Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Upstairs Downstairs restaurant has always been a popular venue for fine diners and is hitting the high notes again with an appetising new look, menu and sound.
On arrival on this island just under four years ago the dining destination was described as a 'must visit' and I foolhardily attempted to pop in one busy Thursday evening only to discover there was not a table to be had.
Since then I have visited the Adliya premises on numerous occasions to review shows, attend parties, business functions and to enjoy a night out with the good lady wife, Kathryn ... always booking a table in advance, just in case!
It's been some months, however, since I last visited because in my humble opinion it appeared to be getting a little tired - same band, same food and same vibe ... but I'm happy to report the venue has transformed - the buzz is back big-time and the kitchen is cookin' and as lively as rhythm and blues stalwarts Dr Feelgood on stage last Friday night.
Up 'n' Down hosted a dinner especially prepared for the concert and the stage set had a distinctly cleaner and crisper look about it.
Tables were neatly positioned for groups of diners as well as couples and Kathryn and I had a neat little risen enclave with a setting for two tables and a clear view of the stage and a great spot to savour the ambience of a venue best described as a mixture between a lively five star hotel lobby and a classy courtyard in Victorian London.
The menu was clearly printed in a scroll tied with a ribbon, a neat little individual touch of class presenting a choice of three starters, three main courses and two desserts at a price of BD25 per head.
We both chose the same appetiser - salmon and hamour cake served with mango compose accompanied with a remoulade sauce.
Biting into the pan-fried warm cake's crispy exterior allowed the fresh flavours of the fish to escape and the sweetness of the mango helped round off a mouthwatering experience.
I think it's always a fun game to try and pick your partner's choice of main course although Kathryn normally has an annoying habit of waiting for me to chose first when she's in two minds.
But there was never any doubt that she would go for the grilled rib-eye topped with asparagus and sun-dried tomato and when our smiling waiter Tony, dressed in a bright red shirt and blue apron with the venue's stylish saxophone label embellished upon it, returned to collect her empty plate he was greeted by the welcoming words of 'delicious'.Now, hopefully she was commenting on the food and not the waiter.
Nowadays, red meat is off my radar due to a bulging waistline, high blood pressure and my attempts to get into gear for the forthcoming Dream Body Centre three-month weight loss challenge.
I went for the cod stuffed with muscles and artichoke served with fennel and nantuma sauce and with a few shakes of the black pepper pot I was pleasantly warming up for the night ahead. Orange cheese cake on a river of raspberry coulis was Kathryn's choice of sweet and I succumbed to the pear tart with pistachio accompanied with chocolate ice cream (diet starts with a vengeance next month).
If proof of a good dining experience is in the pudding then Chef Tilak and his kitchen team excelled once more.
The front house was certainly tight and together too and well marshaled by Percy Carriapen, the recently appointed food and beverage manager, an experienced and charismatic Mauritiusian who has gained worldwide experience in leading hotels from Gambia to Dubai. After the food came the entertainment and a pulsating 90-minute set by Dr Feelgood, described as Britain's premier rhythm and blues act, on a two-date flying visit to Bahrain.
With Kevin Morris on drums, Phil Mitchell on bass, the magical Steve Walwyn on guitar and singer/harmonica player Robert Kane providing a Jagger/Ian Dury-like delivery of blues and good old rock'n'roll including See You Later Alligator and their Bahrainesque-hit, Milk & Beverage, the boys in the band did not disappoint.
The venue stages live entertainment every night but watch out for Little Joe all the way from the US on March 31, and other blasts from the past such as the Zombies with Colin Blunstone in the near future. Contact 17713093 for reservations and more details.
