bali-and-beyond-sari-organik-1SARI ORGANIK

GO INTO THE GARDEN, PICK YOUR INGREDIENTS, AND THEN SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE VIEW WHILE YOUR MEAL IS PREPARED FOR YOU AT SARI ORGANIK.

I bent down over the masses of green leaves in the sari organic garden bed and  tried to decipher which one was iceberg lettuce and which one was romaine, the only two lettuce varieties I was familiar with. I had chosen the Sari Salad from the menu, which said, “pick your own salad in our garden.” I stood musing over the strange green curly leaves that resembled elephant ears for another moment, and then gave up.

bali-and-beyond-sari-organik-3I came back to the kitchen with one tiny tomato and said, “This is all I could recognize in your garden, can someone help me pick my salad?” After great squeals of laughter a friendly young waiter guided me back to the garden and set about picking not only strange shaped salad leaves but also young red shoots growing from trees along the pathway. “These are all edible and delicious,” he explained as he plucked the leaves from the tree trunks along the way and added them to the basket.

With the help of the lovely Balinese full-time gardener and keeper of this expansive garden, my little basket was soon full with a variety of salad greens. I was excited to sit down back at my table and have it all presented to me with my main dish of homemade pasta and pesto.

bali-and-beyond-sari-organik-6FOLLOW THE TRAIL
To get to Sari Organik is a bit of a mission, as it is an 800-meter walk along a narrow and almost hidden concrete pathway that originates from the center of Ubud. Just walk from the Ubud Palace towards the Campuhan Bridge and keep asking locals along the way until you eventually find your way to the entrance, which is on the rise just before the hill going down to the bridge. Look for the small sign amongst a cluster of other signs.

bali-and-beyond-sari-organik-9Ever wanted to see rice farmers close up, going about their daily toil? Along the small trail you can watch the farmers slashing the rice stalks with huge machetes and threshing the rice. In the same field, watch the village ladies bagging it up into the large white  sacks that eventually get loaded onto the back of a motorbike. There is also a weighing man at the end of the lane.

I found this slice of traditional village life fascinating to watch, and for a city slicker like me, I was mesmerised by the whole process.

My friend from Sydney was also with me that day and it was the first time she had ever seen rice growing in fields. It turned out to be the highlight of her 3-day trip to Ubud.

bali-and-beyond-sari-organik-4STRETCH OUT & ENJOY
Arriving at Sari Organik calls for a juice, as the walk is quite hot and there is no shade along the path. Try the Turmeric and Aloe Vera blend for USD$2.50 (what a bargain!). The Green Cleanser is also very tempting – a mixture of broccoli, apple, celery, lemon and honey.

It doesn’t bust the budget and the choices are all super healthy.

Having lunch at the Sari Organik Restaurant is an outdoor nature experience, as the restaurant is perched right in the rice fields with views of three massive volcanic peaks that can be seen from time to time as the clouds peel off the mountain tops.

bali-and-beyond-sari-organik-8After stretching out on a large purple day cushion and admiring the rice field views fanning to my left and to my right, I decided on my main course of Pesto Pasta. One of the most popular choices on the menu is the Vegetarian Kebab with tofu, tempeh, zucchini, mushrooms and peppers. However, if vegetarian is not your thing, there are lovely tuna and chicken dishes on the menu as well.

I would put this restaurant at the top of your Ubud list of things to do because you not only get to enjoy healthy and fresh energy-boosting organic food, close to the center of town, but  you also get to taste  rural Balinese life and enjoy life at a slower pace , as you wander through the rice fields.

By Stephanie Brookes
Sari Organik/
Warung Bodag Maliah Subak Sok Wayah,
Ubud
www.sari-organik.com

bali-and-beyond-sari-organik-7Bookings are advisable. The restaurant is very popular, and somehow, everyone hears about it even though it is way off the beaten tourist path. If you plan a late lunch (after 1:30 p.m.), the walk is a bit cooler. Little artist shops can be found along the way, so plan to take your time along the 800 meter stretch.

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