The Friday brunch scene is one of the most competitive in the kingdom’s hospitality sector and as a keen observer of the culinary scene it’s a pleasure to watch the clever concept being challenged with creativity across the board.

The Le Méridien Bahrain City Centre is the latest to reinvigorate its offering at its Baharat restaurant with endeavours to create ‘the sweetest brunch’ on the island.

When the Szecowka family visited, the room was buzzing with a good crowd from Awali Golf Club celebrating the start of the coming sporting season and a merry band of musicians and teachers from St Christopher’s School in tune and getting set for the new school year.

It was clear from the start(er) that Executive Sous Chef Hany Mostafa was on the case, introducing some of his startling showmanship so popularly delivered in the FURN bistro at the sister Westin Hotel.

Working alongside the chefs in the seafood section, he produced a sensational selection of sushi but the spectacular arrival of oysters amid a cloud of dry ice, like an erupting geyser, received ripples of applause from neighbouring tables.

Eating out has never been so much fun. The presentation was matched only by the terrific taste and this brunch has some superb culinary delights in store, with impressive interaction between diners and chefs that is rarely matched by the competition ... and that’s before we get on to the subject of desserts.

As my son, Stan Jnr, tucked into his favourite pasta and the good lady wife, Kathryn, studied the offerings available at the Asian Station, Chef Habibu dished up the most marvellous Pani Puri, a crispy Indian snack which I believe contains a combination of potato, onion, chickpeas, coriander chutney and other heavenly ingredients.

The culinary journey continued with a delightful duck foie gras with pear and cherry and lip-smacking BBQ ribs, one of the restaurant’s sensational signature dishes.

Small bites and sharing with the family (I’m all heart) meant there was room for a little main course (‘little’ because as you enter the restaurant you can’t ignore the hundreds of desserts on display and you don’t want to miss out).

It was with great restraint that I took a small cut off a glorious glazed duck, a sliver of superb Salmon Coulibiac (fish, mushroom and egg rolled into a perfect pastry) and a slice of slow-cooked beef strip loin.

I ate it all at a gentle pace; brunch is not to be rushed, watching and swaying to the beats and enjoying the musicianship of Columbian duo, Johanna and Adrian.

I felt a drum-roll was in order. It was dessert time. Chocolate brownies, green tea cake, mango mouse, pearl caramel, pistachio entremets, exotic fruit slab … and so much more.

I also went for my firm favourites, a combination of apple pie and sticky toffee pudding, with, of course, a sliver of chocolate sharwma – I jest not!

Children on a neighbouring table shrieked in delight as the ice cream arrived with another masterful display of dry ice delight. What an amazing experience.

Sweet.

The Sweetest Brunch’ at Baharat restaurant takes place every Friday between 12.30pm and 4pm, priced BD30++, including free flow beverages, and BD18++ for the soft brunch. Call 17171000 for more details or visit www.lemeridienbahraincitycentre.com/en/forms/Friday-Brunch