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USHERING in the spirit of the Holy Month, Hilton Bahrain staged a preview of The Dome – the hotel’s newly-launched Ramadan experience where guests can enjoy a delicious feast under ‘star-studded’ skies.
The property will host its iftars and ghabgas in the spherical space located in Juffair next to the hotel, which easily stands out among buildings in the area. On entering, we felt like we had walked into a different dimension. The Dome can accommodate more than 300 people, and features open seating and cabana-style setups for those who prefer a private dining affair.
Stringsy oud tunes accompanied by ambient mood lighting offered the ideal backdrop to the hotel’s extensive Ramadan buffet, featuring traditional favourites and diverse international offerings. And there was more than one station just for desserts!
My companion said I should begin by trying the Bahraini and Middle Eastern dishes, which, in retrospect, was a great suggestion. There were a variety of rice creations, from the ubiquitous ouzi and succulent kebabs, and shish tawook to the Arab staple vermicelli rice and a light, savoury Jordanian lamb with rice. The meats were tender and the fat perfectly rendered, soaking every grain with indescribable flavour.
The harees – a cracked wheat and meat porridge – sparked fond memories of tucking into the comforting south-Asian equivalent – haleem – back home in Mumbai, which is made of barley, pulses and meat. A vegetarian diner at our table could not stop raving about the tharid – a hearty vegetable stew.
The lavish spread was a reminder of generous Arab hospitality, further enhanced by Hilton’s impressive global Green Ramadan initiative. Launched two years ago, in partnership with United Nations Environment Programme West Asia, it aims to proactively reduce food waste. Hilton Bahrain joined the campaign last year. I noticed framed posters placed across the buffet, reminding diners that they can ‘always come back for more’, which is a nice touch.
The property has adopted the Winnow tracking system, which allows them to plan their menus, keeping food waste to a minimum, according to a representative of the hotel. Additionally, they have partnered with Bahrain Food Bank and the untouched food that is left over is donated to them. For the unavoidable waste like excess tomatoes and lettuce and banana peels, the hotel has joined hands with Peninsula Farms, which uses it for composting.
I observed that Hilton Bahrain’s campaigns always have a local touch, which is impressive. For Ramadan, they have partnered with multiple Bahraini suppliers for their ingredients like vegetables and fish. Furthermore, they will be showcasing and promoting local vendors at The Dome, selling abayas, ornaments, Frankincense, Oriental rugs and more.
One cannot miss the seafood creations at The Dome – like the shrimp and mussel salad at the never-ending salad bar, which featured scrumptious delights complementing the diverse hot and cold mezze offerings. A splendid hammour dish with a tangy tomato gravy stole the show for me – Hilton Bahrain always sources the freshest catch – a seafood lover’s delight.
Expats seeking something closer to home can explore the varied international fare, from rich Indian curries to moreish Chinese stir-fries. A dedicated sushi station checked our umami cravings; the food tags specified the list of allergens, a testament to Hilton Bahrain’s customer service and attention to detail.
While I regret not trying it myself, there was a beeline for the goat-milk ice cream made with the freshest ingredients at Peninsula Farms – be brave! Other sweeties included popular Middle Eastern bites from baklava and date pudding to um Ali, as well as a variety of cakes, pastries, and more. They were all aesthetically arranged beside striking croquembouche towers made with dates and dried candied fruits.
Great ambience, good food and an experience to remember would sum up our evening at The Dome. It really is the perfect setup for your family gatherings and professional get-togethers this Ramadan.
For more information or bookings, call 33692013 or 33690081.
