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Em Sherif Sea Café, a culinary masterpiece in Bahrain, offers a symphony of flavours that transports diners straight to the vibrant heart of Lebanon.
A PIONEER as the first of its kind in the GCC and the first outside of Lebanon, this cafe situated at Gate 3, The Avenues, sets a new standard for Lebanese cuisine in the region, writes Jayne Houghton.
Em Sherif Sea Café is also located in Abu Dhabi and soon-to-be Saudi Arabia.
The impressive architecture welcomes you offering a feast for the eyes from the moment you arrive. High ceilings, grand tiled murals and rope-entwined fixtures pay homage to the fishing heritage shared by Lebanon and the Mediterranean, creating an atmosphere that is both elegant and inviting. The five-star hospitality extends to being open during Eid, making it a perfect venue for gatherings and celebrations.
Our culinary journey began with the fattoush salad (BD3.9), a delightful medley of textures and flavours, featuring crispy Lebanese bread, juicy pomegranate, and a tangy molasses dressing.
The cold mezze further captivated our palates. The samke traboulsiye (BD5.9), a succulent sea bass dish with citrus tahini sauce, kumquat, and radish, was a harmonious blend of sweet and savoury notes. The shrimp fatteh (BD6.5) was a decadent creation of marinated sauteed shrimp, yoghurt, kadaif, and chilli oil.
The hot mezze continued to impress. The hummus with meat (BD4.7), a creamy chickpea dip topped with sauteed gold black angus beef, was simply divine. The mutabbal shrimp (BD4.7) offered a delightful combination of marinated shrimp, smoked aubergines, tahini, and cilantro. And the octopus legs (BD29), a testament to the chef’s expertise, were cooked to perfection. They have a vast selection of options ‘from the land’ including impressive meat cuts such as the mouthwatering 800g tomahawk black onyx steak (BD42), served with rice of your choice or mashed potato and zaatar chimichurri, alongside other options including their famous mixed grill.
The freekeh with chicken (BD9.8) was a standout dish. Freekeh, an ancient durum wheat grain, provided a hearty base for the tender chicken and the accompanying sauce. The addition of pine nuts, cashews, and pistachios elevated the dish to new heights.
The dessert selection was a sweet symphony. The milk cake (BD5.6), ashta ice cream, osmalieh (BD5.9), and halewet el jeben (BD5.9) were a fitting end to a remarkable gastronomic experience.
Throughout the afternoon, we sipped on two refreshing mocktails: the Beirut moon, a zesty blend of ginger and green apple, and the mint berry, a fizzy concoction of mixed berries.
Em Sherif Sea Café prides itself on using premium grade ingredients and specialised marinades, resulting in dishes that are both authentic and innovative. The portions are generous, and their menu caters to both carnivores and pasta lovers who may not wish to sample the seafood offering, with premium wagyu steaks and a variety of other customer favourites that ensures all visitors have plenty of delicious options.
Friday sees Em Sherif Sea Café playing host to live entertainment for guests to unwind from 9pm onwards, with exceptional views of Bahrain Bay.
As our meal concluded at Em Sherif Sea Café we couldn’t help but reflect on the exceptional cuisine, attentive service, inviting atmosphere, and incredible attention-to-detail. Thank me later!
An Em Sherif café is soon to be announced in Bahrain Bay, so keep an eye on their social media platforms for updates.
Visit @emsherifseacafe.bh on Instagram or call 33538884 or 77100777 for reservations.
