Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
The late, great war-time British Prime Minister Winston Churchill described golf as a game ‘whose aim is to hit a very small ball into an even smaller hole, with weapons singularly ill-designed for the purpose’.
The only thing that gets me through another disastrous round at the Royal Golf Club is the thought that at the end of my endeavours of failing miserably to get said ball to go anywhere near the hole, let alone fall down it, is the fact that breakfast at Café T awaits.
And my heart started beating a little faster last week with the news that Executive Chef Paul Gindra has just launched a delicious new menu at the popular Riffa Views destination. In addition to old favourites like the Breakfast Butty and Chicken Quesadillas, the new menu includes a large range of wraps, sandwiches and salads, a superb combination of healthy options and comfort fare to share, to eat in or take away to the course.
Hilariously, after playing the Wee Monty (the club’s nine-hole executive 3-par offering which compliments the challenging Colin Montgomerie-designed main course) I spotted a new delight called the Full Monty (BD4.500).
And, I could order it and still keep my hat on … if you’ve seen the classic movie of the same name; you’ll know what I mean!
Delivered in a basket, it contained Buffalo chicken wings, sausage, ribs, curly fries and the most delicious dip made from German mustard.
Sharing was the name of the game and fortunately the family met up with me, so we took in the Veggie option too (BD4.300) with onion mozzarella rings, halloumi fries, jalapeno peppers, and beetroot hummus, alongside the Spice Seafood (BD5.500) containing Crab Hushpuppies, Cajun calamari, Thai fish cakes and lemon aioli. They came with French Fries … and the finger-licking feast began.
Café T is not only popular with golfers but also residents from the surrounding estates as well as visitors from across the island. The placed was buzzing mid-afternoon but I know from experience that it’s a great place to T off at the start of the day.
The Breakfast Burrito (BD3.800) with crispy meat, scrambled eggs, hash brown, jalapeno, mozzarella cheese and cilantro is a firm favourite and the Stack of Pancakes (BD3.700) go down a storm with my teenage children, Stan Jnr and Imogen.
House favourites include Bangers & Mash (BD4.900) and the Unique Cottage Pie (BD5.200) featuring beef stew covered with mashed potato.
There are plenty of healthy options too, particularly to meet the demand of the many golfing ladies who like to lunch and chat either inside or on the outdoor terrace.
Check out the Detoxify Salad (BD4) with kale, broccoli, sprouts, cabbage, carrots, parsley, toasted sunflower seeds, served with a warm citrus dressing, and the Hearty Summer Squash (BD4.500) with fennel, red quinoa, cashew nuts, flaz seeds, lime and chili.
The options for quenching the thirst during these hot summer months are impressive too. Take the milkshakes, for example. The introduction of Strawberries & Cream (BD2.400) is nicely timed for Wimbledon and the Banana & Chocolate (BD2.200) is, well, right for anytime of the year, in my opinion.
Having felt naughty for ignoring the salads, the good lady wife, Kathryn, went for the Smoothie option and I joined her. The Strawberry Beet Detox at BD3 was superb, I’m told, and my Apple & Cinnamon (BD2.900) was a triumph, just lacking some crumble … but I suppose that would have been defeating the object!
I may miss the ball often but I’d never miss calling into Café T which is open daily from 6.30am until 9.30pm.
