Bahrain Confidential - September 2015 Issue

Online edition at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com

153 Issue

CURE FOR OBESITY REVEALED! NOW INCLUDES BAHRAIN 101

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Publisher & Editor-in-Chief: Nick Cooksey Editorial: Melissa Nazareth Jenny Ann Thomas Layout and Design: Mohamed Nada Contributors David Hollywood John Ridley Maria Sorger Angela McDonough Rita Moussallem Nadine Compton Craig Heslop Thomas M Tholoor Sales Coordinator & Account Manager Smily Andrews Events Coordinator Mark Garcia Photographer Shareef Panhatt Enosh Kumar Admin & Finance Nikesh Pola Distribution Mohammed Yousif

Editor’s

Letter The summer holidays are officially over! Though many of us are back to the grind, odds are we’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms and here’s what we have to say about that – all play and no work makes Jack a dull boy!

While you were away, we were Bahrain bound and nose deep, trying to get this lovely little issue out on time. You may have noticed that we’re smaller and thinner than usual this month! And that’s just one of the many changes we’re on our way to implementing – like they say, change is good. That said, we will still have all your favourite sections, and even more of entertaining and inspiring stories from Bahrain and around.

slowly heading out of summer. Turn to Pg 22 for luxury time pieces for him and her. Our beauty and wellness section offers an overview of the latest trends that are taking the medical industry by storm (Pg 48).

For entertainment, we’ve gone international with an exclusive DJ interview (Pg 76)! Adventure sports junkies will be happy to read all about a centuries old tradition that’s got cliff divers’ adrenaline pumping.

Turn to Pg 96 for our REVISED, BRAND NEW LISTINGS – plus our take on the best brunches in Bahrain and ladies nightouts.

Until we meet again, stay blessed!

Our fashion pages this month feature a series of chic autumn/winter previews (Pg 28), now that we’re

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EAT! PLAY! LOVE!

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CURE FOR OBESITY REVEALED!

Look, feel & be fabulous!

Destinations to Suit Everyone DELICIOUS HOME COOKING

GET DIRTY & GET OUT!

Guide to Arabian life, luxury and fashion!

Guide to Arabian life, luxury and fashion!

Guide to Arabian life, luxury and fashion!

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All Rights Reserved. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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Bahrain Confidential

Bahrain Confidential TV *

Winner of BizAwards 2013’s Most Inspirational Company of the Year.

Visit: www.Bahrain-Confidential.com

Tod’s Boutique • Manama: Moda Mall - World Trade Centre - City Centre Bahrain - Saks Fifth Avenue

Contents SEPTEMBER 2015 • ISSUE 153 Online edition at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com

BEAUTY, HEALTH & WELL BEING 42 Beauty Buzz 48 Health: The Latest Updates

22

CARS 66 The Future of Piloted Driving GASTRO & NIGHTLIFE 70 Brunches in Bahrain 74 Ladies Nights in Bahrain ESSENTIAL LISTINGS Recommended Restaurants, 96 Nightspots, Essential Info, Beauty Spots and Spas, Sports and Fitness Clubs and Associations.

POEM 20 Invest in Friends by David Hollywood

COLUMNS of a Trailing Spouse by 58 Stories Maria Sorger 52 Guide to Child Fitness by Craig Heslop JUICY PICKINGS 12 Made In Bahrain 22 Sheer Luxury: Watches & Pens

12

FEATURES 76 Interview with DJ Dosem FASHION 28 Lorenz Bach 32 Pal Zileri 35 Tod’s 36 Dune 38 Aldo

30

52

IT’S THE TIME FOR GIFTING! CELEBRATE EID AT W O J O O H

IN THE SPIRIT OF GIFTING, RECEIVE A COLORFUL CROSS-BODY BAG WITH ANY QUALIFYING PURCHASE. O F F E R V A L I D F R O M S E P T E M B E R 1 5 TH – 3 0 TH.

www.wojooh.com @WojoohBeauty

readers’ letters

Bahrain’s Entertainment Milestone I saw your Instagram image of Novo Cinemas’ IMAX. My husband and I are ecstatic we have one in Bahrain now. Most people I met are complaining about how the tickets are really expensive but I suppose there are a few movies that are totally worth watching on these screens - my husband’s a huge fan of sci-fi and we loved MI Rogue Nation!

Rhonda Dear Rhonda, we’re as ecstatic and believe this is a milestone for Bahrain’s entertainment industry. And thanks for following us on Instagram @confidentialBAH

Made in Bahrain!

That was a really nice local series on souqs, in your last issue! Everyone complains that there’s hardly anything to see in Bahrain which I believe isn’t true. I’ve been a resident of the island for the past 30 years and seen it grow and evolve

Tell us what you think, email us on info@arabianmagazines.com

6 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

so radically. Look forward to seeing more cultural gems on your glossy pages.

Greg Dear Greg, thank you for that comment and if you know anyone/thing that we could feature as part of our local series, send them our way, will you?

Coffee with Confidential My husband just moved to Bahrain on a project and so I’m quite new to the place. I saw you guys at a coffee shop and must say you’re an awesome magazine (I sneakily took you home!).

There aren’t any public libraries here, are there?

Guess no one reads much in Bahrain? Anyway, is there a chance I can receive copies of your magazine every month?

Leah Ahmed Dear Leah, we’re flattered! Yes, getting people to read in this part of the world is a big challenge but I guess we’re doing well 

You’ll be happy to know that we go out with the Gulf Daily News, so, if you subscribe to the newspaper you will receive your copy of Bahrain Confidential each month. We’re also digital – bahrain-confidential.com and reckon you follow our social media pages too (details at the end of this page).

Summer Festival 2015 Why is it so quiet this summer? Well, it’s summer, yeah but then so many of us are Bahrain-bound. I would like to think there is something going on for us poor souls here! I remember the Bahrain Summer Festival used to be such a happening event every year; but this year, I hardly saw a few bill boards – no much hype. Is everything okay?

Christian Baylosis Dear Christian, we’re still wondering, so, if you find out, please do let us know! That said, September is here so we can expect things to finally pick up – our fingers are crossed!

Do you love Bahrain Confidential? Now you can share your favourite photos/videos with us and our readers on @confidentialBAH @confidentialBAH Bahrain Confidential For interesting stories and daily updates visit bahrain-confidential.com

events

NOT TO BE

MISSED

01

MONTE CARLO PARTY FT. LOST FREQUENCIES

In partnership with Jimmy’z nightclub in Monte Carlo, Bushido is set to entertain you for a night of fun and music. Now, if that hasn’t convinced you, then this totally should: Lost Frequencies (you know their hit song, ‘Are You With Me’) will be there performing just for you!

When: 25th September Time: 10pm until late Dress Code: Dress to impress Price: BD10 (free entry for guests before 10pm)

For more events, brunches, parties & ladies’ nights turn to pages 96 - 104

02

TIVOLI POOL PARTY

Let’s pool it out before the summer ends.

The Tivoli Pool Party is the next most happening event. Coral Bay teams up with Motor City to throw one big super cool pool party especially with the return of one of the region’s best DJ, DJ Jojo. Enjoy the launch of the all-new SsangYong, while grooving to some amazing music.

When: 4th September Where: Coral Bay Time: 1pm till sunset Price: Tickets are available at the door only. BD15 per person.

VIP Table Reservations are available. For more information, contact +973 1758 3555.

04

For more information, call +973 1731 2700 Or visit, www.coral-bay.net

CREATE BAHRAIN

If you are looking for an evening of creativity and passion, then Create Bahrain’s film screening is where you need to be. Create Bahrain is an original project by JEO Productions that helps support artists in so many ways! This will be a series of short videos that showcases a number of talented artists who are ready for the next step.

When: 10th September Where: Malja, Amwaj Doors open at 7pm.

GULF HEALTH CARE SUMMIT 2015

The Annual Gulf Health Care Summit 2015 will be held under the Patronage of His Excellency Sadiq Abdulkarim Al Shehabi, Honourable Minister of Health. The summit includes a two-day conference with international speakers plus an additional day that will feature six parallel workshops. This summit is the first event of its kind to be held in the Kingdom. This is the perfect opportunity to bring together international experts who have played a vital role in designing initiatives and programmes for Health Care Quality Improvement.

When: 29th September- 1st October Where: Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel For more information, call Tel. +973 1736 5044 Or visit www.gulfhealthcaresummit.com

8 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

events

NOT TO BE

MISSED

For more events, brunches, parties & ladies’ nights turn to pages 96 - 104

THE OFFICIAL DGR 2015- THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN’S RIDE

05

Here is news for all the bike fanatics. Bahrain is going to join the 2015 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride.

More than 30,000 smartly dressed gentlefolk in over 400 cities will straddle the saddles of their café racers, bobbers, scramblers and other custom motorcycles to raise awareness and help fund the cure for prostate cancer.

In grand style, dapper gents and elegant ladies shall ride their steeds throughout their communities whilst raising awareness for men’s health.

e

When: 27th September For registration and more information, visit www.gentlemansride.com

MALJA CALL OUT EXHIBITION LAUNCH

Calling out artists from all over the region! This is your chance to have your work showcased at Malja. The exhibition will feature a variety of work from over 30 different artists, each with their own distinctive style.

When: The launch is set for 5th September and will run until 31st October.

Time: 7pm-9pm For more information, follow Malja on Twitter and Instagram- @MaljaBahrain Or visit: www.maljabahrain.com 10 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

TRIB FEST

The biggest autumn festival is back! Trib Fest is an open-air family friendly music festival. Made of 12 tribute acts from the United Kingdom. Are you ready to jump up and be wow-ed with 12 hours of music?

When: 9th October Where: Bahrain Rugby Club Time: 10am-10am

CITY CENTRE BAHRAIN • SEEF MALL • THE CENTRE - AL ALAWI • SEEF MALL MUHARRAQ

local

MADE IN BAHRAIN Celebrate the island’s cultural spirit with our monthly local series.

Photography by Enosh Kumar

12 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

local

Dhows are two-masted sailing boats that were used mainly in the Middle East for trading goods and fishing activities.

Typically, they weighed three to five hundred tonnes and had a slender hull design. Dhow ships are still used in many countries around the world.

Bahrain Confidential September 13

A modern, motorised fishing boat over at the Financial Harbour & Inset: A worker docking-in

Fishing in Bahrain

local Each morning, local and expatriate fishermen bring their catch to Bahrain’s Central Fish Market. The entire process begins very early in the morning, starting around 3am. Head here on a weekend or even a weekday to buy some of the freshest seafood on the island.

The Central Market

The fruit & vegetable, fish, and meat markets in Manama make up one of the older bazaars in the Kingdom. A number of wholesale companies source fresh fruits and vegetables from countries including India, Pakistan and Jordan which are then sold here. There are a couple of small time cafes too in this space where vendors and workers can eat affordable but delicious breakfast and lunch.

GET FEATURED!

Want your photographs featured in the magazine? Send your best shots of all things culture and tradition in Bahrain to editorial1@arabianmagazines.com and our editorial team will consider.

14 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

profile

The Bold & the Beautiful Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen, CEO of NOVO Cinemas talks about being a movie buff, work life balance and Bahrain’s entertainment industry.

On Working in the Entertainment Industry:

I love everything about it. It's non-stop energy 24/7. You have to be totally passionate about people and make sure they always have the greatest experience possible, and that’s what I and my NOVO team are dedicated to delivering.

On Being a Movie Buff:

My favourite genres are thriller, romance, comedy and action. Unfortunately, I’m not good with horror. I love old classics too, with Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, as well as Bollywood movies. There are so many great films due to release this year, the most awaited being the James Bond starrer, Spectre – I can’t wait for that one!

On Work Life Balance:

The topic of work life balance always makes me smile. It’s not a myth as most think and it’s not something unique that I do as a woman. There are so many amazing working women all over the world who balance professional and personal life. One lady I find truly inspiring and have had the great privilege of working with in the past on the Bahrain International Garden Show is Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. HRH is really an inspiration to all Bahraini women and works tirelessly to help other women succeed.

Favourite Advice:

Throughout my career, I have been lucky to have had amazing mentors including my beloved grandfather who taught me to treat everyone with respect no matter who they are.

We all spend a considerable portion of our days working to fulfil the demands of our jobs, so, I believe you have to love what you do, and be passionate and committed.

In the GCC in general, and Bahrain in particular, there is an insistence on the best - patrons demand the highest level of service and latest technology – and hence an opportunity for entertainment providers to raise the bar. In our discussions with investors and property developers, we see an eagerness to be at par with and even surpass the international market. For example, the level of luxury being developed for the GCC cinema audience goes beyond anything you would find readily available in Europe or the US – like our 7-star experience, which was recently introduced in Bahrain and our IMAX theatre, the first in the country, which offers the world's most immersive big-screen experience. As a first-class venue, we're also offering both, the private and public sectors the opportunity to take advantage of our cutting edge facilities to host unique events.

16 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Debbie Stanford-Kristiansen

On Bahrain’s Entertainment Industry:

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talent

Each month, we bring you one ordinary reader who wows you with his/her extraordinary talent. This month we put...

Baraa Abdulla

In The Spotlight Baraa Abdulla is a popular name among English stand-up enthusiasts. A TV news presenter by day and emcee as well, this full time father and husband first debuted in 2008 as an opening act for the famous and critically acclaimed Axis of Evil comedy.

He has hosted numerous regional and local shows too including Bahrain’s beloved IGN Convention.

Worst part about being paid to talk: Being paid not to shut up!

Do you talk too much at home?

Not really. My wife and kids do it for me. I listen.

3 favourite Japanese words: Sushi, Anime, Aisai

Funniest news reading episode:

When certain words get switched with other words, changing the entire story. What words you ask? I’ll leave it to your imagination!

Craziest thing that’s gone into your mouth:

Once upon a time, when my son was 6 months old, he drank more milk than he could handle. I held him up… and again, I’ll leave this to your imagination!

Bahrain’s sense of humour is…

Creative and will manage to bring out your six packs if you get to understand it.

Do you enjoy manga? Any favourite characters?

Yes I do. I like Tenchi Muyo and Cowboy Bebop.

I’ve managed to share the stage with my favourite local and regional comedians, and now would love to do a gig alongside Gabriel Iglesias.

I also would've loved to share it with the late George Carlin.

Will you still be funny when you’re 50?

Maybe funnier!

You can drop Baraa Abdulla a line on baraaabdulla@gmail.com 18 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Image Credit: Baraa Abdulla

You’d like to share the stage with this comedian…

Your Satisfaction, Our Pride!

poem Commercial enclaves forge their thoughts, When feelings my transactions bought, Directs the lust their greed has sought, In fear! In case my monies nought.

--------These friends surround my needs when taught, My company has always brought, To them a profit formed and wrought, By me who feels their bonds support.

--------Their loyal selfishness has fought, To purchase what my riches ought, From pacts that make my monies taut, And fear my exploits earn them naught.

--------So when they find themselves distraught, It is because I made them fraught.

INVEST IN

FRIENDS

- YOU’RE CAUGHT WHEN BOUGHT! David Hollywood wonders, ‘How many of our friends are real? Did you ever like the company of someone because of the advantages they can bring you? Did you ever sell yourself? Big questions and probably not many honest answers!’

--------With friendship that my treasures caught.

Davi

d H o l ly w o o d

Image Credits: David Goehring

Share your feedback with David via email: thewineappreciationsociety@gmail.com or call, Tel. +973 3920 7624

20 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Arabia’s most intelligent magazine...

The multi-award winning Arabian magazine

WORK for PLAY see page 35

The Arabian Review

BOGUS DEGREES

Can you trust your employees qualifications?

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DEGREES BOGUS

www.Gulf-Insider.com www.Gulf-Insider.com

Can you trust your employees qualifications?

ypoC yratnemilpmoC

Bahrain BD2

Complimentary Copy

+ Review of 10 best apps to be organized and save time!

Issue 127

Tel: +973 17 00 4575

!emit evas dna dezinagro eb ot sppa tseb 01 fo weiveR

www.gulf-insider.com

+

Gulf Insider is the multi award winning Arabian business and current affairs magazine that also covers property and expat news, interviews, car reviews, travel features, even a bit of art and fashion.

sheer luxury

DIAMOND FLOWER AMYTIS Available at Asia Jewellers For more information, call Tel. +973 17535344

22 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

PERRELET’s Diamond Flower Amytis is a collection designed ‘by women for women’. It embodies all the mastery of watchmaking along with an artistic flair for feminine aesthetic details.

