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One of the many moments that I adore during the holy month of Ramadan is stepping back into my home after a long day’s work, ready to break my fast and getting a big whiff of my mum’s delicious cooking. My mouth is starting to water just thinking about it.
If you are anything like me, then most of you would prefer to break your fast in the comfort of your own home surrounded by family and friends, having a laugh and enjoying a tantalising home-cooked meal.
Then, after we have filled ourselves with tasty treats, we each crawl to a sofa for some yummy desert and flick on the television to watch our favourite Ramadan soap opera.
But every mum deserves a break and the search starts now for a suitable location offering a home-away-from-home atmosphere. I recently found just the place, a tent that not only offers up one of the largest spreads I had ever seen in the kingdom but also activities for the entire family to enjoy that will surely have them coming back for more.
The Elite Resort & Spa Muharraq recently launched its new-look Al Noor Tent, boasting to be even bigger and better than last year’s Ramadan offering.
Upon entering the marquee located by the pool, guests are whisked away on an Arabian Nights journey as the tent boasts crystal chandeliers, lanterns symbolising the holy month, customised silk fabrics and carpeting, baskets filled with dates along with Arabic tea and coffee.
I smiled at the sound of oud music being played in the background. Guests cheered on the Moroccan band that eventually took over and interacted with the Moroccan dancers swerving between the tables.
Anurag Bajaj, the resort’s general manager, said: “The entire concept was to create a very traditional atmosphere to recognise the spirit of Ramadan, but more than that, to create something for the entire family.
“The tent is done up quite opulently but in a tasteful manner as to create a large banquet space with a capacity of 700.
“We have made it a lot classier, upgrading the entire look and feel. The carpets are specially designed for this space. It adds a lot to the entire ambience. The chandeliers have been especially designed and customised as well with genuine crystal and even the fabrics used for the tent are designed and tailored for the occasion.
“We have big-screens around the space for people to watch the Olympics and the usual traditional TV programmes that are popular during Ramadan. We don’t want anybody to miss out on what they would normally do during the holy month. Everything has been taken into account at our tent.
“We will also feature activities and events for the entire family but primarily for the mothers and children. With the help of our sponsors and partners including Bahrain Air, Al Hawaj, Zain, Al Ayam, Al Ahlia University, Mahamco and AJM Kooheji Group, we will conduct a daily raffle draw for the attendees with some very exciting prizes.
“As for the cuisine, we offer the traditional Arabic food we are recognised for. This tent is not just used for Ramadan but is used right through the year for banquets, functions, and weddings. It is extremely popular, so we have sort of created a niche market for ourselves with Arabic cuisine.”
Vegetarians will love the large salad section with its Bahraini, Lebanese, Jordanian and other mezzes. The appetisers and main courses included flavourful rice, lamb, grilled veggies and seafood dishes.
Also included is Mansaf, a traditional Jordanian dish made of lamb cooked in a sauce of fermented dried yogurt and served with rice.
There was also an extensive grill section outside the tent by the pool, which guests raved about.
I will surely be bringing the entire family during Ramadan. Instead of my mum slaving away over a hot stove every evening, I can treat her to some great food that tastes as though it came straight out of her own kitchen.
Al Noor Tent will feature Iftar from sunset until 8pm, priced at BD7 nett for adults and BD3 nett for children. The Ghabga will start at 8.30pm until 12.30am, priced at BD12++ for adults, half price for children between the ages of six to 12 and free for toddlers below five. There is also a minimum charge of BD7.500++ per person including juices and sweets during Ghabga timing.
For those interested in Sohour (eating early in the morning to prepare for the fast), it starts at 1am until morning prayer. It’s BD5 nett for adults and BD3.5 nett for children.
