THE ART OF SPANISH SOCIALISING

Salero translates to shalt shaker, and true to its name, Melissa Nazareth discovered that this restaurant at The Westin City Centre Bahrain adds flavour to every dining experience.

When it comes to Spanish culture, the first word that comes to mind, at least mine, is vibrant. From the colours and art to the food and overall upbeat vibe that comes from sharing tapas with friends or watching a Flamenco dancer. My companions and I visited Salero, an informal modern dining concept, where live entertainment and cooking take place in a social atmosphere. Located on the first floor of The Westin City Centre Bahrain, it’s a dimly-lit space with a dining area, a coffee station and a bar and live cooking counter. The life-sized murals depicting Spanish music, dance and food and drink are eye-catching. Cushions in reds and yellowish tones, much like the Spanish flag, add a nice touch. The show stealer for us was the wall painting of a bull, with details reminiscent of Barcelona’s mosaic art. It’s the perfect background for a photo – very Instagrammable. Mosaic-style bulls are table centrepieces too. We were told by our friendly server that they are on sale. You can also buy canned ingredients from Spain that are displayed at the entrance. Salero’s menu offers a good selection of hot and cold tapas to share at the table. We started with a caramelised goat cheese salad. The sugar lent this salty, mature variety the perfectly balanced sweetness – I’m never eating goat cheese any other way again. The pungent arugula and candied strawberries and blue berries elevated taste and texture dimensions. A moderately sharp fortified grape vinegar dressing, laced with the fruitiest olive oil, further magnified the flavour and freshness of this dish.

Then, it was time for something hot and what better than croquettes. We ate the wild mushroom and truffle ones, which we were told are a best-seller. They had a crispy shell packed with an elegant minced filling of these terrestrial treasures. Truffle is a tricky ingredient; when used in the right amount, it offers a subtle je ne sais quoi quality, however, when overdone it can be off-putting. Salero strikes the correct balance of earthy, nutty and garlicky profiles.

Every culture has a side dish or appetiser-like item that is served, regardless of whether you order it or not. Here, it’s the Pan con Tomate, toasted Spanish bread, served with grated fresh tomato. It’s also on the menu in case you want to go for seconds – which we suspect you will; our host revealed that it’s outstandingly delicious when used to mop the luscious oil from our next dish – Gambas al Ajillo. Springy shrimp swimming in a pool of silken olive oil infused with garlic and chili flakes. The sweet, paprikadusted crustaceans were as much a treat to the eyes as they were to the taste buds. The freshly chopped parsley garnish added to the medley of colours.

You can’t finish a tapas experience without Patatas Bravas. This traditional dish of crispy-edged fried potatoes was addictive to say the least. Like the chorus that repeats throughout a song, these moreish delights kept featuring after every other bite. They were served with ali oli, which is a garlic sauce that tasted like garlic mayo, only better. And, of course, a side of coral-red bravas sauce made with smoked paprika as the main ingredient. The showstopper was the seafood paella, prepared right in front our eyes. Elegantly choreographed, this showmanship of flames shooting out of the pan and a rhythmic clanking of spoon to vessel had us rapt. The result – a pot of golden, short-grained Spanish rice crowned with oceanic treasures – mussels, shrimp, cuttle fish and clams. Each of these were fresh, teaming with umami flavours that were hard to resist. The rice had a bite, a testament to Salero’s traditional techniques, which reflected in virtually all our dishes. However, there was a modern touch too, making the experience relatable to diners of all cultural backgrounds.

A special mention to our cheerful server who got us an empty bowl to dispose of the shells – it’s the attention to the smallest detail that makes or breaks service and we can confidently say that Salero’s guest experience is spot on.

We finished with churros served with a silken, decadent dark chocolate dip. These golden-fried, cinnamon sugar-dusted treats were the perfect sweet note to end on. In the past, I’ve eaten churros that are doughy but these were airy and light, with the perfectly crispy exterior.

That we will keep returning to further explore this lovely rendition of Spanish culture is a no-brainer. Perhaps, even sample the selection of hand-picked grape from the bar. We also hope to catch a Flamenco performance the next time, which happens daily from 8pm to 10pm, except on Sundays when the restaurant is closed. Vamos!✤