One of Bahrain’s most loved cuisines, you can always find good Italian food served around the corner. The gastronomic merit of Italian cuisine comes from its heavy influence on family, tradition, and comfort.
If you’re looking for a fine Italian experience with good food and comfort, Primavera shows immense promise. The Italian Osteria at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain has been one of the top contemporary dining spots, serving a selection of specialty dishes. Recently, Primavera launched a new menu, crafted by Sous Chef Mirsha Moreno and Executive Chef Joergen Sodemann.
Note: When we say it’s a new menu, it doesn’t mean a complete renovation of the existing one. Chefs Joergenn and Mirsha’s new menu still features existing dishes that continue to do well. There are new signature dishes added along with little touches such as the beverage trolley.
While we’ve frequented Primavera before, we were curious to find out what the new menu entailed. Here’s why we think it’s worth checking out:
No Italian meal is complete without a traditional dessert, and nothing says “traditional” like the classic Tiramisu. Bringing a twist to the conventional coffee-flavoured cake, you get to participate in an entertaining live preparation of the dessert.
Choose from different creamy foams (espuma) and toppings. The dessert is served in a cup and you get to try the different layers, all the way down to the spongy piece of cake. It’s truly a table-side treat.
We’re absolutely floored by the Truffle trend. If you’re a mushroom lover, the Tartufo will leave you lip-smacking. It was the first item of consensus around our table and almost telepathically, Chef Joergen’s too.
Although you’ll find Gourmet Pizzas served at different outlets of the resort, such as La Plage – the selection at Primavera is unique to the restaurant. Apart from the Tartufo, you will also find the Smoked Salmon pizza, a spinach-burrata-ricotta pizza, a Mediterranean pizza with Artichokes and Rocket Leaves, and the classic Margherita.
Why does slow-cooked food taste better? Fewer nutrients are lost, meat is tender, and the flavours mix with each other well. It’s certainly not the same as meat cooked on a high flame for a shorter time. The Rigatoni Alla Bolognese Pasta is served with 24-hour slow-cooked minced beef sauce and we’ll say it again – slow-cooked is best cooked!
There are a couple of other slow-cooked meat dishes available on the menu if you’re not particularly in the mood for pasta.
Whether you’re opting for a Ricotta Antipasti, where 25-year aged balsamic vinegar meets fresh Ricotta Cheese and veggies or the tender Bahraini Hammour fillet accompanied with tomato Tortellini and organic garden greens, natural flavours are central to the food, making each dish light yet refreshing.
Special mention to the Balsamic Vinegar: when served with fresh cheese or ice cream, the explosion of sweet-tart flavours will linger for a few days longer. We were pleasantly surprised by this ingredient.
Taking a few steps back from the “fine dining” idea, Primavera’s new menu is focusing the spotlight on sharing and simplicity through a casual dining approach. Groups, families, and teams can all enjoy a relaxing dining atmosphere while melodious Italian tunes play in the background.
Listening to stories of Chef Joergen’s days as an up-and-coming chef to discussing the many wonders of Bahrain, our lunch was dotted with these simple yet memorable conversations as well.
If you’re on the lookout for a fresh take on classic Italian food, head over to Primavera at The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain. The restaurant is open from Wednesdays to Mondays, (closed on Tuesdays) 12:30 pm – 3 pm and 7 pm – 11 pm. For reservations, contact (+973) 17586452.
