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The Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre unwrapped a magical month at the weekend with Santa’s Culinary Wonderland at its Saveur restaurant.
Families can enjoy an interactive afternoon full of festive-themed entertainment with an elaborate Afternoon High Tea.
It was very much like a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party with tinsel for the Szecowka family who arrived, minus teenage daughter, Immy, who was busy rehearsing for the opening night of the British Club pantomime and needed dropping off and picking up for a mad dash to catch Kim Kardashian in Riffa later that evening.
Little Stan’s nine-year-old classmate Luke Williamson stood in as a get-well present after fracturing his leg in a fall and the two of them pounced on the make-it-yourself sandwich counter.
The chefs at Kempinski obviously know the ingredients needed to melt a young boy’s heart and the lads quickly spread peanut butter and jam on their slices of bread and added an array of sweeties on to their festive side dishes, concealed from the grown-ups under healthy cucumber and tomato slices.
It wasn’t long before they spotted the cheese room had been converted into a gingerbread decorating table and the duo set about squeezing some cracking designs.
This left time for mum and dad to relax after a busy morning sorting out the children’s engagements and taking two kittens to the vets for spaying. Weekend life is so busy there had been little time to sit down to eat, let alone enjoy a brunch.
Stefanos Melianos, executive sous chef, explained: “The afternoon tea is popular due to its nature; it is not just a place to eat something. I see it as a part of a social get-together with family and friends, sharing happy times and enjoying good food and tea, which creates a relaxing atmosphere.
“I would describe our event as a ‘traditional afternoon tea with a contemporary twist’.
“Our concept for Santa’s Culinary Wonderland is all about families – parents can enjoy a break while the kids can do everything normally forbidden, like making a peanut butter sandwich with jelly beans and chocolate spread!”
The adult fare included posh nosh sandwiches with the crusts cut off, which tasted divine and included different fillings, toppings and flavours to celebrate the festive season, such as roast turkey with cranberry cream cheese and smoked salmon with homemade caraway toast, absolutely delicious combinations not to be missed.
As Christmas approaches, I can see this Afternoon High Tea becoming a life-saver, especially during the Christmas shopping rush.
For the purists out there, let me explain. Traditionally, there is a difference between ‘high tea’ and ‘afternoon tea’ but somehow over the years the difference has become lost. A high tea is served actually from 5pm to 7pm and the afternoon tea from 3pm to 5pm.
But a pot of tea is good not matter what the time of day, in my opinion. And, the excellent table service by the red-hatted restaurant team made it even more pleasurable.
There are more than 40 varieties of teas available, everything from traditional Early Grey to a selection of Oriental teas, white and green teas, passion fruit tea, jasmine tea … the list goes on. There is also a selection of coffees.
And let’s not forget the array of festive fancies and cakes on display. The only thing missing last Saturday were mince pies, which I’m told will be on the menu this weekend. “We rotate our selection to keep it interesting for the guests, mince pies are planned too,” promised Chef Stefanos, encouraging me to bring the family back for more.
In the background, resident duo Zoe & Rick, happily perform favourite festive tunes, including some classic Elvis and a mighty fine version of Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You.
It wasn’t long before the main man appeared, straight from the frosty, frozen fields of snowbound Finland my sources revealed, ringing his bell and spreading Santa’s joy throughout the hotel and restaurant.
Ho! Ho! Ho! Can afternoons get any better than this? Adults can enjoy Santa’s Culinary Wonderland for BD13++, kids for BD8++ inclusive of soft drinks.
