All You can eat Thai and Chinese for BD 8

Shada Restaurant Stylish Thai & Chinese Cuisine - Zinj

I visited this restaurant a while ago and did not opt for the buffet. This time in a moment of spontaneity and a push from the waitresses, we decided to go for the buffet. In excitement, we jumped up and went straight to the table. However, it did not exactly meet my expectations. I think the buffet was a mix of Chinese and Thai. It was much more fried and oily and I wasn't able to find anything that had coconut milk.

However, the food was satisfactory, it's great for sea food lovers as the floor is open to prawns, crab and fish. They even had sushi, which I do not eat.

The buffet is available every Monday and Friday for dinner. It comes with one drink of soft drink.

Address: Nasser Plaza, 67D - Alqadisa Avenue, Zenj
Telephone: 17721155

Yummy not so yummy Thai - Salt to my Heart

Muay Thai - Juffair

While trying to decide what restaurant to go to, we stumbled across this little place in one of those turns from the American alley. We were debating on unfounded reasons as to whether we should go in or not but the cheap menu prices immediately convinced us that it might be a good idea.

The food was not exactly satisfying, and the servings too small for people like us. You get what you pay for so in that regards, I refrain from complaining. We ordered a set, an appetizer and a dish thinking it would satisfy us but it was just average. The taste of fast food service definitely lingered on our tongues and some of the dishes were too salty.




The interior was similar to Magic Wok, the little Chinese fast food place in the alley. It had those wobbly tables and unsanitary looking chairs that made you hesitant to sit on.

But it was a good experience. It may have been my first time experiencing such a hardcore fast food vibed Thai restaurant. I think the friend rice was not too bad and the veggie parts are always a delight.

Fried Rice + Fried Wonton + water = 2.8
Fish Cake = 1.9
Chinese Kale spicy = 2.4

Muay Thai gets a rating of 3.1!

One set of Traditional Bahraini please!

Saffron by Jena Bakery, Al Qassriyah, Muharraq

Arabic: Zaafaran

I once read in one of those airplane magazines that there was an old Bahraini house somewhere in Muharraq that was transformed into a restaurant that served traditional Bahraini food while retaining its old structure with glass floors. I first thought that there must have been a mistake or that the magazine is too old because I've never heard of this place from people before. Over the course of time, maybe even a year later I started hearing people speak of a place called Zaafaran. I decided to give this a try and asked people for directions with very little success. My blogging friend's dad however has an idea of where this place was. We followed the signs that led to qassriya market and fortunately took the right turn. We missed the restaurant on the first try but later noticed it on our right side. Parking is terrible on normal days but there are times when you are blessed with tremendous luck and a parking spot right by would open up.

Let's get back to the restaurant. According to my what I was told, Saffron (the official name in English) serves Bahraini traditional food, some papa roti bread I think and a few deserts. They also informed me that they serve Biryani chicken with rice for lunch. Although the selection is quite limited, I believe the lightness, simplicity and environment is what attracts its customers back again.

The interior is clearly refurbished, with decors depicting traditional times. The decor items are much like those in my memory as a child at my grandma's house (they are now replaced with items from Lifestyle). They tried their best to show the flooring by placing a glass floor.

The space is cozy, the tables are not too far spaced and you can have people from two to a small family of six share a table. The glass floors even has as a table on it.

The place doesn't have a menu, so you should already know what you want. It's either one-two-etc set(s) of breakfast, some roti, desserts or whatever drinks you want. They have fresh juices and karak tea. 

We opted for one set of breakfast which costed around BD 6. The set included four small servings of two types of foul (beans), scrambled eggs with tomato and hummus beans. The set comes with a basket of plain bread (khubbuz) and zaatar (oregano) flavored bread. There is also a plate of four small buns which are either filled with cheese/pineapple sort of flavored (or something similar) or falafel. They also give you a small bowl of balaleet with eggs.

