Villa Mamas is a haven of authentic Bahraini food, nestled on the chic and culinary Elystan Street in Chelsea. The cuisine here is a blend of the flavours of the Middle East, Mediterranean and Persia, using local ingredients in season. The restaurant is an intimate space, and as such ideal for a private dinner. You can choose between booking half the restaurant for 20 guests in a semi-private setting, or the entire space, which seats up to 40.
At Villa Mamas, you and your guests can relax in the elegant, pared-back space and enjoy a feast of Bahraini dishes. Sip on a Middle Eastern-inspired cocktail like the pistachio infused espresso martini or the herb garden, which features cloudy apple juice, fresh mint, elderflower, lemon and gin. There is a short, carefully selected list of European and Middle Eastern wines, as well as some beer and bubbly.
Start off with the signature khubus (flatbreads), served either plain, with za’atar or mahyawa (a tangy sauce made from fermented fish). From here, there are then plenty of small plates to choose from, including more familiar options like lamb kofta alongside more unusual ones, such as ch’bood deyay (chicken livers sauteed with masala and vine leaves and served with khubus). Veggies can enjoy options like spicy Aleppo roast potatoes, stuffed vine leaves and baba ganoush.
Mains here are a heartier affair, with warming stews and comforting rice dishes taking pride of place. Pan-seared sea bass comes with crispy onions, pine nuts and pilaf, while grilled chicken breast might be accompanied by pomegranate molasses and walnuts. Non-rice dishes include a classic lamb moussaka, braised lamb shank with rosemary and vermicelli or macaronat eid milad (a traditional Bahraini macaroni with spiced minced lamb). When it comes to dessert, each option has a kick of Middle Eastern flavour, like the saffron ice cream or rose water rice pudding with pistachio.