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THE Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa is enticing diners to break their fast in style with an impressive buffet of traditional Arabic cuisine.
The hotel’s massive and opulent Khaymat Al Seef, which can accommodate 250 diners comfortably, delivers Arabesque-style décor with large art silhouettes of stallions, camels, palm trees, daggers and traditional coffee pots surrounded by a medley of Middle Eastern specialties.
Alongside the popular buffet, the tent features a number of live cooking stations that according to the hotel’s executive sous chef, Rajdip Ghosh, keeps patrons entertained while also allowing them to customise their plates to their palates.
He said: “We have a fantastic number of Arabic chefs that specialise in Middle Eastern cuisine, especially Chef Abdulla Radwan. While we make sure to serve Ramadan favourites such as Machboos, salona Laham (lamb stew) and ghouzi (lamb with rice), we also offer international-style food because we want to cater to everyone.”
For example, chefs are on hand to serve up fresh shawarma wraps and diners can also chose their slices of lamb from the ghouzi station or roasted chicken from the chicken station.
Guests also have the option of making their own pasta at the pasta corner or choosing their tempura favourites from the tempura station. There was even falafel tempura.
Executive sous chef Ghosh said: “We believe in cooking in front of our guests because it’s fascinating, fun and visually appealing as you watch your chosen ingredients being prepared for the plate.
“We also want our guests to feel at home here.”
Home is where the heart is and the tent certainly portrayed a homely ambiance. Last Wednesday evening guests were smiling and chatting away while they anxiously waited for Iftar to begin.
The turquoise and magenta tables were beautifully laid out with flowers and small bowls of hummus, mutabal, and, most importantly, dates for people to traditionally break their fast.
Soon everyone was on their feet, zip-lining to the salad area as friendly servers weaved around the tables carrying trays of juice and coffee.
As guests tucked into their food, two large projectors played cartoons for the children to enjoy as well as Ramadan drama series which are a regular feature on screens during the month.
My husband, Sam, and I figured some greens would be good to start off our Iftar but made sure not to fill up in order to keep room for the large ghouzi lamb we had been eyeing from across the room.
While we dined on zesty dolmas, yummy sambosas, salmon and salads, a waiter dressed in a thobe served us refreshing glasses of pineapple juice. I was surprised not to find jugs of Vimto, the Ramadan staple thirst-quencher, although the pineapple was exquisite.
As I placed an order for vegetable rose sauce pasta at the live cooking station, Sam made his way to the grills and began to fill his plate with beef kebabs and shish taouk (grilled chicken pieces). He then served me some shish taouk before we both added lamb ghouzi to the mix.
I was not a fan of the shish taouk as it wasn’t cooked to my liking; however, others at my table enjoyed it. I much preferred my pasta.
Aside from grills, Sam and I filled up on saffron rice, beef medallions and mahshi (which is a vegetable such as eggplant stuffed with rice and meat in either a tomato or yogurt sauce).
There was a bountiful dessert and fruit buffet to follow that was rather enticing as it was filled with traditional goodies and international desserts.
After 9pm a Bahraini band entertains guests and shortly after the Ghabga buffet opens. Diners can also enjoy the World Cup games or drama series until 2am.
Both buffets are priced at BD12++ on weekdays and at BD14++ on weekends (Thursdays and Fridays). Children between the ages of four and 12 can enjoy the Iftar buffet at BD6++, while children under four can dine for free.
For more information, call 17111999 or email pr@rameegrandbahrain.com
Attractive offers for Iftar
Check out Charcoal Grill’s Ramadan Special offer. An Iftar meal priced at BD2 includes chicken or mutton Biriyani, laban, water, dates and a soft drink.
The restaurants, established in 1981, offer a menu comprising of both North Indian dishes and Chinese fare and are located in Umm Al Hassam and Bab Al Bahrain, Manama.
Party platters that serve 8-10 people are available, making them perfect for family gatherings.
Special catering packages can also be arranged and both outlets offer free home delivery.
For more details, call Manama – 17223531 / 17213410 or Umm Al Hassam – 17729115 / 17811085.
