Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Get ready, it’s BBQ time … well, almost!
I say almost because it’s been quite a challenge taste-testing the new Thursday BBQ Night by the pool at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel.
The launch event was staged a couple of weeks ago and the local media invitees descended on the venue only to be met by a sudden sandstorm so we all slipped into the all-day dining restaurant instead.
Not that it was any great hardship as the Al Safir is superb but I was in the mood for some outside grilled treats and the longing had stayed with me ever since.
Our date beside the braai was finally rescheduled for last weekend. Although Thursday was a little blowy, fortunately the rain held off until Sunday morning.
The tables were set beside the pool and the live cooking stations were blazing away by the time we arrived and there were so many additional bonuses to the experience too.
The aroma of freshly-baked bread being placed in the tandoor oven was an unexpected delight and enough to send every diner ravenous for a slice of Roti and the feast to follow.
The Arabesque salads were beautifully displayed in all their glorious colours and proved to offer an enjoyable selection of starters.
There was also an array of tempting hot dishes and alternative (or in our case, additional) mains, such as Oven-roasted Nile Perch with Harra Spices and a Chicken Makhani. The latter was probably the most scrumptious curry I’ve tasted in a long time, a magnificent butter chicken with cashew nuts with a sauce that just demanded to be soaked up with hot Tandoori Naan.
I almost forgot I’d come here for the BBQ so made a determined effort to head for the grill before it was too late.
I often find chicken in the Gulf region a major disappointment because they are so small compared to those available back home and it’s often a waste of time suggesting a traditional British chicken roast. I’m not sure where the Sheraton sources its meat from but the Chicken Shis Taouk sizable chunks on the grill were amazingly moist, oozed with flavour and cooked to perfection.
Other stand-out slabs of fine servings were the Beef Kabab with local spices and the Chelo Kebab Koobideh. The Red Mullet was also a magnificent fishy favourite.
My BBQ consultant and gourmet griller Geoff Thornley, who being an Aussie knows a thing or two about such matters, was impressed too, although he was also seduced by the butter chicken to fully indulge in the selection of flame-grilled marinated meats and seafood on offer.
Tempting desserts included a range of chocolate and cake delights, crème brulee to keep the good lady wife, Kathryn, happy and contented and apple crumble for me.
The BBQ is back with a vengeance with the bonus of a five-star waiting service and free-flowing beverages or soft drinks - so join the party as the group celebrating a birthday behind us found to its delight.
But, for the moment, check the weather forecast first!
Thursday BBQ Night by the pool is being staged every Thursday from 7.30pm to midnight costing BD25 net inclusive of selected beverages and BD18 net inclusive of soft drinks.
Book a table online at www.sheratonbahrain.com or call 17533533.
