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It is so exciting to welcome back one of Bahrain’s favourite dining destinations to the kingdom’s highly competitive Friday Brunch scene … and even more thrilling to report that the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel dishes up a different dining experience full of five-star fabulousness.
‘This is where great weekends begin’ is the theme for its ‘WILD locally global’ eatery and The Wild Brunch menu offers table service with sharing options and a few extra surprises thrown in for good measure, with only the desserts presented buffet-style.
German Oliver Webber, clearly a hands-on director of all things culinary and F&B at the hotel, and his team, have cleverly observed the competition and looked for gaps in the market, with this brunch opening later than most and offering a post-brunch extra for those who want to pay a little extra for the pleasure of having the fun continue into the evening outside.
They may just have hit on to a winning combination if Friday’s opening extravaganza is anything to go by.
As reported in the GDN late last year, the newly-renovated Sheraton Bahrain reopened at its iconic location in the heart of Manama, with a renewed focus on attracting business and family clients from across the region and the globe.
The 210-room hotel is located next to the Bahrain World Trade Centre and Moda Mall, 15 minutes away from Bahrain International Airport and a quick walk down the road from the Manama Suq, making it an ideal destination for both business and leisure travellers.
It can now also boast one of the trendiest brunch offerings on the island.
Last Friday, Japanese emperor Nikkei oyster, poached Alaskan king crab leg and king prawns and Peruvian ceviche - fresh fish marinated with lime and leche de tigre - came on the Seafood Stand (with gloves provided for those who don’t want to pick up the fare in their uncovered paws and lick the delights off afterwards!). On the sides were home baked, roasted farm bread with tomato spread and olives, plus melted Provolone, an Italian semi-hard cheese, with basil, tomatoes and baguette bread.
The service was prompt, polite and personable, so a special mention must to go to our table servers Ashley and Ajay. You can have the hottest chef in town but if the service is slow and miserable you may as well shut up shop. I will be back because this delightful duo made me and my table guests so welcome. Special thanks also to WILD restaurant manager Rita Garcia and restaurant and bar manager Ekaterine Usanetashvili who, alongside Oliver, must have made general manager Thomas Flindt proud.
The ‘shareables’ came both cold and hot. The healthy beetroot, kale, fennel and feta salad with a delightful citrus grain mustard dressing had the taste buds tingling and the Mediterranean falafel and avocado bowl was beautiful.
It was then time to turf and surf, if you get the meaning, and two of my favourite main courses meant I didn’t have to miss out on either one.
The pesto quinoa risotto with pan-seared seabass was perfect and the lemon-braised beef short ribs with potato pear puree were simply ‘lush’, to highlight a word used in the UK to mean ‘really good’.
As any seasoned professional restaurant critic will tell you, always leave room for dessert. Choices included a Kunafa pistachio cheese cake, that proved a particular hit with my Bahraini friends, Peach and Blackberry Tart with vanilla sauce, a raspberry hazelnut tart and a delightful Dulche de leche Tiramisu.
Soon to arrive was a bonkers Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich, different, I’ve to give it that but if you check out the Serious Eats website … in ‘Sicily you may as well call it breakfast’. I prefer a drizzle of honey in mine but it takes all sorts and who am I to argue with the Mafia’s favourite sweet treat.
Throughout, a delightful duo with a vivacious female vocalist entertained. Alejandra Del Pino smartly took note to turn down the volume until the party warmed up which was polite and professional and allowed for folk to chat and chuckle at the start of the session. Those who stayed for the evening entertainment thoroughly enjoyed the sounds of the charismatic singer with a full band outside on stage in the glorious weather.
May the weekends continue to swing at the Sheraton Bahrain ... welcome back!
