The Chandi, being just outside of the main Senggigi area, is often overlooked by diners but its Meru Restaurant is a fine choice for either lunch or dinner.

The Chandi Boutique Resort is nestled in one hectare of coconut groves fronting the peaceful beachfront in Batu Layar, just five minutes south of Senggigi.

Meru Restaurant is the resort’s flagship restaurant – a beautifully designed space overlooking the beach, luxuriously decorated with comfortable tables set well apart for privacy and intimate dining.

The kitchen, under the leadership of recently appointed Executive Chef Muhammad Ali, has earned a reputation for consistently delicious and good value meals.

Chef Ali, originally from East Java, is a long term resident of Lombok with an impressive résumé of experience in some of Lombok’s leading resorts including The Oberoi, The Beach House Gili T and Qunci Villas, in addition to The Tugu Malang and Amanwana Resort on Moyo Island.

He leads the kitchen team with confidence and has created a sophisticated Asian Fusion menu at Meru, with a touch of Thai influence gained from his time studying cooking in Chiang Mai.

On the day we visited, he presented us with a three course sampling of the type of food he loves to cook.

First up was a Thai Octopus Salad filled with fresh salad leaves and herbs and perfectly tender grilled octopus, accompanied by a sweet and tangy Thai style dressing. Light and tasty, this is a wonderful entrée or lunch choice.

For mains, Chef Ali served a 200g Grilled Australian Beef Tenderloin – one of the most popular dishes on the menu with The Chandi guests.

This was a beautifully presented dish with perfectly cooked medium rare tenderloin surrounded by oven-roasted vegetables (eggplant, zucchini, vine-ripened tomatoes and baby potatoes) and accompanied by a rich mushroom gravy. It’s easy to see why this dish is so popular!

The dessert selection at Meru is fabulous, thanks to the efforts of the full-time pastry chef. Guests can choose from sweet offerings such as The Chandi Fallen Chocolate Cake, Passion Fruit Cheesecake, exotic Coco Pandanus Ice Cream, Beetroot Panna Cotta and more.

Being Australian, nothing beats a well-prepared Pavlova and the one at Meru ticks all the boxes! This was a home-baked Pavlova with a crispy shell, topped with whipped cream flavoured with just a hint of vanilla pod, covered in fresh strawberries and oozing strawberry coulis … simply divine!

Both the lunch and the dinner menus at Meru offer a number of tempting dishes that will keep us coming back for more. Examples include Cajun Mahi Mahi Fillet, The Chandi Lamb Rack, Mixed Grilled Seafood Platter and the popular Aloo Gobi Indian vegetable curry.

Lighter meals include eclectic offerings such as Vietnamese Bhan Xao, Marinated Prawn and Scallop Salad, Smoked Salmon with Asparagus, Chicken Quesadillas, and Beer-battered Fish and Chips.

There is also a good selection of pasta dishes and a tapas menu for snacking while enjoying a cocktail, cold beer or curated wine from the wine cellar.

The Chandi also hosts a very popular Beach BBQ every Wednesday and Saturday night with a great selection such as beef Rib Eye and Australian Tenderloin, grilled prawns, fish and calamari, as well as salads, soups, sides and desserts. Served on the beachfront with cool breezes and accompanied by a trio playing laid-back music, the BBQ is unbeatable value at just Rp 290,000++ per person.

Casual BBQ, a light lunch on the beach or intimate fine dining for a special occasion… don’t overlook Meru Restaurant at The Chandi!