Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Nearly five years of reviewing the variety of culinary options that Bahrain has to offer can be distilled to one question that I keep trying to answer: When is food just sustenance and how does it become something more?
At the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay’s weekly Friday brunch last week, I was offered a rich and resounding response, and in no less than three parts - variety, quality and unity.
But first, let’s set the scene for this feast for all senses – the Bahrain Bay Kitchen, nestled beside the Bahrain Bay offering both indoor and outdoor seating, presenting the perfect opportunity to enjoy the country’s breezy winters.
For this adventure, we found ourselves seated inside beside the floor-to-ceiling windows, with perfect views of the afternoon’s stars – the mouth-watering food stations, the stunning live performers and the lush gardens set against gentle waves.
Although I have been fortunate to have enjoyed the brunch before, every time we go, there would be a fun and surprising addition to the spread. The sheer variety - both within the brunch and between the weekly offerings - made up the first part of the Four Seasons’ response to my question.
As I chatted with the sous-chef Theofilos Chairopoulos, he highlighted the keystone of this month’s brunch offerings - the fondue station.
With a variety of cheese options including Swiss Gruyère, French Comté, Italian Fontina, and more, I was offered a number of bespoke options to customise the bowl of cheesy goodness that eventually wafted over to our table.
Although the meat and pure cheese options were tempting, we went for the sublime Seafood Fondue, cooked with lobster, shrimp, scallops and salmon, all simmering in a flavourful broth with melted butter and served alongside a selection of pickled vegetables, cured meats and freshly baked bread.
As our table quickly devoured it and ordered another, Chef Theofilos filled me in as to what the brunch will offer next month to mark Valentine’s Day.
“Throughout the month of love, the Bahrain Bay Kitchen will be introducing romantic starters like Oysters Rockefeller and heart-shaped bruschetta, as well as love potion mocktails to go with the theme,” he explained.
Finishing up our appetisers with a selection of ceviche, sushi and Arabic starters courtesy of oriental specialty Chef Tony El Khoury, who is heading the hotel’s newest restaurant Byblos, we dove headfirst into the main course.
While my dining companions enjoyed the exquisite Prime Rib and the delicate Wagyu beef, I chose the crispy Korean chicken and sampled udon noodles from the Asian-inspired section.
And here, the quality of the food was on full display as each bite tangoed with our taste buds, to a symphony of sweet, spice and everything nice.
Paired with our food was a selection of winter-inspired mocktails, which also change regularly to match the theme of the overall buffet.
And finally, with our main stomachs full to the brim, our separate bellies for dessert yearned for a taste of the action, and we began the brave and slow pilgrimage around the sweets.
Executive pastry chef Imad Boukli walked us through some of the special desserts he had created for the buffet, ranging from a too-pretty-to-be-touched chocolate cake, delectable mousse cups, a delightful winter-berry carrot cake, and several fruit-shaped desserts, begging to be cracked open.
As we sipped on our coffees with our stomachs and souls fulfilled, enjoying the live performances, I came to appreciate the unity and harmony that makes each of these brunches happen, as teams from different restaurants come together, not just to feed their guests, but to make each diner’s experience an especially unforgettable one. And they elevate their food into a legendary journey, week after week, every Friday.
The feast takes place every Friday from 1pm to 4pm, with a number of packages - a brunch package inclusive of soft beverages, is priced at BD35, while enjoying the spread with selected beverages costs BD48 per person. There is also an exclusive bubbly package priced at BD65. Children under the age of six can enjoy the brunch with the hotel’s compliments, while those aged six to 12 enjoy 50 percent savings.
For reservations, email diningreservations.bahrain@fourseasons.com or call 17115500.
