THE Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain has always delivered a touch of magic with its legendary Friday brunch experience … and never more so than during this month.
The food and service is consistently superb, never an issue as far as I am concerned, but what I appreciate about this venue is the fact that they are forever dishing up the unexpected to keep customers entertained and coming back for more.
The last time the Szecowka family put it to the test we were ‘yee-hawing’ like crazy cowboys during an American-themed extravaganza and this time we were left spellbound, stunned and completely astonished by acclaimed illusionist Javier Saba.
Javier Saba is a 40-year-old multi-lingual Spanish professional close-up magician of Lebanese descent, now based in Doha and currently conjuring up memorable moments for diners at their tables at the Mövenpick throughout May, performing for guests attending the Thursday Night Out and Friday Brunch.
Just how do these guys do it? I desperately want to catch them out but always fail miserably.
I’m not the only one. We were chatting with the hotel’s operations manager Nizar El Lakkis beforehand who said the visiting entertainer had dazzled staff members and management too shortly after touching down in the kingdom.
There was one trick in particular that had puzzled him beyond belief which involved a dinar note. After choosing a random playing card he had placed the folded bank note in his hand and Javier proceeded to gently warm the bottom of his clenched fist with the heat from a cigarette lighter. Sure enough, the very same card was branded on the note the moment he opened his hand.
So impressed, Nizar has kept it as a prized memento alongside the treasured first dollar notes he ever received as a tip when he joined the hospitality industry.
Now forewarned is forearmed, or so I thought. When Javier tried the same trick on me I clutched my one dinar in a firm grip (my close friends will tell you how difficult I find parting with money) and chose a different card.
No way are you getting one over on me, Mister, game is up, I confidently predicted. Wrong!
I was trumped from the moment smoke started appearing from the top of my hand. When I unclenched my fingers, unfolded the note, there was a burned hole in it and my chosen card was engraved on it for good measure. I’ll treasure the memento too.
How did he do it? The Barcelona fan, who perfected his skills in the taverns of Alicante, is undoubtedly the Messi of magic … from Benidorm to Bahrain.
The dazzling display of sleight-of-hand continued mesmerising the good lady wife, Kathryn, and our 12-year-old son, Stan, who roared with laughter over the array of amazing illusions.
All this excitement made us feel quite hungry.
Kathryn and I started with a selection of seafood and salad as our son tucked into his favourite pasta dish concocted to perfection at one of several live cooking stations.
We then dipped into a magnificent roast dinner. The beef joint tasted as good as it looked although I was torn between red meat and the vast array of fish dishes on offer which are cooked to order. I compromised and had both (cheat day again from the diet).
Little Stan saved room for a pancake alongside other children enjoying the occasion whilst parents set their sights on the sweet dishes.
Kathryn reckons the Mövenpick offers the island’s best desserts and it’s hard to disagree with such a vast choice which included dragon fruit tart, cream cameral and double choc mouse to name but a few.
In between the feast there was additional entertainment with a friendly balloon-maker visiting tables, a brilliant duo who did a touching tribute to late great soul star Ben E King with a rendition of Stand by Me as we walked in, and a henna artist attracting visitors at a side stall.
A truly magical experience enjoyed by all. Don’t miss out on the fun. The brunch costs BD31 inclusive and half price for children aged between six and 12. To book a table, call 17460017.
