Breaking fast across borders

Gulf Weekly

06-03-2025

Although breaking your fast at the end of the day and sharing Ramadan meals with family and loved ones is deeply rooted in tradition and faith, Bahrain has managed to blend in its unique history as a meeting place of cultures to offer a culinary tour around the world at every iftar and ghabga feast.
Amongst these 'adventures on a plate', the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay manages to stand out with a stellar offering of live stations, appetisers, mains and of course, desserts.
This year, during the media iftar, the GDN Media team stopped by the five star property to sample ts all-time favourites and get a preview of their new additions to the sumptuous spread and were welcomed by the hotel's general manager Jason Rodgers,
As we walked towards the Al Manama Ballroom and the Ramadan tent, through an entrance dotted with Bahraini and Arab spice-inspired decor, we appreciated the attention to detail from the Four Seasons team to making every dining experience an unforgettable one.
The hotel's PR and marketing communications director Tugce Goksel noted that on the culinary front, this year, the hotel has more than 20 live stations offering everything from soft-serve ice cream to fresh bibimbap.
For appetisers, I loaded up on shrimp fatteh from the dedicated Byblos station, as well as sushi prepared by chefs from the property's popular Re Asian Cuisine fusion restaurant.
My sampling strategy this time was focused on the new additions, my favourite of which was the bibimbap.
With a name that translates to mixing (bibim) and cooked rice (bap), this Korean dish's highlight is the array of pickled vegetables that are served atop a bed of rice.
Topped with a sunny-side-up egg that doubles as a sauce for the dish, every bite is scrumptious and varied depending on your choice of pickles, ranging from kimchi to mushrooms.
While it may sound surreal to enjoy Korean food at a Ramadan experience in an Arab country, it is, in many ways, an epitome of what the GCC has become known for - bringing everyone to the dining table.
In this spirit, I continued my eating tour across the continents with Indian chaat, Japanese takoyaki, Arabic shish tawook, French crepes, Bahraini ouzi, pizza and more.
To top it off, we were spoiled for choice amidst desserts, and I settled on a delectable souffle with soft serve ice cream, although it was difficult to turn away from the cheese kunafa, Bahraini halwa and Um Ali.
Executive pastry chef Imad Boukli also managed to tempt us with his personal favourite - the pomegranate frozen yoghurt.
Meanwhile, a karak chai station as well as dates and dry fruits station satisfied those in our dining party with an eye on their sugar levels.
We will definitely be back to enjoy the ghabga experience, which features live musical performances.
Iftar, held from sunset to 8pm, costs BD37 per person, inclusive of beverages, while ghabga, from 9pm to 2am, ranges between BD40 and BD44 per person depending on the day and choice of dining location between Al Manama Ballroom and Ramadan Tent.
Both iftar and ghabga are priced at BD20 for children aged six to 12, and those under six can enjoy with the hotel's compliments.
A Premium Experience is also offered at the tent during ghabga, featuring exclusive butler service and a full table of the finest mezze and mains. The cost is BD55 per person for a minimum of four people and BD220 for three people or less.
Youngsters can also activities such as painting, classes, scavenger hunts and arts and crafts in the children's area.
On Gergaoun, the 14th night of Ramadan, a traditional band, distribution of sweets, games, henna, a bouncy castle, and face painting will be the highlight of the tent from 6pm to 8.30pm, available for guests with an iftar reservation.