On the side of the hill as you climb up from the monkey forest in Ubud is Coffee & Silver, otherwise known as the Danish Embassy. Its host Carsten Jorgensen also designs exotic handicrafts, many with inlaid copper, which are displayed in the adjoining shop.

Now situated in large new premises, Coffee & Silver offers yet another all-day dining option in Ubud. This new restaurant has three separate parts. The main section is glassed in to keep out traffic noise and pollution and overlooks Jln. Monkey Forest. Around the corner is a pleasant open veranda which faces the forest and is mainly used for small groups. Across the wooden courtyard in the main entrance, and up the stairs, is another small verandah, this one a Tapas Bar. This is a pleasant spot for that quiet drink and a snack or two, with old furniture scattered around in a homely manner. There is even a walk-in wine cellar for those who want some serious drinking. An outdoor courtyard for dining (with accompanying open grill area) links all sections together.

Coffee & Silver opens every morning with a large breakfast selection (from 8am). All the usual breakfast combinations are available; Bacon & Eggs in many different styles and a real Eggs Benedict is always available, as is their special Deluxe French Toast (stuffed with fruit, and served with whipped cream). Smoked Salmon spread over scrambled eggs with a chive sour cream is another very popular dish.

For that late riser, there is always the Brunch Plate: Croissant or Bread, a small fruit salad, and a plate of Sausage, Serrano ham and Herbed Cream Cheese with a green salad. All the servings at Coffee & Silver are of substantial size, departing from the current trend of miniscule offerings at new restaurants. Obviously our Danish brothers eat big meals and expect us to follow suit. The value is excellent.

The main menu is available all day, just ask for it. At lunch time there is a special menu with quite a selection of sandwiches. Smoked Salmon (with egg, spring onion and rucola), Steak and Blue Cheese (with sun dried tomatoes), and Chorizo (with cheese, pickles and pesto) are amongst the options. There are Vegetarian sandwiches (grilled vegetables or marinated tofu), and Croissant stuffed with a spicy seafood salad. The deluxe version is a sandwich of Serrano ham and cheese.

Soups are also a little out of the ordinary. All have strong unique tastes. The Tomato Soup is with herbs and wasabi cream, the Lobster Bisque actually has shredded lobster in it and the Onion Soup is littered with cheese croutons. For something very different try the creamy Butterfish Soup!

A Children's Menu that actually appeals to kids - now that is rare! Funny Mini Pizzas, crisp Chicken Fingers with Fries, Macaroni Cheese Noodles and good old Fish 'n Chips. Surprise! Surprise! The owners also have children of their own so they have had much practice in keeping them amused.

Barbecues are one of the main attraction at Coffee & Silver. Whether you want a simple burger (even a tenderloin version), spare ribs (with their own version of BBQ sauce) a Sirloin Steak Bordelaise, a juicy Chicken Breast that has been marinated in thyme and lemon or one of the seafood specials: marinated Tuna, Mixed Seafood, Langoustine or the very special Butterfish. All are perfectly prepared and cooked on the outdoor grill which gives off a pleasant smell to make you even hungrier.

The Tapas are not only available upstairs in the Tapas Bar, but can be ordered as entrees with your normal meals in the restaurant itself. Chicken Wings with a tomato salsa, Mini Gourmet Pizzas, Spicy Escargots served on croutons, Kofta (tasty little meat balls) with an orange sauce, Fish Cakes with tartar or Frogs' Legs with a Soy Butter offer quite a variety.

Desserts include the usual - Tarte Tatin, Chocolate Mousse, Crepe Suzette, etc. - and an ice cream that is served with a great berry sauce. For cheese lovers, there is an impressive cheese platter.

Coffee & Silver is worth a visit at anytime of the day. It does not matter whether it is for just a coffee, a snack, a light meal or a feast. You will not spend a fortune. The quality dining choices in Ubud just keep on increasing.

Coffee & Silver
Jln. Monkey Forest 7,
Ubud, Bali.
Tel: (62-361) 975.354
Open: 8am - 10.30 pm daily
Price: $30 for two (+ drinks)

This is an abridged version of the full review that appears on the BaliEats web site, Bali's comprehensive restaurant guide: www.balieats.com