Bali Deli was the brainchild of three Yugoslavian friends who would admit they hadn’t had much experience in the retail world of food, but have always had a love and the desire of sharing good food. Alex Javanovich one of the partners who has had many years experience in managing five star hotels in Indonesia says, “My two other partners come from a steel industry background, but they loved cooking and entertaining. We all lived for good food and considered ourselves gourmands.”

After hours, yuppies and expatriates in Central Jakarta now have a new joint to hang out in. The second installment of Tugu Hotel Properties in Jakarta, Lara Djonggrang, is a hip place to dine, to chill out, or merely to chit chat. Somewhat similar to its predecessor, Dapoer Babah, Lara Djonggrang offers an atmosphere of Indonesian ethnicities mixed with lounge ambience. Yet the concept of the bar/restaurant is generated from a history as old as time.

According to Gary Fell, the architect behind Bali based firm Gfab, four or five years ago he couldn’t give his work away on the island he’d chosen to make his home. Things have changed a great deal since then. Not only has the villa market mushroomed, the buyer demographic has changed too, as what Fell describes as ‘The Wallpaper Generation’ switches on to Bali. “A friend once said to me – Gary, not everyone will like what you do, but those that get it will be fanatical about it,” says Fell.