Exclusive on Eat: La Pergola, China Garden and More...
This week we've added a bunch of mouth-wateringly delicious restaurants on eat, from authentic Italian, contemporary Thai, Chinese specialities and some great fusion options! The five star Gulf Hotel Bahrain has long been recognised as a bastion for gastronomy, boasting ten fine-dining eateries and a host of awards to prove their worth.
If you're in the mood for a taste of Asia, try out what we feel is the best peking duck in Bahrain at China Garden, or give Royal Thai's tempting seafood menu a go. La Pergola offers what is potentially the most delizioso Italian on the island, while Fusions lets you test the boundaries of food and art!
La Pergola
The grand dame of Italian cuisine in Bahrain is now on eat; La Pergola at the Gulf Hotel has been pleasing diners for over 30 years, and they just keep coming back for more! The ever-changing menu offers authentic Italian food, featuring a range of traditional choices from all over Italy as well as more contemporary versions of classical dishes. The food is rustic with an emphasis on authentic and regional specialities. Whether you choose a regional dish or one of Chef Enrico Morselli's personal creations, it's going to be delicious! The interior has a touch of Italian history, with classic style murals and elegantly domed ceilings creating a Roman atmosphere without being overpowering. On our last visit we sampled Enrico's sautéed veal escallops in a thyme sauce and were blown away!
Make a reservation at La Pergola
China Garden
This little haven of tranquility presents a nice change from some of the more hectic restaurants in the Gulf Hotel. Surrounded by what amounts to a small tropical jungle complete with scenic wooden bridges and clear rock pools, it really does feel like you've stepped out of Bahrain for the evening. The interior consists of cool, clean decor with a hint of China sprinkled around through the occasional golden lion and colourful dragon, but what ends up being kitsch in most restaurants is actually quite charming at this eatery! The cuisine is a combination of authentic and contemporary oriental styles, offering flavours from distinct Chinese regions, including Cantonese, Szechuan and Peking specialities. And they must be doing something right, having claimed 'Best Chinese Restaurant' in both the FACT and Time Out Restaurant Awards, as well as being rumoured as being Michael Jackson's favourite joint during his time on the island.
Make a reservation at China Garden
Fusions
Now this is definitely one of Bahrain's most interesting restaurants! A melding of Asian and Mediterranean techniques using both Eastern and Western ingredients results in a menu stacked full of creatively original and mouth- wateringly tasty options. Most of the dishes integrate unusual, yet delicious, combinations of texture and flavour. The setting is pretty stunning too; the decor is contemporary, a panoramic view of Bahrain's skyline gives diners plenty of eye candy, while a glass-fronted kitchen let's you enjoy the kitchen magic. We love this restaurant for their consistent ability to create works of art in food form - try the After-Eight frozen mint Oreo mocha mud pie and see for yourself!
Make a reservation at Fusion
Royal Thai
Royal Thai is another one of the Gulf Hotel's little oasis of serenity, situated in an authentic pagoda surrounded by tropical gardens and the turquoise waters of an assortment of rock pools. Once you've stopped admiring the giant oriental pagoda, you'll notice a pleasant mix of traditional and contemporary Thai cuisine on offer! Much of the menu is focused on spectacular seafood dishes, including a variety of lobster, crab, snow fish and hamour, all of which can be cooked in a range of cooking styles and combined with both authentic and modern spice mixes upon request. We usually skip desserts at Asian restaurants, but not at the Royal Thai; check out their mango cheesecake, a sublime union of Western and Asian styles, to end your meal on a high!