Experiencing iftar in the Masaya Pavilion at the Ritz Carlton Hotel
Hotel / Restaurant Review by Tania Rebello
Iftars and ghabgas in Bahrain are often a fascinating experience. Most hotels and restaurants spare no effort to plan the most inviting décor and a wide range of traditional delicacies to create a memorable experience.
The Ritz Carlton Hotel never ceases to impress. Walking through the cobble-stone pathway through the elegant archway of the Masaya Pavilion, you cannot miss the calming sound of the water fountains and the cheerful welcome of the greeters that are beautifully clad in traditional outfits.
As I entered, I was instantly mesmerized by the high ceilings and Bahraini pottery inspired décor with earthy colors and a peaceful ambience. The space was bright, open and smelled fresh.
Elegant flower arrangements adorned the buffet area. I was immediately seated. I noticed the meticulous care with which each table was set up with a fresh plant, two golden flasks filled with tea and gahwa (Arabic coffee) so that you don’t have to keep looking for a server every time you want to sip on tea or gahwa.
There was a little Moroccan tagine pot that contained dates to break the fast. Upon breaking the fast, I was offered fresh juices, so I decided to quench my thirst with watermelon juice.
They also have a counter with traditional Ramadan drinks for self service. I browsed through the buffet spreads. I was amazed that there was something for everyone. There was a whole range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian salads and sushi, bread and soup counter, traditional Ramadan starters like kibbeh, lamb and cheese fatayer, an Italian live-cooking station where pasta and risotto were served, a carving station that had brisket, lamb, chicken, lamb chops and fish.
They also had a Mexican counter with tacos, nachos, salsas and guacamole. There was a vast selection of Arabic food which consisted of grilled meats, prawns and fish and traditional lamb quzi to name a few.
A couple of Indian dishes such as butter chicken and hamour fish biryani were also available. I also spotted Moroccan lamb stew, couscous and koshari. I began my meal with a light and refreshing shrimp salad, some California maki, a lip-smacking chicken taco and cheese fatayer.
The cheese fatayer is addictive and although they were deep-fried, they were light and had the right amount of crunch. Next on my plate were some grilled shrimps, chicken tikka, meat tikka, grilled salmon and lamb chops.
Everything was well seasoned and cooked to perfection. I particularly liked the flavor of the grilled shrimps which seemed to have a hint of fennel. The chicken tikka was well marinated and juicy.
It paired perfectly with green chutney. The meat tikka was surprisingly tender unlike several other places where I have eaten it. The lamb chops were a highlight for me. They were chunky, pink and juicy inside with a well cooked exterior.
I could taste rosemary and pepper that made for perfect Mediterranean flavors. Let us just say that the grilled section was a super hit. After another sip of watermelon juice, I went to try out the lamb quzi that was served with extra fried onion and daqoos on the side.
The sauce and fried onion took the dish to a new level in terms of flavor and texture. The fish biryani looked good so I tried some. The rice was mildly spiced and the hamour paired well with the rice.
The dessert counter is a piece of art in itself with a garden-like décor. There were many traditional items to choose from such as Um Ali, piping hot kunafa, halawet el jibn which is one of my favorite desserts at the Ritz Carlton.
They also had other desserts such as coconut rice pudding with mango puree. The puree paired so well with the coconut rice pudding and the mango flavor was very prominent. I would have liked to see more chocolate-based desserts though the chocolate fountain had a very good quality semi-sweet chocolate with fresh fruits for dipping.
They also served a couple of ice creams with sauces, nuts, chocolate chips as toppings. The meal concluded with a glass of sweet, black tea. By the end of this meal, I was thoroughly satisfied and did not end up feeling heavy or bloated.
That is quite a perk for a hearty Ramadan meal, isn’t it? The space is divided into smoking and non-smoking sections. They also have a private, enclosed area where Ramadan gatherings can be held.
I found this ideal for corporate Ramadan events or even a family get-together. Enjoy ghabga with live performance by a Bahraini singer. Iftar is priced at BD 34 net and ghabga is priced at BD 37 net. Contact the Ritz Carlton for reservations on 17586499.
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