BURGER FEATURE | SUV FEATURE | PROPERTY FEATURE
YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE
www.bahrainthismonth.com
JOSS STONE
CLOSES SPRING OF CULTURE FORMULA ONE SEAN PAUL UK IN BAHRAIN
April 2015 ~ Vol. 19 ~ Issue 4
Arts
Culture
Clubs
Sports
Interviews
Lifestyle
Dining
Nightlife
Between the Finger Ring Duet Two Butterfly Ring, diamonds and yellow sapphires.
Haute Joaillerie, place Vend么me since 1906
coral bay’s weekend
Jade | Thursday, 16
th
April
Shifting Gears | The Electronic Music Experience To set the mood for an epic F1 party weekend, we are kicking things off with Shifting Gears – The Electronic Music Experience featuring Jade of (C U NXT SAT Beirut & RIVERSIDE Records - Berlin) – one of the region’s most talented DJ’s & producer who is best known for blending oriental with cutting edge electronic music and working with international artists. Experience a unique, unexpected set throughout the night as we dance to some groovy tunes under the night sky in a seafront setting like no other with hypnotic laser & lighting show. Tickets for Shifting Gears are for BD 10 at the door. Show starts from 9pm onward. For information & tables booking please contact 33745547-36950077
| Friday, 17
th
April
Fashion TV | Nuit Des Papillons The most fashionable night on the island is back with a bang! This year, the notorious FTV & Coral Bay’s collaboration party; Fashion TV Nuit Des Papillons or “Night of the Butterflies” features the superstar Dutch DJ Patrick Hagenaar behind the decks! Fashion TV Nuit Des Papillons, a black tie event, will also have the glamorous Rumour Dancers as live butterflies with their incredible acrobatic feats, mesmerizing stunt works with fire and insane dance moves. Tickets at the door – ladies BD10 & gents BD20. Show starts from 9pm onward. For information & tables booking please contact 33745547-36950077
Moda Mall: 17534444 Al-Aali Mall: 17581444 Seef Mall: 17587888 Ritz- Carlton Hotel: 17580123 City Centre: 17179009 www.asiajewellers.com
Issue 212
Contents April 2015 COVER STORY 24 Grand Finale
The Spring of Culture comes to a close with a performance from Grammy Award winning UK soul singer-songwriter and actress Joss Stone at Arad Fort.
HAPPENINGS
Bahrain This Month reviews events happening around town during the month of April 2015:
23
23
A Fun Feline Fable:
Olivier Award-nominated production of The Tiger Who Came To Tea will be showing at the Cultural Hall. 26
Charitable Art:
The Sovereign Art Foundation Schools’ Prize 2015. 28
Walk This Way:
Jam Up is preparing to bring another international musician to the island — hip hop artist Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels.
Urban Culture Week Returns:
30
Enjoy a whole week of music and workshops to learn different aspects of hip-hop culture. 32
Get Guffawing:
The Chuckle Club returns.
26
30
Calendars:
Events during April
44
43
INTERVIEWS Bringing the Light
44
Friendly Relations
Jamaican artist Sean Paul arrives in the Kingdom this month for a special performance and talks to Bahrain This Month about his road to fame.
43
30
Despite a very small community, the Embassy of Brunei Darussalam has been here since 2001. The Charge d’Affaires Nor Huda Ahmad has been here for nine months, strengthening relations between the two countries.
46-47
A Proud Legacy
The man responsible for bringing you your daily dose of breaking news is the charismatic editor-in-chief of the Gulf Daily News, George Williams. BTM caught up with him to talk about his life in Bahrain.
48
Mehmet’s Turkish Delights!
Entrepreneurial Mehmet Tuzcu is opening a new store in the Kingdom to showcase a selection of Turkey’s most popular brands.
51
48
54 Bystander This month’s Bystander features the opening of the Bahrain International Garden Show by Her Highness Shaikha Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and Chairwoman of the Supreme Council for Women. We also attended the opening of the Four Seasons Bahrain Bay and recorded Brunei’s National Day celebration and the Irish Society’s St Patrick’s Day Ball.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Game on for Bahrain
Cousins Ali, Mohammed and Fahad Al Khalifa have taken their love of gaming to a new level by creating an app they hope will 1UP them from the competition.
52
JLR Backseat Chat
George F Middleton talks with record-breaking Bahraini racer Salah Salahuddin about entrepreneurialism, motorsport and the importance of teamwork.
FEATURES 57-72
UK in Bahrain:
Celebrating Mutual Prosperity:
A special supplement highlighting bilateral relationships between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UK. 73-79
Property:
The Reality of Real Estate:
Bahrain This Month talk to the experts in the field to give you an overview of the current property market in the Kingdom. April 2015 7
enjoy unlimited music on Deezer stream music through Deezer and pay for it using VIVA credit
Access music-on-the-go by subscribing to Deezer Premium + at BD 3/month. Listen to more than 35 million tracks and tune in to thousands of radio channels worldwide and pay using your VIVA Prepaid credit or Postpaid bill To subscribe, send ON to 98850
Issue 212
Contents April 2015 LIFESTYLE 83
Motoring:
A Need For Speed!:
The Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is a sight to behold, a true German masterpiece that has been sculpted to perfection.
83
An Attractive Alternative:
84
Mercedes-Benz is aiming to impress with its latest offering, the CLA-Class, a powerful new model that blends style and performance. 87
Technology Under the Spotlight:
Audi fans in the Kingdom were given the chance to try out a sensational selection of the marque’s top models during a special ‘quattro tour’ road show. 88
Buckle up, Stay Alert!:
Euro Motors, the importer for the BMW Group in Bahrain, supported this year’s GCC Traffic Week by distributing child booster cushions as part of its drive to raise awareness of buckling up. 91-106
SUV Feature:
On And off The Road Again:
Bahrain This Month has compiled a definitive list of the latest models and special offers on everything with fourwheel drive!
F1 Feature:
Racing Ahead:
107
92
74
Zain Racing Team, one of the leading contenders in local and regional drag racing, is driving forward in 2015. 108
Innovation on Display:
British innovation and engineering will come under the spotlight this month as part of a special event that ties in with the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. British Deputy Head of Mission, Russ Dixon reveals all. 110-111
F1 Frenzy:
The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is all set for the 2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, not just for racing but also for top-notch entertainment.
Downtime:
114-115 Gadgets: The coolest new gizmos 116 Music: The Day is My Enemy 118 Computer Games: Mirror’s Edge 119 Websites: www.agoodmovietowatch.com 120 Apps: Ingenious Applications 121 Movies: Lucy
118
123
123
Dining:
Bowled Over:
The revamped Rice Bowl is pulling out all the stops to woo its customers. 136 Dining Happenings 141 Dining Theme Nights 143 Dining Listings
Burger Feature:
145-153
A Meaty Mouthful:
From multi-national brands to high-end gastronomy, Bahrain This Month has compiled a list of the best burgers available.
After Dark:
155
114
121
Rock This Party:
International DJ sensation Bob Sinclar is set to spin his magic in the Kingdom, taking fans on a funk-tastical ride. 159 After Dark Happenings 160 After Dark Theme Nights
Showcase:
What’s New: Must-have products 164 Marketplace: Latest products and services 163
Regulars:
145 www.bahrainthismonth.com
163
197 WIN WIN 198 Tarotscope 199 AD Index 200 Last Word
April 2015 9
THE TEAM
Bahrain This Month April 2015
Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Email: george@bahrainthismonth.com Editorial Director Liz O’Reilly Editor Charlie Holding Commercial Editor Apple Sharma Assistant Editor Ankita Mamgain
It’s exactly one year since we were the first monthly magazine in Bahrain to celebrate the publication of its 200th edition. Twelve months
Events Editor Hanna Moore
on and April, once again, is the setting for The Bahrain Grand Prix 2015,
Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian
bringing with it a pulsating excitement both on and off the track. In this
Layout and Graphics Romeo San Miguel Photography Editor Zilia Monteiro
issue, we compile an essential preview of everything you need to know
Staff Photographers Subeesh Kumar N S, Ranjith Mohan
the Bahrain International Circuit. We have it ALL covered.
about related events taking place around town, including performances by global superstars as well as the plethora of activities taking place at British soul siren Joss Stone graces our front cover as she closes the
Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa, Katherine Lao
Spring of Culture festival in sensational style. International rapper,
Personnel Manager Bassem A. Al Khabbaz
musician and singer, Sean Paul, will be performing over the F1 weekend and we caught up with him in an exclusive interview to see what he has
Media Sales Marise Prata Dos Santos, Randa Ghazi Howais
in store for his fans in Bahrain.
Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar
Also in this edition, we take a look at the special relationship between Bahrain and the UK. It’s not just business and investments … We have
Distributor Al Hilal Corporation
exclusive interviews with British Ambassador Iain Lindsay and Khalid Al
Photography Picture Arabia: andrew@picturearabia.com
Zayani, chairman of the Bahrain British Business Forum. We also take a look at the best Britain has to offer tourists from the Kingdom.
Printing Press Dar Akhbar Al Khaleej W.L.L., Bahrain
In a special dining feature, we take a bite out of Bahrain’s best burger joints to help you decide where to get your hands on the very finest the
Published monthly by
island has to offer. Check out snippets from our exclusive Backseat Chat interview with record-breaking Bahraini racer Salah Salahuddin. He spills the beans RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com
on entrepreneurialism, motorsport and the importance of teamwork.
© Copyright Reserved 2005-2014 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission.
Touareg for a spin in Oman and put its capability to the test.
Sticking with the motoring theme, we have a special SUV round up to help you find the best deals on four wheels. We take the Volkswagen Whatever April has in store, I hope we can all continue to enjoy the
COVER
great way of life the Kingdom has to offer!
Cover Picture:
Joss Stone
•
Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3
1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24
George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman
BURGER FEATURE | SUV FEATURE | PROPERTY FEATURE
YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE
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Gulf and international subscriptions available on request.
JOSS STONE
CLOSES SPRING OF CULTURE
Bahrain This Month is a member of BPA Worldwide
FORMULA ONE SEAN PAUL UK IN BAHRAIN
April 2015 ~ Vol. 19 ~ Issue 4
Arts
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Culture
Clubs
Sports
Interviews
Lifestyle
Dining
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Nightlife
April 2015 11
bystander
HE Sabine Taufmann, German Ambassador & HE William Roebuck, US Ambassador
Opening of Garden Show HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of HM the King and president of the National Initiative for Agricultural Development, inaugurated the Bahrain International Garden Show 2015 and the 50th Flower & Vegetable Exhibition. HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa cuts the opening ribbon
Celine & Charlotte
Fatima & Fatima
Shereen & Nada
Melissa & Wong
Vicky & Randa
Khalid & HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa
Bidoor, Shirley, Nada & Shaikha Laila
12 April 2015
Zeeba & Afnan
Alia & Noha
HE Dato Ahmad Shahizan bin Abdul Samad, Malaysian Ambassador, Rashida & Nazri
Fatima, Ruqayah & Reem
HE Dr Ahmed Nayif Rasheed Al Dulaimi, Iraqi Ambassador, HE Taha Mohammed Qadir, Palestinian Ambassador, HE Shaikh Jassem bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Thani, Qatari Ambassador, HE Mohammed Ali Siraj, Jordanian Ambassador
Jawad Al Hawaj & Mohammed Al Hawaj
Shabeer, Ameer & Harish
Jo & Bridget
James & Rowland
Suha & Dana
Rashid Al Khalifa & Grahame
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Abul Kasim & Mohammed
Adel & HE Bernard RĂŠgnauld-Fabre, French Ambassador
Inauguration of Four Seasons Hotel Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa patronised the official opening of the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay. The event was attended by a number of senior officials, prominent businessmen and local and regional media figures. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony
HE Sabine Taufmann, German Abmassador & Gernot
Vera & Irina
Salah & Anisa
Mathew & Araceli
14 April 2015
Scan the QR code to watch the Four Seasons Hotel video
Nabeela, Shaikha Hind bint Salman Al Khalifa & Huda
Anne, Marise, George & Claudia
Bob & Tom
Rawan & Ameera
HE William Roebuck, US Ambassador
HE Zayed Alzayani, Minister of Industry & Commerce Omar & Fatima
Chrstian, Greg & Rami
Reem Khalifa & Rasha
Abbas & Ghazi
HE Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Energy Minister, HE Shaikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and Oil & Gas Affairs & Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Capital Governor
HE Iain Lindsay, British Ambassador
Antoneta, Ameera & Soraya
Soraya, Diana & Melody
Mohammed, Steve & Ayman
Mohammed
Naqed
Nidal
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Abdul Hamid Hatam, Jawad Al Hawaj, HE Bernard Régnauld-Fabre, French Ambassador & Abdulla Juma
Nasser Al Arayedh
HE Li Chen, Chinese Ambassador, HE Joonha Yu, Korean Ambassador, HE Kiyoshi Asako, Japanese Ambassador & HE Sahid Giang, Filipino Ambassador
HE Dr Dhafer Al Umran, Asst Under-Secretary, Foreign Affairs
Brunei National Day A reception was hosted by the Brunei Darussalam Chargé d’Affaires HE Nor Huda Ahmad at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa to mark the 31st Brunei National Day. The reception was attended by HRH the Prime Minister’s advisor Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, ambassadors, businessmen and guests. VIPs cut the cake
HE Victor Smirnov, Russian Ambassador & Vera
Sareena, Rashida & HE Sabine Taufmann, German Ambassador
HE Dr Abdulla bin Abdulmalik Al Shaikh, Saudi Ambassador & HE William Roebuck, US Ambassador
HE Kiyoshi Asako, Japanese Ambassador, HE Hatun Demirer, Turkish Ambassador & HE Bernard Régnauld-Fabre, French Ambassador
HE Nor Huda Ahmad & Ebrahim
HE Iain Lindsay, British Ambassador, HE Dr Dhafer Alumran & HE William Roebuck
Henny & Abdul Hussain
16 April 2015
Sana & Kawthar
Ahmed & Abdulla
Samar & Dr Juma
Justin, Meg & Tim
Manohar, Leena, Josina & Stanley
Johari, HE Nor Huda Ahmad, Hani & Suryono
Mehdi & Sajida
Rasiah & Dr Ugi
Waleed, Sadiq & Hamid
Marietta
HE Nor Huda Ahmad & HE Hatun Demirer
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Ann-Marie & Emily
Alison & Alistair
Gavin & Dona
Hazel & Angela
Melissa & Kristine
Sinead & Steven
Anniversary & St Patrick’s Day Celebrations The Bahrain Irish Society celebrated its 40th anniversary with a St Patrick’s Day Ball held at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa. Gaum, Hillary, Caroline & James
Sue, Keith, Pam & Dave
Claudia & Dave
David & Vanessa
Caroline & Peter
18 April 2015
Kelly, Christina, Fiona & Karen
Zea, Mikey & Azza
Gizem, Burak & Bilyana
Lindsey & Sterling
Michael, Fiona, Carrie & John
Jalal & Annette
Ruby & Angus
Saara & Tom
Ed & Joanne
Filippo & Cristina
Randi & Bryan
Stan & Kathryn
Carrie & John
Brendan & Sinead
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Samia & Jano
SKAL Gala Dinner SKAL Bahrain held an ‘Ice & Fire’ theme gala dinner for its members and guests at the Gulf Hotel. Abdulla Al Ghanas, Khamis Al Muqla, Mohamed Buzizi, Jano Mouawad, HE Dr Dhafer Alumran, Asst Under-Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Mohammed Sabcar & Fuad Kazerooni
Jameel & Salman
Tanya, Anna & Tatiana
Mohamed & Jameel
Faten, Mohammed & Daniel
Juha & Jill
Seham, Aisha & Hisham
20 April 2015
Karthik
Rahim, Sadiq & Mohamed
Qatar Airways Team
Mohanan
Rodell & Mo
Chig, Jade & Gerivi
Cynthia & Stephen
HE Shaikh Khalid bin Humood Al Khalifa
Shantharam & Asha
Sabine & Michele
Hussam & Khamis
Ricardo & Sreekanth
Maryam & Pankaj
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Seham, Maha & Balquees
Sari, Yulia & Claudia
WTM Cook-Off & Cookbook Launch The Kitchen Star cooking competition was held by Woman This Month magazine at the RitzCarlton Bahrain Hotel & Spa to launch its 2015 cookbook, Be Our Guest. Four teams comprising of five contestants each, competed in a Blackbox Challenge with mystery ingredients sponsored by Lulu Hypermarket. Executive chefs Marwan Slim, Jason Lynn and Sylvester Rozario from the Ritz-Carlton, Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa and The K Hotel, were the judges. George & Anne Middleton with the winning team Blend it Like Beckham and the judges
Scan the QR code to watch the Kitchen Star video OR visit Facebook.com/ womanthismonth
Foodie Fix
Deana & Maeve
Wendy
Freezer Swap
Gourmet Crackers Cheerleading squad
Zilia, Fernanda, Marise, Deepa, Farheen & Pearlyn
22 April 2015
Katherine & Hannah
Zaina
Liz
Geg
www.bahrainthismonth.com
APRIL
2015.
HAPPENINGS
An Oliver Award-nominated West End musical and a ferociously popular play The Tiger Who Came To Tea roars into town this month.
two years and their families. Judith Kerr is the author of this fabulous tale of the tea-guzzling tiger. The musical is adapted and directed by David Wood OBE, who is Britain’s leading writer and director of children’s plays and musicals. David began writing while at Oxford University and his 70-plus plays for children are performed worldwide. His many successes include Spot’s Birthday Party, eight Roald Dahl adaptations, including West End hits The BFG, The Witches and George’s Marvellous Medicine; and Goodnight Mister Tom - the Olivier Award-winner in 2013 for Best Entertainment and Family. Judith escaped from Hitler’s Germany with her family when she was nine years old. Her father was a drama critic and a distinguished writer whose books were burned by the Nazis. The family passed through Switzerland and France before arriving finally in England in 1936. Judith went to 11 different schools, worked in the Red Cross during the war and won a scholarship to the Central School of Arts and Crafts in 1945. Since then she has worked as an artist, a BBC television scriptwriter and, for the past 30 years, as an author and illustrator of children’s books. Tickets are priced at BD15, with a family offer of four tickets for BD50, and can be purchased at Al Osra supermarkets and Havajava Cafe inside Manazel.
A FUN FELINE FABLE
When? April 21-23 Event? Musical Play Venue? Cultural Hall Get ready to enjoy a brilliant family musical as Entertainment+ brings yet another West End hit to Bahrain. The truly magical Olivier Award-nominated production of The Tiger Who Came To Tea will be showing at the Cultural Hall on April 21 and April 22 at 8.45am and 10.45am and on April 23 at 8.45am, 10.45am and 4.30pm. If you’ve never had a tiger arrive for tea, then this loveable production is the perfect way to show the whole family how to behave the next time you have an unexpected guest. The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger! When they welcome the hungry tiger to tea, he proceeds to eat all the sandwiches, buns, biscuits and more, even managing to the drink all the water in the tap! What will Sophie’s daddy say when he gets home? The Tiger Who Came To Tea is the perfect slice of teatime mayhem with sing-a-long songs, oodles of magic and interactive fun for children over www.bahrainthismonth.com
Call 39 616-858 or visit www.entertainmentplus.me. April 2015 23
happenings
PORTRAITS ON EXHIBIT When? Ongoing-June10 Event? Exhibition Venue? La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art Imagine being in a room with 25 of the most exciting artists working in the Middle East today. Such is the experience offered by Encounters, a solo photography exhibition by Syrian-American photographer Sueraya Shaheen. Born in Beirut, Shaheen moved to England in 1975 and later to the US, where, after receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts, she quickly gained international recognition for her portraiture. Having always been fascinated by visual artists, they increasingly became the subject of her work. She decided that what she really wanted to do was return to her roots and explore the dynamic, developing art scene in the Middle East. Her portraits are shot on location and illustrate the essence of the artist in their surrounding environment. Visit www.lafontaineartcentre.net.
THE GRAND FINALE
LITERARY EVENING When? April 9 Event? Book Signing Venue? La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art Pamela J Olson, author of the award-winning memoir Fast Times in Palestine will be in Bahrain for a book signing and to speak about her years living in Palestine. She was based in Ramallah, the de facto capital-in-exile, and Jayyous, a tiny farming village devastated by the Apartheid Wall, during and after the second Intifada. Pamela will also give a Power Point presentation, bringing to life some of the stories from her book. The event starts at 7pm and is priced at BD10 for the talk, with canapĂŠs and soft drinks and BD25 Call 17 230-123 or visit www. with dinner and live music. lafontaineartcentre.net.
When? April 10 Event? Music Concert Venue? Arad Fort The grand finale of the Spring of Culture will see Grammy award winner, UK soul singer-songwriter and actress Joss Stone performing at Arad Fort. Joss will bring down the curtain on the 10th anniversary celebrations with her powerful bluesy and soulful voice. She shot to fame in 2003 with a multi-platinum debut album titled The Soul Sessions and has since released four Top 10 albums, the last called Colour Me Free!. She has sold 14 million albums worldwide. The show starts at 8.30pm and is recommended for ages eight years and above. Tickets can be bought online through www. springofculture.org and at the SOC stand located at City Centre Bahrain, ground floor — entrance 2. Call 39 900-630. 24 April 2015
MOVIE MADNESS When? April 5, April 19 Event? Film Screenings Venue? La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art
Le Petit Peintre du Rajasthan (The little Painter of Rajasthan), a film by Rajkumar Bhan, reveals how the social conflicts of the great subcontinent arise even in the privacy of families. Anirudh who lives with his parents in Poona, 90km from Mumbai, discovers another world of a surreal and
magical India when his father takes him to see his grandmother in Shekhawati, a desert town in Rajasthan. Learning that his grandfather was part of the Chejaras caste of painters and builders, who created the artistic richness of Rajasthan, the young child wants to follow his trail. The original version with English subtitles will be screened on April 5. Axis of Light, to be screened on April 19, will take you on a wonderful journey across borders and histories into the work of eight eminent artists all closely attached to the Middle East and North Africa. Both films start at 7pm and are priced at BD10 each, which can be used as credit at the restaurant on the same evening. Call 17 230-123 or visit www. lafontaineartcentre.net. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Fittings House
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T 17 555 066 F 17 555 021
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happenings
CHARITABLE ART Students from six different schools are embarking on a charitable mission by taking part in an art exhibition which gives back to the community and helps Bahraini orphans. When? April 22-29 Event? Art Exhibition Venue? Isa Cultural Centre The Sovereign Art Foundation has joined hands with The Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) to launch The Sovereign Art Foundation Schools Prize 2015, a global initiative that harnesses the power of the arts to achieve social objectives, whilst celebrating its importance within the education system. The event will be held under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty The King’s Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council of Youth and Sports, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Charity Organization and His Excellency Shaikh Rashid Bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Under-Secretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, Ministry of the Interior and Honorary President of the Bahrain Arts Society. The Sovereign Art Foundation Schools’ Prize 2015 will feature the top 240 artworks of students from across six schools - Riffa Views International School, Shaikha Hessa Girls’ School, Bahrain School, The British School of Bahrain, The Gifted Student Centre and the Gifted Student Centre Special Needs. The art pieces will be displayed at an exhibition at the Isa Cultural Centre, Juffair, from April 22 to 29. The exhibition will be open to the general public, with two days set aside for women and children on April 26 and 27. The artworks will be separated according to various age categories (5–8, 9–12, 13–15 and 16–18) and will be assessed by a panel of art critics and Bahraini artists. All of the pieces will be available for sale with proceeds going towards the RCO’s work amongst 5,000 orphan children in Bahrain. “The money raised will go towards helping orphans go to nursery school, help buy reading glasses and urgent medical treatment, in addition to overall benefits like academic training, schooling and general support,” says Dr Mustafa Al Sayed, secretary general of the RCO. “For the students, it would be amazing to have them associated with community service and caring for other children.” 26 April 2015
“Last year we raised BD72,000. This year, we are aiming to do more and raise BD150,000. We hope we can reach the target,” says Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al-Khalifa, RCO’s director of Charity Resources Development “This charity auction allows the students of Bahrain Middle/High School to give back to the community through showcasing their artistic talents. We are thrilled to be a participant this year,” says Rebecca Burck, Bahrain School’s aesthetics department chairperson. “I created a lion to show the strength and pride that it carries. Just like a lion, the less fortunate people are portrayed through my eyes as brave and powerful,” says Manal Alfayez, a Bahrain School Grade 11 student. “I think this experience is pretty cool because I’m helping the orphans with a donation,” says seventh grader Josiah Green. “Doing this art piece means that I have to give my all so I can try to help as many children as possible,” says BaZakir Ahmed, who is in Grade 8. The Sovereign Art Foundation School Prize was held for the first time in Bahrain in 2014 in partnership with Ibn Khuldoon National School and represented the first step in the foundation’s expansion into the Middle East. A charity gala dinner will be held on May 3, at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain, where four winning paintings representing all four age
categories will be auctioned off, with monetary prizes and trophies presented to the winners. The highest scoring artwork in each category will receive BD500 that will be donated by the Sovereign Trust Consultancy (Bahrain) WLL. Call 33 393-379, email gkhallouf@ sovereigngroup.com or visit the Sovereign Art Foundation – ME Facebook page. www.bahrainthismonth.com
happenings
WALK THIS WAY… Following the tremendous feedback and support from the last event, Jam Up is preparing to bring another international musician to the island – hip hop artist Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels. When? May 6-8 Event? Visiting Musician Venue? Various Venues Hip hop fans are in for a treat as the organisers announce their next Jam Up event with the legendary musician, Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels. Best known for his work with Run DMC, he has been an undeniable influence on pop culture for more than 30 years and still remains at the forefront of hip hop history. He will be performing live in Bahrain for the first time in an event spread across three days, from May 6 to May 8. The first day will see DMC hold a meet and greet session at Virgin Megastores at the City Centre Bahrain, which is a free event for everyone. On the Second day, DMC will be visiting an orphanage during the day and in the evening Jam Up in association with Red Bull has organised an exclusive ‘motivational talk’ session for a set audience followed by a mini performance at Malja, Amwaj Islands. On the evening of day three, local stars DJ Outlaw and Flipperachi will kick-start a concert followed by a live performance by DMC, with the venue to be announced shortly. “In addition to this, Jam Up is also offering one Bahraini band a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play alongside DMC to iconic songs such as Walk This Way,” says Jam Up organiser Jude D’Souza. “The open auditions for this are being done in partnership with Room 2 Rock.” DMC is renowned for his love for children. He is the co-founder of the non-profit The Felix Organisation. He has also been invited to the White House by President Obama to address youth groups on responsibility and he’s appeared before Congress in support of adoptees and foster children. Hence, during his visit here, DMC will visit an orphanage to interact with children and spend time with them. “Apart from bringing international artists, Jam Up also strives to raise awareness on human causes through such initiatives,” explains Jude. Jam Up is an innovative concept with the objective of empowering Bahrainis and Bahrain-based musicians worldwide. “Our aim is to get good local talent to showcase their music and forge all sorts of connections with the international artists that we bring in,” says Jude. “Despite being a young movement, Jam 28 April 2015
Up has already started attracting the attention of brands through strategic partnerships.” Jam Up received great feedback from its last event in December 2014, when it featured guitar icon Bumblefoot from Guns ‘N’ Roses and Bahrain’s finest Indie artists Ala Ghawas and Likwid.
“The entire event left a great impact and lasting memories for all our fans and supporters,” says Jude. “With our upcoming event, we look forward to another exciting opportunity to jam up with everyone once again.” Visit www.jamup.me or follow Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @jamupbh.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
happenings
URBAN CULTURE WEEK RETURNS Enjoy a whole week of music and interesting workshops and learn different aspects of hip hop culture as Bahrain’s Urban Culture Week returns this month. When? April 23-May 1 Event? Red Bull BC One/Urban Culture Week Venue? Malja, Amwaj Islands
Promising to build on the success of the first edition and kicking off the cypher fever for the second year in a row, Bahrain Urban Culture Week returns and will be held at Malja Amwaj Islands from April 23 to May 1. The event will see professionals visiting the island and locally-based artists conduct free workshops in different fields revolving around the pillars of hip hop culture – rapping, DJing, breaking, graffiti and music production. This year’s exciting line-up includes a three-day B-Boy training camp with guest B-Boy Frankie, basic and advanced music production, graffiti workshops and more. Returning to Bahrain for the fourth year in a row, Red Bull BC One is the premier one-on-one B-Boy battle in the world. Urban Culture Week will conclude on May 1, with the Red Bull BC One Bahrain Cypher, where the top 16 local B-Boys will battle it out at Malja at 8pm. More details about the judges’ line-up will be announced soon on www.redbull.com. Visit www.maljabahrain.com for the full schedule of Bahrain’s Urban Culture Weeks 2015 and information on how to register for workshops.
FUN CAMP FOR KIDS
EASTER FUN
When? April 5-16 Event? Kids Camp Venue? Batelco Staff Centre, Hamala With holidays around the corner, keeping children occupied is a daunting task for many parents. Let your children get fit and have fun at the same time by enrolling them at Life-Fit’s spring-break camp which caters to children from ages three to 13 and includes a variety of fun activities including football, basketball, handball, gymnastics, taekwondo, fun-fit, dance-fit, aikido, creative cookery, arts and games. There are three choices — a five-day camp from April 5 to 9 or from April 12 to 16 or a 10-day camp from April 5 to 16. The camp runs from 9.30am to 1pm. Call 17 692-424 or Whatsapp 33 001-261.
30 April 2015
When? April 4 Event? Music Concert Venue? Lost Paradise of Dilmun Enjoy a live performance by ‘Arabs Got Talent’ star Shamma Hamdan. This event is for ladies only. Tickets cost BD20 including all water park rides. E Call 36 191-818 or 32 325888. When? April 4/Ongoing-April 9 Event? Easter/Creative Spring Camp Venue? L’Atelier Art Lounge, Country Mall, Budaiya Kids will enjoy fun and creative Easter and spring camp activities like Easter games, egg hunting, ceramic painting, plaster moulding, games and more. E Call 17 554-411. When? April 6-8 Event? Arabian Mechanical Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) (Bahrain Edition) 2015 Venue? BIECC This exhibition will showcase the next generation of mechanical technologies as well as electrics, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, refrigeration and automation. E Visit www.arabianmep.com. When? April 9 Event? Music - Farid Al-Atrash 40 Years Later - The National Arab Music Ensemble Venue? Cultural Hall E Visit www.springofculture.org.
When? April 5, April 24 Event? Easter Egg Hunt/Live Band Venue? The British Club Enjoy some fun in the sun with the entire family as The British Club hosts a children’s Easter egg hunt on April 5 from 10am. Kids have to find the coloured eggs hidden around the club to win a chocolate Easter egg. Tickets cost BD1, available at the reception. Children must purchase a ticket to take part (members’ children only). This will be followed by a Family Sports Day with fun races, such as egg and spoon, three-legged and sack race. For the grown ups, the club will host a poolside event on April 24, from 8pm, featuring live music from Bahrain’s best classic rock and blues band, The Tax Dodgers. Call 17 128-245 or visit www.britishclubbahrain.com.
When? April 13 Event? Bahrain Writers’ Circle Monthly Meeting Venue? Coral Bay Enjoy a literary evening, hone your writing skills and meet like-minded people at the Bahrain Writers’ Circle every month. E Call 39 207-624. When? April 24-25 Event? Bahrain Google Summit Venue? Al Hekma International School Organised by the EdTech Team, this high-intensity event focuses on deploying, integrating and using Google Apps for education. E Call 17 551-662 or visit www.gafesummit.com.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
happenings
GET GUFFAWING Chris Garcia
Enjoy an evening of side-splitting comedy with three international artists as one of the most popular comedy shows on the island returns this month. When? When? April 15-17 Event? Stand-Up Comedy Venue? Bahrain Rugby Football Club, The British Club, InterContinentalRegency Bahrain
32 April 2015
award in 2012 and 2013’s Three Weeks Editor’s Award in Edinburgh. He is described by The Scotsman as ‘Stunningly Good’. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Chris Garcia started his comedy career in the San Francisco Bay area where he was named ‘a comic to watch’ by the San Jose Mercury News. He has also been Carl Hutchinson
Ease into the mayhem of Formula One with something light-hearted. Punchline Media’s Chuckle Club is back with a bang this summer for another instalment of laughter. Three talented international comedians will be performing in Dubai and Doha before coming to Bahrain. Yianni Agisilaou, Chris Garcia and Carl Hutchinson will take to the stage on April 15 at the Bahrain Rugby Football Club, on April 16 at The British Club and on April 17 at the InterContinental Regency Bahrain. Yianni Agisilaou is a headliner all around the world with a mind as sharp as a Ginsu blade. His ability to deliver smart but accessible laughter-packed material, combined with his improvisation skills to work with whatever a room throws at him, makes for a truly unique and hilarious experience. Having made numerous TV appearances in the UK and Australia, Yianni was the winner of the Raw Comedy Award in Victoria, Australia and nominated for the Amused Moose Laughter
Yianni Agisilaou
called ‘one of the seven funniest people in San Francisco’ by 7x7 Magazine and a ‘rising comedic star’ by the SF Weekly. Chris has appeared on US National Public Radio’s This American Life, UCB, Hot Tub and The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail, among other shows. He has worked with comedians like Patton Oswalt, Bill Burr, Marc Maron, Dave Attell, David Cross, Maria Bamford, Reggie Watts, Aziz Ansari and Robin Williams, to name but a few. As a writer, Chris has worked as the editor for RooftopComedy.com and has contributed to MSN, Yahoo, Bing, Nick Mom and Life & Style magazine. Chris has also written and recorded music that has been featured on Comedy Central Insider and MTV Tr3s. Robin Williams has described him
as ‘fearless, funny and straight from the heart’. Geordie comic Carl Hutchinson is uniquely stubborn, outright impractical and undeniably hilarious. He has been crowned the ‘Magners Pub Comedian of the Year’ and the winner of the ‘Beat the Frog World Series’ competition. He also reached the final of ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ and has been nominated for the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Award. Over the past two years, Carl has supported both Mick Foley and Chris Ramsey on their sell-out tours. Tickets cost BD15 and can be purchased online at amiando.com/ chuckleclubapr2015. Follow Chuckle Club’s social media for special discounts. The show starts at 8.30pm at all venues. Call 36 666-350. www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Andy, Jan & George
Sari, Daniel & Anil
Anniversary and Farewell Celebrations Karina and Anil held a double reception at their place to mark their 40th anniversary and a farewell to HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Indian Ambassador and Mala. Karina, HE Dr Mohan Kumar, Mala & Anil
Anne, Preethi, Mala, Karina, Alison & Arpita
Parul & Vidhu
Radhika, Farah, Wendy & Bags
Rajesh & Roshni
Shalomi, Jo, Lakshman & Dipika
10 April Opening Ramli Mall A Ali
Ammar
Launch of Nikon D5500 Ashrafs launched the Nikon D5500 compact camera during an event held at Ashrafs Shopping Center in Hoora. Dileep & Ali
Fadhal & Kumaran
towel - bathrobe - home textile
porcelain - kitchen
QUALITY
MTGRUP children clothing - shoes - acsesuaris
MT group
glass CARPET
Jalil & Ameer
34 April 2015
Randy
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Japanese Embassy Reception HE Kiyoshi Asako, Japanese Ambassador, held a reception at his residence for Bahrainis involved in Japanese government programmes. Invitees included the alumni of the Japanese Government Scholarship Programme, the Ship for World Youth Alumnni Association of Bahrain and members of the Japanese International Co-operation Programme. HE Kiyoshi Asako with the participants
Reem, HE Kiyoshi Asako & Haifa
Layla & Nader
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Yusuke, Koki & Marehara
Dr Yousuf & Ansaf
Abdulla & Dr Jaffer
Taka, Budoor, Yaqoob & Wafa
Fatima
Abdulkarim
Yamamoto
April 2015 35
bystander
Aysha & Mohammed
McDonald’s National Breakfast Day McDonald’s outlets across Bahrain handed out 1,000 free Egg McMuffins to mark global National Breakfast Day. Staff celebrate the event’s success
Olivia, Karuna & Eleanor
Zabieb, Staz & Anton
Dunia & Farheen
April, Jacob, Jenny & MJ
John & Habib
Kamini & Dilrukshi
Rich & Maryam
Hassan & Jo
Jennifer & Stephanie
Reem & Noora
Filiz & Shaaz
Kanchan & Seema
Noor & Dalia
Beena & Shyamal
Mother’s Day Celebrations Punt Roma held an exclusive Mother’s Day event at its venue in City Centre Bahrain. Amal & Amina
Honey, Rola & Walaa
36 April 2015
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Sovereign Art Foundation
Schools Prize 2015
ARTWORK FOR
CHILDREN IN NEED
Exhibition: 22nd - 29th April 2015
at Isa Cultural Centre, Kingdom of Bahrain
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF
UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF
His Excellency Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa
His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa
Under Secretary for Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs, Ministry of the Interior The Honorary President of the Bahrain Arts Society
His Majesty King’s Representative for Charity Works and Youth Affairs Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Charity Organization
The Second Charity Art Exhibition Will take place at Isa Cultural Centre on 22nd April 2015 at 6:00 pm Open to Public
The Auction Gala Dinner Will take place at Four Seasons Hotel - Bahrain Bay on 3rd May 2015
SPONSORS
MEDIA SPONSORS
Sovereign Art Foundation - ME |
The Sovereign Art Foundation |
FOLLOW US SAF_BAH | M: +973 3339 3379 | GKhallouf@SovereignGroup.com | www.SovereignArtFoundation.com
bystander
Wassan, Awatif & Raneem
Noor, Amna, Bushra & Samah
Jalal’s Wedding Reception Jalal Albakali and Shaikha Alorayedh celebrated their marriage with family and friends at La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art. The wedded couple
Manar & Shayma
Fatima & Noor
Asma & Sarah
Shatha & Sara Hussain & Jenan
Hussain & Noor
Zahra & Yahya
Salman & Ameena
Amna & Adel
Um Abdulaziz & Mohammed
Yousif & Fatima
Nabiha & Ebtisam
Caiba & Alaa
Maryam & Hussain
Anas & Sama
Ali & Fatima
Somoad, May & Sabreen
38 April 2015
Anas & Samah
Rana, Hussain & Rawan
Amal, Wafa & Amal
Fay & Mai
Sara & Mohammed
Mohammed, Nada & Ali
www.bahrainthismonth.com
FRENCH MANUFACTURER
Now on display
Tel. 17.564444 - Fax. 17.564466 email: phodecor@batelco.com.bh Seef district, facing Ritz Carlton Entrance - Palace Palms Bldg.
