Friday brunch at Flavours on 2 - Downtown Rotana, Bahrain


The first thing that makes an impression on me at the brunch, long before I am greeted by staff, is the light - natural light. While it is a key aspect of the hotel's design, it is inescapable at Flavours on 2. Brunches should be cheerful and bright, and that is what I got as I walked in. 


 Four things that excited me about the Brunch

 1. Relaxed Brunch

 The brunch is not stadium size. You know those brunches where you feel you have to wrestle with crowds to get to the oyster station? Well, this is not in evidence here. Even at full capacity, it is intimate and manageable. This is important because brunches should also be relaxed and laid back. 
2. The Deal

At 24BD for unlimited sparkling wine, it  is already a great way to spend Friday afternoon. The Cuvée Jean-Louis, Blanc de Blancs Brut is nice sparkling wine to enjoy all afternoon. It is fresh and crisp with bubbles that last a while - a much better choice than some of the proseccos one gets at brunches. Furthermore, a  choice of white and an excellent red make the afternoon even sweeter. Finally , cocktails including a Singapore Sling, ensure that it is indeed a bright and happy afternoon. 





3. Service

Staff are happy. happy staff bring that happiness into the way they interact with guests. I watched staff with all the other guests - an eagerness to serve, always with a broad smile. But for me, the little things count more. I watched as they routinely replaced cutlery unsolicited, a small but very necessary thing. How often has it happened to you where your plate and cutlery are cleared but then you need to ask for a knife or fork? On this day, I found staff really alert to this sort of thing.

4. The Dishes

 Make sure you visit the Seafood station - large fleshy oysters beautifully shucked are a must. I find it irritating when brunches serve small oysters - either serve large oysters or don't serve them at all. I also recommend the Omani lobster tail. The Sushi bar is also worth visiting- nice variety of maki rolls. Next, the carvery station is definitely one to visit. The beef was beautifully prepared and my daughter ended up making two trips!

One of my personal favourite stations was the taste of India with classic Indian dishes that I have come to enjoy on the streets of Abu Dhabi - the dal makhani is gorgeously creamy while the butter chicken has just the right level of spice to allow kids to enjoy as well. However, my dish of the day was the Seabass for two reasons. It is not a common choice of fish at a  brunch and it was really nicely cooked, with the right level of moisture. Highly recommended. 
Seabass


You are bound to be part of a nice group of people. A table enjoying mimosas.
Finally, the Dessert station also deserves special mention. Over and above the usual French dessert pastry items, there are some hearty dessert options. The Sticky date pudding - a must have. Secondly, the Apple crumble pie had me going back for a second helping. There is also a selection of cheeses for those with a less sweet tongue - considering the size of the brunch, you will be surprised at the number of cheeses -very generous. 


And finally, and this appealed to  mums, dads, brothers and sisters - the smores table where one could roast marshmallows with some decadent toppings is one of those unique features you look for at a brunch. Nice!





Verdict

There are so many brunches around the city. Not only does one want to find a brunch that offers great value, but finding a brunch with something different on offer is just as important. Flavours on 2 finds that balance. Some innovative touches, less common dishes and a relaxed party where young and old will feel at home makes this a great alternative to some of the really expensive brunches in the Bahrain. 

The Essentials

Flavours on 2 Friday Brunch
Downtown Rotana,
110 Government Ave,
Manama,
Bahrain
Downtown Rotana
+973 1311 9999

Soft drinks pacage 20BD
Beverage package 24BD
Brandon Stoltenkamp
Disclaimer:  I had brunch at Flavours on 2 as  a guest of the hotel. 

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