Bali Satay

Why is it that all ethnic restaurants are basically the same? Each one of them seems to have paper placemats, water sans ice, and approximately one server for the whole restaurant. Last night I visited the Bali Satay House in Ames. I lived there for two and a half years, but never got to taste the Indonesian cuisine. In fact I had only been in the building once before, the night that Carzoli sang with the Horseshoe Spatulas in what was then deemed the greatest night of his life.

After not being greeted at the door for a good 3 minutes, Turner and I decided to take a seat on our own. Apparently the lone server was also one of the cooks. I don't know what else could explain her absense from the dining area for so long. It seems all these restaurants have the torn upholstry for their booths as well. You have to position yourself just right in order to not get a good scrape on the inner thigh.

We were finally greeted with two menus and what looked like jumbo shot glasses filled with water. Honestly, what are they trying to do here? What happens if the curry is too much for me to handle? Am I supposed to put the cold cabbage on my tongue to douse the fire? And the lady poured the water from a pitcher with no ice that had probably been sitting in the back for a good half hour. Who do they think they are? Hardees?

I finally ordered my meal and asked for medium spice. I was a bit daring to do this with the tiny rations of water I recieved and a waitress that walked by about every five minutes. I have been known to down a whole drink before the server can finish filling up the rest of the waters at the table. Long story short, dont go to far with that bath water lady.

Our waitress also happened to be 9 months pregnant. Maybe if i needed a drink I could just wait for her water to break. That would have been convenient.

The meal was not nearly enough food as usual at these places. 2 of the tiniest drumsticks you could imagine dipped in red curry with rice on the side. Also on the side was cabbage that tasted like it was right out of the freezer. I think I could have put it in my water to make it colder if i needed to. Curry must be a rare commodity, because I paid 10 bucks for a meal with enough meat to feed my cat Mr. Bojangles.

Overall I was very disappointed in the Bali Satay House. Not well staffed, small portions, and overpriced. From now on going into an ethnic restaurant I will temper my enthusiasm. Caveat Emptor.