Your French home now in Bahrain
bystander
Opening of Cellar 59 Art Rotana in Amwaj inaugurated its lounge bar venue Cellar 59 with management and guests. Nadeem, Pauline & Joe
Rangeela Holi Festival
Eman & Amine
A Holi event was organised at The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park featuring two international DJs from India. Gemma, Aimee & Helen
Mikey, Janine & Paul
Lara & Georgina
Majid, Theodore & Alissa
Manish & Jeevanie
May, Naylah & Fatim Tariq, Beverley & Fahad
Sruthi, Soumya & Soumya Liz, Janine & Mel
Nicola & Amy
Phoebe, Sophie & Tamara Sylvia & Shahraban
Irine & Noora
Olga & Anna
Olive & Steve
Paul & Jessica
Mark & Shahla
40 April 2015
Sharmila & Augustine
Aman & Vikram
Yahya & Nabil
Amna & Zainab
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Closing Ceremony of EFG Sailing Arabia EFG Sailing Arabia was closed in style during a special ceremony. The event was held under the patronage of Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, president of the Arab Sailing Federation and Bahrain Maritime Sports Association, and HE Abdullah Rashid Al-Medailwi, Oman’s Ambassador. Shaikh Khalifa bin Abdulla Al Khalifa & HE Abdulla bin Rashid Al-Medailwi, Omani Ambassador with the participants
Sawsan, Zahra & Ali
Max & James
Carrie & Gilles
Cindy & Jeff
Kooheji Group held its Annual Day celebration at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, AJM Kooheji Annual Day Celebrations AJM Residence & Spa. Employee partners received awards for their contributions. Rohit Raina, Mohammed Kooheji, Jamal Kooheji, Abdulla Kooheji, Venkateshwar Goud, Abdul Hameed Kooheji, Mahmood Kooheji, Saleem Kooheji & Isa Kooheji
Abdul Hameed, Sukumaran & Rohit
42 April 2015
Hussain
Cristito
Hameeda
Ismael & Sahasranaman
www.bahrainthismonth.com
INTERVIEWS
BRINGING THE LIGHT
ALSO THIS MONTH: 44 FRIENDLY RELATIONS 46 A PROUD LEGACY
CHARLIE HOLDING Jamaican artist Sean Paul has been bringing dancehall and reggae to the masses since 2000. He arrives in the Kingdom this month for a special performance and talks to BTM about his road to fame.
Sean Paul
W
ith albums including Dutty Rock (2002) The Trinity (2005) Imperial Blaze (2009) Tomahawk Technique (2012) and Full Frequency (2014) he has won a plethora of awards and has been named as the most successful Jamaican artist of all time on the US charts, topping even reggae icon Bob Marley. “In terms of following in the footsteps of the great Buffalo Soldier, Bob Marley, yeah I feel very proud, honoured and a huge sense of responsibility to uphold the culture as best I can. “I feel like I’m an ambassador for Jamaica, so being named as a person who has helped make reggae or dancehall more international is great.” And the significance of Jamaican culture cannot be understated when it comes to this Kingston born star. Having collaborated with a veritable who’s who of pop stars over the years, he says his time working with pop princess Rihanna on Break It Off was the most fun. www.bahrainthismonth.com
“Most of the collaborations I’ve done I had to go abroad, they got my talent but they didn’t get any of the culture that helped develop my talent. It was different with Rihanna because she came to Jamaica and really experienced it, which made a big difference,” Sean says. However, his career as a globe-trotting musician didn’t simply fall into place, he worked his way up with determination and grit. “When I was younger I wanted to be an architect but I didn’t get the grades to study it so I ended up taking a three year course in hotel management and working for a year at a bank,” he explains. “All that time from leaving school and working I was always doing music on the side, going to the studio at night so it wasn’t really an overnight switch, it was a gradual process of me trying to make it a career.” Sean has 15 years of experience under his belt when it comes to putting on a show and
says fans in Bahrain can expect big things from his performance. “Fans at my show can expect pure energy, I’ve been working on improving my shows for years since. Some people would say that makes you tired of it, but that’s not true, I think practice makes perfect. If you come to my show, you’re gonna see an hour and a half of pure energy, an amazing band, a great live show, dancers and have a good time,” he says. “I can’t wait to come and perform for my fans in Bahrain. I think you guys need some more dancehall reggae in your lives so I’m coming to give it to you, thanks for bringing me over.” The event is being organised by Dallah Promotions and Klub 360. Sean Paul will perform at Klub 360 on April 17. VIP tables with six to 10 seats cost between BD400 and BD700. Standard tickets for men will cost BD50 or BD40 for members and for women will cost BD35. April 2015 43
diplomatictalk
FRIENDLY RELATIONS The Embassy of Brunei is actively seeking closer co-operation with Bahrain business.
T
here may only be a handful of Bruneians in Bahrain but that hasn’t stopped the South East Asian nation maintaining an embassy here since 2001. “The embassy is here as a testament to the great friendship between our two leaders, His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and His Majesty King Hamad,” says Head of Mission, Charge d’Affaires Nor Huda Ahmad. After studying Islamic Theology at Al Azhar University, Egypt, Madam Nor joined Brunei’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs seeking the chance to travel and represent her country overseas. She says: “When I first joined the ministry, it was a big challenge for me as my educational background was different from what I’ve been doing in the work place. I am ready to be criticized. I believe in myself that it is part of the learning process to become better and we learn from our mistakes. I trust that one needs to work hard to achieve success and here I am.” Her last posting was in Oman as a Second Secretary or Deputy Head of Mission, where she also had the chance to lead the mission as a Charge d’Affaires for almost one year following the ambassador’s departure. She went back to the Foreign Ministry in 2006, and was given the task to oversee countries from different regions, such as South Asia and South East Asian Nations (ASEAN countries). “The varieties of areas gave me knowledge about countries in the world, the history, 44 April 2015
Head of Mission, Charge d’Affaires Nor Huda Ahmad
politics and the people,” she says. After being in the Foreign Ministry for about eight years, she was later assigned to head Brunei’s mission in Bahrain as a Charge d’Affaires. Despite the very small Brunei community here in Bahrain, which Madam Nor says “can be counted on one hand”, the embassy has its own role to look at ways to strengthening the relations between the two countries. “My job is to strengthen relations between our two countries,” she says. “We are encouraging exchanges of officials, including business people to look at possible ways of cooperation. At the moment, most of the activities are concentrating on Islamic banking. As an international financial centre, Bahrain is important and it’s good for our officials to come here and learn from the experts. “In the future I would like to see more prospects for co-operation to create even closer ties.”
She and her staff also take part in events organised by their regional group ASEAN. For the first time this year, the Embassy was actively involved in a bowling tournament and gala dinner hosted by the Embassy of Malaysia. “We always like to have a presence,” says Madam Nor. “We like to let people know we’re here and promote our beautiful country.” The Charge d’Affaires has been in Bahrain nine months and the 42-year-old mother of two loves the country and the people. She says: “I have found Bahrain and the Bahrainis to be very friendly and welcoming. My job is very busy but, when I’m not working, I like to go out with friends to see new places.” One of the places she likes is a coffee shop in Reef Island which she said is a good place to relax and enjoy the scenery. She is also looking forward to a visit from her family in the near future as they only come during the school holiday in Brunei. www.bahrainthismonth.com
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interview
George is received by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier
George is honoured for pioneering journalism by HRH The Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa
A PROUD LEGACY… APPLE SHARMA
B
The man responsible for bringing you your daily dose of breaking news is the charismatic editor-in-chief of the Gulf Daily News, George Williams. BTM caught up with him to talk about his life in Bahrain.
ringing quality news to everyone’s breakfast tables by 6am is no mean feat and the man behind this challenging and daunting task is the legendary George Williams, who has spent more than three decades on the island flying the flag for the country’s most popular English daily, Gulf Daily News (GDN). George was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England, where he believes, from a very young age, newsprint ink must have somehow been injected into his veins. “Having been educated at Ashby-de-la-Zouche and Kettering Grammar schools, all I ever wanted to do was become a newspaper reporter,” says George. His school careers adviser once told him that he could choose to either work for a living or become a journalist! He had his first taste of the job when he started editing the Kettering Grammar School magazine at the age of 15. After obtaining a National Diploma in Journalism from Essex University, he joined the Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph as a trainee reporter. He worked at the Coventry Evening Telegraph, Birmingham Post and Evening Mail and London Evening Standard, before Bahrain beckoned. He has been overseeing the mayhem of running a daily newspaper for 36 years. “In the 46 April 2015
early days, publishing a newspaper in the Gulf was not to be recommended for those seeking eternal youth, but it was a great way to live with insomnia,” he says. “It used to be a case of ‘If you can’t stand the heat, catch the plane home’ — and I’m not referring to the climate.” George handled the heat all too well and there was no looking back. Under his leadership, the GDN has transformed itself in both design and content, having covered a plethora of important international and local news stories, helping to bring the flavour of the country’s proud heritage
to people’s daily lives. “We resist temptation to put bad news in bigger type than good and make cheap capital out of the sudden violent ending of life,” he says. “The ravages of the three regional wars have been dutifully chronicled — but a particular highlight for me was our coverage of the Hague International Court of Justice hearing in June 2000.” This coverage of the dispute between Bahrain and Qatar over the sovereignty of the Hawar Islands was a major highlight in George’s career with the GDN. He believes his greatest achievement has been building the GDN to the newspaper
George interviewing Britain’s scandal-hit Prince Andrew, Duke of York
www.bahrainthismonth.com
“
Having been educated at Ashby-de-laZouche and Kettering Grammar schools, all I ever wanted to do was become a newspaper reporter
”
with the widest circulation in Bahrain, including the Arabic newspapers. With the ups, also come the downs and George has had a few. He has been deported three times for publishing things that were quite innocent but offended a few people in authority. “Working for a newspaper in the Gulf can be frustrating, irritating and exhausting but it is always exciting,” he says. It’s the excitement that he loves most about the job. When asked about his favourite thing about Bahrain, he says: “Being British, I am proud of Bahrain’s historic links with my country. This permeates deeply through the fabric of society. So much so that Bahrain has embraced the English concept of thinking as a principle in life. It used to make me mad, especially at the height of the unrest, when Bahrainis were puzzled by seemingly contradictory policies adopted by Whitehall and subsequently reported by the BBC or London’s national newspapers. Thankfully, our brilliant Ambassador Iain Lindsay’s diplomacy has rendered this almost a thing of the past. He has made sure that Britain has bolstered its historic ties by assuring leaders of its true allegiance, erasing uncertainties and doubts. “I also love the way that older Bahrainis, particularly mostly educated by British teachers, have always been encouraged to think in a broad, liberal way and believe in gradual reforms which are sometimes patiently carried over years or even generations.” He also believes that as a person living and working closely with many Bahrainis from all www.bahrainthismonth.com
George receives a Garden Show sponsor’s award on behalf of the newspaper from Her Royal Highness Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa, Wife of His Majesty The King
walks of life, he can sincerely confirm that the ruling family of this country has always had, and will always look forward to continuing, excellent relations with all friendly countries. “In fact, I would tell all potential newcomers that Bahrainis are wonderful people, with very warm, welcoming hearts who are proud of their nation,” he affirms. If there was one thing George would change about the Kingdom, he wishes someone could transform Bahrain’s ostrich mentality towards tourism — especially with present plummeting oil prices. “This is an island, so let’s improve our beaches and resorts, and allow the hotel industry to be self-regulating,” he says. “More effective promotion is also needed. In fact, it’s the most liberal Islamic country in the entire Arab World, with fairly relaxed laws and regulations and a culture and heritage dating back millennia. Religious beliefs are totally accepted — all 25 faiths.” Looking ahead, George is excited about the GDN’s future as it intends to make local newspaper history by launching its live website — and he is privileged to be at the helm. “The decline of our industry is no secret, and is widely debated — but new technology will eventually render newspapers obsolete in their traditional format,” he says. “Young people especially, rarely read papers, preferring to source their news on a mobile app or tablet. So to survive decreasing advertising sales, drops in circulation and soaring printing costs, the GDN is moving with the times. “The key to success seems to be in finding a way to replace melting traditional advertising with digital revenues before it becomes too late. Luckily, the GDN’s readership is huge, loyal and strong. Our local coverage, especially, is required reading and we have long been the paper of choice for all sectors of the population. So watch this space!”
George with Philip Hammond, Britain’s Foreign Secretary
Barbie and George at a recent function
As far as personal ambitions are concerned, he intends to carry on in the job he loves, for as long as possible! From someone who fancied sub-editing in the sun for a tax-free year or two, George is still here and able to look back on a full and interesting life, with his wife Barbie and daughters Scarlett and Georgia. “Bahrain has become in many ways more home to me than my own country and it will always have a special place in my heart after 36 years,” he says. With a highly demanding job, he tries to find solace and balance in his life by walking the dog, watching tennis, listening to jazz, eating gourmet food and drinking fine vintages, while studying postal history and reading good literature. With a great sense of humour and outlook towards life, George has a simple philosophy: “The word ‘problem’ is not in my personal dictionary.” George is a perfect example of a true expatriate. He has been a mentor and an inspiration, having achieved a status that many strive for, but only a few attain: to be a legend in his own right! April 2015 47
interview
Mehmet Tuzcu
MEHMET’S TURKISH DELIGHTS! CHARLIE HOLDING
M
Entrepreneurial Mehmet Tuzcu is opening a new store in the Kingdom to showcase a selection of Turkey’s most popular brands.
ehmet, the man behind popular children’s brand Madre & Padre in Bahrain, believes that there is more scope for quality Turkish products on the island. He plans to close Madre & Padre in Ramli Mall and replace it with a host of other successful Turkish brands including Panco for children’s clothing, Belis Furniture for kids’ decor, Özdilek home textiles and Kütahya Porcelain. “I moved to Bahrain 10 years ago and I really like living here,” says Mehmet. “There aren’t too many Turkish products in Bahrain so we have a niche in the market and this month we 48 April 2015
are going to open a big store in Ramli Mall in the place of Madre & Padre.” Mehmet feels the space was not being properly utilised so decided to revamp the store to include several different brands all in one convenient location. “It just makes more sense,” he explains. “We had eight brands for baby clothing and at about 630sq/m the store was too big. However, it wasn’t quite big enough for the new project and so has been expanded to 700sq/m.” Bringing the new brands to the Kingdom and extending the store has taken considerable capital and Mehmet believes it’s money well spent.
“I’m more than happy to invest in Bahrain, this is a great place to do business and I’m very excited to be expanding. I started business in Bahrain with Era Carpets and we still operate showrooms in Ramli Mall and Lulu Riffa,” he says. “There are plans in the pipeline to open more of them soon too. “I’m pleased to play a part promoting Bahraini and Turkish business relationships and the Turkish Embassy has also been a huge support to us. In fact, Turkish Ambassador HE Hatun Demirer is very supportive and is keen to promote Turkish companies in the Kingdom.” www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Waleed, Rico & Manar
Roberto Cavalli by Franck Muller Launch Sharif Group launched the Signature timepieces collection by Italian fashion brand, Roberto Cavalli and Swiss watchmaker Franck Muller Group, in Bahrain. Manar, Rico & Amar with models showing off the watches
Othman, Anwaar & Fatima
Celine, Waleed & Marise
Mahar, Kawthar, Suad, Zaina & Suhair
Jassim, Hassan & Abdulla
Imran
Mercedes-Benz Launch Al Haddad Motors launched the new CLA-Class 250 at its showroom in Tubli. The new model
Fatima & Hussain
50 April 2015
TJ, Iman & Alia
Abdulla & Graeme
Salman, Joy & Imran
Mo
www.bahrainthismonth.com
interview
The Empire Studios team
GAME ON FOR BAHRAIN CHARLIE HOLDING
S
Cousins Ali, Fahad and Mohammed Al Khalifa have taken their love of gaming to a new level by creating an app they hope will 1UP them from the competition.
ince forming their company, Empire Studios, the trio have been working tirelessly to create the app-based game that blends Western and Middle Eastern elements. Everything from an original soundtrack to an in-depth player customisation system has been created from scratch. “There’s an allure to a Middle Eastern setting both to the Arab world – who love to see familiar ideas represented in a game – and a Western audience who are attracted to exotic locations,” the company says. “We don’t think the fantasy side of Middle Eastern lore has really been explored in other games, so we tried to cater to that while still using creative licence. A mix of ancient Arabian themes inspires it, but the game is anything but historical.” The tower defense game has the working title “Project: Dilmun” and is going to be 24 levels on launch. Your goal on each level is to stop waves of enemies coming in to destroy a strategic point like a castle or a village. You defend it by choosing from a variety of towers along the map, and different towers offer a different array of upgrades, which affect www.bahrainthismonth.com
your strategy. The further you get in the campaign the more challenging it becomes, but you’ll have a set of ten heroes to choose from that will help you on your quest. “If you think the game is amazing on launch, wait till you see what we have planned for updates,” they add. The creative cousins have been gamers all their lives and the next logical step was to make games for a living. As a result of their huge ambitions the project’s development has taken longer than anticipated. However, it is slated for imminent release. “This business seems like a cakewalk on the surface but it couldn’t be farther than the truth, it’s hard work. We’ve been working for a yearand-a-half now and we’re nearing the finish line,” the company says. The game will be free to download with in app purchases and it will be available on iOS and Android stores with expansion plans for other systems in the future. The company says the scale of the project – and its budget – is massive and combines the talents of animators, artists and programmers from across the globe. “Game development budgets can creep up on
you. The more you add to the scope, the longer the pipeline becomes, the more staff you’ll need and the higher your overhead will get. “The effort that went into this is Herculean. There was a steep learning curve we had to go through. You’re balancing a wish-list of everything you want in the game with what you can accomplish by a certain date.” The MENA region already has a sizeable gaming community and Empire Studios aims to give them a studio to be proud of. “We’re pioneering the industry in Bahrain, but we want to reach a level where we are considered a hallmark for gaming in the region,” the company says. Visit www.empirestudios.bh. April 2015 51
spotlight
To view the video, click the QR Code, or visit www.bahrainthismonth.com.
Salah Salahuddin with George F Middleton
JAGUAR LAND ROVER
BACKSEAT CHAT Record-breaking Bahraini racer Salah Salahuddin spills the beans on entrepreneurialism, motorsport and the importance of teamwork. Having spent most of his adult life racing on the tracks at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC), Salah sees ‘The Home of Motorsport in the Middle East’ as his second home. With George Middleton firmly strapped in the passenger seat, the pair discuss motorsports and Salah’s obsession with automobiles. “I’ve been interested in cars from a young age,” says 52 April 2015
Salah, settling into a shiny new Jaguar F-Type Coupé, warming up the engine with a lap around the circuit. “I used to hang out a lot with my uncle and we used to play with cars, modifying and changing them. All my cousins were playing soccer and other sports but I was just glued to my uncle’s side, being with his friends, messing with cars and I think that was the start of it all for me.” This has been a particularly good year for Salah and his team SMS Racing. “We have the drag season going on now and we already finished first place in the first three weeks. Hopefully we’ll have the championship in the bag this year for the drag race. We also broke the world record in our car that we completely built at the shop,” he says. Salah set a new World Record and clinched victory in drag racing’s Street V8 category this season. He set the record-breaking run, defeating Abduljaleel Abdulkareem. Salah set the new mark at 7.951 seconds to claim the victory,
breaking his 2012 record of 8.323 seconds. Talking about his competition on the track, he remains confident about his current position – at the top. “I can hold my own in a dragster; we have accomplished a lot in this sport. I say ‘we’ because it’s not just me, a whole team works on the car, people that you don’t see.” When it comes to his entrepreneurial venture SMS Design & Performance, Salah says the project was a result of passion and necessity. “I was heavily involved in cars and in order for me to finish one, I had to take it to at least six different shops,” he explains. “By the time you’re done, the car still doesn’t perform because six different people worked on it and you can never track what happened to the car or where the damage actually took place. “I thought that people would appreciate a one-stop-shop that could take care of different aspects of automobiles. From engineering to design, maintenance and accessorising, people can get everything done under one roof by trained professionals.” www.bahrainthismonth.com
unitedkingdomsupplement
April 2015
A Special Supplement by Bahrain This Month 54 Celebrating Mutual Prosperity HE Iain Lindsay, UK Ambassador to Bahrain, reflects on his time in the Kingdom and the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries.
56 Iconic UK Brands A look at some of the big-name British brands available in Bahrain and where you can find them.
64 Education British Style From St Christopher’s to Nadeen School and, of course, The British Council, the island is well catered for those seeking a first-class British education.
68 Business English Two UK companies going from strength to strength in the local market.
70 Strengthening Relations Bahrain British Business Forum chairman Khalid Al Zayani speaks about the organisation’s work with the business community.
71 All Change at The Dilly The new man at the helm of The Dilmun Club outlines plans for an exciting future.
72 Capitals Calling There’s a lot more to the UK than Buckingham Palace and football, take time out to visit the Kingdom’s four capital cities.
Commercial Index Bhs................................................................................. 61 G4S Bahrain.................................................................. 68 Lakeland........................................................................ 59 Lulu Hypermarket........................................................ 63 Nadeen School............................................................ 67 St Christopher’s School.............................................. 65 Seven Brands............................................................... 69 The White Company.................................................... 57
www.bahrainthismonth.com
April 2015 53
unitedkingdomsupplement
Celebrating Mutual Prosperity
HE Iain Lindsay
With almost 200 years of shared history between Bahrain and the UK, the relationship between these two great nations continues to prosper. The Kingdom’s British Ambassador, HE Iain Lindsay, reflects on his time here and the ‘special relationship’ between the two countries.
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Having arrived in Bahrain amidst the unrest of 2011, Ambassador Lindsay has seen the highs and lows of the country during his four-year term. However, he believes that the bond between the countries is stronger than ever. “Back in August 2011, it felt like I’d been thrown in at the deep end. People assume that because the UK Embassy is so big, we have a big staff. We really don’t,” His Excellency says. “So, arriving in that context and seeking to improve relations against a backdrop of fairly limited resources was a challenge. “There were huge expectations from all sides, here and in the UK. I was the new ambassador with a new team stepping up to the plate trying to do everything that everyone wanted.” In the wake of the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry, which revealed issues that pose significant challenges for the Government of Bahrain, the British Embassy stepped in to offer assistance. Following the establishment of the Ministry of Interior’s Ombudsman Office, Prisoners’ and
Detainees’ Rights Commission and the National Institute of Human Rights, the British Embassy was on hand to offer guidance. Consequently, these developments led the British Embassy to form a dedicated team to help provide reform support. As the only team of its kind in the Gulf, it has built up expertise in providing Bahrain with support in areas like justice and human rights. Cultural relations between Bahrain and the UK have been better than ever in recent years — a good example is the GREAT British Week held last year. The event is a celebration of British business and innovation. It serves as a platform on which the two countries can demonstrate their friendship, as well as commercial and business activities. “We had around 50 events in seven days, making it the biggest GREAT campaign that we’d run in the Middle East and North Africa,” says Ambassador Lindsay. “I hear that Dubai is planning one which may be bigger, but they’d be hard pushed to have one that tops that sense of community. Bahrain has a tangible feel of substance and the campaign was a great example of that. “As a cultural event it hit the mark and we will hopefully be doing something along similar lines around the second half of next year, building on partnerships formed during the first event.” Besides commercial investment, Ambassador Lindsay is keen to highlight the significance of the British Royal Navy base project in Bahrain. It shows not only the UK’s commitment to Bahrain as a hub, but also the island’s willingness to embrace the development. “I’m proud of the arrangement which we signed with Bahrain in early December on the re-establishment of a Royal Navy base here,” Ambassador Lindsay says. “It makes sense to have a more permanent base here to help provide greater regional security, working in partnership with our allies. “The Royal Navy has had an operational presence here for most of the past 40 years since it left on Bahraini independence. The fact that Bahrain has welcomed us with open arms to have a more permanent presence says a lot about the close nature of the relationship we have.” This month, the embassy will play host to a series of celebrations for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday. April is the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta and also marks the 80th anniversary of HMS Juffair, the naval base that was established in 1935. Both events will be celebrated. It also lays the groundwork for the bicentenary of bilateral relations next year. As of July 2016, it will be 200 years since relations between Bahrain and the UK were established. With such a long and prosperous partnership www.bahrainthismonth.com
Riz, Ali, Khalid Al Zayani, HE Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, HE Iain Lindsay & Mazen Al Umran in front of the London Red Bus during GREAT British Week
between the two countries, it comes as little surprise that many Brits have made the Kingdom their home and their place of business. “I estimate that there are between 6,000-10,000 Britons based in Bahrain. There are nearly 100 British companies with a permanent presence here, another 350 who have agency arrangements here and another 500 who have some sort of commercial relationship with Bahrain,” Ambassador Lindsay says. “Brits make this their home because Bahrain and its people are so welcoming and the place feels real. It was clear to me within a few weeks of arriving here that many Bahrainis have a special affection for the UK. “The most common phrases I heard about the UK were ‘home away from home’ and ‘second home’. It’s no surprise, then, that so many Brits find this one of the most welcoming places in the Middle East. In fact, Bahrain was placed in the top five best countries for expats to live in in the 2014 HSBC Expat Explorer Survey.” Living in Bahrain has been a point of pride for His Excellency and his wife, Bridget, who have made a number of close friends during their time here. The Lindsays leave this summer to start another chapter of their lives on a new assignment, which will be revealed soon. “Bridget and I appreciate how lucky we are to live in a multi-faith, multi-cultural society and we feel that a lot here in Manama,” His Excellency says. “This is a very international place and if you go to Manama and take a www.bahrainthismonth.com
HE Iain Lindsay with a Queen’s Guard
photograph there are mosques in the background, a cross in front of it and a mix of people on the streets. You’ll see Arabs, Indians, Filipinos and Westerners all together. I’ll be very sad to leave. It’s a great place to live.” The new ambassador is due to arrive towards the end of summer and, according to His Excellency, it is one of the unwritten rules of diplomacy that ambassadors do not give their successors advice. “We leave that to the embassy staff; the same way that I rely on my team for their advice and expertise,” he says. April 2015 55
unitedkingdomsupplement
THE WHITE COMPANY
Sunshine Style The White Company, a leading UK-based lifestyle brand, has introduced its stunning new Spring/Summer 2015 collection.
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The brand’s latest collection is inspired by the calm tranquility of the seaside, capturing the essence of laid-back coastal living, from crisp white bed linen with textured throws to the ultimate spa bathroom filled with fluffy towels and pampering treats to lightweight knits and stylish layers. As ever, calm whites and sophisticated greys feature, while there is a nod to nautical with navy accents — perfect for letting the outside into your home and celebrating summer. Commenting on the SS15 collection, Chrissie Rucker, MBE, founder and owner, says: “Getting that coastal feeling starts with the right colour palette — think soft whites, pared-down blues, muted greys and a touch of navy here and there. These combinations work as well in your wardrobe as they do in your living space. At The White Company, we believe our beautifully practical pieces should be used and loved every day. We hope our new collection inspires you to bring the serenity of the seaside into your wardrobes and your homes.” The White Company has a full range of products to transform every home. The interiors collection ranges from bed linen and home fragrances to outdoor tableware and bath essentials. Now, after establishing itself as a bed linen, textile specialist and homeware specialist, The White Company has also ventured into clothing with its signature style of easy-to-wear and
effortlessly stylish clothes. The brand is launching an exclusive chic and comfortable loungewear and must-have accessories line across its stores. The SS15 collection is available at The White Company store in Bahrain, located at Bahrain City Centre. The White Company is represented in the region exclusively by Jawad Business Group, a leading retail conglomerate in the region. About The White Company Founded over 20 years ago in 1994, The White Company specialises in a wide range of stylish home accessories and clothing, principally in white.The White Company’s range of products has grown enormously. What started as a range of essentials for the linen cupboard – duvet covers, pillows, fitted sheets and luxury towels in timeless white – has become a full range of lifestyle products – from home accessories to clothing and children’s wear. From hand-stitching on luxurious high thread-count linen to dainty home furniture, the brand emphasises everyday elegance that is as beautiful as it is useful. Today, the company that began life as a 12-page mail order brochure has become one of the UK’s fastest growing multi-channel retailers. Call 17 179-882. www.bahrainthismonth.com
unitedkingdomsupplement BHS
Quintessentially British Style The latest new season styles are now in store at BHS. Ladies, embrace your spring/summer style with pretty, fresh dresses, tops and essential denim pieces. New summer arrivals for men include shorts, T-shirts and swimwear in all the latest styles...plus, everything you need for your summer holiday. Girls will love the playful T-shirts and tops, pretty summer dresses, stylish sandals and more. And for boys there’s a range of essential, stylish summer clothes, shoes and accessories. On the home front, drift off to a restful night’s sleep in one of the contemporary and attractive bedding sets. Explore the latest collection, featuring luxurious bedding by Holly Willoughby. About BHS Since it was first established in 1928, British Home Stores (BHS) has been a major player in the UK retail market, catering for the family and the home with a wide and exciting range of high quality products. Today BHS has an unrivalled reputation for its premium value products and guaranteed standards at excellent prices. With 180 stores serving every major city in the UK, BHS has also made
a strong international presence and has 270 stores worldwide. It began its association with the Jawad Business Group in 1987, opening its first franchised departmental store in Bahrain. You can also find Burton Menswear London in the BHS stores, one of the largest men’s fashion chains in the UK with over 400 stores nationwide. Its ranges cover formal and casual wear, footwear and essentials reflecting the latest fashion trends. Call Seef Mall: 17 582-258, The Centre: 17 702-394, Bahrain City Centre: 17 179-694.
LAKELAND
Home of Creative Kitchenware Whether you want storage emblazoned with the Union Flag or the latest in kitchen gadgetry, you will find it at Lakeland. Lakeland is the UK’s leading stylish and innovative kitchen accessories brand with cookware, appliances and utensils which are perfect for every contemporary home. With more than 4,000 products in its range and with new products every year, Lakeland’s kitchen tools are some of the most loved across the world. Lakeland searches the world for products to make everyday life easier and more enjoyable, whether it’s cooking, entertaining, doing housework or searching for the perfect present. The kitchen is the heart of the home and Lakeland offers everything to help you prepare, serve and store food. Visit the Lakeland at Bahrain City Centre or www.lakeland.ae and see the exciting range of kitchen accessories and 100s of ideas for kitchen and home! Call 17 179-810. 58 April 2015
www.bahrainthismonth.com
the Lakeland guarantee... is probably the simplest guarantee in the world! If you are not satisfied at any time, you receive your money back!
this is our promise
unitedkingdomsupplement JAWAD
Best of British From quirky and flirty to stylishly classy or full-on glam, the latest designs fresh from the UK are in store now. Go for a fun take on the summer’s floral trend with bloom bedecked blazers; channel your inner diva in floor-length sequins; get sassy in stripes or embrace the trend for wide-legged pants at Quiz. Call City Centre Bahrain 17 178-074, The Centre 17 703-109.
Seek out breezy, soothing colours and cuts coupled with design that’s well thought out to suit the modern woman. For a summer collection that’s effortless, playful and sophisticated at the same time, check out Hobbs. Call City Centre Bahrain 17 179-681, Seef Mall: 17 581-078.
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www.bahrainthismonth.com
unitedkingdomsupplement Lulu staff and management welcome British Ambassador HE Iain Lindsay at British promotional event
LULU HYPERMARKET
British Brands In-store Lulu is one of the island’s favourite places to shop for premium British brands.
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With a logistics and warehousing facility in Birmingham, UK, and a range of more than 5,000 British products on the shelves, this group is a great favourite with British expats seeking a taste of home. Lulu has a long association with the UK and regularly holds promotions featuring British products. There are also a range of British dishes available in the hot foods section such as shepherd’s pie and pastries and, with the selection of frozen roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and vegetables available in the chiller aisle, whipping up a Brit-style dinner is easy as (steak and kidney) pie. Across the store you will find iconic British brands such as McVities, Jordans, Bachelors and Thorntons as well as popular UK toiletries and household goods, cooking products from Jamie Oliver and English language books and newspapers.
“Lulu Hypermarket has one of the island’s widest ranges of British products – in fact, we have our own logistics and warehousing facility in Birmingham to service our entire hypermarket chain,” says regional director Juzer Rupawala. “We are delighted to showcase the best of Britain” Lulu Hypermarket is the retail division of the EMKE group. The brand symbolises quality retailing and boasts wide market coverage with 114 stores across the Middle East. The Bahrain division of Lulu Hypermarket recently became the first hypermarket in the Kingdom to win the ISO 22000:2005 accreditation. Audit research firm Deloitte has recently placed Lulu as the ninth fastest growing retail chain in the world. Forbes ranked the hypermarket as the third most impacting company in the Arab region. www.bahrainthismonth.com
unitedkingdomsupplement
The school provides the finest British education to the children of Bahrain
Mr Goodwin, with his wife Wendy, receives his OBE
ST CHRISTOPHER’S SCHOOL
Finest British Education Bahrain has some of the best education institutions in the GCC but one British school on the island tops the list and continues to grow from strength to strength.
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From an initial roll of 30 students, St Christopher’s School has developed into being internationally recognised as one of the top British schools overseas, with exceptional facilities, resources and teaching standards. With well-established roots in the local community, the school has grown immensely and caters to around 2,220 pupils from over 65 nations, from the British and wider expatriate population as well as the local community. An important aspect of the school is that St Christopher’s is a not-for-profit institution. Members of the Board of Governors serve in a voluntary and entirely unpaid capacity and there are no owners or shareholders. The entire income from fees is used to run and further develop the school for the benefit of its pupils. St Christopher’s school offers a ‘Britishinternational’ education that is firmly established in the British tradition, yet with an international outlook. It has not only consistently achieved an excellent record of academic success, but also offers a fine programme of extracurricular activities, charity and service events as well as personal development opportunities, including many overseas service, cultural, sporting and academic trips. The character of the school also benefits from a highly dedicated team of educators. The school Principal, Ed Goodwin, was awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s New Year’s honours list, in recognition of his ‘services to British education in the Middle East’. Ed received his OBE from the Prince of Wales at an investiture
ceremony at Buckingham Palace on July 11, 2014. He has also been re-elected for a sixth term as the chairman of British Schools in the Middle East (BSME), a professional body of educators with 80 member schools, over 80,000 students and more than 6,000 teachers in 13 countries in the Middle East. St Christopher’s has been inspected under three different regimes: British Schools Overseas (BSO) regulations, recognised by the UK Department for Education as equivalent to those used to inspect independent schools in England; the BSME Accreditation Programme and National Authority of Qualifications and Quality Assurance for Education and Training (QAAET — Kingdom of Bahrain) inspection. The school received an ‘outstanding’ rating in all three inspections, not just overall but in every individual aspect of its performance. “Our standing as a prominent overseas British school is further indicated by our acceptance into membership of the prestigious Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC - the organisation that all the leading UK independent schools are members of) and the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS - the top 600 leading independent UK and worldwide prep schools),” says a school spokesperson. St Christopher’s School stands apart as the premier choice for those parents who demand the very best for their children. The school looks forward to continuing to provide the finest British education to the children of Bahrain, both native citizens and expatriates from around the world. Call 17 598-499/86 or visit www.st-chris.net. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Providing the finest BRITISH EDUCATION to Bahrain for over Fifty Years
St Christopher’s School
offers a world-class British-International education from Nursery up to IB and A-Level Email: admissions.school@st-chris.net Tel: +973 1759 8500
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St Christopher’s School - the only NOT FOR PROFIT British-International School in Bahrain. All income from fees is used to run and further develop the School for the benefit of our students.
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An “Outstanding School” as accredited by BSME, BSO and QAAET
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unitedkingdomsupplement BRITISH COUNCIL
English for All The British Council is the key place for learning and taking exams in the English language. The British Council has just launched a new range of intensive morning language courses to give learners increased opportunities to develop their spoken and written English skills. The organisation, which aims to encourage educational and cultural links between Bahrain and the UK, has been involved in the Kingdom since 1948 and has had a centre here since 1959. Its primary purpose is teaching English, both to young learners and adults, and liaising with schools and businesses, which sponsor employees’ English language study and development. Courses range from general literacy, for those who have absolutely no knowledge of English or the Roman alphabet, to advanced language. There is also business English, (study, organisation and test taking) sotskills training and IELTS (International English Language Test System) preparation, which is particularly useful for those planning emigration to an English-speaking country. The centre deals with around 2,300 adults and young learners, aged seven to 15, each term and also administers different English language, schools, professional and university examinations. More than 8,000 Bahrainis and non-Bahrainis sat tests in 2014 and about 11,000 tests were administered.
Teme & Tareq
SKAL Dinner Presentation
The British Council also runs CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Another Language) with the next course due to begin in August. Aside from educational courses, the British Council has a strong involvement in the arts with various exhibitions and expert-led workshops being organised throughout the year. Call 17 261-555.
Sadiq & Khalil
Ron & Garfield
Ebrahim
Dr Isa Amin, UnderSecretary, Ministry of Culture & Information, delivered a talk on ‘Anglo Bahrain Relations’ at Kenza restaurant at The K Hotel. Dr Isa Amin
Zeina & Stephane
Hisham, Hameed & Amina
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Hubert & William
Abdulla & Rahim
Hussain & Volker
Mo & Olga
Riyadh & Khalil
www.bahrainthismonth.com
NADEEN SCHOOL
Internationally Excellent With almost 40 years’ history and British Government accreditation, Nadeen School is a hit with both parents and pupils. Nadeen School, established in 1977, is well known for its child-centred, holistic approach to education. It joins St Christopher’s as one of only two schools in Bahrain to be accredited members of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) and an accredited British School Overseas school (BSO) recognised by the British Government and British Department for Education. Four hundred children, aged two to 11 years, are enrolled in classes from pre-nursery to Year 6. The school is truly international with over 50 nationalities represented within its population. It boasts four buildings, two large playgrounds, beautiful garden areas, a school farm, and interactive outdoor learning stations within the school campus. Staff members are dedicated to developing each child’s individual abilities to the fullest. The school sets high expectations for
behaviour, conduct and communication. The faculty instills a love and excitement for learning in the children through dynamic and creative lessons. Originality, expression and development of character are encouraged in all pupils. Students thrive academically, socially and
emotionally under the staff ’s expert care and with support from parents. Nadeen School’s parents are welcome to be at the school at any time as part of an ‘open door policy’ in which they play an active role in their child’s education. Visitors are invited to tour the school grounds and meet the staff.
