Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
THERE are few eating out destinations on the island that could have created as much of a buzz about its opening than the new Lanterns Lounge and Restaurant.
Perhaps it’s because so many diners have fond memories of the glorious nights out they have enjoyed at its sister establishment situated just off the Burgerland roundabout.
Like many business establishments based on Budaiya Highway hit by the unrest I haven’t bothered to visit as often as I should because who wants to be caught up in tyre-burning escapades or threatened street protests when you can avoid them.
But I have felt like I’m missing out and actually ventured back only the other weekend for a birthday bash featuring a beautiful banquet of Indian fare.
And the rumours my friend The Whisperer heard on the grapevine last year have proved true with the opening of an additional Lanterns in the heart of the Adliya dining district.
We arrived early last Friday because we needed to get away at a reasonable time to pick up our daughter from a mall cinema visit and shopping spree and the place was alive and kicking by 7.30pm with families and groups of diners already lining up to fill their plates.
Although an a la catre menu is available we decided to find out why everyone was so excited by the buffet selection.
It looked good, presented spectacularly in stylish pots and the smell was divine. There is nothing quite like the aroma of Indian spices to make the taste buds tingle in anticipation.
The salad selection was impressive with a chef’s special alongside a seafood and chickpea presentation as well as a filling bean and pasta offering with plenty of hummus too and the waiter quickly walked over with a hot plate of kebabs to go alongside the healthy option.
Executive Chef Kundan Kanwar and his kitchen team know exactly what is popular and they do not disappoint.
There was also a choice of dal (lentil) or chicken sweet corn soups and a range of side dishes including potato rings and vegetable samosa.
Whilst we were tucking into the food I glanced around the surroundings. They are very impressive, a spacious dining area, perfectly lit and a duo playing at just the right level to provide background ambiance without interfering with the table conversation.
I was soon up and ready for the main course selection which included all the family favourites such as prawn curry, fish masala, potato with spinach, mutter (green peas) paneer and dal makhani.
My only criticism was apart from that in the chicken biryani the only rice on offer was the plain white variety. Now I love my Indian dishes with pilau rice, so please address this situation.
The smile returned to my face, however, when I spotted the vegetable jalfrezi, a dish with a real spark, and mutton rogan josh.
Now I’m a real fan of mutton ever since I enjoyed a splendid session with Prince Charles at his Highgrove home in Gloucestershire discussing business in the community, the countryside and food.
The prince was into the local food movement way before it was cool, having converted one of the royal properties in the UK to a completely organic system in 1986.
The British heir to the throne also developed a passion for mutton (meat from a two-year-old sheep) after speaking to UK sheep farmers who struggled to sell older ewes.
Prince Charles launched the Mutton Renaissance campaign in 2004 to further their cause. It’s amazing how easy it is to get horse disguised as beef in the UK nowadays but you will struggle to find a supermarket selling mutton.
His Royal Highness would have enjoyed this marvellous mutton rogan josh and should he visit the kingdom in the near future I will make sure I invite him for a spot of dinner at Lanterns, or at least a take-out.
The mutton melted in the mouth. It was marvellous and worth the BD9.900++ alone (that’s the amazing price of the buffet on a Thursday and Friday evening and it’s only BD7.900++ on a Friday and Saturday lunchtime).
The sweet dishes were waiting for me so I placed a slice of cream caramel in my dish with a spoonful of fresh fruit salad with a topping of Mr Whippy-style ice-cream from the ‘help yourself’ ice-cream making machine on the table.
We ventured out into the trendy outdoor lounge to enjoy one of Lanterns legendary speciality coffees which are created in front of you with the flaming skills of the bar staff.
Managing director Lalit Kapur and his wife Jayne I’m told wanted to create a place that has all the elements of Lanterns that people have come to love, but at the same time give them something different.
It was a tough ask but I think they’ve pulled it off. I look forward to trying the fusion-style dishes on the a la carte menu on my next visit.
