Food: Working lunch
Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique presents a one-of-a-kind dining experience
Cetin Candan and Arturro Eggo enjoy an amicable lunch at Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique
Even in the serene sanctuary that is Ubud, Bali, there stands a sanctum of fine cuisine eloquently blending international techniques with the best of local ingredients: Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique. Ask anyone regarding good food in Ubud and the Mozaic name will surely come up. Founder and Head Chef Chris Salans brings to guests’ tables the best of his experience in modern French cooking and presentation, but with flavours that are decidedly Indonesian. If all that hasn’t caught your attention, Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique’s latest offering will surely pique your interest.
Starting in June, Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique has been open for lunch at The Workshop, which stands at the end of Mozaic’s garden—a stylish, air-conditioned space fitted with dining tables and the latest in kitchen technology. It is here that diners get to have lunch, right as Chef Chris Salans prepares it. Guests also have the chance to interact with the chefs and even walk up to the kitchen in between courses. A scrumptious dining experience set against the backdrop of Ubud’s rice paddies that is also educational? What more could one ask for?
Our guests this afternoon were Arturro Eggo, world-renowned fashion designer, and his friend Cetin Candan, the Bali property magnate. Going down the lush walkway surrounded by trees and greenery and past the outdoor dining area, our guests couldn’t
help but wonder if there was a space even more beautiful than this. Expectations and preconceived notions were shattered as we stepped into The Workshop.
The Workshop is spacious, sleek, and cosy all at the same time. The first thing that caught our guests’ eyes was the state-of-theart Miele kitchen just metres away from the dining tables. Introductions were made and small talk was indulged in before Chef Chris joined his team to continue preparing lunch. With wine in hand, Arturro and Cetin took the chance to explore the homely décor of the dining room and the outdoor balcony overlooking the vast rice paddies of Ubud.
Kicking off the Mozaic culinary experience was Chef Chris’ signature cornetto starter. Despite its diminutive look resembling miniature ice cream cones, this starter packs a lot of flavours. On this day it was Wagyu Beef Cornetto with Parmesan Cream. Savoury, creamy, and crunchy all in one bite, one could not help but ask for more.
The following dish was the perfect showcase of Chef Chris’s ingenuity in marrying international techniques with local flavours. Crunchy sesame-crusted prawns are served with sambal kecombrang and kecombrang coulis. The kecombrang provides a unique zing and freshness that goes so well with fresh seafood.
Not only were the dishes truly delicious, they were also pleasing to the eyes. The Kintamani Pork Press and Octopus with Kaffir Lime were no exceptions. The juiciest cubes of tender pork and chunks of octopus glistened under the lights.
Chef Chris Salans continued to showcase his prowess in preparing fresh seafood with the next dish. Coral Trout Confit in Basa Gede— a Balinese spice paste with nuts, ginger, turmeric, and chilies with turmeric dressing and caviar. The slow cooking of the fish kept it succulent, making each bite an absolute delight. The spice paste and dressing provide a kick and acidity that are balanced by the salty caviar.
If fragrances could leap off these pages, then this dish would surely have you booking your next flight to Bali. The Roasted Pigeon with Cocoa and Curry Leaves was as scrumptious as it aromatic. The small fowl is masterfully prepared, as it was still moist throughout. Meanwhile, the cocoa and curry combine to create a flavour that dances in your mouth.
Whichever part of Bali it is that you will be travelling to, be sure to make a stop in Ubud. Covered in lush greenery and rice paddies as far as the eye can see, Ubud is the perfect escape. The Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique lunch at The Workshop is available from Thursdays to Sundays from noon to 2pm. Diners looking to visit Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique are in for an even-more-special treat. The restaurant is hosting a Kaluga caviar dinner on September 14. Be sure to make your reservations to avoid disappointment.
Not only were the dishes truly delicious, they were also pleasing to the eyes