Candy L.
Google
Overall: A beautiful, family-friendly setting let down by inconsistent execution, particularly with food temperature and spice customization. Great for atmosphere, but a frustrating experience for diners with specific preferences or non-Indonesian speakers.
· Ambiance for Families: The star of the show. The Bale Kambang area (floating pavilion) is stunning, serene, and perfect for a relaxed family meal. The setting feels special and is very memorable.
· Setting: Lush, tropical, and well-maintained, providing a true sense of escape.
The Not-So-Good:
· Food Temperature: A critical flaw. Almost every dish arrived cold or barely warm, significantly diminishing the enjoyment and taste of the food. This suggests issues in the kitchen-to-table process.
· Spice Level Inflexibility: Despite requesting less spice, the kitchen was unable to adjust the heat level for any dishes. Every item was uniformly spicy, which is problematic for families with children or those with lower spice tolerance. The chef's inability to modify this is surprising for a hospitality-focused establishment.
· Language Barrier & Menu: The menu is entirely in Indonesian, with no English translations or visual aids. For foreign visitors, ordering is a blind guess without significant help from the staff.
· Service Lacks Guidance: Waiters were not proactive. They did not offer recommendations or explain dishes, which was especially needed given the language barrier. A more professional approach would involve guiding guests through the menu.
Value & Cost:
· Price Point: Minimum spend of IDR 600,000 (approx. $40 USD) per person to secure a table in the Bale Kambang area, expectations are naturally high. At this price, one anticipates warm food, adaptable service, and clearer communication, which were all lacking.
Conclusion:
Ambient offers a beautiful venue ideal for a family gathering or a scenic dinner. However, the experience is severely compromised by cold food, an inflexible kitchen, and unaccommodating service for international guests. It's worth visiting once for the ambiance, but manage your expectations regarding the meal itself. For the price paid, there are likely more reliable options in the area.