Straight No Chaser

Ubud’s answer to Ronnie Scott’s serves a concoction of great cuisine and very fine Jazz. Nice...

Here's the sort of place Woody Allen would warm to immediately, a purist approach to serving simple, yet tasty food and great music to dine to. The creative forces behind the Jazz Café (Jl Sukma, T: 0361 976 594) certainly know their music, the framed portraits of legends such as Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane and the like adorn the walls at the bar whilst a large gazebo lounge provides plenty of low slung seating adding a very relaxed feel to an already very chilled ambience.

Choices from the menu include a very simple but delicious twist on the baked Balinese banana leaf formula, substituting meat or fish for feta, chilli and herbs and served with baguettes.

There are plenty more vegetarian options dotted throughout including a tempting grilled Mediterranean pizza, but the grilled herb marinated beef kebabs warrant a special mention with chimichurri sauce (a cream based sauce with coriander, mint leaf, garlic and parsley), basmati rice and salad.

Desserts are limited to four choices but stick to the classics with a home made apple pie, passion fruit crème brulee, grilled banana split or rich French chocolate mousse with vanilla cream and toasted almonds.

What the dining menu lacks in volume of choice the cocktail list certainly makes up for with a wide array of martinis, mojitos and themed tipples such as the Swell Ella and Cool Louis.

Already going strong after eleven years the Jazz Café remains ever popular with their loyal following and strong interest from local music aficionados.

Wednesdays are Latin groove, Thursdays Afrobeat and Fusion, Fridays Funk and Acid Jazz with Kenebe and the Bali Blues Band takes the reigns on Saturday nights. This is one place where you'll want to hit the dance floor after dinner.