B

ali has two entries in the list of Asia's top 10 restaurants in an international fine food guide released Wednesday, confirming the island's reputation as a top tourism spot offering excellent dining experiences.

The two restaurants - Mozaic and Ku De Ta - rank sixth and ninth in the second edition of The Miele Guide, which was launched at The Fullerton Hotel in Singapore on Wednesday evening.

The best two restaurants in Asia are still, according to Asian diners and the guide's jury, L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Hong Kong and Iggy's in Singapore. However, this year these two gastronomic gems have swapped places, with L'Atelier claiming the top spot and bragging rights as Asia's best restaurant.

"This second edition is a strong and diverse showcase of our region's top chefs and restaurateurs, and it is an honest, practical guide to the best of dining in Asia," said Pauline Ooi, associate publisher of The Miele Guide.

The independent guide, created in 2008 in order to better recognize and celebrate Asia's best chefs and restaurants, is published by Ate Media and sponsored by Miele, a German manufacturer of premium and innovative home appliances. It will be available in leading bookstores across Asia from Oct. 1.

This year, the 180-page guide, claiming to be the authoritative guide to Asia's finest restaurants, features 450 restaurants from 16 countries in Asia, 130 more than the first edition's list of 320 restaurants from 13 countries.

In addition to ranking and profiling Asia's top 20 restaurants, the guide - a celebration of Asia's vast and vibrant culinary landscape, rich with history and innovation - also ranks the top five restaurants within each country.

In Indonesia, the top five restaurants - all in Bali - are Mozaic, Ku De Ta, Naughty Nuri's Warung and Grill, Sarong Restaurant Bali and Bumbu Bali. In total, the food guide features 25 restaurants across the country. Of these, 14 are in Bali.

Mozaic, in fifth place last year, is praised for delivering magic - an exquisite balance of cuisine, service and setting that makes it truly exceptional.

The restaurant's chef-owner Chris Salans is recognized for his skill in marrying his French skill with traditional Balinese ingredients and flavors to achieve inventive and delicious results.

"His cuisine is global in the sense that the well-traveled diner will recognize and appreciate chef Salans' accomplished mastery of the contemporary language of fine dining," the guide states.

The popular club-bar-restaurant Ku De Ta, located in Bali's prime beach Kuta, pushed its way into the top 20, praised by the guide as "a must visit".

"Ku De Ta is the perfect example of the restaurant as an experience. And it is the experience that leaves people breathlessly wanting more each time they visit.

"Ku De Ta is, hands down, one of the coolest places in Asia in which to eat, drink, and be merry."

The restaurants were selected based upon the opinions of the region's respected restaurant critics and food writers, a public vote and votes by The Miele Guide's invited jury, with anonymous tastings conducted by contributing editors and its editorial team.

Voters came from 98 countries - up from 40 countries last year - amounting to more than 19,000 registered online voters casting more than 98,000 votes over 10 weeks. Each voter was given 10 votes. Asia-based voters could vote for no more than three restaurants in their own countries.

When assessing restaurants, all voters and jury members are asked to consider the quality of the food served, the ambience of the restaurant, and the level of service offered. Most importantly, their votes should reflect the tastes of Asian diners.

Asia's Top 10 Restaurants

1. L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, Hong Kong, China

2. Iggy's, Singapore 3. Robuchon a Galera, Macau, China 4. Jaan par Andre, Singapore 5. Les Amis, Singapore 6. Mozaic, Bali, Indonesia 7. Gunther's Modern French Cuisine, Singapore