Taste the world with chef Blake Thornley

A modern dining experience inspired by Bali.

At Spice by Blake, formerly restaurant Ají, authentic Balinese flavours and sophisticated French techniques come together in dishes that invite sharing and discovery. From lunch to dinner, bites to cocktails: enjoy distinct flavours and good conversation in a relaxed, stylish setting, in the heart of Rotterdam.

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About Spice by Blake

A culinary journey along the Spice route

Spice by Blake is a modern dining experience in the heart of Rotterdam, developed by Masterchef Blake Thornley (Mozaic, Ubud). Inspired by the ancient Spice Route, we bring the essence of Balinese cuisine to the present: distinct flavours, aromatic spices and contemporary techniques, with dishes that invite you to explore together.

The menu features snacks, sharing plates and signature dishes built around balance, depth and quality. The atmosphere is casual sophistication: sophisticated but relaxed. A place for shared dining, early nights and lively, stylish evenings where flavour and conversation take centre stage.

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The food was exquisite and progressive. Delicious dishes thrill the palate. Good ambience, excellent staff. Excellent experience. Thoroughly enjoyed!!!

A culinary journey full of surprise and sophistication The atmosphere was warm, stylish and inviting, but it was mainly the dishes that made this experience unforgettable. Each plate served was a small work of art not only beautiful to look at, but also an explosion of flavours that were perfectly balanced. The chef's daring experimentation with unexpected combinations resulted in true taste sensations. Think velvety textures combined with fresh accents, subtle smoky notes alongside sparkling acids, and aromas that linger for a long time. Each dish tells a story, and you sense that the cooking has been done with love as well as guts. The service is professional, passionate and knows exactly how to take the experience to the next level. this restaurant offers a spectacle for all senses. Perfect for those who love creativity, refinement and culinary moments that will stay with you for a long time.

Delicious Asian-Hollandi-French dishes with a nod to Indonesia. Sophisticated flavours, well balanced and never boring. Personal recommendations; tuna 3 different ways, the sea wolf, Rendang and basically all the desserts. The sticky toffee pudding and the pata negra ice cream dish are especially good!

Aji on Baii! Been walking around too long to eat here, finally did and no regrets, 2 course share dinner is more than enough, the taste is Bali, and so is the ambience, staff super. We will go back and recommend 1 hot dish with the first course.

Very nice menu, wine matching the chefs menu, nice tasty flavour combinations. Very much worth a visit.

Menus

Take a seat and be taken away by flavours that surprise and stories that connect. Whether you choose a table inside or enjoy the light and vibrancy outside, Spice by Blake is all about being together and conscious tasting.

Whether you come for an intimate dinner or an evening of discovery and conversation, enjoyment is key here. A place where dishes invite sharing, where flavours take you on a journey and where moments arise that stay with you.

Lunch Appetisers Hot dishes Side dishes Desserts Bites Skewers Feed Me Menu

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Lunch*

Steak tartare 21.5

Chips of bread

Rendang Chips 22.5

gherkins | almond crumble | mesclun

Chicken bao bun 9.5

pickles | herb salad | umami mayo

Pork belly bao bun 9

gherkins | herb salad |
Even base mayo

Tempeh bao bun 8.5

Herb salad | spring onion | emulsion

Spice Salad 15

spiced dressing | seasonal vegetable

* With 5 or more people at the table? Then we’ll let the kitchen speak for us with our Feed Me Menu. Ordering à la carte is not possible.

Appetizers*

Kingfish 19.5
‘Rujak’ | mango gel | daikon salad
orange | crispy corn

Tuna tataki 17.5

coconut vinaigrette | lemon and basil oil
shiso tempura | fennel

Spice Salad 15

spiced dressing | seasonal vegetable

Steak tartare 18.5

Bumbu Bali | shiitake | cheese custard vermicelli

* With 5 or more people at the table? Then we’ll let the kitchen speak for us with our Feed Me Menu. Ordering à la carte is not possible.

Warm dishes*

Bimi 27.5 vv

Base gene tofu cream | peanut chili crisp

Cod 29.5

laksa | cap cay | rice cakes
Smoked prawn oil

Crispy duck leg 30.5

rawon juice | Kluwek sambal

Spare ribs 28.5

urap | spice glaze | salad

Ketoprak 25.5 v

peanut sauce | glass noodles | vegetables
krupuk

Grilled chicken 28.5

Soto jus | candlenut crumble |
gherkins | banana chips

* With 5 or more people at the table? Then we’ll let the kitchen speak for us with our Feed Me Menu. Ordering à la carte is not possible.

Side dishes

Coconut rice 5

Chips with mayonnaise 6

Balinese Chips 7

Desserts

Spekkoek cheescake 16 v
for 2 people | spekkoek | mango gel |
cardamom ice cream

Pandan crème brûlée 12.5 v

Toasted coconut ice cream | white chocolate

crumble

Mixed Spice 12

Bites

Rendang bitterballen £12.50
4th Green Sambal

Crispy squid 16.5
sambal matah | base genap mayonnaise

Crispy Terong 15 v
Balado sauce (spicy)

Balinese Hot Chicken 16.5
umami mayonnaise | coleslaw

Oysters 4.50 each

passion fruit | mignonette | vinaigrette

Skewers

Pork belly 1st 9

soya glaze | urap | pickles

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Peanut sauce | spring onion

Tempeh and mushroom 1st 7

tempeh crumble | lava emulsion |
Spicy sambal

Decision fatigue? 23

one piece of each skewer above

Feed Me Menu

Feed Me Menu £59.50 p.p.

Can't choose? Let the chef surprise you and discover the bold flavours of Bali. The kitchen puts together a sharing-style 3-course menu featuring various dishes to share.

Only order by the whole table. With 5 people or more at the table? Then we’ll let the kitchen speak with our Feed Me Menu. Ordering à la carte is not possible.

Carefully created menu. Combination of fish, meat and vegetarian dishes.

At Spice by Blake, we take you on a tasteful journey
combining authentic Balinese flavours with refined techniques and a modern take on gastronomy. Chef Axl passionately creates dishes to share, taste and experience.