The collection is equipped with a movement automatically wound via an oscillating weight, the Double Rotor P-181-H, patented by PERRELET. It observes two rotors: one on the dial side, and the other on the movement side. Their perfectly synchronised coordination drives the barrel and ensures more efficient winding. This fascinating mechanism celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, since its development by the brand engineers in 1995.

The three models present in this collection features a stainless steel 36.5 mm-diameter stainless steel case fitted with a see-through sapphire crystal case back. The elegant Roman numerals converges towards the center making this collection an ultimate touch of character and originality,

A perfect BLEND of

CREATIVITY

For design requirements

Call 1700 4575

sheer luxury

FOR THE PLEASURE OF WRITING

Founded in 1982 by Mario Esposito and Antonio Esposito, Marlen is an Italian company specialised in luxury artisan writing instruments. The writing jewels are crafted and created in a small village near Caserta in a traditional manner highlighting Italian creativity.

These exclusive pens represent a niche market of unique and high-quality handmade limited edition collections.

Successfully developing their distinct ideas, together with their professional manufacturing, Marlen presents to you these fantastic pens. More than twenty years of innovative designs have reflected the cultural, historical, technological and artistic movements of the yesteryear and today.

The determination of Marlen’s artisan craftsmen is what led the brand

to translate art into quality with a dedication towards celebrating new designs of reason and logic.

From Harrods’s at London to the prominent luxury retailers in Rome, New York, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Australia and China, the brand is being endorsed exclusively for their intricate design and quality.

*Marlen is available exclusively at The Watch Boutique.

For more information, call Tel. +973 1753 0329.

24 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

ENJOY SUMMER AT AL MANZIL HOTEL BAHRAIN

international standards, local hospitality +973 17 813 366

sales@almanzilhotelbh.com www.almanzilhotelbh.com www.facebook.com/almanzilhotel

www.twitter.com/almanzilhotel

Al MAnzil Hotel BAHrAin www.instagram.com/almanzilhotel

sheer luxury

TODAY, TOMORROW & FOREVER Suzanne Kalan, Founder & Designer of the Kalan jewellery line designs these timeless creations for women.

Available at suzannekalan.com 26 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

sheer luxury

T TI IM ME EL PI ES EC S ES

THE BENTLEY BO6S For Him

THE TISSOT LADY For Her

THE 42 BENTLEY GT3-R INSPIRED BREITLING For Him

*Prices on request.

Available at luxury stores across Bahrain

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 27

fashion

STRONG BASICS AND ELEGANT FRESH LINES

Parka with fur beige: BD635.8 Beige sweater: BD134 Cashmere Skirt dark blue: BD248.9 28 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

fashion

LORENZ BACH AW Collection The Lorenz Bach Collection has one simple aim- to provide the customer with the finest for their daily endeavors. This can be seen in each of the designs. They are personalised, empowering and modern, thus celebrating the Gstaad way of life.

Cashmere Trench in grey/dark blue: Cashmere sweater:

BD995.9 BD134 Bahrain Confidential September 2015 29

fashion

Blazer without sleeves: Pants: Cashmere and Silk sweater:

BD226 BD130.2 BD137.9

30 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

For more information, email: sales@lorenzbach.ch

THE MAKEOVER

BACK! IS

FLAWLESS SMILE

LUSCIOUS LOCKS SEXY POUT

SUN-KISSED CHEEKS Before

After

We offer: Skin treatments, hair treatments and styling, non surgical cosmetic treatments, fitness advice and MORE. Drop us a line on info@arabianmagazines.com with your name and contact details, telling us what you want to do in this makeover.

Win day-off

a with Bahrain Confidential Many work selflessly toward making Bahrain, beautiful. It’s time to give these unsung heroes a well-deserved time-out!

relaxing spa treatments

fine dining at the island’s 5-stars luxury car drive

& MORE!

Know of somebody we can pamper? Send us your vote on info@arabianmagazines.com, telling us why.

International In Outlook, Italian In Tradition

fashion

32 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

fashion

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 33

fashion

PAL ZILERI AW 2015 Collection We give you a special preview of PAL ZILERI’s new collection right in time for the handsome men to pick their classy winter outfits. This collection is an innovative take on sartorial standards with contemporary techniques, executed with class by Italian craftsmen.

Available at Mall of Emirates and Dubai Mall. For more info and online shopping, visit palzileri.com

34 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

fashion

BD670 BD710

BD790

BD1,500

SADDLERY-MEET-SPORTY

TOD’S WOMEN’S COLLECTION AUTUMN/WINTER 2015-16 Made In Italy, the luxury brand, TOD’s has extended the saddler combined with sporty look to the rest of the collection. Talk about innovation of contemporary design.

BD650

BD1500 BD790

*All prices are approximate.

Available at MODA Mall.

For more information, call Tel. +973 17131090

BD650

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 35

fashion

DUNE

Autumn/Winter 2015

Reinvention is what this season is focused on with influences from modern icon along with textures and icons that are revitalised to look rich and luxurious.

BD41

BD46 BD46

BD36

BD26

BD46

BD41 BD41 BD41 Available at City Centre Bahrain- +973 1668 6215 & Seef Mall - +973 1668 6225 36 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

fashion

BD160/each BD150/each

BD175/each

BD175/each

THE MODERN MAN’S LIFESTYLE TOD’S MEN’S COLLECTION AUTUMN/WINTER 2015-16 To create new, contemporary luxury aesthetic. TOD’s Men’s Collection this season brings to the table a combination of formals along with sportiness. Their style is set to become a timeless classic of the future.

BD150

BD175 BD175

*All prices are approximate. The prices shown are the starting range of the collection.

Available at MODA Mall.

For more information, call Tel. +973 17131090 Bahrain Confidential September 2015 37

fashion

THE STANDOUT WITH ALDO

You know what they say, there is nothing so masterly as the man who can shake things up with footwear perfect for any occasion.

Aldo men’s shoes price range is from BD30 to BD58.

Available at City Centre Bahrain- +973 1668 6202 & Seef Mall- +973 1668 6236

38 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Areej

BAHRAIN

home furnishing

BD595

The Unexpectedness Of Comfort

The key to any effective layout of a house is balance. Placing a rug that runs through your corridor helps bring out the story and look of the area. Marina Home Interiors stands out with their niche collection of rugs that will leave your home like the Real Deal.

BD595 BD420

BD250

BD195 40 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

*Certain prices are available on request.

Available at Seef Mall. For more information, call +973 1758 2752

home furnishing

BD595

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 41

beauty

BD55.25

1 LANCÔME, ADVANCED GÉNIFIQUE

Lancôme has always been good at building a strong relationship with women. The Advanced Génifique was a step further. Some people call it ‘The Little Black Bottle’. It is a radiance treatment that reveals a woman’s aura. Offering a complete action on the characteristic signs of youth, this serum helps being radiance and luminosity to women of all ethic backgrounds.

42 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

beauty JUNAID PERFUMES, TAARIIKH ROSE OIL

BD20

Taariikh Rose Oil has a magnificent aura mainly because of the lovely bouquet of the soft floral note opening of violets, jasmines and roses. This scent is completed with an intense note of musk. Decorated in an ebony glass bottle, this bottle has an encrusted flower top to describe the scent better.

JUNAID PERFUMES, BADIAH GOLD

2

An enticing combination of notes is what Badiah Gold Oil is all about. It has sweet fruity blends with fragrant rose and a subtle note of Arabian Oud. The look and feel of the perfume is enhanced with the intricate detailing of the Badiah bottle.

MAKE UP FOR EVER, ARTIST PLEXI GLOSS

The Artist Plexi Gloss is the new intense and non-running lip lacquer range that comes in pretty sophisticated shades.

One stroke with the gloss that features ‘gloss reservoir’, this will collect the perfect amount of lip-gloss to make a smooth texture and a glossy colour.

6 BD9.5

BD12

3

4 BD25.16

BOBBI BROWN, EXTRA ILLUMINATING MOISTURE BALM

A new introduction by Bobbi Brown is the skin boosting balm called the Extra Illuminating Moisture Balm. It illuminates the skin from the inside out and reenergizes it with long-term benefits. The skin looks instantly fresh with the unique combination of skin-illuminating pearls.

Just a little makes a huge difference.

5 CLARINS MEN ANTI-FATIGUE EYE SERUM AND REVITALIZING GEL

Clarins had launched an energizing skin care duo, Clarins Men Anti-Fatigue Eye Serum and Revitalizing Gel, which slows down and helps fight the first visible signs of ageing. They call it the ‘Energy Drink’ for the men’s skin.

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 43

interview

Bahrain Confidential interviews Barbara Baronchelli, the new Spa & Recreation Manager at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain’s

Rimal Spa

Barbara Baronchelli

What got you interested in the spa business?

My uncle had a salon back home in Italy, and as a child, I spent a lot of time there. I have quite a bit of experience in salon treatments like blow drying, massages and facials to name a few.

Massages! When did you get your first?

Well, I was really young; I guess 12 or 13 years old.

Wow! Okay, so you were saying…

I simply love the idea of catering to people. In this business, you have to ask questions like ‘how can we create a unique experience for our guests, emotionally, mentally and spiritually?’ or ‘what is the positive energy we’re giving them?’ which I enjoy.

What formal training did you receive to be a spa manager?

I got my degree in beauty and management, and physical school. I am a qualified therapist with extensive experience in massages, beauty, facials and body treatments. Formal training teaches you the protocol of running a spa including creating the right product accompanied by intelligent promotion and impeccable service, and being sensitive to guests’ needs. For instance, what treatments will work best for them based on their skin type and preferences.

44 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

It’s important to forge a relationship with your guests and gradually win their trust.

What do your Italian roots bring to your role?

The passion of beauty and wellness, fashion, and elegance.

Having worked in so many different countries over the past 8 years, in what way do you find Bahrain different?

I’ve worked in Australia, Europe and other Middle Eastern countries before coming to Bahrain. The culture in the west is more open when compared to this part of the world and we respect that.

Many spas don’t recommend facials and massages for children. What are your views on this?

It’s okay to have a facial when you’re around 10 or 12 years old. In fact, this is time your skin needs it thanks to all the issues it faces right from pimples to acne. There are spas that also offer manicures and pedicures for kids. Obviously the procedures followed are basic like just soaking hands and feet in water, gently massaging and using child-friendly nail polish.

One of the

luxurious tr

eatment ro

oms at Rim

al Spa

Do you have any favourite treatments at Rimal Spa?

All our treatments use products exclusive to our spa and we personalise the service right up to the guests’ choice of music. My favourites at Rimal Spa are the hammam which purifies and detoxifies your body, and the CACI machine non surgical treatment to correct wrinkles and lines and slim and firm your body.

What do you love about Mövenpick and Bahrain in general?

We are a Swiss brand and it's in our nature to focus on quality in every detail. Our brand promise-Natural Enjoyment- vows to make the lives of our guests easier. For this, we always think of ways to get things done for the guests swiftly and efficiently.

To book a treatment at Rimal Spa, call Tel. +973 1746 0052

opinion

46 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

opinion

MEDITATION SHARPENS AND PURIFIES THE INTELLECT MIND AND SANSKARAS

The soul operates through three subtle faculties. One of these is the mind. Thinking is an act of the soul. It takes the form of desires, emotions, unspoken words, visualization on the “screen” of the mind, etc. The mind is fed by stimuli that come from the external world via the sense organs of touch, sight, hearing, smell and taste. Stimuli also reach the mind from the subconscious, which is also called the sanskaras (memories, instincts, habits, and the impressions on the soul from past actions). The soul’s mind is constantly active, creating thoughts. It is the nature of the soul to think.

There are four types of thoughts: Positive, negative, waste and ordinary or neutral. Meditation is a disciplined process designed to inspire the mind to produce positive thoughts.

Thoughts that refer to day-to-day tasks like “I have to buy sugar today” do not require moral evolution. Such ordinary thoughts move into the categories of negative or waste. A powerful thought has more energy and is more likely to lead to an action than a weak thought, which has less energy and may remain just a thought. If the positive thoughts are weak, they will not have enough energy to transform themselves into positive actions. A weak positive thought may degenerate into a weak negative thought or even a strong negative thought. If negative thoughts have strong energy they will transform themselves into negative actions; if unproductive thoughts have strong energy, they will become actions. The more often a thought is repeated internally with conviction and faith, the more it gains energy and is more likely it is to become an action.

THE INTELLECT (BUDDHI)

The buddhi or intellect is the faculty of the soul which judges thought and determines its quality, ethical purity, truthfulness, accuracy, correctness or incorrectness. The intellect also functions as the conscience. It determines whether the thought should or should not become an action. There is no inner conflict when the faculties of mind and intellect are pure and strong and they co-operate and support each other. If the intellect is weak and the mind is fragmented, then the energy of the soul will generate many unproductive and negative thoughts, which the intellect will be powerless to restrain or prevent from coming into action. The intellect or buddhi is the most important faculty of human consciousness for bringing about change. Your sense of identity depends on the power and refinement of the intellect. This determines the capacity and quality of the intellectual processes. If the intellect is pure, you will quickly and clearly distinguish truth from falsehood, and what is real from unreal. If the intellect is polluted, then you are likely to make choices that are incorrect, dishonest or illogical.

is easy to sow the seeds of self-doubt in someone who has a vague intellect. A body-conscious but intelligent person with a polluted intellect can succeed in manipulative action or intrigue because they have recognized that almost everyone has a vague intellect and is therefore easy to confuse.

Meditation purifies the intellect and can give you the clarity to discern what is going on as well as the power to refrain from participating in such dysfunctional interaction. The process of purifying and sharpening the intellect is also a process of selfawakening that strengthens your conscience. To be awake means to realize, and to be strong means to act according to your realization. One the effects of meditation are to evoke realizations. We use the expression “he doesn’t know what he is doing”, or “she doesn’t realize what she is doing” for someone who is acting in an immoral or amoral way. Being aware and conscious of the implications and consequences of your actions is the best deterrent against acting improperly.

The small quiet voice of conscience brings realization. In meditation, sit quietly and focus your thoughts within. In that state, the sound of the voice of conscience is perceptible. The voice is not muffled by material preoccupations and concern for public image and appearance. You are not distracted by activities, noise, scattered thoughts, mental chatter and all the things which keep I, the soul, from contact with my true self. You can listen within.

MEDITATION PRACTICE

“I allow the body to sit quietly, I become aware of the many different energies that make up life As the body sits quietly, I am aware of the physical the biological energies of this valuable instrument of mine. For a little while, I would like to turn my attention away from my physical energies and focus my energies inwards. Consciously, I allow this physical instrument of mine to let go of the tension in the muscles, my feet, my legs, my back, my arms, my shoulders, my neck and even the muscles in the my face. I allow my mind to look within, seeing the world outside I choose for a few moments not to see it, I let the sounds of the external world fade into the background so there is no longer a distraction and on the screen of my mind I visualize a point of light. I can locate this point of light specifically. As the body sits quietly, I become aware of the life force, the source of life in the center of my forehead just behind the eyes. This is who I Am. I Am a point of eternal light. I know, I am the master of this physical instrument. I can now direct the way in which my physical senses function. I the being of light, the eternal soul I am the creator. This point of infinitesimal energy, I am the master, I am able to send out light and life throughout this physical body and use this body for that which is constructive that filled with goodness.”

MEDITATION

Many people regret that their intellect is not as sharp and pure as they would wish. One of the purposes of meditation and the study of spiritual knowledge is to make the intellect strong, sharp, clean and in good working order. Meditation enables you to develop both intellectual and experiential identification with the soul. You can calibrate your intellect so that you strengthen, clarify and sharpen its faculties. It

Rita Moussallem is a meditation teacher and has been studying positive thinking and discovering her inner values through meditation.

Rita

Moussallem Bahrain Confidential September 2015 47

health updates

Health Updates Finally, ‘genes’ that fit!

Grow Some Brains!

