102 August 2015 www.bahrainthismonth.com China is a vast and impressive country with famous attractions, rich heritage and, of course, a sensational selection of fine fare. Luckily, fans of Oriental cuisine in the Kingdom don’t need to travel half way across the globe to sample the authentic taste of Asia. Soie is an award-winning Chinese restaurant, located at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, which dishes up daily delights that are sure to suit the tastes of even the most discerning diner. The misconception that all Chinese food is packed with MSG (monosodium glutamate) is laughable, especially when eating at this restaurant, which prides itself on its authentic and true-to-taste reputation. So, when I was asked to review Sioe, I was looking forward to its five-star finery but wasn’t quite sure of what to expect from the new menu. The restaurant, a cosy, heavily-upholstered space with luxurious drapery, artefacts, wooden panels on the walls and ceilings, does full justice to its address. Jane, who greeted me at the door with a beaming smile, escorted me to a table overlooking the beautifully-lit garden. Open only for dinner service, you’ll find the lighting just dim enough to make the setting really intimate. Immediately I was impressed with the menu’s eclectic variety. In addition to the usual Cantonese and Szechuan fare, there are a host of dishes from Beijing, Hong Kong and South East Asia. One thing you absolutely can’t help but notice is the astonishingly competitive prices; this is literally haute couture at high street rates. Settled in and munching on some prawn crackers and sipping on a glass of grape, my friend and I ordered bean curd boxes and prawn toast rolls for starters. Beautifully plated, they were a great example of how simple ingredients (when prepared well) can yield the most amazing flavours. Both dishes came with their respective dips, which enhanced the taste further. The main course comprised of vegetable pad thai, mango crispy chicken and prawn yellow curry. Needless to say, the various textural notes and layers of flavour that I uncovered with each bite left a lasting impression. The fancy cutlery and expensive décor is all rendered inconsequential if the food doesn’t live up to it. Fortunately, in the case of Soie, it certainly does and goes far beyond expectation, especially in terms of creativity. Chef He Cheng says the new menu aims to provide more for less and it’s hard to disagree with him. The high quality and standard of the food remain the same but the prices have been slashed to make the experience more accessible. We ended the meal with a scoop of green tea ice cream with strawberry compote and the price of this decadent experience was under BD30 (including taxes). We suggest you book your table now. Call 17 533-533 or visit www.soiebahrain.com. DINING ALSO THIS MONTH: 103 A ZESTY BITE 104 GAME ON! AN ORIENTAL OASIS ANKITA MAMGAIN The calming environs of this plush five-star restaurant promise a host of gourmet surprises at wallet-friendly prices.
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