I’ve been here many times over the years, but still on each and every visit to La Fontaine my stomach flutters, my heart quickens, and I am truly in awe of this beautiful building nestled in the backstreets of Manama which I don’t believe enough people visit (frequently) enough.

The food was never the draw here, but the setting is 100% a reason to go. A towering walled gate leads to this old house where you enter huge imposing doors into a magical courtyard, with a showering fountain and nooks and crannies abound. You cannot help but gape as you wonder how and where this stunning structure came from.

Sadly, I don’t know much of the history, but I do just love the space.

A restaurant (with booze, huzzah), an art gallery, a spa and a little jewellery boutique are all inside the gated walls where they host regular screenings, dinners and more.

A concise menu of international dishes is on offer, including soups, salads, steaks, and pasta. Inoffensive, classics that most diners can get behind. What did impress me (and I’ve been waiting a while to get excited about a dish on this menu) was the Spaghetti Vongole. Garlicky, parsley flecked spaghetti with clams abound that I wolfed down with a wine and a smile, knowing that finally I can rave about a dish here and that will bring me back again and again. Salute La Fontaine it was excellent!

While the weather is still perfection for sitting outdoors, I highly recommend a re-visit to this old haunt, which quite rightly can claim to be Bahrain’s most romantic restaurant.

If you haven’t been to La Fontaine, then this magical gem is a must see.

If you haven’t been for a while, then it is time to go back there kiddos.

I’ll be the one in the corner, slurping up my spaghetti.