Latest from Gulf Weekly
Gulf Weekly
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Inspired flavours to savour
Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay presents a curated collection of luxurious dining experiences, indulgent spa rituals, and uplifting wellness sessions this July, all designed to capture the spirit of summer in the most exquisite way. At Bay View Lounge, discover a delightful twist on the classic éclair with their Gelato-Filled Éclairs. Each handcrafted creation is layered with gourmet flavours from Black Forest with cherry and fiore di latte to banoffee with dulcey mango and salted toffee. Perfect for a summer treat, available daily from 11:30am to midnight at BD7net. Also at Bay View Lounge, guests can enjoy a Mediterranean-inspired Tapas Style Experience with small plates ideal for sharing or a light pre-dinner bite. Highlights include Patatas Bravas and Chicken Croquettes (BD7 each), Calamari Sandwich with Lemon Jam and Grilled Octopus with Creamy Potato and Paprika Oil (BD8 each). Available daily until August 2, from 11:30am to midnight. Afternoons are best spent indulging in Afternoon Tea at Bay View Lounge, where delicate finger sandwiches, warm scones, and elegant pastries like caramelised pear canelé and ricotta cannoli are served with tea or coffee. Available daily from noon to 9pm, priced at BD22net for the regular set, or BD26net inclusive of sparkling apple juice. Elevated evenings await at re/ASIAN CUISINE, where bold Asian flavours meet Californian flair. From Korean Fried Chicken and Robata-grilled Bluefin Otoro to premium sushi and crafted cocktails, the sharing-style menu is served to a backdrop of DJ sets. Open Tuesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 7pm to 11pm, and Wednesday to Friday until 11:30pm. Closed Mondays. À la carte pricing applies. On Fridays, CUT by Wolfgang Puck hosts its renowned Bubbly Brunch — a midday celebration of flavour with signature dishes like Black Bass Ceviche, Beef Sliders, and premium steaks, all served alongside free-flow bubbly and DJ entertainment. From 12:30pm to 3:30pm, priced at BD70net. For muddled drink connoisseurs, Bar Omakase at Blue Moon Lounge offers a bespoke tasting experience. Begin with a trio of signature elixirs, followed by a golden fortune cookie revealing your next personalised concoction. Enjoy five expertly crafted drinks paired with thoughtful bites, available Tuesday to Saturday until 11:30pm for BD36net per person. Retreat to The Spa for a Celebration Massage, the perfect way to mark a special moment. This personalised aromatherapy massage includes a mocktail, a choice of cake or healthy treat, and a surprise gift from the spa team. Available daily from 10am to 10pm, priced between BD90 to BD120. Refresh your complexion with the VIP O2 Oxygenating Facial by Biologique Recherche. Designed to combat environmental stress, this revitalising treatment re-oxygenates and deeply hydrates for a radiant, balanced glow. Offered daily from 10am to 10pm with prices starting from BD70. Finally, restore your inner calm under the stars with Full Moon and New Moon Yoga sessions. These peaceful moonlit flows take place today, 10 July (Full Moon), and Thursday July 24 (New Moon), from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Priced at BD6net for hotel guests and members, or BD12net for outside guests. For more information, call 17115500, 17115045 or 17115046.
Gulf Weekly
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Summertime celebrations
Marking 45 years of world-class hospitality, InterContinental Bahrain is set to host summer experiences designed to delight families, food lovers and those in need of a refreshing escape. From now until September, the hotel is offering a daycation package for BD45, inclusive of a private room available for use from 9am to 6pm. The offer also includes a floating breakfast for two adults, full access to the swimming pool for two adults and two children under six, and up to 30 per cent off dining and massage treatments. Legendz SteakHouse invites guests to indulge in a vibrant brunch today, July 17, from noon to 4pm. Expect buffet stations, à la carte mains and live entertainment, with options such as barbecue, seafood and cheese stations. The brunch is BD28net with soft drinks and BD38net inclusive of selected beverages. Children under six dine for free, while those aged six to 12 receive 50pc off. Families can also head to Medzo for a convivial Italian weekend feast. The generous offer, ideal for groups of three to six, features unlimited pizza, pasta and salads served on sharing platters, garlic bread, and free ice cream for kids. Priced at BD8.900 per adult and BD4.500 per child under 15, the menu is available tomorrow, July 18, and Saturday, from noon to 10pm. Meanwhile, Selections Restaurant is offering themed lunch buffets throughout July and August. Enjoy Mediterranean Mondays, Tandoori Thursdays and more, with a diverse daily rotation of summery dishes including grilled lemon-herb chicken, tropical quinoa, and panna cotta. Priced at BD8.900, the buffet is served daily from noon to 3pm.
