Why CUT by Wolfgang Puck is our Best Restaurant Of The Year in Bahrain 2024.

Some would say that, for a small island, Bahrain hits well above its weight in culinary terms. And, with several Michelin-starred chef collaborations, they would not be wrong.

Here in the Kingdom and particularly at FACT, we take our food very seriously indeed – after all, it’s in the DNA of everything we do. We make it our business to know about every new opening of note, as well as numerous others.

From the big names to the small, local operators and even those who are serving exceptional fare from the island’s many food trucks, we visit the ones that impress time and again.

Each year before the Fact Dining Awards, the question of which eatery should take our highest accolade of Best Restaurant Of The Year is a subject that’s debated long and hard.

Other than Chef Of The Year, all our awards feature two winners with the Favourite in each category being decided purely on the basis of public votes, whereas the Best is chosen by our editorial team, with input from our culinary advisors and industry insiders, based on our personal experiences throughout the year.

And we are a hard bunch to impress. Over the 15 years of the Fact Dining Awards, we’ve eaten some seriously good food. So, it’s remarkable that one restaurant, among the multiple excellent offerings, has consistently stood out and, in 2024, CUT by Wolfgang Puck is our Restaurant Of The Year once again.

Yes, it has that elusive ‘star name’ quality. Austrian-American Chef Wolfgang Puck was inducted into the Culinary Hall of Fame in 2013 and is a much-loved and respected industry veteran who even has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame thanks to his long association with the Oscars, catering for the Academy Awards Governors Ball.

Sister CUT restaurants in Beverley Hills, California, and Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, have each been awarded Michelin Stars. And the man himself is a regular visitor to Bahrain – a particular fan of the F1 Grand Prix, for which his parties are legendary.

However, there is so much more to CUT by Wolfgang Puck at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, which has been under the leadership of Brian Becher, Regional Executive Chef – Middle East at Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group and Executive Chef of both CUT and re/ Asian Cuisine, since it opened 10 years ago.

With six years in the Puck empire before he landed on our shores, it is Chef Brian’s dedication to innovation and consistent excellence that make CUT the go-to restaurant of choice for those who demand the absolute best.

With such a pedigree, you would expect the finest cuts of meat – the clue’s in the name and this is the venue for the likes of 40-day, dry-aged Porterhouse and Australian Wagyu Black with a BMS grading of eight to nine, all, of course, cooked to absolute perfection. Not to mention an impressive range of seafood and other options.

But, there’s also the personal touch. Chef Brian is a self-confessed sandwich enthusiast and his Philadelphia Style Cheesesteak with caramelised onions on a Hoagie roll is a dish of legend. A Delaware County native, his cheesesteak has even garnered a mention in The Philadelphia Inquirer!

And, for those who like their fine dining with a local element, you’ll also find a Grilled Chicken Shawarma complete with tahini and sumac – how many Michelin associates can come up with that?

Adding a sense of occasion, the restaurant is accessed through a dramatic staircase from the bar and lounge below. Sleek, modern interiors by acclaimed designer Waldo Fernandez include a vast open kitchen where the culinary masters can be seen at work. Lighting that resembles fireworks cuts through any possible brashness adding a touch of fun. And, though CUT definitely looks the part, it’s safe to say that comfort both in food and style are very much the order of the day with a side of great views over the Manama skyline.

We could wax lyrical at further length about the reasons CUT by Wolfgang Puck is our Best Restaurant Of The Year again in 2024 but, to be honest, the proof of the pudding is, as they say, in the eating. So, we’d urge you to try it for yourself, we think you’ll agree with us.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FAVOURITE?

As explained above, the Favourite Restaurant Of The Year is chosen by public vote or, should we say, a heck of a lot of public votes. This year Salero at The Westin City Centre Bahrain was the deserving winner. Having previously received the accolade in 2022, it’s clear that this Spanish eatery is indeed a favourite with the Kingdom’s diners.

Known for its bright, colourful décor, fun, family-style atmosphere, amazing entertainment, including traditional Spanish guitar and Flamenco performances, and, of course, great food with its paella drawing regular crowds, it’s no surprise that Salero is back in the top spot with our voters.

We definitely agree, it’s one of our absolute favourites.