3D Heart Art

Detox Damage

Scientists may have discovered a new gene that controls weight gain, which they believe could be a cure for obesity. Previous studies associate obesity with a gene region known as FTO – those having a high BMI (Body Mass Index) often carry a variant of the FTO gene. FTO – the obesity gene – turns on two other genes which prevent fat from burning. After analysing the control switches across more than 100 tissues and cell types, researchers believe they could switch off the gene and prevent the body from storing fat, by burning it instead through a process called thermogenesis. To switch off the gene, they propose using a gene editing technique which basically removes the unwanted DNA code and replaces it with another sequence.

While the news so far has focused on whimsical 3D printed activities like kite flying and blowing bubbles, we turn now to more serious 3D printing news: 3D printed tiny heart replicas for a baby. Chen Chen is a Chinese baby born with five holes in his heart, an unusual congential heart condition. In order for doctors to do the best job on this 9-month-old baby’s heart, they scanned and 3D printed an exact replica of the heart to examine and practice on before doing the surgeries.

Chen Chen is recovering well since his surgeries – go Chen Chen!

48 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Scientists have grown an almost fully-formed brain in the lab that has the maturity of a 5-week-old foetus. Formed from skin cells, it is estimated to be around the size of a pencil eraser. A team from Ohio State University says the organoid could help further research around neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s And Autism. The team also claims the brain has 99 per cent of the genes present in the human foetal brain as well as “a spinal cord, all major regions of the brain, multiple cell types, signaling circuitry and even a retina” and that if the brain was further developed to have a blood supply, it could be used for stroke therapy studies.

Do you start your day with lemon in warm water? Think again! Though this magic detox potion, touted by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston, has many health benefits, dentists are warning that the drink’s acidity can erode away tooth enamel and lead to mottled and discoloured teeth. Lemon juice has a pH of between 2 and 3 and is therefore highly acidic. The more acidic a drink is, the more it erodes the teeth.

Also, the temperature of the water can exacerbate this effect because erosion is more severe at higher temperatures.

Finesse Nights

Every Thursday

Every Sunday & Wednesday

A NEW DIMENSION TO NIGHTLIFE

opinion

Know Your Food Quality When you sip on a cup of orthodox tea or Robusta coffee, do you know what the grade or standard means? In the same way, when you enjoy an USDA Prime beef, maple syrup or any other food item, it is best to understand what exactly their standards and grades indicate. The grades and standards for agricultural produce is a type of uniform language that is used to describe the quality and condition of such produce for the purpose of marketing and determining the price thereof. The grades are standards are in most situations given by the producing countries.

Here are some of the popular agricultural grades or standards that we regularly come across, but do not know what exactly they mean.

Orthodox tea:

This refers to hand-processed tea or tea that is rolled with machines in a manner that mimics hand rolling. Orthodox teas are basically whole leaf teas made through traditional manufacturing process and are often expensive.

CTC Tea:

CTC (crush-tear-curl) tea is tea that is produced by a modern, mechanical method that tears the leaf to induce oxidation. CTC is widely regarded as an inferior form of tea.

The main benefit of this type is its low cost of production.

Robusta coffee:

White pepper:

White pepper consists of the seed of the pepper plant alone, with the darker-coloured removed through a process called retting.

A- Grade coconut:

This is the coconut in a de-husked size that is greater than 45 cm.

Copra:

Copra is the dried kernel of the coconut used to extract coconut oil.

Robusta is a sturdy species of coffee bean with low acidity and high bitterness, and is used mostly in instant coffee, espresso, and as filler in ground coffee blends.

USDA Prime Beef:

Arabica coffee:

Kobe beef:

Arabica is a species of coffee that is originally indigenous to the forests of the southwestern highlands of Ethiopia.

Garbled pepper:

This refers to dried mature berries grown in South India, garbled, dark brown to dark black in colour with the deepest wrinkles forming a network. This type is free from mould, insect or any other adulterant.

Black pepper:

Black pepper is produced from still-green, unripe drupes of the pepper plant. The drupes are briefly cooked in hot water and then dried in the sun.

50 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

USDA graded prime beef is produced from young, well-fed beef cattle. It is said to have abundant marbling.

This refers to beef from the Tajima strain of Wagyu cattle, raised in Japan's Hyogo Prefecture, according to rules set out by the Kobe Beef Marketing and Distribution Promotion Association.

Yellow corn:

This is corn that is yellow-kernelled and contains not more than 5% of corn of other colours.

Green cardamom:

It is a herbaceous perennial plant belonging to ginger family and is cultivated widely in tropical regions.

Black cardamom:

It is a spice belonging to the ginger family. It has a smoky taste, redolent of pine and camphor, with an astringent effect. It should not be confused with green cardamom, which has a different flavour.

Vinegar:

Mainly of acetic acid and water, where acetic acid is produced by fermentation. There are several types of vinegar such as apple cider, balsamic, coconut, and wine.

Soy:

A brown liquid sauce made by subjecting soya beans to long fermentation and to digestion in brine.

Soda: A carbonated water made with sodium bicarbonate.

Date syrup: It is a thick dark brown sweet syrup extracted from dates.

White corn:

This is corn that is white-kernelled and contains not more than 2.0 percent of corn of other colors.

Tho

loor

M. Thomas

Compiled by Mr. Tholoor M. Thomas, a senior investment professional.

He has authored two books, "The Bull Run" and "Inside the Foreign Exchange universe".

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opinion

A Guide to Programming Your Child’s Fitness Training It is an important issue that really doesn’t get enough attention. Have you ever considered what the long term affects of your child’s fitness training will be? Will it create a strong grown-up or an injured adult? Will they love movement or loathe exercise? Here are 5 points I consider for my son and after ten years of coaching juniors, I believe all parents should too.

Rule 1: Minimise The Long Distance Running

Yes, sometimes we need to run long distances but answer this: would you rather have the physique of a 50km walker or a 100m sprinter? There is no harm in the occasional long distance run to improve mental and physical conditioning but I do not believe that a child should be set up to be the slow-twitch turtle. It might be impressive that a child can consistently run long distances but is it really healthy? From personal experience, I felt the damage of long distance running.

Right up until the middle of high school, I could beat any kid over 100m. For some reason the PE Teacher insisted that I represent the school over long distances. Over a few years, I went from speed demon to a frustrated aerobic Duracell.

Rule 2: They should lift weights but the movement must be perfect

Unfortunately there is still a flawed belief that kids who lift weight will experience stunted growth. Nothing could be further from the truth. Do the strong farm kids in the country look stunted? Kids should be picking stuff up off the floor, throwing stuff, climbing and pushing load. It’s also important to look out for this: once kids hit high school, they start moving like decrepit adults. Pretty much all kids move well from day one but with all that sitting, things start to change. It’s important to counter the perils of modern-day life and lift load like we were designed to do.

Rule 3: The best sport is in the back garden Regardless of whether your child becomes the next Michael 52 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Phelps or Eric the Eel, the true fun is playing unstructured games in the back garden with friends and family. This is where kids improve their overall co-ordination and healthy competition. Fitness has such a dirty word today and this can only be reversed by your child’s experience with you.

Show them the way and have fun in the process! A kid’s life is for living, not been beating down all the time.

Rule 4: Don’t specialise in anything until the last moment possible

I’m seeing children as young as seven years old who play football five times a week – madness! Even the professionals don’t play that much. All that time dedicated to one sport is asking for overuse injuries, mental burn-out and physical/ skill weaknesses that one sport does not challenge. My good friend Warrick Anderson who lives in New Zealand has had four children who have all gone on to become international athletes (rugby league, rugby or boxing). I recently asked him what the secret was. He told me that every day with his kids was an adventure. They all participated in multiple sports with quality coaches. Outside the sporting arena, every opportunity was a physical challenge or game. Everything was fun and competitive amongst the siblings.

Rule 5: Every kid should be able to do these movements perfectly and without fatigue • 5 chin over-bar pull ups • 10 full range, elbows in tight, push ups (no knees) • 20 perfect squats (hips below knees with heels down)

I don’t care if your son is great at football. If he cannot do the points above then the day will come when he won’t be strong enough to make it to a high level. I don’t care if your daughter is the national swimming champion. There’s a Russian 5-year old who can do the points listed above. You see, we all want our kids to be a pro athlete. I’d be delighted if my son became an All Black or a striker for Liverpool but what are the chances? 1 in 100 000? Is it worth wrecking a childhood for a parent’s dream? Building strong children means they will look, feel and move really well. You have control over this goal. They will have real confidence to take on any challenge. They will grow into adults with relative strength, mobility and mechanics.

I may be totally off the mark with my 5 rules and I welcome your feedback. After several years of coaching kids, I believe we should stop for a second and think about programming a smart system that is fun, safe and broad.

C ra i g H e s l o p

Craig Heslop is Founder of and Coach at Tribal Fitness.

Visit: tribalfitness.com

opinion

Just Drive Around Me!

A Scaredy-cat Blogger Goes Go Karting

If you have a need for speed, great! Then, the Bahrain International Karting Circuit is for you. If you’re like me and last went go-karting was with your family when you were 14, then you may need a couple of warm up laps.

Or just go before or after seasoned drivers are on the lap because they will have no qualms about “tapping” your kart! Maybe I’m just a pansy. That’s probably it.

W

hen I went to BIKC, I did what they call an “arrive and drive” session, which lasts for 15 minutes. That meant that once I got to the circuit I registered at the reception (you even get to choose a username… Although I was the only one amused by the appeal of driving in anonymity) and was added to the racing session, where your racing time is put on display and emailed to you. I then went downstairs to the changing room where I had to put on a racing suit, gloves, balaclava (I thought that was a dessert, but it’s actually just a ski mask type garment that collects all your head sweat), and helmet. Don’t forget to wear close-toed shoes! In the Adults’ Briefing Room, a

track coordinator showed me a video that explained how to operate the vehicles while staying safe on the track. Finally, I chose the kind of kart I wanted to drive (a slower one, as you may have guessed) and away I went! Once you’re done with your session you have the option to go for another one if you’re not tired. This may sound strange, but your arms actually do get tired from holding on to the steering wheel of the kart. (And I wasn’t the only one who was tired, thank you very much.) My kart went much faster than I expected and to be honest, I was a bit frightened when I got to the corners, but when I saw how fast the other drivers were going, I grew more confident. Those little machines are loud and funny looking, but they stick to the ground and are pretty safe.

And you can stick around and watch the track since there’s

a nice terrace with couches and tables. You can also buy snacks and drinks at the Club House next to the reception. I’d say that the karting circuit is good for groups of people and they even do corporate events.

The BIKC is right next to the Bahrain International Circuit and is open on Sundays and Mondays from 4:00 in the afternoon to midnight to drivers 13 and over. From Tuesday to Saturday the track is open from 10:00 in the morning to midnight. For more information including a price Nad list and driver training, check ine Compton out www.bahrain-karting.com.

* Please note that these are not the publisher’s opinions.

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 53

adventure sports

An Old Bridge, 14 Cliff Divers, and a Centuries-Old Tradition

Mostar (BIH) hosted the 6th stop of the 2015 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in a historic event on earlier in August. Cliff diving – in a place where diving from great heights has been a tradition for four-and-a-half centuries – a hand selected group of 14 of the world’s best cliff divers will be part of the first ever World Series competition at the ‘Stari Most’, the old bridge of Mostar, and the country’s most recognizable landmark. The first dives from the bridge date back to 1664, the first competition to 1968, and August 15, 2015 marked the day when Gary Hunt, the leading Brit, launched acrobatically from the 27m platform to continue the pursuit of the ‘perfect season’. After the season’s closest finish on the Portuguese Azores and two new faces on the podium, the World Series will meet fanatical cliff diving fans and touch new grounds in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Gary Hunt in action 54 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

adventure sports

Will the invitees – four wildcards are invited to every stop – show another strong performance like they did in Portugal, where three of them made it into the top eight? Anatoliy Shabotenko (UKR) and Sergio Guzman (MEX), placed 7th and 8th in the off-the-cliff leg, will also spice up the competition beside Jorge Ferzuli,

from Mexico, and Bulgaria’s Todor Spasov. The highly complex maneuvers will be judged by five international judges, amongst them Russia’s former top diver Dmitry Sautin.

Eternalized in the city’s flag and coat of arms, life in Mostar has been centred on the humpback bridge ever since its construction in the 16th century. Iconic ‘Stari Most’ is a place where young men from Mostar prove their courage in a sort of maturity test, and the tradition of the diving competitions is almost 450 years old. Equally iconic as the bridge, is the image of a diver soaring through the air from the bridge towards the fast and cold water of Neretva River. Gracefully arching over the emerald water of Neretva River, connecting two parts of the old town in Mostar, it’s surrounded by fortified towers on both sides and fits seamlessly into the landscape, creating an impressive sight. The bridge is, together with the surrounding Old City of Mostar, a UNESCO's World Heritage Site, and is often cited as one of the most beautiful bridges in the world.

The bridge was destroyed during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and later faithfully reconstructed using the original stone blocks taken out of the river below. The single span stone bridge, in today’s form, was inaugurated with a diving exhibition in 2004, and for the first time was the the venue with the longest diving tradition in the World Series.

Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2015

Gravity-defying freefall punctuated by awe-inducing tricks – that is cliff diving. The sport's best athletes leap aesthetically from almost three times the official Olympic height with no protection at all, except their concentration, skill, and physical control. In less than three seconds, gravity propels the divers' bodies as they fall the equivalent of eight stories, reaching speeds in excess of 85kph.

Since 2009, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series has provided a platform for breathtaking action and dives of incredible complexity, spotlighting the sport’s top athletes as well as young talent, and in 2014 it introduced a Women’s World Series. In its seventh season, this rapidly evolving sport will crown new champions during eight demanding competitions for the men and three stops for the women. Between April and September, this pure extreme sport will touch waters in natural and urban surroundings as well as remote and iconic venues across South America, the US and Europe and top it all with the season finale and the 50th World Series competition.

Standings after stop 5

1. Gary Hunt | UK | 1000 pts.

2. Orlando Duque | COL | 590 2. Blake Aldridge | UK | 590 4. Jonathan Paredes | MEX | 449 5. David Colturi | USA | 430

Sergio Guzm

an in action

Anatoily Shabotenko in action

Article Credit: Redbull newsroom

31-year-old Gary Hunt might be the dominant athlete with five straight victories in the current season; but contention for the podium has been extended by two more divers in the previous stop, and cliff diving’s creams of the crop are on top of their games. Mexico’s rising star Jonathan Paredes and Andy Jones, the master of aerial awareness, from the US, have made a claim for a top spot in the overall standings next to Orlando Duque, the legendary Colombian, former Olympian Blake Aldridge, America’s David Colturi, and the Russian heavyweight Artem Silchenko. With five spots up for grabs for automatic qualification for a 2016 season, these seven athletes will fight it out at almost three times the Olympic height.

Michal Navratil in action

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 55

opinion

INVESTMENT 101 Angela McDonough discusses why France is a hit with first time investors.

France remains one of the most beautiful countries in the world and still the most visited. Gorgeous beaches, majestic mountains and a perfect seasonal climate make it a destination the whole year round; a true feast for the eyes with medieval towns and villages, and let’s not forget the unforgettable dining experiences sure to delight every palate with award winning food and wines. A capital city like no other, Paris, the home of fashion continues to attract not only the most chic, sophisticated and creative but also few of the world’s largest companies, making it one of the greatest global business hubs. Here are a few reasons why first time investors believe France is a number one place to put their money.

Capital Growth

France continues to deliver strong, stable and secure returns of around 10 per cent per year and even more in Paris, Montpellier and Cannes.

Rental Yield

Rents of at least 7 per cent (at least 4 per cent net) if you are looking for rental guarantees of over 10 years.

VAT Refund

Investors agreeing to rent out their properties will receive a value added tax refund of 20 per cent as a thank-you from the French government for helping them tackle accommodation shortages, giving 20 per cent equity at the outset.

The Best Rental Agreements

For long term rental contracts with over 10 years’ guaranty you need to look for developers that offer ‘leaseback’ and there are several here. Just make sure you select the ones that can actually deliver on their promises.

Leaseback

This is the name of the programme that was introduced by the French Government more than 50 years ago to help tackle shortages in both tourist and student accommodation. The investor buys the property and signs a rental agreement and in return the government reimburses the value added tax which is currently 20 per cent.

