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The Holy Month of Ramadan is a joyous occasion when families and friends spread love, reminisce over good times and break bread together…or more likely eat dates!
Mothers and grannies across the kingdom spend hours in the kitchen every day slaving over hot stoves to prepare an unforgettable feast for the family.
Personally, although home cooking after fasting is fabulous, after recently sampling plates full of goodness at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain Hotel’s newly-launched ‘tent’, I’m definitely singing another tune….an Aladdin-inspired Arabian Nights song in fact.
Stepping into the five-star hotel’s indoor Al Thurayya Ramadan Tent, located on the ninth floor of the Regency Plaza, was like walking into an Arabian fairy-tale with oriental carpets and rugs hanging across the ceiling along with colourful lanterns and palm trees around the lounges and dining.
Greeters and servers dressed in jalabiyas and Arabic attire roamed the Bahrain-themed red and white venue that oozed comfort and warmth.
As lanterns lit the way to an Arabesque-style stage where a Lebanese trio and a fabulous Oud player will serenade diners during Ramadan, spice bazaars and Arabic seating are spread out on the side for that extra traditional touch.
According to Mohammed Sanad, the hotel manager, this year’s tent will deliver a daily delight of authenticity from 6pm until 2am.
Mr Sanad said: “I’d like to wish everyone an advance ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ and ‘Kul ‘am wa antum bi-khair’. I urge all our wonderful guests at the hotel and clients to come and experience the authenticity of our 2015 tent.
“It is different from last year’s modern blue and white theme. It’s a cosy Bahrain-style tent where families and friends can have a good time, share stories and play Ramadan games including dominos and cards. If you are looking for a combination of traditional food in an inviting environment then this is the place.
“We thought of keeping the authentic Bahraini touch but with a hint of modernity. And while I think we tick the box when it comes to merging the two themes together, the food is what will keep diners coming back for more. We are already receiving tons of bookings for corporate iftars.”
Guests can expect true traditional fare from the hotel’s Bahriani/Jordanian Executive Sous Chef Mohammed Samara, who has been with the locale for 23 years. According to Mr Sanad, Chef Samara specialises in Arabic cuisine and his food will take customers on a magical culinary ride.
My food-loving hubby, Sam Camille and I, joined by our dear friend Danielle Carriveau, put the chefs’ cooking skills to the test.
A long green buffet including hummus, baba ganoush (a Levantine dish of cooked eggplant mixed with onions, tomatoes, olive oil and various seasonings), tomato and mozzarella, as well as a pomegranate salad, caught Danielle’s and my attention. Sam predictably skipped the salad section, zip-lined to his Ramadan dish-of-choice, a tender lamb ghouzi, which he finished in an instant.
While Sam sipped his cream of chicken soup and Danielle had her lentil soup before tucking into her greens, I completed my plate of hummus, harees (a mouth-watering wheat and meat concoction) and other salad selections.
The cheese sajj, zaatar sajj and falafels reminded me of Jordan and put a smile on my face. Then again what would you expect from a Jordanian chef who specialises in this style of cuisine.
The highlight of my evening was thareed, a traditional dish including bread, meat and vegetables in vegetable or meat broth. That stole the show for me along with the creamy lasagne with béchamel; just the way my mama makes it!
Danielle raved about the meat kebbah while Sam nibbled on the grills. I also enjoyed the yummy kousa mahshi, another Arab favourite which is zucchini stuffed with rice and meat in a tomato sauce.
Dessert was another delight including creamy custard-filled profiteroles, kunafa, Jordan’s fluffy warbats and classic crème caramel. There was also an assortment of ice-creams.
Aside from the amazing ambience and the filling food, there will be a chance for diners to win exciting prizes sponsored by telecom giants VIVA, who have partnered up with the hotel for a second year in a row.
The iftar buffet starts from BD13++ at 6pm and the ghabga starts from BD15++ at 8.30pm to 2am. Children under 12 will enter for free and those aged 12 and above will be charged BD13++. Exclusive corporate packages are also available with international menu options.
* Book online by visiting www.intercontinental.com/manama, visit them on Facebook at facebook.com/InterConBahrain or call 17227777 for details.
