TBK eats - Our annual Iftar

The Iconic Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain Bay, venue for our 2021 Iftar

Each year that I have been in Bahrain during Ramadan I have taken my friends for an Iftar buffet. It's one of the Ramadan traditions that are important to partake in! The problem for 2021 was finding somewhere that was offering the buffet during the COV 19 restrictions. Some hotels offered an Iftar delivery in a box, but its not quite the same thing!

Source: https://localbh.com/eat-and-drink/21-great-iftar-deals-in-bahrain-to-get-delivered-for-ramadan-2020/ ( accessed 28.4.2021)

For those of you unfamiliar with the Term Iftar it is:

"A meal taken by Muslims at sundown to break the daily fast during Ramadan"

Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iftar ( accessed 28.4.2021)

I asked around my former colleagues at Bapco and finally uncovered a spreadsheet showing who was offering what:

Initially we opted for Al Areen as they had taken an unusual approach , setting up small tables in the grounds to maintain social distancing. However several people said the food was not good there any more. After much research so we decided to opt for the Four Seasons Hotel in Bahrain Bay. Several former colleagues went there on Christmas day and had a wonderful experience. Once the decision was made I sent the formal invite to my 5 guests:

Corleen, Jake, Joshua, Coco and Miss Andrea.

Then I booked the hotel and arranged pick up and drop off times with Miss A, Myself and Corleen as Chauffeurs! As usual I visited the hotel personally and arranged parking at the Front door as they said they would not be busy, and a nice table on the Balcony. I also got the menu and distributed it to my guests along with the travel and parking arrangements.

The Famous 5- Corleen, Neil, Miss Andrea, Joshua and Coco at the Sofitel Iftar in 2020- before Jake joined Team Neil

As usual organising a social event in Bahrain is fraught with hazards ( which is why I now only do it 3 times a year) as people do not want to confirm in case something better came along. I was therefore very surprised when everyone except Joshua replied immediately. After several chase calls, out of office messages and finding we were blocked on Facebook we gave up on Joshua and invited James, who had complained of being lonely. However he was out for dinner with friends so I invited Patrick's sister, Maria ( Ate Tess). Corleen and Jake got the morning off and came for lunch and then worked all afternoon cleaning and doing my pedicure and manicure. Jake bought his clothes so showered and changed and we collected Coco ( from the right KFC this time!) and arrived early at the Four Seasons at 5.45 pm. We parked outside as agreed and told them to expect 2 more cars.

The British Kabayan with secret squirrel Jake

We then had the mandatory photos on the bench by the Four Seasons sign and went in search of our table. We were in the centre of the balcony with a superb view of the Manama skyline, and across from our seat was the Ramadan cannon at Avenues.

We had a great view of the Manama skyline

As usual there were the last minute hitches, Corleen forgot his dress and had to go home, Ate Tess was still at work at 5 pm in Seef Mall, Miss A forgot which hotel she had to go to and lost the menu etc. Jake, Coco and I took our seats and the helpful staff provided envelopes for our masks, our water and lemon mint and suggested if we order then they would have the food on the table by the time the cannon went off! We ordered and within a few minutes the food started arriving-first the hot and cold starters-Dates and bread, Hummus, Muttabel, Tabbouleh, Vine leaves. Cucumber yogurt, Cheese roll and Kebbeh.

Our starters were put on the table just before the cannon went

Miss A texted to say she could not park outside and was in the car park, coming up in the lift, and with impeccable British timing arrived at 6 pm. The food and refreshments were ready at 6.05 and Corleen and Tess rushed in at 6.10 ( Corleen, late? Never !!!) . Then we heard the cannon fire and we started our marathon Iftar.

The food was excellent and I loved the date, the Hummus, the cucumber yogurt and the cheese roll and Kebbeh. When the attentive suited masked gloved Four Seasons staff asked if they could clear the table only Corleen objected asking for a take out Bag ( Carl would have been so proud!) .

As usual there was animated conversation around the table

Next came the Lentil soup served with a lemon wedge and toasted bread, which tasted amazing and then they delivered the main course. Each dish was plated for 2 people so with 5 guests we had 3 sets of each dish plus all the glasses, plates, masks and Lemon Mint and sparking and still chilled water. I swear I heard the table creak as the staff served the next dishes- Oriental mixed grill, Hamour, Lamb Machboos, Chicken Biryani and spinach cannelloni.

Miss A and Coco compare Tagalog, Spanish and Columbian

Hats off to the kitchen staff behind the scenes- with three set menus to choose from, a full house in the balcony and in the restaurant below ( fully booked until 7 May and we had the last table on the balcony ) every dish was hot, beautifully presented and so tasty- an amazing feat.

The Four Seasons Oriental Mixed Grill

My favorite main course were the Oriental Mixed Grill , the Machboos and the Biryani. I also tasted the Cannelloni but missed out on the Hamour. When they cleared the table more bags mysteriously appeared at Corleen's side and we al proclaimed we were full, in spite of the hotel's advice to leave room for the seriously good desserts that were to follow.

I loved the Um Ali, served hot in a tea cup

The desserts certainly lived up to the billing- 6 Um Ali served hot in a tea cup with saucer and teaspoon ( Chef's - amazing!) which bought back happy memories of when I first arrived in Bahrain and Anis introduced me to this wonderful Arabic dish. We used to spend hours every Friday brunch at all the 5 star hotels debating , and tasting, which was best. For me Bread and Butter pudding from the UK ( just like my mum made) and for Anis, always Um Ali. Well at the Iftar the Um Ali won hands down, not only as best dessert but for the whole meal. Luckily, while I was savoring mine Corleen and Coco were clicking away to bring you, dear reader, the amazing Blog food photos.

Tira Misu and fruit platter

As if the Um Ali was not enough there was also Tira Misu and the healthy part- Fruit platter!

Corleen makes a sharp exit with his bags of leftovers

I just managed to stop Corleen putting several cups of Um Ali in his bag, paid the bill and we left for our fleet of cars . As we left more 3 figure number plate Mercedes cars were drawing up at the door and the hotel prepared for Gabca. We found our Mazda parked next to a Diplomatic Plated Range Rover, and one realised why the Iconic Four Seasons has become one of the top hotels in Bahrain . It is clearly loved by the Royal family, the Diplomatic Corps and men with big fat cigars!

Why the man with the cigar was allowed to sit in the restaurant while people were eating beats me- but as we were leaving we left him to his phone conversation "I am at the Four Seasons in Bahrain ..."

Ate Tess stopped for a photo shoot on the way out!

One again thanks to the Four Seasons for a very special Iftar on the day I became Legal in Bahrain again ( i got a text to say my Flexi visa was ready for collection at the start of the meal) and the day before the Philippines opened its doors to Foreigners with Visas. It was a fitting venue for a last Iftar in Bahrain with my closest friends over the last 11 years in Bahrain.