast layered with the sweetest, softest grilled peppers, tomato, golden gratinated goats cheese and alfalfa sprouts. A hint of honey and a sprinkle of sesame seeds add magical flavour, while a citrus salad on the side completes the dish.
Café des Artistes is best known for cooking up a good value tenderloin, with a variety of sauces to accompany, such as 'Archiduk' – creamy mushroom, 'Provencale' – brandy flavoured tomato, capsicum, onion and mushroom, and 'Rocquefort.' We opt for the 'Café de Paris,' the homemade garlic and green herbs butter making a perfect companion to the juicy, tender steak. Our choice of sides are oven baked potato served in foil and a salad of greens with crinkle cut cucumber, blanched broccoli and a thick herby vinaigrette. Other sides include fries, garlic mash, and broccoli gratin. A Belgian beer is just the thing to wash down a fine steak, and both Leffe and Hoegaarden are offered. A small selection of wines are also available and the cocktail list is extensive, with lots of classic favourites, such as a Singapore Sling, Whiskey Sour and Pina Colada.
The Dessert menu is rather appealing, with cakes, ice cream dishes and a cheese platter, but we eventually decide on the Crepes Aux Fraises which are simply delicious, with lashings of fresh strawberries simmered in homemade strawberry dressing and topped with vanilla ice cream.
Our waiter brings a small ceramic dishes to the table, containing what looks like a tablet, but once dipped in the water expands into a refreshing napkin - a great novelty touch to end a very pleasant (well priced) meal! \AB
