COCONUTS CRITIC’S TABLE — With a 5K run on Kuta Beach the next day, a carbo-loading session was seriously in order for me. And what better than carb-heavy Italian food to binge, er dine on when looking for some extra fuel?
(Sure it was only 5K, but it was going to be on the beach—more difficult terrain—and I’ll take any excuse I can get to justify indulging in a big ‘ol plate of pasta.)
South Bali has its fair share of Italian restaurants from warungs to fine dining, but La Baracca in Kerobokan has been getting plenty of buzz, so we felt we needed to personally check it out and see what’s good. And, we were especially determined to try it after my dining partner had recently been turned away when trying to get dinner there on a weeknight since the place was totally packed.
Just because La Baracca is highly rated on TripAdvisor and all over the Blogosphere/Instagram, don’t expect a luxurious, high-scale interior like nearby ambient Republik 45 or the immediately impressive hilltop Fat Chow.
Aptly named La Baracca, “the cabin,” the tight-on-space restaurant feels like a hip warung with cheap vintage decor—a sort of pop-up cafe—especially during the day as it’s kind of in a random storefront location on a busy-ish street.
We opted for a Saturday afternoon visit (before the big race) and got a table no problem as the place was only about 30 percent full.
The service quickly won us over, as free mineral water, a bread basket, and a little teaser plate of crostini topped in a yellow sauce, likely something with saffron, were directly served to us. The bread was a bit dry though and could really use some olive oil (but we know how expensive that stuff is on this island). The management was friendly, quick to chat us up and check on us periodically.
Ready to taste as much as we could, we ordered the “famo noi,” described on the menu under the antipasti heading as a mixed plate of traditionally Italian appetizers for a minimum of two people. Expecting some cured meats, perhaps some cheese, and some olives as is typically customary with antipasti, we were a bit surprised when our mixed plate arrived with tomato bruschetta, fried mozzarella, and pizzella (fried bread with tomato sauce). While I’m all about fried food, especially cheese, and the pizzella was like munching on savory doughy pizza crust, these two of three items on the plate were actually from the “fritti” part of the menu and not antipasti, so we felt mislead. The brushcetta was simple, topped with cherry tomatoes and basil, not bad, but was short of memorable.
Thank goodness for the pasta, the absolute highlight of our trip to La Baracca. My friend went for the gnocchi with tomato and basil, while I went for the tagliatelle boscaiola, topped with peas and mushrooms. We both felt like winners after this course. His gnocchi was light, pillowy, and rich and my tagliatelle was al dente, firm to the bite. The sauces were divine—we both had creamy variants that killed it. Portions were not bad for the price—most of their pastas are around Rp 60k. Carbo-loading goals achieved.
gnocchi with pumpkin sauce
Not finished yet, I took a cafe latte and we shared a tiramisu. The coffee only confirmed that you go to La Baracca for the pasta (and possibly some of its other entrees that we didn’t try this trip). As my ex-barista friend put it, the coffee was weak and flat. But the tiramisu (in a cup) was pretty tasty. Lightly whipped and not overpowered with rum.
We haven’t made it back for a second trip, but we hear the pizza and calzone are some of the best in the area. But apparently be careful when getting takeaway, because some disgruntled customers have taken to TripAdvisor to post about getting burnt pizza on multiple occasions when ordered to-go.
FYI, when we went they only took cash, so make sure you have enough on hand in case they continue with this no kartu kredit policy.
Coconuts Critic’s Table reviews are written based on unannounced visits by our writers and paid for by Coconuts Media.
FIND IT
La Baracca
7D Petitenget, Keroboka -Seminyak
(opening soon in Canggu)
0361738373
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