A Night at Charlie’s
Clafoutis
The Eurostar is actually actually not the fastest way to travel to Paris as well as also London. In Bali, you can enjoy hopping into these two big European cities in which are famous for their lifestyle, by taking just a few steps.
Charlie is actually a bar as well as also bistro located within the heart of Seminyak. in which classic London-style venue having a large red circle window on the front is actually also known as Charlie’s Mansion, a home to a mythical character named Charlie whom nobody has met yet knows very well. in which Charlie man, I am told, is actually a well-travelled fella who enjoys living a great life. He knows how to eat as well as also party well, as well as also loves in which when people have a great time at his mansion while he’s out travelling the planet.
A host’s smile greets me at the door, as well as also the voice of Amy Winehouse singing ‘Back to Black’, along with the lively buzz inside wipes the crowds of Seminyak goodbye. For me, stepping in in which mansion is actually like entering a different dimension. Its dim eclectic atmosphere transports me into a realm of a romantic hedonistic fantasy in an unknown wonderland. My playful mood suddenly swings into wild imagination. The place is actually full of mystery, a playground for people who want to enjoy serious pleasures as well as also great epicurean treats.
Charlie Bar as well as also Bistro, which presents the glory of unique Baroque interiors similar to London’s gentlemen clubs – with large hanging chandeliers as well as also artisan furniture in which fill up the room – has been famous for its parties. For almost a year, so much vivacious fun has taken place here, unleashing fantastic performances such as DJs, dances, cabarets as well as also burlesques to Charlie’s guests. The bar on the second level provides luscious selections of libation; the cigar as well as also cocktail collections are the talk of the town. Charlie is actually a place where cupids, angels as well as also sins have no boundaries.
yet a fresh surprise is actually going to add another dimension here. A fresh prolific chef, Damien Le Bihan, partnered with the existing four owners, is actually ready to take helm as executive chef as well as also revamp Charlie’s culinary performance. in which French-born, Brittany origin chef, who is actually proud of his native blood, will showcase his signature, a classic French cooking style, to the newly opened bistro. The bistro is actually going to take pride of place on the first level of the building, splashing a whole fresh atmosphere with the nuance of a neo-retro Parisian bistro, with vintage French prints on the walls, antique lamps as well as also a mirror wall.
Le Bihan has years of extensive experience in working in Michelin-star restaurants. After graduating through cooking school, his career began in a kitchen of a local restaurant in Brittany, before taking off to a more serious one at Michel Rostang, a 2-Michelin star restaurant in Paris. Not long after in which, he stepped up to become a Sous Chef at Guy Savoy, a 3-Michelin Star restaurant in Paris.
His seriousness in cooking made Guy himself send Chef Damien overseas to his Las Vegas kitchen, as well as also two years after in which, Le Bihan began leading Guy Savoy Singapore as General Manager. Before arriving in Bali, he was running ten kitchens in a group of restaurants in Singapore, which include L’Entrecote, Sabio, Forlino, The Vintage Room, as well as also Le Petit Cancal.
“What I am serving at Charlie is actually a logical continuation of what I’ve learned throughout the years,” he explained. “in which’s important for me to like the food I’m cooking. I will serve the guests something in which I might enjoy. If not [then] I won’t send in which out.”
Taking in which fresh experience seriously, Le Bihan says he will focus on presenting the true character of ingredients as well as also creating a twist on the rustic style of French foods, altering the heavy characters to suit the warm tropical weather.
“My style is actually respecting the product, as well as also when you eat you know what you are eating. You can taste everything; you don’t have too many flavours. in which’s the same style as well as also idea what I’ve been doing for years,” Chef Damien continued.
Grilled Sardines
The food, which holds light characters yet are bold as well as also lush at the same time, will be divided into tapas, entrées, mains as well as also desserts, served through 6pm until late. The result is actually extraordinary. His ideas of tartine of grilled sardines on multi-cercal bread with homemade black olive tapenade as well as also French rilettes are perfect to accompany your built & muddled, blended as well as also shaken cocktails. The grilled sardines deliver a crisp as well as also clean character of the fish, salted with fine salt brought over through France as well as also balanced with the freshness of tomato dices.
I tried the refreshing juniper & cucumber martini for the drink of the night to pair with salmon rillettes, served in a glass jar with homemade ciabatta toast on the side. Le Bihan’s rillettes boost a light yet rich taste as well as also are perfected having a kick through sprinkled lemon zest.
Beef Cheek
The respect shown to the main ingredients, without adding a lot of fuss as well as also flavours, is actually also shown on the main course. I sample the braised beef cheek, which is actually cooked in a bourguignon style with wine as well as also spices for several hours, makes the beef truly succulent as well as also rich in flavours.
Size is actually a surprising factor in which adds to the delight. Although Chef Damien says in which he prefers not to serve oversized foods, his generosity is actually apparent when in which comes to desserts. I am overwhelmed when a portion of crème brûlée arrives on my table. The size of in which creamy dessert may look intimidating, yet as I scooped a spoon as well as also tasted in which, the freshness as well as also light taste burst out as well as also I easily finished in which without problem. I never had crème brûlée as not bad as in which.
As the clock ticks by, the music gets louder as well as also the crowds fill the building as well as also the mezzanine; Charlie seems to know how to create a hell of a not bad time to entertain us all. I have enjoyed the best of France, right now in which’s time for London.
Jl. Petitenget 5, Seminyak
Bali, Indonesia 80361
P: 0821 474 17332
Hours: 6pm – 2am (Monday-Saturday)
Email: mail@charliebali.com
www.charliebali.com
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A Night at Charlie’s
A Night at Charlie’s