The menu at The Meat Co offers a variety of cuts of South African, Australian and USDA steaks. However, these high-quality steaks are pricey. Prices on the menu pictured here are in Bahraini Dinar. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
The menu at The Meat Co offers a variety of cuts of South African, Australian and USDA steaks. However, these high-quality steaks are pricey. Prices on the menu pictured here are in Bahraini Dinar. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
Steak isn't the only thing on the menu at The Meat Co in Bahrain. The restaurant also offers seafood, chicken, and a couple of vegetarian options. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
At The Meat Co restaurant in Bahrain, steaks come with a basic side dish -- mashed potatoes or vegetables. Choose from a variety of sauces, such as creamy garlic and peri peri, pictured in the background. Every meal comes with complimentary bread. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
The Meat Co is located in Adliya adjacent to Shawarma Alley near the Gulf Hotel. It's a five-minute drive from the Naval Support Activity base in Juffair, Bahrain. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
The 700g T-bone steak cooked medium rare at the Meat Co in Adliya, Bahrain. (Hendrick Simoes/Stars and Stripes)
You won’t find too many cows roaming the deserts of Bahrain. In fact, I haven’t seen one in the year I’ve been here.
While Arab cuisine does include meat, it’s mostly chicken or lamb, leaving many meat-loving Americans stationed at the Naval Support Activity in Bahrain wondering, “where’s the beef?”
Not to worry — when in Bahrain, you won’t have to give up your steak night. There are a handful of steak houses on the island, and one of the most popular is called The Meat Co — leaving no doubt about what is served at this upscale restaurant. Located in Adliya, adjacent to Shawarma Alley, it’s a five-minute drive from the Navy base, or about a 30-minute walk.
However, be warned: The high-quality steaks served here are pricey. It probably won’t be the kind of meal you’ll have every day — unfortunately — but it’s great if you want to treat yourself to something special.
Formal, with an intimate feel, the restaurant, part of a South African international restaurant group, is a good place to bring a date.
You’ll find various cuts of South African, Australian, and good old USDA steaks on the menu. My favorite is the massive 700g T-bone steak — the best steak I have ever eaten, though at 28 Bahraini Dinars, or about $70 dollars, a rare treat indeed. It’s worthwhile also to try their aged meat — so tender it seems to melt in your mouth with an explosion of flavor.
They even offer a noteworthy selection of wines and liqueurs. If at first the menu feels overwhelming, don’t be alarmed. It really is as easy as one, two, three if you’re ordering steak.
First, pick the steak and how you want it cooked. Second, pick a basic side dish — mashed potatoes or vegetables. Third, pick from a selection of tasty sauces like creamy garlic, pepper & mushroom, and bearnaise — personally all I need is Tabasco sauce.
For the non-beef lovers at your table, the restaurant also offers seafood, chicken and vegetarian dishes. The mostly South African staff is friendly, helpful and speaks English well.
Location: Adliya, Manama, Bahrain. Near Shawarma Alley.
Hours: Daily from noon to midnight.
Menu: Steak! Also a variety of seafood, chicken and vegetarian dishes.
Prices: Appetizers range in price from about $3 to $20. Main dishes range from about $16 for the pasta of the day to $135 for an Australian Wagyu Beef fillet. An averge steak runs about $50, and a hamburger around $20. Side dishes range from $2.50 to $5. Desserts run about $7 to $10.
More information: Telephone: +973 1774 2080, credit cards accepted. Also locations in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Kuwait.
Online: themeatco.net
