Born to be Wild!
It is so exciting to welcome back one of Bahrain's favourite dining destinations to the kingdom's highly competitive Friday Brunch scene … and even more thrilling to report that the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel dishes up a different dining experience full of five-star fabulousness.
'This is where great weekends begin' is the theme for its 'WILD locally global' eatery and The Wild Brunch menu offers table service with sharing options and a few extra surprises thrown in for good measure, with only the desserts presented buffet-style.
German Oliver Webber, clearly a hands-on director of all things culinary and F&B at the hotel, and his team, have cleverly observed the competition and looked for gaps in the market, with this brunch opening later than most and offering a post-brunch extra for those who want to pay a little extra for the pleasure of having the fun continue into the evening outside.
They may just have hit on to a winning combination if Friday's opening extravaganza is anything to go by.
As reported in the GDN late last year, the newly-renovated Sheraton Bahrain reopened at its iconic location in the heart of Manama, with a renewed focus on attracting business and family clients from across the region and the globe.
The 210-room hotel is located next to the Bahrain World Trade Centre and Moda Mall, 15 minutes away from Bahrain International Airport and a quick walk down the road from the Manama Suq, making it an ideal destination for both business and leisure travellers.
It can now also boast one of the trendiest brunch offerings on the island.
Last Friday, Japanese emperor Nikkei oyster, poached Alaskan king crab leg and king prawns and Peruvian ceviche - fresh fish marinated with lime and leche de tigre - came on the Seafood Stand (with gloves provided for those who don't want to pick up the fare in their uncovered paws and lick the delights off afterwards!). On the sides were home baked, roasted farm bread with tomato spread and olives, plus melted Provolone, an Italian semi-hard cheese, with basil, tomatoes and baguette bread.
The service was prompt, polite and personable, so a special mention must to go to our table servers Ashley and Ajay. You can have the hottest chef in town but if the service is slow and miserable you may as well shut up shop. I will be back because this delightful duo made me and my table guests so welcome. Special thanks also to WILD restaurant manager Rita Garcia and restaurant and bar manager Ekaterine Usanetashvili who, alongside Oliver, must have made general manager Thomas Flindt proud.
The 'shareables' came both cold and hot. The healthy beetroot, kale, fennel and feta salad with a delightful citrus grain mustard dressing had the taste buds tingling and the Mediterranean falafel and avocado bowl was beautiful.
It was then time to turf and surf, if you get the meaning, and two of my favourite main courses meant I didn't have to miss out on either one.
The pesto quinoa risotto with pan-seared seabass was perfect and the lemon-braised beef short ribs with potato pear puree were simply 'lush', to highlight a word used in the UK to mean 'really good'.
As any seasoned professional restaurant critic will tell you, always leave room for dessert. Choices included a Kunafa pistachio cheese cake, that proved a particular hit with my Bahraini friends, Peach and Blackberry Tart with vanilla sauce, a raspberry hazelnut tart and a delightful Dulche de leche Tiramisu.
Soon to arrive was a bonkers Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich, different, I've to give it that but if you check out the Serious Eats website … in 'Sicily you may as well call it breakfast'. I prefer a drizzle of honey in mine but it takes all sorts and who am I to argue with the Mafia's favourite sweet treat.
Throughout, a delightful duo with a vivacious female vocalist entertained. Alejandra Del Pino smartly took note to turn down the volume until the party warmed up which was polite and professional and allowed for folk to chat and chuckle at the start of the session. Those who stayed for the evening entertainment thoroughly enjoyed the sounds of the charismatic singer with a full band outside on stage in the glorious weather.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Gulf Insider
"Worse Than The 2008 Financial Crisis" – Germany Becomes A Nation Of Bankruptcy With No End In Sight
Germany is bracing for a continued surge in major insolvencies throughout 2025 and even 2026, according to a recent analysis by credit insurer Allianz Trade. This all comes after a disastrous 2024, which saw a record-breaking number of bankruptcies in the country. Allianz Trade forecasts an overall increase of 11 percent in corporate insolvencies in Germany this year, reaching approximately 24,400 cases. A further 3 percent rise to 25,050 cases is anticipated for 2026. These insolvencies put an estimated 210,000 jobs at risk across Germany. In the first quarter of this year, 16 large German companies—those with revenues of €50 million or more—filed for insolvency. While this is a slight decrease of three cases compared to the same period last year, it's double the number recorded in the first quarter of 2023. Milo Bogaerts, CEO of Allianz Trade in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, expressed concern over the persistently high number of major insolvencies, attributing it partly to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policy. He warned that no respite is expected, even after 2024, which was a record-breaking negative year for insolvencies. 'Given the bleak economic outlook both in Germany and in global trade, and the many uncertainties caused by the tariff storm, we expect many major insolvencies and thus significant losses to continue in 2025,' Bogaerts stated. He added that these large-scale insolvencies will likely have a ripple effect on supplier companies, potentially creating 'particularly large holes in their coffers' and impacting supply chains. However, alarm bells are ringing across the country. The Federal Association of German Industry (BDI) published a declaration by more than 100 associations at the beginning of April where they directly addressed the ruling CDU and SPD. At the time, they were still working on a coalition agreement. The BDI stated: 'In the past few weeks, the economic situation has deteriorated dramatically. The facts are undeniable. Germany is in a serious economic crisis. A comparison with other countries shows that this crisis is primarily homemade.' The BDI is also apparently unhappy with the coalition's details on tax policy. 