Amal Sarhan discovered that seafood favourite, Waves, at the Crowne Plaza Bahrain, has added a deliciously Asian twist to the menu.

As my dining companion and I walked into Waves, we were instantly greeted by friendly faces who told us about the newly launched Asian seafood concept. Waves has long been known for its excellent fish and seafood menu but now diners can enjoy a rich array of unmatched fresh and flavourful dishes prepared by renowned Asian chefs and inspired by the azure oceans of Asia.

Our server Jomari brought us our first appetiser: delicious Fish Cakes topped with rocket leaves, cherry tomatoes and served on a banana leaf with a side of red curry paste. The breaded cakes had a crunchy coating and were well-cooked with a slight limey taste that cut through the minced fish. The tomatoes and leaves complemented the cutlets with a sweet and peppery taste and the red curry paste added that hint of spice tying the whole dish together. A delicious and ideal starter that whetted our appetites for more.

Then came our next appetiser, the Crispy Calamari, served with Japanese spicy mayo sauce. Now, I am not a big fan of squid, but this dish was irresistible. Basked in tempura flour, turmeric and coriander, and served with crispy baked parmesan on top, the bites packed so much flavour in them that it was hard to save space for the dishes to come. They were fresh, crunchy and not rubbery or hard to chew, and were simply a delight.

The Prawns on Toast came next, and my expectations for this were high since I’ve tried this dish many times in the past. This appetiser was hands-down my favourite of the three, served with a fresh slice of lime, coriander and julienned carrot, with a side of oyster sauce. Squeezing the lime juice over the dish, I took a bite and felt the crunch of the toast, the softness of the prawns and the nuttiness of the sesame seeds it was garnished with, all blend together in my mouth. It was so irresistible I had another serving. I was excited and curious to see what the mains would offer. We started with the Chinese Prawns. This sweet and sour dish harboured well-balanced flavours and was cooked with carrots, onion, spring onion and peppers in a soya and oyster sauce. The prawns were soft and light with that slight bouncy texture and blended exceptionally well with the sauce and vegetables.

Next came Tom Yum Soup, cooked with lemongrass, bay leaves and other Thai herbs. The shrimps tasted like they had just been caught from the sea, their freshness enveloped with a slight kick that was refreshing and not overwhelming. It left a peppery aftertaste in combination with the snappiness of the lemongrass and the sweetness of the bay leaves.

The Malaysian Seafood Stir-Fry with Kam Heong Sauce was then laid on our quite full table. This curry-like dish, which had a mix of seabass, prawn and crab, had an interesting array of Indian and South-Asian-inspired flavours. Cooked with curry leaves, curry powder, shrimp paste, ginger, lemongrass and red chilli, its unique taste added to the variety of impressive flavours the restaurant offered.

Before we could catch our breaths, the Thai Chicken Green Curry arrived with a side of jasmine rice topped with caramelised onions. This classic dish has been a favourite of mine for years, so I was both excited and nervous at the prospect of tasting it. Not only was it scrumptious, but it also exceeded my expectations. The chicken, tender and soaked with the flavours of the sauce, infused with lemongrass, Thai ginger and coconut, blended well with the succulent eggplant, zucchini, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and radish.

The Mixed Grill Seafood Platter made an entrance, with a selection of salmon, seabass, lobster, prawn, mussels and calamari, garnished with fresh salad, roasted cherry tomatoes and baked parmesan. This dish was simply grilled to perfection. An absolute must-try.

Despite barely having any space left in my tummy, I took a bite of the dessert served to us, and boy was I glad I did. The Mango Jelly and Sticky Rice was an unusual dish unlike any dessert I have tasted before. The sticky jasmine rice, topped with the jelly and sesame seeds, had a chewy texture with a slight crunch that complemented the sweetness and tanginess of the jelly. Served alongside it were fresh mango cubes garnished with a honeycomb wafer, which washed over the dish with its fresh and tropical taste. All in all, Waves was a fantastic experience and I wouldn’t be surprised if I found myself there again. ✤

GO: CALL 1753 1122 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.