We offer a childcentered, holistic approach to education Since 1978, Nadeen School has been dedicated to providing a nurturing, safe, stimulating and encouraging environment in which children of all ages, nationalities, abilities and strengths can develop a lifelong love for exploration and learning. We have 50 nationalities in Primary School, Pre Nursery up to Year 6.
Accredited member:
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Tel: 17 728886 Email: info@nadeenschool.com www.nadeenschool.info
April 2015 67
unitedkingdomsupplement G4S
Global Security Solutions G4S is a leading global integrated security company with a heritage of more than 100 years. The need for security services is increasing due to the current instability across the region and the range of potential threats. The challenge of finding a provider offering integrated end-to-end security products and solutions to meet the specific demands of a
business further complicates the process. Increased security requirements have also caused many players to emerge into the market and offer fragmented services that, in the longrun, are proving a greater cost rather than a viable investment. Here is where G4S comes into play. With expertise in the assessment and management of security and safety risks for buildings, infrastructure, valuables and people, G4S has a strong presence globally as well as in the Middle East region that complements global outsourcing trends. G4S in Bahrain Having been established in Bahrain for over 21 years, G4S Bahrain has gained tremendous knowledge and experience about the prevalent local scenario. It has grown from strength to strength to emerge as the largest security company in the country. The team will draw upon G4S’ extensive worldwide experience as well as its local experience to provide the most
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G4S is the leading global integrated security company specialising in the provision of security products, services and solutions.
viable security solution to its customers. The benefits of this approach are clear. Businesses that rise to the challenge of securing their environments in a more integrated way are better placed to protect critical assets and reputations, reduce costs and deliver a better experience for the people they employ and serve. At G4S Bahrain, they understand that businesses which look at their security challenges more comprehensively can unlock hidden benefits to help them thrive and prosper.
The group is active in more than 120 countries, and is the largest employer quoted on the London Stock Exchange with more than 618,000 employees and has a secondary stock exchange listing in Copenhagen. For more information on G4S, visit www.g4s.com
Tel: 1771 4409, Fax: 1771 6577 P.O. Box 15193 Adliya, Bahrain, Email: security@bh.g4s.com 68 April 2015
www.bahrainthismonth.com
SEVEN BRANDS
Aiming for the Top A British company building billion-dollar brands for Bahrain. What will it take for Bahrain to create a global brand worth billions? Look at most of the lists of top 100 global brands today and you will see that 90 per cent of the world’s most valuable brands are western. Of the 10 per cent that are non-Western, all are East Asian, mostly Japanese and Chinese. But at what point will Bahrain get a brand into the top 100? The era of American corporate and global brand dominance is coming under fire from exciting new companies with their origins in the East. So far China and India, so reliant on their own vast domestic markets, have been poor at exporting their brands (although not their products). But the Middle East, with its investment in technology, in tourism, in real estate, in destination brands and in gold-standard airlines, feels poised to begin exporting world-class brands. Sometimes geographically smaller markets such as Singapore and Kenya become hothouses of great branding because, by virtue of their diminutive size, they are forced to export their brands and compete on the world’s stage. Jasmine Montgomery and her partners set up Seven Brands to bring world-class, London strategic and creative thinking and design to emerging markets aiming to help put a Middle Eastern brand on the list of the top 100 brands in the world. She said: “We know that Bahrain is ready for the challenge and we are working with some of the Bahraini brands most poised to take over the world.” Call 66 300-800.
Jasmine Montgomery
www.bahrainthismonth.com
April 2015 69
unitedkingdomsupplement BAHRAIN BRITISH BUSINESS FORUM
Strengthening Relations BBBF chairman Khalid Al Zayani
Khalid Al Zayani, chairman of the Bahrain British Business Forum (BBBF), talks with BTM about the organisation’s success and plans for the future.
70 April 2015
Around 9,000 permanent British residents live in Bahrain and it comes as no surprise that business relationships between the two nations are a major contribution to the prosperity of the kingdom. Formed in 1995 to promote trade and investment between Bahrain and Britain in a non-discriminatory, non-political and non-profit making manner, the BBBF is widely recognised in Bahrain and the UK as a leading impartial business sector group. Over the years it has grown from strength to strength and now boasts around 500 members that strive to assist and introduce new trade and investments to both countries that can benefit and enhance the common economic interests of member companies. “We encourage British businesses to invest in Bahrain and vice versa, so we are actually promoting better relations between the two countries,” explains Mr Al Zayani.
“If there is a businessman or company in the UK that wishes to do business in Bahrain, we go out of our way to assist them by introducing them to the right partners and potential customers. “Our role is to assist them without any financial gain, we are a centre of information and our membership contains almost 500 companies and individuals with members from different segments of the economy.” The forum also prides itself on being the most active business club in Bahrain in terms of member participation. “Within our forum every trade and business or profession has its own special interest group. They meet to discuss their business or their problems so it acts like a club within a club and we serve their interests the best way we can,” says Mr Al Zayani. Active Bahraini participation has improved in recent years. When Mr Al Zayani joined, he was the only Bahraini on the committee. “From day one I said to them this is supposed to be a Bahraini-British club, where are the Bahrainis?” he says. “Since then we have increased our Bahraini participation a great deal. Now we have four Bahrainis on the committee and I think the increase is a result of reaching out and explaining what we do and allowing them to participate. “It is a professional club it is not just a place to come and have a meal, of course, they can socialise and meet up but the important thing is to remember it is a club that gives members the opportunity to sit with a minister, under-secretary, chairmen of a large companies as well as politicians and royal family members from the UK.” Mr Al Zayani believes the reason Bahrain is an attractive place for Brits to invest in is because of its friendly atmosphere and relative ease to do business. “There is less red tape here than any other country in the region and it is also the most pleasant place to live within the GCC in terms of quality of life,” he explains. “When you live in Bahrain, you are welcomed by Bahrainis and you’re treated in the same manner. Here we open doors for visitors who come to our country, we are used to living and mixing with nonBahrainis because that is a tradition we’ve had since the Dilmun civilisation.” The future looks bright for the BBBF and Mr Al Zayani aims to see it become the leading forum in the region. “We’re learning all the time, we’re not stagnant, we listen to our members and I believe this is what makes us unique,” he says. www.bahrainthismonth.com
DILMUN CLUB
All Change at The Dilly
Paul Fraser
There’s a new man at the helm of one of Bahrain’s favourite expat clubs and he has big plans for the future.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Scotsman Paul Fraser is known across the island for his Radio Bahrain show and his Lifestyle programme on Bahrain TV, but he is also now the new general manager at the Dilmun Club. Paul has been in the Kingdom, on and off, for 21 years, having originally come out from the UK, after serving in the RAF, to work at The Sheraton’s Al Layali nightclub, which
he describes as ‘one of the best clubs in The Gulf at the time’. At one stage, he moved to Dubai but lasted only six months. “I couldn’t wait to get back to Bahrain,” he says. “It’s so much friendlier. Dubai was like a typical big city whereas, I think of Bahrain as being more like the small town/country, and I’m a country boy at heart.” After a stint in Australia, he went back to the UK to study international hospitality management and was working at an enormous airport hotel when the volcanic ash cloud hit Europe. At the same time he got a call from long-time friend Amitabh Mathur, who was just setting up Gama Hotels and invited Paul to come and work at The Diva Hotel in Juffair. Paul says: “It was cold and raining, the hotel was full to bursting because of all the flights that had been cancelled. We’d had to buy sleeping bags and bed people down in the ballroom. Then there’s Amitabh saying ‘come to sunny Bahrain and help launch a brand new hotel’. I thought about it for a couple of seconds, and I snapped his hand off!” After several successful years, he decided it was time for a new challenge and, at the beginning of the year, he took over the reins at The Dilly, which opened in 1974 and is a Bahrain institution. He says: “This is a great club but it got a bit set in its ways. One of my first jobs was to work on staff training. Some of the staff have been here many years and the ways of delivering customer service have changed since they were trained. We’ve started from scratch to make sure customer satisfaction is the number one priority. “I’ve even introduced a ‘Mystery Member’ system whereby a group of members are assessing the staff on their new training and I’m happy with the affect it’s having.” And, like a breath of fresh air, Paul has exciting plans for the club’s future. He explains: “We have great facilities, particularly food and beverages, and things such as football, swimming, tennis and horse riding with the stables, which has the Pony Club. “I want to build on that and introduce events. For example, for St George’s Day, we hope to have the Bahrain Police Band in to do ‘Proms by the Pool’. We want to have a face-off competition between the school bands with perhaps an adult version further down the line. “We’re also planning to turn Amigo’s bar into a proper kids’ area with games etc and, since we already have the Guides and Brownies, we’re creating a herb and vegetable garden where they can do their gardening badges and we can then use the produce in our kitchens. “There are big things in store for The Dilly … watch this space!” April 2015 71
unitedkingdomsupplement
Capitals Calling There’s a lot more to the UK than Buckingham Palace and football, take time out to visit the Kingdom’s four capital cities. Rich in history Scotland’s capital is teeming with historic buildings including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the churches of St Giles, Greyfriars and the Canongate, and an extensive Georgian New Town built in the 18th century. Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town are jointly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the castle is the backdrop for the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which takes place during August. Also taking place during August is Edinburgh Festival, a feast of music, theatre, opera, dance and comedy which attracts performers and visitors from across the world. To get a real sense of the city try a history walk or ghost tour for a glimpse of the haunted vaults and Edinburgh’s many scary spots. Visit www.visitscotland.com.
London The number of tourists heading to the UK reached an all-time high last year with more than 16.4million visitors from January to June; annually, almost 17million visit the English capital alone. If you’re in town for the shopping, you’ll, of course, head to Oxford Street and Bond Street but don’t miss out on some of the excellent markets such as Camden Lock and Petticoat Lane. On the sightseeing trail, a trip to the London Eye is a must to take in the views across the city and, for something a little different, check out the Thames Barrier. Take a trip to the dark side of the capital — as twilight unfolds across the sinister thoroughfares of London’s East End, the original expert-led Jack the Ripper Tour sets off into the dark alleyways of Whitechapel to follow the Ripper’s bloodstained trail of terror. Visit www.visitlondon.com.
Cardiff The Welsh capital offers a startling range of unique attractions, top class entertainment and quality shopping with a difference. Take in the Central Library, which is not only a stunning, modern building but also a functioning public library. Make sure you pay a visit to the animal wall in the castle district where 15 sculpted animals spring from the stone and while you’re there take in Cardiff Castle which has a history dating back 2,000 years. Recent developments include the opening of the Wartime Shelters. And for something completely different take part in your own mini episode of Dr Who. The popular sci-fi series is regularly filmed in and around Cardiff and The Doctor, Peter Capaldi, has filmed this interactive experience for fans at The Doctor Who Experience. Visit www.visitcardiff.com. 72 April 2015
Edinburgh The capital of Northern Ireland was once riddled with the bullets and bombs of ‘the troubles’ but in recent years it has put the strife firmly in the past to become one of the UK’s most visited cities. Make sure you take a trip to St Georges Market, one of the city’s oldest attractions with the Friday Variety Market dating back to 1604. Take in a show at the Grand Opera House and for a taste of alternative history, check out the Titanic quarter, home to an interactive show tracing the great and tragic ship’s story from its source, through its maiden voyage to its tragic end. Visit www.visit-belfast.com.
Belfast www.bahrainthismonth.com
PROPERTY REVIEW
THE REALITY OF REAL ESTATE CHARLIE HOLDING Real estate solutions expert Sadaqat Sattar hopes introducing a centralised national database of property listings will provide reliability and efficiency in the sector.
ALSO THIS MONTH: 74 MARKET IN RECOVERY 76 FULL SCHEDULE AHEAD
Sadaqat Sattar
A
ccording to Sadaqat, managing director of Premium eBusiness Solutions, there is no common platform providing verified information to market participants, whether they be owners, realtors, buyers or renters. “This is exactly the basis of the solution we’re innovating, to bring the information to a general audience necessary to take well informed decisions about their property purchase, sale and rental needs,” he says. Premium eBusiness Solutions is a Bahrainbased entity that’s in the process of introducing the ultimate international standard of real estate listing - MLS (Multiple Listing Service) mlsBH, to centralise the country’s real estate listings database. The service will act as facilitator between owners, brokers and consumers by introducing international standards to property listings and carrying only authorised listings. In the meantime, Sadaqat spoke to BTM about the challenges of realty in Bahrain. Numerous successful developments took place in the past decade, primarily fuelled by reforms in property ownership laws, coupled with the overly-aggressive global economic expansion. This led to lot of national and international interest in the country’s real estate sector. www.bahrainthismonth.com
However, in the wake of 2008’s global recession and events that followed, real estate growth and development in the Kingdom took a blow from which it is still recovering. The economy is progressing at a slower pace and there is oversupply of property in some segments. On the other hand, affordable housing solutions had been identified as the immediate need even before the market crashed and Sadaqat sees this as a potential opportunity for both mortgage providers and developers. “Developers need to innovate new ways of providing quality houses at lower costs and mortgage providers need to offer easy mortgages at subsidised interest/profit rates,” he says. “The prior focus of mortgage houses and developers had been prime property development, targets of which were mostly high net worth individuals and expatriates,” Sadaqat explains. “It is fair to assume this target market currently has other interests and there is little demand for such initiatives; that is unless international standards are introduced which would bring about transparency and a structured approach to real estate dealings.” Elaborating on the potential of property investment in the current environment, Sadaqat feels banks are upbeat about financing the
more affordable sector. However, there are things those seeking a mortgage in Bahrain should know. “Although the mortgage rate is of primary concern— as it defines the eventual instalment payment — more important are the terms of mortgage and the country’s laws on property ownership. “Title deed issuance and the application of registration fees for properties in new developments are always a challenge. Most banks don’t offer a mortgage if the title is not ready. “Some off-plan properties that were mortgaged in the past against a mere sale agreement, still have their title deed issuance pending, this creates challenges on the application of registration with fees recently increased. “Meanwhile, the mortgagee has to know if the mortgage agreement highlights the possibility of interest/profit rate fluctuation during the tenure and is there a cap. “They should know the exact charges in case of early settlement. And finally, if the mortgagee is a foreigner acquiring property for residential purposes, then they should investigate the process involved in obtaining a residence permit against a mortgaged property and understand the restrictions.” April 2015 73
propertyreview
Market in Recovery To get an overview of the current property market, BTM spoke to Oksana A K, general manager of Impact Estate, which provides services across the real estate spectrum.
BTM: Who are the renters, are they mostly expats and are they families or single people? OAK: The demand for rental that we are seeing is mostly from expats, though we are seeing some younger GCC nationals renting too. In terms of families or single people, as always, this depends on the area. Certain areas are more suited to families such as Saar, Jasra and Hamala with the excellent schools on offer, other areas such as Janabiya, with its many new apartment buildings, and Juffair tend to be occupied by singles or younger couples. Amwaj though, seems to attract a broad mix of singles, young couples and families across all nationalities.
BTM: Do you specialise in a particular area of the island? OAK: Impact Estate covers all areas of the island from Amwaj Islands and Dilmunia Island in the north to Durrat Al Bahrain in the south.
BTM: Post the political situation in 2011, have you seen any significant change in the market and, if yes, is this now stabilising? OAK: It’s no secret that prices were affected post-2011, but increasing stability has brought about a return to confidence. Economic stability alongside improvements in infrastructure through new retail and hospitality projects and better transportation has helped galvanise this confidence and really encouraged banks, institutional investors and developers to help drive the country forward. At the individual level, while families have always put safety first and chosen their locations carefully, as disturbances have abated families have returned. We have seen demand for property across diverse areas from Seef to Hidd, Arad to Juffair and Amwaj to Busaiteen.
BTM: How are you finding demand, are people looking more for apartments or villas, compounds or standalone? OAK: Overall, residential demand is on the up. As the Oxford Business Group has stated in its recent report, the residential segment is returning to pre-2009 levels of growth. Residential rentals are relatively stable, though apartment sales are increasing especially given the considerable recent investment in both Amwaj Islands, through the likes of Zawia 3, and Seef, through The Breeze and The Breaker, alongside Dilmunia Island and many other smaller to largesize projects. The increase in freehold projects such as Orchid Plaza, Dar Al Salam and The Essence of Dilmunia has also driven strong interest from expats, locals and GCC nationals.
BTM: Is there any area you see as particularly up and coming and, if yes, how do you think this area will develop? OAK: It’s hard to select one area as several are developing fast and all will clearly make a big impact on the island. Reef island has yet to develop to its full potential with a five-star, 250-room hotel planned, alongside other facilities. Bahrain Bay with its superb city location and premium corporate, hospitality and residential potential. Dilmunia Island, through its unique wellbeing and vitality focus providing an alternative lifestyle, and the monumental Diyar Al Muharraq, which will accommodate over 100,000 people enabling valuable employment opportunities and offering a blend of housing, business and recreation areas.
Oksana A K
BTM: How long have you been in real estate in Bahrain? OAK: Bahrain has been my home for the past 15 years and I have been employed in the real estate sector for the last 12 years. I set up Impact Estate in 2007.
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www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Ehlers, Jamal & Jaleel
Bahrain German Reception HE Sabine Taufmann, German Ambassador hosted a reception at her residence for representatives of the Bahraini and German business community. The reception was in honour of a delegation visit led by Dr Peter Ramsauer, former Federal Minister of Transportation, Chairman of the Economic and Energy Committee in the German Bundestag and president of the Arab German Chamber of Industry of Commerce. Guest of honour was Khalid Omar Al-Rumaihi, the newly appointed chief executive of the Economic Development Board. HE Sabine Taufmann, German Ambassador with her guests
Abdulla & Hans
Gernot & Boris
Jan, Jan & Sigi
Mohammed & Waheeb
Abul Hamid Hatem & Maike
Dr Peter Ramsauer
LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME? LPOD Reopening The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park opened its doors to the public for its eighth season under the theme ‘Colour Festivals’. An inauguration ceremony was held in partnership with the Royal Charity Organisation, represented by Yusuf Abdulla Yusuf Al Yaqoob, planning and charity resources development Assistant Secretary General. Yusuf Al Yaqoob cuts the ribbon
Apartments, villas and compounds.
T: 1655 6600 The world’s largest property advisory firm. RESEARCH & CONSULTANCY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SALES & AGENCY VALUATION
Christina & Yasmin
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Siddiq, Hassan & Rajiv
www.cbre.bh April 2015 75
propertyreview HILAL CONFERENCES & EXHIBITIONS
Full Schedule Ahead
Three exciting exhibitions are coming up from the island’s premier event organiser.
76 April 2015
May will be a busy month for Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE) as the company stages the annual gulfBID, Gulf Interiors and Gulf Property exhibitions over three days from May 12-14. Held at Bahrain International Exhibition Centre, the expos offer an excellent opportunity for professionals in the construction, interiors and property sectors to communicate, meet up and do business. And combined, they represent the sector’s biggest integrated business-to-business platform in the Northern Gulf. Run under the patronage of the Prime Minister, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, GulfBID is the annual expo for construction and building materials which has been running for eight years. The 2015 edition has the strategic sponsorship of Haji Hassan and KMC Holding and this year’s show will have a wider GCC feel with companies attending from Saudi Arabia and the UAE looking to take advantage of Bahrain’s increasing demand for building materials, architects and contractors. Among the Saudi participants are: Al Koblan Thermopipe, Al Rezayat Protective Coating, Gulf Scaffolding Co, Al Dweik Factory, Plastbau Arabia Co,
Concrete Technology, Riyadh Crane Technology, Shade Technology and Bonar Natpet. The seventh edition of Gulf Interiors, also under the patronage of HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, is dedicated to connecting the GCC’s finest architects, designers, real estate developers, manufacturers, agents, distributors, dealers and investors providing a platform for the interior design industry to display products and services to the public and trade. Exhibitors include Al Olayan Aluminium Kitchens, Forsan Ceramics Furniture Lines Factory, both from Saudi Arabia, and global brands such as Hempel and Berger Paints. HCE managing director Jubran Abdulrahman says: “In addition we will host the Federation of Furniture Manufacturers of Italy who have chosen the Gulf Interiors Exhibition as the showcase for their member companies visiting Bahrain. We will have companies new to the GCC market looking to expand their business horizons by participating at Gulf Inteiors Exhibition.” The third show of the affectionately known 3Gs, the Gulf Property Show, now in its third year, has established itself as the exhibition of choice for international companies looking to sell their properties in the Northern Gulf. As well as attracting the strategic sponsorship of arguably Bahrain’s largest project developers, Diyar Al Muharraq and Inovest, the expo is set to feature properties across three continents. “With the Northern Gulf investing over $1billion on construction projects in the coming years, there are major business opportunities for companies involved in the interiors and construction sectors,” adds Mr Abdulrahman. Those wishing to visit can register online at www. gulfbidexpo.com or www.gulfinteriorsexhibition.com. Call 17 299-123.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
propertyreview
Cedric Charpentier is presented with the award
AXA GULF
Going for Gold AXA Gulf wins the Bahrain Insurer of the Year honour for second consecutive year at the MENA Insurance Awards.
78 April 2015
In a significant boost to its leadership and market reputation across the Kingdom, AXA Gulf, one of the largest non-life international insurers in the GCC, triumphed at the MENA Insurance Awards held recently in Dubai. The selection of AXA Gulf as the Bahrain Insurer of the Year recognised its commitment to customers, innovation and consistent delivery of high quality coverage, product diversity, technical expertise, leadership and a strong, persistent financial performance. Cedric Charpentier, chief of sales & distribution of AXA Gulf, says: “This is a testimony to our company’s successful strategy and comprehensive product portfolio as well as our reputation to deliver consistent first-class services.” In the past few years, AXA Gulf has demonstrated its commitment to being available, reliable and attentive. Thanks to these investments, AXA Gulf now provides a unique range of contact points for its customers: brokers, Internet, walk-in branches, mall shops and the telephone service. AXA Insurance Gulf has been conferred with numerous industry awards over the last couple of years, reinforcing the company’s commitment to
innovation and excellence in the cluttered Middle East Insurance environment. AXA in the Gulf The company has a workforce of more than 950 employees with 36 branches region-wide and more than one million customers. In 2013 gross written premiums totalled in excess of US$771 million. Present in the region for more than 65 years, AXA is one of the largest international non-life players in the GCC offering a wide range of insurance products and services for corporate and individual customers. In 2014 AXA in the Gulf won nine awards which include Insurer of the Year for the fifth consecutive year, Personal Lines insurer in 2015 at the MENA Insurance Awards for the third consecutive year, Best Motor Insurance Product from Banker Middle East in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia and recently the General Insurer Award of the Year at the Middle East Insurance Industry awards. As part of AXA’s corporate responsibility and its commitment to building better understanding about the health risks faced by individuals and society, the company achieved a new Guinness world record for the most blood cholesterol readings in eight hours at a single venue. www.bahrainthismonth.com
WINNER WINNER Bahrain Insurer
bystander
Encounters by Sueraya Syrian-American photographer Sueraya Shaheen featured a collection of documentarystyle portraits at the La Fontaine Art Centre. The evening included entertainment by a jazz trio.
Claire & Maeve
Charles, Segolene & HE Bernard Régnauld-Fabre, French Ambassador
American vocalist Hans Stockenberger performs
Sueraya, Fatima & Layla
Layal & Noor
Yeliz & Rachael
Sandra & Chris
Frederique & Stefen
Elana & Julia
Nael & Rheam
Sam & Rana
Rotary Charity Football Tournament The Rotary Club of Manama and Rotaract Club of Bahrain held its 17th annual six-a-side football tournament. Thirty men’s teams and seven women’s teams participated in support of children with disabilities. Members of the Rotary Club of Manama
Lujain, Hala & Saryeh
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Hadil, Raj & Shubha
Liam’s Ladies
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bystander
Opening Week of Francophonie
Veronica, Quentin & Jean
Laurence & Dr Mazin
Jack Lang & HE Bernard Régnauld-Fabre
Charlie & Alice
Isabelle & Fabrice
Fadhel & Auice
Jean-Paul & Cynthia
HE Bernard Régnauld-Fabre, French Ambassador held a cocktail reception to mark the opening of the week of Francophonie. Jack Lang, president of the Institute of the Arab World was present on the occasion. HE Bernard Régnauld-Fabre speaks at the event
Karen
Mwai, Vivien & Aurelie
Vincent
Pierre & Mirella
Chastres
Christel
Mohammed, Salah, Peter & Nivin
FF Tailor Made Collection Euro Motors unveiled a unique Bahrain edition of the Ferrari FF, named Cristallo, during a press conference held at the showroom in Sitra. The car on display
Paul, Nivin & Shady
82 April 2015
Peter & Mohammed
Ameena & Mariana
Sajida & Shaima
Tariq & Mohammed
Chiell & Basma
www.bahrainthismonth.com
MOTORING
A NEED FOR SPEED! CHARLIE HOLDING The Germans may have some questionable quirks when it comes to cuisine, but it’s practically impossible to criticise their engineering skills.
ALSO THIS MONTH: 84 AN ATTRACTIVE ALTERNATIVE 88 BUCKLE UP, STAY ALERT!
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS
T
he Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is a sight to behold, a true German masterpiece that has been sculpted to perfection. Sleek curves, seductive lines, delicate contours and an aggressive front end give this mean machine a real presence. Inside is no exception. The model I drove had a vibrant interior; each part stitched with precision and care to create a stunning cabin. Once I slipped inside, the bucket leather seat wrapped around me, giving me a sense of comfort and security. It has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a supercar, including Bluetooth handsfree telecommunication, satellite navigation, MP3 player as well as the standard CD and AM/FM radio. It’s almost impossible to describe the joy I felt the second I turned the key and this beast www.bahrainthismonth.com
began to roar. An ear-to-ear grin shot across my face almost as fast as this model goes from 0-100kmph — in four seconds. The GTS has what can best be described as a Jekyll and Hyde personality. The drivability is undeniable; it’s smooth, controlled and responsive. However, the second I hit the Sport mode button, it was a game changer and the monster was unleashed. The steering became stiffer and the throttle response became sharper, which delivered a more aggressive drive, and the noise … oh the beautiful noise. A throaty roar that lets you know this model means business. In the Sport mode, the exhaust gases are diverted down a shorter route to the exhaust tips. If you decide to switch to manual, which is pretty much a given when driving this car, the paddles are swift and responsive.
Under the bonnet is a flat six 430bhp engine, which launches the GTS with more than enough force to throw you back in your seat. As standard, it has a seven-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung gearbox — or PDK for short. Not only does it shift smoothly, the gear changes are quicker than an Olympic sprinter. Make no mistake about it; this is a car that commands two things, respect and attention. When I found a great open stretch on the highway on the way to Amwaj Islands, I zoomed along with conviction and anyone in front of me quickly moved lanes to let me pass so they could get a better look at the electric blue paint job. Love is a strong word but there simply isn’t a better one to describe my feelings for this mean machine. Call 17 459-911. April 2015 83
motoring
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class launch
AL HADDAD MOTORS
An Attractive Alternative Mercedes-Benz is aiming to impress with its latest offering, the CLA-Class, a powerful new model that blends style and performance.
84 April 2015
On paper, it is a four-door version of the A-Class hatchback but in reality it boasts a striking resemblance to a CLS. Whatever your personal interpretation, this is a model that the company hopes will drive it into the future. Following overwhelming response to the Concept Style Coupé and feedback to “please put this car into series production” the CLA-Class has now arrived, with its sporty design expected to attract a new target group of drivers and owners. “The CLA-Class is a style rebel and, although serially avant-garde, it remains true to MercedesBenz core values by setting new standards in aerodynamics, efficiency and technology. We believe its unique design idiom and exceptional performance holds strong appeal – even for those who hadn’t expected to drive a Mercedes-Benz,” says Graeme Newport, general manager at Al Haddad Motors. In keeping with its sporty positioning, the CLA-Class is available with high-torque turbo engines rated at up to 211bhp, sports suspension and 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The technical highlights include a new world record in aerodynamics for series production
automobiles (Cd value: 0.22) and numerous driving assistance systems, including advanced Collision Prevention Assist. Numerous details indicate that, on a design level, the CLA-Class represents a further development of the modern classic Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class. Three prominent lines give structure to the vehicle when viewed from the side: the front structural edge over the wing flows towards the rear end in a characteristic dropping line. Another, more sinewy line spans the shoulder muscle above the rear axle, while the third feature line extends in a sweeping curve from the front wheel towards the rear. The COMAND Online multimedia system has also been extended. The latest generation offers improved, photo-realistic map display, an additional Bluetooth profile, the display of images additionally in bmp and png formats and the real-time transfer of traffic data. “The dynamic design idiom is manifested in breathtaking proportions, muscular, flowing contours and sculptural surfaces. The CLA-Class is a style rebel,” adds Mr Newport. Call 17 785-5454 for a test drive. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Luckily. The best duels have no finishing line: on April 19th, the Formula One season enters the next round. We join you in looking forward to a great racing weekend in Bahrain and hope to see you at the Mercedes-Benz Bahrain display.
Al Haddad Motors, Manama Kingdom of Bahrain, Tel: (+973) 17785454 marketing@alhaddadmercedes-benz.com, www.bahrain.mercedesbenzme.com
bystander
George, Kareem, Judith, Faisal & Anne
Experience France HE Bernard RĂŠgnaud-Fabre, French Ambassador and Faisal Jawad, chairman and CEO of Jawad Business Group, visited Jawad Supermarket at Jawad Dome to mark French Day. HE Bernard RĂŠgnauld-Fabre cuts the cake
Sameera
Mahmood, Hassan & Hussain
Kids from the French community
Aline, Beatrice & Annabel
Samya, Paco & Damya
Sigi & Ulli
Opening of Rosso ART Rotana, Amwaj Islands opened up its Italian restaurant, Rosso, in the presence of Marco Esposto, Deputy Head of Mission, Italian Embassy, media and invited guests. Kateryna, Lara, Patrice & Rana
Jose & Enid
86 April 2015
Elise, Ismail & Yaqoub
Suad, Gautam & Aswathi
Elazab, Rami & Jasmine
Faiz & Fifi
Lora & Randy
Najwa, Meera & Zaid
Tetiana & Kateryna
www.bahrainthismonth.com
motoring
Audi Q5 40 TSFI
AUDI
Technology Under the Spotlight Audi fans in the Kingdom were given the chance to try out a sensational selection of the marque’s top models during a special ‘quattro tour’ road show.
More than 150 car enthusiasts from across the Kingdom took part in a special event showcasing Audi’s world-renowned quattro technology. Audi Centre Bahrain, represented by Behbehani Brothers, held the show at the Royal Golf Club and gave participants the opportunity to take part in a series of specially designed test drive exercises. Drivers were given the opportunity to experience the models first hand including the Audi Q5, Q3, A5 and A3. Audi professional driving instructors introduced the demonstration and gave safety training tips. The course involved structures and obstacles designed to give participants a full off-road handling experience of the quattro all-wheel drive system and to demonstrate some of the technical features on the Audi Q models such as hill descent control. Using a ‘brake and avoid’ exercise, participants also tested the difference between front wheel drive and quattro cars, as well as the safety systems fitted to
the vehicle, such as the anti-lock braking system and stability control. “We are thrilled to be able to bring Audi to the people through this event and provide participants with the chance to experience the revolutionary quattro technology,” says Audi Bahrain sales manager Allen Blake. “The exhibit demonstrated Audi’s quattro drive technology to both regular drivers and car enthusiasts, offering them a hands-on experience of the brand’s effortless manoeuvrability and handling system. We are passionate about introducing our customers to a new level of driving experience through our exciting range of models that are available at our Audi showroom in Sitra.” Apart from the demonstration of the vehicles, the brand drew in a number of viewers through a premium Audi model showcase that included the legendary Audi S1.
Audi A5 35 TFSI
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April 2015 87
motoring
EURO MOTORS
Buckle up, Stay Alert! Euro Motors, the importer for the BMW Group in Bahrain, supported this year’s GCC Traffic Week by distributing child booster cushions as part of its drive to raise awareness of buckling up.
88 April 2015
With the aim of educating families about the importance of wearing seatbelts and using child safety restraints in cars, Euro Motors offered complimentary booster cushions to families with children between the ages of six and 11 years and weighing between 22kg and 36kg (the internationally recognised safest weights) at Amwaj Islands. This initiative is part of BMW Group Middle East’s award-winning ‘Stay Alert. Stay Alive.’ campaign which was launched in 2010 to teach the public about the importance of using appropriate safety restraints while travelling by car, particularly for children. The campaign was a resounding success with thousands of child safety booster seats distributed to parents throughout public awareness events. Until the age of seven, children’s bones are still forming and their skull and ribcage are still extremely flexible. This means that any impact can result in significant deformation of the head and brain, or damage to the heart, lungs and other internal organs. At this age, the pelvis is unstable and cannot withstand the forces from the use of regular seatbelts and therefore appropriate child restraints are essential to reduce the risk of injury. The stand also served as point of contact with young drivers to further educate them on safe driving. Euro Motors also supported the traffic police with
their activities aimed mainly at universities and other education institutions across Bahrain including: University of Bahrain, Polytechnic, AMA, Ahlia University and Applied Science University, to educate young drivers on the dangers of reckless driving. Paul Yates, general manager of Euro Motors says: “This is a great and necessary initiative by the BMW Group and one we need to promote in Bahrain. With a high accident rate especially amongst young drivers, we have a social and moral obligation as part of this community to help educate the public on safe driving. We would like thank all the students and families that came down and took part, the impact we have made in the past week could be life changing.” www.bahrainthismonth.com
STATE BANK OF INDIA
Widening Reach With its modern premises and an array of new services in the pipeline, India’s largest lender is revving up growth in Bahrain.
The State Bank of India (SBI) moved its Manama Branch to a swanky new office in the Diplomatic Area in 2013. The 12,000sq/ft branch with a spacious car park facility provides customers a pleasant and comfortable ambience to fulfil their banking needs. The bank has three branches in the Kingdom. “We’re stepping up our pace of growth this year, with a push in retail and SME lending,” says Susim Das, CEO for retail branches. “In the retail lending segment the bank is bullish on promoting its car loan product. Our car loan scheme has some unique features like no prepayment penalty or fee. “This allows the customer to save on interest by prepaying as per their comfort and reducing the loan outstanding with the bank. We also offer a longer repayment period of up to seven years. These features coupled with the competitive rates applied on daily reducing balance make the product arguably the best in the market,” adds Susim. SBI is the only Indian bank in Bahrain to offer locker services for safekeeping of valuables. The online remittance platform offered by the branch facilitates free transfer of funds to NRI accounts in India 24/7. The bank has the lowest processing charges and group life insurance premiums for personal and automobile loans in the Kingdom. Prepayment and early closure of loans is permitted without imposition of any penalty or fee. The Diplomatic Area Branch is open between 8am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm from Sunday to Thursday. www.bahrainthismonth.com
April 2015 89
bystander
Hannane, Simon & Jamie
Fatema & Maryam
Abdulhamid & Shawqi
Paul & George
The New Age of Discovery Land Rover Euro Motors Jaguar Land Rover celebrated the MENA debut of its new SUV - the Discovery Sport - at the Land Rover Experience Centre at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir. Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, Nawaf & Fowzi
George & Andrew
Chris & HE Iain Lindsay, British Ambassador
Anil, Zaki, Nawaf, Samya & Sana
G4S Employee Awards
G4S held an annual employee award ceremony at the Elite Crystal Hotel.
Justin & Mary
Philip & Julie
Anna & Claire
Subash, Yogesh & Rick Ali, Ahmed & Divakar
Layla & Malika
90 April 2015
Dilip
Anoop
Siraj & Sameer
Saeed & Mahmood
Ahmed & Ratheesh
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motoringsuv
On and Off the Road Again
less outside door handle; power reclining and power folding 60:40 split rear seat; cylinder head with integrated exhaust manifold and a wireless charging tray for compatible phones and devices. The Panoramic View Monitor helps the driver avoid other vehicles and pedestrians approaching from the sides. The F SPORT variant promises a special driving experience with its aggressive looks. Prices start from BD18,800.
Lexus NX
From big, bulky beasts to classy and compact crossovers, the SUV segment in the Kingdom is growing from strength to strength. Bahrain This Month has compiled a definitive list of the latest models and special offers on everything with four-wheel drive!
Sports cars undoubtedly have their place in every petrolhead’s heart, but when it comes to capability and raw, rugged power, there is no substitute for a 4X4. Ebrahim K. Kanoo, the distributor of Toyota and Lexus in the Kingdom, recently launched the new FJ Cruiser TRD. Renowned for its ability to conquer any terrain, this model is designed to cope with the demands of offroad driving. The new TRD variant injects a dose of ‘Waku Doki’ – Japanese for adrenaline rush – into an already exiting model. With distinct styling and added off-road capabilities, the FJ Cruiser TRD can conquer the most difficult terrains effortlessly while maintaining its composure as a true off-road machine, its makers say. Prices start from BD14,200. Meanwhile, the new Lexus NX 200t is set to impress with an innovative turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine, four-cylinder port and direct-injection turbo engine. The exterior has been designed to provide a feeling of agility not usually associated with an SUV. The cabin design combines structural elements with luxurious yet functional materials and textures. It features numerous firsts for Lexus, including keyhole-
FJ Cruiser TRD
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Motorcity Motorcity has such a wide range of vehicles it can be hard to know where to start. With the SUV segment showing positive growth year after year, Motorcity has aggressive plans of launching a wide range of SUVs this year targeted to different segment of buyers. The new Isuzu MU-X, is a seven-seater family SUV that is spacious and is equipped with a new generation turbocharged diesel engine. It is a perfect family SUV for city and off-road driving. Chery Tiggo 5 will be introduced soon with a completely new design. This five-seater compact SUV will have enhanced features and will be offered at exceptionally good value, the company says. Chery Tiggo 3 will be pitched a step up from the current Tiggo SUV. With feature rich preposition and enhanced performance, this compact SUV aims to provide great value for customers. Ssangyong Tivoli has fresh design, amazing utility and state-of-the-art technology features. Targeted to entrylevel SUV buyers, this Korean SUV offers a plenty of bang for your buck. Bin Hindi Motors This month sees the launch of the Kia Carnival and Kia Sorento, two popular SUVs with class in abundance. The Carnival and Sorento have been remodelled with new engine configurations and innovative features. Sorento is Kia’s most popular full-sized SUV and aims to impress with its size, power and handling. The Carnival is a full-sized MPV with plenty of space to fit eight adults. This model is ideal for large families but is versatile enough to be used as your daily ride to and from work. Innovative features include easy clean seats with patented technology. Both models boast excellent handling, power and, needless to mention, industry leading factory warranty and low servicing costs. Kia is growing leaps and bounds in Bahrain. A second (additional) showroom has opened in Sitra just before the Mameer roundabout. April 2015 91
motoringsuv
FIRST MOTORS
Compact Crossover Raises the Bar It’s undeniable; crossover SUVs are big business and the 2015 Tucson is a prime example of the popularity these models command.
