London calling!

Along the shores of Seef and overlooking the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, Ritz-Carlton Bahrain’s lovely La Med restaurant is sure to tantalise your taste buds and satisfy your cravings with its expansive and ever-evolving brunch buffet.

Recently, the GulfWeekly team sailed over to the exquisite dining establishment for a taste of their delectable themed Big Ben Brunch, specially crafted by Chef Alexis, and enjoyed a culinary journey like no other.

I was immediately drawn to the enchanting décor, which featured iconic landmarks such as Big Ben, London Bridge and the classic red phone booth, adding to the charming atmosphere. 

As soon as I was seated at my table, which had a great view of the pool and garden area, a lovely server, Jenifer, promptly took my drink order, kindly listing the many beverages I could choose from. I opted for the fresh watermelon juice and ended up ordering four more throughout the day as they were so delicious.

After I took a quick sip, I decided to set off on the culinary adventure and chose my first dish – Beef Wellington. It was actually my first time trying it and let me tell you, it did not disappoint.

It was truly a beautiful union of textures and flavours and, in my opinion, the star of the brunch. The meat, which was cooked for around eight hours, was tender and juicy. And the pastry, wrapped around it, was the perfect combination of crisp and soft, but not soggy, which is important to note.

I relished the subtle flavours and took a couple of minutes to walk around the pool and garden area, taking in the delightful views of greenery and colourful flowers, before returning to the fantastic spread of culinary treats. 

As I walked back in, I found myself eyeing the beautifully arranged seafood station, which featured fresh shrimp, mussels and clams.

I picked a couple of each, and indulged in some salmon, which was topped with a decadent saffron sauce, roasted potatoes and vegetables. The bright yellow sauce, which had a subtle hint of sweetness, truly made the salmon a culinary masterpiece.

I also had a plate of freshly cooked shrimps, topped with a garlic and herb cream sauce, and let me tell you, they were absolutely delectable.

I have tried several brunches in the kingdom, but La Med’s Big Ben Brunch stood out for me because it has its own a la carte menu. It featured five additional dishes that guests could have freshly prepared, including fish and chips, smashed cheese burger, British pot pie, loaded baked potato and chicken BLT.

I indulged in the fish and chips, which was cooked to perfection. The lightly breaded fish, paired with crispy chips, transported my tastebuds to the UK.

To end the dining affair on a sweet note, I
 happily picked a couple of desserts.
Eton Mess Mango, dried fruit tea cake, Pistachio Opera, Chocolate Raspberry, Trocadaro Pecan, éclairs, chocolate brownies and more were just some of the sweet treats that were beautifully displayed. And it was tempting not to put them all on my plate.

I joyfully indulged in carrot cake and rice pudding, which definitely satisfied my sweet cravings. I also left room for a waffle and topped it with a delicious pistachio icecream.

The brunch, which changes themes regularly, offers guests dozens of options, including a salad station, omelette station, fresh soups, curries, and a range of breakfast favourites like chicken sausage, baked beans, tomato confit, pancakes, french toast, grilled mushrooms, hash browns, beef bacon and more.

The La Med Brunch is available every Friday, from 1pm to 4pm. The package begins at BD33, inclusive of soft beverages. It will cost BD44, inclusive of selected beverages, and BD60 for a bubbly brunch. Children aged between four and 12 dine for BD16.500.

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