Personal Usage

Image Credits: J Model Management

Even though you sign a long term rental agreement, you can still use your own property as a holiday home for as long as you desire, renting it out only when you are not using it.

Mortgages

Foreign buyers can secure really good deals if they have 20 to 30 per cent deposit and in most cases the rental income will cover the monthly repayment on the mortgage.

For more information on property investment in France or the Leaseback Programme please contact angela@starglobalinvestments.com Ang

ela McDonough

56 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Jessica Minh Anh in a Shilpa Reddy designed outfit at a fashion show in Paris.

The Best of Bahrain Guide to Dining, Nightlife, Entertainments The Best of Bahrain Guide to Dining, Nightlife, Entertainments

Issue 05 - September 2015

We do not try to include all places, just the best places.

New sections from this month... no padding, just info!

Not to be Missed Romantic Dining Friday Brunches (improved) Ladies Nights (improved) Clubs & Associations

www.Bahrain101.com Crazy Good, with wide variety of fresh and bold flavours.

Crazy Hot, from Singapore, Cambodia to Malaysia and Vietnam, this delicious menu geographically covers quite a distance.

Crazy Fresh, 100 percent made from scratch daily.

David’s Stir Fry Crazy

Located in Adliya (+973 1754 0188) and Riffa (+973 1776 0780)

no padding, just info!

Cover Image: Four Seasons Hotel, Bahrain Bay

Bahrain101, reveals the best in dining, nightlife, and events in Bahrain.

www. Bahrain101.com

opinion

Stories of a Trailing Spouse Maria Sorger talks about the ‘empty nest’ in time for when universities re-open.

T

he house was eerily quiet – no boys cheering as they play FIFA on the PlayStation; no girls giggling and running around in mum’s clothes and high heels; no leftover mess in the kitchen; no noise from the pool and garden.

Just silence. The dreaded empty nest is now a reality.

September is the time when many parents return to the island having settled their children at university.

They come home having to deal with the fact that life as they know it is over and their routine has changed: no more school or driving at odd times of day and night; no more interesting discussions, unnecessary arguments or endless nagging. For 18 years, parents’ lives revolve around caring for and nurturing their children, bringing them up to be mature and responsible adults who can face life on their own. And suddenly, in the blink of an eye, these young adults are independent while their parents struggle to deal with mixed emotions: sadness to pride to loss and joy.

The hardest part is possibly the realisation that once youngsters get well settled into university life, they will not return to live with you permanently. Parents must change their mind-set and accept this fact while finding a positive solution to what could be a difficult and depressing time. I have friends who have found it extremely difficult to adjust to life without their children – few have felt a loss of identity while others have managed to find a new direction to life. I guess it is common to feel either way but remember to move on.

58 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

It is a big transition which no one warns you about but then again life is full of transitions and change. It is definitely a difficult time but it is also inevitable and the sooner you understand this, the easier the transition becomes. If your children are healthy and happy in their new lives, there is absolutely no reason why you should not be too. Nowadays, with the internet literally at your

fingertips, you can keep in touch very frequently and continue to be a part of their lives. Trust them to do the things you have taught them to and live by the values you have shared with them. Allow them to experience the best of university life by being ready to guide them when they ask you.

As for you, make the most of this time: be what you want to be or do what you never had the time to pursue: keep yourself busy, learn a new skill, travel, explore the world or start your own business – nothing can stop you now! You have the maturity, the experience, and the time to focus on yourself. It’s a good place to be – but only if you choose for it to be that way.

M a r i a S o rg e r

review

FLIP FLOPS, SUNGLASSES AND THE BEST OF TURKISH HOSPITALITY.

By Jenny Thomas

I had the chance to review two very fancy hotels of the Middle East-Rixos Bab Al Bahr and Rixos The Palm Dubai. Before I go ahead and start raving about the hotels, I would like to thank Iris Media, for organising the whole trip, Rixos for hosting us, and flydubai for the comfortable travels. It definitely was my highlight for July-August.

For a few, flight travels are tedious and stressful, but flydubai made sure that all travel experience with them would be comfortable. The business class was very impressive with spacious cabin interiors, quality service and up-to-date in-house entertainment.

Less than a year old, Rixos sure as heck dominates the landscape of Ras Al Khaimah. A little bit like the pyramids in Egypt with the hospitality of its Turkish roots. This resort is a welcoming attraction to the quiet RAK.

Situated on white sands of Ras Al Khaimah’s Marjan Island, Rixos Bab Al Bahr enjoys the beautiful beach, stylish rooms, upmarket restaurants, and stunning views. But what really sets Rixos Bab Al Bahr apart is the ultra-allinclusive nature of the Resort.

The hotel’s interiors definitely go well with the location. Built spacious, with subtle accents and an Ottoman flaire, Rixos Bab Al Bahr is totally the weekend getaway you have been longing for. The second most important criteria are the food. There are 14 venues that offer various types of food and drinks.

My personal favorite is Meat Point. The services, the presentation, and the food quality, yes, I would love me some tapas!

Land in Dubai, and off we went to the Rixos Bab Al Bahr. People whom I spoke to told me how awesome it was that Rixos was an all-inclusive resort. I’m talking about unlimited access to food and beverage, live entertainment, access to pool and facilities etc.

Rixos Bab Al Bahr-one of the Best Hotels in the world!

60 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Now, though this is not in the inclusive concept, but if you are at the resort, you should check the Royal Spa

and the Turkish Hammam out. Firstly, for the way it is designed and secondly, for the fabulous experience.

So, here are my two cents on Rixos Bab Al Bahr. It’s definitely a YES for these reasons: • Perfect weekend getaway if you do not want to leave the GCC. • The all-inclusive policy- HECK YA! • Dip your toes in the sea or go for a swim. Point is one-on-one time with Mother Sea! • Friday Nights at Club Inferno (make sure you are with good company).

• The amazingly huge balcony that comes with a gorgeous view.

• The long walks from Point A to Point B within the resort (who needs a gym).

For more information on Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Ras Al Khaimah, call Tel: +971 72444400

review

View from Rixos The Palm Dubai

Enjoy a night with a breatking view of Dubai

Turkish Hammam anyone?

Surrounded by lush landscaping and view of the Arabian Gulf and Dubai's panoramic skyline, Rixos The Palm Dubai boasts 230 guest rooms and suites, nine restaurants and bars, the world-renowned Eden Beach Club and Rixos Royal Spa. This trip had just gotten better. Now, Rixos Bab Al Bahr is a family destination, while Rixos The Palm is all about sophistication. If you want to give yourself a time of luxury treatment and relaxation, then book yourself here.

With a breathtaking 360-degree panorama view of the Palm, this stay was just pure romance.

The hotel provided us with great service and diverse food, at A La Turca, which is an all-day dining restaurant.

My room came with a fantastic view of the Palm (which also flooded my social media). I hear there’s a restaurant called Salt, that many Dubai residents love.

But unfortunately, it only opens during the cooler months.

Will hav e to try it out the next time I’m in Dubai.

Again, in this hotel, one worth mentioning is their Spa and Wellness facility. They know how well to pamper a customer and their Turkish Hammam is the bumdiggity!

My favorite things about Rixos The Palm: • The stunning view of the Palm.

• The perfect deep soak tubbie experience in the room adds that perfect touch of luxury.

• Turkish Hammam (the bubbles are the best part) • A La Turca for the ambience and of course, the food.

• Eden Beach Club.

For more information on Rixos The Palm Dubai, call Tel: +971 4457 5555

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 61

business

BUSINESS IN BRIEF IMAX Debuts in the Kingdom

Novo Cinemas has opened Bahrain’s first IMAX theatre as part of its flagship location in the Gulf state. The state-of-the-art multiplex at Seef Mall, Muharraq has 14 screens and a capacity for 1300 people. It also offers the country’s first 7-star cinema experience, with reclining leather chairs, individual iPads for easy ordering and a dedicated chef and butler service. Expected to attract cinemagoers from Saudi Arabia as well, the entertainment venue will also be used for private and corporate screenings and events. Novo Cinemas is a subsidiary of ELAN and plans to open cinemas in Doha’s North Gate Mall and 01 Mall and Dubai’s Dragon Mart. It already operates multiplexes in Dubai’s IMG Worlds of Adventure, the world’s largest indoor theme park, and Wafi Mall.

New Ambassadors to Europe Appointed

HRH King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa has appointed four new ambassadors, including one woman, to European countries: Shaikh Fawaz Bin Mohammad Al Khalifa as Head of the Bahraini Diplomatic Mission to the United Kingdom, Dr Mohammad Abdul Ghaffar Abdullah as Head of the Bahraini Diplomatic Mission to the French Republic, Dr Bahia Jawad Al Jishi as Head of the Bahrain Diplomatic Mission to the Kingdom of Belgium and Ahmad Abdul Rahman Al Saati as Head of the Bahraini Diplomatic Mission to the Russian Federation Republic. Al Jishi is the only woman among the newly appointed diplomats to Europe. Bahrain has had women ambassadors in the US, where Huda Nonoo became the first Jewish diplomat to head an Arab diplomatic mission, as well as in France, United Kingdom, and China.

62 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Bahrain Targets 35pc SME Contribution

Bahrain endeavors to raise the SME sector’s GDP contribution to 35 per cent in the next three years, from the current 30 per cent as confirmed by an official from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. Small and medium businesses are important job creators, accounting for 37 per cent of the private sector’s employment opportunities. The government has succeeded in reducing monthly unemployment rate from 3.8 per cent in December 2014 to 3.5 per cent in March 2015 while first quarter jobless figures were stable at 3.7 per cent, the same as in the fourth quarter of 2014 according to the Minister of Labour, Jameel Bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan. Investments in Bahraini SMEs also grew by almost 55 per cent to BD49 million in the first half of 2015, compared with BD31.7 million in the same period a year before, according to Bahrain Development Bank.

Retail Sector Registers Growth

Bahrain’s retail sector continues to witness development both in the destination and community mall segments, according to a new report by consultants CBRE. In its Q2 2015 Bahrain MarketView said that following hot on the heels of established and newly completed centres, new neighbourhood retail and food and beverage offerings are now being added to the pipeline. The report said Galleria in Zinj, a Dadabhai project offering over 42,000 sq m of gross leasable area, is set for completion in the fourth quarter of 2015, closely followed in 2016 by the $6.5 million Wadi Al Sail project in Riffa, which has announced its collaboration with Cineco to provide a six screen cinema complex. Maalem Holding’s The Courtyard located in Seef District is also due to open in Q3 2015 offering three floors of dining and retail space, said CBRE.

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INTRODUCES BULK PAYMENT VIVA has introduced a new Bulk Payment option, allowing customers to pay or recharge multiple lines under one CPR or CR, in one transaction and while logged on to the VIVA Self Care Portal. They can also use the “Quick Pay” option on the web and the VIVA BH app to pay multiple bills, and recharge multiple times up to 5 numbers at a time.

Step 1

How to do a bulk payment on the VIVA Self Care Portal?

Visit

Click on

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My Payments

Step 2

You will have 3 payment options that can be used:

Pay other numbers *Different CPR*

Pay all numbers under CPR

Pay my number

Step 3

Three options to pay your amount:

VIVA 4G Prepaid Broadband Pay full amount

Equally split BDx amount Manually enter amount

64 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

VIVA technology Quick Pay & VIVA BH App steps: Visit

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Bahrain Confidential September 2015 65

cars

CAR NEWS

The All-new Beetle R-Line Volkswagen Middle East welcomes a new addition to the R family this September.

The Future of Piloted Driving Audi will introduce piloted driving in the next generation of the Audi A8.

Audi is participating in the “Cooperative Highly-Automated Driving” initiative, Ko-HAF. The aim of Ko-HAF is to develop standards and technologies that enable cooperative driving between highly-automated vehicles in everyday road traffic – for example merging with traffic on highways. The project work covers various subject areas from computer simulations to test drives on closed sites and later on public roads. In addition to Audi, other German car manufacturers, suppliers and universities are involved in the project. The initiative is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy.

The all-new Beetle R-Line (Extreme Right)

Features:

• Developed by Volkswagen R GmbH, a division of Volkswagen • The bumper features added air intakes front and centre to feed more air to the turbocharged 210 HP 2.0-litre engine • Bold interior including two-tone cloth sport seats, a multi-function leatherwrapped steering wheel with R-Line badging, and a set of sport gauges mounted on the top of the centre console • Available as standard with panoramic tilt/slide sunroof, Xenon headlamps with LED separate daytime running lights, a multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel with gear shift and composition media radio systems For your test drive visit the Volkswagen centre in Sitra.

Euro Motors’ Accolade Jaguar Land Rover bags multiple exclusive awards.

Audi has recently conducted successful testing on public roads. At the beginning of 2015, an A7 piloted driving concept with a large number of series production and near-series production technologies on board drove from Stanford in Silicon Valley via Bakersfield to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. At CES Asia in May 2015, journalists also had an opportunity to experience piloted driving – in the heavy traffic of the Shanghai city highway. On the basis of these findings, Audi has prepared integrated strategies for piloted driving. Cooperative behavior, e.g. at highway entrances, plays a central role here.

The technologies for piloted driving stand for safety, partnership, time-saving, efficiency and comfort. Audi will introduce these to series production in the next generation of the A8 luxury-class sedan. In the first phase, the new systems will be able to take over the driving when parking or in stop-and-go traffic on the freeway up to 60 km/h.

66 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Euro Motors, the exclusive dealer and distributor for luxury automotive manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover in Bahrain, announced its extraordinarily strong showing in the internationally acclaimed 2014/15 Jaguar Land Rover Middle East and North Africa Marketing Awards with three highly coveted awards. Jaguar Land Rover Marketing Manager, Hannane Laidouni led the triumphant proceedings with the Marketer of the Year award. The launch of the Land Rover Experience Centre in the Kingdom of Bahrain was voted the Best Experiential Event and Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover was presented the Award for the Best Use of Social Media. A Certificate of Recognition in appreciation of its achievements in public relations was also on the list of accolades.

dining

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MEAT! A Cooking Class by The Meat Co

68 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

dining some peppercorns and cubed shin beef. Add tomato paste along with water or beef stock. The procedure for cooking a braised dish is to coat the beef with seasoned flour, seal in batches in a pan with some oil.

This will allow the beef to take on a roasted colour.

Once the meat is all sealed, set aside and then seal all the vegetables. Add some tomato paste in with the vegetables and cook out for a couple of minutes, add the meat back into the vegetables, cover with stock or water. Bring to boil, then transfer the casserole dish to an oven at 140°C for 2 & 1/2 to 3 hours. Serve and enjoy.

For roasting, you can use rump or rib eye. Trim the fat off or remove bones, if required. To roast a bone-in rib-eye (4 to 5 kg), seal the piece of meat in a large frying pan with olive oil. Transfer to a roasting tray, brush with Dijon mustard, chopped rosemary, thyme and parsley, rub with salt & pepper. This will be like a thick paste. Cover the whole tray with foil, cook for about 2 hours at 160°C in the pre-heated oven. Once finished, turn off oven, leave it inside for about 1/2 and hour before carving.

Marinades are used to make steak more tender and flavourful. The sweet and salty flavours of the marinade meld with the meat as it marinates in the refrigerator.

For a steak to be grilled on a BBQ, put olive oil and flaky salt on the meat, if you are cooking straight away.

When choosing to buy steak from a supermarket, It’s important to understand what is available, and how you want to cook it. In Bahrain, there are a number of different types of steaks to choose from: Grass fed beef - all its life, the cattle has only eaten grass and herbs on the pasture and the most common beef in the in this category is New Zealand meat.

Grain fed beef – Between the final one hundred to three hundred days of the cattle’s life. They’re fed on grain and the longer they eat it, the more expensive the meat becomes.

Wagyu beef - the word "Wagyu" is the Japanese word for Japanese cow. It is the most acclaimed and expensive beef on the market.

Organic beef - is a free range pasture fed animal with no antibiotics, growth hormones or GMO grains fed to the animal. There is no pesticide used on the pastures.

This is one of the healthiest to eat, but the price can be quite expensive.

