The entrance to the new Admiral’s Club is on the right of the Ritz-Carlton Marina, separate from the main hotel, which in itself promotes a more casual atmosphere. Walking through the doors of the Club is akin to walking on board a rather classy yacht. The bar area sports large LCD screens, comfortable sofas and images of boats which add to the overall nautical theme. The atmosphere is relaxed and immediately you can feel the stresses of the day slip away as we were led to the outside terrace area.

 

We are seated on the terrace and that is when our experience truly begins. The air is warm with a cool breeze and we look out onto the marina where several opulent yachts are moored. You could be anywhere in the world sitting looking out to the serene surroundings of the marina, with the backdrop of the pearl, lit up in its ever expanding splendor. The lighting is subdued and there are candles on all the tables adding to the ambience. It is so refreshing to dine ‘al fresco’ and you can hear the rhythmic hum of the grasshoppers combined with the mellow tunes drifting outside from the bar area.

 

We chat to the Assistant Director of Food and Beverages, Yucel Eltutan, a well informed and welcoming man who advises us that the bar used to be a shisha bar but has now been renovated and re launched and has only been open 2 months. He is excited about the new Club and informs us of the special offers they have, including a happy hour from 3pm to 6pm throughout the week (excluding weekends), and special couples offers where couples can watch the sun set and enjoy a seafood platter or a bucket of prawns for a special price. They have various special offers so be sure to call the Club on the number below to check out the special for the month. He is attentive and invites us to peruse the menu.

 

I start with a strawberry daiquiri, and it arrives in a large glass which impresses me, I like the portion sizes here already; it is divine, really fruity and refreshing.  Our waiter is a friendly and enthusiastic South African called Marco who talks us through the menu which is divided into ‘something to start, something small and something more’. I order lamb bites as a starter from the ‘something small’, and my husband orders the lobster and crab cake. The starters vary from QR40 to QR80 (for the oysters).

 

My lamb bites arrive and are mini lamb kofta ‘patties’ on skewers served with small circular pitta breads and a mint ginger dip. The lamb patties are moist and tasty, a great combination with the crisp pitta and real finger food that when dipped in the mint ginger are an assault on the taste buds! My husband’s arrives and I look on in envy, it’s a king crab cake adorned with an enormous lobster spring roll accompanied by a smoked jalapeno aioli. The crab cake is meaty with a crisp breadcrumb coating and the spring roll is crunchy, authentic and cooked to perfection with the aioli being an excellent accompaniment.

 

Main courses vary in price from QR 60 to QR100, I select the seafood tempura and my husband opts for the Admiral mini burgers, ‘real pub grub’, he says! The tempura is excellent; battered hammour and prawns with a tasty soy glaze. They are served on small skewers with two dips, soy and sweet chilli. The fish is moist and flaky and not at all oily, and again are very easy to dip and eat, real casual and delicious food. The mini Angus burgers are covered in melted cheese, fried caramelized onions and crispy wagyu bacon and are resting in a sun dried tomato roll, accompanied by freshly fried crisps. The beef was tender and my husband was surprised at how tasty the sun dried tomato rolls were and how well they complimented the succulent and perfectly cooked to order burger. The crisps were like none we had ever tasted and so moorish that I keep reaching over only to have my hand removed more than once!

 

A pina coloda or two later and I am feeling quite relaxed and in a real holiday mood. The setting promotes that unique ‘holiday’ feeling where your worries just float away out to sea. There really is something for everyone at the new Admiral’s Club; you could picture yourself with your very best friend sharing a bottle of wine and some lifelong secrets, with a large group on a girl’s night out working your way through the cocktail list or on a romantic night out with your husband. Of course there’s something for the men too as they show many of the major sporting events on the large TV screens.

 

The food is simple, tasty and well presented and the atmosphere relaxing with a touch of class. The ‘Ritz’ name of course precedes itself and expectations were high, suffice to say we were not disappointed by the new Admiral’s Club unique and informal atmosphere and its excellent service.

 

Would you like to dine at the new Admiral’s Club? To be in with the chance of winning dinner, including 2 free glasses of wine just answer the following question:

 

 

E-mail competitions@expatwoman.com with Admiral's in the subject line and including your answer by June 30th and good luck!