Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
IT’S called the Carnival Friday Brunch with a guarantee of plenty of Vitamin Sea … I jest not, I can’t think of anything more soothing and relaxing than enjoying fabulous food (the finest Sheesh Tawook I’ve ever tasted), good company and watching the waves from the window of the Noor Tent at the Elite Resort & Spa.
The family had deserted me, the good lady wife Kathryn and our children had flown back to Blighty for a summer break leaving me home alone.
But my spirits were immediately lifted shortly after I had dropped them off at the airport on Thursday by an invitation from Hani Sadek, the property’s food & beverages manager, to come and join him for a meal on the following afternoon.
Surprisingly, after a decade in post, I’ve rarely visited this destination and even over Ramadan clashing dates meant I missed the opening taste of the coming Iftar and Ghabga feasts which received a glowing review from my colleague, Kristian Harrison.
The resort features such an iconic building you cannot possibly miss at night time with its bright surrounding lights glowing on the sea shore on the edge of Manama, on a road to Muharraq.
The grounds are just as impressive when you walk through the main entrance, through another door near reception, alongside a fabulous swimming and play pool towards the entrance of a huge tent. It is split into two with one side for private functions (a grand wedding reception was being staged last Friday night) and the other a perfect setting for the brunch … with those wide windows displaying the full glory of the Gulf.
The buffet was extensive and there were live cooking (noodles and pancake) stations too and a meat counter where diners could choose their mighty meat desires for Arabic Master Chef Ridha Saed and his team to cook on the outside grill for serving to the table.
Hani introduced me to chef, who collected a range of cuts and set off to cook them, gave me a tour of the buffet before I quickly plucked up some stunning starters.
I love the care that goes into the presentation of little dishes of delight and the Elite Resort & Spa did not disappoint with an imaginative display which included Cous Cous Salad, Red Cabbage and Apple Coleslaw, a marvellous Melon and Beef Salad and an Orange and Mint Soup which had a lovely kick with every sip.
Chef Ridha has worked in the kingdom for the same length of time as me, and I cannot believe it’s taken me so long to discover his immense talent. Before his arrival he spent six years in Dubai, a spell in Qatar too, but really learned his craft over several years in his home country of Lebanon … and not surprisingly, he will NOT share the secrets of his amazing marinating mastery, not even to his good friend, Hani, let alone to a nosey hack he’d only just met!
I’d keep it a secret too if I was him because one bite of the hand cut chicken breast which had been marinating in his mysterious mixture for 10 hours tasted absolutely heavenly.
It was warm, moist and full of flavour and one swallow and you were bitten … I’m going to have to return for more because I was being really good and saving room to taste test some of the other fare on offer. The things I do for my readers.
What I love about this eating out experience was not only the amazing food and ambience but the fact that the chef was so confident of his work, and that of his kitchen team, that he settled next to me on the table and joined me for lunch. Impressive … and he really tucked in!
Good to my word, I took little bit of this and a little bit of that and star performers in my opinion were the Chicken Milanese, Grilled Beef Steak with Herbs and the Lebanese-style Vine Leaves with Lamb Chops. Other popular dishes with fellow diners were the ‘house favourite’ and magnificent-looking Lamb Ouzi, Mince Ravioli, Prawn Biryani and a Paneer Butter Masala.
A plate containing slices of Beef Medallion with green peas puree, beetroot coulis and Provence vegetables arrived on the table too as good as anything available from a Egon Ronay five-star rated establishment - magnificent.
As resident DJ Dalia span a cool mix of music for all tastes (sometimes a band steps into the slot) I ventured to the desserts display for a spoonful of that Bahraini favourite Kanafa, trying to answer the eternal question of how can a cheese dish be so right as a pudding? The Pears Cake, assorted pies and Tiramisu was terrific too.
Although there were a few home alone dads like me and couples in attendance, the brunch has a renowned family atmosphere too, boosted by the fact that the hotel team is happy to take care of the children while their parents are enjoying their meals.
And you won’t have to splash out a fortune for the privilege. Friday brunch costs BD14++ for adults and is free for children under six. There is also a BD22++ offering with selected beverages. There are plenty of activities for the young ones by the pool such as a bouncy castle, face painting, trampoline and cartoon character entertainment. Complimentary pool access is granted to all guests enjoying the brunch. For more details call 17313333.
