Al Bahar offers beach-side marketplace dining at Jebel Dhanna

(Abu Dhabi, February 2006): Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna has caught seafood lovers hook, line and sinker over its new al fresco restaurant, Al Bahar, located at the resort on Abu Dhabi’s west coast. Al Bahar’s menu is fresh from the sea and cooked to perfection – customer’s choice - to enjoy under the stars.

The innovative casual venue on the resort’s beachfront is making waves, and according to general manager, Manoj Kanwal, Al Bahar’s interactive market-place environment adds to the dining experience.

“Al Bahar offers a leisurely approach to evening al fresco dining. Moving away from conventional dinner service, we encourage guest participation in personally selecting their dinner from the catch of the day and watching the chefs prepare it right before their eyes,” said Kanwal.

Trawled by Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna’s own fishermen earlier in the day, the seafood for Al Bahar is available every night from 1900 hrs until last orders at 2300. There will be displays of fresh fish and shellfish including lobster, mussels, crabs, and squid.

Guests select their favourite seafood from the live cooking stations on the beach, and chefs offer a number of different preparations including grilled, fried, Mongolian-style or Tandoori. A variety of sauces and side dishes complete an unforgettable meal. Fresh fruit for juices or dessert are also served by weight and made up to order, as are salads and Arabic sweets.

Or, if guests prefer, they can choose from the buffet, offering wok cooking, stirfries, hot mezzeh, fresh fruit and vegetables. Seating is al fresco dining, as well as majlis tents and low beach seats, all illuminated by subtle beach lamps.

“Our guests love to mingle and talk with the chefs who, in turn, advise them on any number of tempting combinations that may be created with the seafood selection. Everyone learns so much more about the cuisine’s flavours and textures when there isn’t just a menu card to look at,” said Kanwal.

The Danat fishermen sail daily for their catch and guests are more than welcome to accompany the crew out to sea for an afternoon. Kanwal sees the experience as being value-added to the resort.

“Restaurants are a dime a dozen, but a dining experience that allows a guest to come away from a delicious meal with a rich memory means we have done our job right,” he confirmed.

Al Bahar is open evening from 1900 hrs onwards seven days a week. All seafood is weighed and priced according to daily rates, charged per 100 grams or 200g.

Other restaurants and lounges at Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna include Tides, the all-day dining venue; Zaitoun, the Pan-Arab restaurant; C-View Café for light meals; L’attitude, the bar with live entertainment and cocktails; L’etoile, an evening Arabic café; plus poolside and room service options.

Owned and operated by Danat Hotels & Resorts, a division of the National Corporation of Tourism & Hotels based in Abu Dhabi, it is the first five-star deluxe resort on the west coast of the UAE and the flagship for tourism development in that region.
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Notes to the editor:
Danat Hotels & Resorts, a division of the Abu Dhabi-based National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H) manages two five-star resorts, the Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna and the Al Raha Beach Hotel, as well as a cluster of four-star properties in the emirate. The hotels are either owned and/or managed by the group, or where the group is the owner-representative.

The National Corporation for Tourism & Hotels (NCT&H) was formed in 1996 in response to the need to develop both tourism and commerce in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), especially Abu Dhabi.

The Corporation was formed as a semi-government organisation. NCT&H’s primary objective is to promote Abu Dhabi as an international destination, manage hotels and provide transportation and industrial catering services.

Contact for media information:
Strategic Solutions for Danat Resort Jebel Dhanna
Mohamed Tawil/ Laura Scorza
Tel +971 4 3903030;
Email mohamed.tawil@eurorscgfurness.com