Memories built around good food is one of the best ways to spend the weekend, as Fernanda Langhammer experienced when she headed to Baharat for a fabulous brunch.

What is the best thing to do on a Friday in Bahrain? Go for a brunch! With many options available, it can be difficult to choose but, for me, they need to have a mix of nice ambience, excellent food and refreshing drinks. Baharat at Le Méridien City Centre Bahrain offers this combo with a great location added to the blend.

It was Friday, and we woke up in brunch mood, so we put on our best weekend frocks and headed to Le Méridien. We left our car with the valet parking (it’s complimentary for those joining the brunch; you just need to get the ticket stamped), and right after crossing through the revolving door, Baharat was on our right. Much to everyone’s delight, a massive dessert display welcomed us into the restaurant – the brunch is well-known for offering one of the most extensive selections of sweets on the island. We had to check them out before going to our table and plan our food intake to leave as much space as possible for them.

We chose one of the tables that mixes sofa and chairs for a comfortable dining experience. The décor is inspired by Middle Eastern elements, such as Moroccan blue tiles covering some of the walls and columns, giving an elegant yet traditional feel. Turkish lamps with their colourful glass mosaic pattern hanging from the ceiling, creating a unique lighting effect, was my favourite touch.

The well-planned food display makes everything easy to reach without a crowded sensation, with a perfect flow from salads and appetisers to warm food and live stations. I started with the Levantine Fattoush salad – it’s always my go-to pick. In my opinion, it is one of the best combinations with cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, iceberg lettuce, fresh herbs and toasted pita bread for the extra crunch, bathed in lemon vinaigrette dressing with a touch of sumac and pomegranate molasses, yum! Refreshing and an excellent way to start the feast. I also went for the classic hummus, moutabel and muhammara to eat with my bread choices. I didn’t even try to resist the Poached Pears Goat Cheese and Potato Harra Salad and got a small portion of each; both options were delicious.

I have to confess that I have a thing or two for fried hot appetisers, so I visited the area where they were displayed and filled my plate with prawns, fish and calamari – all covered in a crunchy batter – I know it is not the healthiest choice, but the satisfaction of bitting into a crispy shell and finding warm meat inside made me forget about any downside.

While exploring the food choices, I met Complex Executive Chef Mohammad Ali, who explained the brunch concept and focus on seafood (perfect for a country on an island). He also mentioned the importance of the live stations, highlighting the two that were my and my dining companions’ favourite aspects of the brunch: the sushi and ceviche counters. The ceviche spot is under the close attention of Peruvian Chef Brayan. With salmon, tuna, prawn and scallop options as a base for the dish, there is an array of accompaniments, such as avocado, mango, corn, coriander and onion. However, the magic relies on the Leche de Tigre, the liquid mixture composed of lemon, ginger, onion, Rocoto chillies, fish stock, celery and ice, all well-blended, resulting in an aromatic juice that ‘cooks’ the raw fish while delivering a delectable taste to it. If you know this dish well, you can make your own combination or let Chef Brayan mix and match the ingredients for an authentic result. One of my dining mates visited the station three times – if you have any questions about whether it is worth trying.

However, if you are not a fan of seafood and still want to enjoy the live stations, there is a Mexican corner with tacos, nachos, guacamole, salsa and all the staples to enjoy this popular cuisine. There is also a pasta counter, where you can choose a red or white sauce and many ingredients to create your own dish. But if you like elevated flavours, the Fois Gras Station must be the right stop for you. This delicacy is beautifully prepared by the chefs and placed on a bed of bread, fruits and raspberry sauce.

There are way too many warm dishes to list, but I will highlight some of them. We tried the Hammour Singari Bahrain Style, which was perfectly cooked and covered with a layer of spices that added character to the fish. The Beef Brisket was tender, with natural juices in every bite, making it a good pick for meat lovers. The Potato Dauphinoise (also known as Potato au Gratin) is a decadent French recipe made with thin slices of potato cooked in cream, topped with cheese and then baked. This comforting dish was the best accompaniment to the brisket for its soft texture and easy-to-pair flavour.

Completely satisfied with our savoury bites, it was time to return to the restaurant entrance to delve into the sweet universe. I love, love, love Sticky Date Pudding and Umm Ali, so they were my first picks, and they did not disappoint. Both were super warm and moist, as expected, with a touch of spices, absolutely perfect. We also tried the Tiramisu, which was light and had the right amount of coffee. I ordered an Americano because there is nothing better for me than a warm cup of coffee and a slice of cake. I chose the Signature of the Brunch, an almond cake with vanilla filling that hit the spot wonderfully. But you also find gateaux, cheesecakes, macarons, cupcakes, a chocolate fountain and much more.

The entertainment included a special performance by the Flamenco duo Salvi and Pabla from The Westin’s restaurant, Salero. An unexpected presentation that amazed all the guests. With happy tummies, we left with a feeling of a well-spent Friday. Fantastic food, lively ambience, beautiful décor, cooling drinks – we will be back! ✤

GO: CALL 1717 1441 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.