Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Hidden behind Manama’s Al Zamil Tower 1 is a tasty secret many business executives have been keeping tight-lipped about for the past four months.
But thanks to this intrepid EatingOut reporter the secret is out...and it’s delicious.
Pasta Art serves up hot plates of wholesome goodness perfect both for the ‘person-on-the-go’ and the family that wants to enjoy each other’s company in a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Bahraini painter and former banker, Hasan Habib, has combined his love for pasta with his passion for art to create the restaurant of his dreams. After working in the banking industry for more than 30 years he has replaced his calculator and pen with pots and pans.
He said: 'At the end of 2010, when I left my profession behind, I finally did what I always wanted to do and that was to open up a restaurant. I told myself its either I do it now or I never will.
'I used to work in Al Zamil Tower and two or three years ago I used to visit this sandwich shop downstairs in my building for lunch.
'Then when I left my job, I noticed that the space where I used to eat was vacant. I thought, well, this is an opportunity I cannot pass up and the rest is history.
'This area doesn’t offer up many choices for bankers or businessmen and women in terms of where to have lunch. There are places to eat but they are mainly further down into Manama and not many people want to venture out far, especially on hot days.
'There is nothing like Pasta Art in this area. I offer good food that is right around the corner for a lot of people. Some diners come in for breakfast or lunch and others conduct meetings over our coffees and desserts. You can also find families enjoying the fare on Saturdays.
'This is the environment I want to create – a welcoming place for the working man and woman as well as for the family. Then again, that is who I am, and everything you see in Pasta Art is an expression of me. '
While banking consumed a lot of Hasan’s time, his wife Shafeeqa and children Nizar, 32, Jehan, 27, and Salah, 26, always came first.
He added: 'They have been very supportive and spend a lot of time at the restaurant.
'My wife played a major role in Pasta Art helping me pick out the decor. She has a great eye and taste. They have all influenced me in so many ways.'
Upon entering the venue you can actually tell that Hasan brought a piece of home with him.
The tables and chairs resemble that of a classy yet comfortable dining room and the vibrant walls are covered with his Arabian-inspired paintings.
Aside from the welcoming decor, the menu and selection of scrumptious dishes created by Hassan come at affordable prices.
He said: 'I taught myself how to cook and I taught my chef Trony Sebastian how to make the food I want to serve. I have tasted pasta all over Bahrain and wanted to show foodies out there what I think pasta should taste like. And, while I do serve a lot of pasta I have also added other dishes that I love, including steak, grilled chicken meals, salads and sandwiches. There is something here for everyone.'
As I flipped through the menu in anticipation I could not decide which pasta dish to choose from. I then asked to sample Hasan’s signature dish – the ravioli – which apparently has received rave reviews from many customers.
Hasan invited me into the kitchen for a sneak peak at how he makes the mouth-watering pasta. As he stirred in the cherry tomatoes (my favourite) and olives he explained that all the ingredients used within the dishes are fresh from the poultry to the meat and even the ravioli pasta stuffed with spinach he makes himself. However, most of his pasta is from Italy and his baked goods are from a local baker.
While watching him cook in the kitchen I could see the pure joy in his eyes.
This is one happy restaurateur. Not only does he greet the guests and make sure they are taken care of he puts his heart into every dish.
My ravioli was full of flavour and pleasing to the eye. There were only five pieces of ravioli but they were massive and full of spinach filling.
I overheard a fellow pasta-lover ordering the same dish with a side salad. So I took it upon myself to ask him what he thought of it and he said: 'I love it. Whenever I come here that is what I order. It’s just so good you don’t want it to end!'
For dessert Hasan treated me to a Snickers cheesecake, which I took ‘to go’ because I honestly couldn’t take another bite after the filling and satisfying ravioli.
The cheesecake was delicious and apparently a favourite of one of the banker’s in the building across the road. Four of the slices on hand were reserved for him!
Pasta Art is open from 8am to 6pm every Saturday to Wednesday and 8am to 11pm every Thursday. Why not Friday you ask? Because that is Hasan’s family day.
