Hi Goanaddict
Legian is within walking distance from Kuta. It's a bit quieter than Kuta and caters for families and couples. There are heaps of restaurants in Legian and after you have shopped in Kuta you probably wouldn't want to bothered going back there to eat.
Which Bali travel forum did you post on? I'm a member of
http://www.balitravelforum.co (have been for years) perhaps you'd like to post on ours... it's a very busy site and someone will answer you. We have a few Poms on the forum :-)
The btf members meet up across the road from the Legian Beach Hotel (near the life saver tower) at 4:30 for a drink... this goes on till stumps. You pay at the end of the night when you count up the empties under your seat :-) They only sell beer and soft drink. Often people then go out for dinner after. It's run by a couple of beach hawkers called Sammy and Suzi. All it is is an esky (cooler) under a tree and some little plastic stools to sit on and good company. Some people miss it because they are looking for a building... it's not.
I'll watch out for your post. I post as Geri.
Cheers Geri