An international meeting brought us to Grand Inna Bali Beach Hotel at Sanur Beach, a 30-minute drive out of Ngurah Rai airport.  Sanur has its glory days in the 60s when the 500-room facility was just opened. As a place to hangout it is not as trendy as Kuta, Legian or Seminyak, those haven for foodies with a plethora of restaurants serving world-class food at affordable prices.

Hence, it was with apprehension that we crossed the street from the hotel towards Sector - Bar, Restaurant, Lounge and Event that caters mostly to patrons of Bali Beach Golf Course where it is located. Sector promotes its menu as simple, fresh and healthy and invites guests to try Today’s Special with magnificent golf view as a compliment for dining pleasure.

We first had the impression that this place cares more for volume of guests (golfers) rather than those who come for good food.  Sector indeed can serve hundreds of guests in its outdoor facilities for corporate venues, entertainment and all you can eat BBQ Night.

Unexpectedly, we found a quaint eatery tucked away between the huge hotel, the golf course and the outdoor restaurant.

We soon fell in love with Sector’s indoor restaurant.  Glass windows, from floor to ceiling, and a minimalist creative interior decorated this nook, comfortably fits 24 guests in its cushy sofa and white rattan tables and chairs.

Overlooking hole 1, with green fairway and mature trees, the place is so cozy some guests stay for hours to experience the morning light, the afternoon sunshine, the twilight and the evening feel of the eatery.

Sector offers Western, Asian, Indonesian and Balinese dishes under the command of Balinese chef I Nyoman Tantra. We visited Sector several times with friends, therefore were able to try most of its signature dishes. Without claiming fusion, some selections on the menu have definite herbs and spices influenced by eastern cuisine but not too spicy for international guests.

If you are a meat person, taste the Tongseng Kambing. It comes with stir fried sliced lamb loin in coconut milk, with white cabbage, leek and tomato served with steamed white rice. Sop Buntut or Buntut Goreng has a distinct coriander taste with plentiful Australian oxtail soup cooked in Indonesian spices.

Vegetarians are welcome as you can simply skip any meat, poultry or fish from certain  meals. Sector’s  Avocado Sandwich, a choice of chicken or prawn, fresh lettuce, avocado, tomato, yoghurt-herb dressing, served with french fries can be made vegetarian by skipping the chicken or prawn; or, also remove the yoghurt for a vegan meal.

Its fast moving food, often ordered by patrons, according to Chaterine Iswanto, Sector’s Sales Executive is Ikan Masak Cabai Hijau, deep- fried fish topped with green chili sauce and local basil.

If you can only spare a short time to visit Sector for  an Indonesian delight, try Nasi Campur ala Sector, an old fashioned Indonesian Rijstafel for one in a plate full of  steam edwhite rice and 8 small side dishes:  beef rendang, chicken curry, egg & prawn balado, chicken satay, sayur urap, crackers and sambal.

Sector’s Banana Fritter, is among the most popular choice of desserts. This deep- fried banana, served with palm sugar fudge and vanilla ice cream, is crunchy on the outside, and soft, sour and sweet on the inside.

As popular as the banana fritter is that Sector often ran out of supply, the Toffee Date Pudding is to die for.  It is simply a sticky date pudding, served with vanilla ice cream that we skip. Blended dates and baking dough resulted in a springy cake with   traces of dates pulp and natural sweetness. Caramel sauce and raspberry sauce complement 3 pieces of triangular slices, a portion big enough for 2 people.

Without taking any claim, Sector is a haven for foodie that helps the Indonesian government to promote the country as a culinary destination through its Balinese and Indonesian food on the menu. Sector with its good food and good view not only elevates well-liked street food to exquisite dishes through colors and garnishes in its food presentation.  It also introduces the taste of Indonesian cuisines to international visitors, albeit hidden away in Sanur.

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Images: Omar Niode Foundation