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Jim’s Restaurant, one of the mainstays of Adliya’s dining district, is under new management and about to rejuvenate its presence with a shaded garden area fit for all seasons.
But rest assured, its comfortable ambiance will remain intact, says hospitality guru Murthy Iyer, who is currently managing the popular restaurant.
Jim’s, which initially opened as an Irish-themed restaurant more than 18 years ago, has evolved and built a reputation in the kingdom for serving up large platters of wholesome cuisine in a relaxed environment.
Mr Iyer said: “I don’t want to change too much. For example, some of the staff has been here for more than 10 years and that is what customers come for, the familiarity and comfortable feeling.
“I want to preserve that special part of Jim’s that continues to attract customers but we will also enhance the quality of the food and experience by adding personal touches here and there.”
The indoor bistro, which can seat 40 comfortably, is quiet and intimate, great for patrons wanting to share a hearty meal over good conversation.
Jim’s garden, however, which can also seat 40, is a whole different story with a tavern-style décor and popular music blasting through the sound system.
It sounded like my kind of place ... and it proved to be. My husband Sam and I opted for a table in the garden area, currently open air which we were told will soon be shaded.
It was refreshing to be seated outdoors. We took full advantage of Bahrain’s welcome change of weather and it seems other diners had the same idea. We were lucky to even get a table as many were pulled together to fit large groups.
The lively yet chilled atmosphere was just what the doctor ordered after a long, gruelling week at work. It was also the ideal place for Sam to catch up with an old friend who I was meeting for the first time.
As we waited for his old classmate, Manal Aun, to join us for dinner, we went through the double-sided menu to get a head start. We had a hard time deciding from the European-style comfort food on one side and the Indian, Pakistani and Afghani fare on the other.
After informing Mr Iyer about my love affair with cheese he suggested that Sam and I try the BD4 deep fried brie wedges with blueberry coulees. He also brought out the BD4 pan-fried garlic prawns and BD4.3 crab cakes.
The crumb-fried bite-sized brie was to die for and I loved dipping it in the sweet sauce on the side. Sam, gunned for the crab cakes and the larger than usual prawns. We both loved the juicy, meaty seafood starters. It took all our will power to leave behind some of the tidbits for our dinner guest. However, Manal said she was going straight to the main course and ordered the BD10 fillet steak.
According to Mr Iyer, the most popular dishes on the menu are the steaks and the BD11 char-grilled leg of lamb. Sam went for the lamb while I ordered a BD10 Beef Wellington, a prime fillet wrapped in pastry, with pate and mushrooms.
The lamb was tender with just the right amount of spice while the Wellington offered the perfect balance of beef and pastry. We loved these dishes. The portions were huge and the flavours were explosive.
We were almost too full to try dessert but Mr Iyer insisted we sampled the crème brûlée and honestly, we are glad he did. At BD3.5 it was delicious. Sam and his friend fought over it while I enjoyed a whole piece of BD3.5 apple pie with ice cream all to myself.
Usually, after we finish a meal we make our way out the door, but the ambiance was so lovely that we parked ourselves firmly and enjoyed the rest of the evening.
Make no mistake, Jim’s may be an ‘oldie’ but it’s still a ‘goodie’ in my book.
Sam and I decided we will be coming back for the curries and the special full English breakfast-for-two deal that is valid until the end of October costing BD6 (plus five per cent tax and five per cent service charge).
That’s served from 11am on weekdays and from 10am on weekends – Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
And for a great night out, we figured we would be bringing back our group of friends as the venue, from Sunday to Wednesday, offers a 20 per cent discount on all beverages. What a steal!
There is also a set four-course lunch and dinner deal available at only BD8 per person from Sunday to Wednesday and an a la carte menu always available.
On Thursday and Friday a four-course roast special lunch is served from noon.
For details, call 17710654.
