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Let’s face it, most of the people of Bahrain love a good BBQ night and what better time to bring out the grill than in winter time when it’s no longer hot and sticky but rather cool and refreshing?
Elite Grand Hotel in Seef has the right idea, staging an all you can eat Barbecue Night called H2O every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 7pm until midnight beside the rooftop pool.
Meat-lovers can eat their heart out from choices of juicy steak cuts, marinated chicken and seafood, as well as dive into hot and cold mezzas. Include selected drinks at BD10++ and you have yourself one heck of a deal which personally, I couldn’t pass up.
Dressed in my fat jeans, which allowed me to eat more than my fill and sit comfortably throughout the evening without popping the top button, I ventured to my meaty destination looking forward to biting into a thick cut of rib eye.
However, Bahrain’s recent cold, windy and dusty snap put a damper on proceedings. Meat seasoned with sand didn’t sound as appealing which is why Rosmia Alonto, the hotel’s food and beverage coordinator, thought it best to move dinner plans to the Italian, French and Spanish restaurant and café, Julio’s.
Julio’s Restuaranté & Café, situated in the lobby, was revamped a year-and-a-half ago, ambitiously changing its décor and its menu in what Sous Chef Kishor Chamola admitted was a risky move.
To quote US entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn: ‘If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary’. The Sous Chef, the 16 man kitchen team and Executive Chef Walid Akal believed it would work and they have received nothing but rave reviews especially from regular customers – some of the residents of Era Tower, located across the street.
Sous Chef Chamola said: “We wanted to offer something special and different than just grills and regular meals. That’s why we decided on making Julio’s menu a mixture of Italian, French and Spanish cuisine. Our buffet is continental and so is our room service but our à la carte is Julio’s menu.
“We weren’t sure how our guests would like it but when they tried the food they tasted the change and the reaction was so positive. The Europeans and Americans love our French take on steak and our Rose sauce pasta is popular too, as well as our Spanish stews.
“We have chefs specialising in a variety of cuisines and we are open all day and night. Our room service runs around the clock as well. Some of our guests dining at the hotel’s different lounges and restaurants request their food to be delivered from us.”
The venue was modern, cosy and inviting, with the odd gentleman working on his laptop and another guest happily tucking into his dinner.
The Sous Chef had prepared a three-course meal which was light and hearty. The amuse-bouche was a delicious, refreshing tuna dip topped with dill pickle and caviar. The starter, dill mascarpone smoked salmon roll salad with olive lime dressing was my favourite. If I didn’t have a main course coming to my table I would have devoured the salad instead.
My soup was baked onion topped with a cheesy garlic crouton that warmed the heart. The main course was the restaurant’s best seller and after tasting it, I understand why. It’s a classic French fish dish called Sole Meunière with potato gratin and steamed vegetables.
My dessert, called Chocolate Sin, was a devilish cream and chocolate filled chocolate crepe with whip cream, ice cream and a golden sauce.
What started as a disappointing change turned into a spontaneous surprise and now that I know they are open all night, I guess that’s where I will be dining after a late night movie at the nearby mall.