Gulf Weekly
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
In a galaxy far away
The first two episodes of the third season of sci-fi series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds are out now on Paramount+, with a weekly release scheduled until September 11. The show takes place a decade before Star Trek: The Original Series (TOS), which ran from 1966 to 1969. It follows Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) and the crew of the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701), a series of fictional starships in the Star Trek franchise, as they explore new worlds and carry out missions throughout the galaxy in the 23rd century. Last month, Paramount+ announced that the production is set to end with a fifth season. Series' co-creator Akiva Goldsman explained that had it not been for the studio's decision, it could have gone on forever. However, the creatives behind the show will make sure that the prequel will catch up to the original series in a way that will satisfy the fans. 'We've got to reach TOS to fulfill the promise to the fans, which was 'what happens to all these people? How do they start to become those characters we know, and what happens to the ones we don't see in canon?'' Akiva said. Meanwhile co-creator Henry Alonso Myers explained: 'We spend a lot of time for each episode trying to think of what we can have the actors try and do that they haven't got a chance to try before, so it doesn't feel like they're just showing up to do the same thing every week.'
Gulf Weekly
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Woolly warmth
melissa@ A crocheted wollyback, reminiscent of the popular labubu toy, is winning the hearts of people in Bahrain as it aims to raise awareness about autism and support individuals on the spectrum. Arroy the Lamb, dubbed as the 'Bahraini Labubu', is a fun twist on the viral international trend, and is the initiative of Alia Early Intervention and Rehabilitation Centre, which has designed it as an extension of a story series to help young minds navigate difficult situations. The toy was brought alive through a collaboration with Bahraini women specialising in local handmade products, and continues to be handcrafted by bright young individuals at the Alia centre. It is based on Arroy, a lovable character steeped in Bahraini culture and widely featured in children's stories. 'Grandparents tell these tales when children in the family do not listen,' the centre's public relations head Khalid Al Awadhi explained, adding that their new story, entitled Arroy the Lamb, hopes to help children, including young adults at the centre, with the anxiety associated with hospital visits. 'It is a story for all kids and the first in a planned series of social stories designed to help children understand everyday situations in a calm, reassuring way,' Khalid added. 'It was developed through collaboration between our students, teachers and therapists, so it really reflects what our children need to see and hear. The aim is to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and make these experiences feel familiar and safe.' Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental condition marked by disruptions in brain signalling that cause people to behave, communicate, interact and learn in atypical ways. Currently, Alia centre works with 160 individuals on the spectrum, aged from six to 45 years. The toy, Arroy the Lamb, and the story book are available at Halla by Alia café in A'ali, the kingdom's first café run by young adults with autism. Proceeds from the sales of the toy will be used towards the centre and for the individuals it works with. 'Arroy is more than a handmade toy; it's a symbol of connection,' the centre's director Dr Shaikha Rania Al Khalifa told GulfWeekly. 'Watching our students and team bring Arroy to life reminds me daily that small things, made with care, can make a big difference,' she added. Each Arroy is handmade by the centre's boys and girls, giving it a one-of-a-kind charm. 'Every purchase helps students develop creative and work skills while raising public awareness about autism. It's a small symbol of Bahraini creativity, inclusion, and community spirit,' said an employee at the centre, who works directly with the young adults. 'Crocheting Arroy with the children has been such a grounding experience. You see them relax, follow patterns, and express themselves. It helps them handle big feelings in a gentle, tangible way,' the employee added. While there are no treatments or cures for autism, intervention with supportive measures, including speech therapy, occupational therapy, social skills training, sensory integration therapy, visual aids, structured routines, individualised education plans, family therapy and providing a calm and predictable environment, remains critical for improving cognitive, social and communication skills in children with ASD. The Arroy toy is priced at BD16.
Gulf Weekly
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Weekly
Smart Smurfs on a mission
Animated comedy Smurfs is out now in theatres. Based on the 1958 Belgian comic series by Peyo, the film tackles the kidnapping of Papa Smurf (John Goodman) by evil wizards Gargamel and Razamel (both voiced by JP Karliak), which causes Smurfette (Rihanna) to lead the Smurfs on a mission, away from the safe confines of the Smurf village and onto the real world to save their leader, as well as unravel their true purpose in the universe. In an interview, director Chris Miller expressed that he wanted to honour the original comics' DNA with the film series reboot, which is preceded by Smurfs: The Lost Village (2017). 'It was really important to approach the story like this was the first Smurfs movie that's been made, something that would stand on its own,' he said. 'We centred the story around a Smurf named No Name (voiced by James Corden) who does not yet have a clear identity or thing and is on a journey to discover it. 'That's something all of us can relate to, we all share this 'moment' in life where we don't know who we are or what we're meant to be. 'Sometimes the answer just comes to us and sometimes it takes longer, and patience is always easier said than done! That's what makes this story so relatable,' he added. Chris is also known for his contributions to the DreamWorks Animation hits Puss in Boots, the first three Shrek films and Madagascar among many others.