'In terms of tax policy, the coalition lags behind what is necessary. In the future, every scope must be used to relieve companies in order for the tax burden to quickly become internationally competitive,' said Tanja Gönner, BDI's general manager. 'The contract rightly formulates an ambitious modernization agenda for the state and administration, which must now also be followed by a determined implementation…. The bottom line is that we will measure the federal government by whether it will make the state more efficient and modernized.' 🇩🇪🚨 Ford Germany plans to cut 4,000 jobs as Berlin's economic disaster continues to unfold."The entire automotive industry is in crisis all over the world, in Europe and especially in Germany. This transition to electro-mobility is hitting us very, very hard." — Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) November 22, 2024 Click here to read more…
Gulf Insider
a day ago
- Gulf Insider
European Industry Under Siege: China Deploys Rare Earths As Economic Weapon
As U.S. tariffs tighten the screws on China's export machine, Beijing is striking back—with strategic precision. Export restrictions on rare earths are now Beijing's latest move to break down European trade barriers and push back against escalating pressure from Washington. In today's global trade standoff, the gloves are off. The U.S. is wielding its market clout—25% of global consumption originates from the American domestic market. Anyone in the export business must deal with the United States. China, meanwhile, holds an unchallenged monopoly on rare earths—and is making it clear it will not hesitate to weaponize that dominance. The stakes are rising, and national interests now override globalist courtesies. No Friends—Only Alliances Europe is learning the hard way: in geopolitics, there are no friends, only temporary alliances. China's tightened export controls on rare earth elements risk plunging Germany's industrial sector into a severe resource crisis. With nearly 85% of global rare earth refining under its control, Beijing is the chief supplier of key metals like dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium—critical for electric motors, medical tech, and defense systems. Since April 2025, access to these raw materials has been restricted to licensed exporters only—a de facto embargo. The fallout is immediate: several German manufacturers have already been forced to scale back operations. Others face complete shutdowns. Industrial metal prices continue climbing, and the fragility of global supply chains is now exposed in brutal detail. Europe's resource dependency is becoming a major liability—and a strategic weakness in the coming trade war negotiations. Target: New Markets China's export curbs are a calculated pressure tactic in its standoff with both the U.S. and EU. Beijing is feeling the squeeze from the Trump administration's hardline trade policy. If Washington fails to shrink its massive trade deficit and restore U.S. industrial capacity, Trump's economic agenda is toast. Beijing faces its own nightmare scenario. To appease U.S. demands and cut trade surpluses, it would need to let the yuan rise—risking domestic unrest. A more affluent middle class might start demanding political influence. That's a nightmare for China's authoritarian elite. At the same time, the economic foundation of Communist Party rule is crumbling. China's domestic economy is faltering, its real estate and industrial sectors flashing recession signals. The Party's once-effective social contract—'stay out of politics and we'll deliver prosperity'—is losing credibility amid youth unemployment and economic stagnation. Click here to read more…
Gulf Insider
6 days ago
- Gulf Insider
Ordinary billionaires settle for a superyacht, but the Qatari royal family bought an entire marina in Spain and upgraded it just so their $500 million megayacht can dock in secrecy on their frequent summer retreats from Doha's blistering heat
This week, one of the most extraordinary vessels on the water, Al Lusail, the private superyacht of the Emir of Qatar, was spotted sailing along Spain's Mediterranean coast, drawing awe from onlookers and yacht enthusiasts alike. The 123-meter floating palace made a quiet return to Port Tarraco Marina, one of the few Mediterranean ports specifically equipped to accommodate vessels of its scale and stature. Interestingly, the port was previously owned by Qatar. Designed for privacy, security, and world-class luxury, Al Lusail is among the most technically advanced and visually distinctive superyachts in the world. Built by the renowned German shipyard Lürssen and delivered in 2017, the vessel boasts sleek, futuristic lines penned by British design studio H2 Yacht Design, with a lavish interior by March & White. The yacht features multiple swimming pools, a helipad, cinema, beach club, and expansive lounges tailored for relaxation and discreet meetings at sea. Though full details remain a closely guarded secret, Al Lusail is believed to accommodate up to 36 guests in absolute comfort, attended to by a highly trained crew. Its arrival at Port Tarraco, located in Tarragona just an hour south of Barcelona, is more than a picturesque stop along the Mediterranean. The marina itself has a quiet but notable history, originally developed with the capacity and infrastructure to berth some of the world's largest private vessels, Al Lusail included. In fact, while not officially confirmed, industry insiders often suggest that the marina's impressive specifications were influenced, at least in part, by the needs of the Qatari royal fleet during its original development in the early 2000s. With 33 berths ranging from 45 to 160 meters, Port Tarraco is one of the few facilities in Spain and indeed the broader region that can comfortably receive multiple 100-meter-plus yachts at once. Its deep-water access, high-capacity shore power, and advanced security systems make it ideal for ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking discretion, safety, and elite service. It was indirectly under the ownership of the Emir after it was purchased by the Qatari Diar Fund in 2011. Despite its past ties to Qatari investment via the Qatari Diar Fund, the port was sold in 2020 to Spanish marina operator Ocibar, who now manage it alongside other premier facilities such as Port Adriano and Marina Botafoc. Click here to read more…
