Nassef- Bahrain

All restaurants had turned to be mere sales prospects during my career during as a media Account Manager in Bahrain. I no longer relished the taste, ambiance and the exotic settings as my rambled on the prospect of acquiring them to advertise on a colorful full page in our magazine.

Out of the few who had transcended me out of this trance was Naseef. The first thing I noticed about the restaurant was its logo that resembling the Chinese symbol of 'Ying Yang', reflecting perfect harmony. I imagined a perfect full page advertisement with that logo in our magazine and rang up the restaurant.

The restaurant staff readily gave me the mobile number of Faisal, the restaurant owner's son. That was good sign! When the employees are not scared of their boss, it reflected their loyalty and passion for their job.

Faisal recommended me to meet with his sister Noor. We met at their recently opened outlet in Seef Mall with high ceilings and spacious seating. Noor with her ringing smile and friendly chatter detailed the history of Naseef restaurant.

Noor's great grandfather had started the restaurant in Bab Al Bahrain in 1920, which was the gateway to Bahrain at that time. The restaurant soon gained popularity among the locals and the visitors alike, who flocked the place for traditional Arabic breakfast. The authentic and secret recipes, passed over the generations still make Naseef as a popular dine-out for locals and expats.

Noor treated me with the much acclaimed 'mango ice cream' at Naseef, made out of a secret recipe by her great grandfather. The ice cream melted as the best mango pulp that you have ever tasted and it was one of those moments that you never want to let go in your life.

Amina Naseef, Noor's mother and the present owner of the restaurant detailed the story of the mango ice cream during a later meeting. During her childhood days, she often craved for the mango ice cream. Her grandfather was particular to make the ice cream sufficient for a day and due to its high demand, the ice cream would get over by the evening. She remembers that H.R.H late. Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the first emir of Bahrain was very fond of the mango ice cream and used to send for it.

Amina Naseef relentlessly manages the restaurant with the support of her two children. I never pitched them for advertisement in our magazine as the diners patiently waiting for their turn outside declared their popularity over the years. The restaurant will complete a century of its services in 2020.