April 2014
As far as Balinese cuisine is concerned, Nona Bali can be considered as the real deal. Open for lunch and dinner, the menu here is uncomplicated and balanced. For instance, their lunch sets come complete with rice, a generous portion of vegetables and a whole leg of either chicken, duck or a thick slab of fish. Each set is accompanied with petite bowls of medium-spicy sambal and two types of pickles.
The Bebek Crispy or Balinese fried crispy duck at RM32.90 is crispy on the outside and very tender and moist on the inside. It also holds the authentic mark of delicately spiced Balinese flavours that float just on the surface of the palate but with a surprisingly long finish. Marinated and stewed before it is fried, the duck is really juicy and delicious.
For those who prefer to avoid meat, opt for their set Nasi Campur Jukut or Balinese mixed vegetarian rice at RM18.90. During lunch this set comes with a drink and dessert. It comes with at least four sorts of veggies and even a tempe (fermented soya beans) satay coated in the delicate Balinese peanut sauce.
In short, this restaurant does bring a piece of Bali to Penang. And it’s a pork-free, alcohol-free restaurant too. Drinks wise, we’d recommend their Lemongrass Remedy at RM8.90 that’s served hot and is made out of lemongrass and sweetened by palm sugar. To end the substantial meal, order their coffee of Indonesian beans served in a plunger at RM11.90. It merely suggests at bitterness and has soft edges but still gives a nice pick-me-up. Su Aziz