Monsoon

Where: Adliya
What: Asian
When: Lunch/Dinner

Why: Good Thai food AND Sushi+feels like you're in an oriental palace

Like a lost city in the midst of the busy, crowded Adliya streets, Monsoon looks and feels like a sanctuary. Also booked for private parties, I think Monsoon has one of the most beautifully decorated restaurants in Bahrain (reminds me of Buddha Bar). Most of the tables are located on an elevated wooden platform surrounded by water. There are a couple of rooms for larger groups, a sushi bar, and if the weather permits, sit outside for an even more relaxing dining experience.

The menu is a bit overwhelming because you can select from Thai/Malaysian/Japanese/Vietnamese sections. The starters include chicken wrapped in pandan leaves, spicy papaya salad, shrimp toast, chicken/beef satay with peanut sauce, shrimp parcels.





Many of the main course dishes have a delicious coconut flavor, you can ask for mild or spicy. I would suggest the green curry with steamed rice. The maki rolls are excellent. Try Nela Maki, Spicy Tuna, Dragon Roll, Crunchy California, and Salmon rolls.
For dessert try the chocolate sticks with hazelnut ice cream or the sorbet with fresh fruits. The fried bananas with vanilla ice cream are alright. Too stuffed? You can skip dessert. The check is accompanied by mint chocolates, which I only started to like after Monsoon.
Unfortunately, didn’t do too well on the Unagi Test. But I forgive Monsoon because the maki rolls and Thai selections are delicious.


1st Pic Source: from hpeng’s photostream on flickr.com (November 10, 2007): http://www.flickr.com/photos/45747167@N00/1945602147/in/photostream/

Mirai

Where: Adliya
What: Fusion Japanese
When: Lunch/Dinner

Why: Only the BEST sushi in Bahrain

Feast for the eyes: Modern yet rich with ambiance, trendy but not too crowded, contemporary and young yet you feel the need to kick the dress code up a notch. Mirai can be safely described as one of the most popular restaurants on the island. As you walk in you are greeted by a sleek wall fountain. A refreshing green from the bamboo plants and splashes of orange on the walls perfectly accent the mostly dark and simple interior. Whether you have a table or opt for the sushi bar, you are in for a modern fusion experience that can take you from Japan to Italy in one maki roll. Once you are seated, order a bowl of edamame, which if I must say so has the perfect texture and saltiness, while you study the menu.

Tasty suggestions: If you like creamy stuff, start with the Popcorn Shrimp, fried shrimp with crab shavings and creamy spicy mayo. The salads are exquisite. Try the Mirai salad with baby arugula, tomatoes, carrots, avocado, and sesame drizzled in honey vinaigrette. Or the Spicy Kani Salad with greens, sundried tomato and kanaboko crab (crab shavings).

Maki maki maki! The only restaurant in the world where you can get an Arabian Maki. A safe choice would be the Mirai Maki (shrimp tempura maki with a little bit of spicy mayo on top), which will taste even better if you ask them to add crab shavings on top (aka “Volcano topping”). It is the on the right of the image.
The Unagi Test: I personally think that the key to rating a Japanese restaurant is by their Unagi Sushi (eel sushi). Once you’ve got the Unagi down, you’re good to go. Now forget for a second that eels are slimy slithering serpents. Close your eyes and let your taste buds enjoy the party. The rice is the perfect fluffiness, the eel the perfect “fishiness” and the sauce the perfect sweetness. Eat it all in one bite to enjoy the blend of flavors, textures and aromas.

Little tip: Don’t dip the Unagi Sushi in soya sauce. I learned this from a Japanese server at Sushi Yasuda, an authentic Japanese restaurant in NYC. The saltiness of the soya sauce will kill the sweetness of the unagi sauce.

Amuse Bouche

Most of my year is spent in Boston, MA; however since I am currently in Bahrain my first few reviews will be about the places that I miss (or not) when I’m not on this beautiful island. Feel free to comment, agree, disagree, or post your own suggestions and reviews.