The Friday Brunch at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay recently made its return after a long time. Fernanda Langhammer and family discovered that it was definitely worth it the wait!

Travelling to different countries involves exploring local cuisines, trying unexpected combinations and expanding your food knowledge. At Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay Friday Brunch, you can do this simply by heading to the next exciting food station. Authentic and contemporary twists are one step away from each other.

The light entering the space was stunning on our visit; we were lucky enough to be sitting by the window with a view of the outside greenery contrasting with the blue water. And, to my delight, Bahrain Bay Kitchen looked just as I remembered it.

The round columns and golden accents throughout the room excel in grandness, and the food stations are carefully arranged with enough space to spot what you want and move around. Comfortable chairs and tables of the right size to fit all and the food samples complement this impressive space.

One of the things I appreciated most was that all the stations were clearly identified with unique chalk writings, and there were subtle divisions between them. All the Arabic creations were arranged near each other and decorated accordingly and likewise all the East Asian options available in the same area. My exploration strategy followed their floor plan, so if I wanted to explore the Italian delicacies, I would head to the site with pizzas and yummy pastas. A genuine expedition into the world of food.

Talking about the Italian station, I have to highlight the freshly baked pizzas. You won’t find the regular round versions but more rustic looking ones with crispy dough and high-quality toppings in the Pinsa Romana pizza style which is a reinterpretation of an ancient Roman recipe. The smell was as delicious as the soft and yet crunchy dough – I love pizza dough – airy and full of flavour from its natural levitation.

I decided to head to Peru and stopped at the live Ceviche station. As you probably know, ceviche is a refreshing cold dish that brings a twist to raw fish. The two chefs were busy preparing the beautifully presented options available: the seabass marinated in classic Leche de Tigre (made with lime juice, onions, chillies, salt and pepper combined with the fish juices), a traditional option and one with red chilli paste; Nikkei salmon (an encounter between Japan and Peru bringing a tangy taste when adding South American flavours) with tamarind paste, bonito flakes and nori crackers; and shrimp with passion fruit, Ají Amarillo (a popular Peruvian chilli) and crispy banana to add a crunch. The flavours, as expected, were divine, mixing intense juices and textures. It was an exciting live cooking station and probably unique to Four Seasons’ brunch in Bahrain.

Moving to the Levantine region, my favourite part was the Fatteh station. The word fatteh means crumbles and mixes pieces of toasted flatbread, yoghurt, mint, olive oil and chickpeas. You can prepare your own version at the station, adding the ingredients you like the most.

Meat lovers (such as my husband) have so many options that you have to be selective and start with your preferred cuts; otherwise, you won’t eat them all. He loves ribs, so he went for the Barbecue Short Ribs, and the flesh was easily coming off the bones in succulent pieces that he devoured with pleasure. The Slow Roasted Wagyu Rump was one of his other options, and he barely had words to say how soft and well-flavoured the slice of meat was – simply seasoned yet cooked to perfection and bringing out the taste of such a high-quality cut of meat.

My six-year-old was excited about the kids’ corner. All the food is available at their height, which is well thought out; this way, they can see the food and choose their preferred bites independently. From mac and cheese, mini burgers, fries and steamed broccoli to popcorn and doughnuts hung on a funky wall. He went for a plate full of broccoli and popcorn – weird taste buds, I know.

If you are a seafood enthusiast, the selection is vast, with shrimps, lobster, mussels and fresh oysters displayed in a bed of ice and looking very appealing. Sushi, bao buns, dumplings and a wok station complement the Asian spread. And, one of the most impressive areas is where countries such as France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain meet, represented by their impeccable cheeses. My teenage daughter went on a mission to try a small piece of each; what a beautiful plate she had, paired with fruits and nuts.

And what is a brunch without eye-catching desserts? Another worldwide degustation journey with Blonde Chocolate Brownie, Crême Brûlée, Saffron Rice Pudding, Mango & Coconut Torta, Cherry Pavlova, Tiramisu, Cannoli, Japanese Cheesecake, Arabic sweets and a variety of cakes surrounded by mini samples of the delicious creations and more, much more – all beautifully displayed and finely decorated in stunning designs. So difficult to choose! We got a few options and shared them.

Our favourite bites (from our small selection) were the Crême Brûlée, Japanese Cheesecake and Florencia ice cream – the island’s beloved home brand had a parked pushcart near the kids’ corner. But the experience does not end with the food. Refreshing drinks are available near the freshly-cut fruits, and we unanimously approved the passion fruit lemonade that was served in cute little bottles. To complete the memorable experience, live music with Latin and pop tunes and the nice touch of bringing a talented magician to entertain the diners. He came to our table, and we couldn’t believe our eyes and senses with his impressive tricks – he left us, especially my son, speechless.

The Four Seasons gourmet brunch is the perfect choice for those looking for a high-end and wholesome experience – best shared with family and friends. ✤

GO: CALL 1711 5500 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.