Xanxus Reef
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I visited Merah Putih with high expectations, given how many of our friends back home have raved about its ambiance and cuisine. Unfortunately, my only truly positive remark is reserved for the gado gado. I absolutely loved MP's rendition of this traditional dish – the slightly runny quail egg combined with the satisfying crunch of the lettuce wrap and peanut cracker created a truly delightful bite.
However, the other dishes we ordered, supposedly their best sellers, were a significant letdown. We tried the fish, pork, and beef cheek.
The grilled snapper with papaya salad was particularly disappointing. For such a large establishment, you'd expect the fish to be cleaned more thoroughly; finding scales was off-putting. Furthermore, the papaya salad and fish didn't harmonize; they felt entirely separate. The fish itself was also bland. Honestly, this was the most subpar ikan bakar I've ever had.
I was genuinely excited about the pork after the waiter's description, anticipating a delightful interplay of tenderness between the pork belly and baby back ribs. Instead, it was a tale of the dry and drier, far from the succulent experience I'd hoped for.
As for the beef cheeks, it's widely known that this cut should be incredibly tender when cooked properly. It's hard to mess up, but MP managed to, and quite spectacularly at that.
Overall, while I appreciated the ambiance and can see why people might come for the famous cocktails. The service levels were poor, especially when compared to other highly-rated restaurants. For the hefty price tag of 1.2M IDR, there are truly a lot of better options out there in Bali. As a protein fanatic who has endured many dry and flaky chicken breasts, I'm genuinely impressed – I've found a similar chef than myself, and it's here at MP.