Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
yard house in a small backstreet, the high-ceilinged restaurant is undoubtedly one of the
best in Manama. It offers an international menu with an excellent wine list. Book to avoid
disappointment. Signs show the way from neighbouring main roads.
La Fontaine$$$
INTERNATIONAL
(
17 230 123;
www.lafontaineartcentre.net
; 92 Hoora Ave; mains from BD10;
noon-3pm & 6-11.30pm Tue-
Sun; )
This fashionable restaurant, in the outstanding renovation project of La Fon-
taine Centre of Contemporary Art, is a magical place to enjoy dinner - in the illuminated
courtyard in winter months. In the summer, the glass panel walls help capture the sense of
this being a garden venue with the name-giving fountain in full view. The stunning archi-
tecture almost steals the show from the competent international dishes!
Self-Catering
Dozens of grocery stores (cold stores) are dotted around the residential areas, and are usu-
ally open from about 7am to 10pm. The French franchise Geant has a giant store in
Bahrain Mall. Head to
Al-Jazeera Supermarket
(Osama bin Zaid Ave)
or for fruit, spices, vegetables
and meat, try the Central Market; for fish there's the Fish Market (no surprises here) - or a
hook over the side, anywhere along the corniche, should do it.
WATER: SAFE TO DRINK?
Flouride is often considered to be a beneficial element of water, but in Bahrain you can get too much of a good
thing - as the parlous state of teeth among the elderly testifies.
The abundant natural spring water contains double the normal levels of fluoride, which can lead to a disease
called fluorosis. The condition is associated with a staining of the teeth and a fusion of bones, particularly of the
spine.
Studies have revealed that many of the inhabitants of Bahrain's burial chambers suffered from the same dis-
ease. Since the installation of modern water-treatment techniques, fluorosis is thankfully becoming a thing of the
past, however, and both tap and mineral water is now safe to drink.
Drinking & Nightlife
All top-end hotels have sophisticated bar areas, often with jazz or other live music, and
usually featuring a 'happy hour' or cut-price cocktails. These include the generic
Clipper
Room
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(Regency InterContinental, King Faisal Hwy)
, the bizarrely