Dry aged beef - this is a process which is performed on the beef carcass, where the loin cuts are hung for a minimum of 28 to 45 days in a temperature controlled cool room. This allows the meat to dehydrate, removing moisture, and the flavour of the beef will intensify. It has a nutty taste. Dry-aged beefsteaks tend to be more for the meat connoisseurs.

Choices!

If you are cooking later, you can marinate in olive oil, garlic and fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and sage with some lemon zest. Do not season now; this marinade can be kept overnight. For tougher cuts, you can marinate in a mix of vegetables, with either red wine, or non-alcoholic red wine, overnight in a covered container in the fridge. One of the secrets to marinating successfully is getting the meat in complete contact with the marinade. Using a zip-lock bag and squeezing out all the air when you seal it is one way to do this. You can also take the bag of marinade and meat and place the whole thing in a bowl to bring the marinade up and around the meat.

Beef cuts have many different uses, and it depends on how you want to cook the meat, as to which cut would suit best. For grilling, we would recommend either fillet, rib-eye, rump or sirloin, oyster blade (flat iron steak), bolar blade steak, flank steak, petite tender, T-bone, Prime rib, and Tomahawk. Some of these cuts will not be sitting on the shelf. You may need to ask the butcher to do it for you.

When it comes to the cooking, it depends what you will be cooking the beef on or in. To cook a 250g steak on a BBQ, cook for 4 minutes on each side, remove from BBQ, cover with foil and let rest for 5 minutes.

This would be a medium steak. To cook the same steak well-done, cook for 6 minutes in each side.

If you’re looking to enjoy a succulent, juicy steak, then it would have to be either be the Wagyu or grain fed beef as it has more fat marbling.

The healthiest and most intense flavour would be the grass fed, organic or dry aged.

For burger mince, brisket or chuck is good. This needs to be minced. It’s best to use a 6mm grind, and you can flavour before making burger patties, with sautéed onions and garlic (cooked and cooled), fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme and parsley. If you fancy, you can fry some sliced mushrooms, allow it to cool, and then add to the mince mixture. You can make the patties into 150g portions; it makes them manageable to cook on a BBQ. For braises or stews, use shin beef or short ribs.

These require a longer cooking process. The process to cook a braised beef dish is to dice onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms. Chop garlic, fresh herbs rosemary and thyme. You should have a bay leaf,

The secret of a good steak is the resting. The rule is, you rest the steak for half the time of cooking. If you cook the steak for a total of 10 minutes, you allow it to rest, under foil, for 5 minutes. This allows the muscles to relax and the juices go back into the steak. When you cut the steak the juices will not run onto the plate.

The larger cuts like T-bone & Tomahawk will take longer to cook as they will be around 750g to 1 kg size in weight. For these you need to seal on the grill, then finish in the oven at 180°C for 25 to 30 minutes.

Then remove and cover with foil, allow resting for 15 minutes.

The Meat Co. is located in Adliya.

For bookings, call Tel.. +973 1774 2080

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 69

gastro

Brunching in Bahrain!

Your essential guide to sumptuous weekend brunches.

Where: Mรถvenpick Hotel Bahrain When: Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD31 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1746 0000

Where: Baharat, Le Meridien When: Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD30 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1717 1000

Where: Brazil, Adliya When: Friday, noon to 3pm Price: BD21 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1782 6686

Where: Diplomat Radisson Blu When: Friday, noon to 3pm Price: BD24 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1753 1666

Where: Crowne Plaza When: Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD30 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1753 1122

Where: BAPCO Club, Awali When: Friday, noon to 2.30pm Price: BD6 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1775 3377

Where: Bushido When: Friday, noon to 3.30pm Price: BD30 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1758 3555

Where: Golden Tulip, Diplomatic Area When: Friday, noon to 3pm Price: BD25 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1753 5000

Where: Al Waha, Gulf Hotel When: Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD29 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1771 3000

Where: Best Western Olive Hotel When: Friday Price: 11am to 4pm For bookings, call Tel. +973 1736 0063

Where: Choices, ART Rotana, Amwaj When: Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD29 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1600 0111

Where: Klouds, The K Hotel, Juffair When: Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD23.4 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1736 0000

70 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

gastro Where: Lanterns Indian Restaurant, Budaiya When: Friday, noon to 3pm Price: BD7.8 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1759 0591 Where: Lanterns Indian Restaurant, Adliya When: Friday, noon to 4pm Price: BD26 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1725 0999 Where: Le Sauvage, The Domain Hotel & Spa, Diplomatic Area When: Friday, noon to 4pm Price: BD32 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1725 0999 Where: La Med, The Ritz-Carlton When: Friday, 12.30pm to 4.30pm For bookings, call Tel. +973 1758 0000 Where: Lemon Tree, Ramee Grand, Seef When: Friday, noon to 5pm Price: BD18++ For bookings, call Tel. +973 1711 1999 Where: Links, The Royal Golf Club, Riffa When: Friday, noon to 4pm

Price: BD26 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1725 0999

Price: BD23 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1772 5000

Where: Meisei, Adliya When: Friday, noon to 4pm Price: BD29 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1700 7770

Where: Ric’s Kountry Kitchen, Juffair When: Friday, 11pm to 3pm Price: BD18 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1772 5550

Where: Mercure Hotel, Seef When: Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD10 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1758 4400

Where: The Country Club, Budaiya When: Friday, 9am to 4pm Price: BD10 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1759 3593

Where: Masso, The Palace Boutique Hotel, Adliya When: Friday, noon to 4pm Price: BD30 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1771 1061

Where: Upstairs Downstairs, Adliya When: Friday, noon to 4pm Price: BD21 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1771 3093

Where: Muju, The Dragon Hotel, Amwaj When: Friday, noon to 5pm Price: BD25 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1603 9800 Where: Nicole’s Mediterranean, Adliya When: Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD25/19 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1728 1180

Where: Bice Italian Restaurant, Moda Mall When: Friday, noon to 3pm Price: BD22 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1729 0600

Where: Polo Gastro Pub, Adliya When: Friday, noon to 3pm

Where: Café Amsterdam/Barcelona Vinoteca, Adliya

The K Hotel • Arabian Buffet Night at Kenza, Tuesday and Friday, 7.30pm to 11.30pm for BD8.9 with a rich blend of traditional Arabic cuisine and live Arabic entertainment by Ravens – a Bahraini band. Private celebrations and birthday parties are welcome.

Where: Warblers, Hoora When: Friday, noon to 4pm Price: BD18 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1729 0600

• The K Time (After Bigger Brunch timings) Enjoy 30 per cent off on selected beverages at the K Lounge and Champions Sports Lounge 3pm to 9pm – eat, drink and network!

Indian both for BD5 instead of BD10, • Theme Buffet Nights – Asian and Monday – BBQ & Salad, Tuesday Night every Wednesday for BD12 per – Tex Mex both for BD6 instead person, Oyster/Lobster Buffet Night of BD12. Prices subject to 15 per every Thursday for BD14 per person. cent service charge and 5 per cent Prices subject to 15 per cent service government levy.

When: Saturday, noon to 5pm Price: BD31 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1700 7808 Where: Crowne Plaza When: Saturday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD29 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1753 1122 Where: CUT Brunch, The Four Seasons When: Saturday, 12.30pm to 4pm Price: BD29 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1711 5044 Where: Masso, Adliya When: Saturday, 12pm to 4pm Price: BD30 For bookings, call Tel. +973 1772 1061 Prices & timings are subject to change.

It’s safer to call up the hotel/venue in advance.

If you know of any that we haven’t listed, drop us a line on editorial1@arabianmagazines.com

charge and 5 per cent government levy. Pay an additional BD6 and enjoy unlimited selected beverages.

• *Sparkling Duo Enjoy great music

by Sparkling Duo, Julia and Olek, Monday to Saturday at the K Lounge.

For bookings, call Tel. +973 1736 0000

• Bigger Brunch at the K Lounge and Klouds, every Friday, 12.30pm to 4pm for BD14.5. Guests stand a chance to win a free night stay or dinner voucher. If you book a table for 8, you can dine 9 – offer valid until 31st October! Two live bands will be there to entertain you!

• Business Lunch at Klouds, Sunday to Thursday, 12pm to 3pm for BD4.9.

If you book a table for 5, you can dine 6! Prices subject to 15 per cent service charge and 5 per cent government levy.

• Slice Off 50% at Klouds, 7pm to 11pm, Saturday – Pizza, Sunday –

Try out some succulent steaks at The K Lounge!

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 71

gastro Chef Ross in action & Inset: One of his creations

IHG’s Culinary Ambassadors

Get ready to sample culinary creations by celebrity chefs, from all over the world! InterContinental Hotels Group’s (IHG) launches its new initiative where renowned, award-winning chefs will whip up signature dishes for guests dining at IHG’s hotels across Asia, Middle East and Africa. Each Culinary Ambassador has created 20 recipes ranging from appetisers to main courses and desserts.

Chef Ross Lusted specialising in Modern Australian cuisine (31st August until 13th September) and Chef Ian Kitchai specialising in Thai cuisine (14th until 27th September) will feature this month. Ross Lusted has over 15 years professional experience as Head Chef and Co-owner of the multi-award winning, The Bridge Room in Sydney. He has also worked as a consultant on airline Qantas’ first class menu. With culinary experience spanning three decades, Ian Kitchai is the winner of the prestigious ‘Gourmand Best Chef Cookbook’ for his volume, Chef Ian’s Kitchen Revealed, is the Founding Council Member of the World Street Food Congress – an organisation that is dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Asia’s famous ‘street food’ – and his venue ‘Issaya Siamese Club’ in Bangkok is one of ‘Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2014’.

Where: In La Mosaique, Spices Indian restaurant, and Waves Seafood restaurant at Crowne Plaza Bahrain When: Until 15th November For bookings, call Tel. +973 1753 1122 Chef Ian gets candid & Inset: One of his creations 72 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

American Southern Style Family Restaurant & Lounge

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nightlife

Ladies’ Nights in Bahrain Girls just wanna have fun!

Where: Corners Bar, The Dragon Hotel When: Thursday, 8pm to 2am For bookings, call Tel. +973 1729 3380

Where: Brazil, Adliya When: Tuesday For bookings, call Tel. +973 17826686

Where: Warblers, Hoora When: Sat/Sun/Mon/Tue For bookings, call Tel. +973 1729 0600

Where: Downtown Bar, InterContinental Regency When: Saturday, 9pm to 12am For bookings, call Tel. +973 1720 8308

Where: Shift 7, Elite Resort & Spa When: Every day except Thursday For bookings, call Tel. +973 3627 5444

Where: Ibrida, Seef When: Tuesday & Wednesday For bookings, call Tel. +973 1711 1972

Where: Camelot, Adliya When: Wednesday For bookings, call Tel. +973 3997 7540

Where: JJ’s Irish, Adliya When: Every day except Fri/Thurs/Mon For bookings, call Tel. +973 3932 9083

Where: Txoko, The Domain Hotel & Spa When: Every day except Friday, 4pm to 2am For bookings, call Tel. +973 1600 0000

Where: Upstairs Downstairs, Adliya When: Tuesday, 7pm onwards For bookings, call Tel. +973 1771 3093

Where: Davy Crocketts, Juffair When: Tuesday & Wednesday For bookings, call Tel. +973 3608 9534

Where: Davy Crocketts, Juffair When: Tuesday & Wednesday For bookings, call Tel. +973 3608 9534

Where: Klub 360, Juffair When: Sunday & Wednesday For bookings, call Tel. +973 1736 0360

Where: Bushido, Seef When: Thursday, 9pm onwards For bookings, call Tel. +973 1758 3555

Timings and prices are subject to change. It’s safer to confirm with the hotel/venue in advance.

Where: Cellar 59, ART Rotana When: Thursday, 5pm to 2am For bookings, call Tel. +973 1600 0111

Where: Harvesters, Crowne Plaza When: Friday & Monday For bookings, call Tel. +973 1753 1122

Bushido

Where: Barrel Lounge, Juffair When: Every day, 9pm to 1am For bookings, call Tel. +973 1736 0360

74 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Where: Meisei, Adliya When: Until 11pm For bookings, call Tel. +973 1700 7770

If you know of any that we haven’t listed, drop us a line on editorial1@arabianmagazines.com

music

COMPUTER WIZ TURNED MUSIC PRODUCER

By Jenny Thomas

76 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

music

Fans love him for his remix of ‘Hot Since 82’. His peers deem him to be one of the most influential underground Spanish DJs in the EDM scene today. I’m talking about the man who combines deep textured sounds, relentless precision drums and driving rhythms that always shakes the dance floor - Marc Dosem.

What is the Spanish techno scene like? Has Spain inspired your genre of music in any way?

At this moment, the Spanish techno scene is a growing one with a lot of good clubs and festivals. We also have Ibiza, the main hub for electronic music lovers.

Undoubtedly, my local scene in Girona and Barcelona influenced my way and style of DJ-ing and making music. That’s how I started. I went to so many clubs and attended festivals back in college, and always envisioned myself on stage and today am living that dream.

Tell us how you first got into the concept of electronic music. When did you start producing music of your own?

I started making music as a child, when I was about 8 or 9 years old. I wanted to use my compositions in video games that I programmed with my PC. Yes, I confess, I was a computer geek. Anyways fast forward to college, when I was introduced properly to club music. That’s when I shifted my style and method of composing music.

I started producing tracks that were more club oriented.

That was around fourteen years ago.

Which city do you love to play in? Which city, in your opinion is becoming big in terms of dance music?

I enjoy all the gigs, but there are cities that fascinate me particularly Barcelona, Madrid, Ibiza, Hong Kong, Tokyo, ADAM BALUCH Amsterdam, New York, Buenos Aires.. ya it’s a very long list. Every time I go to play in Latin America, I see the love for EDM growing more and more.

How is the rest of 2015 looking with respect to gigs?

What is your style of music?

Being a new breed of Spanish producers, I like to keep the groove on point at all times and just let the rhythm and the positive energy permeate the dance floor. My style is definitely a mix of soulful techno and house..

What impact would you like your music to have on listeners?

It depends if it’s the studio or the club. In both the scenarios, I like to make music that I would to dance in a club. The best way to connect with a crowd is music. I let my music talk for me. You just need the right mix of music of different styles and genres, and the crowd will find you.

Right now, I'm focused on the summer season with my gigs in Ibiza. I’m playing at Blue Marlin and Reverse Sankeys. We have festivals confirmed in Spain, Netherlands and at the end of the year, there will hopefully be a tour in Asia and North America.

Your inspiration in life.

Travel, different countries and their vast and diverse culture. Being able to meet fascinating people everyday is what constantly inspires me.

The Near Future.

A multimedia platform and a record label to release my own music and develop all the projects I had in my mind for a long time.

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 77

society If you don’t spot a picture of yourself or your friends on our Society Pages, you can always check our online newsletter which is updated regularly. Visit www.Bahrain-Confidential.com

S CIETY

An Intimate Breakfast

Sarah’s Secret, Seef Mall Muharraq recently launched ‘Sarah’s Ladies Breakfast’. This concept of Ladies breakfast takes place every Tuesday from 10am to 1pm and includes free make-up lessons, free breakfast and 25% off in the store.

Novo Cinema- IMAX Is Now In Bahrain

The media at the exclusive media tour of Novo Cinemas got the chance to experience IMAX for the first time in Bahrain.

The media tour took place on 3rd August at Seef Mall Muharraq.

78 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com Soie Launches Their New Menu

Soie Restaurant, Sheraton held an exclusive dinner where they launched their new menu. A few of our favourites were the Crispy Mango Chicken and the Lightly Fried Cigal with Spicy Salt.

SteppingStone Global’s Workshop

SteppingStone Global conducted a workshop at The Domain Hotel & Spa on 5th August.

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 79

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com This Aint Nothing But A Summer Jam!

Palm Beach hosted a summer party filled with music, fun and dancing at Amwaj Marina on 31st July.

80 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com Grand Opening OF Villa Nelle

The grand opening of Villa Nelle took place in Juffair on 8th August.

2015 Mixology Week

The flair bartending champion Ravi Camardo, with his stunts, caught the attention of those who attended Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa’s 2015 Mixology Week.