The food was delish. Although you could easily whip this up at home from canned products, the eggs especially had a hint of something I can't put my finger on. It was light and flavorful. I believe that a set could satisfy even three people.

Finally, you wash away the food with a shot of saffron - Bottoms up!

All in all, Saffron is a great place to visit to lighten the mood on a weekend morning. It's a place I'd like to walk to as a change of atmosphere. Muharraq is a nice place to go to, and this is a good reason if you don't live there.

Saffron gets an OFS of 4!

Good Affordable Thai food in Budaiya

Lana Thai - Budaiya

So my blogging partner told me about this place she saw at the side of the main Budaiya road called Lana Thai and we thought of giving it a try since we don't normally hang at Budaiya. The road was not too easy to get too, or it could be we just didn't know the main way of getting there. Instead of parking at the paved parking closer to Lana's entrance, we brilliantly (sarcasm) drove over the rocky road towards the front-side of the restaurant.

The inside was quiet and cozy. I can't quite remember when we went here but it must have been a weekend night. You walk across a bar area and into another room with tables and spaces below to dangle your legs.

We ordered very little probably because we were full for something, or just broke. We chose a mixed vegetarian dish, some sort of chicken with soy sauce and flat won ton. My vague description is due to the fact that I'm writing this after a year. I barely remember the names but I definitely remember that the food were not too warm, they were affordable and the taste was worth a second visit.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LANNA.THAI.RESTAURANT2014
Address: Budaiya Highway, Jannusan 504
Telephone: 1759 3940

Lana Thai gets 3.6!

Unwinding after work at the Dome

Dome - Juffair

This fine afternoon, we decided to unwind at the Dome in Juffair, a little before the American base. We've been craving to eat their food since the last time we visited. Again, like Vapiano, we forgot take pictures and were able to catch a half-eaten meal and no carrot cake at all.

The place is very pretty. There's some sort of classic diner music that's played outside right before you enter the front doors, you can actually hear it while just passing by the place on the outside. The interior gives you this fast-comfy feel and their couches are to die for. We usually sit on the top floor because you get to sit by these full length windows and watch the American Alley where you can poke fun at a couple of funny characters. The place overall has dim lighting unless you're sitting upstairs by the open windows, and almost the entire area is brown to give you this classic vintage feel.

The menu will drive you crazy. I'm gonna take a wild unsupported guess and say that the food tastes as good as the pictures. Their selection is great, a lot of choices and a lot of flavors. Definitely a place for breakfast and good coffee. Otherwise they have a great variety of pasta, burgers, desserts, sandwiches ....

*sadly we lost the pictures...*

We decided for today to share a meal, Chicken Piccata. In our hurry, we forgot to take a picture before we began but what we have will give you an idea. The rice is sort of in the middle between risotto and normal rice, without any moistness to it. The chicken was actually not too bad, and had a flavorful mix of spice to it. The portion is not too bad. It's not significant but is enough for one person. It seems like a lot because the plate is the size of your face and most of it is covered with veggy leaves (decorations, I assume).

You take a bite, savor it a bit, a second and then you say ... hmmm not bad. That's how it was.

And the carrot cake ... oh the carrot cake.

Chicken Piccata (yellow rice) 3.9
Baby Cino 0.3
Carrot Cake 2.0

Baby cino is like a mini version of over-sweetened cappuccino, or simply a Milo rip off, as my colleaguepointed out to (the rip off was my addition).

I don't think Dome is too overpriced. They're very reasonable, their venue is crazy comfortable, and the view is not too bad. They get an OFS of 4.14, booyah!

My step-by-step guide to making BokChoy!

Just so we have something close to home, here is a recipe (influence by an online recipe) that I use every time I make Bokchoy. This is for all the Bokchoy fans out there, this is for you ...

I usually make some when I want to have it along with a meal. One head is too little but it depends on the portion you want. Follow me through these wonderfully illustrated pictures of how-to-bokchoy.

