La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art

"Located in the heart of Manama, La Fontaine Center of Contemporary Art is a historical monument dating back over 150 years. The compound is an old Bahraini house that has been completely restored and renovated by French artist Jean Marc Sinan. The unique property captures the grand essence of a European chateau, while retaining the charm of authentic Gulf Islamic architecture.

The vast terrace of their fine dining restaurant can seat up to 250 guests for special events like movie nights and art exhibition dinners and with the central fountain, still manages a peaceful and tranquil experience. The food menu has Mediterranean and Italian influences along with a few Asian dishes.

The current art exhibition is “A Thousand Fragments” by Iris Morata. Iris's latest collection transforms wood's natural imperfections into profound reflections on life's complexities. Each piece (made out of small wood squares) invites you to shift your perspective, uncovering hidden depth and emotion as you walk around each piece.

As with all fine dining, the restaurant service was top notch. The art gallery closes at around dinner time but the staff was kind enough to open the gallery for viewing.

Out of all the food sampled, the Pan-seared Norwegian Salmon, Thai Sizzling Beef, and La Fontaine Chocolate Fondant were the favorites that stole the show!

Overall, great for a celebration with friends or a fancy date night!

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Crispy Fried Calamari & Fried Lemon Slices served with Lemon Aioli

Pan-seared Norwegian Salmon with Mashed Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, served with Olive Oil dressing

Pan-seared Duck breast with thinly cut vegetables, basil & mashed potatoes, served with Star Anise sauce

Thai Sizzling Beef: Stir-fried Angus Beef in Oyster Sauce & Vegetables served on a sizzling plate with Jasmin rice

La Fontaine Chocolate Fondant: Baked Chocolate Fondant served with Freshly made Vanilla Ice Cream & Chocolate Sauce"

Tyrone

"I had the pleasure of visiting La Fontaine for the first time for a movie night, and it truly exceeded all expectations. From the seamless reservation process to the thoughtfully curated menu, everything was perfect. Although there were some dishes on the menu I didn’t eat, the staff was incredibly accommodating and made adjustments with ease, The service was warm and attentive, creating an atmosphere that felt both personal and inviting.

We were there to celebrate a dear friend's birthday, and the chef’s thoughtful gesture of offering a complimentary cake made the evening feel even more special.

The setting itself was stunning—especially in the summer, with its serene charm—but I can only imagine how magical it must be in the winter, with the cozy, intimate ambiance. La Fontaine isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience that makes you feel truly cared for. I can’t recommend it highly enough."

reem Radhi

"It is a beautiful place, but I felt service was lacking ... they were not ready although I had a reservation. Obviously the server was new. I hoped things are more controlled, especially during Covid. Did not feel all that safe and comfortable. However, my main course was very good. Drinks and salad and soups were not impressive. Appetizers were good. Overall, good, but it did not meet my expectation."

HM C.