Who can truly resist an authentic Italian feast? Certainly not me, and throughout my global epicurious wanderings – especially in Asia – finding pasta perfection is never quite as easy as it seems. It’s the same in Lombok too. Sure, there is no shortage of wood fired pizza and a symbolic pasta dish or two on many restaurant menus, but few hit the sweet spot for me.  There is thankfully a couple of quality Italian eateries in Senggigi, and now they have just got some serious competition on their hands.

The latest recent arrival is Pasta Pojok, an unpretentious eatery that has already garnered a loyal crowd of expats and locals that appreciate quality. I was immediately struck by the light, airy modern ambience that Pasta Pojok portrays rather than the stereotypical old school rustic style that you tend to encounter throughout Asia. Yet it is undeniably Italian with a spacious open kitchen the hive of activity, where fresh pastas and sauces are all made to order by hand. This alone is a welcome breath of fresh air for the local culinary scene. The light wood fixtures and contemporary design features give off a splash of colour with a playful style. The ambiance is an utterly modern European one.

Speaking to long-time Lombok resident Gianluca, you get a palpable sense that Pasta Pojok is determined to stay true to its Italian culinary roots, yet it utilises as much locally grown produce as is humanly possible. All staff are local and have been meticulously schooled in the fine art of Italian food preparation and homemade pasta making. Like all the best independent Italian eateries Pasta Pojok is a family affair. Gianluca credits its success to other half Mimi, who travelled from Indonesia to Italy to learn about all the intricacies of Italian cooking – and those secret sauces passed down through generations – from Gianluca’s family.

There is something to tickle all taste buds on a diverse but not too overloaded menu, from an appetizer of deep fried risotto cake, to home made fresh pumpkin ravioli and classic Tagliatelle.  For pizza aficionados all the classic faves are here including Margherita, seafood, Quattro Formaggi and Calzone options.  The beauty of having virtually everything freshly made to order means having fully customized cuisine just how you like it, with a generous choice of sauces to select with each of the pasta options.

To finish off, sweet endings consist of timeless treats like Panna Cotta and Tiramasu and a homemade Gelato selection including pistachio and mango. Another noteworthy difference here is the dedicated kids menu, which is both extensive and varied, and is sure to meet the needs of all those little fussy eaters. The sweet mini-pizzas and super smooth fruity gelato are the big kid-pleasers.

There is both indoor and outdoor dining available and the seating layout fosters a cosy, convivial ambience, perfect for groups or a caffeine-fuelled lazy weekend pitstop with loved ones.

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