Being an island nation, it’s no surprise that a majority of Bahrain’s residents have an undying love for seafood. So, naturally, the Bahrain This Month team was overjoyed on hearing that Origin Kitchen and Culture, located on the sixth floor of Hilton Bahrain, was launching its weekly ‘What’s the Catch: Seafood Night’.
Hilton Bahrain, located in the thriving district of Juffair, has quickly grown to be a favourite among residents and visitors alike. The hotel's attention to detail, warm hospitality and diverse gastronomical offerings are clear indicators of why the property has garnered a fan following. It comes as no surprise then that Hilton’s seafood night is curated to be a truly special experience.
You realise you’re in for a treat as soon as you walk into Origin Kitchen and Culture, given the venue’s beautiful ambience with its ‘starlit’ ceiling and rich aromas wafting from the kitchen. A chat with Executive Chef Ravneet Manchanda reveals that the culinary team aims to serve up the best of local catch to diners with nearly all the seafood being caught as early as 4am every Thursday. A vast majority of the seafood is local with the exception of a selection, such as lobster and salmon, which are not native to the Kingdom. Origin's live stations ensure that the selection of seafood is perfectly cooked according to guests’ preferences.
To whet our appetite, we tucked into a delicious bowl of Lobster Bisque followed by a selection of salads including a fresh mussel salad. The cured salmon, which was made in-house, was also quite delicious! Next, we headed straight to the sushi counter which had a fantastic selection of nigiri, maki and more. We found the crispy crab rolls, prawn tempura, spicy salmon roll and California maki to be particularly enticing. The freshness of the ingredients was evident and we appreciated the perfect balance of flavours.
With a choice of safi, sheri, mackerel, seabream, prawns and more we were truly spoiled for choice at the live cooking stations. Thankfully, the staff are quite friendly, attentive and knowledgeable and were able to make well-informed recommendations so we didn’t have to struggle. We put together a plate of seabream, prawns, calamari, salmon and Omani lobster. While all the seafood was beautifully prepared, we had a special appreciation for the fried seabream which was impeccable: light, crisp and flavourful.
One of the most interesting live stations at the Hilton’s seafood night has to be what we would describe as a ‘seafood carvery’. Two majestically large seabasses were roasted and served with a selection of 15 diverse relishes and sauces! These were carved for guests on demand.
Aside from the bountiful catch, the culinary team went above and beyond to create much-loved dishes from a diverse range of cuisines. We appreciated the Spanish, Thai, Indian, Arabic and European style cuisines among others. There were some fan favourites that truly tantalised our tastebuds including the Thai Red Curry, Paella, Amritsari Fried Fish, Fish with Tartar Sauce and Sauteed Prawns with Mediterranean Vegetables. Roasted vegetables aside from pickles and other preserves were the perfect accompaniment for the delectable seafood.
After what was quite positively a feast, we were enticed by the sheer variety of hot and cold desserts. Keeping in mind that the seafood dinner is quite indulgent, the pastry team crafted desserts that are light without compromising on innovative flavours. So, you can safely go to town with the myriad options of seafood free from the fear that you’ll run out of space for dessert!
Vanilla Crème Brulee, five flavours of ice cream, cheesecakes and other treats make the dessert section a true delight for anyone with a sweet tooth. Yet of all the delightful desserts spread before us, the chocolate mousse was truly the highlight of the evening. It has all the makings of a decadent dessert; with layers of rich chocolate and smooth mousse which packed a surprising crunch and full-bodied flavour. A close second was the pillowy-soft fruit cake which was frosted with indulgent cream.
A delightful almond mocktail, one of many incredible beverages, proved to be the perfect end to our experience. Live entertainment by renowned Bahraini singer May Alqasim on the night we visited, and the atmosphere of Origin Kitchen and Culture, further elevated the experience.
Whether you›re celebrating an almost-weekend meal with loved ones or simply looking for a way to bring your family to the table at the same time, Hilton Bahrain’s Seafood Night will redefine your dining experience with the freshest local catch!
Hilton’s Seafood Night takes place from 7pm to 10pm, and is priced at BD32 net inclusive of three selected house pour drinks, or BD25 inclusive of soft beverages. For more information, call 77 010-100.
