84 October 2015 www.womanthismonth.com LIFESTYLE | food review The Good Life There’s never a dull day in Bahrain when it comes to having a great meal. Join Ankita Mamgain as she discovers the gourmet offerings of this famous venue. Growing up in middle-class New Delhi, the idea of going to a five-star hotel was reserved for a few very special occasions. I remember how awestruck I used to be as soon as I entered the massive lobby, looking like a Bollywood film set with gigantic crystal chandeliers, fountains with rose petals and air seemingly mpregnated by supreme luxury. But although much anticipated, the experience used to be a tad intimidating with a very evident element of seriousness attached to it. My memory and what I experience today, living on the island, couldn’t be more different. Bahrain’s world-class five-star properties are just as lavish, grand and serious about their operations, but are certainly more accessible with an extremely amiable character. With their gamut of culinary promotions, weekly theme nights, Friday brunches and entertaining events, they attract a large number of islanders. Woman This Month editor Fernanda Langhamer and I thought of having a casual weekend lunch and headed to Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain, an award-winning five-star property, located adjacent to Bahrain International Airport. We had initially planned to rendezvous at Silks restaurant but The Gallery, a sprawling space with high ceilings that lets lots of natural light filter through, seemed perfect for the occasion. Although sitting in The Gallery, we could order from Silks menu and just browsing through it whetted our appetite. The restaurant’s international offering is now more centred on Asian fusion. To begin, we ordered the dim sum basket. Our starter arrived steaming hot in a bamboo basket. The translucent bundles were delightfully fluffy and packed with flavour. For mains, I ordered the seared salmon fillet teriyaki and for Fernanda, the Pad Thai. The beautiful surroundings, fresh watermelon juice and conversation kept us occupied until our main course arrived. The fish was impeccably arranged on the plate, so much so that I didn’t want to disturb it, but the aroma was so irresistible that I dug in instantly. The fillet was cooked to perfection and the shitake mushrooms and crispy ginger rice that accompanied it were absolutely delicious. I am salivating right now as I write about it. The Pad Thai was exactly how it was expected it to be, an ideal medley of flavours and textures that left Fernanda satisfied and feeling great. The crowing glory of this decadent afternoon was the dessert. Mövenpick started out as an ice cream brand, and continues to dish out these delectable scoops of joy. We sampled the caramel, crème brulee and vanilla ice creams and could barely believe how delicious they all were. My ‘modern’ tiramisu came as an artwork of mascarpone crème, coffee, biscuit, chocolate and green sponge cake and left me with a combination of immense bliss and the guilt of having missed the gym that day. Situated on the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf, this is a perfect spot to catch a delicious break in the city. Drop in for the famous Thursday Night Out or a leisurely lunch and sample Mövenpick’s unique brand of hospitality.
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