92 April 2015
First Motors, the dealer of Hyundai vehicles in Bahrain, believes the reason for its appeal is simple — Tucson combines beauty and utility to make driving the pleasure it is supposed to be. Promising to revolutionise the automobile industry, Hyundai delivers the comfort and safety of a Tucson along with the strength and agility of a SUV. The new model is an urban, young and stylish compact addition to the SUV line of automobiles. With a plethora of awards to its credit, the Hyundai Tucson was recently named the Car of the Year in Russia and the most satisfactory vehicle in the compact crossover SUV category in the Auto Pacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards in the USA. The Tucson has a history of excellence and this 2015 offering continues that tradition with a series of progressive features. Improved interiors, plush leather seating; sporty yet sophisticated, casual yet elegant, the new Tucson is the car to make the driver feel confident and create a style statement with its power, performance and class, its makers say. “We are committed to our market and will always offer products that exceed the expectations of the customers and set high standards of perfection,” says Raed Mu’ti, general manager of First Motors. “Several enhancements have been made to the Tucson 2015 to make it even more exciting and appealing to customers. “The improved Tucson is sure to excite all motor enthusiasts who prefer a combination of performance and looks that cater to the trendy and sporty. We have priced this amazing car very economically with an
attractive finance option making it one of the strongest offerings for such a marvellous vehicle.” The Tucson is designed to provide complete ease while driving, with every control positioned in the most convenient manner. Powered with a 2.0-litre or a 2.4-litre NU MPI four-cylinder engine, this model delivers 158hp or 177hp respectively. Standing on its strong and distinctively designed new 17 and 18-inch alloy wheels, the Tucson is ready to take up any adventure both on and off road. Boasting the latest gadgets and fully automatic airconditioning system, Tucson is extremely spacious, with generous amounts of headroom and legroom, providing extra comfort, especially for long journeys. Safety is always a priority and the Tucson features two airbags, child safety lock, central door lock and optional features that include auto cruise control and a panoramic sunroof. The Tucson is also equipped with sensors in the rear bumpers, a rear-view camera and anti-lock braking system. Standard features that are retained are automatic head and fog lights, Bluetooth hands free calling, built in GPS navigation system, steering remote control, radio CD MP3 USB AUX iPod cable, maximum storage space and engine start/stop button. First Motors, part of Al Zayani Investments Group, is fully committed to demonstrating to the Bahrain market that Hyundai represents unique value for money without compromise. Its confidence in Hyundai is demonstrated through a lifetime warranty that is offered on the entire range of Hyundai vehicles. www.bahrainthismonth.com
motoringsuv BIN HINDI MOTORS
The Grand Carnival Comes to Town This full-sized MPV has been created to keep your family safe and secure and is packed with features to enhance your space and comfort.
94 April 2015
Bin Hindi Motors, the distributor of KIA Motors in Bahrain, unveiled the new Grand Carnival MPV – a revamped model which aims to set a new standard for versatility and simplicity. Chief design officer Peter Schreyer says Grand Carnival’s CUV-like styling and proportions offer all of the functional convenience of the segment while defying its design limitations. In addition to innovative European-inspired design, the model boasts ample passenger and cargo room as well as a quiet and comfortable cabin. “Throughout the development process, our engineers in the US and Korea focused on adding an element of desire to the Grand Carnival with improved driving dynamics, power and the incorporation of modern styling cues, premium materials, safety and technology,” says Orth Hedrick, vice president of product planning. The Grand Carnival’s wide stance gives it a modern appearance, highlighted by a front fascia and cabforward design that project confidence and strength, its makers say. The Carnival’s muscular face and clean, smooth look is highlighted by a fully integrated version of Kia’s signature grille and headlamps with LED positioning lights. Despite its overall width and height remaining virtually unchanged, the new model provides more front shoulder room, greater leg room in the front, second and third rows, as well as a slightly higher hip-point, improving outward visibility for the driver. The horizontal design cues across the instrument panel create a greater sense of width, and the use of soft-touch materials adds to the premium ambience. The Carnival’s proportions provide flexible seating in eight-passenger and eleven-passenger configurations and a multitude of storage options. It is also the only vehicle in the segment outfitted with
standard YES Essentials fabric technology to provide anti-microbial protection from spills, anti-static protection from irritating electrical shocks and stainrepelling fabric characteristics. Built on a new chassis with static torsional stiffness that is 36 per cent greater than its closest segment competitor, the body is 76 per cent Ultra High Strength Steel or High Strength Steel, which provides exceptional rigidity, durability and collision protection in a lightweight design. Under the bonnet is a new Lambda gasoline direct injection 3.3-litre V6 engine, which replaces the 3.5litre V6 in the outgoing model. The 3.3-litre engine delivers more power than its predecessor, boasting 270ps at 6,400 rpm, and it has been tuned for enhanced mid-range torque, offering 32.4kgf.m. at 5,200rpm. The new engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission tuned for balanced control, power and efficiency. The Grand Carnival comes with a five-year or unlimited mileage warranty from Bin Hindi Motors. The Grand Carnival is available in both Khamis and Sitra locations of Kia for viewing and test drives. Call 17 408-800 or email kiasales@binhindi.com.
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A PASSION FOR CA RS
www.binhindi.com
email:kiasales@binhindi.com
Tel : 1740 8800
KHAMIS
Tel : 1770 2000
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* Images for illustration purposes only.
A. A. Bin Hindi
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motoringsuv ZAYANI MOTORS
Ready for Adventure! With a tough upper front grille and a new lightweight, aerodynamic frame, the 2015 Outlander SUV effortlessly combines functionality and class.
96 April 2015
Zayani Motors, the dealers of Mitsubishi in Bahrain, revealed the new 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander GLX and GLC, a model that answers the call for adventure. Available in two variants, the five-seater GLX and the seven-seater GLS, this model comes in a variety of colours. The luxurious chrome accents and available 18-inch alloy wheels make a statement with eye-catching styling and modern design. Thanks to its dependability, agile road handling and excellent performance you’re in safe hands with this model, its maker say. Its interior is cosy yet luxurious thanks to premium materials, including genuine leather and quality craftsmanship. Even the longest journeys are refreshing thanks to ample cabin space and comfortable seating as well as plenty of space for cargo. The rear seating can be flexibly arranged to meet changing needs. The new model is also loaded with advanced functionality and premium appointments such as the available 6.1-inch LCD touch panel display, audio, rear-view camera, soft-touch controls, dual-zone automatic climate control and push-button engine start-stop. The Outlander delivers powerful acceleration and responsive road handling. Wherever you travel,
you’ll enjoy its advantages while also minimising environmental impact due to its impressive fuel efficiency. The Outlander 2015’s varients come with two different engines. The GLX comes with 2.4-litre MIVEC, 4-cylinder engine while the GLC features a 3.0-litre MIVC 6-cylinder engine. Both provide high power output, low fuel consumption and low exhaust emissions. All trims include Fuse Hands-Free linked audio with USB/iPod interface, Bluetooth phone connectivity and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The Outlander also boasts new aluminium – alloy wheels, LED tail lights and silver roof as well as a Rock Ford audio system with a 10-inch subwoofer. It also has an auto rain sensor and rear intermittent wiper and washer. Safety measures are in place to protect occupants in case of an accident. Key features include a highly protective Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution body, seven SRS airbags and intelligent electronic functions that help prevent frontal collisions. There is also a keyless operation system as well as an adaptive cruise control system. Call 17 703-703 or 17 465-533 or visit Zayani Motors showrooms in Ma’ameer or Arad.
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DRIVE SAFE DRIVE MITSUBISHI
BEST FAMILY FRIENDS AREN’T NECESSARILY PEOPLE 7 Seater Outlander 2015
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Infiniti QX60
YK ALMOAYYED & SONS
Luxury and Technology Redefined The Infiniti QX60 is a luxurious crossover that features versatility, advanced technology and a sense of refinement.
98 April 2015
This spacious seven-seater is more than meets the eye thanks to its clever combination of style and technology. The roomy interior of the QX60 adjusts to your needs with adaptability and versatility. With abundant legroom for all passengers and a unique 2nd-row sliding and tilting seat to provide access to the 3rd-row — even when a child seat is installed. The expansive interior adapts its volume to your needs. The folding 2nd and 3rd row bench seats can arrange for any combination of up to seven passengers and cargo. With the 2nd and 3rd rows folded, the QX60 provides a virtually flat surface large enough to accommodate whatever your journey requires. The interiors are designed to seamlessly blend with the stylish and state-of-the-art console panel. This versatile console features a plethora of functions to offer a ride that’s always a delight. “The QX60’s console is like a control centre – right
from the Intelligent Cruise Control and the Around View Monitor, to the Bose Audio System, and all the other innovative features, everything is right at your finger tips,” says Paul Baker, general manager of Infiniti & Renault. The QX60 is quite the beauty and the beast. Nestled under the bonnet is an engine that packs quite the punch with a 3.5-litre V6 engine rated at 265bhp at 6,400rpm and 248lb-ft of torque at 4,400rpm. Coupled with its responsive handling and comfortable ride, the QX60 has been designed for optimum performance. Its safety features are uncompromising like in every Infiniti vehicle, its makers say. The QX60 has a number of advanced safety features like Around View Monitor that shows the driver a virtual 360-degree image of the area around the vehicle and the world’s first Backup Collision Intervention system. This technology, when the transmission is in reverse, will alert the driver about crossing vehicles and objects behind the QX60, along with a number of other security features. www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Waleed Kanoo
Launch of Isuzu MU-X Motorcity, the distributor of Isuzu in Bahrain, launched the Isuzu MU-X at its showroom in Nuwaidrat. Arun Kumar, Motorcity commercial vehicles senior sales manager, inaugurated the seven-seater SUV in the presence of EK Kanoo officials, management, Isuzu officials and customers. Isa Kanoo, Waleed Kanoo, Yoshida, Fawaz Kanoo, Mike & Arun
Imagi & Aida
Hani & Trevor
Randa & Lourdes
Manoj & Raymond
Peter, William & Mike
Gurucharan & Mike
Zaid & Trevor
Jehan & Zainab
Saleem & Jehan
Sadiq & Abdulghaffar
Yousif & Abdulla
Ahmed & Ebrahim
Bentley’s VIP Track Event Bentley Motors held a VIP Track event for guests to experience the Bentley GT Range with professional driving instructors, at the BIC F1 Track. The car on show
Talia & Victoria
100 April 2015
Rob & Nick
Manar
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motoringsuv MOTORCITY
Make Way for the Future!
Volvo XC90
Volvo has big plans for 2015 and enthusiasts are counting down the months to the launch of the new Volvo XC90, the latest masterpiece from the safety-conscious Swedish automotive giant.
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This visually striking seven-seater SUV, with worldleading safety features, boasts new powertrain technologies, an unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency; and, if that’s not enough, it’s easy on the eyes too. The new XC90, available from Motorcity, marks the beginning of a new chapter for Volvo, capturing its future design direction, incorporating its own range of new technologies and utilising its new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) technology. Grounded firmly in traditional Swedish design, the new XC90 has a muscular and distinctive elegance that is sure to win fans over. It is the first model to carry the company’s new iron mark, which has the iconic arrow elegantly aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille. Together with the T-shaped ‘Thor’s Hammer’ DRL lights, the iron mark introduces an entirely new, distinctive and confident face for Volvo’s forthcoming generation of cars. It’s larger, more spacious and has been revamped to impress in all areas, one of the most noticeable being the cabin. A new tablet-like touchscreen is the centerpiece, replacing many buttons and dials to create a clean, clutter-free dash. Elsewhere, there are swathes of wood and leather throughout the cabin with handcrafted highlights such as the crystalglass gear level and diamond cut designs for the starter button and volume controls. Innovatively designed seats free up interior space for passengers in the second and third seat rows and a multitude of adjustment possibilities make it easy to find an ideal seating position. The new seats are
available with adjustable side bolsters, seat cushion extension and massage function. The second row features three individual seats with recline adjustment. The sliding function can be used to create more legroom for the passengers in the third row — or to increase loading space. There is a completely new chassis, front and rear, so when it comes to driving dynamics, this vehicle gives the smooth, solid ride of a premium SUV combined with sharp handling and response. The XC90 can also be equipped with electronically controlled air suspension with a choice of five modes. A range of two-litre, four-cylinder Drive-E powertrains provide an outstanding combination of performance and fuel-efficiency. This T6 engine is equipped with a supercharger and turbo, delivering an impressive 320bhp and a maximum torque of 400Nm. This engine version comes with eight-speed automatic gearbox as standard. Sensus gives comfortable access to a wide selection of cloud-based applications. The outstanding in-car possibilities include Internet radio, connected navigation, finding and paying for parking, seamless music streaming, the ability to mirror and use Apple and Android devices in the touchscreen display, a hot spot for using a tablet in the car and much more. The Volvo XC90 can be specified with a four-zone climate system with individual settings for the occupants in the front seats and in the second row. Meanwhile, the top-of-the-line system in the XC90 features a 1,400W Class D amplifier and 19 Bowers & Wilkins speakers. When it comes to safety, this model offers the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry. It includes two world-first safety technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability. The new Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist enables safe and comfortable semi-autonomous driving by automatically following the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic. Acceleration, braking and now also steering are controlled automatically. Making sure that the driver remains in full control also when manoeuvring and reversing in tight spaces, the all-new XC90 features a 360° Surround view. It gives the driver a bird’s-eye view where information from all cameras are added up digitally to a single 360° image. The Park Assist Pilot now also offers automatic reversing into a parking bay. This modern SUV from Volvo is scheduled to launch in August. April 2015 101
bystander
Mohammed & Khaled
Mayyan & Elyana
Opening of Panerai Boutique Watch manufacturer Officine Panerai opened its first boutique in Bahrain at the Moda Mall. Panerai Boutique was inaugurated in collaboration with Asia Jewellers. Mohammed Jaffar, chief executive officer, Asia Jewellers & Milvin George, regional managing director, Panerai
Mohammed, Marise & Milvin
Heba, Gaby, Milvin, Mohammed, Sally & Victoria
Imam & Ahmed
Waleed
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Model United Nations The British School of Bahrain held the Model United Nations International Conference at the Al Areen Palace and Spa. The event was attended by ambassadors, students from various schools and parents. Charles, Jaap, Rashad & Pierre
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102 April 2015
Iman, Chantal & Marya
Lamees & Lulwa
Haya, Maryam & Yalva
Bryan & David
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motoringsuv VOLKSWAGEN
The Best of Both Worlds Volkswagen Touareg
GEORGE F MIDDLETON State-of-the-art technology and luxurious finishes are always appreciated in an SUV. However, sometimes, people get so distracted by the bells and whistles they overlook the most important element — off-road capability.
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The new Volkswagen Touareg is equipped with standard features such as bi-xenon, all-wheel drive, 17-inch alloy wheels, cruise control system with multifunction steering wheel, RCD 550 infotainment system with touchscreen, stop-start system, regenerative braking, coasting function, climate control system, servo steering and ESC with trailer stabilisation function. However, that’s not the important part. This is a model that aims to remind drivers that practicality, power and refinement needn’t be strangers. I arrived in Oman to put the 2015 model through its paces across a range of terrain and in different driving scenarios. Little did I know, this classy looking model is deceptively versatile. The Touareg is one of the world‘s most successful premium-class SUVs, presumably because it combines the best of passenger car comforts and offroad worlds in one model. The 2015 model has been revamped to look sleeker and more stylish than ever. Large bi-xenon headlights come as standard and the new LED daytime running lights are available from the SEL package onwards.
In contrast to the previous model, the grille is trimmed with four transverse chrome fins instead of two; the two lower fins are visually extended into the headlights. Together, the radiator grille and headlights form a prominent wide band. Essentially, this makes the Touareg bigger and more aggressive. And, proving that beauty is more than just bodywork deep, the improvements continue under the bonnet and in the cabin. There is an extended line-up of upholstery materials and wood accents while premium-class elements, including aluminium rotary knobs, give a sense of sophistication. But it’s the drive that counts and this feat of German engineering left very little to be desired thanks to the powerful V6 and V8 engine options. Oman’s dramatic scenery was a fitting back drop to the three-hour drive along coast roads and motorways, dust tracks and wadis. The vehicle’s advanced engineering technology made the switch effortless when driving on sand; a two-set dial raising or lowering the chassis as required. While the off-road capability is smooth and impressive, the Touareg’s motorway function is firm and stable. Aided effectively by the ‘impact waver’ option facility, which works with cruise control in slowing down the vehicle automatically as it approaches the vehicle in front. Engine response is powerful and immediate rendering it as nimble and responsive as cars which are much smaller and lighter. The ‘hill descent control’ facility was also hugely impressive as no break application was necessary as we headed down a sloping ravine to test its efficiency (N.B. reference to ‘slopes’, on this occasion, is not meant as a Jeremy Clarkson analogy!). The Touareg, as its name suggests, handles itself in a sturdy, comfortable and luxurious manner capable of sophisticated ‘town and about’ family trips as well as more adventurous off-road and desert destinations. It’s packed with the latest technological advancements both in the cabin and through its engineering offerings. Furthermore, it’s well equipped with a large screen display featuring all the anticipated in-car gadgets and gizmos including, of course, GPS navigation. In terms of technology, all V6 and V8 models now come equipped with an automatic post-collision braking system (to help prevent a secondary collision in case of an accident), bi-xenon headlights and a coasting function. The 2015 Touareg will be available in the Middle East with both V6 and V8 FSI — direct-injection petrol engines. April 2015 103
motoringsuv
ALMOAYYED MOTORS
More Power, More Style! Ford’s popular full-sized SUV, the Expedition, has been revamped for 2015 and is stronger, sleeker and more capable than ever.
104 April 2015
With a refreshed look, a quieter cabin and more technology than the previous-generation, this model is set to take the Kingdom by storm. Almoayyed Motors, the Ford and Lincoln importerdealer in Bahrain, announced the latest Ford nameplate to offer a high-end Platinum series. The exterior of the Expedition has been updated for 2015 with a front-end design that features available halogen projector headlamps and LED fog lamps for a fresh and aggressive look. Other exterior changes include a new wheel lineup topped by optional, factory-installed 22-inch polished aluminium wheels, a revised rear hatch and chrome-tipped exhaust. Expedition is Ford’s largest utility vehicle, with seating for eight. The standard 2015 model, one of two versions available, has three rows of seats and up to 108.3cubic feet of cargo space. It sits on a 119inch wheelbase, making it a little more than six inches longer than the Ford Explorer. A longerwheelbase version — 131 inches — has three rows of seats and best-in-class maximum cargo space of 130.8 cubic feet. It features an independent rear suspension to deliver a more confident ride and great handling characteristics, its makers say. The suspension also allows a more convenient fold-flat third-row bench seat and low load-floor height. The new Expedition features the latest technologies, including available SYNC with MyFordTouch system, passive entry with push-button start and Blind Spot Information System with cross traffic alert. It takes a mighty engine to power this bulking beast and the new 3.5-litre EcoBoost V6 engine, using direct injection and twin turbochargers, does the job. It provides more power, efficiency and performance
than the 5.4-litre V8 of the outgoing model. To maximise performance and control, the vehicle is equipped with a six-speed Select Shift automatic transmission featuring a manual mode that allows the driver to use a shift-mounted rocker switch to select gears. With the new powerplant, the Expedition will be among the full-sized SUV leaders for capability, generating 385bhp. Add best-in-class maximum cargo space for the extended-length version and available best-in-class towing of up to 9,200 pounds when properly equipped, and customers will find a truly useful utility vehicle. With the launch of the 2015 model, the Expedition also becomes the first Ford nameplate to offer a continuously controlled damping suspension that allows drivers to select from three drive modes – comfort, normal and sport. A suite of sensors detects 46 unique body, steering and braking inputs. By monitoring body motion, the system can automatically adjust damping in milliseconds. The new Expedition also features electric power-assisted steering, which gives drivers improved manoeuvrability at low speeds and a better feel at high speeds. With the vehicle’s capability and cargo space comes a cabin that’s quieter than ever. A host of changes helps minimise noise, including improved seals on the body that reduce air leaks by 20 per cent. Available new technologies on the 2015 Expedition include a Sony Audio System; passive entry with push-button start; rear view camera; front and rear parking sensors; seven-colour, ambient interior LED lighting; and Ford truck apps to help make trailer towing and off-road driving easier. www.bahrainthismonth.com
motoringnews
Special Service Offer Ebrahim K. Kanoo, the distributor of Toyota and Lexus in Bahrain, has a special service offer on all Toyota 4x4 models. Customers can benefit from a free comprehensive 24-point check, free tyre rotation, A/C gas and engine fluids top-up. In addition there is a 10 per cent discount on labour charges, a 15 per cent discount on parts, a 10 per cent discount voucher on the next service, a 15 per cent discount on Llumar, Ziebart services and a 25 per cent discount on Michelin tyres. The offer is valid until April 30th on all Toyota 4X4 models (Rav4, Fortuner, Prado, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser and Sequoia). Ayman Shehadeh, marketing manager Toyota and Lexus at Ebrahim K. Kanoo said: “We encourage Toyota 4x4 owners to bring in their vehicles for this exclusive offer for a chance to experience the unrivalled benefits of these offers and Toyota quality service.” Ebrahim K. Kanoo’s wide network of service and parts centres distributed across the Kingdom provides excellent customer service using the latest high-tech equipment supported by highly skilled experts and technicians.
Scooping Top Awards The Nissan Patrol has won ‘SUV of the Year’ in both Automan and Evo Magazine awards. These prestigious accolades add to the appeal of the Japanese automaker’s iconic model which has a huge following in the region. “This is a competitive and elite segment but the Nissan Patrol leads the pack. For the Nissan Patrol to be awarded the title of SUV of the Year is a tremendous honour for Nissan,” says Samir Cherfan, managing director, Nissan Middle East. “Once again the Nissan Patrol has proved why it is dubbed ‘Hero of all Terrains in Life’. The Patrol’s reputation as a highly-capable, extremely powerful, reliable and durable vehicle is second-to-none in the Middle East market.” In addition to satisfying loyal customers, the Nissan Patrol is attracting new buyers to a vehicle that has been an integral part of motoring in the Middle East for more than four decades.
Aiming to Set Standards Mohammed Jalal and Sons launched the new Suzuki Ciaz, a model that aims to set the standards others aspire to. Ciaz has been designed to offer unparalleled ease while driving and its optimised gear ratios and smooth shift mechanisms not only enhance driving dynamics but also ensure fuel efficiency, its makers say. It has been crafted with perfection to give you the best driving experience. With its convenient utility spaces, you can enjoy complete home-like comfort. Mohammed Jalal and Sons prides itself on offering original spare parts and a quality aftersales experience. The sedan boasts a 4-cylinder 1400cc engine that provides ample power and impressive fuel economy. It also features front and rear air conditioning, CD player, MP3 player, USB connection and Bluetooth. Built on Suzuki Total Effective Control technology, with effective use of high tensile strength steel, the body of Ciaz is like that of a fortress. Plus features like dual airbags, seat belt pretensioners and force limiters, ABS www.bahrainthismonth.com
with EBD and rear parking sensors ensure maximum safety. Suzuki has showrooms in Sitra and Khamis. Prices start at BD4,850 with free registration and insurance, free five years warranty unlimited kmsfree one year road assistance and a courtesy car during repair. April 2015 105
bystander
Mike & Eric
Mohammed & Ian
Mustafa & Abdulla
Mohammed & Mohannad
Maher & Gautam
Nour & Laylah
Audi Quattro Tour Audi Centre Bahrain held a ‘quattro tour‘ road show at The Royal Golf Club. Participants had the opportunity to test drive a range of cars. One of the models on display
Elton & Joshua
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Toby & Flory
Duaa & Osama
www.bahrainthismonth.com
F1feature
ZAIN BAHRAIN RACING
Racing Ahead CHARLIE HOLDING Zain Racing Team, one of the leading contenders in local and regional drag racing, is driving forward in 2015.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
The team was launched in 2008 and since then has claimed four championships: one in Bahrain, one in Qatar and two at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. Team manager Ghazi Radhi says Zain Bahrain believes in supporting and taking part in key national events and initiatives. “Our team is made up of Bahraini talents; mechanics, tuners and even the driver is Bahraini. We are proud of the team and the wins accomplished,” he explains. Ghazi says the team will be spending the next few months reviewing its performance to fully understand what is required for the next drag racing season, which will kick off during the second half of 2015. The man behind the wheel is Bahraini Mohammed Salama, who just wrapped up two big achievements in the region; winning the title in the Arab Drag Racing League and clenching second place at the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship 2014-2015. “The competition is tough between all competitors whether we are racing in Bahrain or abroad. You face all sorts of challenges from the car not being ready, breaking down or just bad luck,” Mohammed says. “We have spent many sleepless nights getting the car ready before a race. It’s quite challenging; but the feeling is just amazing crossing the finishing line ahead of the other team. “Also, in Bahrain we are competing against 14 drag racing teams from all over the GCC, who are professional and well equipped. We are the only Bahraini team taking part in the 4.5 index category. This year we were very close to grabbing the win and came in second place.” Drag racing has grown in popularity recently, thanks to the fact it can now be held in a safe environment with rules and regulations. Mohammed says: “Drag racing has always been popular in the region; the adrenaline rush, rubberburning, calculation and preparation is sheer excitement for many. Since the launch of circuits in
Bahrain and beyond in 2004; drag racing has taken a turn. “We have seen a number of championships developed in almost every country, teams and drivers finally getting the opportunity to professionally compete. Overall the fans can finally come and watch drag races in their respective countries. The popularity of drag racing can be summed up in one phrase — the rush is amazing.” The team currently races in the 4.5 index (8-cylinder) category more popularly known as bracket racing. They take part in three championships held in the GCC; the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship held at the BIC; the Arabian Drag Racing League held at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar and the Yas Pro Drag Racing Series held at the Yas Marina Circuit in the UAE. Mohammed believes the success of Zain Bahrain Racing comes from teamwork. “It is true that the driver is behind the wheel; but the entire team needs to gel and work together for the success of the team. The chief mechanic and the crew are unsung heroes and, as for the driver, patience is key,” he says. Before each race, the chief mechanic and the team conduct a full check for the car and make sure it is ready. And with the amount of power under the bonnet, safety checks are a must. “I drive a Jerry Bickel Chassis Pontiac Firebird equipped with Big Block V8 engine with almost 1650bhp. It goes from 0-100km in less than one second,” says Mohammed. “As a driver, I have to mentally and physically be ready for the challenge. It’s gruelling — the race itself is just a few seconds and there is absolutely no room for error.” The first round of the Bahrain Drag Racing Championship 2015-2016 will kick off at the Bahrain International Circuit in October. April 2015 107
F1feature
Innovation on Display
Russ Dixon
CHARLIE HOLDING British innovation and engineering will come under the spotlight this month as part of a special event that ties in with the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
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British Chargé d’Affaires Russ Dixon revealed that due to the success of a similar event held during last year’s GREAT British Week, it seemed like an ideal opportunity to hold another one around the F1 on April 19. The United Kingdom of Great Britain has a dominant position in racing, and this stretches beyond the F1 teams to an entire supply chain feeding off the sport. The UK has had a great heritage of creative design engineers and manufacturing. “The event is about showcasing UK advanced engineering and innovation and we’re working with three of the companies that were our partners in January 2014 for GREAT British Week — McLaren,
BA Systems and Rolls-Royce Aero,” explains Russ. “We’re also going to be joined by JCB and National Express because they secured the bus operator network and they were a big part of GREAT British Week and we want to mark the success of them achieving that contract. “Other embassies in the world have successfully organised GREAT events around F1 and so, using the experience we gained in January, we started working with the UKTI team to see if it would be viable to do an event around F1.” With Bahrain’s night race taking place for the second time, the embassy has organised its invitation only event in the morning so visitors can make it to the track for the race in the evening. The event has been endorsed by the EDB and is being held under the patronage of the Chairman of the Bahrain Economic Development Board. “We are very excited about the event but the cherry on top is that we asked HRH the Crown Prince whether he would be our patron and he agreed, which is fantastic. He is such an integral part of the F1 event here and bilateral relations. Obviously we’re very proud to have him with us,” says Russ. The event will reveal never-seen-before technological innovations, although Russ remains tightlipped about some of the surprises in store. “McLaren are working on launching new cars. There will be an unveiling which will be a surprise. There will be tech you’ve not seen before from Rolls-Royce Aero and BA Systems. Then we’ll have some presentations from our partners,” he says. “It’s in our DNA to be innovators and, if you look back at UK innovation during the last century, the UK has pioneered in so many different areas. We are constantly searching for new ideas and we also have some of the best research in the world in terms of our universities — and that’s the breeding ground for bright minds.” Meanwhile, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday party falls about a week after the F1 and the embassy plans to showcase the event and its partners there too. This event will be Russ and his wife Debbie’s swan song as they leave for a new appointment a few days later. “We have had a lovely warm relationship with Bahrain and the people here are wonderful, we’ve made so many friends,” says Russ. “Debbie and I are going to be very sad to leave but I think we’ve achieved a lot and it’s been a very worthwhile three years; certainly one of the most enjoyable periods in my diplomatic career.” www.bahrainthismonth.com
Tel. 1 7 5 8 0 0 2 8 Seef Corner opposite Bahrain City Centre Opening time : 7:30am. Engie’s Restaurant & CafÊ
@engiesrestaurant
F1featurehappenings
F1 Frenzy
F1 village
Formula One Village Vending Area
The Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) is all set for the 2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Excitement is rife as the circuit transforms into a playground for top-notch entertainment.
When? April 17-19 Event? Music Concerts, Roaming Acts and Shows Galore Where? BIC In keeping with the theme of a night race, the promotional campaign for this year’s event is ‘Light Up Your Nights’. And that is exactly what the BIC intends to do this year, not just with the racing events but also with the all the leisure activities. To complement all the action in Formula One and other racing support series, the BIC will feature a series of entertainment to enthral visitors, from renowned international artists and roaming acts to a snow village, one of the first in Bahrain. Weekend’s Entertainment Saturday Concert: Pitbull Global music sensation Pitbull will be the headline act in a series of live concerts taking place over the weekend of the 2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix. Pitbull
Pitbull will be performing on April 18 at the Formula One Village at BIC. All Grand Prix weekend ticket holders will be able to gain access to the concert and enjoy his music. Pitbull, also known as Armando Christian Perez, is an internationally successful musician, performer, business entrepreneur, fashion trendsetter and actor. He has sold more than five million albums and over 60 million singles worldwide. This Latin Grammy Award winner has collaborated with other world renowned artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Kesha, Pharrell Williams, Enrique Iglesias, Marc Anthony, Akon, T-Pain, Sean Paul and Flo Rida, to name a few. Pitbull has had number one hits in more than 15 countries, his videos have over seven billion views and his social media reach rivals television network audiences. His many charttopping hits include Feel This Moment, Time of our Lives, Don’t Stop The Party, Back In Time, Give Me Everything and Timber. Friday Concerts: Arabic Night For Arabic music lovers, BIC has organised a fantastic weekend of entertainment. Four of the region’s biggest names, legendary Kuwaiti singer Abdulla Rowaishid, Lebanese songbird Najwa Karam, Iraqi singer-composer Waleed Alshami and Lebanese superstar Amr Zain, will be taking to the stage to perform live on April 17.
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Main Stage Having had the privilege and experience of hosting countless red carpet events, MC Gil is just the man to get you fired up. His infectious energy and constant interaction is perfect to kick-start a spectacle as amazing as this. DJ Tony will be on the main stage through the day, spinning all your favourite tunes and keeping you pumped up for the next show. Roaming Acts Bandas às Riscas This legendary troupe of street performers from Portugal has made a name for itself at huge festivals in Brazil, Portugal and as far as Switzerland. Join in the cheer as they entertain you with a repertoire of themed performances and circus acts inspired by the times we live in.
Bandas às Riscas
Dr Bubbles An amazing bubble show for all ages, be prepared to be mesmerised as Dr Bubbles entertains your entire family with a range of never-seen-before tricks. A widely experienced performer, Dr Bubbles has had shows in Vienna and also made a cameo appearance in the German-based short film Peter Pan. There’s no doubt that the talented Dr Bubbles will bring the venue alive with his magical touch. Dr Bubbles
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Daniel Waples: Hang Player Daniel Waples is one of the best Hang Pan musicians in the world today with his YouTube videos notching up nearly 30 million hits to date. Having performed over the world, from Europe to West Africa, his music delivers a sense of serenity and peacefulness. He is sure to captivate you with his unique sound and rhythm. Mattacchioni Volanti Magically emerging from Aladdin’s lamp, Mattacchioni Volanti can draw a smile from anyone who encounters him with his gravity defying performance. He has been a sensational success at festivals such as Mercantia, Ferrara, the Bascherdeis and all major street shows in Italy, Germany, Austria, Romania, Croatia, Kuwait and Dubai.
Snow village
Snow Village characters, The Penguins promise to steal the heart of anyone who watches their playful, comedic skits, kids and adults alike. Other artists and activities at the Snow Village include ‘Pop the Balloon Man’ and Rita Cherry, the face painter and shows by Full Frame Events, one of the world’s premiere green screen experience companies.
Spark! Spark! is a unique performance in which the cast takes the audience on a colourful dreamlike journey. The show combines highimpact drumming, dynamic choreography and beautiful lighting design whilst creating exciting interactions. Perfect for this year’s night race, the LED drummers will stand out in the crowd, lighting up the vending area with their highly entertaining carnival-themed show. Other roaming acts at the BIC include, Shade Makers, Be-Dom, Team Power Stilts, The Freaks, Candy Floss Dancer, The Cossack Show, Flava and The Walking Fun Fair.
Be-Dom
Snow Village Experience Experience this year’s most spectacular sight and witness the beauty of snow in Bahrain, for the first time ever. Prepare for snowball fights with the family, meet the penguins and much more. Key Attractions at the Snow Village include a synthetic ice rink, snow garden, cross country skiing area, climbing wall and a tube and freestyle slide. The village will also have a spectacular ice show, The Ice Queen, featuring a variety of dynamic ice skating routines combined with glamour and fun. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Zip line
The Vamps
Extreme For those who want to challenge their limits, adrenalin fuelled extreme activities are in store, like Zip Line, High Ropes Adventure Course and performances by Gorilla Circus, an institution of professional flying trapeze artists from the UK.
Jaguar Prize Draw (April 11) Buy your Grand Prix ticket before April 11 and be in for a chance to win a Jaguar F-Type Coupe. By purchasing your race ticket, you are automatically entered into a draw to win. The draw will take place at the BIC.
The F1 Game Zone The zone offers all true F1 fans the ultimate experience as this year it brings you the perfect photo opportunities to be on a podium and inside an F1 car, in addition to an F1 driving experience in a high fidelity motion simulator.
Otto Knows (April 11) Straight from the nightclubs of Stockholm, watch Otto Jetman of ‘Otto Knows’ raise the temperature in Bahrain. Move to the beats of his global hits as he performs as part of the Race Fever festival at BIC.
Red Bull X Fighter Jams (April 2-3) For the first time ever, experience Race Fever in Bahrain — a festival of adrenaline-pumped, hair tingling action before the 2015 Formula 1 Bahrain Gulf Air Grand Prix kicks off. Watch the biggest and most popular group of freestyle motocross riders take your breath away with gravity-defying tricks, thrilling flips and sheer daredevilry. The Red Bull X Fighter Jams will perform for the first time in Bahrain, over two nights in Amwaj Islands.
The Vamps (April 11) Catch the British pop sensation ‘The Vamps’ live for the first time in Bahrain, as they warm up the island a week before race weekend at BIC. Tickets to the 2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix can be purchased at the BIC sales outlets in City Centre Bahrain and Seef Mall, online at bahraingp.com or by calling 17 450-000. April 2015 111
bystander
Rushad, Dr Charles, Afra, Daniah & Laura
School Prize Press Meet The Sovereign Art Foundation announced the launch of The Sovereign Art Foundation Schools Prize 2015 – established in partnership with The Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) at a press conference. John Hanafin, managing partner, Sovereign Art Foundation & Dr Mustafa Al Sayed, secretary-general, RCO
Nabil
Yousaf
Greg & Shaikh Ali bin Khalid Al Khalifa
Nick & Helen
Maria & Aya
Wael, George & Anas
Grega & Yousaf
Dana, Conner & Alanood
Mövenpick Brunch Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain held an Eatalian brunch. Rommlegh, Rosie, Cindy, Robyn, Angela & Lisa
Nyall’s 2nd Birthday Party Nivita and Mitesh celebrated the second birthday of their son, Nyall, at Magic Island, Seef Mall. The birthday boy with his parents
Adrean & Jones
Daniel & Alfred
Jenny, Zainab & Nivita
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Prathi, Mayur & Anup
Kristen & Jen
Bepee, Pauline & Ken
Mike & Val
Stephen
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F1featureentertainment DJ Jade
CORAL BAY
Get the Party Started
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Prepare yourselves for the island’s most exciting lineup of events — world-class DJs, top-notch sound and lighting will be on hand to provide the best party experience possible. To set the mood, things kick off on April 16 with the opening party; Shifting Gears (The Electronic Music Experience) featuring Jade from Basement Beirut, a regionally acclaimed DJ and producer who is best known for blending Oriental with cutting-edge electronic music and working with international artists. This event is by invitation only, register for tickets which are available at the door on the night of the event for BD10. Following the opening party, there is a black tie event on April 17 for the notorious Fashion TV and Coral Bay collaboration party — Fashion TV’s Nuit Des Papillons (Night of the Butterflies) with Dutch DJ Patrick Hagenaar. Tickets cost BD10 for ladies and BD20 for gents. The show starts from 9pm onwards. On April 19 Coral Bay is proud to bring Grammynominated Trance DJ, musician and producer, Paul Van Dyk for the grand F1 Closing Party! What other way to end a great week than partying the night away with a true music legend, the company says. Get your discounted, limited pre-sale tickets for the Paul Van Dyk show – soon to be announced on Coral Bay’s website (www.coral-bay.net). Tickets at the door cost BD30. All shows start at 9pm. Expect top class entertainment, stunning dancers, models and event hostesses who add a touch of glam throughout the week along with state-of-the-art lighting and sound set-up. For the first time, the
company is also bringing an acclaimed visual effects show to Coral Bay for the F1 events. So, glam up and get ready for the hottest weekend of events at Coral Bay. DJ Patrick Hagenaar
Keeping in line with Coral Bay’s legendary F1 parties, the company is leaving no stone unturned this year and has planned an epic F1 Grand Prix party weekend.
