In a culinary first for The Merchant House Bahrain, renowned Turkish Chef Memis Alkan graced the hotel’s kitchen as its inaugural international guest chef. With his signature blend of contemporary Turkish cuisine, Chef Alkan tantalized the taste buds of discerning guests, showcasing the vibrant flavors and culinary artistry of his homeland.
The brunch experience was nothing short of extraordinary, beginning with the Flavors of Breakfast. The Poached Egg, featuring potato rösti, spinach, and miso hollandaise, captivated taste buds. The Beetroot Confit with Olive Oil, a vegetarian delight, combined pickled beetroot, beetroot puree, whipping goat cheese mousse, and roasted hazelnuts. Moving on to starters, patrons were treated to the exquisite Beef Tartare with egg gel, crispy tartelette, and bois boudrins sauce. The Avocado Pizza featured crispy tortilla bread, tomato chutney, avocado, and fresh herbs. For the main course, Chef Alkan presented a culinary spectacle with options like Pumpkin Risotto (roasted pumpkin, orange gel, and pumpkin seeds), Saddle of Lamb (parsnip puree, borlotti beans, lamb jus, and chard), and Spicy Local Prawn (Parsley, garlic, butter, and lemon). The gastronomic journey concluded with a sweet note—Apple Crumble, boasting a cinnamon crumble, apple disk, and caramelized apple espuma.
Chef Memis Alkan’s Set Dinner showcased a carefully curated selection. The Amuse-Bouche featured Creamy Corn with caramelized cabbage, popcorn powder, and corn cream. Starters included Poached Shrimp with watercress foam, finger lime, purple violet, shrimp oil, and rock samphire, as well as Squid with olive puree, tomato concasse, chargrilled lettuce, and capers. Main course options included Halibut with gnocchi, tomato puree, kalamata olive, and artichoke heart, and Saddle of Lamb with quince, roasted pepper puree, fondant potato, and chard. The culinary journey concluded with Petit Four, featuring the delightful Lemon Tart with lemon cream, meringue, and lemon confit.
In addition to the curated experiences, patrons at Indigo restaurant had the pleasure of savoring Chef Alkan’s culinary prowess through an à la carte menu for both lunch and dinner. This allowed diners to explore a diverse range of dishes, each a testament to Chef Alkan’s expertise and creativity.
From delicately spiced mezze platters to succulent grilled meats and tantalizing desserts, each dish was a testament to Chef Alkan’s mastery of Turkish culinary traditions. This exclusive culinary experience marked a new chapter for The Merchant House Bahrain, highlighting its commitment to bringing world-class gastronomy to its guests.
