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Adliya's dining district has just become a dash more creative with its latest addition, the art cafŽ at Al Riwaq Art Space.
The cafŽ was opened last month, welcoming art enthusiasts and healthy food lovers to taste a range of scrumptious salads, sandwiches and pastries.
Bayan Kanoo, director and owner of the gallery, said: "The cafŽ offers a hub for people to enjoy great food whilst enjoying lively surroundings. It provides a relaxed atmosphere for creative individuals to get together and I hope the cafŽ can soon become an incubator for unique ideas to start from."
During the cafŽ's official launch, the kingdom's art loving community of all ages gathered to leave a mark of their creativity on the gallery walls by participating in a 'Doodlefest'.
Situated at a cosy corner at the art space, the cafŽ features a selection of carefully-chosen, homemade pastries with a selection of healthy and light meal options, which are included on the menu.
Mrs Kanoo, 44, from Khamis, said: "For a long time we had been searching for an alternative cuisine - something different from what was already available in the neighbourhood.
"We then developed the idea of having a cafŽ that is perfectly integrated with the gallery environment - it reflects our identity."
Saba Napoletano, communication manager, said: "The cafŽ will provide a good network for the island's talented young artists to exchange ideas and help in further enhancing the art scene in Bahrain.
"We were also looking for the possibility to offer our visitors the chance to sit outside and enjoy their meal. With the winter season coming in, the climate will be very pleasing.
"Also, as the art space is located at a good distance from the main road, guests can relax without being distracted by the noise from the traffic."
The art space also features a section which allows Bahrainis and expat craftsmen to exhibit and sell their creative products as well as a gift shop which offers different memorabilia of the gallery's featured artists including postcards.
Gallery workers are now discussing and working on plans to open an art school for aspiring artists.
The cafŽ shares one of its popular dishes with GulfWeekly readers.
Brown Rice Salad
Ingredients:
Brown rice cup
Currants 1/2 cup
Spring onions 6, (sliced)
Red capsicum 1, (diced)
Pepitas 2 tbsp
Sunflower seeds 2 tbsp
Pine nuts 2 tbsp
Roasted cashews 1/2 cup
Fresh parsley 1/2 cup, (chopped)
Lemon juice 2 tbsp
Soy sauce 4 tbsp
Olive or sunflower oil 1/4 cup
Clove garlic 1, (crushed)
Method:
Place the rice in a saucepan, cover with 2 cups of water, stir then bring to the boil.
Stir as required. You may need to add a little more water towards the end of cooking.
While the rice is boiling away, get a frying pan and spray a light coat of oil onto the surface then heat. When the pan is hot, add in the pepitas, sunflower seeds and pine nuts - keep stirring otherwise they will burn. When they brown up immediately remove from pan onto some absorbent paper to cool.
Add the lemon juice, oil, soy sauce and garlic into a salad dressing container and shake to mix. Set aside.
Add the capsicum, parsley, spring onions and currants to a large salad bowl and stir through.
When the rice is done, set aside to cool before stirring it through. Add the toasted seed mix and the cashews. Finally, slowly drizzle the dressing over the salad and stir through.
