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WHENEVER my British family and friends fly into the kingdom for the first time, they always insist on getting a genuine taste of the Middle East and that normally means a trip to the souq for a Bahraini breakfast or a wander down Shawarma Alley at tea-time.
I like both … but now I’ve got Tuesday at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain marked down as a ‘must visit’ following the launch of Kababna, its ‘fresh off the grill’ theme night.
Executive Chef Iain Joyce and his kitchen team have joined together with Operations Manager Nizar El Lakkis to conjure up some exquisite Arabic cuisine and refreshments with a touch of local artistry to add to its authenticity.
The name tags on the food counters are pepper-grinding pottery pieces made in Ala a’ali and the sensational skewer holders placed on the tables for the freshly-grilled meat, vegetables and mushroom kebabs are a work of art and designed specifically for purpose in Isa Town.
It looks good and tastes even better. Nizar said: “Kababna is where quality and authenticity meet our culinary pride and innovation. The idea behind this new theme night is to go back to our local roots and flavours. I am positive our guests will appreciate every bite.”
The Middle Eastern buffet showcases different types of kebab marinating and the varieties of offer are perfectly-grilled by the chefs in the show kitchen. A fresh twist on well-known and well-loved mezzehs and traditional salads is served both in its original form and with Chef Iain’s special touch.
Diners can then choose the kebabs they wish cooked from a large selection of beef, chicken of hammour slices, or minced masterpieces, placed on iced trays. They can then pick from the display of chili, peppers, aubergines, corn-on-the-cob and mighty mushrooms, as mentioned earlier.
Nizar began his career at Noga Hilton Geneva and moved back to his home country Lebanon, where he joined the pre-opening team of Holiday Inn. He has held a wide range of leadership positions across the globe and in 2002 started his journey with the Mövenpick family in Beirut where he worked for eight years. He’s already made a magnificent impression at the award-winning hotel by the airport too.
Fortunately, he hasn’t forgotten his roots and remembers the Zohourat beverage with nostalgia, an astonishingly refreshing blend of wild flowers, herbs, leaves and fruits that make up the typical drink of Lebanon and Syria.
It makes for an ideal accompaniment to this fare and besides being a tasty, warming, caffeine-free pick-me-up I’m told it also has wonderful health benefits. From soothing a troubled tummy to easing insomnia and calming a troubled mind, herbs have all sorts of healing powers. Drinking herbal tea can also be a great source of vitamins and minerals too.
But, who care, it tastes terrific and deserves its star treatment alongside the stunning displays of food choices.
No doubt, the night will be a massive hit with the local audience and I’m told visitors from across the causeway are already flocking to the dining destination. But expat kebab lovers mustn’t miss out, even if your visitors from Blighty have yet to arrive for their regular Easter break!
Kababna, the latest addition to Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain’s culinary offerings happens every Tuesday starting at 7pm. The live grilling is the key highlight of the evening, with other gastronomic dishes, adding to the generous offer. This flavoursome night is set to be a hit and is priced at BD18 net for the open buffet and freshly-prepared juices and Arabian teas.
See Chef Iain and Operations manager Nizar’s interview with Stan by scanning the QR code or by visiting www.gulfweekly.com or our Facebook page.
