The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain is delighted to announce the return of one of its most popular pop-up concepts at the resort’s beachfront venue, Nikmati, named Vivir. The exciting addition brings back the taste of Spain in the famous alfresco restaurant with a new chef all the way from Mallorca.
Vivir, meaning “to live”, first opened in March 2021 with the objective of providing guests the opportunity to experience different cultures and tastes through a gastronomic journey without ever leaving the island. This year, as the world slowly comes back to life, the resort will continue to impress with a sumptuous selection of tapas, paellas and more, along with a generous amount of select beverages from the bodega.
Vivir will be spearheaded by native Venezuelan, Carolina Cuellar, who came to Mallorca, Spain at the age of 12. She is an exceptionally passionate chef who discovered her culinary curiosity as a little girl and graduated from the hotel management school of the Balearic Islands to complete her training as a chef. Carolina gained her first working experience in the gourmet restaurant Nerua of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, which has been awarded a Michelin star. This was followed by the restaurant Jauregibarria Jatetxea with traditional Basque cuisine and the elegant restaurant Mugaritz with two Michelin stars under the leadership of multi-awarded chef Andoni Aduriz. Carolina is currently working as a chef in one of the luxury Marriott properties in Palma de Mallorca Balearic Islands and is visiting Bahrain to be an integral part of the reopening of Vivir.
“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to showcase the rich culinary heritage of Spain in the beautiful island of Bahrain through a symphony of flavors and textures at Vivir.” says Carolina.
On the occasion, General Manager, Bernard de Villèle, also commented “Creativity and innovation are paramount to our operations and thus I am delighted to announce the reopening of Vivir at our pop-up venue, Nikmati, this year. After a successful initial launch of this concept in 2021, I am certain that its return will once again tantalize the taste buds through innovative Spanish cuisine, together with a new brilliant chef, Carolina Cuellar.”
Vivir’s special menu takes inspiration from Spanish history and features signature tapas such as Pulpo a la Gallega; octopus with potatoes, saffron, sweet paprika and olive oil, and Croquetas; shrimp and sea bass croquettes with aioli sauce. The authentic Chef’s special, Paella Valenciana, is one of the best-known dishes in Spanish cuisine and is made of Spanish rice “Bomba”, with chicken, shrimps and vegetables, while Crema Catalana Quemada is the perfect ending to a beautiful meal. For an after-dinner treat, creative libations include a selection of Sangria and signature beverages like Tinto de Verano and Agua de Valencia.
Located next to the marina with the sparkling Arabian Gulf as a backdrop, Vivir’s interior design celebrates the best and most famous late medieval castle in Europe also known as Alhambra Palace, with elements of water and shade to complement the garden setting. Each table’s centerpiece is adorned with floral arrangement to highlight the Generalifegarden inspiration.
Vivir pop-up will run from February 23 to March 31. Open daily except Mondays, 6 pm to 11 pm.
Set within 20 acres of lush gardens and golden sandy beaches on the Gulf of Arabia, the 245-room five-star city resort is one of the most elegant destinations in Bahrain. A place where guests can immerse themselves in the local culture, enjoy extraordinary cuisine and explore the dazzling capital city of Manama.
For further information, please call our dining expert at +973 1758 6499, the hotel directly at
+973 1758 0000 or visit: https://www.ritzcarlton.com/bahrain. Follow the hotel on Facebook and Instagram @ritzcarltonbahrain, and join the conversation using #RCMemories.