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Baharat restaurant, which is full of spice in more ways than one, is offering all those who are fasting in the kingdom an eclectic array of Middle Eastern dishes with a nightly slice of Arabic entertainment during the holy month.
The restaurant, situated on the ground floor of the Kempinski Grand & Ixir Hotel Bahrain City Centre, aims to enthral diners with its beautiful setting of light and dark marble flooring, monolithic counter designs, live cooking stations, saj and tandoor bread clay ovens, private dining areas alongside a large terrace with a tent.
Last Ramadan, Baharat, which means spices in English, captured the flavourful essence of Arabic cuisine with its extensive Middle Eastern menu attracting more than 130 guests on a regular night.
According to executive chef Stefanos Melianos, every seat was filled. He said: “I have to thank our culinary crew for all their hard work in the kitchen because in order to deliver such fantastic food you need a great team of cooks.
“At Kempinski we have cooks from all over the globe and have a number from Egypt, Jordan and Morrocco. When they combine all their talents they produce great authentic cuisine but with a twist.
“We want people to come here and enjoy the food and the ambiance during Ramadan and we hope that this year will be a big success as well.
“We have included more traditional Bahraini dishes. We pride ourselves on using fresh vegetables from our farm and we have managed to offer Bahraini-made local desserts as well for that sweet touch of authenticity. We deliver quality food that is made fresh every day.”
As guests are escorted to their seats they will not be able to resist the intoxicating scents of grills, freshly-baked bread and the mouth-watering lamb ouzi which is marinated for a-day-and-a-half and then slowly-cooked. The meat is so tender it slides off the bone.
Leading the Baharat kitchen is Moroccan Chef de Cuisine Issam Seddoq, who brings a wealth of culinary knowledge from previous experiences working in Marrakech, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Not only does he create his own spice mix to personalise his savoury creations but he also uses the freshest of ingredients to give the Iftar menu that special touch.
There is a wide selection of healthy greens and appetisers to nibble on including a hot and cold mezzeh, soups such as a marvellous Moroccan saffron seafood soup called Harrira, a live cooking pasta station and grills serving shish taouk and prawns.
The main courses include meals such as kofta, chicken musakhan, fish tagine, beef kebbah Arnabia, prawn biryani, lamb ouzi and a delectable array of desserts such as Loukamat, Baklava, Katayef Assafer, Mouhalabia and, of course, Um Ali, Bahrain’s traditional favourite.
A range of traditional Arabic juices and beverages including the Ramadan tipple Vimto will accompany the dishes, as well as traditional Arabic coffee.
Also on special offer during the holy month is the winning dish from Kempinski’s recent recipe contest, the tasty chicken pastilla.
The season is also filled with culture as a Spice Art Exhibition runs throughout the duration of Ramadan with colourful paintings submitted from local artists using spices for inspiration, placed around the venue to capture the Art of Giving. All pieces are on sale, with the proceeds going to a local charity and the participating artists.
As diners feast on the Ramadan fare they are serenaded by a Yemeni Oud player and games and activities for the entire family are available for all to enjoy.
The holy month Iftar offerings which start after sunset until 9pm, are priced at BD17++ and children, aged six to 12 can eat at half-price, and those aged five or less, for free. Ghabga will follow featuring an à la carte menu.
For more details, call 17171144, email restaurants.bahrain@kempinski.com or visit www.kempinski.com/bahrain. Follow the hotel on facebook.com/kempinskihotelbahrain and twitter.com/KGIHBCC.
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To celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, the Royal Golf Club’s head chef Theo Botha has added an Arabic flavour to the menu in Prego Restaurant.
Guests will be able to enjoy a number of traditional Egyptian and Turkish delicacies baked in the restaurant’s ‘Wood Stone’ oven as well as popular Arabic desserts.
During Ramadan, Prego will be open from sunset until midnight and all are welcome. To reserve a table, call 17750777.