Paul Van Dyk
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gadgets
KubeSound
PetCube
Rich sound, sleek style, have your soundtrack and your drinks all in one with KubeSound. With its discreet details and convenient functions, take your Kube camping or for a late night gathering by the pool with is moisture protecting seals and glow-in-the-dark lights. It features a push to open panel that leads to a 33-quart cooler, not to mention the drain plug to empty out melted ice!
Do you have a furry friend that likes to destroy things when you are out of the house? Wish you could stop them before it’s too late? Now you can. PetCube is a little box that can link to your phone via the Wi-Fi in your home so you can see what your fluffy one is up while you’re on the move. You can even play with them with a laser pen that you can control from your mobile device too.
Parrot H20 Devialet Phantom A creator of arguably some of the most beautiful sound gear in the world, Devialet brings its high-end technology into a single, omnidirectional wireless speaker that, yes, looks like the Death Star. And really, how can you resist a gadget with something called ‘Heart Bass Implosion’?
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Forgetting to water your plants can be a real pain and occurs more often than we would like. But what is a person to do when they go on holiday? Get Parrot H20. This gadget is the most advanced sensor that can water your plant for up to three weeks per fill. Place the Parrot Pot into the soil and attach a bottle of water on top and watch it turn into a reservoir with the sole purpose of caring of your plants.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
NeuroSky Brainwave Starter Kit It might look like a colourful ladies’ razor, but this device is capable of capturing a spherical panoramic image. You can capture hi-res 360 degree stills and videos without having to pan, spin or stitch.The device also has WI-FI, which means you can upload images directly onto social media sites.
Perfect Drink With Perfect Drink you can become your very own bartender instantly. The device acts as a food scale that connects to your iOS or Android device. You simply choose a beverage you fancy, and then the app will guide you on how much to pour. Whilst making your drink, if you accidentally pour too much of one thing, the app will proportion everything accordingly.
Fogless Shower Mirror It may sound simple and a bit silly, but it can frustrate many of us who like to shave just after our shower, but can’t because the mirror is a misty blur. Well with this new fogless mirror, you can shave in your bathroom at any time of the day and have a clean face reflecting back at you. It is easily stuck onto shower walls and even features a shelf to hang your things.
Bladpad for iPhone 5 A stylish Apple accessory designed for the gamers who like to play on-the-go. The device includes a low-latency gaming controller that slides out when needed and features illuminated joysticks and buttons. Additional charging power cable allows you to charge your iPhone/ iPad whilst playing so you won’t have to fear your battery’s demise.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Wireless Key Finder Congratulations, we are giving you back that hour of your week that you spend searching for lost keys with this extremely handy new gadget. Simply attach a receiver to each set of your keys, and if you lose one set, press the corresponding button colour and follow the flash and the sound of the beep.
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music
The Day is My Enemy – The Prodigy What’s the story?
British electronica veterans The Prodigy return with aplomb. Critics are falling head over heals for the album with Kerrang calling it ‘the most exciting and angrily British album of the year’. Apparently, its title is a reference to the Cole Porter song All Through the Night, in particular its lyrics “the day is my enemy, the night my friend”.
Worth a listen?
If you’re a fan of the resurgence in electronica then this could be the album you’ve been waiting for. The Day is My Enemy has a daring sound that aims to push the envelope and blur the lines between genres. Punk syncs up with drum’n’bass, rock with hiphop, dubstep and the list goes on. Tracks such as Rok-Weiler unabashedly utilise breakbeat synthesis and we love it!
Shorts
Chasing Yesterday – Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds The lead guitarist and co-lead vocalist of Mancunian rock band Oasis has been flying solo since the end of 2009. This year, his new album has hit number one in the UK Top 40 Album Chart. There is always room in the world for another well-written, classy poprock gem and Noel has proudly delivered 10 of them. 116 April 2015
Perfect Contradiction – Paloma Faith
1,000 Forms of Fear – Sia
Paloma is unique in her enthusiasm and incredible vocals that take you from the 1940s to the present day in just 11 songs. The 70s’ disco diva vibe you get from the album shows that there’s more than one way to knit a ‘vintage’ sweater as she pulls off the old school beat with an almighty Paloma twist. With popular singles, Only Love Can Hurt Like This and Can’t Rely On You, it’s clear to see why the album was met with such excitement upon its release.
Australian pop phenomenon Sia Furler is on fine form with her latest offering. Her knack for heart-swelling choruses shines through on a set of tracks you might play while running a marathon. The talented songstress has penned tracks for some of the biggest names in pop. However, it looks like she may have kept the best for herself if the quality of this album is any indication. www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Ronnie & Joyce
Shruthi & Karthik’s Wedding Family and friends gathered to celebrate the wedding of Shruthi and Karthik at The Dragon Hotel & Resort in Amwaj. The wedding couple cuts the cake Dinesh & Chandni
Gurucharan & Harjit
Ranjith, Rishi, Shiny & Kashi
Viren & Rekha
Abdulrahman
Aysha
K Hotel Cocktail Reception
Spring of Culture Press Conference HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, president of Bahrain Authority for Culture & Antiquities launched the Spring of Culture festivities during a press conference held at the Bu Maher Fort - pearling path visitor centre.
The K Hotel held a cocktail reception for business associates, staff and media. Yaqoob, Hussain, Mohammed, Fouad & Abdul
HE Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa with the festival’s strategic partners
Mona & Jehan
Widat & Laila
HE Essam Saleh Awad, Egyptian Ambassador
Mark & Eric
Ayman & Aziza
Mansoora
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Randa, Alison, Bambi & Wilma
An artist performs
Sana & Sana
Bilal
Dima & Dina
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games
Games review Detailing is key when it comes to video games, here are the ones we found the most interesting.
Game: Mirror’s Edge Rating:**** What is it?
This marks the return of the acclaimed fan-favourite first-person action-adventure game. Mirror’s Edge allows gamers to immerse themselves in a visually stunning dystopian future and discover its darkest secrets. With an army of oppressive troops at every level, this intense and exhilarating game will have your heart beating out of your chest as you jump walls, slide along floors, dodge bullets and traverse rooftops … hopefully without being killed or falling to your death.
Graphics:
Graphics have improved substantially since this game was released back in 2008, but despite this, it still holds up incredibly well. This is because of the game’s minimalist style as it sticks to a simple colour palette of red, white, blue, yellow, orange and green which makes the game relatively simple but unique. It is the kind of game where you could screenshot any moment and it could be framed and placed on your wall.
Heavy Rain
The game revolves around a sophisticated plot and strong narrative threads that explore a complex moral proposition. You assume the role of multiple characters, with very different backgrounds, motivations and skills in a world shaped by bending storylines – a dynamic narrative design where your actions and decisions will shape your story. Heavy Rain boasts stunning graphics and its animation and technology will support your emotionally driven experience. 118 April 2015
Gameplay:
The game is played with a first person perspective, and although it may take a little time to get used to, you soon realise you couldn’t play it if it wasn’t. However, this also means that the screen will shake around a lot due to all of the free running, jumping and harsh landings, something that could cause motion sickness. The game involves a lot of combat and quick thinking to get you away from seemingly impossible situations.
The Walking Dead
If you are a fan of the hit TV series The Walking Dead and wondered if you could make all of the harsh decisions that leader Rick Grimes does and survive the takeover; check out the zombie series in game form available to be played on all the latest consoles and computers. Fight the walkers, make decisions, choose your moral path and be careful what you say to the people you encounter, they remember everything you say, and if you’re lying, they could catch you out!
Spec Ops: The Line
You are Captain Martin Walker, and you have been sent to Dubai post-catastrophe, where you and your team find dead American soldiers. You mission suddenly changes and you must search for survivors. This moral righteousness game shows the darker side to wars; putting you through gut-wrenching decisions. Protect an informant or save civilians? Avenge a comrade’s lynching or turn the other cheek? There is never a ‘right’ choice and even Walt Williams, the game’s writer says that the game’s ‘official ending’ is when the player simply puts down the controller in a bid to stop making such stomach churning decisions. Think you can make it through the game? www.bahrainthismonth.com
websites
bystander
Diana King Live
VERDICT: A useful tool but it could just lead to movie envy when you realise how many you’ve missed!
World-renowned artist Diana King performed in Bahrain for the first time at the Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa’s nightclub venue, Ibrida. Diana’s vibrant performance included chart toppers Shy Guy and Say A Little Prayer For You.
Website: www.goodmovideotowatch.com Rating:**** What is it?
You’re sat with your friends or partner, and you decide to have a night in and put on a film. How often is it the case that it takes about the running time of a film just to decide on what to watch? www.agoodmovietowatch. com is a simple site that can decide for you. Much like music app 8tracks (featured in the March edition), you can flick through random films and staff picks, type in a genre, or filter the films further by clicking multiple tags to help you all decide what kind of film you are in the mood for — 90s themed, inspiring, no-brainer, romantic, weird and lots more.
Diana serenades her fans
The Good:
The website is great for choosing films, whether you have seen them before or not; it works quickly and comes up with multiple films to suit your mood. What makes it particularly good is that all of the films on the website have rating stars so you know if people have enjoyed them. It also shows reviews from critics, the link to the IMDB page and a link to the trailer.
Ely, Vlada, Rick, Yulia & Khalid
Anna
The Bad:
What is a shame with this website is that, unlike 8tracks, the site does not allow you to add multiple tags to your search, therefore, you couldn’t search for a comedy romance using the mood tool. It’s also a bit of a disappointment that they don’t have a few more movies added onto the list. However, since they’ve filtered through hundreds of films to bring us the best of the genres, it could be that adding more films would result in too many options and lead us back to the same problem. Elliot, Patricia & Malcolm
Asja, Claire & Cynthia
Website:
www.10minutemail.com For the moments when you need a throwaway email address to get a discount from an online shop but don’t want to have to subscribe and then unsubscribe. The website will give you a temporary email address so you can get your confirmation, and will then self destruct after 10 minutes. So simple and easy to get, just head to the website and it will give you an email to use. Lia, Giulia, Julieta & Alessandra
Susan & Kete
Website:www.camelcamelcamel.com
A website that can save you lots of money, camelcamelcamel.com shows you the price history of anything available on the online retail shop Amazon. It can alert you when the prices drops, you can even upload your entire Amazon wish list directly if you like. With a huge variety of products and prices ranging from Amazon to 3rd Party New and 3rd Party Used; you’ll wonder how you survived without it. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Mahmood & DJ Paul
Adel, Aysha, Qadisa & Adil
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apps
Ingenious Applications Working in a field that requires liaising with people, face-to-face communication and a lot of paperwork can be stressful. These essential apps are just what any businessperson needs in their phone.
App: Scanner Pro Rating:***** What is it? If you are tired of fiddling with mountains of paper documents by the scanner at work; this app could become your new best friend. Scanner Pro will allow you to use your phone to scan documents into PDF files to look clean and professional. Use the app for receipts, plane tickets, contracts and more. It is time to replace huge hardware scanners with mobile technology.
The Good: Scanner Pro uses the built-in iOS camera to take pictures of a paper document. The unique technology automatically detects the edges, fixes geometry and removes shadows and other visual defects to make a perfect scan. The app has extensive sharing capabilities, which make it easy to share and upload scanned images. Your files can be automatically uploaded into Dropbox or Evernote, faxed, sent as an email or even printed out.
The Bad: Scanner Pro is pretty much the whole package. However the app will cost you BD1.300 to download, although you may find it worth the investment if you would regularly use such a tool. There are other apps that can do a similar job when it comes to correcting perspective for free. However, Scanner Pro’s biggest strength is in its ability to organise scans and share with other apps.
Verdict: Scan. Save. Share. It’s that simple!
ScanBizCards
SayHi Translate
Instantly converse with someone in another language. This app is purposefully designed to help break down the barrier as it translates your voice into more than 100 different languages. Forget getting lost in a new city and not being able to find your way back; this app acts as an interpreter in your pocket. 120 April 2015
Never type a phone number again as this business card reader app has the most accurate OCR, which will create a contact profile from the information printed on the scanned card. The app allows you to seamlessly sync with ScanBizCards online, so you can access the cards’ information on all of your devices. Don’t worry about trying to find your contact, just type anything you remember about that person and their card will appear big and clear. www.bahrainthismonth.com
movies
Directed By: Luc Besson
bystander
Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman and Min-Sik.
VERDICT: Thought provoking with some good action scenes.
ASEAN Games Gala Dinner HE Dato Ahmad Shahizan bin Abdul Samad, Malaysian Ambassador held a dinner reception on the occasion of the ASEAN games 2015.
Lucy Rating: ****
Cutting of the cake
The Plot:
Every wondered what it would be like if you could unlock your mind’s full potential? Lucy is caught up in a nightmarish ordeal and is forcefully turned into a drug mule for a new, powerful synthetic drug and things turn even worse when the bag she is carrying in her stomach leaks. With her newfound powers, she turns into a merciless warrior intent on revenge. Along the way she enlists the help of Professor Norman and police captain Pierre Del Rio.
HE Dato Ahmad Shahizan bin Abdul Samad, Malaysian Ambassador, HE Dr Dhafer Alumran, Asst Under-Secretary, Foreign Affairs, HE Kiyoshi Asako, Japanese Ambassador & HE Sahid Glang, Filipino Ambassador
Worth Watching?
This film explores deep into the unknown elements of the human brain; and it builds in tension as she accesses 50 per cent, 70 per cent, 90 per cent of her mind and goes through unimaginable changes. Many aspects of the film are very silly, but visually it is absolutely stunning and it tells an original story. It also throws in some very interesting philosophical (and yes, even scientific) concepts and questions.
Suryono, HE Chilman Arisman, Indonesian Ambassador, Ratnawati & HE Vichai Varasirikul, Thai Ambassador
Mohammed
Samia & HE Dato Ahmad Shahizan bin Abdul Samad
Big Hero 6
Woman in Black 2
Baymax is a big, adorable, kindhearted robot, designed to help the public with their health. However, when his creator dies, his younger brother Hiro befriends the big white giant. All is well until Hiro discovers that a masked villain has stolen his invention and begins to attack him and his friends. Hiro, Baymax and his brother’s friends from school must team up to bring justice to the villain and his microbots.
Forty years after Arthur Kipps’ experience at Eel Marsh House, a group of children under the care of two women, escaping from wartorn London, arrive at the house and become the next target for the ghost of Jennet Humfrye, otherwise known as The Woman in Black. With the help of a soldier, the women and children must fend off the spirit, and end her presence once and for all.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Jasper, Gaysorn, Hathai, Cherry, Paween & Sirin
Balquees & Nurul
Rick & Amy
Mandy, Fatima, Ratna & Nani
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bystander
Dinner Reception
Ruzbeh, Gowtham & Chandra
Jawad Group held a dinner in honour of a visit from An Jin, president of JAC Motors. Faisal Jawad, chairman of Bahrain Commercial Services and officials from JAC also attended the event. Gowtham, Sachin, Faisal Jawad, Kareem, HE Li Chen, Chinese Ambassador, An Jin & Liu
Feng, Yinxin & Liu Ali
Lawrence, Shubbar & Haseen
Faisal Jawad & An Jin
Adel, Shubbar, Kareem & Nabeel
Peter, Sreedhar & Seby
Opening of Bahrain IT Expo His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology, patronised the opening of the Bahrain IT Expo at the Bahrain International Circuit. Cutting the ribbon
Taiba, Fatema, Noof & Sarah
Opening of Bahrain International eGovernment Forum 2015
HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Supreme Committee for Information and Communication Technology, patronised the Bahrain International eGovernment Forum inaguration. HH Shaikh Mohammed also honoured the winners of the eGovernment Excellence Award 2015.
HH Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al Khalifa awards HE Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohamed Al Khalifa, Minister of Foreign Affairs
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Adel, Mohammed & Esam
Mark & Lena
www.bahrainthismonth.com
DINING
BOWLED OVER ANKITA MAMGAIN This fresh and modern venue is pulling out all the stops to ensure customers leave with their bellies full and smiles on their faces.
D
o you remember a restaurant opposite Carrefour in City Centre Bahrain serving Indian and Chinese food? Don’t rack your brains too hard, neither do I. But try walking past that same strip now without noticing a vibrant tableau, bustling with energy that entices passers-by. The word ‘revamp’ doesn’t do justice to the transformation Rice Bowl has undergone. Not just the space or the cuisine, but the very idea and concept of the brand seems to have taken a new shape, for the better! Part of Alazzam Group, Rice Bowl opened its latest outlet in Seef Mall. I went there to find out more about the brand’s drastically delightful makeover. Artist Amina Al Abbasi’s work dominates the venue and it didn’t take me long to notice her signature on every inch of the space. From the artwork on the walls to the tabletops and cushions, the restaurant captures the essence of Arabic culture beautifully. Having said that, you should not expect www.bahrainthismonth.com
heavy upholstery, carpets, deep colours or gilded artefacts. Rice Bowl is filled with calming shades of white and bright blue with regional elements seamlessly incorporated in the décor, which strikes a comfortable balance between old and new. Interestingly enough, that comparison also reflects the venue’s varied clientele. It is lively enough to attract young diners but not overly loud or experimental so a 50-year-old would feel out of place. Alazzam Group’s marketing manager, Mohamed Nour talks quite enthusiastically about the dishes. Talking to me, an Indian, and my Brazilian colleague, his face beams with pride as he takes us through the beautifully illustrated menu. “You cannot find food that tastes like this in any other restaurant. Our chefs have been trained by women who have cooked these dishes for decades,” says Rami Kastoun, area manager, Alazzam Group. “In addition to good food, we want to give customers the complete experience, that’s why presentation and
ALSO THIS MONTH: 124 AT YOUR SERVICE 136 HAPPENINGS
service is very important to us.” The menu features Arabic breakfast, which is served till noon- good news for late risers. However, we got to sample balaleet with egg as an entrée, which was a beautiful start to the decadent meal that followed. There was the incredible mehyawa with cheese, cheese and zataar samboosas, cheese sticks and shrimp tempura for starters. Each dish was presented beautifully on coloured plates. Our main course consisted of flavoursome chicken machboos and margoug chicken, both brilliantly cooked. The highlight of the evening, however, was the catch of the day – grilled to perfection and presented on a small charcoal grill that kept it warm and the flavours intact. The desserts; cotton candy cheesecake, chocolate custard fudge cake and rahash cheesecake are absolute must-haves. For familiar customers, some of Rice Bowl’s old favourites can still be found on the menu, however, I suggest you forget the old and try the new. April 2015 123
dining THE K HOTEL
At Your Service Although often fun, hosting a party can sometimes be a challenging experience when it comes to preparing a decadent feast. Fortunately, help is at hand.
124 April 2015
Many hotels around the world are now offering specialised outdoor catering services for parties at home for as few as eight to ten guests. Often referred to as diner transportable, this is an excellent way to host a selected gathering at a venue of your choice. For a net price of BD15 to BD20 per head, The K Hotel can provide a menu of your choice, served by its professionally trained staff in the comfort of your home or any other location of your choice. “You can have this for any occasion; be it baby shower, kids party, bridal shower, birthday party, theme party, pre-wedding function and even corporate gathering,” says Jose Ledo, The K Hotel’s director of F&B. “One of our customers invited friends over for a party to enjoy and discuss their favourite music and we helped create the right atmosphere with the perfect menu and décor.” Apart from customised solutions, the hotel offers flexibility to its customers. “We were once hired to do a brunch event in Riffa, where we recreated an entire coffee shop, from the decor to the buffet layout to the
table placements and; this party went on till dinner hours,” Jose adds. The hotel takes care of all aspects of the event right from planning, sourcing and execution. Outdoor catering brings in one-tenth of the total revenue and the figure is rising. The hotel’s outdoor catering business grew by 75 per cent in 2014 and is expected to register a 50 per cent higher growth in 2015. The hotel has now set up a special catering division called “Katering Kreation”, comprising of chefs, service staffs and event specialists trained for residential events. In addition to this, the hotel has five banquet rooms and one boardroom, which are equipped to organise large parties, seminars and meetings. The rooms are equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment, for business meetings and conferences. The function rooms are fully convertible to receive up to 140 guests. Call 17 360-000.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
dining LANTERNS
New Face for an Old Friend
LIZ O’ REILLY One of the island’s most popular Indian restaurants has launched a new outlet.
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Walking into the recently opened Riffa branch of Lanterns restaurant, you can see the familiar elements that are dotted around the other venues and immediately feel a sense of familiar fondness. The gorgeous, authentic woodwork pieces shipped from India, the signature lanterns casting their glow on the outdoor terrace and the ever-smiling, efficient staff are all exactly what you would expect from a restaurant that’s been a favourite on the island for many years. The original Budaiya branch opened in 1987 and, after 25 successful years, 2013 and 2014 saw a major expansion with branches opening in Adliya, Durrat al Bahrain, Juffair and now Riffa, close to Riffa Views. At both Budaiya and Adliya, you will find the highly tasty and much-loved Indian fare, for which Lanterns is, quite rightly, famed. The Juffair and Durrat branches also offer Chinese cuisine. In a new departure, Riffa has introduced a Japanese element with sushi and tepanyaki available alongside the Chinese and Indian menu ensuring the group lives up to its slogan of ‘Discover the Taste of Mughal and Ming’. But does Riffa also live up to the Lanterns flavour heritage? The first test for me was the poppadoms. I’ve always said Lanterns makes the best pops on the island. So were they the same? Well, they were certainly every bit as good. And our host was quick to explain that plans are in process to centralise some aspects of food production. Each venue will still have its own
kitchen, cooking fresh ingredients. But certain items, such as sauces, marinades and those delicious poppadoms will soon be centralised to ensure flavour consistency across the group. Next we moved onto main courses trying the butter chicken and biryani, both Lanterns signatures and each equally delicious. My dining companion was treated to a purdah vegetable biryani cooked with a roasted bread lid to seal in flavour and moisture. Not usually a fan of the dish, as the veggie option can be a little dry, she was more than happy and found the vegetable combination extremely tasty. Also on our table were a mixed grill, a whole range of meats and fish, steeped in spices and grilled to perfection; green gram seekh kebab, gram minced with grated cottage cheese and spices and cooked in the tandoor and hugely tasty, and pudina paneer tikka, cottage cheese soaked in yoghurt and mint and cooked in the clay oven. I also sampled the new maki sushi which was beautifully fresh and popping with flavour and colour. To finish we opted for another new dish, honey crisp with ice cream. Crispy fried flat noodles tossed in caramel and honey sauce served with vanilla icecream. It’s enough to say that, though full to bursting, I couldn’t stop eating these, they really put a big smile on my face. Lanterns Riffa is open daily from noon-midnight with the brand’s famous buffet available for Thursday dinner, Friday lunch and dinner and Saturday lunch. Call 77 366-333. www.bahrainthismonth.com
A F F I R
RIFFA Tel. 7 7366333 / 77366600
dining
Kontiki restaurant
THE DIPLOMAT RADISSON BLU HOTEL, RESIDENCE & SPA
Taste the New One of Bahrain’s longest established and most popular hotels is creating quite a stir with a brand-new menu at its South East Asian restaurant, Kontiki.
128 April 2015
The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa has been receiving plenty of attention in recent months thanks to new faces in management and its revamped Grand Ambassador Ballroom. Continuing on this impressive role, the hotel has introduced a new menu at its restaurant, Kontiki. After three years, the menu has been revamped and is already receiving plenty of praise from happy customers. “Kontiki as a restaurant has everything going for itself and it’s really popular with hotel guests,” says Petr Dubsky, food and beverage director. “With food, one has to be very careful; a loyal customer base has its favourites and one cannot risk disturbing that too much. Hence the new menu, although loaded with creativity, still carries some of the restaurant’s best sellers.” A collective effort of Petr, executive chef Vito Fornelli and chef Marlo, the dishes display genuine innovation in terms of flavours and appearance. “Presentation is really important for us. A simple dish that is well presented can make the dining experience really interesting,” says chef Vito. This especially applies to the restaurant’s sizzling platters, which arrive on your table accompanied by their crackling sound and appetising aromas. The restaurant is a large and charming space with a casual, cosy and welcoming ambience that adds to the dining experience. Although the cuisine offered is South East Asian, the chefs have combined Western influences with oriental techniques, resulting in some world-class
Executive chef Vito Fornelli and chef Marlo
fusion preparations. One such dish is Asian beef carpaccio, served with mustard and curry drops. From the starters section, a highly recommended preparation is the crispy duck poh piah – succulent pieces of duck wrapped in filo and fried into a crisp roll. Served with peanut butter sauce and sweet chilly sauce, this whets the appetite and prepares you for main course dishes. If you’re in the mood for a cold starter, try the Alaska crab salad, which combines fresh crabmeat, avocado, mango, green papaya and fresh vegetable juliennes as a delicious entrée. The restaurant presents a wide variety of curries, including oxtail, chicken, prawn, lamb and vegetable. Another interesting dish is the rack of lamb with a mint, garlic and coriander crust and wasabi mashed potatoes. Finish your meal with desserts like coconut crème brûlée or a green tea bavarois. The drink section, serving innovative concoctions like Bonsai and Bloody Kim Jong, deserves a special mention as well. Culinary flair aside, perhaps the most enticing part of this menu is the competitive pricing. Kontiki offers a great selection for a remarkably reasonable price. Call 17 531-666. www.bahrainthismonth.com
FANTASTIC NEW MENU
Opening Hours: Lunch: 12:00noon - 3:00pm Dinner: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
The.Diplomat.Radisson.Blu
RBlu_Bahrain
For reservations please call +973 39945208 Sales.diplomat@radissonblu.com
diplomatradissonblu
dining MAKI
An Original Symphony
An integral part of the island’s culinary landscape, this chic restaurant does not just promise an eclectic selection of dishes but boasts a long-standing tradition of innovation and novelty as well.
130 April 2015
A flag-bearer for contemporary Japanese cuisine in the Kingdom, Maki has developed into a culinary institution in its own right. Continuously presenting new creations to the fans of Japanese fusion gastronomy, it is known to introduce dishes that are not just stunning to look at but are absolute indulgences for a contemporary gourmand. Some of these unforgettable dishes include Fusion Temaki, Tara Maki, smoked braised short ribs and the recently introduced Sushi Symphony. “The story of imagination and creation never ends with Maki,” says Amer Zeitoun, one of the restaurant’s two co-founders. “We want to bring to our guests the same experience they would perhaps have at fine dining restaurants in Tokyo, Kyoto, New York and London.” The latest instalment, Sushi Symphony, is comprised of five different premium sushi pieces, topped with secret, house-made sauces and garnishes. “It has opened the doors to a new style of sushi which was unprecedented in Bahrain or the region for that matter,” adds Amer. The dish was also presented at the Horeca Kuwait 2015 sushi contest and won one of two gold medals for Maki Bahrain. “We have travelled the world researching Japanese fine dining establishments in major cities and we found that sushi is not presented like most restaurants prepare it for guests here in the region,” he says. “Fine dining sushi restaurants in Japan and the rest of the world prepare sushi with a small amount of rice and a proportionally larger piece of fish on top so that you can enjoy the taste and the benefits of the seafood.”
Sushi Symphony is a take on Omakase-style dining which is essentially a chef’s special menu. “It is simply cooking from the heart,” Amer explains. “The chef prepares a selection of what he knows is the best fish on hand, sometimes topped with secret garnishes that elevate the sushi to a whole new taste level.” Many fine dining restaurants around the world present sushi in Omakase style when it comes to platters. However some establishments are choosing to offer sushi by piece as well, thus giving the diners the liberty to choose from a vast array of seafood. Maki offers both options. Located in Moda Mall on the ground floor of the Bahrain World Trade Center, Maki is a glamorous restaurant and lounge that offers genuine creativity across the menu to its cosmopolitan clientele. Try out its signature dishes and the special ‘Maki style sushi’ daily from noon till 11.30pm and till midnight on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and public holidays. Call 17 522-733, 36 999-102 or email maki.bahrain@olivermaki.com
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Vijay, Veena, Neha, Asha, Dheeptha, Roshan & Tejas
Dheeptha Shetty’s Birthday Close friends and family gathered to celebrate Dheeptha Shetty’s 14th birthday at the Ramee International Hotel. Shantharam, Dheeptha, Asha & Ashish
Dheeptha
Sadvi & Advika
Mithun, Dheeptha, Sandeep & Ramya
Advika, Jeeta, Veena, Asha, Dheeptha, Saritha, Ramya and Sapna
Sneha, Dheeptha and Amar
Lujain, Safia & Zaid
Kamal Fakhroo & Nabeel Kanoo
Cecile, Hashim & Mohammed
Manuel & Bayan
Lobna Al Ameen’s Exhibition An exhibition by artist Lobna Al Ameen was held at Al Riwaq Art Space as part of the Spring of Culture 2015. Lobna’s exhibition explored the recollection of childhood memories through colourful paintings and wood installations. Nabeela, Shaikha Lathifa & Lobna
Abdulrahman & Abdulhakeem
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Hazem & Hussain
Maryam & Ghada
Basma & Mohammed
Layla & Abdulrahman
April 2015 131
dining
Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck with the team at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BAHRAIN BAY
The New Address of Luxury The wait is finally over. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay has opened its doors and is welcoming guests to experience the luxury.
This is a landmark year for the hospitality industry in the Kingdom. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay stands proudly on a 12-acre private island, creating a dynamic new focal point in the Kingdom’s skyline. The impressive property is set to be a hit with the region’s fine dining connoisseurs as celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck has unveiled three of his distinct fine dining concepts. The official caterer for the Academy Awards Governors Ball for two decades, he has fed the crème de la crème of the entertainment, business and political world. Two-time winner of the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef and inducted in the Culinary Hall of Fame in 2013, Wolfgang is a superstar who is always eager to please. CUT and CUT Lounge is a sophisticated take on a modern American steakhouse. Spread over twolevels, guests enter the bar and lounge before ascending — via a stunning staircase — into the restaurant. Since opening in 2006, CUT has become one of the most prestigious restaurants in the world. From prime dry and wet aged beef to shellfish, sautéed and roasted whole fresh fish, CUT’s menus provide broad appeal. And if it’s Pink Floyd you’re listening to while savouring your food, Wolfgang must be in town.
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Re Asian Cuisine: Located on the 50th floor of the hotel, this restaurant provides spectacular views of Bahrain Bay and the Manama skyline. The elegant dining room exudes sophistication and the menu features the chef’s signature take on traditional Chinese cuisine. Re showcases Wolfgang’s culinary prowess and offers fusion of Asian cooking that includes Japanese, Thai and Vietnamese influences. Blue Moon Lounge is an opulent space where guests can relax and enjoy spectacular sunsets and the twinkling city lights. The Moroccan-inspired lounge is perched on the 50th floor and offers an innovative bar menu that has a wide selection of custom-crafted beverages. Waldo Fernandez, whose design projects include the legendary Spago Beverly Hills and the residences of many Hollywood A-listers, designed all three outlets. In addition to these venues, the hotel’s executive chef Stefano Andreoli presents four more original dining options, including the poolside Vento and the chic Azure lounge. Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay offers a special introductory rate as well as the brand’s popular bed and breakfast option, for a limited period. Call 17 115-000. www.bahrainthismonth.com
MOOYAH/ SUMO SUSHI & BENTO
Best of East and West If you’re hungry for a taste of Americana, culinary creations from the Land of the Rising Sun or anything in between; American Alley in Juffair has it covered. The famous strip in Juffair is packed with restaurants that cater to all tastes; from take away joints to sit-down venues, there are many options. Fans of American food need look no further than Mooyah, a place famous for its premium quality burgers, fries and shakes. The restaurant offers a whole range of classics which can be customised to your taste. All sandwiches come with beef, chicken, turkey and black bean veggie options, so you don’t have to miss out on your favourite relishes. The restaurant uses fresh buns which are baked in-house every day. Some of the most popular offerings include the classic Mooyah Style Burger, the Texas Burger and the Spicy Caliente Burger. Add to this a portion of sweet potato fries or go all out with ‘loaded fries’ and an ice-cream shake for the complete meal. However, if you’re in the mood for something Oriental, hop over to Sumo Sushi and Bento, located just across the road. Whether you are a novice or a Japanese cuisine veteran, its innovative sushi, maki, temakizushi, soups, rice and noodle dishes promise an absolute treat for your taste buds. Some of the must try dishes are Samurai Roll, Green Dragon Roll and the Rock And Roll Shrimp. Look out for monthly promotions that are not in the menu. Call 17 179-178 (Mooyah) and 17 718090 (Sumo Sushi & Bento).
APRIL MONTHLY SPECIAL
YOGAN ROLL This roll is such a treat! Dinner Party Mehdi Hasan, Counselor and Head of Chancery, Bangladesh Embassy, and Sajida Hasan hosted a dinner reception at their residence in Tubli Guests at the reception
Geg, Sajida, Svetlana & Mehdi
Matthew & Bridget
This hearty roll is stuffed with cream cheese, crabstick, avocado, tempura and unagi. Then a thinly sliced blanket of tuna is placed on top before it’s beautifully garnished with green and black tobiko. Such a masterpiece!
Hahn, Park, Mehdi, Geg, Kristie, Glen & Sajida
www.bahrainthismonth.com
April 2015 133
dining ROMANO’S MACARONI GRILL
Irresistibly Italian Penne Rustica
Romano’s Macaroni Grill offers diners the true taste of casual trattoria style Italian food. Spend an evening at Romano’s and enjoy traditional hospitality, superb flavours and an unforgettable experience. From the music to the decor, attention has been paid to every small detail. Warm distinctive touches, a bustling open kitchen and food that lingers on the palate, have resulted in the restaurant’s large and loyal fan-base. Italians are known to keep their recipes simple but rely on the freshest produce. This tradition is kept alive at Romano’s, where
Italian cuisine enjoys a special position in global gastronomy and here’s a restaurant that successfully delivers its authentic flavours in a relaxed and home-like environment. Food lovers all over the world have embraced the comforting taste of Italy’s staple preparations like spaghetti Bolognese, pizzas and tiramisu. An integral part of global culinary culture, the cuisine is perhaps one of the most appreciated in the world.
Grilled Salmon
Calamari
some of the most beloved dishes comprise of just a handful of simple ingredients, which are carefully selected and expertly cooked. Old favourites come together with new preparations creating a menu that is both palate pleasing and adventurous. Try out classic pasta dishes, pizzas, grilled platters and salads, which burst with flavour. One simply cannot ignore the desserts. Indulge in the tiramisu, creamy cheesecake and many more decadent concoctions that tease and tantalise the taste buds. Romano’s Macaroni Grill is located in Juffair and at Bahrain International Airport. The Juffair branch opens from 11am till 12.30am every day and also offers dine-in and take-away options. Call 17 723-818.
Valerie & Judith
Abdulwahab, HE Bernard Régnauld-Fabre & Jawad
HE Bernard Régnauld-Fabre & Mahar
Aurelien, Digier & Alie
Raisa & Damien
Dr Pierre, Faith & Haya Al Khalifa
French Gastronomy HE Bernard Régnauld-Fabre, French Ambassador, held a dinner to celebrate French gastronomy at his residence. HE Dr Dhafer Alumran, Asst Under-Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Jean, HE Bernard RégnauldFabre, Abdulla Juma & Durand
Salman Al Khalifa & Qays Zubi
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Dalia & Waleed
www.bahrainthismonth.com
CAFÉ AMSTERDAM
All-Day Dining This restaurant offers a complete dining experience. It has an impressive breakfast menu and rounds off with delicious dinners and great options in between. At Café Amsterdam you can be sure to find the right dish to suit the time of the day. Breakfast is served from 8am until midday, then lunch starts and is offered till 4pm. From 4pm to 7pm the menu is limited, but you can also opt for the venue’s ‘Cream Tea’ for BD7.5 or many other afternoon options such as waffles and cakes. A good cup of tea makes all the difference and the restaurant offers a selection of Jing tea, enjoyed by connoisseurs all over the globe. Dinner goes from 7pm to midnight with a wide variety of healthy and freshly-cooked options. To mark the change in season, Café Amsterdam is launching a new, lighter lunch menu. You can choose from six new main course salads priced at BD5.5 or enjoy a salad buffet for BD3.5. The new selection consists of spinach and Gouda, warm salad or a seafood option available with seared tuna or crab-berg. However, if you are a burger lover, the restaurant has a signature burger made with premium ground sirloin beef, lightly seasoned and hand-shaped into a 170-gram patty. This is served in home-made bun with sweet, slow caramelised onion, a slice of Gouda cheese and a special sauce. There is also the lamb burger, which is made using the finest minced meat, prepared in a Mediterranean style and topped with yogurt mint sauce, as well as homemade pickles and spicy jalapenos. Pick your favourite and enjoy! Call 17 007-404.
Visit Café Amsterdam’s delightful venue for an exquisite high tea experience. With our bright & spacious conservatory, a beautiful garden, an extensive range of Jing tea and a variety of delicate sandwiches, attractive cakes, homemade scones and other baked delights, it’s simply divine!
