Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunch

Every Friday in Bahrain, at all the major hotels have something called Brunch.  This is more than simply a meal that is too early for lunch and too late for breakfast; that's just regular old lower-case brunch.  This is different; this is Brunch with a capital B.

Brunch is sort of the Middle East's cutting loose. Now, Bahrain, unlike many of its more conservative neighbors is not a dry country.  There is a lovely little (slightly sketchy from the outside) widowless store behind the Gulf Hotel that sells all manner of libations, for very resonable prices.  That being said, its not exactly a open-containerless, stumble about town kind of environment either.

So, as a compromise, we have Brunches.  To attend a brunch, you pay about 50$ USD (prices vary depending on the quality/reputation of the establishement and whether or not you want alcohol to be a part of your day.)  The Brunches typially begin around 11am and end around 4pm.  For these five hours, you spend your time in an environment of unlimited food and booze.

It's like a frat boys wet dream.

Unlimiiiiiiited. 

Wonder-bar-keep plus batman challenge equals this face. 

 You literally sit around with your friends, eating as much as you can, while a man behind the bar hands you a new glass every time you run empty.  The most challenging part of the event becomes navigating through the mounds of food to get back and forth from the bar without tripping.

And I am not talking about your average, every day kind of fare.  The food is fantastic.  Meat cooked to order (and every kind of possible meat you could want: beef, lamb, chicken, pork--you name it, they'll cook it for you).  Fish and every manner of seafood--I had sushi! And it's not just fried shrimp; we're talking about all manner of fancy sea foods; I had oysters and what-not.  There was a whole room dedicated just too cheese. A freaking room of cheese.

Look at all that food! I am sorry I don't have more pics of the food.  Because it took up several rooms and covered all manner of land and sea creatures.  And every kind of carb known to man.  I do have video, buuuut, its not the best (free booze, people, you do the math). 

This is the cheese room. 

And do not get me started on the deserts.  They were amazing.  We are talking tarts, cakes, puddings, pastries, fruit, custards--in the cutest darn arrangements, it was like "do I eat this or do I just take a thousand pictures of it 'cuz its so damn cute?!"

The Movenpick, home of not just one, but two chocolate fountains. 

LOOK AT ALL THE ADORABLE DESERT!!

Any one who visits me will be taken to a brunch and that's that.