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’Tis the season to be jolly… and that is exactly how I felt after sampling succulent turkey, savoury stuffing and sweet crumbles at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay.
Executive Chef Stefano Andreoli has proven that he is a whiz in the kitchen, concocting a feast fit for a king, or in this case, a room full of big-hearted princesses and queens that dedicate their days giving back to the community of Bahrain.
The Palm Association hosted a festive lunch at the five-star hotel to celebrate their 15th anniversary, thank all its members and to show their appreciation to special guest Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa, who helped establish the association with the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs in 2000.
I was among the fortunate ones to taste the heart-warming Christmassy buffet alongside the charity champions.
My merry culinary ride started with a comforting cream of butternut squash soup that was silky and smooth with just the right amount of spice. After consuming it, I zipped past the salad bar, as there is no room for that leafy stuff when a Christmas meal is involved, to the main attraction… the roast turkey. However, I must admit, the salad did look appetising.
Nonetheless, the turkey was beckoning me and I was eager to gobble it up. Although there was giblet gravy, I opted to slather my turkey and chestnut stuffing with a zesty cranberry sauce. While I would have been content simply with those two delectable dishes, what’s a Christmas meal without the all the trimmings? It’s as though Executive Chef Andreoli prepared a special menu just for me because he had all my favourites ready to be devoured.
The macaroni and cheese obviously made its way onto my plate along with a portion of Brussels sprouts and glazed carrots, a grilled lamb chop, a turkey ham and cheese quiche and a pumpkin gratin.
After filling my plate, I found my seat and dug into the pile of happiness before me. When I wasn’t too busy taking big bites of stuffing and macaroni, I couldn’t help but observe the guests dining around me. They were full of glee, laughing with friends while snapping pictures and cracking Christmas crackers that were left on the tables. Others had already started off with the dessert which was another sight to behold.
Just looking at the long table full of cookies, cakes and fruit crumbles gave me an instantaneous sugar rush. My dessert dish was divine with a fruity crumble pudding topped with custard, a mince pie and a piece of chocolate yule cake. And, with the last bite, my festive feast was complete… and, to think this was just a taste of what the hotel has to offer throughout the holiday.
The Christmas spirit is alive and well at the sparkly H-shaped hotel that has been adorned in white and gold décor and holiday-inspired floral arrangements.
Aside from a massive festive tree, the Lobby Majlis is currently housing a Magical Christmas Market featuring an assortment of treats including chocolate truffles, fruit cake, mince pie, ginger bread cookies, honey-glazed turkey-to-go and the signature yule log cake. The market will run until January 7 and is open daily from 10am to 9pm.
Guests can indulge in a delicious and delectable Italian-style four-course set menu on Christmas Eve under the stars at Vento from 7pm to 11pm for BD35++.
Or enjoy a merry evening this Thursday at the Bahrain Bay Kitchen from 7pm to 11pm priced at BD30++ inclusive of soft beverages or for BD36++ inclusive of a full beverage package.
The Christmas Eve menu will feature a variety of mouthwatering dishes including five different flavours of marinated salmon, roast turkey complete with festive trimmings of chestnut stuffing, Brussels sprouts and cranberry sauce, tender cuts of roast beef, wild mushroom and truffle risotto, Canadian lobster, French oysters and desserts.
On Friday, as diners tuck into a variety of sumptuous seasonal dishes at Bahrain Bay Kitchen’s charming Christmas Day Brunch from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, carollers will regale them with festive jingles. The hotel’s resident Canadian band will also be on deck to entertain the crowd.
Santa Claus will also be making a special appearance with gifts for children. The brunch is priced at BD30++ inclusive of soft drinks or BD36++ inclusive of a full beverage package. For those that prefer dinner, there will be a festive buffet from 7pm to 11pm priced at BD21++.
The hotel’s other outlets, such as celebrity Chef Wolfgang Puck’s re Asian restaurant and meaty CUT Bar & Lounge also have themed seasonal dinners. This Thursday and Friday, the re Asian will feature an eight-course family-style dinner boasting seafood and meat dishes at BD40++ from 7pm.
Cut will also offer a four-course set dinner on Thursday and Friday for BD40++ and a Christmas Day four-course set brunch menu at BD29++ on Friday and Saturday.
For further details on other venues and dinners, visit https://www.fourseasons.com/bahrain or call 1711 5500.