82 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Yateem Centre Winners Donate

Many Yateem Centre customers donated the cash prizes they won at Yateem Centre’s ‘Fish For Fun’ Promotion. The donor cheques were handed over to various charities.

Experience The Audi Q7

The new versatile Audi Q7 was launched at the Royal Golf Club on 30th July.The new SUV features a choice of three capable engines, a finely crafted interior and cabin fit for seven.

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com Ali Baba Restaurant Is Now Open

The opening of the luxurious fine dining restaurant, Ali Baba Restaurant took place at Amwaj on 28th July.

84 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com LEGO World

What happens when LEGO and City Centre join forces? You get a whole bunch of exciting children.

86 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Bahraini Residents Conquer Bosphorus

Bahraini national, Nada Jamsheer and Bahrain residents, Karla Solano from Mexico and Michele Colclough from the United Kingdom, successfully completed the 2015 Samsung Bosphorus Cross-Continental Swimming race organised by the Turkish Olympic Committee’s (TOC).

BSPCA Home Alone Quiz

The BSPCA conducted a quiz at the Dilmun Club on 13th August and BD595 was raised for charity.

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com Brunching at the Bay

Foodies on the island enjoy a relaxing weekend with the very popular Friday Brunch at the Four Seasons Bahrain Bay Kitchen.

88 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com Desi Nightout at Brazil

The island’s party animals groove the night away during the desi party hosted

by Brazil Rodizio Grill and Lounge.

90 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com Infiniti Q70 Launch

The launch of the luxury 4-door sedan, Infinitiยนs Q70 took place at the Infiniti showroom on 18th August.

Devoted Denim, Dedicated Style

Lee Cooper officially opened its doors to the Bahrainยนs shopaholics on 19th August at Seef Mall, Muharraq.

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 91

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com Weekend at Crowne Plaza

Guests enjoy the island’s favourite brunch with friends and family.

92 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com Party! Party! Party!

Ibrida hosts party goers on the island at one of it’s popular nightlife events.

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 93

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com The New Refined Toyota Hilux

The launch of the new and refined Toyota Hilux took place at the Toyota showroom on 22nd August. The Hilux is an unstoppable pick up with 4x4 capabilities and outstanding reliability.

94 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

society Latest society photos at www.Bahrain-Confidential.com InterNations Get-together

InterNations held their gathering at Fayez hotel in Reef Island.

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 95

The Best of Bahrain Guide to Dining, Nightlife, Entertainments

Dining

Though we take every care to ensure information is accurate, we cannot guarantee that some info may be incorrect - prices and details can change and honest mistakes can be made. If you spot any errors, please let us know so we can correct future issues – info@Bahrain101.com Ruka Fusion Japanese dishes with panoramic views of Manama from the 24th floor. Ramee Grand, Tel: 1711 1999.

Categories: ASIAN Chinese Indian Japanese Thai Asian – various

Sato Sushi and teppanyaki. Private rooms. Gulf Hotel, Tel: 1771 3000.

EUROPEAN + AMERICAN American

THAI

Italian French European – various

MIDDLE EASTERN Bahraini Lebanese Iranian Middle East – various

INTERNATIONAL – OTHER Polynesian Mexican International – various

STEAKHOUSE SEAFOOD CAFES FAMILY

Hash House Adliya, Tel: 17 715 094 D 15

ASIAN CHINESE China Garden Enchanting décor and interesting dishes. Gulf Hotel, Tel: 1774 6423.

Hong Kong Usually busy. Um Al Hassan, Tel: 1772 8700.

D 10 Soie Sheraton Hotel, Tel: 1753 3533.

ROMANTIC DINING HIDDEN GEMS

Fine Dining No Alcohol Live music Outdoor seating D - DINNER - average price in Bahrain Dinars L - LUNCH – average price in Bahrain Dinars

INDIAN

Spices Indian fine dining at the Crowne Plaza, Diplomatic Area, Tel: 1753 1122.

D 50, L 12.5

Akiko Eatery offering high standards in contemporary Japanese cuisine.

Adliya, Tel: 1771 7080.

D 14 Copper Chimney Authentic cuisine, Um Al Hassan, Tel: 17 728 699 D 10 Lanterns Slightly kooky décor, excellent dishes. Several locations.

Tel: 1724 6777.

D 20 Nirvana High class intimate setting.

Ritz-Carlton, Tel: 17 580 000.

D 60 Rasoi Fine dining Indian restaurant.

Ramee Grand, Seef, Tel: 1711 1973.

D 24

96 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Rasoi by Vineet First fine-dining Indian restaurant in Bahrain operated by a Michelin starred chef. Gulf Hotel, Tel: 1771 3000

JAPANESE

Clay Oven Authentic cuisine, Adliya, Tel: 17 717 008

ICONS EXPLAINED

Royal Thai Emphasis on seafood.

Gulf Hotel, Tel: 1771 3000.

Imari Japanese Restaurant at Domain Hotel, Tel: 1600 0000.

Kei Popular for its maki. Golden Tulip, Tel: 1753 5000.

Maki Innovative takes on sushi and maki. Moda Mall, Tel: 1752 2733.

D 45, L 15 Mirai Trendy lounge serving contemporary Japanese food, Adliya, Tel: 1771 3113.

Thai Lounge Thai themed lounge bar. Ritz-Carlton, Tel: 17 586 499.

D 40 Thailand Traditional Thai food.

Adliya, Tel: 1771 7040 D 15

ASIAN - VARIOUS Bambu Serves Chinese, Thai, Japanese, and Vietnamese cuisine.

Adliya, Tel: 1726 2555.

D 15 Bushido Enormous Samurai-themed Japanese restaurant by day, and offshoot of Buddha Bar by night. Seef, Tel: 1758 3555.

D 30, L 12 Keizo Al Areen: A contemporary & elegantly styled Asian restaurant serving Chinese, Japanese & Thai Cuisine. Closed on Sundays.

17845000 Ext. 250 D 30, L 12 Meisei Spread over 3 floors with a trendy rooftop bar. Japanese, Chinese, Korean and fusion. Adliya’s block 338, Tel: 1700 7770.

listings CAFES Aroma Luxurious and modern Middle Eastern shisa café offering food. Popular with all nationalities.

Seef Mall, Tel: 1758 2711.

Café Lilou French themed café serving light meals. Adliya, Tel: 1774 1440.

Monsoon Fine East-Asian cuisines served in a beautiful pavilion Adliya, Tel: 1774 9222.

Nu Asia Popular lunchtime venue.

Al Ali Mall, Tel: 17 587 171 D/L 15 re Asian Cuisine | Wolfgang Puck New dining experience on the 50th floor of Four Seasons, Tel: 1711 5000.

EUROPEAN + AMERICAN AMERICAN Bennigan’s American themed diner with live music in the evenings. Al Safir Hotel, Juffair. Tel: 1781 3750.

D/L 9 Hard Rock Café Part of the international chain of themed restaurants. Live music. Exhibition Road, Tel: 17 291 569 D/L 16 Johnny Rockets Themed burger bar. Al Ali Mall and Amwaj Lagoon, Tel: 17 566 565 D/L 10 Ric’s Kountry Kitchen American restaurant with a lively karaoke night and separate bar that’s very popular with Americans, Juffair.

Tel: 1772 5550.

D/L 10

FRENCH Camelot Friendly bar and restaurant located in a faux castle. Live singer.

Adliya, Tel: 3997 7540.

D 25 La Fontaine A spectacular and romantic restaurant hidden away amongst small streets, Manama,

Tel: 1723 0123.

Le Sauvage Masculine, leatherbound grilla room on the 36th floor with great views. The Domain, Tel: 1600 0000.

Le Domain [34] Chic restaurant with great views. The Domain, Tel: 1600 0222.

D 40, L 13.

ITALIAN Bice Modelled on a restaurant with a proud Italian heritage going back to the 1920s. Moda Mall, Tel: 1753 3666.

Café Italia Stylish restaurant, modern Italian cuisine Adliya, Tel: 1774 4774.

D 25 Cico’s In Bahrain for 35 years, traditional Italian meals Adliya, Tel: 1771 3710.

D 22 Cucina Italiana Home-made pasta, and wood-fired pizza. Al Safir Hotel, Tel: 1700 1317.

Coffee World Specialty coffee house that offers range of hot and iced coffees with fresh foods such as waffles, sandwiches, cakes, muffins and cookies. Reef Island.

Tel. 17564750

Coco’s Very popular, especially when the weather is good as it has a large enclosed garden. Adliya, Tel: 1771 6512.

Oliveto’s restuarant and lounge, beautiful outdoor seating around a pool. Adliya, 1771 6747.

Masso Strong focus on quality organic ingredients. Palace Boutique Hotel, Tel: 1772 1061.

Mondo Mediterranean favourites in

Le Chocolat Famed for specialty dishes including their chocolates (of course)… and people rave about their burgers and pizzas. Seef, Tel: 1758 2259.

Tea Garden A classy café offering a collection of in-house pastries.

Ramee Grand, Seef, Tel: 1711 1999.

The Ritz Gourmet Lounge Decorated in the style something akin to the Palace of Versailles, offering teas and delicacies. RitzCarlton, Tel: 1758 0000.

D 45

Cream & Fudge Premium ice creams, hand folded on a frozen marble stone with the customer’s choice of mix-ins such as nuts, fruits, candies and fudge. Reef Island. Tel. 17564740

cool surroundings. Diplomat Radisson Tel: 1753 1666.

D 30 Pasquale “Trattoria” style Italian restaurant on waterfront terrace. Reef Island. Tel 13320617

Prego Family friendly. Royal Golf Club, Tel: 1775 0777.

D 25 Primavera Overlooking the hotel gardens and out to sea. Ritz Carlton.

Tel: 1758 0000.

D 15 La Pergola Opulent Roman-style settings. Gulf Hotel, Tel: 1774 6419.

Dome Café Part of the London chain of trendy yet cozy bistros.

Juffair and Seef, Tel: 1781 0180.

D 35, L 18 Rialto Authentic old country dishes served up by chef Mateo. Ramee Grand, Tel: 1711 1974.

Roma Italian fare with live music every night. Um al Hassam, Tel: 1772 3818.

D 20 Vento Open-air poolside Italian-style restaurant Four Seasons, Tel: 1711 5000.

Veranda Interior garden themes and interesting knick knacks to buy. There are now 3 in the chain located in Adhari, Amwaj, and Adliya, Tel: 1771 5868.

EUROPEAN - VARIOUS Café Amsterdam and Vino Teca Barcelona 2 restaurants joined to one another and sharing a garden.

Adliya, Tel: 32 000 177.

D 35 La Med Popular for its buffet, Ritz Carlton, Tel: 1758 6499.

D 40, L 16 Neyran Mercure Grand’s signature outlet. Seef, Tel 1758 4400.

D25 Nicole’s at Block 338, Tel: 1728 0700.

D 35, L 7 Saveur Westin’s Eat Well concept with ‘SuperFoods’. Westin, Tel: 1717 1000.

D 20, L 15 Tapas Serves tapas and cocktails on the seafront. Sofitel. Tel: 1763 6363.

D 37 Txoko A Basque-inspired sky lounge serving tapas. The Domain, Tel: 1600 0000.

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 97

listings Business Lunch Deals Lunch Express at La Med – Ritz Carlton Saturday – Thursday from 12:00pm to 3:30pm. BD 10.

The three-course menu offers you salad or soup from the buffet, one main course from the grill station and a dessert buffet.

Thali Business Lunch Box at Nirvana - Ritz Carlton Daily from 12:00pm to 3:00pm.

BD 11.

RUKA – Ramee Grand Sunday – Thursday from 12:30pm to 3:00pm. BD 12.

Experience a fusion of Japanese dishes while enjoying panoramic views of Manama from the 24th floor.

INTERNATIONAL OTHER INTERNATIONAL - VARIOUS Al Wasmeyyah Golden Tulip’s signature outlet.

Tel:1753 5000.

D 15, L 9 Bahrain Bay Kitchen Indooroutdoor restaurant, features an international buffet. Four Seasons, Tel: 1711 5000.

Waves – The Crowne Plaza Sunday –Thursday Daily from 12:00pm to 4:00pm. BD 9 A three-course seafood lunch.

Fiddlers Green – Diplomat Radisson Blu Sunday – Thursday from 12:00pm to 3:30pm. BD 7.

Enjoy the new lunch menu at Irish themed pub.

Zytoun – Novotel AlDana Sunday – Thursday from 12:30pm to 3:00pm BD 7 Unlimited buffet of oriental & Mediterranean cuisines with different live cooking.

Upstairs Downstairs Live music nightly, Adliya, Tel: 1771 3093.

D 30 Zoë with rooftop and basement lounges. Adliya, Tel: 1771 6400.

D 35

MEXICAN Lemon Tree Exotic culinary selection, including Japanese, Arabic, Indian, and Mediterranean dishes.

Ramee Grand, Tel: 17 111 999.

D 35, L 9 Level 34 Masculine grill room on 34th floor. Great views.

The Domain , Tel: 1600 0000 Me and You One of the few licensed restaurants in Amwaj lagoon, Live band every Friday. Tel: 1601 0160.

L 22 Fusions East meets west where chefs blend Asian and Mediterranean cuisines. Great views of Juffair, Gulf Hotel, Tel: 1771 3000.

D 30, L 18

D 35, L 9 MUJU Outdoor seating area with a pleasant sea view. Dragon Resort, Tel: 1603 9800.

Al Abraaj Arabic and International cuisine at reasonable prices.

Branches throughout Bahrain.

Burger Lounge Gourmet burgers, salads and side dishes in a venue as trendy as any nightspot.

Amwaj Lagoon. Tel: 7705 5772.

Chili’s Tex-Mex & American fare in a Southwestern style setting. Tel: 1750 6070 P.F. Chang’s Asian-themed diner located in Bahrain

98 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

City Centre Tel: 1717 9757.

T.G.I Friday’s Bahrain City Centre and Juffair Tel: 1717 9041 Nando’s Portugese/South African peri peri chicken. Juffair and Zayad town. Tel. 17825100 Also see: Butcher Shop & Grill (Steakhouses) Listed under Chili’s (American) Listed under Johnny Rockets (American) Listed under

BAHRAINI Bayti Trendy Bahraini outlet. Next to Bahrain Financial Harbour, Tel: 17 29 778 L9 Saffron AlAreen Khaleeji cuisine.

Al Areen Palace, Tel: 1784 5000.

Casa Mexicana Adliya, Tel: 1771 5521 D 25 Margarita Mexicana First finedining Mexican restaurant in Bahrain.

Gulf Hotel, Tel: 1771 3000.

Villa Mamas Opposite Saar Cinema, Tel: 17 305 031

IRANIAN

D 32 Senor Pacos Popular lively Mexican themed restaurant. Adliya, Tel: 1772 5873.

D 20

Golestan Iranian fine dining at Sheraton Hotel, Tel: 1753 3533.

Takht Jamsheed Iranian specialties Gulf Hotel, Tel: 1771 3000.

POLYNESIAN

LEBANESE

Kontiki Asian food in stylish surrounding. Diplomat Radisson Blu, Tel: 1753 1666.

Al Fayez Lebanese upscale fine dining with produce delivered directly from Lebanon. Traditional Lebanese food with a cultural modernized twist.

Reef Island. Tel. 13320612

FAMILY Bahrain has many of the world’s favorite casual dining chains, and a couple that are home grown. These are children friendly and do not serve alcohol.

MIDDLE EASTERN

Trader Vic’s Sit outside to enjoy one of the most beautiful settings in Bahrain. Ritz Carlton, Tel: 1758 6555.

Bey Route Lebanese restaurant and deli. Budaiya Tel: 1728 0111.

D 30

ICONS EXPLAINED

Fine Dining No Alcohol Live music Outdoor seating D - DINNER - average price in Bahrain Dinars L - LUNCH – average price in Bahrain Dinars

Kenza Lebanese and Iranian fare. K Hotel, Tel: 17360 000.

La Mosaique International buffets and a la carte menus. Crowne Plaza, Tel: 1753 1122.

D 32, L 14 Mawal Lebanese cuisine, set menu, live Lebanese and Iraqi singers and belly dancers. Golden Tulip, Tel: 17 535 000 ext. 8543

listings

Romantic Dining 7 of the best romantic places to enjoy a meal in Bahrain.