So here, I call this one head of (fake) bokchoy. Oh so sorry. Sometimes when I don't have moneys I buy this identity-stealing bokchoy-lookalike veggie, I remember the lady referred to it as Pedchai. You can find the real ones at Rachanee in Adliya, it's a Thai supermarket close to AlJazeera, and sometimes they have them at Lulu, sometimes. Otherwise the substitutes are widely available everywhere.

Make sure you clean it, and separate the whites and greens. I usually cut each in half again, unless you like it really choppy or in wholes.



Also make sure you get a clove or half a clove of garlic, chopped and ready.

What I usually do is place two spoons of oil in the heated pan. Then I fry the garlic pieces for a while just to get them soft but not at all burned. I will later throw in the whites and stir for a while. I'll give it a minute and then mix in the greens.

Once the greens are moistened by the oil, which is another minute or half a minute, I'll put in two tablespoons of oyster sauce (just for measure). I'll mix it real fast and then put it less than quarter a cup of water. 

They should be mixed well then covered and left until the liquid looks like sauce.

And this is the final product. Yum.

Thickest Tom Yum soup I ever had!

Da Rae Jung Korean and Thai Cuisine - Adliya

We actually decided to go to this restaurant to try out the Korean food but could not decide what to order and so fell back to our comfort zone, which was the different Tom yum soup, egg, fish with cabbage and some either Japanese or Korean appetizers. 

Address: Bldg.865, Road 2717, Block 327, Manama
Cuisine: Thai / Korean
Contact: +973-1700 2490
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Da-Rae-Jung-Korean-Thai-Cuisine-Adliya/211852248897510

Date of Visit: August 2014

Da Rae Jung received an OFS of 3.1!

Grabbing a bite at EZ's

EZ Burger - Juffair

I am actually coming back to this post after a long while. I can't remember the prices of our orders but I believe you can find their range of selection with the prices on their website at http://www.ezburgerbh.com/. 

If memory doesn't fail me, then I remember I was not in awe over the first bite of their wraps. I opted for the chicken wrap because I did not eat beef, while my friends went for the beef burger with extra beef bacon. I slightly recall their expressions of happiness however I really don't think they exceeded the taste of any other burger joint on the island. The food costed an average of around BD 2 each I believe and looking at the pictures, I have the urge to try it out especially since I found out that they now have a chicken burger with mushroom option.

Address: Al Shabab Avenue near Manama Club (or American Alley)
Cuisine: American maybe
Contact: +973-17382777, 17241111
Website: http://www.ezburgerbh.com/

Date of Visit: July 2014

EZ Burger received an OFS of 3.1!

Oh sweet Lilou and Valentines

Cafe Lilou - Adliya 338

 

Valentines. No we did not plan this. We simply decided to have lunch, got the Lilou pick, and it happened to be Valentines. As you can see above, we ordered some sort of crab meal, which was not worth it at all. It had maybe three crab shells, which were loaded with some sort of cream or cheese and a few pieces of crab meat that had to be hunted for. The mashed potato that so generously came with this crab dish was too moist and felt ... undone. The highlight of this meal is that tiny portioned Bokchoy they so graciously placed in the middle of the plate, which took me a while to realize.

The risotto on the other hand did way better than the crab. Not particularly a fan of the weird taste associated with it. There's not much to describe it. My colleague explained that it was too rich, however I believed that it was okay. There's not much explaining to do.

The menu overall supposedly tried to provide a variety however it proved difficult for us. Prior to attending, we only had this idea that Lilou's only served over priced pastries ... it may have been something we've come across in the past. Perhaps the sandwiches would have been a better pick ... for another time.

The drinks was okay, Iced coffee tasted like coffee gone cold. I might be a bit unfair with the descriptions.

To make up for the food, the view and feel was wonderful. The chairs not comfortable though I assume they were going for that Paris look (oh how cultured of me). This particular branch was at Adliya, among the restaurants that herd around the well-known 338 area. I believe there is another branch in the Seef district that is connected to the AlAali Mall. The interiors are stunning adorned with wonderful chandeliers or those wall lamps. The walls are adorned with pretty colors that captivates the European imagination, especially with the sunlight through the full-length windows. We however decided to sit outside under the cool breeze and sun.

