CHIC Eats

Between chestnut fed veal and cows raised on hazelnut, gourmet meat is usually hard to find around Bahrain. Premium meat cuts harvested from very young well raised livestock for your luxurious culinary indulgence are now only a drive away. Flames Steak & Seafood at ART Rotana Hotel boasts such luxurys in the man-made island of Amwaj, which ensure that it does not fall short of this deluxe task.

The restaurant is an elegant space carved into intimate seating options. Your taste buds are intrigued straight from the entrance when your eyes meet the beautiful meat and seafood on display. Walking past the reception podium, the Bar Lounge unveils itself and is simply classy. One long grey sofa, coupled with cosy purple chairs, provide a unique seating arrangement; a great match of colours to go with the shiny, black marble tiles. Skipping the lounge, we headed straight to our table escorted by our lovely waiter. A wine display area colonised the middle space with the season’s celebratory vibe. An added bonus is the ability to purchase a bottle of wine if your palate desires.

To the left of the entrance we peeked into the open kitchen to catch a glance over the delicious action taking place on the fire with the chef and kitchen staff welcoming our nosey looks with a smile.

As I was seated I embraced this culinary experience in which I decided to try the Grilled Oysters. Six pieces of fresh Oysters sprinkled with Chorizo and Spanish Cheese were perfectly cooked under the broiler, served with a wedge of lemon and a mini bottle of Tabasco. This is the second time I‘ve tried Oysters in my life and I must honestly say that I found this occasion incredibly enjoyable. Harmonious flavours and no ‘fishiness’ at all, a great choice for a seafood novice who may fear the intimidating shell!

The restaurant offers its diners the option to sit outside with a charming view of the hotel’s famous dancing fountain (weather permitting). The nearby Shisha Lounge can be your after dinner destination if that is your indulgence of choice Freshly baked bread was served to the table with the most delicious butter, but, to my surprise, the bread came alongside a house salad! What a great alternative to bread for all the ladies who worry about those extra unwelcomed calories. Starters began to pour onto the table one after the other. Ahi Tuna Sashimi Stack was one of the best fish tartar I have ever had the privilege of tasting. The Sea Scallops were brilliantly pan seared and served on a bed of green peas and bacon. The famous Seafood Chowder took centre stage as the creamy delicious soup presented in country bread boule, very nice and extremely rich with a handful of mixed seafood proving itself as a strong contender for being a main course in itself. If you prefer a choice free from seafood, the Shiitake mushroom will make a great substitute.

We chose to delve into our main courses without taking a break, alas, we did not have to wait long to be owed such a virtue. Here comes the daddy of all meats:

The Tomahawk Steak; Wow! The size was humongous yet such a pleasant view! This was an immense cut of meat with the entire rib bone retained to allow for a fabulous presentation. I kid you not, this piece of beef could easily feed three people. We were well treated with an array of sides from mash potatoes, fries and potato gratin along with both mushroom and pepper sauce, a couple of giant onion rings and some grilled cherry tomatoes on the vine in addition to a collection of fine quality mustard. All of this will be served at your table on a trolley and your waiter will help cut the brilliant piece of deviousness and seasons it perfectly veered towards your preference of taste.

The chef insisted that we try the Angus Tenderloin from the United States and it was equally delicious albeit we were grateful for the smaller portion.

Finally, we move from savoury to sweet with Donut Balls served with three different sauces of Chocolate, Strawberry, and Caramel. As if that wasn’t enough we were served a collection of Creme Brulee, Caramel Chocolate Bar, and a mini Carrot Cake with Cinnamon Ice cream.

Thank you Flames Steak & Seafood for the most enjoyable steak experience ever, I truly enjoyed myself experiencing such a magnificent and unforgettable meal.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, it is more than a meal, it’s a memory.

For more information please visit rotana.com or call + 973 16000 111