La Fontaine located in an artistically ‘reimagined’ historic building with a courtyard, the centerpiece of which is a fountain. French cuisine.

Manama. Tel. 1723 0123 Le Mer Sit outside on the water’s edge and gaze across the sea.

Seafood cuisine. Sofitel.

Tel. 1763 6363 Maki Upstairs is best with private coves for seating. Asian cuisine.

Moda Mall. Tel. 1752 2733

cozy. Steakhouse. RitzCarlton. Tel. 1758 0000 Fusions Ask for a table by the window for stunning views across Juffair. Fusions cuisine.

Gulf Hotel. Tel. 1771 3000 Meisei Trendy restaurant with rooftop bar to end the evening.

Asian cuisine. Adliya. Tel. 1700 7770 Trader Vic’s Sit outside and sip exotic cocktails by lush gardens that lead to the sea. International cuisine. Ritz-Carlton. Tel. 1758 6555

WHAT IS ‘FINE DINING’? A fine dining restaurant

has a more formal atmosphere than a casual dining restaurant, and they tend to be more expensive. The staff may wear formal attire. They also have stricter dress codes. Fine dining restaurants are not usually places for kids, unless very well behaved.

Rayes Lebanese food with outdoor seating looking across a small marina.

Fateh Corniche, Manama, Tel: 17 312 700 D 15, L 5 Shoo Fe Ma Fee Lebanese dining.

Adliya, Tel: 17 311 280

dancing. Gulf Hotel, Adliya, Tel: 1774 6417.

MIDDLE EASTERN - VARIOUS Bahart Dishes from across the Arab world, accompanied by sounds of live Oud player. Le Meridien, Tel: 1717 1111.

D 25 Reef Garden Dining with a modern Arabic twist as well as finger food, savory crepes and delicious traditional Saj. Reef Island. Tel. 17564730.

Zahle Lebanese cuisine, belly

SEAFOOD Fish Market Fresh seafood prepared to your own taste and liking. Al Bander Resort, Tel: 1770 1201.

La Mer Select your meal from the display and watched it cooked before your eyes. Sofitel, Tel: 1763 6363.

If your outlet is listed in Bahrain 101 and you wish to improve your message, simply email to us the following:

1. Details of any significant events you have planned for next month

Plums Warm, arty, and

Olivos Brasserie Casually elegant eatery. Diplomat Radisson, Tel: 17 531 666.

D 35

Calling Bahrain’s Best Places… our FREE service

Reef Fish Market Seafood fine dining. Reef Island. Tel. 17564730

Waves Seafood restaurant at the Crowne Plaza, Tel: 1753 1122.

2. Average cost of a lunch and dinner per outlet inclusive of taxes + brief description of what makes your place special

Email details to info@Bahrain101.com

Friday Brunches Unless otherwise stated, prices include unlimited food & beverages, tax & service charge. All eateries offer discounts for kids. Timings typically run from midday to 4pm (call for confirmations).

Crowne Plaza Live cooking stations across three restaurants.

Live band, henna, & face painting.

Lively crowd. BD30.

Tel: 17 531 122.

music inside, BD26.

Tel: 17 250 999.

Brazil, AdliyaLive music, BD21.

Tel: 17 826 686.

Le Sauvage - Domain Hotel, Adults only! BD32. Tel: 17 360 000.

Bushido, Seef, DJ & kids’ entertainment, BD30.

Tel: 17 583 555.

Lemon Tree Ramee Grand, Live music & kids’ corner, BD18.

Tel: 17 111 999.

Choices ART Rotana, Live music & kids’ entertainment, BD29.

Tel: 16 000 111.

Masso Palace Hotel, Nuevo cuisine options. BD30 Tel: 17 721 061.

Golden Tulip Free transport for groups of 10+, Live music & kids’ entertainment. Lively crowd. BD25. Tel: 17 535 000.

Moevenpick Live music & kids’ corner. Lively crowd, BD31.

Tel: 17 460 000.

Klouds – The K Hotel Live music. BD24. Tel: 17 360 000.

Muju - Dragon Hotel, Live jazz, sea views, adults only. Lively crowd. BD25. Tel: 16 039 800.

La Med - Ritz Carlton Hotel, Seef, Live music & kids play area. BD29. Tel: 17 586 499.

Ric’s Kountry Kitchen, Juffair, Live band. BD18. Tel: 17 725 550.

Lanterns Indian Restaurant, Adliya, Access to garden. Live

Upstairs Downstairs, Adliya, Live music/pianist. BD21. Tel: 17 713 093.

D 40, L 10 Also see Royal Thai (Thai)

Legendz - Intercontinental Regency, BD25. Tel: 17 227 777.

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 99

listings STEAKHOUSES Brazil Rodizio Grill and Lounge Brazilian-themed steakhouse offering the churrascaria dining style. Adliya, Tel: 1782 6686.

D 20

Hidden Gems

You don’t have to pay five star prices to savour fantastic cuisine in Bahrain.

Here’s some of our favourite family places where you can enjoy a delicious feast for less than BD5.

MIDDLE EASTERN - UNDER BD5

Butcher Shop & Grill South African family chain. Non alcohol.

City Centre, Tel: 17 172 323

CUT by Wolfgang Puck Bahrain’s newest steakhouse located at the Four Seasons, Tel: 1711 5000.

D 140 Ibrida Live music. Ramee Grand, Seef, Tel: 17 111 999 Legendz at the InterContinental Regency, Tel: 17 227 777.

Links Features include a cocktail bar, an outdoor terrace, and floor to ceiling picture windows overlooking the golf courses.

Royal Golf Club, Tel: 1775 1262.

L8 The Meat Co. South African restaurant with roof bar. Adliya, Tel: 1774 2080.

Plums Fine dining steakhouse.

Ritz-Carlton, Tel: 1758 0000.

D 72 Also see Le Sauvage (French)

Calling Bahrain’s Best Places… our FREE service If your outlet is listed in Bahrain 101 and you wish to improve your message, simply email to us the following:

1. Details of any significant events you have planned for next month 2. Average cost of a lunch and dinner per outlet inclusive of taxes + brief description of what makes your place special

Email details to info@ Bahrain101.com

100 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Al Hantoor Grills One-of-a-kind Turkish restaurant, running for 18 years. The regular customers swear by their grills and shawarma,Tashan, Tel:1740 1084 Al Shoala Popular Turkish spot – among the locals and expats alike. Expect some delay with your order during peak times.

Jidhafs, Jid Ali, and Muharraq, Tel: 1733 3676 (Muharraq branch) Badawi Authentic Lebanese dining experience in Bahrain. Hoora, Exhibition Road, Tel: 1729 7799 Bu Ali Traditional Middle Eastern and Asian dishes. Several branches throughout the island, Tel: 1724 2432 Iskenderun Grill Excellent for tikka or lamb chops. Generous portions too! Hoora, Exhibition Road, Tel: 1729 3334 Lebanese Restaurant Aka ‘Shukri’, they serve mutton shawarma, hummus, Iranianstyle lamb chops, and traditional arayes. Gudaibiya, Tel: 1724 2333 Tehran Grills Iranian food, Sanabis, opposite Bahrain Mall, Tel: 1755 5989 Uruk Restaurant Famous for its grills and fresh bread. Hoora, Exhibition Road, Tel: 1729 1500 Alexandria Grills Tables set-up on the sidewalk! As you watch the buzzin’ streets, they’re grillin’ delicious meat & chicken tikka right in front of you! Old Palace Rd. (across from Daiso).

INDIAN - UNDER BD5 Aryas Bhavan Vegetarian restaurant serves South Indian and Punjabi dishes, including vegan “Shawarma Alley” OK – this isn’t a single outlet, but a whole road of cafes and shawarma stands, the so called ‘Shawarma Alley’ is your goto place not just for a simple snack, but also for some people watching. Typical price for a shawarma – 150 fils! Adliya, Osama bin Zaid Avenue.

options. Manama, Isa Al Kabeer Avenue, Tel: 1726 3171 Barbecue Delights Pakistani, Afghani, and North Indian cuisine. Seef Mall, Tel: 1756 4282 Charcoal Grill Known forits tandoori chicken, this smallfamily restaurant offers Indian, Chinese, and grills. Umm Al Hassam, Tel: 17729115 Spice Nice Goan cuisine. Chinese dishes also available. Adliya, behind Gulf Hotel, Tel: 1771 3603 Swagat A charming vegetarian small-hole-in-the-wall, offering all things South Indian.

Manama Souq, Tel: 1722 5137 Govindas Authentic Hindu vegetarian cuisine. Mannai Mansions, Juffair (opposite Al Jazzera supermarket), Tel: 17 827 127 Vrindavan All-vegetarian outlet serving authentic South Indian thali.

Manama, next to American Mission Hospital, Tel: 1723 4454, 1727 2320

INTERNATIONAL - UNDER BD5 Grill Room Buffet A great variety of Chinese, Continental, and Pakistani dishes. Budaiya, Tel: 1769 6660 Paradise Café This veteran eatery has a loyal customer base.

Famous for its chicken tikka and cream caramel. Manama, Government Avenue, Tel: 1753 5306 Salt’n Pepper Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern dishes as well as sandwiches, fast food, seafood, steaks, and vegetarian options. Sanad, Tel: 1762 3535

to Bab Al Bahrain, Tel: 1722 7761 Baan Saeng Thai – authentic Thai cuisine, Adliya Tel: 1771 0467

SEAFOOD - UNDER BD5 Fish House A must try for seafood lovers. Budaiya, opposite the International Hospital, Tel: 1759 4040

“American Alley” So called because it is close to the US Navy base and popular with Americans. This is not a restaurant but a long street full of family food outlets and restaurants - mostly international franchises. Juffair -

WHAT IS ‘FINE DINING’? A fine dining

restaurant has a more formal atmosphere than a casual dining restaurant, and they tend to be more expensive.

The staff may wear formal attire. They also have stricter dress codes.

Fine dining restaurants are not usually places for kids, unless very well behaved.

Yum Yum Tree Different cuisines cooked in separate kitchens all under the same roof. Great food, wide selection – Arabic, Italian, Chinese, Thai and more several branches throughout the country, Tel: 1753 7900

FAR EASTERN - UNDER BD5 Swan Lake Genuine Filipino dishes, with a pinch of Thai cuisine, always served fresh and in generous portions. Manama, next

no padding, just info!

listings

5 Star & Premium 4 Star Hotels – with fine dining outlets (details in dining section)

Outlets include Japanese restaurant on 24th floor. Seef, Tel: 1711 1999 rameegrandbahrain.com Ruka (Japanese) Rialto (Italian) Rasoi (Indian)

5 STAR HOTELS Al Areen Palace & Spa Luxury private villas and seclusion far from Manama. Large, well equipped Spa. Close to F1 circuit, Tel: 1784 5000 alareenpalace.com Saffron Al Areen (Middle Eastern) Keizo (Asian) ART Rotana Hotel & Resort Located in Amwaj islands, a short distance from Bahrain International Airport, Tel: 1600 0111 rotana.com/artrotana Flames (Steak & Seafood) Rosso (Italian) WU Asian Restaurant (Asian) Crowne Plaza Large business and conference venues and an array of restaurants, bars, and cafes, plus health club. Diplomatic area, Tel: 1753 1122 cp-bahrain.com Spices (Indian) Waves (Seafood) Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa Mediterranean bistro, Irish pub, large lagoon pool, and a Thai-inspired spa. Diplomatic area, Tel: 1753 1666 radissonblu.com Kontiki (Asian) Mondo (Italian) The Domain Bahrain Hotel & Spa Hotel with several trendy restaurants, lounges, and bars.

Diplomatic area, Tel: 1600 0000 thedomainhotels.com Le Sauvage (Steakhouse) Imari (Japanese) Txoko (Lounge) Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay A soaring architectural statement on its own exclusive island. Manama, Tel: 1711 5000

fourseasons.com/bahrain CUT by Wolfgang Puck (Steakhouse) re Asian Cuisine - Wolfgang Puck (Asian) Vento (Italian) The Golden Tulip Located in the Diplomatic Area, facing the World Trade Centre, Tel: 1753 5000 goldentulipbahrain.com Mawal (Lebanese) Al Wasmeyyah (International) Kei (Japanese) Gulf Hotel Adliya, Tel: 1771 3000 gulfhotelbahrain.com China Garden (Chinese) Fusions (International Fusion) La Pergola (Italian) Margarita Mexicana (Mexican) Royal Thai (Thai) Sato (Japanese) Takht Jamsheed (Iranian) Zahle (Lebanese) Rasoi by Vineet (Indian) InterContinental Regency Bahrain Recently renovated business hotel in central Manama.

Diplomatic area, Tel: 1722 7777 icbahrain.com Legendz (Steakhouse) Le Meridien Bahrain City Centre Directly connected to City Centre Mall, the hotel has meeting and dining venues. Seef, Tel: 1717 1111 lemeridienbahraincitycentre.com Baharat Restaurant (Middle Eastern) Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain Next to the airport, boutique style hotel overlooks a lagoon, Tel: 1746 0000 moevenpick-hotels.com/bahrain Silk’s (Thematic) Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa Close to major shopping centers.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa Direct access to a private beach and lagoon, and adjacent to the popular Trader Vic’s restaurant.

Seef, Tel: 1758 0000 ritzcarlton.com La Med (Mediterranean) Plums (Steakhouse) Primavera (Italian) Nirvana (Indian) Sheraton Bahrain Hotel Next to Bahrain World Trade Centre.

Diplomatic area, Tel: 1753 3533 sheraton.com Golestan (Iranian) Soie (Chinese) AlSafir (International) Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa Private beach. Located out of town, close to F1 circuit. Zallaq, Tel: 1763 6363 sofitel.com La Mer (Thematic) WOK (Asian) Pashawat (Regional) Saraya (International) The Westin Bahrain City Centre Directly connected to the mall and featuring dining venues, meeting rooms and spa. Seef, Tel: 1717 1000 westinbahraincitycentre.com Saveur Restaurant (International) Nasmat Lounge (Mediterranean)

5 STAR APARTMENT HOTELS Fraser Suites Within walking distance of Bahrain’s main shopping. Seef, Tel: 1756 9333 frasershospitality.com Marriott Exec. Aprts. Close for both central Manama and the restaurants and nightlife of Juffair and Adliya, Tel: 1736 3999 marriott.com

PREMIUM 4 STAR HOTELS

The Dragon Hotel on the sea looking across Amwaj Bay. Amwaj Tel: 16 033 833 Elite Crystal Hotel Leasure and business hotel with the popular K360 nightclub downstairs. Juffair, Tel: 1722 4000 Awtar (Lebanese) Elite Resort & Spa On the sea looking across at Manama’s business district, and home to one of the island’s biggest spas. Muharraq, Tel: 1731 3333 elitegroup4u.com Holiday Inn Express Bahrain in the lively business district of Manama. Al Hoora, Tel: 1731 3030.

Ibis Seef Hotel Bahrain Less than 1 km away from Bahrain Exhibition Centre and Seef Mall. Sanabis, Tel: 17386021.

The Juffair Grand Boutique and Business hotel previously known as Best Western. Popular for its nightclub - Wranglers, Tel: 1782 7600 thejuffairgrand.com K Hotel Luxury contemporary leisure and business hotel located in the heart of Juffair. Tel. 1736 0000 Mercure Grand Seef Tel: 1758 4400 mercurebahrain.com Monroe Located in the busy Exhibition Road Tel: 1729 6699 Novotel Al Dana Resort A beachside property, Muharraq, Tel: 1729 8008 novotel.com La Perle (Thematic) Zytoun (Mediterranean) The Palace Boutique Hotel Chic boutique hotel. Adliya, Tel: 1772 5000 thepalace.com.bh Masso (Mediterranean) Ramada Hotel Bahrain Adliya, Tel: 1774 2000 ramada.com Ramada Palace Gudaibiya Avenue, Tel: 1729 6660 ramadapalacehotel.com

4 STAR APARTMENT HOTELS Al Manzil Close to Adliya/Juffair’s restaurants and nightlife, Tel: 1781 3366 almanzilhotelbh.com

Al Bander Hotel & Resort – Private chalets on the sea front Ideal for watersports. There’s a big outdoor pool and a bowling alley.

