Jamie’s Italian lands in Bahrain with its signature laid-back style and feel-good flavours. Bushra Hakim tried it out.
Growing up, I always watched cooking shows with my mum, and one person I remember vividly is Jamie Oliver. He stood out, not just because of his easy, cheeky charm but also because my mum would often recreate some of his simple, nutritious recipes at home. So, having known him practically (not personally) all my life, I was quite excited to try out the celebrity chef ’s newest restaurant in town, Jamie’s Italian. I must confess that Italian cuisine and I get along quite well. The ingredients are simple and fresh, and they somehow never disappoint me, so naturally, my excitement doubled.
Located on the ground floor of Marassi Galleria, the restaurant is hard to miss with its bold lettering. Inside, you find long corridors with beautiful interiors that are luxe yet simple. Greenery and wooden latticework dominate the space, with gorgeous emerald-shade tiles covering different parts of the restaurant. The décor leans into warm brown and green tones, accented by bronze fixtures that lend a sophisticated touch without feeling overdone. Terrazzo tables, plush wooden chairs and plenty of booth seating create a cosy space with options for both indoor and outdoor dining.
My dining companions and I were seated comfortably, ready to begin our little journey, when the Avo Grain Bowl arrived shortly. A colourful and vibrant dish, it caught everyone’s eye. It was a mix of textures and colours, made with avocado, tomatoes, rainbow beets, ribbons of courgette, endives, buffalo mozzarella, black rice and hazelnuts, all dressed in a punchy Calabrese tomato and olive dressing. Fresh, hearty and creamy with layers of flavour, it offered the perfect way to kick things off. Next up were the Ultimate Garlic Buns, and truth be told, they were some of the best I have had in a really long time. Pillowy, soft and warm, the buns were soaked with garlic butter on the inside and topped with Parmesan and rosemary. Pure garlicky goodness and utterly addictive.
The hot starters followed right after. The Tomato and Mushroom Arancini had a crunchy golden exterior that gave way to a warm centre of mozzarella cheese, risotto, mushrooms and peas. Paired with a spicy arrabbiata sauce and fresh basil, it ticked all the boxes of what a great Italian starter or antipasti should be. The Crispy Squid was a crowd favourite at our table. Lightly breaded and deep-fried to the perfect crunch, the squid was elevated even further with saffron aioli and a squeeze of fresh lemon.
To make room for the mains, we sampled a few of the restaurant’s refreshing drink options. The Arancia Passion, a fizzy soda with orange juice and passion fruit, and the Pomegranate Fizz, a ginger ale-based drink with grenadine and pomegranate, both turned out to be instant hits. My personal favourite was the Pink Lemonade, a refreshing fizzy lemonade mixed with fresh strawberries, perfect for a summer afternoon. They also offer healthier options like the Super Green, a bright and earthy blend of apples, kale, cucumber and spinach, for those wanting a guiltfree refresh.
For our first course, or Primi, the Sicilian Prawn Linguine was the perfect introduction. Al dente linguine tossed in a luscious garlic, cherry tomato and chilli sauce, with juicy king prawns in every bite, it truly captured the sweet and sour flavours of southern Italy. It felt like a little Sicilian holiday on a plate. On the other hand, the Penne Alfredo was pure creamy comfort. Perfectly cooked pasta enveloped in a silky, rich white sauce, seasoned with black pepper and topped with crispy fried onions, made a wholesome, satisfying dish. The Italian Steak followed for our second course, or Secondi. Aged to perfection, the 280g steak was cooked well done and accompanied by a punchy tomato salsa, peppery rocket, aged parmesan and skin-on fries. The fries, topped with generous shavings of parmesan and a hint of garlic, were the ideal sidekick to the steak, hearty and moreish without being too heavy.
Life feels incomplete without pizza, and we made sure to give it the attention it deserved. The La Stracciatella pizza arrived with a gorgeous, blistered Neapolitan base, topped with a crushed tomato sauce, clouds of creamy stracciatella cheese, sweet slow-roasted cherry tomatoes, a generous serving of rocket and plenty of aged parmesan. The contrast between the warm, crispy bread and the cold, rich cheese made each bite feel like a little surprise: soft, tangy and full of flavour. The Truffle Shuffle pizza was simple but packed a punch. A creamy truffled béchamel sauce formed the base, layered with aged cheddar, fresh rocket leaves and generous shavings of black truffle. Rich and aromatic without being overwhelming, it was one of those dishes you do not realise you are devouring until it is nearly gone.
No trip to an Italian eatery is ever truly complete without a tiramisù, and we made sure not to miss this ritual. It featured layers of coffee-soaked sponge and fluffy mascarpone cream, melting seamlessly into one another and finished with a dusting of cocoa. It was super light and indulgent, like a real treat; it was the perfect end to a fantastic dining experience. It is funny how a meal can make you feel like you have travelled far without ever leaving the table. Jamie’s Italian did not just serve up great food, it offered a little slice of nostalgia too.
For more information or to make a reservation,
please call Jamie’s Italian on 3360 0994.
@jamiesitaliangcc