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The Friday brunch scene is back and buzzing after the break for Ramadan and there are some sensational summer offers to tease back diners who have stayed in the kingdom rather than set off immediately on their summer holidays.
And there’s nowhere better to sample the delights in store than the legendary Chocoholic Brunch at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel currently boasting a ‘buy one, get one free’ promotion for added pleasure.
There’s a new all-girl band called First Class to entertain folk alongside a balloon artist and you know you’re in for something special the moment you walk through the hotel’s reception towards the dining area with dazzling displays of chocolate masterpieces to tempt you on your way to your table.
And don’t think you have to wait for your just desserts before you can indulge in this special brunch as mighty Swedish Executive Chef Magnus Falk and his team have come up with some playful takes on international cuisine favourites which are quite stunning.
There’s a little chocolate touch with the Sushi, a rather exquisite Grilled Chicken with Chocolate Mole Sauce which originates from down Mexico way and a chocolate drizzle poured on a perfectly presented and individually-cooked foie gras at one of the live cooking stations.
The cuisine at the Sheraton is very hard to fault and I always admire the team’s attention to detail. Standout examples on this visit were the fish curry and beef goulash kept hot and moist in clever individual pots containing the perfect sized helping.
The salad dishes were outstanding and again the individual selections superb from smoked salmon and baked hammour to the smoked crab roulade and tomato terrine with pesto.
There’s even a Greek-style work of art continuously pouring a perfect Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho which packs a punch with every sip.
Gazpacho is a soup made of raw vegetables and served cold, originating in the southern Spanish region of Andalusia. It’s extremely popular in Mediterranean countries, particularly during the hot summers, as it is refreshing and cool and will surely prove to be a winner here in the Gulf too for the same reasons.
The firm favourite of all the main courses with the Szecowka family was a lamb rack which was masterfully cooked, as was the selection of local fish I chose and had grilled to order and brought to the table.
But the true art of this brunch can be seen in the dessert section as the pastry cooks have been allowed to shine and be creative with choco-magnificence.
Cacao Berry Opera has been mentioned before on this page and never fails the taste test but there were plenty of contenders for sweet accolades including the Malsters Chocolate Cake, a Toblerone Cake take on the legendary triangular Swiss chocolate with honey and almond nougat, Kit Kat Chocolate Trifle and a brilliant Cocao Berry Chocolate Brownie that went down a treat with a helping on chocolate ice cream on the side.
Delightful … and what a bargain too at the moment! Two eat for BD34 net, inclusive of unlimited selected beverages, BD28 net with soft drinks, and children pay BD10 net.
Taking place on Friday between 1pm and 4pm, book a table online by visiting bit.ly/SHEBrunch or call 17533533.
