LOVE AT FIRST BITE

Somewhere between the East-Asian delicacies, locally sourced ingredients, and a touch of French flair, FACT’s Sara Waddah fell in love…


Making our way into Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa’s latest addition – Maison Sushi – we arrived in time to catch not only golden hour, but also one of the most magnificent sunsets we’ve laid eyes on lately. Climbing up to the second floor, where the new eatery lies, the panoramic windows gave us a full view of the hotel’s luxurious private beach and its adjacent waters.

The light evenly distributed itself over the water as the sun set, leaving behind fleeting shades of yellow, red, and orange as it began to fade away. We were encouraged to dine on a table that was strategically placed in the corner of the restaurant, allowing us to enjoy the closing moments of that incredible sunset before turning our attention to Maison Sushi’s opulent interiors. Because slow and steady wins the race, we started with edamame that was accented with shichimi and sea salt flakes, and arguably the best we’ve had in Bahrain. Meanwhile, Chef Myo Zaw Khine was steadily warming up our palates for the culinary surprises in store.

A sample of the Dynamite Shrimp later, we were more than ready to dive headfirst into the rest of the menu, but in keeping with our surroundings, we sought patience. After all, it’s the Japanese who say, “Victory belongs to those who wait half an hour longer than their opponent.” As we sharpened our chopsticks in anticipation, out came the Signature Sushi Sashimi assortment (presented in a beautiful ice sculpture to boot) and Blow Torched Dynamite Rolls. After spending a few moments gawking at the set-up, we got right into it. Achieving the perfect balance of chewiness, crisp flavours, and soft rice, we were infatuated by the melt-in-your-mouth goodness that was the sushi! Based on the taste, we can practically swear that the fish was freshly caught from the sea – not too fishy and impossibly fresh. Ingredients of this calibre don’t come by every day.

After devouring the signature rolls faster than we’d care to admit, we paused for a breather before the leading attraction: the mains. And that was an experience all on its own. Giving us different options of the type of protein we wanted to indulge in, Chef Myo served us the Hyogo Prefecture Wagyu Yakhi and Negi Tori Teri Kushiyaki, both cooked to perfection and drenched in teriyaki sauce that whipped our tastebuds into a frenzy! Not only was the presentation of the Wagyu set to the highest of standards, but the tenderness of the meat – paired with asparagus and shimeji mushrooms – made this dish the stuff of foodie dreams. And the Negi Tori Teri Kushiyaki, which is actually skewered chicken and leeks, is a close second.

With just the right flavours, spices, and ingredients, nothing overpowered any aspect of the dish, ensuring that it all consistently worked together. Despite our best attempts to not overeat into oblivion, Maison Sushi was not about to let us leave before ending the evening on a sweet note. And boy, were we excited! We were treated to a selection of its very best Mochi Ice Cream and, after making our way through several gourmet flavours, the Vanilla Cheesecake Mochi wins our vote hands down. We’ll be back at Sofitel Bahrain specifically for this one. ✤

Restaurants are expected to re-open when the current restrictions are lifted.

GO: CALL OR WHATSAPP 3888 5789 FOR RESERVATIONS OR MORE INFORMATION.