Eating Out

The choice is all yours...

June 29 - July 5, 2016
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Gulf Weekly The choice is all yours...

Gulf Weekly Mai Al Khatib-Camille
By Mai Al Khatib-Camille

ART Rotana - Amwaj Islands is spreading the Ramadan spirit in more ways than one … offering diners a plethora of culinary choices to feast within its Arabesque-style tent and creating memorable experiences for fasters with street market-themed decor.

The superb seaside retreat’s Choices Indoor restaurant and outdoor terrace has been transformed into a magical Arabian wonderland for iftar and ghabga events.

Italian executive chef, Theodor Rudiferia, said: “Although we are serving authentic Arabic food made by a well-known and experienced Arabic chef, we are also featuring a lot of Indian and Western food to give guests a big variety to choose from.

“Our ghabga is set up in the beautiful tent-like terrace that is absolutely amazing and the sounds of oud players add to the atmosphere.”

Executive Chef Rudiferia’s timely arrival six weeks ago has meant he could sample his first Ramadan in Bahrain, although he is no stranger to the holy month having gained culinary experience in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia. However, what has surprised him has been the large number of guests sampling the fare from the very start.

He said: “Ramadan in Bahrain is great and the atmosphere is beautiful. Usually during the first week it tends to be slow in hotels but we had a really good crowd from the very beginning and it continues to grow.

“The feedback we have received from guests has been great and I try to talk to as many as possible to see what they like and don’t like. It’s all about putting the visitor first and this constant interaction really appears to be paying off.”

Chef Rudiferia has a team of more than 30 cooks slicing, dicing and stirring away to ensure that every dish is seasoned to perfection. He added: “They are putting all their energy into preparing the best food possible for iftar, ghabga and suhoor.

“I simply want our guests to have a fantastic Ramadan experience. People are fasting all day and when they break their fast they really should have a perfect meal awaiting them in a wonderful atmosphere to enjoy with friends and family. That’s what I want for them at ART Rotana - to enjoy every moment here.”

Members of the media were recently invited to experience Choices Terrace ghabga in all its splendour and the spread was truly scrumptious.

Pushcarts serving up zesty bowls of Middle Eastern favourites, the lupin beans and other tasty treats such as dates and sweets were within easy reach. There was even a kiosk decorated in old Arabic coffee house fashion offering a variety of warm drinks.

The tent can seat up to 330 diners and, on entering, all eyes are immediately drawn to a grand geometric-patterned pillar set in the centre featuring a series of twinkling star and crescent moon lighting fixtures, draped silky fabrics and large Arabic-style lanterns.

The array of seating options is another bonus. What brings it all together are the red and gold table runners, placemats and pierced mini lanterns.

The salad section featured my favourite starter, lemony vine leaves, which quickly filled my plate alongside a fine fatoush and some green beans and creamy spinach. Skipping the falafels and fatayers (pastries), I added grilled shish tawooq to my plate of starters.

The mains included a variety of rice dishes, Indian curries, chicken, fish and pasta. The Cheesy pasta was perfect, the fish dish divine and so were the prawns. The creamy kousa mahshi was delicious as well.

I drooled over the freshly-baked bread and pizza but it was the lamb chops sitting on ouzi rice that truly won over my heart.

After licking my plate clean, I made sure to get a bowl of Um Ali pudding and another of vanilla ice cream drizzled with a helping of sauce from the chocolate fountain.

Fans of the big Euro football action playing on the two giant screens swayed in harmony to the sounds of the ouds. A lupin bean bowl somehow found its way to my table as well as a refreshing cup of tea.

Sounds of laughter echoed around the arena and it was clear to see why people keep coming back for more, the festive spirit is alive and kicking at ART Rotana.

Iftar starts from 6.15pm to 8pm and ghabga is on from 9pm to 1am. Iftar in the Choices Indoor restaurant is priced at BD17++ and its BD19++ for ghabga. Ghabga in Choices Terrace is BD21++. The Thuraya Ballroom is also available for groups of 50-900 guests for private events.

For more information call 16000111 or email res.art@rotana.com.







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