We may sound like we are complaining but I believe people with more experience could make better picks. Check out their Facebook photos and you'll see the dilemma I struggle with for this particular place. However overall I believe I've had better for a much less rate.

Crab Thermidor 8.0
Chic Risotto 4.8
Iced Coffee 1.6
Iced Chocolate 1.6

Service 2.385
Total 18.290


Lilou's received an OFS of 3.4.

Vapiano's - a mixture of feelings

Vapiano - Bahrain City Center

So we decided to go to Vapiano at City Center on January 31st, a Friday night. I forgot it was Friday and did not understand why the mall was packed. Anywho, we decided to give Vapiano a visit. 

We ordered Pesto Con Spinaci pizza (BD 3) and bruschetta (BD 1.25). I've been to this place before and ordered their pasta, and concluded that their pizzas are amazing. However, that day, the pizza was not so good. It was missing some sort of zing, that in the past gave it its unique-must-come-again taste. The pizza had the description of spinach, pesto cream sauce, tomatoes and mozarella.

The bruschetta, on the other hand, just two pieces (ugh), made up for it. It had this amazing not too cold, twist of lemony and moist feel that was within the core of each tomato chunk, especially when you add lemon grass to it. The bread itself was fresh and not too hard. Bruschetta basically consisted of toasted bread, tomatoes, garlic and olive oil.

Amidst our excitement, we forgot to take pictures. So here is a half eaten pizza, and no bruschetta.

The first thing that came to mind was fresh, healthy and natural. I understood it to be Italian. The place welcomed the feel of fun and comfort. Though the high chairs and tables may not be favorable to many, they have the option of the low seating that gives the restaurant its feel of diversity. 

Setting wise, I always enjoyed eating at their tables. It felt like they brought back the classic diner feel, but with a modern twist. Looking around, the walls were adorned with drawings and doodles of food, writings and utensils. There are fresh plants on each table, which I was told can be used for food but I wasn't brave enough to do so.

Another plus point to any restaurant were the open kitchens where you get to see your food in the process. The staff are nice, friendly and helpful. The buzzer is a great way to indicate if you're food is ready or not. Everything is perfect except for the coca colas which I noticed are priced at almost one dinar. Yes, that part crazy.

Address: Bahrain City Center
Cuisine: Italian

Opening Times: WED. 11.00 - 22.00, THURS-FRI. 10.00 - 24.00Contact: +973-1749 1391

Website: http://vapianobh.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VapianoBH

E-MAIL: vapbcc@fakhro.com

Date of Visit: Friday January 31 2014

Pesto Con Spinaci pizza (BD 3)

bruschetta (BD 1.25)

Today Vapiano received an OFS of 4!

Why not Indonesian?

Indonesian Restaurant Selera Kita - Gudaibiya

After our oh-so-hard day at work on Thursday (January 30), we decided to venture into Gudaibiya in search of an Indonesian restaurant that we passed by one fine day. Whilst our search, we stumbled across this little place called Selera Kita Restaurant. We had no idea what to expect. It was a Thursday evening, around 7pm, yes we stay late at work sometimes. 

Upon entering the restaurant, we were warmly welcomed with nice South East Asian women, which probably made up for the interiors, not that it was "that" bad. However, it was not a place you'd see the City Center crowd at ... at all. We were just used to it.

Our shock however would be the menu. Yes, the menu. It was NOT English. We were semi formally dressed, sitting awkwardly at the table, typing away on our smartphones. To many, this is snob behavior, but no. We were actually googling each and every dish, almost every. 

We asked the lady to help us out and she told us to choose from the picture ... sudden kindergarten nostalgia. But like any other foreign tourist who've been sheltered in their far-from-third-world home, we resorted to the safer option. We ordered fish, Tilapia, fried. And some sort of green veggie dish we saw in one of the pictures, and two steamed rice. And some sort of ice tea from a foreign packet.