Sitra, Tel: 1770 1201 albander.com

Elite Group - a choice of properties in Bahrain for long term guests, Tel: 1722 4000 elitegroup4u.com

Al Safir Hotel Leasure and business hotel. Juffair, Tel: 1782 7999 alsafirhotel.com

Tulip Inn Bahrain close to Dana Mall, Tel: 1755 5060 tulipinnsuitesbahrain.com

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 101

listings

Spas

-

Bahrain has spas that are truly world class – and here’s some of the best as chosen by our reader poll...

European style Spa - products used are all from European origin and include, CACI machine, Harley Street products, organic VOYA marine products and French Charme d’orient. Tel: +973 17460052

RAMEE GRAND / Reborn Spa

Inspired by Indian, Thai and Moroccan therapies,complimented by Elemis skincare spaproducts.

Tel: 17 111 980

THE RITZ-CARLTON Luxury wellness concept focuses on providing a haven of relaxation Tel. 1758 0000

AL AREEN PALACE / Al Areen Spa Drawing inspiration from the Chinese Five Elements philosophy and ancient Asian traditions.

Tel. 1784 5000

FOUR SEASONS / The Spa

4 interconnected buildings with pathways and gardens reflecting Moroccan and Turkish influences. Tel. 1711 5000

SOFITEL / Thalassa Sea & Spa A seawater hydrotherapy pool and includes a freshwater pool.

Tel. 1763 6363

THE DOMAIN / Vie Lifestyle Lab

INTERCON REGENCY / Spa

WESTIN / The Heavenly© Spa Designated male and female zones. A couples’ spa suite boasts the largest Turkish Hammam bath on the island.

Tel. 1717 1000

An “urban wellness” spa that claims to focus on relaxation, rejuvenation, and revitalization. Tel. 1600 0000

DIPLOMAT RADISSON BLU

InterContinental offers “Total Relaxation & De-Stress” that can cause three hours of your day to evaporate into clouds of bliss.

Tel. 1720 8355

Purpose built spa and health centre adjoining hotel. Tel: 17 531 666

MÖVENPICK / Rimal Spa

Nightlife

– THE BEST (as decided by Bahrain 101 readers poll)

LIVELY AT WEEKENDS 338 hosts a spacious garden area to enjoy when the weather’s not too hot or cold. Adliya, Tel: 1771 0338.

Blaq Velvet Underground DJ Damian D’Costa is a regular installment with a dedicated following. Juffair, Grand Safir Hotel, Tel: 3398 0122.

Bora Bora A Caribbean themed rooftop venue with a sunken bar and poolside lounge. Juffair, Elite Crystal Hotel, Tel: 1755 8200.

Brazil This intimate club has a friendly vibe and hosts some of Bahrain’s niche music genres. Adliya, Tel: 3616 1650.

Bushido Enormous Samuraithemed Japanese restaurant by day, and offshoot of Buddha Bar by night. Seef, near RitzCarlton. Tel: 1758 6555. High $$$

102 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Camelot Friendly bar and restaurant located in a faux castle.

Live singer. Adliya, Tel: 3997 7540.

Davy Crockett’s restaurant and bar with live band. Very busy at weekends. Hotel Diva, Juffair, Tel: 3992 2583.

Downtown Jam Night on Sundays where you receive a complimentary drink if you participate with the resident band. Central Business District InterContinental, Tel: 1722 7777.

Elements Offers a poolside lounge in an open white room. Central Business District, InterContinental, Tel: 1722 7777.

Fiddlers Green Irish themed pub. Diplomat Radisson Blu, Diplomatic Area, Tel: 1753 4666.

Harvesters Large pub with outside seating. Live band. Crowne Plaza, Diplomatic Area, Tel. 1753 1122.

Ibrida The biggest club in Bahrain with resident band and other stage events. Seef, Ramee Grand Hotel, Tel: 1711 1999.

JJs Irish bar and restaurant, extremely popular for its famous Monday Microphone Madness night, host to Bahrain’s Karaoke Idol, and Sunday’s Quiz and Disco Bingo night. Adliya Tel: 3932 9083.

Klub 360 Large club that hosts many international DJ nights. Juffair, Elite Crystal Hotel, Tel: 1736 0300.

Muju Indoor and outdoor setting that overlooks the pool and the lagoon.

Amwaj, Dragon Hotel, Tel: 1603 9800.

Pulse Lively Arabic nightclub, Al Safir Hotel, Juffair, Tel: 1782 7999 Ric’s Kountry Kitchen A popular American venue with a lively karaoke night. Juffair, Tel: 1772 5550.

ESSENTIAL INFO 24-Hour Pharmacies Jaffer Pharmacy Tel. 1729 1039 18, Tarfah bin Al Abid Avenue, Manama 319 Nasser Pharmacy Tel. 1774 0900 63-B, Qadisiya Avenue, Manama 332 Awal Pharmacy Tel. 1777 2023 30 Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Avenue, East Riffa 901 Muwasaa Pharmacy Tel. 1733 5666 Shaikh Mohd bin Salman Avenue, Road 205, Muharraq Flight Info Flight Info Tel. 1733 9339 British Airways Tel. 1758 7777 Turkish Airlines Tel. 1731 2233 Air India Tel. 1729 6444 Cathay Pacific Tel. 1722 6226 Emirates Tel. 1758 8700 Gulf Air Tel. 1733 5777 Jet Airways Tel. 1722 7114 KLM Tel. 1722 9747 Kuwait Airways Tel. 1722 3300 Lufthansa Tel. 1782 8762 Qatar Airways Tel. 1721 2202 Saudi Airlines Tel. 1721 1550 Hospitals & Clinics Emergency 999 American Mission Hospital (AMH) Tel. 1725 3447 Saar Medical & Dental Clinic (AMH) Tel. 1779 0025 Bahrain Specialist Hospital Tel. 1781 2000 Ibn Al-Nafees Hospital 1782 8282 Salmaniya Hospital Tel. 1728 8888 Gulf Dental Speciality Hospital Tel. 1774 1444

Sherlock Holmes large English themed pub with live band. Gulf Hotel, Adliya, Tel: 1771 3000 Sky Bar Outdoor rooftop experience.

Music to suit the mood of the night makes this venue come alive. Closes when the summer gets too hot.

Juffair, Hotel Diva, Tel: 3971 8101.

Tapas Bar A vibrant blue interior reminiscent of the sea outside, offering cocktails, live music, DJ’s, and hosts a Friday brunch.

Zallaq, Sofitel. Tel: 1763 6363.

Trader Vic’s Sociable atmosphere.

Sit outside to enjoy one of the most beautiful settings in Bahrain. Ritz Carlton, Tel: 1758 6555. High $$$ The Warbler Sports bar with an international size pool table and darts section. Manama, Tel: 1729 0600.

listings Ladies Nights - Offers apply to LADIES ONLY Barrel Crystal Palace Hotel, Juffair, EVERY NIGHT - 3 free drinks 9pm1am. Live band. Tel: 66 901 323.

Bambu, Adliya, EVERY NIGHT - 3 free drinks from 3pm-2am including house cocktails. Tel: 36 020 710.

Brazil, Adliya, Tue & Wed. Unlimited food & drinks for BD12 (guys pay BD20). Live music on Wed. Tel: 17 826 686.

Bushido, Seef, Thursdays only.

Free drinks from 9pm-1am.

LIVE DJ. Tel: 17 583 555.

Camelot, Adliya, Unlimited cocktails BD5 from 7pm, Wednesdays only. Live music.

Tel: 39 977 540.

Cellar 59, ART Rotana, EVERY NIGHT, Amwaj, 3 free drinks. 5pm2am. Live DJ. Tel: 33 165 333.

Club Buffalo EVERY NIGHT (except Thursdays). Various offers. Live band. Tel: 39 508 403.

Wrangler, Juffair Grande Hotel, Sun, Tues, Fri. Free drinks 8pm-2am! DJ. Tel: 39 831 380.

Davy Crocketts, Hotel Diva, Juffair, Tue & Wed. 5 free drinks 8pm-1am. Live music.

Tel: 36 089 534.

Downtown, Intercontinental Regency Hotel, Sat, Wed, Thurs.

Various offers. Live band.

Tel: 35 034 768.

Txoko A bar that’s almost the entire length of the club, and a raised VIP area. Diplomatic Area, The Domain, Tel: 1600 0000.

Upstairs Downstairs Bahrain’s favourite jazz venue, renowned for its live music Dinner Shows. Adliya, Tel: 1771 3093.

Wrangler A very wild Wild West Saloon, playing RnB. Juffair, Tel: 1729 0600.

COZY Burlington Club Cigar lounge in the style of an English gentlemen’s club.

Ritz Carlton, Seef, Tel: 1758 0000

Dublin, Ramee Palace Hotel, Sun, Tue, Wed, Fri. Unlimitedfree drinks 9pm - 1am. Live band.

Tel: 39 610 405.

but the venue, set in the lake, takes the tempo a step down.

Seef, Ritz-Carlton. Tel: 1758 6555.

The K Lounge Art Deco feel, with contemporary art on display.

Juffair, The K Hotel, Tel: 1736 0000.

Shift 7 Formula 1 inspired bar and lounge. Indoor and outdoor seating and excellent view of Bahrain. Muharraq, Elite Resort & Spa, Tel: 1731 3333.

Typhoon Cocktail lounge with option to sit outside set next to the gardens of The Gulf Hotel, Adliya, Tel: 1774 6434.

Finesse Klub K360, Elite Crystal Hotel, Juffair, Sun & Wed. BD5 for unlimited drinks all night from 9pm – 2am! Live DJs. Tel: 36 025 360.

Harvesters, Crowne Plaza, Mon & Fri. Different offers.

Live band. Tel: 39 257 876.

Ibrida Ramee Grand Hotel, Seef Tue, Wed, Fri. Unlimited drinks 9pm -1am. Live music. Tel: 36 897 378.

JJs Irish Restaurant, Adliya, Sat, Sun, Tue, Wed. Unlimited drinks for BD4. Live DJ. Tel: 39 329 083.

Meisei Wed only. Free wine 7pm -11pm. Live music. Tel: 1700 7770 The Hub, Ramee Monroe Hotel, Wed only. Unlimited free drinks 9pm-2am. Live music Tel: 39 175 424.

Sports

Txoko, 36th floor, Domain Hotel, EVERY NIGHT, except Fri. Unlimited selected drinks 4pm2am. Live DJ. Tel: 66 395 608.

BOWLING Bahrain Bowling Association Tel: 17 701 201

Upstairs Downstairs, Adliya, EVERY NIGHT, BD6 for six selected drinks. 7.30 pm - midnight.

Live music. Tel: 36 869 843.

Warblers, Ramee Baisan Hotel, Hoora, Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues. 3 free drinks 9pm-1am. Live band.

Tel: 38 381 631.

Cellar 59 A wine bar and cellar at the newly opened ART Rotana, Amwaj Tel: 1600 0111. Moderate $$ Flamingo Bar Classy cocktail and cigar lounge by the pool. Moevenpick Hotel, near Airport, Tel: 17460 000.

Lagoon Open from 9am till sunset. Has a central pool bar that you can swim up to. Zallaq, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea and Spa, Tel: 1763 6363.

Level 34 Great views over Bahrain. Diplomatic Area, The Domain, Tel:1600 0000.

Mai-Tai Trader Vic’s little sister, the Polynesian theme remains,

- for those feeling energetic!

CRICKET Bahrain Rugby Club Tel: 17 727 727 FOOTBALL For organized games, 5-a-side, and kids training contact Bahrain Rugby Club Tel: 17 695 809 Dilmun Club Tel: 36 342 862

JETSKIS Coral Bay Tel: 17 312 700 KARATE Bahrain Karate Centre Tel: 38 449 994 KARTING Tel: 13 101 310 KAYAKING Bahrain Sailing Club Tel. 17 836 078 KITESURFING Skate Shack Tel. 17 697 176

GOLF For the only green in Bahrain Royal Golf Club Tel: 17 750 777 Awali Golf Club – 18 hole desert course. Tel. 17 756 770

MOTORSPORT Test your car + driving skills on an F1 circuit + 4x4 off-road instruction.

Bahrain International Circuit.

Tel. 17 450 000

GYMS / FITNESS Cross Fit Seef Tel: 33 44 11 22 Nautilus Fitness Tel: 17 593 593 Dessange (ladies only) Tel: 17 713 999 Life-Fit Tel: 17 692 424 Tribal Fitness – focusses on natural movement Tel: 3632 8379

RUGBY Bahrain Rugby Club Tel: 17 695 809

HORSE RIDING Dilmun Stables Tel: 17 693 766 Shakhoora Stables Tel: 17 591 103 ICE SKATING Funland Tel: 17 292 313

RUNNING Bahrain Road Runners Tel: 36 876 876 SAILING Bahrain Sailing Club Tel: 17 836 078 Bahrain Yacht Club Tel: 17 700 677 SCUBA DIVING Awali Divers at Dilmun Club Tel: 17 690 926 Coral Bay Tel: 17 312 700

Bahrain Confidential September 2015 103

listings Scubamaster Tel: 17 292 154 SQUASH Dilmun Club Tel: 3725 5772 TENNIS Bahrain Tennis Club Tel: 17 729 5610 Dilmun Club Tel: 17 692 986 Country Club Tel: 17 593 593 TRIATHLON SWIM TRAINING Bahrain Rugby Club.

Tel. 17 695 809

CLUBS & ASSOCIATIONS: PROFESSIONAL CLUBS American Chamber of Commerce – Monthly lunch meetings and other professional networking events. Tel. 17 522 777 Australian Association – Social and professional networking events. gaylehumphreys@gmail.com Bahrain British Business Forum – Monthly lunch meetings and other professional networking events.

Tel. 17 813 488 Bahrain French Business Club – Monthly lunch meetings and other professional networking events. Tel. 17 748 999

no padding, just info!

Bahrain Irish Society – Lunch meetings and other professional networking events bahrainirishsociety.com

What’s New? New Menu at Soie

Soie Chinese Restaurant at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel has launched its new menu! The new dishes include flavourful creations across Cantonese, Szechuan, Beijing, Hong Kong, South-East Asia and Combo Specials.

Signature favorites with most guests are its delicious mango crispy chicken, lightly fried cigale with spicy salt and the deep-fried ice cream with mango cinnamon coulis. An award winning restaurant, Soie serves authentic Chinese cuisine and its traditional but contemporary ambiance promises to transport you to the South East making it the perfect destination for a romantic dinner or a casual get-together.

For bookings, call Tel. +973 1753 3533

104 Bahrain Confidential September 2015

Wok, Now 100% Vietnamese!

Wok is authentically Vietnamese, taking its name from a round-bottomed cooking vessel, ‘wok’, originating from China which is also used in Vietnam. Asian diets are considered among the healthiest in the world using the freshest ingredients and a wide variety of distinctive seasonings, herbs, and spices and healthy cooking methods which do not rely on high fat and high sodium for flavor. The cuisine style of Wok now is 100 % Vietnamese: Hue traditional cuisine and the Royal cuisine.

This cuisine focuses on aestheticism and harmony among the ingredients, by way of decoration and colours so as to create a gastronomic work of art.

For bookings, call Tel. +973 1763 6363

Biz-Ladies – Lunch meetings and other networking events for professional women. Tel. 38 442 727

Bahrain Rugby Club - Family club with good sports facilities.

Tel. 17 695 809

Indian Ladies Association – ilabahrain.org. Tel. 17 531 468

British Club - Home away from home for the mostly British members. Good sports facilities. Tel. 1772 8245

Internations – International social club, regular evening get-togethers at different locations – internations.org Palm Association – Ladies group helping good causes.

Tel. 39 967 896 Rotary Club – Tel. 17 740 146 FAMILY CLUBS Bahrain Beachcombers – Friendly group that typically meets twice monthly to clean beaches. Check their Facebook page for details.

Country Club - Family club with good sports facilities.

Tel. 17 593 593 Dilmun Club – Family club with good sports facilities.

Tel. 17 690 926 Think Pink – Fighting breast cancer. Tel. 39 076 717 Indian Club Home away from home for Indian members. Good sports facilities. Tel: 1725 3157

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