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DA MARIA
Credit: Supplied
It’s true: Maurice Terzini has brought Capri to Seminyak. Dominating the Australian bar and restaurant scene for years (Bondi Icebergs, Da Orazio, The Dolphin Hotel), Terzini is relaxed – styled up in his label Ten Pieces – upon meeting at his new venue, Da Maria; an Amalfi-coast-inspired, osteria-style must-eat nestled along Jalan Pettinenget in Seminyak. Roman architect Lazzarini Pickering is responsible for the restaurant’s bold geometric shapes and pale blue, white and yellow colour scheme contrasted against French-inspired swirled iron chairs. Three tiled fountains feature in the middle of as many dining areas while fairy lights finish off the courtyard, reminiscent of a balmy night is Trastevere or Naples, you really do feel transported a million miles away from Bali. Pizza dough which is kneaded, fermented and cooked in a Neapolitan-style wood-fired ovens continue this romanticism of Italy. For the GRAZIA woman looking for a place to meet friends with an Americano-influenced bar and European classics, this is your go-to. Like all good places, this one too turns into a DJ-led hot spot from 10.30pm every night.
EAT
San Daniele Prosciutto – burrata
Calamari St Andreas – ink aioli – rocket (pictured below)
Shaved pickled white cabbage – parmesan – extra virgin oil
Goats cheese – roasted peppers – fior di latte – pinenuts pizza
Da Maria tiramisu
Vanilla pana cotta – watermelon granita – meringue
DRINK
Mediterranean G+T – gin – limoncello – house tonic syrup – soda
MRS SIPPY BALI
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Sydney-siders are already familiar with Mrs Sippy’s buzziness; the popular and vibey place for hanging if you’re a part of the Eastern suburbs’ beautiful set. Now, the iconic bar has uprooted to Bali – and by first glance has done a stopover in Mykonos for interior décor ideas – and is safely now (after just a few short months of opening) the new Potato Head. A casual and relaxed atmosphere where being pretentious doesn’t cut it, Mrs Sippy Bali is a lounge-by-day, party-by-night oasis, and is completely different to its Double Bay counter-part. Mediterranean-style architecture, daybeds, cabanas, gardens, an 800-metre pool, diving block and shady palms mean your friends can reserve an afternoon space to drink, eat, swim and dance. You can also return the next morning for a recovery breakfast from 8am – 12 noon (yes, this is the spot for a good smashed avo) and while there is no sunset view, the DJs and cocktail combinations will more than out-do the aforementioned touristy Potato Head next-door.
Upon visiting, one part I loved about the pool club is its female-friendly mantra. They want you to feel comfortable in a bikini – and keep an eye out for a beauty bar opening in the coming months that will mean salty hair can be blowdried and a winged liner perfected to take you to the dancefloor.
EAT
Butterfish Tartare – Citrus dressing, shaved fennel, chilli
Charred Cauliflower Salad – Swiss chard, raisins, salsa verde, walnuts, pecorino
Pepperoni Pizza – Tomato, mozzarella, basil, pepperoni
DRINK
Mandarin Smash – smashed mandarin, ylang ylang infused Ketel One vodka, kalamansi, blimbing cordial, Massenez Triple Sec
Sippy South Side – Orange marmalade, spiced honey, lemon juice, grapefruit liqueur, blimbing infused Tanqueray Gin
Mama San
Credit: Supplied
Chef Will Meyrick, formerly of Longrain in Sydney, has done an incredible job at this menu and while the restaurant itself isn’t new, it’s an absolute must for anyone visiting Seminyak. Indonesian street food gets a sophisticated makeover with flavours accentuated and enhanced through additional Asian spices. Stepping into a colonial Britain in Shanghai in the 1920s, a large mural of Mama San herself stares down at diners below. The chilli prawn popcorn – a newer addition to the menu – is perhaps the most tantalizing I’ve tasted, the chilli paste literally dances on your taste-buds in between sips of a elder flower gin cocktail. It’s the caramelisation of the prawn and pork dumplings though that you cannot scroll past. Paired perfectly with an extensive cocktail menu, there’s no arguing why all your friends talk about this restaurant as the go-to. Bookings are essential.
EAT
Chilli prawn popcorn
Prawn and pork dumplings
Massaman curry with chicken shallot pumpkin potato peanuts and tamarind
Chinese style roasted pork belly served with yellow bean soya kaffir lime sweet chilli and Vietnamese chilli
DRINK
Beijing In Bloom: Elder flower gin citrus poach apple passionfruit foam mint berry