The food was actually very close to Filipino, something we have everyday. However! The fish was divine, it was exquisite. It had a fine seasoned taste, sweeter-and-yet-not-too-sweet than what we normally ate at home. There was a burst of flavors, and that feeling of satisfaction. The veggie on the other hand, was not so far from broccoli without the fluff, I think. It was moist and spicy. This was probably our most adrenaline-rushed food adventure to date. 

The food was great. The interiors however would worry the above-average customer. It was small plain two-floored restaurant with exposed sinks. The tables were glass and the chairs looked like they needed some brushing. Eh, you know what they say about tasty food.

The veggie we chose!

They actually have a Facebook account, check them out!

We spent a total of BD 4.5 and we forgot to take pictures. But fortunately, we got their menu and our choices were there!

Address: The alleys of Gudaibiya!
Cuisine: Indonesian
Contact: +973-33316287, 39944670

Facebook: https://id-id.facebook.com/ria.sukriya

Date of Visit: Thursday January 30 2014 at 7pm

Selera Kita gets an OFS of 3.8! Had the setting been better, their rating would be higher.

Night Out at Jim's

Jim's Restaurant and Lounge - Adliya 338

The choice of dining tonight (10pm Thursday, January 23) on was Jim’s Restaurant and Lounge that served a variety of cuisines from British to Indian and even steakhouse servings. The exterior of the place seemed cozy and quaint, and so it was as well on the inside. Upon entering the place we were welcomed with an aroma from the kitchen that immediately struck my taste bud and caused my mouth to water. My second intake was the warm, dim light and pleasant music streaming in from the lounge which is separate from the dining area.

The walls were adorned with old paintings and an interesting piece of a wooden airplane propeller. The ceiling also had wooden beams fitted with the dim lights I mentioned earlier, all of this contributing to the coziness of the restaurant especially on a cold winter night in January. You can find all kinds of people in the restaurant. The dining area was half full and you could hear a fun buzz from the bar area with compelling modern music that only asked you to join. We reserved but realized we didn't have to.

When I arrived my companion had already placed orders for us since I was late to our rendezvous. We were served complementary baguette with butter, which tasted like … well what a baguette would taste like in Bahrain at least. But it did make a good starter to our meal.

Chicken Makani

And here comes the exciting part. Main course, the orders placed was Chicken Makani (BD 4.5) a dish of Indian Cuisine. I am delighted to say that the choice was well made, the dish was buttery and flavorful and had a hint of tanginess to it, which made it all the more exciting, the texture of the meat was consistent and the gravy or sauce was not runny but quite thick.

Khumb Khazana

The second dish was also of Indian origins called Khumb Khazana  (BD 4) which is grilled mushrooms stuffed with creamed spinach and cheese. The initial bite of the mushroom brought a surge of rich, creamy and delectable flavor. However, the Khumb Khazana soon proved to be too rich and quickly bored me, this was quickly rectified with a splash of lemon juice which immediately neutralized the richness and again replenished the dish into a delightful treat.

We also ordered plain rice, which was …. Plain, white and steamed (1BD/bowl).

The staff was friendly and honest and the service was quick. The overall experience at Jim’s was indeed satisfying and pleasing. My singular complaint would be the portions of food served; with regards to portion and price ratio the servings could be increased. Another recommendation would be to have different size servings of rice, as the available serving is of an awkward quantity.

Location is great, it's at 338, easy to reach. The drinks were a little too pricy. If its not favorable, then you always have the option of walking over to Silk, which is just across.

Address: Block 338, Road No 3808, Adliya
Cuisine: International / Indian
Contact: +973-17 710 654
Website: http://www.jimsbahrain.com/

Date of Visit: Thursday, January 23 at 10pm

Chicken Makani (BD 4.5)

Khumb Khazana  (BD 4)

Steamed Rice (1BD/bowl)

Jim's received an OFS of 3.6!