Ubud’s dining scene is experiencing further growth with the recent opening of speakeasy Honey & Smoke, a new establishment by renowned restaurateur Will Meyrick. This distinctive eatery focuses on the art of chargrilling and is housed in a stylishly designed space reminiscent of traditional train carriages.
The Scottish celebrity chef drew inspiration from modern Australian cuisine during his time Down Under, which influenced the concept of this wood-fired bistro.
“After living in Australia for 2.5 years, we returned to Bali, and it provided me with the opportunity to work with a wide range of Western ingredients and blend them with our unique style of cooking,” Meyrick explained, reflecting on his experience.
Cooking over fire, a practice embraced at Meyrick’s Perth outpost, Will St, takes center stage at Honey & Smoke.
“Using charcoal or wood fire simply enhances the flavors. Since we’ve employed this technique at Will St, it was a natural choice to incorporate it here in Ubud,” he added.
While fire remains the heart of the kitchen, Honey & Smoke is not solely focused on steak.
The menu offers a diverse selection of dishes, inviting guests to savor Grilled Scallops adorned with chili butter, dried mint yogurt, and sumac, as well as Charred Corn accompanied by honeycomb, smoked yogurt, and whipped feta.
Main courses feature Wood-Fired Aged Snapper served with pennyworth, lima beans, charred kale, and miso beurre blanc, as well as an 8-hour Slow-Roasted Lamb Neck complemented by mint sauce.
Notably, Honey & Smoke also offers a variety of wood-fired side dishes, such as Baby Gem lettuce topped with charred corn and crispy coppa, and Charred Broccolini and Asparagus drizzled with a smoked oyster sauce.
The restaurant’s interior design is equally remarkable, drawing inspiration from the visually stunning films of director Wes Anderson.
Honey & Smoke is a visually vibrant venue envisioned by Will Meyrick in collaboration with the Mirah Group.
“We aimed to create a memorable experience, which led us to construct a 1920s-style train carriage complete with an external staircase that extends to the second floor. It feels as though you’re embarking on a culinary journey, hence the numerous references to trains and travel, including luggage racks filled with actual luggage,” he added.
Antique elements, such as teak flooring and rustic doorways, add the finishing touches, enhancing the speakeasy ambiance of this Ubud establishment.
FIND IT
Jl. Monkey Forest No.67B, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
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