If you’ve kept your ears open, you’ll notice that Bali Wine Bar & Grill has gotten a lot of press lately. Recent reviews in the Bee, the News & Review and Pravda have given this place a good deal of visibility and no small amount of buzz. All of the buzz, however, is not necessarily aimed at Bali’s food, but rather the fact that it’s a nice restaurant on Broadway. Broadway, usually known for its divey ethnic joints and the iconic but rather shady Pancake Circus, is undergoing a bit of a culinary renaissance. With the renovation of several restaurants, including Sweetfinger’s Jamaican Restaurant (see previous review), and a new cookie cutter complex containing a Starbucks and Jamba Juice, the Broadway corridor is getting its urban gentrification on right in front of our eyes. So, is Bali an usher of things to come? Let’s hope not. Unless, of course, high prices and mediocre food are the hallmarks of an elite neighborhood.
First of all, I do have commend the owners for a very nice job of design and décor. Taking a space that seems designed to be a cell phone store and turning it into a rather hip eatery is no mean task. The walls are decked with modern art, the lamps hung low on fiber thin cords, the furniture spare and angular. It?s a comfortable and cozy atmosphere, with just enough ethnic flair to be intriguing rather than alienating.
When it comes to food & wine, however, the kitchen and bar fail to match the d?cor. In fact, I think the designation as a ‘wine bar’ might be a little bit ambitious on the owner’s part. Since we were offered no wine list, I’m assuming that the six wines listed in the menu were their only offerings. Maybe ‘wine bar’ is a new way of saying, ‘We don’t have a full liquor license.’ Can someone please mention this to the ‘On the Y’ people? Maybe they can go for ‘On the Y’ne Bar.’
Anyway, the food. The first let down of the evening was to find out that they were out of chicken, not just out of a particular chicken dish mind you, but completely out of chicken. This is the equivalent of a salad bar running out of lettuce. How on earth do you run out of chicken? It’s not like it’s some rare bird that one can only obtain through intense negotiations with a recluse tribe of Andean farmers in Peru. It’s chicken for chrissakes. I was tempted to suggest to our waitress that there was a Safeway 3 blocks away if they needed more chicken, but figured that might sound a bit snippy and Greg’s rule of thumb is, ‘Don’t piss off the server.’
So, we started off with lumpia (aka springrolls) filled with duck and mushroom, served with three delicious sauces. That was a winner. Well, I was about to forgive the whole chicken debacle pending the receipt of our entrees. I ordered a beef dish and Becky opted for the pork chop. Let’s just say this, my beef was about the consistency of lava rock and Becky’s pork chop was seared on the outside and raw on the inside. Even after sending it back, some of the meat was still dangerously inedible. We got a free dessert for our inconvenience, but by that point, the die had been cast.
On hearing of our underwhelming experience, a friend who had also been to Bali said, ‘Yeah, but did you go in the bathroom?’ The answer is no, we didn’t go to the bathrooms. Nevertheless, if the most memorable thing about a dining experience is the trip to the shitter, then maybe my assessment of Bali is correct. Save your money ($15-$22 per entrée) and try one of the authentically ethnic joints on Broadway while you still can.
Bali Wine Bar & Grill-18th & Broadway, Sacramento
Dinner for two $50-$60
Food * Atmosphere *** Service **
The Sac Rag 
Pravda…
LikeLike
Yeah…Pravda…totally…
LikeLike
gurgle gurgle [puff]… pravda’s like, totally…wait, what’s pravda?
LikeLike
http://www.pravda.ru/
LikeLike
1-12-06, just read your review! Thank you for the compliments and constructive criticisms. My first thoughts were defensive and I began to reply with a long list of excuses but rather than bore your readers I will only say that all areas have been improved and we will continue to strive to bring the best in exotic tropical cuisine to Sacramento. I feel confident that your next visit will be an enjoyable and satisfying dinning experience. We have introduced many new menu items such as lemongrass marinated lamb chop, Spicy crab cakes, and several vegetarian items. All items are prepared fresh and we do run out of specials on busy nights. One note about our chicken, it is marinated for no less that 24 hours in one of our Bali spice bases, containing no less that 10 herbs and spices our credo is “ fresh is best†we have improved greatly but still occasionally run out of an item. Once again thank you for your review and we do sincerely hope you will return soon. Cheers! Jacob Knutte executive Chef & Owner.
LikeLike
Man, I love the Sac Rag.
LikeLike
We had Dinner at Bali Wine Bar and Grill.
Just a shock and waist of money.Disgusting Food.
Nothing Indonesian at all.
LikeLike
Hey, Micahel Ho From Bay Are who lives in Shanghai China with American CLUB never eat at Bali Resturant Sacramento. He just did respect with the owner. GOd Bless You. BAli is believing in Karma.
LikeLike
Michael Ho’s IP address does, in fact, map to Beijing, China. you’ve bested us this time, Michael Ho!
didn’t we fight a war to keep China from exerting its influence over our restaurants?
