Worth its salt!

Gulf Weekly

01-05-2025

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Oceanic wonders were on display at InterContinental Bahrain's newly launched seafood night, The Hook, offering my dining companions and me the perfect start to our weekend.
The sheer variety on offer at this 'upmarket' event – fresh catch like lobster, oysters, sea bream, salmon and more, and a wide range of appetisers and mains – dazzled us, to say the least.
The dim-lit ambience and intimate setting at Regency Tent on the first floor of the property immediately put my 'partners in brine' and me at ease. I sprinted to the raw bar, which was the star of the evening. Our generous hosts offered to cook my selection of the golden seafood according to my preference – grilled or fried. I decided to place my trust in the able hands of the chefs, who certainly did not disappoint.
While my food was being cooked, I checked the rest of the items, including clams, cockles, a variety of local and international fish, and shrimp that were almost the size of my hand! I might have to return to InterContinental Bahrain to taste what I could not this time.
I decided to be brave and try my first oyster. Pushpa, at the buffet counter, effortlessly shucked the mollusc right in front of my eyes and gave it a quick rinse to get rid of the excess salt. I topped my oyster with the classic lemon juice, which lent it a desired tang without overpowering its delicate flavours – a gentle savouriness enveloped in umami goodness. That I did not stop at one is a testament to how much I enjoyed it.
Poached shrimp and shellfish were also available, which I relished as much as the rest of the items. By this time, our grilled food was ready and served at our table. I seldom run out of words but one bite and I was speechless. The lobster stole the show for me with its springy, yielding texture and a sweetness so balanced with the saltiness of the sea that it was a party in my mouth.
My grandmother, who loved seafood with a fervent passion, always said that the litmus test of any seafood's freshness is how it tastes when it is not doused in spices and aromatics. I fully understood what she meant that evening – these marine treasures in their purest form were steeped in flavour.
You cannot have a seafood night without sushi and The Hook features a dedicated counter for these Japanese creations.
A heads up - bring a jacket because it can get a bit chilly after a while. We were impressed by the mindfulness of our hosts to keep everything fresh and hence, lower the temperatures at the venue.
We further whetted our appetites that were already aroused with all of this goodness, tucking into items from the impressive salad bar. Surprise, surprise… there were plenty of themed creations like salmon Cobb and seafood Caesar. The Dill Salmon, Beetroot Salmon and Citrus Salmon slivers beckoned for repeats and I obliged. The presentation on some of the dishes was impressive, like the Southeastern Pickled Shrimp appetiser served in an immaculate shell.
I recommend the salmon and mango tacos and mini seafood burritos, which lent a fun Mexican spin to the buffet. I particularly enjoyed the seafood chowder – a rustic dish elevated by potent oceanic juices.
For mains, I chose to stick to a comforting plate of white rice drowned in a flavour-packed Seafood Laksa Curry. A Malaysian creation made with a bunch of aromatics and coconut milk, it had a flavour profile that was close to fish curries from my hometown, Mangalore in India - only better.
There were many Arab creations like Fish Sayadieh and Shrimp Machboos – I had to try one spoon of the latter despite being full because the aroma was irresistible.
Those looking for a surf and turf experience can tuck into traditional dishes like Madrouba Rubiyan or even modern classics like Grilled Chicken Breast in Mushroom Sauce, and international creations like Beef Sofrito.
Desserts displayed on a separate counter ended our enjoyable sojourn and although there was a delightful mix of Arabesque and international sweeties, I stuck to some fruit and a slice of decadent carrot cake, which was moist and airy.
If you love seafood or are looking for a place to start exploring this genre of cuisine, I recommend heading to InterContinental Bahrain and experiencing The Hook, which runs every Thursday from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. If you spot me there, say hi!