Opposite the Gulf Hotel, Adliya Telephone: +973 1700 7404
www.bahrainthismonth.com
BTM Half 253mm x width 94mm - High Tea.indd 1
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dininghappenings
It’s a Fiesta! There’s plenty to look forward to this month; from food festivals to festive family time. What are we waiting for then… bon appetit! All señors and señoritas are welcome at Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Thalassa Sea & Spa, which hosts a Spanish festival celebrating the country’s gastronomy and culture from April 2 to 10 at Tapas Restaurant. The festival features renowned Chef Jordi Gimeno who has flown in especially from Barcelona to showcase his signature tapas and paella. International group Flamenco Las Duquelas will entertain guests with songs and dancing throughout the festival. Call 17 636-363. Elite Grande Hotel has your dinner plans for the F1 week all sorted out. Seafood lovers have a great surprise in store on April 17. Savour the freshest catch of the day, cooked to perfection, presented with a variety of trimmings for BD15++ per person. The next day, the hotel hosts an Oriental theme night which includes a selection of pan Asian cuisine. This is priced at BD14++. There will be an elaborate barbecue buffet on April 19; for only BD10++ per person. You can enjoy fine cuts of steaks, lamb, chicken and seafood grilled on live stations. Call 17 565-888. 136 April 2015
Take advantage of the ongoing Momo Promotion at Soie Restaurant at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel. The menu includes delicacies like Choi’s Vegetable Dumplings, Himalayan Chicken Momo, Tibetan Lamb Momo, Mongolian Seafood Momo and Chinese Fried Baozi Dumplings. All of theses are served with red chili sauce and soya chili dip. Call 17 533-533. Take a delectable break at Upstairs Downstairs in Adliya as the restaurant launches a new lunch menu. There is a choice between either a delicious sandwich or wrap for BD7 or an individual dish with soup or salad and two glasses of grape or other beverage for BD9. Call 17 713-093. Have a laid back Easter brunch with your family at Links restaurant at the Royal Golf Club. There will be delicious food prepared by executive chef Paul Gindra and his team and once you’ve eaten all you can manage, there’ll be a giant Easter Bunny and fun Easter Egg Hunt for the little ones. The event is priced at BD18 without and BD27 with unlimited beverages. It costs BD9.500 for children under 12 and kids under four go free. Call 17 751-262.
When? April 7 and 21 Event? Cooking class Venue? La Med, The Ritz Carlton Take a master class in Italian cuisine with Chef Marwan. E Call 17 586-499. When? April 22- 25 Event? Food festival Venue? Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain Sample a wide array of authentic dishes from Thailand. E Call 17 460-017. When? Throughout April Event? New theme night starts Venue? Pool deck, Gulf Hotel Enjoy your favourite good from the grill for BD15. E Call 17 713-000. When? Throughout April Event? Food promotion Venue? An Nada Lounge Indulge in a wide variety of gourmet burgers. E Call 17 533-533. When? Throughout April Event? Special menu Venue? Bushido Lounge Try out the special Asian Circuit F1 menu at the chic bar. E Call 17 583-555.
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Enjoy all festive favourites at the Easter Brunch at the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain on April 3. Priced at BD31 with unlimited drinks, the event is spread across three dining outlets and offers great food and entertainment. Call 17 460-017. Have a lovely break with your family on April 5 at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa. There will be a bountiful buffet, games and activities at the Croquet Lawn and La Med Restaurant. This is priced at BD32 for adults and BD16 for kids aged four to 12 years. Call 17 586-499.
lovers have a tangible reason to bring their friends to enjoy a delicious meal. The Jumbo platter boasts two whole chickens and five large sides. Meanwhile, the meal platter comprises of a whole chicken, two regular sides and two bottomless soft drinks that can be shared by friends or by couples. Call 17 825-100 (Juffair).
Have an ‘eggceptional’ time at Gulf Hotel’s Al Waha Restaurant on April 5 for a delightful brunch. There will be a massive spread of international dishes and festive fare. This is priced at BD18 without and BD25 with unlimited beverages. Call 17 713-000 Nando’s Bahrain has always been a place for friends to sit down together, share a delicious meal, catch up, hang out, eat off each other’s plates, chow down and laugh out loud. Staff make guests feel welcome, and the signature flamegrilled PERi PERi chicken makes them come back for more. The restaurant’s latest campaign is about more than more just food. It’s all about bringing friends and family together around a table. During this campaign, Nando’s
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April 2015 137
dining GULF HOTEL
Poolside Carnival
A centre of culinary expertise and social activity, this five-star venue hosts keenly anticipated events on the Kingdom’s dining calendar.
138 April 2015
The Gulf Hotel’s exclusive poolside event, Gulf Night Out, is all set to make a splash! The themed dining experience goes all out with a variety of food, live cooking stations and entertainment. Resembling a carnival with raffle draws and games, the event features performances by various bands and dance troupes. The hotel boasts the largest number of food and beverage outlets within a single property on the island. Dishes from 17 of its restaurants are on offer at the event. No pool party is complete without a barbecue station; this one is no different. Watch out for the smoky surprises from the grills. Enjoy this fiesta by the pool on April 7, 14 and 21. “This is a night of guaranteed fun, whether you are with friends or family. We invite you for non-stop entertainment, games and, of course, the fabulous buffet that we are famous for,” says Ryan Advincula, the hotel’s marketing and communications manager.
Priced at BD18++, the buffet starts from 8pm. There is a special discount for Prestige Club, NSA and Gulf Air members, and if the ticket is purchased in advance. Known as one of Bahrain top five-star properties, the Gulf Hotel continues to deliver high standards of service to its residents and corporate customers alike. In addition to its luxurious rooms and suites, contemporary apartments and panoramic views of Manama, the hotel is home to some of the finest restaurants on the island. Gulf Hotel boasts 17 fine-dining restaurants, lounges and bars where you can experience gastronomy from all around the world. A cynosure of culinary finesse and social activity, the hotel hosts some of the most anticipated events in the Kingdom’s dining-out calendar. There are 361 luxurious rooms and suites for business or leisure travellers to choose from. In addition to this, the property houses a lagoon-style swimming-pool in tropical gardens, a kids’ pool and play area, squash and tennis courts and a state-ofthe-art health club. Call 17 713-000.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
dining RIC’S KOUNTRY KITCHEN
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A Taste of Americana Known for its home-style cooking, this restaurant in the heart of Juffair now includes El Rancho Steakhouse & Cantina that serves up delicious Tex-Mex. A home away from home for American expats on the island, Ric’s Kountry Kitchen has gained a reputation for serving unpretentious and authentic food. In addition to a packed house in Ric’s, you can now find many patrons heading to El Rancho Steakhouse & Cantina, located on the second floor. Featuring an authentic Mexican menu, El Rancho offers a wide range of fajitas, taquitos and quesadillas along with quality cuts of meat. The restaurant only serves USDA-certified Black Angus steaks and prime ribs, imported from the USA. The restaurant has undergone extensive renovations that have created a seamless transition from the downstairs area to the upstairs venue. El Rancho also has its own entrance through a courtyard corridor of vibrant colours that reflects the Mexican spirit, the company says. “Our Tex-Mex menu includes the favourites you would expect from the South-western style of American cuisine,” notes Rick Abernathy, the managing director. “While Tex-Mex tones down the more spicy aspects of Mexican cuisine, customers can still order food as hot as they like it.” Ric’s prides itself on feeling like ‘home’ and treating customers like one of the family. So, sit back and indulge in hearty portions of food brought straight to your table by the friendly and courteous staff. From mouth-watering breakfasts to burgers, steaks, sandwiches and buffets, Ric’s offers the entire American package.
STEAKS & MEXICAN CUISINE
Call 17 725-550.
BREAKFAST ALL DAY!
Everything From Breakfast, Sushi to Prime Rib!
UNLIMITED SELECTED BEVERAGES!
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diningthemenights wednesday
sunday What? Pizza and Pasta Night Where? Olivos, Diplomat Radisson Blu Sample authentic Italian preparations made at live cooking stations. i Call 17 531-666. What? Dinner with Friends Where? Le Sauvage and Le Domain, The Domain Enjoy a family-styled menu to be shared by a group for BD19++. i Call 16 000-222. What? Coast to Coast Where? Al Waha, Gulf Hotel Bahrain Sample an array dishes from the Mediterranean coastline for BD13. i Call 17 312-700. What? Tex-Mex Night Where? La Mosaique, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Indulge in a lavish spread of flavoursome Mexican fare for BD12++. i Call 17 531-122. What? Sangria vs Tapas Where? Camelot Restaurant & Lounge Have a Spanish fiesta with tapas and selected beverages. i Call 39 977-540.
monday
What? Italian Night Where? Fiamma, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq The Italian buffet features homemade pizza, pastas and desserts. i Call 17 636-363. What? Seafood Night Where? Silk’s, Mövenpick Hotel Delicious seafood preparations are on offer with unlimited drinks for BD27. i Call 17 460-000.
tuesday What? Grape Fest Where? Camelot Organised from 7pm until 10 pm, this wine tasting night is priced at BD10. i Call 39 159-912. What? Tex-Mex Night Where? Klouds, The K Hotel Your favourite Mexican dishes are prepared using the finest ingredients. i Call 17 360-000.
What? Curry Night Where? Olivos, Diplomat Radisson Blu Savour lip-smacking curries from the subcontinent for BD15++. i Call 17 531-666.
What? Gala Dinner Night Where? Legendz, InterContinental Regency Treat yourself to a four-course dinner of prime cuts for BD22++. i Call 17 227-777.
What? Jazz Night Where? 338 Garden Restaurant Enjoy jazz tunes by the magical duo True Blue with great food. i Call 39 159-912.
What? Surf & Turf Night Where? La Mosaique, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Enjoy your favourite seafood and meaty delights for BD12++. i Call 17 531-122.
What? All-You-Can-Eat Night Where? Imari, The Domain Enjoy authentic maki rolls and great city views for BD14++. i Call 16 000-333.
What? Sushi & Sake Night Where? Kontiki, Diplomat Radisson Blu Indulge in gourmet sushi bites and free-flowing sake for BD15++. i Call 17 531-666.
What? Grill and Pasta Night Where? La Mosaique, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Relish grills and a variety of pastas for BD12++. i Call 17 531-122.
What? Caveman Tuesday Where? Le Sauvage and Le Domain [34] Enjoy an ‘all you can eat’ deal on ribeye steak for BD14++. i Call 16 000-222.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
thursday
What? Asian Night Where? Klouds, The K Hotel The extensive buffet of Asian cuisine is priced at BD12++, inclusive of soft drinks. i Call 17 360-000.
What? BBQ Rib Night Where? Le Sauvage, Le Domain, The Domain Indulge in fine steaks cooked to perfection for BD12++. i Call 16 000-222.
What? Butchers’ Night Where? Al Waha, Gulf Hotel Bahrain Enjoy fine quality steaks cooked to your preference for BD13++. i Call 17 713-000.
What? Tandoori Sizzlers Night Where? Oasis, Elite Seef Residence Enjoy a sizzlers from a clay oven with your favourite drinks. i Call 17 583-388.
What? Sushi Night Where? Keizo, Al Areen Palace This chic venue offers a 50 per cent discount on selected sushi. i Call 17 845-000. What? Dim Sum Festival Where? Kontiki, The Diplomat Radisson Blu Sample a wide variety of delicious dim sums for BD15++. i Call 17 531-666.
What? Seafood Night Where? Al Waha, Gulf Hotel Seafood delights are on offer for BD21++ with selected beverages. i Call 17 713-000. What? Seafood Night Where? La Mosaique, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Delicious preparations of the day’s catch are on offer at BD20.950. i Call 17 531-122.
What? BBQ Night Where? Zytoun, Novotel Al Dana Savour a wide variety of grills with selected beverages for BD18. i Call 17 298-008.
What? Steak Night Where? La Mosaique, Crowne Plaza Bahrain The evening offers some of the best cuts straight off the grill. i Call 17 531-122.
What? Seasons of France Where? Saraya, Sofitel Bahrain Zallaq Savour French cuisine at its finest for BD22 with a choice of wine. i Call 17 565-888.
What? International Night Where? La Mosaique, Crowne Plaza Bahrain A lavish buffet serves the best of international cuisine for BD12++. i Call 17 531-122.
What? Hot & Cold Wednesdays Where? Camelot Restaurant & Lounge Enjoy chicken lollipop wings and unlimited selected beverages. i Call 39 977-540.
What? Barbecue Night Where? Olivos, Diplomat Radisson Blu Enjoy sizzling grills from the barbecue by the outdoor pool. i Call 17 531-666.
What? Arabian Night Where? Kenza, The K Hotel Regional flavours served in authentic Arabian settings for BD8. i Call 17 360-000.
What? Seafood Night Where? Al Wasmeyyah, Golden Tulip Sample a variety of delicious seafood for BD 13.5++. i Call 17 535-000.
What? Arabic Buffet Where? Al Wasmeyyah, Golden Tulip Enjoy authentic dishes with live cooking station for BD 8.500++. i Call 17 535-000.
What? Unlimited Ribs Night Where? Le Sauvage and Le Domain [34] Satisfy your hunger for the juiciest ribs for BD9.9. i Call 16 000-222.
What? Seafood Night Where? Lemon Tree, Ramee Grand Savour some luxurious seafood preperations for BD 14++. i Call 17 111-999.
What? Claws Where? Saveur, The Westin Enjoy the finest catch of the day and selected beverages for BD30. i Call 17 171-441.
What? Unlimited Ribs Night Where? Le Sauvage and Le Domain [34] Feast on an unlimited supply of ribs for BD9.9. i Call 16 000-222.
What? Paelleras Night Where? Al Noor, Elite Resort & Spa Taste some Spanish zing at this exquisite seafood buffet for BD12. i Call 17 313-333.
What? Seafood Nights Where? La Med, The Ritz-Carlton Relish fresh seafood cooked to your liking for BD18 ++. i Call 17 586-499.
What? Thursday Night Grills Where? Waikiki, Elite Resort & Spa Enjoy fine cuts of meat cooked to perfection for BD12. i Call 17 313-333.
friday
What? Jazz & BBQ Night Where? Oasis, Elite Seef Residence Enjoy tasty bites fresh from the grill with jazz music for BD12. i Call 17 583-388. What? Sizzler Night Where? Al Waha, Gulf Hotel Bahrain Enjoy a variety of sizzling treats offered at this unlimited buffet. i Call 17 713-000.
saturday What? Seafood Night Where? Klouds, The K Hotel Enjoy delicious preparations of fresh seafood for BD12++. i Call 17 360-000. What? Mexican Night Where? Olivos, Diplomat Radisson Blu Indulge in a variety of Mexican delicacies for BD15++. i Call 17 531-666. What? International Night Where? Al Waha, Gulf Hotel Bahrain Sample authentic preparations from different countries for BD12++. i Call 17 713-000. April 2015 141
dininglistings American Bennigan’s Blaze Burger Burger Lounge Burger Wisconsin Charley’s Grilled Subs Chili House Chili’s Franks a Lot Fuddruckers Hard Rock Café Johnny Rockets Ric’s Kountry Kitchen Ponderosa T.G.I.Friday’s Tony Luke’s Tony Roma’s
European 17 813-750 17 744-773 77 055-772 17 594-458 17 725-100 17 580-045 17 581-221 17 811-970 17 742-266 17 291-569 17 566-565 17 725-550 17 580-552 17 179-041 17 494-940 17 870-070
Asian Chin Li Curry Country David’s Stir Fry Hot Wok House Boat Kontiki Meisei Memories Monsoon Noodle Factory Nu Asia Panasia
17 717-717 17 537-555 17 540-188 17 178-083 16 010-321 17 525-455 17 007-770 17 178-646 17 749-222 16 010-534 17 587-171 17 721-600
Block 338 Café Amsterdam Camelot Coco’s Cyprus Taverna Déjà Vu Paul Bakery & Restaurant Sizzlers Txoko Zytoun
17 710-338 17 007-404 17 717-745 17 716-512 17 716-316 13 657-770 17 172-321 17 716-999 16 000-000 17 298-471
Filipino Bahay Kubo Borakay Chuckay Fast Food Flamingo Kowloon Quick Stomach Swan Lake
17 231-996 17 514-400 17 532-250 17 231-106 17 224-357 17 295-540 17 291-655 17 237-768
Fusion Fusions
17 746-427
Indian Akbar Clay Oven Copper Chimney Curry Tree Hyderabad House
17 296-660 17 717-008 17 728-699 16 030-662 17 720-031
Wafi Gourmet Engies Restaurant & Cafe Zoë
17 179-999 17 580-028 17 176-400
International (5 Star Hotel) Al Safir Al Waha Al Wasmeyyah La Med La Mosaique Le Domain[34] Olivo’s Brasserie Rimal Saraya Saveur Selections Silk’s Rasoi By Vineet
17 524-538 17 746-425 17 535-000 17 580-000 17 531-122 16 000-000 17 525-214 17 845-000 17 636-410 17 171-000 17 227-777 17 460-055 17 713-000
International (4 Star Hotel) Al Nakheel Café California Café Marisol Café Sayah Chaq’s Grill Fusion Café Grand Café Il Giardino Julio’s Coffee Shop Klouds La Brasserie La Café Le Cascada Le Jardin Neyran Parsia Ramee Bistro Ramee Café Red Café Relax Inn Coffee Shop Rendezvous Tiffany’s
17 559-900 17 826-001 17 701-201 17 224-000 17 290-555 17 811-688 17 727-230 17 583-388 17 565-888 17 360-000 17 313-333 17 810-555 17 360-360 17 742-000 17 584-400 17 814-777 17 290-600 17 297-000 17 296-660 17 815-815 17 366-222 17 716-999
Iranian
Peppers Rice Bowl The Noodle House Wok
17 717-808 17 179-600 17 666-353 17 636-415
Brazilian Brasa de Brasil Brazil Rodizio Grill
17 582-225 17 826-686
Chinese Beijing Chinese China Express China Garden Ching Foli Hong Kong Kowloon Magic Wok Shanghai Hut Soie Spice Nice
17 717-969 17 717-439 17 746-423 17 564-424 17 722-199 17 728-700 17 725-015 17 506-070 17 292-988 17 533-533 17 713-603
Café Restaurants Cafe Delices Café T Delifrance Esquires Le Bateau Le Chocolat Lina’s Café Rosa Verge Skyw@lk Café World Beat Café
17 746-434 17 750-777 17 696-031 77 177-660 17 369-165 17 582-259 17 532-538 13 667-777 17 363-999 17 612-576
It’s Mirchi Kalpaka Lanterns Mantra Moti Mahal Mumbai Spices Nattinpuram Nirvana Papadom Shamiana Spices The Yellow Chilli Rice Bowl
17 727-230 17 297-000 17 590-591 17 211-133 17 825-333 17 382-255 17 290-600 17 589-318 17 564-434 17 178-085 17 531-122 17 580-480 17 179-600
Indian/Pakistani B-B-Q Delights Chutney’s
17 564-282 17 591-259
International East West Cuisine Healthy Calorie Jim’s Restaurant La Fontaine Links Little Chef/Wholesale Mei n Yu Muju Nando’s Pomodorini Rendezvous Salad Boutique The Crepe Café Upstairs Downstairs
17 210-012 17 369-399 17 710-654 17 230-123 17 751-262 17 595-950 16 010-160 16 039-800 17 825-100 17 000-121 17 178-712 36 664-427 17 820-722 17 713-093
Golestan Isfahani Parsian Persian Garden Persian Room Takht Jamsheed Tehran Grill
17 290-945 17 002-490
Lebanese Abd El Wahab Al Areesha Al Hamra Palace Beyroute Café Blanc Carla’s Lebanese Bistro Kenza Leila Mashawi Lebanese Grill Qasr Al Sultan Grill Rayés Shoo Fee Ma Fee Tarbouche Express Yamin Jana Zahle Zayt Zaytoon Zeitouna
17 131-111 17 725-414 17 224-000 17 280-111 17 100-069 17 697-687 17 360-000 17 566-556 17 506-070 17 744-144 17 312-700 17 311-280 17 229-979 16 033-800 17 746-417 17 312-222 17 365-055
Mediterranean La Vinoteca Barcelona Nicole’s
17 001-808 17 280-700
Mexican Al Zerda
16 662-123
Casa Mexicana Margarita Mexicana Senor Paco’s
17 715-521 17 746-462 17 725-873
La Mer La Perle Sea Chef Seafood Market Waves
17 636-411 17 298-008 17 292-911 17 533-336 17 531-122
Shawarma Shawarma Express Zahlawiya
17 729-922 17 710-051
Steak Houses Klouds Le Sauvage Meat + Fire Legendz Plums The Butcher Shop & Grill The Meat Co
17 360-000 16 000-000 17 227-777 17 580-000 17 172-323 17 742-080
Thai Baan Saeng Thai Banana Leaf Lanna Thai I Am Thai Orchid Thai Royal Thai Shada Thai Express Thailand Wang Thai
17 715-775 17 744-171 17 593-940 77 040-454 17 296-660 17 746-421 17 721-155 17 506-070 17 717-040 17 710-771
17 524-579 17 369-269 17 811-511 17 580-600 16 010-166 17 746-431 17 555-989
Italian Bice Ristorante Café Italia Caffe Spasso Carino’s Italian Grill Cico’s Cucina Italiana Fiamma Gusto Italiano Justapasta La Pergola La Taverna Luigi’s Restaurant & Pizza Masso Medzo Mia Mia Mino’s Pizzeria Mondo Nino Oliveto Pasta Art Pastarito Ristoranti Prego Primavera Roma Romano’s Macaroni Grill Vapiano
17 533-666 17 744-774 17 822-274 17 587-878 17 713-710 17 001-317 17 636-363 17 695-556 17 581-919 17 506-070 17 746-419 17 229-979 17 693-533 17 721-061 17 227-777 17 564-414 17 744-777 17 525-484 17 566-555 17 716-747 17 001-750 17 179-300 17 751-263 17 580-000 17 725-885 17 723-818 17 491-391
Japanese Bushido Edo Frangipani Fuji Sushi Bar Hakisushi Kei Maki Mirai Sato Sugoi Sumo Sushi & Bento Sushi 101 Yo! Sushi
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Korean Arirang Da Rae Jung
17 583-555 17 290-945 17 582-422 17 533-383 17 725-638 17 533-000 17 522-733 17 713-113 17 746-429 17 178-748 17 718-090 17 822-274 17 583-373
Middle Eastern Al Abraaj Al-Bokhari Leewan Al Khor Melh Alzad Taza Yalla Yalla
17 178-090 17 311-186 16 010-666 17 311-170 17 784-997 17 827-999
Moroccan Momo Le Marrakech
17 180-659 17 003-273
Pizza Domino’s 17 826-222 Little Caesars 17 179-400 Margherita Pizza and Pasta 17 723-133 Metro Pizza 17 794-000 Papa John’s 17 581-516 Pick a Pizza 17 720-929 Pizza Express 16 010-524 Pizza Hut 17 711-113 Pizza Inn 17 811-666 Pizzabella 17 827-133 The Pizza Company 17 811-830
Polynesian Trader Vic’s
17 586-555
Seafood Asia Sea Food Far East Seafood Market Fish Market La Marine
17 224-466 17 727-230 17 701-201 17 595-775
Turkish Iskenderun Grill 17 292-950 Kosebasi 17 172-322 Turkish Mashawi Express 17 002-939
Quick Service Restaurants Burger King Burgerland Chickey’s Chicking DQ Grill & Chill Elevation Burger EZ Take out Burger Fatburger Hardee’s Herfy Jasmi’s Kentucky Fried Chicken Kudu New York Fries McDonald’s Pollo Campero
17 506-070 17 713-778 17 257-778 17 200-040 17 506-070 17 587-828 17 241-111 17 131-414 17 178-084 17 243-115 17 727-887 17 711-111 17 717-542 17 178-436 17 221-722 17 161-716
EATING OUT LISTINGS
Note: Whilst every effort is made to cover all leading restaurant outlets in Bahrain, the details listed are based upon replies to our survey. BTM cannot accept any responsibility or liability for inaccurate information: we recommend you check with the restaurant to reconfirm their listing.
April 2015 143
bystander
Maher, Elena & Florentina
Nathalie
Queens Of The Island Camelot Restaurant & Lounge held an exclusive event called ‘Queens of the Island’ to celebrate International Women’s Day. Jay, Anna & Jane
Alice & Sutterfield
Nicholas
Raquel & Joy
John, Jay & Doobie
Mo & Tariq
Mark & Hugh
Akram
Nawal
Anniversary Celebration Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa celebrated the first anniversary of its Japanese Restaurant and Lounge, Ruka. Management and staff cut the cake
Mariam & Hasan
144 April 2015
Maria, Giovanna, Michele, Diana & Cynthia
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diningburgerfeature
A Meaty Mouthful ANKITA MAMGAIN There’s no denying it, burgers have taken a bite out history and are now entwined with popular culture. From multi-national brands to high-end gastronomy, Bahrain This Month has compiled a list of the best burgers available.
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You can run, you can hide, but you can’t escape them. Burgers, perhaps one of the most ingenious culinary creations of all time, have a special place in the hearts of millions. From the joy of the Happy Meal to the satisfaction that only a Whopper can bring, burger is a simple term that stands for so much more. Meat minced with spices and herbs, grilled and placed in-between two buns — it’s pure genius. With infinite permutations and combinations, no dish has ever been so ubiquitous and versatile at the same time. The story of the origin of the burger has sort of been through the meat-grinder itself and is combination of various legends. Some claim it was a Fletcher Davis in 1880s who sold the first hamburgers in Texas. Many say it was the German immigrants in New York who started selling the Hamburg steak- beef that was minced or chopped and combined with garlic, onions, salt and pepper, then grilled or fried. However, the first hamburger to be served on a bun is known to be made by Oscar Bilby of Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1891. Although over a century old the burger concept is still around. Alright, it has gained a few pounds along the way, speaks several languages now and looks a bit different, but the basic premise has remained intact. Operating from 11 locations, Dairy Queen is one of the oldest quick-service restaurant chains in Bahrain and its first outlet in Salmaniya is now a famous landmark. Other choices for a quick-fix are Burger
King, McDonald’s, KFC, Hardees, Jasmis and Mooyah, which serve their signature sandwiches along with their value meals, desserts, drinks and sides. Diners with a little more time on their hands can head to the various casual dining outlets that have some of the most wholesome sandwiches to offer. Hard Rock Café offers a 280-gram meaty treat and Chili’s has its Big-Mouth half-pounders that you can enjoy with home-cooked fries. TGI Friday’s, Bennigan’s and Johnny Rockets also have a dedicated menu for burgers or you can head to Fatburger to try out its selection. Elevation Burger is where you go for organic grub and Bluefield Burger gives you a fresh atmosphere to savour some sliders. Proving that Bahrain can stand with the best of them, home-grown outlets like Grub Shack in Hamala, Blaze and Jan Burger in Adliya, Engie’s in Seef and Burger Lounge in The Lagoon in Amwaj are giving great competition to the multi-nationals. Looking for something really special? How about a camel burger at Harvesters Bar & Terrace in Crowne Plaza Bahrain? An Nada Lounge at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel is hosting a burger promotion throughout the month with the Macho Veggie Burger Classic Marine Burger and Smoky Swiss Burger on the menu. So, sit back and unwind as BTM counts down the best burger joints on the island. April 2015 145
diningburgerfeature HARD ROCK CAFÉ
Carte Revamp Hard Rock Café is a haven for fans of music, food and great times. Whether you are craving a legendary burger, beverages or a selection of cool merchandise, this venue serves up an experience that rocks!
Upon entering, you know straight away that you are in for a pleasant and unique experience. “Hard Rock Café is the originator of theme-restaurant dining,” says Rolando Magbitang, the head chef at the Bahrain outlet. The memorabilia on display pays tribute to legendary and new musicians as well as collectible merchandise. With a revitalised menu, there truly is something for everyone. Try the world-famous wings that feature classic rock, heavy metal and tangy BBQ sauces and are served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. Sample the quesadillas filled with grilled chicken, beef or prawns, melted mixed cheeses stuffed in a fresh flour tortilla and served with freshly made salsa, jalapenos, tangy BBQ sauce and sour cream. The Haystack Chicken Salad is also one of the most popular choices. This Hard Rock special combines fresh mixed greens, carrots, corn, diced tomatoes, pico de gallo and shredded cheese — all topped with Tupelo fried chicken or grilled chicken tossed with ranch dressing, spiced pecans and crisp tortilla straws. However, for the most dedicated fans, it’s the specialty burgers that claim the top spot. How about trying a hefty 280-gram beef patty grilled, seasoned and topped with smoked bacon, cheddar cheese, golden fried onion rings, crisp lettuce and vine ripened tomato? Since its inception in 1971, Hard Rock Café has become a leading entertainment and leisure company through music-related ventures relevant to all generations. The restaurant is also well-known for its enduring commitment to a wide variety of philanthropic causes and activities in the community. Call 17 291-569. 146 April 2015
www.bahrainthismonth.com
SLOW-COOKED. FORK-TENDER. SIGNTURE SMOKEHOUSE DISHES. WE DIDN’T BECOME WORLD-FAMOUS FOR NOTHING. 142 OLD EXHIBITION ROAD | MANAMA | BAHRAIN | +973-1729-1569 HARDROCK.COM
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PRESENT THIS COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. ONLY VALID AT HARD ROCK CAFE BAHRAIN. OFFER EXPIRES 30/12/15.
PRESENT THIS COUPON AT TIME OF PURCHASE. ONLY VALID AT HARD ROCK CAFE BAHRAIN. OFFER EXPIRES 30/12/15.
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*OFFER NOT VALID ON CHARITY MERCHANDISE, HAPPY HOUR PRICES, SALE ITEMS, LIMITED EDITION PINS OR WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS.
*OFFER NOT VALID ON CHARITY MERCHANDISE, HAPPY HOUR PRICES, SALE ITEMS, LIMITED EDITION PINS OR WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS.
*OFFER NOT VALID ON CHARITY MERCHANDISE, HAPPY HOUR PRICES, SALE ITEMS, LIMITED EDITION PINS OR WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS.
diningburgerfeature
CROWNE PLAZA
Humps Ahead If you’re craving a delicious burger with a regional twist, look no further than Crowne Plaza Bahrain. The prominent hotel is now serving up a gourmet camel sandwich at one of its dining outlets.
Situated across from the Bahrain National Museum, Crowne Plaza Bahrain is one of the kingdom’s most loved five-star hotels. It has a strong tradition of great gastronomy and offers various cuisines at its fine and casual dining venues. Harvesters Bar & Terrace is exceedingly popular with burger aficionados who come for its famous camel burger and stay for the ambience. Prime quality camel meat is sandwiched inside a freshly baked brown or white bread roll with mayonnaise and cheese. Tasty, high-protein and lowcholesterol, camel meat is gaining fans all across the world. Served with a generous portion of chips and coleslaw on the side, this mighty bite is a hot favourite at the outlet. Any soft drink would go well with it; however, there is a vast selection of creative cocktails as well. Priced at BD5.950++, it’s served throughout the month at the restaurant. What’s more, you get to go home with a special T-shirt, to commemorate the experience. Family time Have a great time with your family at the hotel over the Easter weekend with a host of festive treats and fun activities. Indulge in a lavish brunch on April 3 and 4, featuring a range of traditional fare and chocolate desserts. Kids can look forward to an egg hunt while grown ups can enjoy music and a laid back afternoon. Easter Brunch is priced at BD23.950 with selected beverages and at BD18.500++ with soft drinks. In addition, you can also go for the hotel’s popular
148 April 2015
Saturday Family Brunch, which is hosted at La Mosaique. Drop in to enjoy an afternoon of worldclass international cuisine and live entertainment in the elegant ambience of the restaurant. Spices Indian Restaurant hosts a curry night every Wednesday, where guests can savour three curries with naan bread, rice and poppadoms. Meanwhile, fans of seafood can head to Waves Seafood Restaurant as it hosts a special crab promotion throughout the month. This month, you can also be part of the IHG dining rewards programme. Register online to take advantage of a number of benefits such as regular promotions, discounts and even a free night anywhere in the world at IHG properties. Call 17 531-122. www.bahrainthismonth.com
diningburgerfeature
Guacamole burger
CHILI’S
The Big Bite ANKITA MAMGAIN If sinking your teeth into a juicy, cheesy and mouth-watering burger sounds like your idea of a good time, this Tex-Mex haven could be up your alley.
150 April 2015
Making a good burger is like building a house. Right from the foundation to the finishing touches in design, each part is important and it should all come together seamlessly in the end. Similarly, the secret of a perfect burger lies in all its components; the quality of the meat to the freshness and density of the bread and the various trimmings that add character and individuality to each sandwich. I headed to Chili’s, at Seef Mall, the Kingdom’s very first branch of the multi-national chain, to sample its Big Mouth Burgers. Famous for its Tex-Mex menu, Chili’s originally started as a burger joint back in 1975 in Dallas US and, needless to say, takes its halfpounders quite seriously. “All our burgers are hand-crafted; made with fresh ingredients and seasoned with our own signature, homemade spices,” says Light Munda, the chef or ‘culinary champion’ as Chili’s likes to call him. “At the moment in the burger business it’s all about size. People are just piling up the patties and not paying attention to the sauces, seasoning or the quality of bread,” says Mark Magsalin, operation manager, Chili’s Bahrain. As Mark fills me in about his experience in the company and each item on the menu with immense pride, I get a whiff of something delicious. Soon three trays arrived, containing sumptuous looking meals and a generous portion of fries. On offer were the ‘Oldtimer’, Beef Bacon Burger and Guacamole Burger.
The Oldtimer, like its name suggests, is all about comforting familiarity. It’s what you want on a bad day, something that’ll make the world seem a lot better. This is the restaurant’s signature cheeseburger, made with hand-seasoned beef patties, seared to perfection and served with mustard and a slice of red onion. Then it was time to sample the meaty mouthful — a Classic Beef Bacon Burger. This is not for the fainthearted and manages to tingle your taste buds from a distance. However the most interesting one for me was the Guacamole Burger, mounted stylishly on soft, toasted buns with fresh guacamole, melted Montery Jack cheese, fire-roasted jalapenos, bell peppers, caramelised onions, cumin-lime sour cream and the works! This is prime quality beef, seasoned with the restaurant’s secret mixture of herbs and spices. Accompanying the sandwiches are Chili’s very own, old-style fries — beautifully crisp and chunky with the skin left on. These burgers melt in the mouth and provide a wholesome treat. Be warned though, you’ll need a big mouth and a bigger appetite to polish them off. Vegetarians needn’t be disheartened either; there is also a meat-free option of Bombay Burger at Chili’s. Call 17 581-221.
Oldtimer
www.bahrainthismonth.com
ENGIE’S RESTAURANT & CAFÉ
Oven Fresh Be it breakfast on the go or an indulgent spread for lunch or dinner, this restaurant promises a great time, every time.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
Tucked away in the Seef Corner Mall, Engie’s Restaurant & Café, offers some of the best Parisian fusion cuisine in the Kingdom. The chic venue provides the perfect atmosphere where you can indulge in luxurious preparations that delight all the senses. Bathed in plenty of natural light, the restaurant’s ambience is airy, fresh, cosy and very relaxing. Spread across two floors, it can accommodate up to 250 people. The beige and ombre colour scheme is beautifully punctuated by the wooden texture of the floor and scenes from Paris are on display across the walls. Its innovative menu combines eclectic favours from around the world, but the restaurant particularly prides itself on the breads and viennoiserie, prepared freshly every day. The appetising aroma of freshly baked goods fills the restaurant and you’re greeted with the golden glow of a variety of baguettes and pastries upon arrival. From multi-cereal breads to batard, miche, baguette cereals and mini baguettes, there is plenty of variety. The selection of viennoiserie includes decadently flaky plain, almond and chocolate croissants, Danish pastries, brioche, palmier and sinful cinnamon rolls. You can enjoy a 10 per cent discount of these if you place your order a day in advance. Engie’s is one of the few eateries that offers all day breakfast that starts as early as 7.30am. The beauty of this eatery is that you can choose how long you wish you savour the flavours. The restaurant can provide a lavish, laid back start to you day or you can also opt for a quick bite on-the-go for BD2.5 which includes a hot drink, orange juice and one item from the viennoiserie section.
Between the buns Indulge in the meaty goodness of Engie’s gourmet burgers from April 12 to 19 as the restaurant runs a special promotion called ‘Fast and Delicious’. Formula One fans are presented with three burger choices that deliver the same excitement as the thrilling races. Citrus Chicken Burger This has a succulent chicken breast, marinated with citrus vinaigrette, which is grilled to perfection and placed between soft tomato bread. It comes with crunchy lettuce, tomato, roasted garlic flecks, gherkin, mayonnaise and mustard honey sauce. Spicy Beef Burger This fiery temptation is built between home-made sesame bread. Enjoy a grilled beef patty, fried egg, tomato, Iceberg salad, cheddar cheese, crispy onion,and gherkins with green Tabasco cocktail relish. Hot Salmon Burger Look forward to home-made rye bread carrying herbs breaded salmon patty with tomato, Iceberg salad, gherkin and sambal tartar sauce. Priced at BD4.5 they are served with mix green salad, potato wedges and a soft drink. The restaurant also offers a business lunch for BD6++ that includes one main course dish and a starter or dessert and a soft drink. Call 17 580-028. April 2015 151
bystander
Stephanie & Martine
Nasreen & Abdulla
SteppingStone Workshop SteppingStone Global held a workshop titled ‘Command and Control is Yesterday’s Management Style’ at the Capital Club.
Cezini, Mike, Muneera, Abdulrahman, Jean & Abdul Nabi Al Sho’ala Sharyl & David
Tom & Claire
152 April 2015
Bill, Ugo, & Mike
Nevin & Ahmed
Ravi
Mustafa
Nitesh & Balraj
www.bahrainthismonth.com
diningburgerfeature MCDONALD’S
i’m lovin’ it Everyone’s favourite quick service restaurant adds a fruity twist to its menu with fresh new beverages and side items. As the temperature begins to rise, cool off with McDonald’s as it adds new Minute Maid Mango Pineapple juice to its beverage line-up and juicy Pineapple Sticks to its Happy Meal choices. The tasty tropical juice fusion joins the quick service restaurant chain’s much-loved apple and orange juices for the ultimate refreshing experience, available all day. Customers can enjoy a fun sampling party at select McDonald’s branches in Bahrain every weekend throughout April. Children can enjoy the delicious goodness of fruits with Happy Meals by adding the juicy Pineapple Sticks. These are an excellent source of Vitamin C and the fun packet featuring ‘Happy’ McDonald’s very own Happy Meal Box friend, is sure to have your children excited about eating fruits!
“We are very pleased to offer these refreshing new treats to our customers just in time for the warmer months of spring and summer,” says Abdulla Adel Fakhro, director of Fakhro Restaurants. “McDonald’s is committed to continuously offering a variety of flavours that meet our customers evolving tastes, and introducing new products
that keep our menu fresh and exciting.” The brand is committed to serving the best ingredients in the quick-service restaurant sector, with food quality being a top priority. All products served at McDonald’s restaurants in the region are Halal certified. Call 17 221-722.
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www.bahrainthismonth.com
!
