TWIST-ED TO FIT

The Innovative Ubud Eating House

Twist in Ubud is onto something. A unique quaint dining experience, within a hole in the wall, typical of Indonesian Balinese style, making the most out of every unique space and square meterage, but doing it so effortlessly, unforced and well.

After walking the high street of Ubud, our first night in the ‘eat, pray, love’ district, arriving rather late at night, the festive atmosphere was already underway. Countless offers to dine, menus presented at the entrance doorways, alongside maitre d’s, while the calls go out for taxi rides, scooter rentals and massages on the spot.

Making our way through the not so virtual billboards of sidestreet offers, there as subtle lighthouse, humble and in contrast to all others, lied Twist. A team of only three strong in the kitchen, but with interest and essence that drew you in, almost like a designer gallery of food. The open-plan kitchen onto the street was true to the street-food “warung” culture, and not shying away from it either, though maintaining a sophisticated touch that connects it to the restaurant floor, as other fine dining concepts would.

In our brief moment of truth, the concrete slab was lined with plates, not many, but each their own unique display, all with appeal and a pin-flag label of desire to try. At the time, the few-seater eating house was full, but we more than willingly waited the hour, grabbed our ‘bintang’, although this time a san miguel pale ale, and counted down the minutes from across the street. 

Not long after it was our turn, and we sat near the open plan kitchen, as we watched the simplicity of elegant craftsmanship on display. Wine pairings of which wine accompanies best each dish, a quality selection and affordable too. (versus the price per bottle around beautiful Indonesia). Portion sizes were more than generous “genius”, seared tuna with roasted sesame, left no shortage of love portrayed on the plate, not to mention the tempura veg sides that was an art in itself.

A yellow curry to die for, and the wines that were paired perfectly on-point and so unique to the overall dining experience. We had already considered our dessert and what this could be, but we would later unintentionally leave this for our next visit, as was long forgotten after our love affair with the mains.

Can I just stress, this isn’t fine dining ladies and gentlemen, so put your michelin star aprons and rating cards away. This is so much more than that. This is 50sm, with considerate space allocation, a unique innovative eating experience with a super efficient team to serve it up, consistently, night after night. 

Thank you Twist, your twisted-to-fit concept and creative expression works, and we continue to spread the good rapport, which hasn’t disappointed our trusty counterparts yet, if anything it’s a raving opposite.

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Address: Jl. Raya Pengosekan Ubud, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571 

Phone: +64 818-0532-9870