SOIE..a Chinese delight

I long for good Chinese food some times, actually often, yet I also find it difficult at times to think of where offers such cuisine especially in Bahrain. I am not in the habit of frequenting hotels, although you would think after nearly ten years in the Middle East I would realize that some of the best restaurants are in fact associated with hotels and not stand alone like other parts of the world.

A friend suggested I try SOIE CHINESE RESTAURANT at the Sheraton Hotel, Bahrain in early 2013. Despite that experience which I shall elude to in a moment, I tried again for a special birthday for a special someone and this time came away with the desire to return many times again.

SOIE is situated in the Sheraton Hotel Bahrain, hotel lobby, just to the left upon entry and it’s darkened ambience warms to a rich Chinese, Asian feel for restaurant décor. Few hotels make restaurants that can transport you out of the fact that you are stuck within the walls of a hotel, Soie, does the job well and time spent here is time well spent enjoying the company of others, with great food.

The first time I ate here, and a good warning to anyone within Bahrain with allergies for all restaurants, my guest had a severe intolerance to GLUTEN and we requested this fact to be made known to the chefs. Having ordered what we thought was a safe dish in Lobster cooked two ways, we had an early exit from the restaurant in order to rush my friend to the emergency room of the local hospital as the lobster indeed had been cooked in a flour thickened sauce. We of the natural English speaking world and those of us with intolerances based on Western Society need to truly ensure that our words are understood by those who do not speak English as a first language and secondly ensure that words such as GLUTEN INTOLERANT are understood also. I guess Peanut allergy is easier to understand than Gluten persae.

 While I was saddened to cut the first dinner short, it saddened me more why anyone would cook lobster two ways and both those ways included cooking such a delicious and delicate meat with thickened sauces. Steamed and grilled would have been my more natural choice for cooking lobster two ways to ensure its flavor and freshness where exemplified, but then again perhaps that was the reason also.

My most recent dining experience at SOIE was without food drama. It included a delicious starter of prawn crackers and refreshing beverages of the fruity variety. Although we ate too much, SOIE and it’s chefs truly exceled on the second trip to dine here. Salt and pepper Calamari, duck and lobster where cooked perfectly, (if even still in sauces I would not cook myself.) The evening was about fine dining, enjoyment and relaxing with a friend who was enjoying a birthday.  Soie and its staff ensured we enjoyed the evening and as such I highly recommend the experience to all.

Bahrain can be a difficult place to recommend restaurants as one good night does not always guarantee every trip will be the same. But the chefs at Soie, perfected the art of cooking the lobster the exact two ways twice, the staff were pleasant both trips and could not do enough to assist us and ensure the evening was pleasant. In this I feel assured that every trip by ever guests is the same.

There are cheaper establishments, but then there are lesser places also for ambience, quality and comfort. On all levels Soie met my aged and demanding needs and for a good Chinese Restaurant, and as such it rates highest in my books.

SOIE CHINESE RESTAURANT at the SHERATON HOTEL can be contacted on  (+973) 17533533 · Email: soie.bahrain@sheraton.com open dinners Sunday - Friday 7:00 PM - 11:30 PM. Closed Saturday.

 I was this week informed of an up and coming promotion at SOIE for the month of NOVEMBER 2013…so give it a try..

Seafood Promotion at Soie

Seafood lovers are invited during November, come along and enjoy special dishes of the month at Soie

Items include Daxia Wok - fried fillet of dory fish Manchurian at BD 3.900++; Kuye Sautéed Cuttle Fish with bamboo shoots, straw mushroom in spicy Szechwan sauce at BD 4.500++; Jiujiang Udong Noodles with hammour, shrimps, calamari & vegetables at BD 4.900++; Quingshui’s Spicy Minced Hammour Dumplings with chili garlic sauce at BD 5.900++; Pan Fried Dashi Scallops with snow peas in yellow beans sauce at BD 7.900++

Visit www.soiebahrain.com for more information or call +973 17533533