Dila’s IP tracks to Washington, D.C.
LikeLike
What to expect from an owner like Knutte.He has a serious Alcohol Problem and highly in debts.
He could never run a decent Restaurant.
LikeLike
(Clearing throught noises) *Opinions expressed on the “SacRag” are those of the commenters only and do not reflect the attitudes or opinions of the writers, producers or owners of the SacRag or sacrag.com.
Take it one day at a time, man.
LikeLike
Bali is tied for first as my favorite restaurant in Sacramento. Excellent food, great service and reasonable prices. The fact that it’s close to where I live, well, that’s just the icing on the cake!
LikeLike
I’m a guy who really likes food; and being new to the Sacramento area I’m currently experiencing the thrill of finding new places to eat. I sometimes read reviews, but would rather have the experience myself rather than live through someone else’s likes and dislikes. Case and point: I did happen to find the review on Bali Wine Bar & Grill from back in Sept. of 2005. The review was negative and, like it should be, critical. However, I’m glad I decided to experience it for myself. The food was good from beginning to end. The service was warm and friendly. Like the review pointed out…very “cozy.” I didn’t have any of the negatives the review pointed out. I’m not sure if the review prompted the changes, but if it did I’m glad. Now almost two years later, and experiencing Bali for the first time, that is definately one of the places I will frequent when the tummy is a rumble’n.
LikeLike
Ivan, thanks for the update. Sounds like Bali is getting their ducks (or chickens) in a row. I’ll definitely give it antother shot in the near future based on these recent reviews. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
EVERYONE WANTS GO TO BALI RESTAURANT…. THE FOOD AND SERVICES ARE THE BEST…… THE OWNER BRINGING EVERYTHING WITH LOOOVEE..GOOD PLACE TO GO FOR VALENTINE>>>>
LikeLike
Everyone needs a Good Feet…
LikeLike
Hai dear, thank you for all the input. I’m Putu, Owner/Patner of the resturant. AS we growing we try to do our best to keep of BEST QUALITY Of the FOOD and SERVICES. Well, owning plus running a restaurant it’s hard work. I’m there 24/7 about 11 a.m to 11 p.m….Please if you are having a problem,please share with me directly.. Thnak you. MATUR SUKSMA.
LikeLike
Hey I know this Jake guy – he is a damn good cook! Bali seems to be a rocking good place
LikeLike
My wife and I ate at Bali Wine Bar& Grill on July 12,08
When we arrived apx 6:50 we we’re promply seated….
Place was apx. 25% full at this time….Not too busy…
I ordered the Ribs …she ordered the shrimp….
Ribs…small order…large price…cold veg..and they forgot the rice…
They never brought the rice even after reminding them…
The Shrimp….over priced also…ok flavor…no vegs…no rice…
told the waitress…she said it didn’t come with rice…I reminded her
the menu stated veg and rice with all meals….she then agreed.
My beer brand was switched..”ran out of my beer” but didn’t ask if
the sub. beer was ok…$6 bottle…little pricey ….
Never receive my rice…
Wife never received her rice or vegs…
Wine came in various …extreamly small glasses getting smaller
with each order….lets say 2 oz. …they did exchange for a proper
wine glass and amount…
My wife told me about the restroom experience…
1 1/2 hour meal experience I could do without…
I did tell Putu about our experience…
I heard all kinds of excuses except…”here let me
help you with your check”….or come back an I’ll make it up…
$53.47 bill plus tip….
Way over priced….
Not worth eating at is my statement….
I do expect a fair meal at a fair price…but it isn’t happening here!!!
Weasel
LikeLike
What I can say is I have a great time and great food at this place. We were for our date night before going to the club.
*** **Place I mean the restaurant is a very cute place. Color they using, décor and painting were put it together well. Place mate on the table were amazing. Its look like hand made.
*****Service very casual and server is very friendly. She is on us right away and pay attention well to our table even she is the only one server.
*****Come to the FOOD. Some of the word on the menu using Bali word is kind like interesting…me and my girl friend keep try to say it….we ere laugh…Menu cover is wow she said is from Banana STEM….
They start u with garlic chip were great and addicted. We asked the server to refill three times for free chip. It was delicious.
We had the LUMPIA……great. The flavor is different than other lumpia I ever try to other restaurant. One of the sauces called kecap was my favorite. Its not American kecap tha..
My main entre was the RIBS..BEST RIBS I ever had. I even eat with my hand and they provide us with wet towels. That was cool. My girl friend meal was fantastic. She even eat her chicken till the end of the bone. Don’t miss their COCONUT RICE
***** Desert and coffee and wine. We don’t drink wine because we prefer real alcohols seems when we take a look their wine menu…great option. Man, The Desert. I forget what the name is. Is BANANA wrapped with ice cream and has this yellow fruit..Dont know what kind fruit is that…….
OVERRALL GREAT DINNER
We are a very happy. we will be back to try other dishes…
LikeLike