April 2015 153
bystander
Rich, Billy, Nick & Amanda
St. Patrick’s Day at Bennigan’s Bennigan’s held a festival for St Paddy’s Day at its premises in Juffair. Bennigan’s staff
Jack & Donna
Zack, Jamell, Carmen & Nate
Kim, Pia & Richard
VS Duo Band
Said, Ashley, Errin & David
Kristen & Jared
Emily & Jason
Laci & Lauren
JJ’s St Patrick’s Day JJ’s hosted its annual St Patrick’s Day celebration with entertainment from Irish band DeJa Boo. DeJa Boo
Maria, Siyana & Zara
St. Paddy’s fans
154 April 2015
Dee & James
Ramsi & Paul
Christina, Hanaah & Cara
Andrea & Alessandra
Joy, Jenny & Helen
www.bahrainthismonth.com
AFTER DARK
ROCK THIS PARTY ANKITA MAMGAIN
ALSO THIS MONTH: 156 HIGH-OCTANE ENTERTAINMENT 159 HAPPENINGS
International DJ sensation Bob Sinclar is set to spin his magic in the Kingdom, taking fans on a funk-tastical ride.
Bob Sinclair
I
sn’t this your favourite time of the year? The sun is warm and balmy, the wind blows cold, F1 hustle-bustle is all around, the Spring of Culture is in full swing and some of the biggest entertainment gigs are all coming up. Along with attracting the attention of the motoring, business and glamour world, April in Bahrain is all about stellar acts — not tributes, this is the real deal. On April 17, head to Bushido Restaurant & Lounge, as DJ/ producer Bob Sinclar gets behind the decks. Dubbed as the ‘man who put the groove back onto the dance floor’, Bob is behind club hits like Gymtonic, The Ghetto and I Feel for You. Bob Sinclar was born Christophe Le Friant but came up with his DJ alias after watching www.bahrainthismonth.com
Philippe de Broca’s French spy movie Le Magnifique. He wanted to be an eccentric disco hero, a ladies’ man and a spy; somewhat along the lines of James Bond, but much cooler. Bob shot to fame in 1998 with a co-production with Thomas Bangalter. Released as part of his first album Paradise this funked-up, pumping, vocal house track has caught the world’s attention and captured peoples’ imaginations. His fascination with electronic music began after he saw a DJ play two records together at Le Palace in Paris. He recalls it as the happiest time of his life. Growing up in Le Marais, one of the most happening and colourful neighbourhoods of Paris, young Christophe soon started being part of the city’s exclusive, late 80s’ club scene.
In 1994 Christophe and DJ Yellow started Yellow Productions. Having signed artists like Dimitri from Paris, they became the first French label to branch out into the funky disco groove that became famous as the mid-90s’ French sound. In 2005, a track called Love Generation was released followed by World Hold On. This propelled his name and music to every corner of the world. Bob Sinclar was number one around the world, was featured on countless compilations and got played on radio stations across the globe. Whether it’s the deep and soulful beats of his Africanism movement or his near-obsession with reggae and dance hall influences, there’s no party like a Bob Sinclar party. April 2015 155
afterdark RAMEE GROUP OF HOTELS
High-octane Entertainment It’s not just the track at the BIC that’s abuzz with activity this month; the city’s hottest party venues have some roaring action planned as well. Club Buffalo at Ramee California Hotel invites guests to attend its ‘Energiser’ event. Recharge your senses at one of the islands most popular after-hours venues on April 17 with live entertainment provided by the in-house band Sky and DJ Trixta. Take advantage of a special drinks promotion for BD20. Remember to wear your racing jacket! Call 17 826-001.
Girlz Ink at Warbler
156 April 2015
At Bedrock, celebrations begin early in the month with ‘Urbanite, Party of the Season’ on April 2. Kick starting spring, this event promises non-stop entertainment. Flying in especially for the night is DJ Crow and rapper Tony Attala. Entrance is priced at BD5 and there is special offer on selected drinks for BD15. All ‘Engines Freeze’ at the venue on April 16 as it gets in gear for F1 action. Dance the night away to DJ Neil and DJ Maude’s energetic mix. Think ‘racy’ when dressing up for the night. Entry costs BD5 and there’s an unlimited offer on selected beverages for BD15. Call 36 452-547.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
All speedsters can take a pit-stop at Legends Sports Lounge on April 17 for the Ferrari Fever party. Indulge in an array of lip-smacking goodies and a variety of drinks all night long. Call 17 826-001. One of the island’s favourite pubs, The Warbler, is all set for the F1 weekend. Drop in on April 16 and 17 for signature ales and a whole lot of racing action on the big screens. Adding fuel to the atmosphere will be special performance by international band Girlz Ink and tunes from the in-house DJ. Try out the ‘F1-stars menu’ that includes three-courses of international cuisine on the 16th for BD10. Come back the next day for the chef’s special F1 Friday brunch priced at BD18 featuring a fresh range of drinks. Call 38 381-631, 39 098-607. Piece of Cake
Prepare yourselves for a weekend of high velocity entertainment at the Dublin Club where the ‘Need for Speed’ bash goes on from April 17 to 19. Bring the house down with resident band, The Volume and DJ Andy Gates who will rock the stage all weekend with all the latest tunes and timeless classics. Enjoy a three-course dinner with a drink for BD10. Call 34 092-770 and 39 960-367. The party continues at Rocky’s Café at Ramee
www.bahrainthismonth.com
International Hotel where you can let your hair down and enjoy great music. The rock n’ roll-inspired venue hosts Canadian band Piece of Cake who will be delivering action-packed performances night after night. DJ Angel spins his magic and makes sure you keep moving till the wee hours. The dining section features American and continental fare including Angus beef steak, which is a must try! Call 36 289-349.
April 2015 157
bystander
Tribute Performance at Club Buffalo Usher & Nicki Minaj tribute performances were held at Club Buffalo, Ramee California Hotel. Andu, general manager of Ramee California Hotel with the artists
InterNations Event InterNations had a fun social evening for members and guests at Zoe restaurant in Adliya Jessica, Cindy & Yahia
Andu, Shane & Warren
Tigist & Sedzi Daya & Angel
Lauren & JT
Lorena & Bora
Jillian & Kim
Vivien, Emre & Murat
Sangria & Tapas Night Camelot restaurant in Adliya held a sangria and tapas night.
Samita & Aysha
Akram & Nawal
Jasmine, Bentayao, Danna & Lea
Mark & Lady Stilwell
Carlos & Leah CJ, Graeme & Suzanne
Hind & Leah
158 April 2015
Jessica, Savannah & Thusa
Chris & Seamus
Nathalie
Sundip & Tanya
www.bahrainthismonth.com
afterdarkhappenings
Fun Around Town This Month Jay Sean
It’s not just the F1 weekend that’ll keep the night crawlers busy this month. We bring you a bunch of other after-hours gigs to look forward to. Waveform, promoters of electronic music in the region, mark their official launch of the season at Brazil lounge on April 2. Dance away to the mixes of Dan Stone, Amir Hussain, Andy Collins [AJOC], Liam Trigg, Moody and DJ Zahran Baxxter. This is an outfit that grew out of Bahrain Trance Nation and is now looking forward to holding more events focused around this genre. Call 35 686-858. Gear up for a night of pure hip-hop hysteria. Boho Baha flies in DJ Buckwilde, one of the UK’s finest turntablists on April 3 for a bash at the Skybar in Hotel Diva. A finalist in the 2007 and 2008 UK DMC championship, Buckwilde is joined by James Locksmith (DUST UAE) on the decks, who brings his own blend of soul and hip-hop. The event starts with Boho Baha’s own crew and the guys from Vuruz Vision will be there providing the ‘visual aid’. Doors open at 4pm and entry is priced at BD15. Call 17 810-555. Jay Sean, the British singer-songwriter and rapper takes the stage at the island’s biggest night club, Ibrida at Ramee Grand Hotel & Spa on April 17. He debuted in the UK’s Asian underground scene as a member of the Rishi Rich Project and hit the charts with the single Dance with www.bahrainthismonth.com
You in 2003. Alongside the Rishi Rich Project, Jay was a pioneer of Bhangra-R&B fusion, which his debut album helped popularise among the worldwide South Asian diaspora. Pre-sale tickets for the show are priced at BD30 and can be purchased on the door for BD35. Call 17 111-999. Adding more glamour to the Formula One weekend is ‘The Cavalli Club World Tour’ at Muju, Dragon Resort & Hotel, Amwaj Islands. The event brings the signature Cavalli experience to Bahrain; from the sophisticated atmosphere, live performers and renowned resident DJs, to the expertly-mixed drinks. Already a rage in Istanbul, Hamburg, Marbella, Moscow, Paris, Stockholm, Shanghai, Marrakech, Hong Kong and Copenhagen, this exclusive experience is in Bahrain to show you a good time. Call 66 678-666.
When? April 12-19 Event? Beer Festival Venue? Harvester Bar & Terrace Try out ales from across the world at this fun venue. E Call 17 531-122. When? April 2 Event? Sky’s the Limit Venue? Sky Pool Roof Top Bar Great mash ups and unlimited food and beverages for BD12. E Call 33 492-999. When? April 16 Event? F1 Pit Stop Party Venue? Zoë, Adliya Fuel up on some great drinks and party the night away. E Call 38 496-912. When? April 9 Event? YMF Wildfire Venue? Hot Pot, Adliya Drop in for a fin night of smashing mixes and great food. E Call 34 014-231. When? May 7 Event? New band Venue? Sherlock Holmes Dance away to the tunes of the band One Step Behind. E Call 17 713-000. April 2015 159
afterdarkthemenights What? Monday Madnss Where? Buster's, Juffair Grand Dance to DJ Peekaboo's tunes and enjoy all cocktails for BD4. i Call 33 895-222.
tuesday What? Challenge the Bartender Where? Elements, InterContinental Regency Try five different shots created by the bartenders for BD10++. i Call 17 227-777.
sunday What? Cabin Crew Night Where? Txoko, The Domain Present your cabin crew ID and receive 50 per cent discount on beverages. i Call 16 000-222. What? FBI Night Where? Harvesters Pub, Crowne Plaza Bahrain For people in the hospitality industry, the menu is offered on half price. i Call 17 531-122. What? Quiz Night Where? JJ’s Irish Pub & Restaurant Take part in the famous JJ’s quiz and win prizes in each round. i Call 17 742-323. What? Becks Jam Nite Where? Club Buffalo, Ramee California Rock out on stage with the band and get a free Becks pint. i Call 17 826-001.
t
monday
What? Sunset Monday Where? Txoko, The Domain Have two drinks for the price of one from 5.30pm until 7.30pm. i Call 16 000-222. What? Wine Tasting Where? Elements, InterContinental Regency Take a guided wine tasting tour through three regions for BD10++. i Call 17 227-777. What? Nostalgic Night Where? The Warbler, Ramee Baisan Dance to the hits of 80s and 90s, and get 20 per cent off on drinks. i Call 39 381-631. What? Badaboom DJ Night Where? Club Buffalo, Ramee California Dance away to DJ Trixta's music. Free drinks for ladies.. i Call 17 826-001.
What? Jam Night Where? Downtown, InterContinental Regency Jam with the band when your favourite song comes up; receive a free drink i Call 17 227-777.
What? Microphone Madness Where? JJ’s Irish Pub & Restaurant This is one of the most popular theme nights; a free shot for every singer. i Call 17 742-323.
What? Nightingale Night Where? The Warbler, Ramee Baisan Sing your heart out and get a free shot and beer bucket for BD9.9. i Call 39 381-631.
What? Live-Oke Where? Davy Crockett’s, Hotel Diva Here’s your chance to sing with the band live on stage. i Call 39 046-715.
160 April 2015
What? Boys’ Night Out Where? The Warbler, Baisan International Enjoy a 20 per cent discount on bull frogs; get a bucket of beer for BD9.900. i Call 38 381-631. What? Cocktail Night Where? Harvesters Pub, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Take advantage of the ‘buy one, get one free’ offer on selected cocktails. i Call 17 531-122.
wednesday What? Russian Night Where? Elements, InterContinental Regency Enjoy a wide selection of vodka; ladies get 50 per cent off on their order. i Call 17 227-777. What? Five DC Dollars Night Where? Davy Crockett’s, Hotel Diva Drop in with your girlfriends as ladies enjoy five free drinks. i Call 39 046-715. What? Pint and Jam Night Where? The Warbler, Baisan International Jam with the in-house band and enjoy four pints of beer at BD9.900. i Call 38 381-631. What? Vodka Night Where? Bedrock, ramee California Enjoy Smirnoff and Absolut vodka with mixers for BD2. i Call 33 731-000.
What? Sushi Wednesdays Where? Thai Lounge, The Ritz-Carlton Enjoy unlimited house beverages with a wide selection of sushi. i Call 17 586-499.
thursday What? Cabin Crew Nights Where? Imari, The Domain Present your cabin crew ID and receive 50 per cent discount on beverages. i Call 16 000-333. What? Vodka Night Where? Downtown, InterContinental Regency Ladies receive three selected Vodka shots complimentary. i Call 17 227-777. What? Glow Party Where? Club Buffalo, Ramee California Dress in white and get covered inneon brightness at the party. i Call 33 731-000. What? Open Bar Night Where? Buster's, Juffair Grand 'Drink all you can' promotion for BD15; free drinks for ladies. i Call 33 895-222. What? Karaoke Night Where? Kicks, Hotel Diva Start the weekend with a spirited sing-along with friends. i Call 39 922-583.
friday
What? Pitcher Night Where? Buster's, Juffair Grand Have pitchers of your favourite cocktails for only BD10. i Call 33 895-222.
What? Ladies and Jammers’ Night Where? Harvesters Pub, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Jam with the resident band while ladies enjoy two free drinks. i Call 17 531-122.
What? Four Pint Pitcher Night Where? Harvesters Pub, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Quench your thirst with pitchers for BD6.500++. i Call 17 531-122.
What? BBQ Night Where? Elements, InterContinental Regency Enjoy an exhaustive range of barbecue delights with unlimited drinks for BD25. i Call 17 227-777.
What? Cabin Crew Nights Where? Txoko, The Domain Present your cabin crew ID and receive 50 per cent discount on beverages. i Call 16 000-222.
saturday What? Biru Garden Where? Imari, The Domain Enjoy a free-flow Kirin draught beer with Izakaya-style dishes for BD23++. i Call 16 000-333. What? Beer Promotion Where? Downtown, InterContinental Regency Get unlimited selected draught beer from 8pm until midnight for BD22++. i Call 17 227-777. What? Sports & Shots Where? The Warbler, Baisan International Buy one shot and get a bucket beer for BD9.900 with night-long karaoke. i Call 38 381-631. What? Shooter's Night Where? Buster's, Juffair Grand A night of great music with your favourite shooters. i Call 33 895-222. What? Cocktail Night Where? Harvesters Pub, Crowne Plaza Bahrain Take advantage of the ‘buy one, get one free’ offer on selected cocktails. i Call 17 531-122.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
BENNIGAN’S
Game On!
Catch the next nail-biting match with your mates at this friendly neighbourhood joint that promises lip-smacking American delights and Irish hospitality. In addition to serving up southern specialities and famous ales, Bennigan’s Bahrain, in Juffair, is adding another enticing element to its unique experience. The popular restaurant and bar now shows all major sporting events on a large screen, giving sports fans the chance to come and cheer for their favourite teams while enjoying a sumptuous selection of fare. Be it the Premier League, UEFA Cup, NFL, NBA, baseball matches or motorsports, there’s no excuse to miss out on any action now. Check out the schedule of the various matches to be shown on Bennigan’s Facebook page and on the website. In addition, the venue regularly runs some great food and beverage promotions whenever major sporting events are being shown. Thanks to the social atmosphere with smoking and non-smoking sections, great selection of food and beverages and friendly staff, Bennigan’s is a great choice any time of the week. Opened in 2001, the restaurant has become a favourite haunt for food fanatics and revellers alike. The menu features something for everyone with a full range of entrees, starters, appetisers, soups and salads, main courses and mouth-watering desserts, and guarantees great value for money. This is the perfect place to cool off after a long day, catch a game, celebrate or just chill with friends. Call 17 813-750.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
April 2015 161
bystander
Tamkeen TwoFour54 Exhibition Capital Knowledge hosted an exhibition for students of Tamkeen’s graphic design programme in partnership with twofour54, UAE.
Chuckle Club International comedians Andrew Ryan from Ireland, Scotland’s Jojo Sutherland and Johnny Pemberton from LA performed at the latest edition of the comedy club.
Participants at the event
Jojo
Johnny & Fahad
Andrew
Kumar, Rohan & Menon
Paula & Batool
Mohammed & Amal
Coach ME Series - Networking Know How ~ by Dr Clare Beckett McInroy EdD PCC CPCC MAC
KNOW HOW to widen your NET and make it WORK for you authentically, reciprocally and strategically. This book coaches you to NETWORKING SUCCESS on and off line. With over 40 reflections and snippets of sound advice from international professionals, it provides you with the most recent international research around effective networking. Coach Me Networking Know How has received commendations from the world’s top coaches proving it can enable your potential. “Networking Know How is an extraordinary book about one of today’s most critical subjects – networking. Read it and learn how to develop a network that will help you reach your potential!”
Richard, Shauna & Diego
Sue & Joe
Rosie & Kristen
Kristina & Joe
Doyle
~ Marshall Goldsmith, Author of the New York Times Bestsellers, MOJO and What Got You Here Won’t Get You There Available on: http://goo.gl/HDjoDl http://goo.gl/9BgfTU
Available in Bahrain at: Words and The Bookcase on Budaiya Highway! Rob & Alan
162 April 2015
Ray & Debbie
www.bahrainthismonth.com
What’s New Edited by Apple Sharma
Brazilian Beauties Inspired by the lush landscape, exotic jungles and rushing waterfalls of Brazil, Bath & Body Works launches its newest collection. Take off to Brazil with three new fragrances – Cool Amazon Rain, Lush Pink Dragonfruit and Fresh Brazil Citrus. The collection, bursting with addictive fragrances and Brazil’s most exotic fruits, comprises shower gel, body lotion and fine fragrance mist. Available at Bath & Body Works at City Centre Bahrain, Seef Mall and Muharraq Shopping Mall.
Original Essence Be spoilt for choice as a new high-end line of Creed Eau de Parfum enters the market. Created by Olivier Creed, bearing his signature and style, these rare and natural perfume essences are a marriage of various scents like woods and flowers as well as sugar and spices of the east and west. An ode to joy, nature, pure water, forests and glades, the fragrances are subtle, light and sophisticated. The luxurious range includes Aberdeen Lavander, Asian Green Tea, Cèdre Blanc, Iris Tubéreuse and Vetiver Geranium. Available at all Al Hawaj outlets.
Soft as Butter L’Occitane introduces Whipped Shea Butter, with a new, light and ultra-nourishing texture that immediately becomes one with your skin. The collection includes whipped shower foam, hand cream and body cream. Discover a pampering body care line with the same delicate scent as the Shea Butter collection. The products are tailored to your skin and include cleansing oil, cleansing milk, gentle toner, light and ultra rich comforting creams and lip balm. Available at L’Occitane in Seef Mall and City Centre Bahrain.
Feel the Magic In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the iconic Big Bang, Hublot is unveiling the Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold — the world’s only scratch-resistant gold watch ever created. It’s the perfect fusion of respect for tradition and 21st century creativity. The famous ‘Magic Gold’ - a gold that can only be altered by diamonds, is certified as 18K and developed by Hublot. This limited edition of 250 pieces is manufactured in-house with automatic flyback chronograph. Available at Bahrain Jewellery Centre.
Pump up the Time
Glow With Every Step The Glow Brand celebrates feminine strength, beauty and uniqueness. It’s an elegant footwear of choice for every young woman who is looking for a reflection of her stunning personality with the highest durable reliability in the most trying of circumstances. Produced in Italy, The Glow Brand is currently offered in a limited series selection of five vibrant high-fashion colours - pink, blue, orange, green or yellow. Each colour is an advocate to a much needed charity or foundation. So, put your best foot forward and pump up your glow. Available at Schutz and Tilly’s Closet. www.bahrainthismonth.com
From the legendary days of basketball when Pump technology was introduced and made its way across the sporting spectrum, the Reebok Pump is now worn on the streets from north to south, east to west. Called ‘PL’ in homage to the Pump’s architect, this watch blends retro design with today’s technology, impressing with a custom-made and unique three-step ‘Pump Up’ display, a stopwatch, laps, recall and alarm functions as well as water resistance up to 50 metres. Available at A La Mode, Seef Mall and City Centre Bahrain. April 2015 163
marketplace
DESSANGE PARIS
Let’s Get Physical Getting in shape is never easy, however, joining a gym with great facilities and professionally trained staff can provide that extra push to get you started.
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Working out has numerous benefits but finding the motivation to make it to the gym is a challenge that many struggle with. Fortunately a swanky gym, replete with state-of-the-art facilities can be highly motivational when it’s time to hit the treadmill. Dessange Paris, in Adliya, not only pampers your senses at its world-class salon and spa it also has everything you need to get fighting fit. With a long list of satisfied members already involved, the health club is encouraging others to join. “We at Dessange believe that every woman deserves a healthier and happier lifestyle; therefore we are always aiming to lead the health club industry in Bahrain by consistently introducing new equipment and programmes, “says Suzanne Gissing, director, Dessange Paris. “We begin this year by introducing a wide variety of brand new cardio, strength and functional training equipment. Members can look forward to revamped TRX suspension training and functional training areas, personal viewing screens on all cardio equipment, dedicated cycle and group exercise rooms, towel service and complementary water.” There is also a wide selection of individual resistance stations that are complemented by free weights so you can work on your health and fitness goals. The friendly staff are always available to provide guidance and assistance. “The energetic atmosphere in the health club will certainly spur you on to try a variety of classes and exercise activities,
ideal for all levels and abilities,” Suzanne adds. Upon joining, a professionally trained instructor conducts your complete health assessment that then leads them to formulate an initial training programme, which later graduates into a more specialised module. In addition to the machines, there are a number classes that you can join such as aerobics, spinning, free-motion, yoga and belly dancing. Beauty and beyond Dessange Paris brings you the latest services and products for your beauty and well being needs. Be it skin or hair care, make up, exercise, nutrition or spa rituals, its specialised services are designed to relax and rejuvenate you. Call 17 713-999.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
marketplace ASHRAFS
Capture the Moment Give your photographic skills the boost they need with the new Nikon D5500, the world’s smallest digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera that is smart and easy to use.
Take your photography to new creative heights as Ashrafs introduces the Nikon D5500 into the Bahrain market. This 24.2MP DX-format camera is designed for aspiring photographers who want to challenge convention and create images in new and exciting ways. The Nikon D5500 is the world’s smallest, lightest and slimmest DSLR camera, featuring a vari-angle LCD touch screen monitor and instant sharing capability with wireless connectivity. Combined with an intelligent eye-sensor and optimised image review, the DSLR is a trusty companion for capturing those ‘eureka’ moments, be it in still images or video. The D5500’s image sensor, designed without an optical low-pass filter and Nikon’s EXPEED 4 imageprocessing engine are great for capturing remarkably sharp and vivid details. Delivering photographic freedom, the camera supports a wide range of ISO settings and includes an enhanced picture control system, 39-point auto
focus and support for full HD video recording in 60p format. Additionally, as a first in Nikon DSLR cameras, the eye-sensor automatically turns off the monitor screen display when using the viewfinder and a ‘Touch Fn’ allows for easy adjustments of operational settings. The D5500 has a plethora of features that will blow your mind, all designed with easy operation in mind. The new intuitive and smart features provide optimised usability, refined image quality and high performance including bold image expression and pinpoint image targeting as well as smart technology to bring photos to life. Photographers can maximise their creative expression with features such as Vignette Control, a first for DX-format cameras, created to reduce peripheral light drop for well-balanced brightness across the entire frame. The special effects modes come with 10 variable options including, but not limited to, Super Vivid, Pop and Toy Camera, and 16 options for scene mode with various effects. Achieve stunning clarity by shooting full HD 1080/60p videos under various lighting conditions, be it filming a sunset street performance or a mass gathering at a parade. Videos are complemented by crystal clear audio with the built-in stereo microphone, rounding off the impeccable production quality of a high performance DX-format DSLR. For quick and seamless online sharing of images, there is an option for shooting, live-view and playback during Wi-Fi connection. The D5500 is compatible with a wide range of DX-format NIKKOR lenses, including the new R724 lens. It also has a built-in flash and is fully compatible with the Nikon Creative Lighting System. Beautifully crafted and built to last, the D5500 is robust yet stylish. Photographers can travel light and shoot easy with its slim style and ergonomic layout. The camera is available in classic black and also chic red colour kits. The Nikon D5500 is priced at BD399 and is available at Ashrafs showrooms and Ashrafs’ authorised retail partners in the Kingdom. Call Ashrafs on 17 520-219.
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marketplace
Icelandic Blonde, Celtic Red and Bali Bronze hair colour looks from the Toni&Guy Spring Summer Collection
JOZ SALON & SPA
Cool New Summer Hues The best and quickest way to refresh your hairdo is to add a touch of colour. Brighten up your look this summer with soft tresses in beautiful shades.
Add a touch of colour to spark up your summer
Changing your hair colour with the seasons can make you look trendier and fashion forward, while making your hair look more vibrant and healthy. Toni&Guy recently did a survey to find out how people use hair colour to brighten up their lives. Here are the findings - get inspired and embrace colour. Make a Major Change The colour technicians reported that nearly a third of those who want to get creative with colour, request a dramatic change to better reflect their individuality or to mirror fashion trends. These colour enthusiasts are likely to take the plunge and go from blonde to brunette, brunette to blonde or go red. Ombre, the dramatic two-tone tinting technique, is also high on the list. Express Your Inner Artist or Therapist Adding aesthetic appeal through highlights and pumped-up dimension came out as the second reason for going to the colourist, though an equal number of dye-hards colour their hair to boost mood or self-esteem. Stamp Out Stereotypes Forget about that old cliché, “blondes have more fun”. The colour pros reported that these days brunettes and redheads are regarded as every bit as exciting, thanks to celebrities like Christina Hendricks. Dream in Colour No matter what fuels your passion for colour, a colourist can take you there with the customisable
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fade-resistant Full Spectrum hair colour system, formulated with organic plant oils and manufactured with wind power. The Toni&Guy team is determining the styling trends for the season. Ice-white blonde was big in spring but you can give those platinum locks some movement for a softer finish. It’s perfect for fun in the sun and, if you’re a little daring, feel free to show some roots. However, there’s a fine line between looking unkempt and being fashion forward. Dark and Marilyn blondes can play with the wet look and opt for gel products to create a slick, retro style. Honey-streaked locks are perfect all year round. Sunny days call for rich caramel tones and you would’ve noticed that strawberry blonde is an evergreen summer look. Living on the cusp of blonde and brunette is perfect for sunny days as the light bounces off different shades. Going auburn isn’t a bad idea either. Adding auburn tones to the ends of brunette tresses is ideal this season. Burnt orange isn’t just for autumn and while the ombre trend still lingers, subtle dip-dyes are amazing. If you fancy the darker side of brunette, go for copper chestnut highlights. Super-dark raven is perfect for the slicked-back style, especially when you’re at pool parties. No matter what colour you’re rocking, it’s all about styling this summer and the experts at Toni&Guy are always there to give you tips. Call Toni&Guy on 17 001-700. www.bahrainthismonth.com
BOOK NOW FOR THAT NEW CONFIDENT YOU!
CALL 17001700
TONI&GUY SEEF MALL | BAHRAIN
marketplace
Sushi To-Go
ALOSRA
Bon Appétit In addition to buying premium produce from around the world, you can now also pick up your next ready meal at this fresh and friendly supermarket!
170 April 2015
The packed and ready to eat food items at Alosra are giving your neighbourhood restaurants a run for their money. Made from the freshest ingredients available in the market, these healthy preparations not only adhere to international standards of nutrition, but they also provide a delicious break during a hectic day. “Having a busy schedule makes it hard to pack lunch from home sometimes. We’ve all been in that situation where we’re at work and hungry, but just don’t know what to get. Most of the time, we end up opting for that easy, unhealthy fast food option and feel bad for it,” says Alosra’s food specialist, Sara Babar. “With our To-Go range, we really wanted to focus on providing customers with hearty, wholesome meals that they can grab on the go, eliminating the daily lunch dilemma.” The To-Go range boasts a wide selection that appeals to a variety of appetites and palates. From small portion salads, to light sandwiches, freshlyprepared sushi, wraps, pastas, biryani, fruits and mezze, there is a lot to choose from! Alosra employs trained staff to dish up neatly packed meals, eliminating any risk of spillage. So, the
next time you want to grab a quick bite, visit Alosra and look for the To-Go branded chillers. In addition to convenience, the meals offer great value for money and the wide variety of options means you can have something different each day of the week! Quality and value Serving the Kingdom with quality, premium products for more than three decades, Alosra supermarket provides fresh items at great value. Part of the BMMI Group, the store’s primary focus is on delivering quality with its wide range of carefully selected offerings. “We have always focused on offering the most premium-quality products in the Kingdom, to satisfy all the needs and tastes of our diverse base of loyal customers,” says Pavlos Babiolakis, Alosra’s marketing and product development manager. The supermarket also has a strong socially responsible character, which can be seen by its support towards local charities and campaigns and its continuous community investment. Call 17 697-558 or visit www.alosraonline.com. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Our new range is fresh, delicious, appetising, tempting and available - TO GO!
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marketplace
FRASER SUITES DIPLOMATIC AREA
Service With a Smile A brand spanking new residential suites hotel in the heart of the city, combining the finest facilities with the comforts of home, welcomes you this month.
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Whether travelling on business or pleasure, the convenient location of your stay plays an important role in the selection process for most. That is one of the appeals of Fraser Suites Diplomatic Area, which has opened its doors and is accepting reservations from this month. Fraser Suites Diplomatic Area is located in the epicentre of Bahrain’s banking and financial district and brings a twist of tradition and modernity to this lively capital. With its promise to be as welcoming as possible, Fraser Suites Diplomatic Area truly believes that guests always have the right to experience the best services. It features 114 one- and two-bedroom luxury suites, elegantly and lavishly designed and fully equipped for everyday needs. The facilities are second to none, with services ranging from restaurant and 24-hour room service, to indoor pool, gym, sauna, spa and Moroccan bath. A kids’ club, meeting rooms, business centre and concierge are also available, offering guests all the conveniences they deserve. The secret of organic beauty and relaxation lies in the luxurious spa. Certified Ilcsi aestheticians enhance natural beauty with award-winning facials, leaving skin glowing and feeling lighter, while the masseuses knead away the knots along with any troublesome thoughts. This unique property’s management sincerely believes the key to being a successful host is warmth, flexibility and an intuitive service. “We genuinely believe that to truly be guest-focused we must also adhere to the changes in our local community,” says the hotel’s spokesperson. “At Fraser Suites Diplomatic Area we try to approach the guest with service and culture in mind.
While our guests aren’t always here for leisure purposes, we still want them to experience local heritage even if it is in a non-direct way, as seen through our architecture and design. It is this promise of adaptability that is behind many packages and promotions at Fraser Suites Diplomatic Area and the main reason behind the opening special offers and the Formula One package. Our philosophy, as seen through the dedication of our team, is to ensure our guests come first.” Call 16 161-888 or visit www.diplomaticareabahrain.frasershospitality.com.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
marketplace YUSIF BIN YUSIF FAKHRO
Italian Kitchen Style Function and form come together in beautiful cookers from Yusuf bin Yusif Fakhro’s kitchen range.
From a company which celebrates 70 years in business in 2015 come up-to-the-minute kitchen appliances which not only make cooking easy and pleasurable but also add a designer touch to your culinary creation zone. Made by Bertazzoni La Germania, this new range of cookers is created for the 21st century home combining function and style to suit a range of tastes with hobs, single-piece worktops and adjustable heights to fit any kitchen. The Futura comes in a single oven option in either gas or electric with built-in gas hob or induction hob and hood. The large ovens are available in three options: fanassisted gas oven with a gas or electric grill or electric multi-function oven. All ovens have a tripleglass door and there is an option to include a wide, extractable inner glass door also.
Built-in ovens come in the same range of choices and have optional extras such as touch control, pyrolytic self-cleaning and electronic presets and smart settings. There is also a six-function oven which features an integrated microwave, conventional cooking function and electric grill. For the worktops there are five or six burner options, including a high-performance triple-ring burner, brass burner, cast-iron professional style supports for large pots and pans and there is also a griddle option. Built-in hobs come with a range of three, four or five burners or a four-zone ceramic hob. The Futura has distinctive features such as large, metal-finish hobs, a fascia thermometer and clock and a range of versatile matching accessories. The Americana is described as “a full-blooded, stainless steel cooker, a bold statement that brings a flash of transatlantic style to your kitchen”. The range features many of the same options as the Futura and includes large, soft-touch knobs with one-touch ignition and distinctive Bertazzoni La Germania features such as a solid handrail and fascia oven-temperature dial adding to the impressive high-tech look. The original Bertazzoni La Germania started in the late 19th century when Francesco Bertazzoni, founder of the dynasty, saw wood burning stoves arriving in his home town of Guastalla, Italy, via the new railroad from the industrial north. Together with his son Antonia, he decided to make his own stoves and before long the Bertazzoni name become known across Italy. The family built its first factory in 1909 and by the 1960s exports were heading across the Mediterranean area and soon further afield in Europe. By the late 1960s and early 70s Bertazzoni was selling cookers as far away as the Philippines and Singapore. Paolo Bertazzoni joined the family firm in 1981. With his sister Elisabetta, he gave fresh impetus to the company’s competitive edge, using top Milan designers to replace the products’ utilitarian look with Italian elegance and finesse. Bertazzoni cookers are today sold throughout Italy and exported to 60 countries around the world but, for all its modernisation and global marketing, Bertazzoni respects its roots in the traditions of Italian culture and style, and it remains a specialist in the very personal craft of cooking. Call 17 408-150.
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www.bahrainthismonth.com
Quality never goes out of style. First Pulsator Agitator Washer from Frigidaire in 1947 that fully automated the washing process
Generations and styles have changed, but consumers still demand quality and reliability. Frigidaire has fulfilled those needs for 95 years while providing innovations to simplify a busy life.
marketplace
CITIBANK
Spend More, Travel More One of the country’s leading banks has launched an exclusive campaign that will allow its customers to win big and explore the world.
Want to explore the world? Fancy a holiday? It’s easier than you think as Citibank Bahrain launches its exclusive travel series ‘Discover’, a campaign that gives Citi clients a chance to win airline tickets and travel to exciting cities around the world. The current destination on offer is Thailand! Whether you’d like to stroll through the bustling streets or relax on a remote beach, you could be heading to this dream destination if you’re one of the lucky Citi winners. To be eligible to win, Citi clients should have used their Citi credit cards from March 1, 2015 to April 30, 2015 for purchasing airline tickets, hotel reservations and spending in
foreign currency whilst abroad. The more a Citi client spends, the higher their chances of winning. “We are offering this exclusive opportunity to 10 lucky couples to reward our customers for using their Citi credit cards while planning their next trip. Payments using Citi’s credit cards offer added value to our customers that includes discounts on car rentals, access to airport lounges, complimentary travel insurance and more,” says Citibank Bahrain country business manager Navneet Kampani. The 10 wining couples will be selected through a raffle draw and will be informed in May 2015 by an SMS from Citibank. They will receive a statement credit of BD450, being the equivalent of two tickets to Bangkok, on their Citi Card statement. Visit www.citibank.com/bahrain.
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www.bahrainthismonth.com
FROM MELBOURNE TO ABU DHABI
WE CHALLENGE THE DRIVERS TO DELIVER THEIR FASTEST TIMES. The DHL Fastest Lap Award recognises the driver who consistently sets the best lap times during the season. The speed, precision and teamwork required reflect DHL’s own values as the Official Logistics Partner of Formula 1® . While the teams deliver excellence under pressure on the track, we do the same for our customers throughout the world, helping to make sure their businesses are always in pole position. www.dhl.com/inmotion
The F1 FORMULA 1 Logo, F1, FORMULA 1, FIA FORMULA ONE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP, GRAND PRIX and related marks are trade marks of Formula One Licensing BV, a Formula One group company. All rights reserved.
marketplace
RAMADA BAHRAIN
A True All-Rounder A business venue that also welcomes families and tourists.
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With its central location, comfortable rooms and excellent facilities, Ramada Bahrain is a popular choice with business and leisure travellers alike. Just 10 minutes’ drive from Bahrain International Airport, Ramada Bahrain has 119 spacious and tastefully designed, deluxe rooms and four junior suites all equipped with free wireless Internet, teaand coffee-making facilities, ironing board, in-room safes and the brand’s new Restonic ComfortCare beds. Rooms enjoy a panoramic view of the lush, landscaped gardens of the neighbouring Gudaibiya Palace. And, situated in the heart of Adliya, the hotel is just round the corner from the famed Block 338, the island’s famous gourmet sector where you will find restaurants catering to every taste from street food to high-end fine dining. If you prefer to eat in after a long day of business meetings or exploring the many nearby tourist attractions, the recently refurbished Le Jardin restaurant is open from 6am until midnight, offering a sumptuous breakfast buffet and an original menu throughout the day with monthly specials and a selection of beverages. Or chill out and relax in the Exchange English Pub, open daily from noon until 1am, where you will find games such as billiards and darts, a range of sports
on the wide-screen TVs and live music from the resident band to keep the atmosphere swinging. Other facilities include the Oasis swimming pool where you can beat the heat with a cooling dip and the mini-gym for those wanting to maintain their fitness regime away from home. There’s also the Oasis pool bar, with outdoor seating and thirst quenching cocktails from 10am to 7pm, and the Oasis Massage Centre where you can enjoy a pampering and relaxing treatment from professionally trained therapists six days a week. Le Rendezvous conference room is easily accessible directly from the main car park and is ideal for private cocktail parties or corporate seminars. It can hold up to 75 people in theatre set-up or 50 for a sit-down dinner. While Conference Suite 525 is ideal for smaller gatherings and executive meetings. Located on the fifth floor, it also enjoys the great views over Gudaibiya Palace gardens, and special rates are available for parties of 25 or fewer. If you’re stuck for a gift at the end of your stay, or find yourself missing an essential such as cosmetics or toiletries, the hotel also has a well-stocked gift shop in reception where you can pick up all sorts of local souvenirs and mementos of your stay. Call 17 742-000. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Feel the change
marketplace FITTINGS HOUSE
Bathing Beauties Though of course essential, there’s nothing to stop bathrooms being beautiful as well as functional with imaginative storage and colour combinations to make bath time a pleasure. Check out this range of custom-made vanity units from Fittings House for some design inspiration.
