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My husband Sam and I wanted to celebrate our first Eid as newlyweds with a romantic dinner in an enchanted setting and what’s more magical than dining in a castle?
Camelot restaurant and lounge in Adliya, under the Seven Leisure Group, is surely one of the more eye-catching eating out venues on the island and the fare inside the medieval-themed eatery is just as fantastic.
The two-storey castle can seat a total of 75 guests comfortably and it also features a rooftop dining area.
As we pushed open the giant wooden doors, it was as though we stepped into a scene from fantasy drama Game of Thrones. The interior was decorated with antique art work and furniture, large chandeliers, suits of armour and swords.
A friendly waitress added to the restaurant’s warm ambiance by politely showing us to our candlelit table.
We couldn’t wait to sink our teeth into Head Chef Christopher Pierre Armando’s French- and Spanish-influenced dishes.
Chef Pierre played a pivotal role in the venue’s opening back in 2009, creating a scrumptious menu. However, after a short spell, his hunger to learn new culinary skills became too strong and he left on an adventure to the Far East.
Two months ago, he returned to Bahrain and reclaimed his rightful place on the throne of the Camelot kitchen.
The 32-year-old, from Juffair, said: “It’s good to be back but there is a big mountain for me to climb and a lot for me to do. Before, the menu was classical French but now I am looking to add more Mediterranean fare with a modern twist, for example, in the plating.
“Guests can expect a great experience where they can unwind and enjoy tasty food full of flavours and colours. I want to minimise the menu and pay more attention to details.
“I am hoping to have a special breakfast menu available on Saturdays in the near future as well and start cooking classes.”
Chef Pierre first developed a love for cooking in Seychelles where he was brought up by his grandmother. Since then, he has travelled to Vietnam, UK, Thailand, Mauritius and Switzerland to perfect his culinary skills.
He had prepared a special Eid dinner which Sam and I were more than happy to sample. As we waited for our starter we nibbled on an assortment of bread, butter and feta cheese.
Within seconds a pumpkin soup with a seared king scallop in the middle, priced at BD3.500, appeared. It was delicious, to say the least. It was light, creamy and complemented by the tender scallop. Sam is not a pumpkin fan but it didn’t stop him from licking his bowl clean, which says a lot.
Within minutes our main course made its way to the table. Sam and I were both impressed by the quick service.
I opted for the evening’s special dish – melt-in-your-mouth hammour – and Sam had the Angus beef fillet.
My hammour was pan-seared to perfection with a crunchy exterior and buttery interior. It sat on a bed of cheese, which I found unusual but my taste buds came alive. The combination was heavenly, especially with the swish of hummus and refreshing cucumber on my plate. Although this dish was on the Eid menu, it is still available priced at BD13 but with different side dishes.
Sam’s steak, priced at BD13.500, was grilled just right with a creamy side of potato gratin, which I picked at. I’m always after his potatoes.
After filling our bellies we decided to take a little break and went to sit in the lounge. We were serenaded by Nathalie Karlsson, a 25-year-old singer from Sweden, who performs soulful songs six-nights-a-week.
We ended the night with two healthy helpings of dessert. Sam, being a food blogger, went for the favourite on the menu – a lemon curd tart at BD4.500. It was summery and refreshing.
Ever the romantic, Chef Pierre prepared a special dish for our enchanted evening … a nameless dessert fit for a princess. It featured marinated and caramelised pears, caviar-looking jelly, Nutella ice cream, walnuts and strawberries. I loved Chef Pierre’s attention to detail and how every ingredient was the star of the dish.
My prince charming and I would like to applaud the chef on his scrumptious offering. He is truly the king of his kitchen.
The restaurant is open seven-days-a-week from 5pm onwards except on Thursdays when it’s open from noon and on Fridays for breakfast at 9am.
For details, call 17717745.
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Prego!, the Royal Golf Club’s family-friendly Italian restaurant, has a cool dining offer. Dine in on Sunday evenings after 6pm and for every main course or pizza you order, receive 40 per cent off a second main course or pizza of equal or lesser value!
The Royal Golf Club’s Carvery Feasts are underway again every Friday between midday and 4pm.
Voted ‘Best Brunch’ in 2011 and 2012 in a magazine poll, the Links Friday Carvery Feast boasts a wide selection of delicious starters, soups and sushi as well as freshly carved meats with all the trimmings, numerous live cooking stations and a diverse selection of desserts, at BD18 net per person. Children aged five to 12 can enjoy the day at BD9.500 net inclusive of selected soft drinks while those aged four and under eat for free.
To reserve a table at the Eid Friday Carvery Feast, call 17750777.
The Royal Golf Club’s Links restaurant has an exciting offer this August: Dine in on Monday evenings between 6pm and 8pm and for every main course you order, receive a second main course of equal or lesser value free.
