Jason Rogachesky

Review of GULF HOTEL, Manama, Bahrain

The Japanese restaurant sushi is mediocre (which i...

The Japanese restaurant sushi is mediocre (which is good by comparison to this part of the world). The Italian restaurant has a nice bufala anti pasto but the bufala isn't anything as good as the real Italian stuff from Sorrento. The Mexican restaurant does fantastic fresh fried Tortilla chips with a pasty (consistency, I.E. not chunky) but very tasty salsa and fantastic fresh guacamole made right at your table.

The Cigar lounge is where it's at if you like scotch and a stick but if you care to break with tradition the cocktails here are the best you can get. Just ask for Harry the bar tender. They don't stock good bourbon here so you'll have to go elsewhere if you haven't converted yet.

Sherlock's pub (themed after its namesake) has a nice dark-wood, English pub feel with darts, sports playing on large TV sets and pool (not snooker) tables. They do a decent Guiness and lovers of pipes, cigars, and the novels will feel right at home.