Dark and Brooding Move away from the classic white bathroom vanity unit with a dark wood option coupled with black sanitary ware. The combination makes a stunning impact while the sleek lines preserve the clean look.
Statement Piece Make a bold statement with a two-tone vanity , pick up the tones in your wall tiling and add stark lighting for a Hollywood feel that says fashion forward designer style.
Cool Caramel Choose cool caramel for a relaxing and welcoming guest washroom. Use the shelving space to display eye-catching accessories and luxurious toiletries to make visitors feel pampered.
Monochrome Magic The beauty of classic black and white is a pairing that never goes out of style. Add metallic elements to bring the look bang up to date and perhaps a flash of green to inject a touch of fun. Call 17 555-066.
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marketplace
K HOME & KITCHEN
Meeting Chefs’ Demands The best cooks need the best equipment and K Home & Kitchen is the place to find it.
182 April 2015
K Home & Kitchen is engaged in offering a wide range of branded commercial kitchen equipment to five-star hotels, restaurants, hospitals, catering companies, cafeterias, fast-food chains, coffee shops, bakeries etc as per the requirement of its end users. K Home & Kitchen is a one-stop shop for brands from Europe and the USA who are leaders in creative, innovative ideas for the food service industry which help to improve efficiency, reliability and profit. All items are well planned and designed, with advanced technology to support hoteliers in an extremely competitive market allowing them to develop their ideas confident of trust, quality and dedication and helping the hospitality and food service industries to keep apace of customers’ demands for both
excellent products and high levels of hygiene. K Home & Kitchen offers various equipment from cooking ranges, Bain Maries, walk-in and reach-in chillers and freezers, salad bars, hot and cold cabinets, fryers, grills, sinks, dishwashers etc. The company is also able to provide a complete solution from design to installation and start-up of commercial kitchens giving chefs the best environment in which to create great dishes. With an in-house qualified technical team K Home & Kitchen is ready to support and guide with technical suggestions from sales to maintenance and with a wide range of spares available to ensure smooth operations in the kitchen 24/7. Call 17 296-363.
www.bahrainthismonth.com
bystander
Middle East Oil & Gas Show 2015 HE Dr Abdul Hussain bin Ali Mirza, Energy Minister, inaugurated the 19th Middle East Oil & Gas Show at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa. The four-day event, which is being held under the patronage of HRH Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, gathered GCC energy ministers, international officials, researchers and specialists from the industry. HH Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister inaugurates the exhibition at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Conference Centre
AJM Signs Agreement Ctroniq (Headlinks) signed an official agreement with AJM Kooheji Group making it the official distributors for Ctroniq products. K Himavan, general manager, AJM Kooheji Group, Ali Akbar Khan, asst general manager, AJM Kooheji Group & Atheeq Ahmed, general manager, Headlinks (Ctroniq) at the signing ceremony.
Opening of Columbus Café Columbus Café opened at the new Seef Mall in Muharraq Management and staff of Columbus Café at the opening
www.bahrainthismonth.com
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marketplace THE CLOSETS
Growth Through Quality One of the island’s leading kitchens, closets and furniture manufacturers is going from strength to strength. Since its launch in 2007, The Closets has experienced runaway success thanks to its policy of using the very best in both materials and design technology. From a small family-run operation the company has gone on to open showrooms in Hamala, Sanad, Arad and Salmaniya as well as Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. The Salmanyia branch will soon relaunch under a fresh concept with a much larger display space to showcase new home furnishing products additional to the closets and kitchens. As well as manufacturing and installing its own customised kitchens and closets here on the island, the company also works with more than 20 global designers choosing only those whose high standards of design and quality match its own. And to add to customers’ confidence and satisfaction, The Closets provides a dedicated after-sales service centre and a 10-year warranty on its products which include closets, kitchens, bedrooms, wooden flooring, office furniture, television units and kitchen appliances. Future plans include a new customer care centre to make the experience even better. Satisfied clients include KFH head office, Capital Plus towers (25 projects), Durrat Marina (two towers), The Home at Hamala (20 villas), Dar Al Salam at Reef Island (three towers), The Grand at Seef (32 stories), Mazda showroom, Ministry of Information offices and the GPIC offices. And The Closets holds the ISO 9001:2008 quality management system certification assuring its strong partnership with global companies, use of technology, experience and capacity, machinery and production facility and storage and dispatch capabilities. Call 17 612-610 (Hamala Branch), 17 622-610 (Sanad Branch), 17 673-214 (Arad Branch), 17 277-010 (Salmaniya Branch), 00966-38 493-939 (KSA –Alkhobar Branch).
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www.bahrainthismonth.com
A spectacular new photographic book about the Kingdom of Bahrain by Andrew Weaver
“The first aerial photography book about Bahrain ever to be produced, containing over 250 amazing images shot almost entirely from helicopters”. In all leading bookstores now. For further information and corporate sales contact: (+973) 39445102 or email: weaverphoto@yahoo.com Available in 3 sizes.
marketplace
BAHRAIN EXHIBITION & CONVENTION AUTHORITY
Food-tastic Fiesta Prepare your taste buds for a culinary journey as the 7th Food & Hospitality Show gets underway this month, with food, drinks and competitions galore.
186 April 2015
This year is looking promising for Bahrain’s travel and hospitality services, what with a new tourist board in charge of promoting the country as a ‘boutique island’ and the recent opening of the landmark Four Seasons Bahrain Bay hotel, which has been warmly received by both residents and GCC visitors. To add to these developments in the industry, the Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority (BECA) is organising the 7th Food & Hospitality Show from April 28 to April 30. The expo is dedicated to the food, beverage and packing technology industries. More than 50 hotels and restaurants, as well as food processing and catering corporations, will display the latest in food produce and cuisine innovations. Aside from various displays of products and services, the event will feature Bahrain’s finest hotel chefs showcasing their culinary talents for a chance to win big. A series of live cooking presentations, a definite crowd pleaser in this culinary spring festival, will feature top chefs from the Sheraton Bahrain, The RitzCarlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa, Gulf Hotel Bahrain, Mercure Grand Hotel Seef, InterContinental Regency Bahrain and Al Areen Palace Hotel & Spa.
A barista competition, sponsored by Noor Al Bahrain, will also take place for the first time during the exhibition, with 25 local coffee houses taking part to showcase excellence in making the perfect espresso, cappuccino and signature coffees. The show, aimed at the GCC region and its strong demand for new products, will also offer visitors an insight into food and beverage trends of the future. The UAE, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Spain, Thailand and the USA will showcase their best dietary produce and competitive hospitality, with Egypt, France and Palestine also partaking in the event. Exhibitors representing Bahrain’s finest in the food and hospitality industry will also display their products and services, offering various tasty treats and snacks to visitors. Bahrain Gas, Al Aujan, Kanoo, Trafco, Al Jazira, Hotel & Restaurant Supplies, Al Maskati and Al Halabi are among the regular exhibitors at the annual food fair. Various embassies will be taking part with the Indonesian embassy and the Japanese embassy participating for the first time. Local friendship societies will also join the participants. Last year more than 7,000 visitors attended the food fair and this year a lucky few stand a chance to win a roundtrip ticket to spend a memorable vacation away from Bahrain. Hassan Jaffar, BECA’s chief executive officer, is optimist about the 7th Food & Hospitality Show, which will take place simultaneously with the Health & Wellness Show attracting health conscious visitors and fitness fans. Admission to the three-day show is free to the public. Visit www.foodexpbh.com. www.bahrainthismonth.com
Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre April 28th - 30th 2015
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www.foodexpbh.com
marketplace elements like ergonomic cut lines, mesh bonding and advanced construction techniques are highlighted throughout and each product features the special 10-year anniversary logo and the legendary Scuderia Ferrari F1 race team crest. Leading the collection is the Future Cat SF 10, a re-launch of the much-loved PUMA motor sport footwear silhouette that debuted in 2005 with PUMA’s first licensed Ferrari collection. This 10th anniversary partnership edition features a leather upper in authentic Ferrari Rosso Corsa red with the classic Future Cat tooling, the iconic PUMA Formstrip on the lateral side of each shoe and the official Scuderia Ferrari race shield on the heel. For female Scuderia Ferrari enthusiasts, PUMA has designed the Ferrari Lifestyle Wedge, which has a classic sneaker design with an inside wedge heel for extra height. It’s made from premium leather and features exclusive Scuderia Ferrari details including a commemorative anniversary tongue and Italian flag woven label, along with lace tips and a Scuderia Ferrari metal logo badge. The Ferrari Premium 10-year anniversary collection is available in the PUMA store at City Centre Bahrain. Mobium Elite Speed Ferrari
Call 17 178-046.
PUMA
Race Ready With Formula One just round the corner, a special edition Ferrari sports shoe collection might be just what you need to get you racing ready.
188 April 2015
Formula One fans, get your race outfits into gear and look the part with a new sports shoe that is just in time for the racing season. PUMA has launched the new Ferrari Premium collection, a capsule range celebrating the 10-year anniversary of PUMA’s partnership with Ferrari. Made in Italy with beautiful craftsmanship, this lifestyle collection features 10 high-end pieces, inspired by the racetrack. The result is a special edition product series that combines sophistication and sport, bringing the spirit of Scuderia Ferrari to this range of apparel, footwear and accessories. With the team starting the 2015 season in Melbourne, PUMA is celebrating a successful collaboration that began back in 2005. Over the last 10 years, PUMA has innovated with Ferrari to bring high-performance race and team wear to fans around the world. This series of special edition products, to mark the 10-year anniversary, exudes the spirit of the Scuderia Ferrari team, with passion, speed and innovation at its heart. PUMA has taken classic tailored styles and re-designed them to give a sporty look. The inventive world of Scuderia Ferrari inspires each item in the collection including the lifestyle and fan wear range of footwear, apparel and accessories. Design
evoSPEED 947
Future Cat SF 10
Suede Ferrari
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JUNAID PERFUMES
Fresh Fragrant Fusions A new freshness is in the air as one of the leading perfumers in the region launches its brand new fragrance for the season. With the new season comes a new scent. Junaid Perfumes introduces its latest addition, Sakura Spray, for the delicate woman who adores fresh aromas. Inspired by the traditional Japanese cherry blossom tree, which symbolises love and beauty, the new fragrance was specially created for the passionate woman. It opens with the gentle notes of fresh and sweet mandarin and lychee, leading your senses into a bouquet of warm roses and delicate jasmine, along with a beautiful contrast of rich cedar wood scent. The base note of sensual traditional musk, combined with the warm Arabian musk, makes this spray all the more unique.
“Sakura Spray is a glamorous and sophisticated signature spray that evokes a fresh, elegant and romantic combination at the same time,” says the company’s marketing director Fahad Jaweed Junaid. “I am confident that Sakura Spray, the scent of love and beauty, will gain our beloved customers’ admiration.” This distinctive spray is a valuable addition to Junaid Perfumes’ collection and comes in an attractive, transparent 100ml bottle, featuring an exceptional handcrafted cherry blossom tree, with ‘Sakura’ written in Japanese. Junaid Perfumes was established in 1910 and is one of the oldest perfumers in the GCC. The company has grown significantly in reputation and stature over the years and operates more than 150 exclusive retail outlets across the world today. Call 17 737-007.
Mathew, Cornelia & Smita
Expo Milan GCC Road Show Oman Air hosted a reseller presentation on ‘Expo Milano’ at the Sheraton Hotel Bahrain. The airline’s senior sales manager, Joseph Cusmano delivered a speech. Charles, Waleed, Fareed, Hasan, Joseph, Eric & Saji
Prashant
Merlyn
Shams
BMW Motorbike Launch Euro Motors unveiled the BMW S 1000 RR motorbike during a launch event at its showroom in Sitra. Management and guests with the motorbike
www.bahrainthismonth.com
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marketplace
PHOENICIA DÉCOR
Gautier Opens in Bahrain A leading French furniture manufacturer is making its debut in the Kingdom with the opening of a new franchise store this month.
190 April 2015
A brand new franchise furniture store opens its doors to the public this month. Gautier is a French manufacturer of practical, stylish and contemporary furniture with all its products made in the Vendée region. The company has been designing and making furniture since 1960 and employs 950 people, with over 100 stores across France and the rest of the world. A goldmine for ‘Made in France’ products, the Middle East has attracted a large number of French companies from a wide array of sectors, in particular, the luxury goods industry. So, it’s only apt that Gautier, the mark of French savoir-faire, is now expanding in the Middle East. Having already established itself in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman and UAE, by opening in Bahrain, the company aims to become the leading French manufacturer of contemporary furniture in these emerging markets. Gautier’s collection embodies the French furniture values of style, character and quality.
The store in Bahrain covers 288sq/m and the product range includes all types of furnishings, from living rooms, dining rooms, kids’ and teens’ furniture, to bedrooms, wardrobes and desks as well as accessories such as bed linen, cushions, vases, lighting, rugs and pictures. Gautier is dedicated to creating sustainable and affordable products, with a strong emphasis on design and creativity, quality and eco-commitment. The company built its reputation with children’s bedrooms and its forefathers always emphasised the importance of quality. These demanding standards continue today. Gautier products are designed in compliance with current French and European standards and it was the first French furniture manufacturer to obtain the triple QSE certification in quality, safety and environment. Phoenicia Décor is the distributor of Gautier furniture in Bahrain, located in Seef District. Call 17 564-444. www.bahrainthismonth.com
BALLARE SCHOOL OF PERFORMING ARTS
Dance: An Art Form Lose yourself in the captivating world of dance and drama as one of the island’s most popular dance studios prepares for an enchanting performance.
Dance is an art in itself and whether young or old, it’s a great way to express oneself. Ballare School of Performing Arts strives to encourage this notion and strongly believes in its slogan ‘Where passion and inspiration come together’. The studio’s mission is to empower students of all ages and abilities to nurture their talent and instil the love of music and dance. Every year, the Ballare School of Performing Arts holds several annual events, with the Annual Dance Show being its flagship event. This year, the school is preparing to present the Ballare Show 2015 ‘Cirque – An Enchanting Circus’ on May 1 and 2. The production follows the story of a young character who shifts constantly between reality and make believe, looking for a place where she truly belongs. Set in New York in the 1950s, Candice Clark, a beautiful, young blonde, blue-eyed girl dreams of a world of showbiz. Her one true wish for her ninth birthday is to go see the town circus, where her world changes as her escapades take her through a succession of genres that explore the infinite possibilities of a magical art form. Cirque is inspired by a combination of various Cirque Du Soleil shows and the classic story of Alice in Wonderland. This year, The Ballare School of Performing Arts has chosen to collaborate with The Dreams Society, a local charity which works towards realising the dreams of children affected with terminal illness and debilitating diseases. Call 17 300-021 or visit www.ballarestudio.com.
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April 2015 191
marketplace SHARIF GROUP
Style Meets Precision
Two renowned iconic brands have come together to create a luxurious watch collection that exudes panache, giving glamour and elegance a whole new meaning.
192 April 2015
The collaboration between one of the most prestigious Italian fashion brands, Roberto Cavalli Group, and the Swiss leader in the high-end watches sector, Franck Muller Group, is making a huge buzz in the market with its co-branding concept ‘Roberto Cavalli by Franck Muller’. This is a world premiere and for the first time in the history of co-operation a fashion house and a watchmaker have joined forces to craft a unique line of timepieces. This distinguished designer-watchmaker duo has launched the ‘Signature’ timepieces collection that combines the modernity of the Italian designer and the technical competence of the Swiss watchmaker. The collection is a luxurious fashion statement, inspired by and incorporating Roberto Cavalli’s unique style and representative elements like animal prints. The range, which is developed in steel, beautifully illustrates the Maison Cavalli emblem, featuring Swiss-made movements, anti-reflective sapphire crystals and semi-precious stones and comes with stunning leather straps or metal bracelets. Designed in a variety of shapes, these breathtaking watches blend the distinctive DNAs of both brands, resulting in a product that showcases sophistication and technicality in its true form. The perfect fusion of glamour, creativity and elegance has been the inspiration behind this gorgeous launch collection. Roberto Cavalli by Franck Muller watches will be sold in the flagship stores of Roberto Cavalli, in selective Franck Muller boutiques and in a chosen network of the best watch retailers around the world. The watches are available in Bahrain at A La Mode in Seef Mall, City Centre Bahrain, Enma Mall and Moda Mall.
Call Seef Mall on 17 580-200, City Centre Bahrain on 17 179-854, Enma Mall on 77 333-555 and Moda Mall on 17 534-646. www.bahrainthismonth.com
JAWAD SUPERMARKET
Great Selection. Great Service This leading supermarket remains popular with shoppers in the Kingdom thanks to its wide range of products and great customer service. Jawad Supermarket offers an impressive selection of the finest cuts of quality, fresh meat and poultry. Working closely with the best suppliers in the industry, the company aims to ensure that the products exceed customers’ expectations. The friendly and helpful staff will help you choose the freshest cuts that you can be sure are of the best quality. They are also on hand or help you put together some family favourites such as ground beef, chicken and many other specialties. Pioneers in the supermarket concept, Jawad opened its first store in 1960 in Manama, bringing to Bahrain a range of unique goods, celebrated brands, fresh, wholesome produce, top quality meat, cheese, deli and bakery products. Since those early days, Jawad Supermarket has been recognised for its consistency and reliability, distinguished always by high standards of quality and friendly, prompt service. Jawad Supermarket at Barbar opened its doors in 1980 to a warm public welcome, becoming Bahrain’s first state-of-the-art supermarket.
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Its magic lies in many things, but not least in its irresistibly fresh produce, meat, deli, cheese and bakery products at prices that are competitive and don’t pinch! Call Jawad Supermarket, Barbar on 17 691-010 and The Centre, Nwaidrat on 17 700-123.
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FROM A SINGLE BRICK IN 1991... WE HAVE GROWN INTO A HOUSE
Tel: (+973) 17 813 777 Fax: (+973) 17 813 700 | P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Bahrain | Address: Villa 1533 | Road 2426 | Block 324 | Bahrain
The project will furnish housing units built by the Ministry of Housing
Fereej VIVA team with Mr Al Hamar, fourth from left
VIVA
Developing Sustainable Communities With the local community’s interests at heart, one of the largest telecom companies on the island has collaborated with the Ministry of Housing to lend a helping hand.
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VIVA Bahrain has always been a strong player in its industry for upholding and taking its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) seriously. It has gone a step further in an effort to give back to the community by launching ‘Fereej VIVA’, its newest CSR initiative under ‘VIVA Jusoor’, with the first project to be deployed in collaboration with the Ministry of Housing. The unveiling was attended by HE Basim Bin Yacob Al Hamar Minister of Housing and VIVA’s chief executive officer Ulaiyan Bin Mohammed Al Wetaid. Fereej VIVA is a sustainable community scheme that will incorporate various social programmes. The first project involves furnishing housing units built by the Ministry of Housing, with the aim of benefiting Bahraini women, including divorcees and widows, who have been selected based on their financial status assessed through application. The programme is in line with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s vision of providing the best housing services for citizens with a limited income to ensure they lead a quality life. Mr Al Hamar expressed his delight on the partnership with VIVA Bahrain, stressing that such initiatives, led by the private sector, highlight the level of awareness these companies give to their role in helping the community. He also emphasised that the social responsibility programmes of the private sector are considered one of the main pillars in assisting the government’s continuous efforts to support community growth. “The Ministry of Housing supports and encourages such initiatives and looks forward to partnering with the private sector to further extend a helping hand to the different segments of the community,” he said.
Mr Al Wetaid, left, with Mr Al Hamar
Mr Al Hamar thanked VIVA Bahrain for launching an initiative like ‘Fereej VIVA’ that backs the housing sector by providing the basic needs for beneficiaries. He also highlighted that this initiative is gaining great importance as it coincides with the latest government initiatives that aim to fulfil the royal vision of providing the best and finest appropriate housing services to low-income citizens, to ensure stability and provide a decent living. “We are pleased to launch ‘Fereej VIVA’. VIVA’s success can be attributed to the local community’s trust and confidence,” said Mr Al Wetaid. “We would like to congratulate the citizens who have benefited from this housing initiative and are proud of our successful partnership with the Ministry of Housing. We reiterate our continuous support to charitable and humanitarian programmes that benefit society.” A special committee has been formed by VIVA to conduct an in-depth study of the applicants who are qualified for the ‘Fereej VIVA’ programme, based on their financial status. Visit www.viva.com.bh. April 2015 195
bystander
Felipe, Fatima, Mia & Jean
Bumali & Frances
Urban Nest Exhibition A group exhibition titled Urban Nest curated by Melchior de Tinguy was held at Malja Bahrain at Amwaj islands. Quentin de Pimodan & HE Bernard RĂŠgnauld-Fabre, French Ambassador
Sarah & Ramah
Mohammed
Lina, Marzia & Andraya
Charles & Isabelle
Marie & Brice
Veronica
Noor & Said
A guest admires the exhibits
www.jfcbahrain.com
196 April 2015
www.bahrainthismonth.com
winwin Bahrain This Month gives readers an exclusive chance to win watches from Sharif Group.
AD SEEK
To win, all you have to do is correctly answer the questions below.
1
2
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Which international artist is the headline act for the 2015 Formula One Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix entertainment? ___________________________ How many schools are taking part in The Sovereign Art Foundation School Prize 2015? ___________________________ Which renowned hip hop artist is coming in May for the Jam Up event? ___________________________ What was the name of the magazine that the GDN editor-inchief George Williams started editing at the age of 15? ___________________________
HINT: You can find the answers in this issue of BAHRAIN THIS MONTH.
Who got it right? Bahrain This Month received 76 entries last month, 61 of which answered all the questions correctly. Congratulations to everyone, particularly our three winners: Winner : Giselle Baylon Second Place : Bilal Abdulla Third Place : Jocelyn Morallo
Last month’s solutions 1. John Legend 2. Jump 4. Joss Stone 5. Rasoi by Vineet 6. Oliver Glowig 7. The Secret Police 8. Captur 9. Bahrain International Circuit 10. Qatar
6
Which celebrity chef opened three restaurants at Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay? ___________________________
2. Juffair Fitness Center
7
Which restaurant and hotel is hosting a Momo promotion in April? ___________________________
8
What model was driven for the ‘Back Seat Chat’? ___________________________
9
When is the Volvo XC90 scheduled to launch? ___________________________
10
How much horse power does the new Ford Expedition have? ___________________________
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A RIFF Your 1.French home now in Bahrain
3. New Zealand
Who is performing at the Skybar at Hotel Diva on April 3? ___________________________
5
This is a fun game for all readers. Each of these pictures is taken from advertisements in this issue of BAHRAIN THIS MONTH. All you have to do is identify the ad and mark your answer below each ad clipping. So test your observation skills, and you may be a winner!
2.
Ad Seek
Tel. 17.564444 - Fax. 17.564466 email: phodecor@ba Seef district, facing Ritz Carlton Entrance - Palace
1. Premier Hotel/Atiram Hotels
Now o
3. McDonald’s National Breakfast Day 4. Renault Captur
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
3. 17685_CCB_Spring15_BTM_27.8X21.6cm.pdf
1
3/30/15
10:08 AM
RIFFA Tel. 7 7 3 6 6 3 3 3 / 77366600
Email:
CPR:
Entry deadline is every 15th of the month. The winner will be selected at random. Please include your full name, CPR number, address and telephone number, and mail to: Win Win, Bahrain This Month, PO Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain.
4. April 2015 197
tarotscope
ARIES
Mar 21 – Apr 20 April is your month, Aries, and for many sharing this sign it could prove the most productive period of the year for you. After a number of disappointments and false starts on the business front, things will begin to look like they are really moving somewhere now and this will give you good heart after some difficult times recently. You are also going to feel much more appreciated and this will make your work output all the more productive as a consequence. If you have any concerns about a partner’s feelings towards you then why not approach them about it. You may be surprised to learn that they have something very special to tell you! Card of the Month — The Moon For a detailed, personalised Tarotscope reading, contact Raphael by email: raphael@tarotscope.org.uk
TAURUS April 21 – May 20
CANCER June 21 – July 20
There is an element of mystery in the air this month concerning a woman who suddenly makes an appearance in your working life. For any female Cancerians she will come across as a formidable obstacle to a proposed project or plan. For some men, she will be a desirable challenge whose bite is a good deal greater than her bark. Any sexist males – you have been warned! It might seem exciting to start with but the novelty will soon wear off once reality sets in. On matters financial, a loan may be required to service a car but be careful who you borrow the money from. The contract small print could conceal a charge you were not aware of. Card of the Month — The World
LEO July 21 – August 21
This month will see final closure on a long running emotional distraction and you are likely to feel that a huge burden has been removed from your shoulders as a consequence. For the first time in a long while you will be able to see your future for what it really is and whilst not everything will be as rosy as you might like, at least you will be able to better plan your progress for the coming months. Romantically, an unsatisfactory relationship is forcing you to seriously reconsider your commitment to a partner, and as you are going through a process of change, you might want to get everything out in the open and sorted all at once. Card of the Month — Page of Swords
VIRGO August 22 – September 21
Times are changing for you and this month could see a longterm relationship finally come to a close. Perhaps things have simply run their course; perhaps it is time for a natural change. Whatever the reason, April will mark the beginning of a phase in your life that sets the world as you know it on a course upon which it will remain set for some time to come. A young person may come to you for financial assistance but you should consider their motives before parting with any money. It might not be as cut and dried as you initially think. If any of you have been thinking about a trip away then take advantage of a window of opportunity in the middle of the month. It will be worth it! Card of the Month — Three of Cups
LIBRA September 22 – October 21
Financially things are likely to be very good for you this month, with a big windfall landing on your lap sometime around the 21st that will really arrive out of the blue but set you up for a comfortable few months ahead. Emotionally, things might not be so clear-cut. A new relationship you have recently embarked upon is struggling to go anywhere so you need to quickly decide whether it’s really worth the effort. If you remain unclear on your feelings then it’s probably best to close matters before things get too involved. It would appear that the other person concerned is a lot more interested than you are so tell them before they fall in any deeper. Card of the Month — Four of Cups
If there’s someone who has caught your eye then April should act as the catalyst for you to kick some romance back into your life and make a determined effort to get yourself noticed. Don’t be fooled by the individual’s apparent lack of interest since this exterior sign is most certainly only a façade. Beneath the seemingly unconcerned exterior lies a similarly interested person who will need little encouragement to give you a chance. Just be sure to act yourself and not try to change your character to suit the likely party. The 30th is significant since you may set a dinner date on this day with the person of your dreams. Card of the Month — Two of Wands
GEMINI May 21 – June 20 Have you been feeling lately that everyone around you relies upon you for everything? Do you sometimes think that a little help from those closest to you would make a lot of difference in your life? Well, if you have some affinity with these two questions then perhaps it is time for you to put your foot down and exercise a little of that fiery temperament you are so famed for. For too long now you have been taken advantage of and the situation has to change. Make those who take you for granted work a little harder for your attention and spend more time on yourself. You’re worth it – as long as you believe it! Card of the Month — The Magician
April will see you reflecting on the last few months, drawing you into a more thoughtful and self-analytical phase as you reassess your working role. It could be that you are feeling unsatisfied or even unappreciated in your job and the need for a more challenging role forces you to take steps towards a change. Use the skills that are at your disposal and assess your own strengths. You may be surprised to discover that you have a few more talents then you were aware of and utilising such abilities could result in significant financial rewards. The 7th sees a call from a friend seeking help but don’t be taken in by crocodile tears and try to remain objective. Card of the Month — The Hanged Man
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SCORPIO October 22 – November 21
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advertisers index SAGITTARIUS November 22 – December 21
Troubling news will reach your ears around the 14th of this month and you will be drawn into a conflict of some consequence when you discover that a colleague has been undermining your efforts in the workplace and taking credit for your own endeavours. How you handle the matter will dictate what action is taken but you shouldn’t be afraid to protect your interests nor take things through to whatever conclusion is required. If you have been concerned at all about a young family member’s state of health then you should consider taking the person to the doctor because whilst not serious – it would seem that your worries are not without foundation. Card of the Month — Seven of Swords
CAPRICORN December 22 – January 21
A recent death has left you feeling isolated and full of questions about your life this April and for the first time you are even doubting the hitherto rock solid relationship. This profound change could lead to you insisting on some time away alone to reassess your options and gather your thoughts again ahead of what is going to be an uncertain time. On the work front things could be a lot clearer and a good opportunity to change positions will be presented to you around the 17th. Try not to spend too much time thinking about it just grab the opportunity with both hands and see what happens. Being impulsive is something you excel at and your gut instincts usually serve you very well. Card of the Month — The Sun
AQUARIUS January 21 – February 20
You have been hit by a wave of enthusiasm and drive this month. Much of it can be attributed to the appearance of a new person in your life who has allowed you to emerge confidently from your shell and stamp your personality emphatically on the world around you. How long this new sense of urgency and determination will last is anyone’s guess but in truth while you are feeling this way its best to take advantage of the situation and channel that energy towards some positive pursuits. You are a completely different person when you let go of your inhibitions and many people will be pleasantly surprised by the inner character that emerges. Card of the Month — Strength
PISCES February 21 – March 20
You have not been feeling your best recently and it could be that an old injury is flaring up and may require medical assistance. Get this looked at because trying to ignore it isn’t the solution and the longer you leave matters the worse they may get. On matters of family those of you with children may have to come to terms with a very difficult reality and the prospect of a massive upheaval and change in your circumstances should not be ruled out. April 23rd could be a lucky day for you – especially if you are thinking about treating yourself. You could come across the bargain to end all bargains if you keep a keen eye out for it! Card of the Month — Five of Wands
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Jackie Chan
Robert Downey Jr.
Mariah Carey
FAMOUS PISCES THIS MONTH
Fashion & Footwear
Bhs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Lakeland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Madre & Padre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 PUMA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2,3
Financial Institutions
Citibank N.A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . IBC State Bank of India . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Home & Furnishing
Fittings House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Phoenicia Decor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 The Closets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Hotels & Serviced Residences
Crowne Plaza Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . 149 Fraser Suites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173 Ramada Hotel Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . 179 Ramee Baisan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156 Ramee California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157 The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel . . 129 The Four Seasons Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 The Gulf Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139 The K Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Jewellery & Watches
Ashrafs (Casio) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167 Asia Jewellers (Raymond Weil) . . . . . 6 Asia Jewellers (Van Cleef & Arpels) . IFC Sharif Group (Roberto Cavalli) . . . . . . 15
Motoring
A.A. Bin Hindi (KIA Motors) . . . . . . . . . . . 95 Al Haddad Motors (Mercedes-Benz) . . . 85 Almoayyed Motors (Ford) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Behbehani Brothers (Audi) . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Ebrahim K. Kanoo (Kanoo Daily Rental) . 41 Euro Motors (BMW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . BC First Motors (Hyundai) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93 Mohd Jalal & Sons (Suzuki) . . . . . . . . . . 102 Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons (Infiniti) . . . . . . . 29 Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons (Nissan) . . . . . . . 99 Zayani Motors (Mitsubishi) . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Others
Al Ghalia Co. (Dessange) . . . . . . . . . 165 Al Hilal Group (Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77,81 Al Kindi Specialised Hospital . . . . . . 193
Alosra Supermarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171 AXA Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Backet McInroy Consultancy . . . . . 162 Bahrain City Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Bahrain Concierge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Bahrain Exhibition & Convention Authority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187 Ballare School of Performing Arts . . 35 CBRE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 DHL International . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177 G4S Bahrain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Jawad Business Group (Jawad Supermarket) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Jawad Business Group (The White Company) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Joz Salon & Spa (Toni&Guy Hairdressing) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169 Juffair Fitness Center . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 K Home & Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183 Lulu Hypermarket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Nadeen School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Pegasus Real Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Picture Arabia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Primedia International . . . . . . . . . . . 181 Punchline Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Seven Brands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 St.Christopher’s School . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Syed Junaid Alam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191 The SAF Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 The Tiger Who Came To Tea . . . . . . . 33 University College of Bahrain . . . . . 106 Yusif Bin Yusif Fakhro (Frigidaire) . . 175
Restaurants & Cafés
Cafe Amsterdam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Chili’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152 Coral Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4,5 Cucina Italiana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161 Engie’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109 Hard Rock Cafe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147 Lanterns Lounge & Restaurant . . . . 127 Maki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 McDonalds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 Mooyah Burgers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 RIC’s Kountry Kitchen . . . . . . . . . . . . 140 Romano’s Macaroni Grill . . . . . . . . . 137 Sumo Sushi & Bento . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Telecommunications
Viva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
BTM retail sales outlets BAHRAIN THIS MONTH, your guide to a great way of life, is available at the following selected outlets:
● 24 Hours Market, all outlets ● Al Hilal Bookshops, all outlets ● Al Jazeera Supermarket, all outlets ● Alosra Supermarket, Saar ● Bab al Bahrain Souvenir Shop ● BooksPlus, all outlets ● Burhama Cold Store ● Classic Shop, Bab Al Bahrain ● Elite Supermarket, Hoora ● Supermarket, Awali ● Jawad Supermarket, all outlets ● Jim’s Restaurant ● Mega Mart, all outlets
● Miami Cold Store, Adliya ● Midway Supermarket, all outlets ● Park Supermarket, Mahooz ● Waitrose Supermarket, Amwai ● Other leading Cold Stores and
News Stands All Gulf Daily News home subscribers receive a complimentary copy of BTM. You can also subscribe directly by visiting www.bahrainthismonth.com For subscription enquiries and back issues of BTM, call 17 813-777.
Photos Copies of most pictures depicted in this publication (and some which aren’t) are available from National Photo Services, Gudaibiya 17 742-955. April 2015 199
lastword GEG HOPKINS Spoiler warning: The following article contains flash photography and an authentic sense of humour embodied with language which many who have lost touch with reality will find offensive. Furthermore, the risk of triggering bouts of Jeremy Clarkson syndrome for those affected is quite high.
Don’t you just love living in Bahrain where political correctness has as much presence as Casper in a bacon factory here? Bahrain is the classic Hotel California; ‘You can check out anytime, but you can never leave’. Utterances like; ‘How dare you’ and ‘apologise now’ are as rare as unicorn dung and you are going nowhere with it even if you try. So for the ‘PColics’, here’s an apology before you palpitate; ‘Sorry, you are in Bahrain and you love it. Get over it – now’. It confuses the life out of expatriates of the appeasement generation who have elsewhere collectively dominated not only what we say, but how we must appease, live and act among each other. A particular flare up issue is and always will be the imported and imposed cultures; those who, in principle, leave their unhappy and often violent homesteads to pursue a better life in the West, but through bloated political correctness are allowed to create what they left behind in the new paid for home. ‘No problem’ reads the flyer; just make sure you vote Socialist. Wait! Sit down, you are having a Jeremy Clarkson reaction already. Is it ok to carry on now? So, you have arrived on these shores and are initially horrified by the total disregard for sensitivities, other than religion, but have somehow fallen in love with the place. A conundrum as Radio Bahrain’s Mr Fisher would put it and Christopher Hitchings a selfproclaimed Marxist, Neo Conservative (no confusion there then) and polemicist – expounded as to how depressed he was. Even 200 April 2015
he couldn’t fight his own doctrine. Confused he says; ‘Living in a country where you can be told “That’s offensive” as if those two words constitute an argument’. While Da’esh physically and terminally wipe priceless artifacts off the earth, limp ‘Peeceeuraucrats’ as far afield as Alaska have engaged in apocalyptic paternalism for the past 40 years or more. This culminates in the abstract removal of one of life’s greatest arts, by actively suppressing any form of laughter as they attempt to eliminate all traces of ‘a sense of humour’, simply because it is deemed offensive to someone somewhere; known or unknown, close by or maybe 50,000 light-years away, or even dead. ‘They’ have near succeeded too, judging by the number of trolls out there. Clarkson’s antics, hype or real, have started a colossal world opinion war, which could be the obtuse catalyst for a physical revolution. The BBC chocolate box boss says with naïve brainwashed, privileged but amateur confidence; ‘No individual is bigger than the show’. Oh, really sir, and on which piece of Marxist Fabian parchment does it support that? In this case Mr Luvvie might consider calling his chiropractor to help him extract his head from behind his belly button. And, if Jonofon Roff gets the job, it would be a war crime. It is strikingly obvious; UK and
Europe in particular are a mess with a massive volcano about to erupt, as missionary statements commanded by this now echelon of society are being challenged. Forcibly by law ‘they’ have dictated speech content using a viral language called ‘clichéd rhetoric’ in response to anyone who starts a sentence with the words; ‘I think’. Despite the plethora of peroxide blondes on Fox News never having wanted to master ‘clichéd rhetoric’, the unearthly profusion of closet members at the BBC are extremely fluent in it. Ask yourself, why did Esperanto fail? Because words like ‘foreign’ (eksterlandaj) and ‘obese’ (graso bastardo) were just too long. The echelon, ‘they’ have successfully been forcing equalisation and drabness upon us, even degrading exam standards so as not to offend the dopey. With droves of ‘clichéd rhetoric’ speakers in tow; mouthpieces like the BBC and newspapers such as The Guardian, Independent, Huffington Post and a good few more, literally ‘speak for us all’. Megalomaniac egos overpower reason, with a desire to make us all totally indistinguishable from each other. You know the rules; do not profile at a crime scene or airport. Vanquish all thoughts that this person might be different because they have a beard or wear tribal like clothes and enforce colour blindness on everyone.
Here’s a simple tip to detect ‘they’ when being subliminally nobbled. Every time you listen to a radioadvertising message, promotions, current affairs presenters and now so-called entertainers, be conscious of the voice and demeanour. It is almost like it is one voice or clone of for all now; this incessant sickly, girly sing song replica of that BBC pop channel implant, spewing out insincere happiness. The liberally infected ‘Pronoun Virus’ ever present as she hangs words at the end of every sentence. Je suis all ‘WE’. If not her, then it is an equally effeminate male (we think) with a lisp, doing much the same. The Star Gate is somewhere in the Metrological Office. Whoops! Severe Clarkson moment. Doctor!!! Plus, clock the clothes, particularly worn by BBC presenters. The female species so often wear vibrant blue and bright yellow and is as significant as a bird mating ritual. Blokes removing ties would be just too much for now, so wear red and even have the gall to wear arm bands if Bono from U2, Paul McCartney or Bob ‘Comfortably Numb’ Geldof strike up a cause. It is all so incestuous and closed shop. Clarkson has never been part of that, having slipped through the corridors years ago and like double jeopardy managed to hang on, but it was never going to be easy. www.bahrainthismonth.com