My-oh-my, how time flies! It seems only yesterday that I was breezing down the shared entrance of Seven Seas and Burj al Hamam on the Gulf Road near the towers. But that was five years ago and I am glad to report that Seven Seas is as great as when I last reviewed it.
Seven Seas is one of the supreme fish restaurants in Kuwait and it is defined by its relaxed elegance and classy comfort. The shift by lift upwards to the first floor deck is a metaphor for the dining to come, for you are elevated in all kinds of ways by taking your lunch or dinner here. And that is one of the big differences since my last professional visit for now you can even take breakfast here.
What is more, they have utilized the space on ground level to act as a terrace in the balmy days of autumn and spring; a great idea which patrons are going to love. On my visit in mid November the weather was at its best and the relaxing and sunny environment was made for al fresco dining. You can take cooked food from the grill here or just finish off your meal with a coffee to conclude a premium dining experience. Relax in a comfy wicker armchair and let the food digest in pleasant conversation with your companions and reflect on the stellar meal you will have had. They are also serving afternoon teas on the terrace so anytime is a good time to be at Seven Seas.
On entrance to the restaurant the same chic modernity awaits but the color scheme has changed from the austere all white to the restful pastels of blissful blues and calming feminine pinks. Style, elegance and comfort are clear and the massive windows with spectacular views of the sea add to the restful and soothing ambience.
As you walk to your table you will notice an array of the freshest of fish awaiting your choice. The servers are very well versed in the various modes of cooking that will best suit your choice and the sauces will be advised according to the type of fish you choose and your individual taste preferences. You are treated regally throughout your meal and the personal attention one receives is a defining feature of Seven Seas. You are a guest of importance the whole time you are here.
The main dining area has remained the same and the luxury cabin experience is still available but they have added a room for conferences or training for local businesses that can accommodate up to 25 people and food will be provided too!
The cabins are a lovely way to dine: intimate, personal and luxurious with stunning sea views and either views of the towers or Green Island are available depending on your choice making for a special experience.
Upscale dining can be an intimidating experience for many but rest assured this is upscale with no snootiness. Warmth of welcome and VIP treatment is the signature style with help for the fish novice and skilled informed discussion for the fish expert.
The great thing about dining at Seven Seas is the sheer range of fish available. Kuwait is blessed with an abundance of local seafood of the highest quality but Seven Seas bring you seasonal imported fish too. Hence you can eat in season oysters, sea bass, mussels and caviar. All freshly imported from impeccably sourced secret destinations.
For appetizers we chose a stunning Eggplant layered salad with ricotta and tomatoes drizzled with fresh pesto. The eggplant was firm without being hard and oozed juices to foment with the pesto and tomato that gave a glowing start to proceedings. The artistic presentation was spectacular in all dishes and served on fine crockery giving masterful aesthetic satisfaction. The pan-fried king scallops were exquisite and the breaded shrimp had the loveliest of crispy coats that you only find in the finest restaurants, no grease and a big fleshy prawn inside: outstanding. If you love mussels then go for the moule mariniere dish sautéed in saffron cream. This is sensational. If it is a cold winter’s day then I can also recommend, unhesitatingly, the Seafood Saffron soup.
With lobster, Dover sole and Black tiger prawns on the menu you know you are in the upper echelons of fish dining and with plenty of other classy options you are in fish heaven. I was struggling to choose but then hit upon the Clay baked baby hammour with mussels in a light saffron broth and what a choice this proved to be. My friends chose wild salmon in pomegranate sauce and grouper in a lemon butter sauce with a hint of garlic. The grouper was a deeply-fleshed fish cooked to perfection and the sauce was a precise complement. Fish cooking can go wrong very easily but here perfection was the watchword in everything. The wild salmon was cooked through but still retained some essential wetness, the flesh perfectly pink throughout. It was my accidental choice of baby hammour, however, that was the scene stealer for the fish was beautifully fleshy having retained its firmness despite the style of cooking and the sauce was a gorgeously delicate flavor that made this a truly divine experience. My friends, who spend a lot of time in Italy, commented on how there was an Italianesque dimension to the menu. In fact there are international styles [Kuwaiti, Indian, Thai, French/ Belgian etc.] of cooking on this menu and even the meat eaters will find veal and chicken available despite this being ostensibly a Fish venue.
The dessert menu is full of your favorites and again is international in dimension. I chose tiramisu, a little fearfully, for this is ubiquitous and often done badly outside of really good Italian restaurants, but here it was a joy as good as anywhere. Good, dark chocolate flavor and not dry. The cheesecake was fine but we had no room for the bestselling profiteroles or various tarts on offer. These could always be had should you choose to take tea in Seven Seas for they are offering teas from 4 to 6pm which would be lovely to take on the terrace.
Top quality fish, perfectly cooked and gloriously presented in an atmosphere of becalmed seas as you observe and ponder with peace the horizon. I cannot recommend this place highly enough – an exceptional dining experience. Go sail the seven seas!!
Seven Seas is located on Gulf Road. For more information or to make a reservation please call 2256 4391/2.
