RAMADAN NIGHTS

THE Elite Resort & Spa Muharraq’s Al Noor tent will be serving up a bountiful after dark buffet featuring a range of Arabian and international cuisine. Families are invited to descent on the seaside hotel’s majestic marquee to enjoy Arabian Nights-themed Iftars and Ghabgas.

The tent, which is located by the pool via a quaint tunnel of fairy lights, can accommodate more than 550 diners, and sparkles and shines with its crystal chandeliers, lanterns, silk fabrics and comfortable carpeting. Classical Arabic music will serenade the crowd, baskets filled with dates and servers handing out warm cups of coffee will further add to the ambience.

The Al Noor tent Iftar and Ghabga is priced at BD9.900++, and the venue is open between Futoor and Suhoor. Furthermore, during the holy month, the hotel will be offering a 15 per cent special discount for corporate and large groups for both Iftar and Ghabga, plus the same reduction for Credit Max or American Express cards users too. Call 17313388 for more details or visit www.elitegrouphotels.com

During the Holy Month, the Crowne Plaza Bahrain will host its Ghabga event in its Conference Centre, complete with a traditional Bahrain village ambience with specialised menus. Corporate events can also be staged for guests ranging from 30 up to 1,000 with private accommodation available.

There will also be a lavish Iftar buffet served daily at La Mosaique restaurant, with the added attraction of a daily raffle draw with dinner vouchers and electrical goods amongst the prizes. A final draw will feature a weekend-for-two stay in Dubai star prize with flights. The hotel will also donate 500fils to good causes for every diner who books.

For more information, call 17531122.

The Gulf Hotel Bahrain Convention & Spa will be opening it Ramadan tent, Khaimat Al Khaleej, serving Iftar and Ghabga daily during the holy month. This is in addition to an Iftar featured daily at the Persian Restaurant Takht Jamsheed.

The Iftar Buffet is priced at BD 19++ per person at both venues until 8pm. Offerings include a selection of dates, refreshing juices, as well as hot and cold mezzeh with a selection of salads, home-baked breads, shawarma and falafel. Add to this a wide variety of traditional Arabic dishes including Arabic quzi, thireed, harees and an array of Arabic desserts such as Um Ali, kunafa and mahalabiya.

For those who wish to enjoy a late evening get-together with friends and family, Khaimat Al AKhaleej will be open every night during Ramadan from 10pm onwards.

Prices are BD 17++ on weekdays and BD 19++ on weekends, featuring a buffet of traditional Bahraini and Arabic specialties, against a background of traditional Arabic music.

For more information, call 17713000, or visit www.gulfhotelbahrain.com

Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa is hosting a Ramadan Iftar and Ghabga dining experience in its star-spangled Layali Al Zallaq tent. A traditional Arab band will perform from 10.30pm-1.30am. The price is BD19++ per person.

For details, call 17636363.

 Downtown Rotana is hosting an Iftar and Ghabga buffet at its Al Maha Tent for BD13++ including Ramadan drinks and desserts while listening to music from an oud player. Then during Eid Al Fitr, there will be another buffet for BD13++ including juices and soft drinks. Children aged six to 12, pay half price and those under six eat for free.

For details, call 13119999 or email fb.downtown@rotana.com

ART Rotana Hotel & Resort Amwaj Islands is staging a souq-style Ramadan Iftar at its all-day-dining Choices restaurant and terrace offering traditional Arabic drinks and dishes from the region. There will be cooking stations as well.

For the Ghabga, there will be a musical performance. Iftar starts from sunset until 8.30pm at BD19++ and the Ghabga is from 9.15pm to midnight priced at BD21++.

For details, email fb.art@rotana.com or call 16000111.

The Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay is hosting an Iftar and Ghabga buffet at its Al Bahrain Ballroom for BD26++ (Iftar) and BD28++ (Ghabga), including a wide selection of traditional Bahraini fare as well as Lebanese, Moroccan, Indian, Turkish and global cuisine with a number of live cooking stations. Children aged six to 12 can eat for BD12.500 and those five and under eat for free.

For details, call 17115500.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is promising a new Ramadan experience during the holy month. Executive Chef Christian Knerr’s menu will offer a large spread buffet featuring international cuisines, including Eastern Mediterranean, Asian, Mexican and European with live cooking stations of fresh breads, saj, crepes, among other delights.

The dining experience will be underpinned by Turkish and Egyptian menus by two visiting chefs who will be flown in to join the culinary team to handcraft an authentic experience.

For more information, contact 17586499 or email rc.bahrz.restaurant.reservations@ritzcarlton.com 

Al Areen Palace & Spa promises diners a special Ramadan experience this year by staging a 1,001 Arabian Nights theme at its Al Qasr tent.

The festivities will have an Arabic atrium setting with a large Iftar and Ghabga buffet offering Arabic and international cuisine and live cooking stations. It will also include various counters and BBQ stations.

During week days, Iftar will be BD15++ and Ghabga is BD13.5++. On the weekends, Iftar is priced at BD17++ and the Ghabga is BD15++. Iftar starts from sundown to 9pm and the Ghabga runs from 9.30pm until 2am.

Then during Eid Al Fitr, there will be a BD15++ family-friendly brunch featuring Arabic and international dishes along with live cooking stations from 12.30pm – 4pm. There will also be a band, face painting, henna, a mascot, a children corner and more. Diners will have access to the swimming pool during the brunch and a ticket to The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park.

There will also be a grand raffle draw. Children up to six years old enter for free and its 50 per cent off on children aged between seven and 12. There are special group rates upon request.