Villa Mama's

Villa Mamas, in the Saar district of Bahrain, opened in 2012 as an extension of Roaya's Home. Reminiscent of a childhood spent on her family’s farms and in the kitchen with her mother and grandmother, Roaya’s cooking uses local, seasonal ingredients as the starting point for new and traditional dishes from Bahrain and Persia, and those inspired by her travels through the world. Villa Mamas family has grown over the years. Alongside the original restaurant we offer our café and deli Mama's Gourmet, Sofratna catering, our kitchen on wheels VM1856, and our first international restaurant, Villa Mamas London. Food is one of the most heartfelt and authentic expressions of tradition, history and culture. To share a meal is to share who we are with others, to tell a story and, at the same time, create new traditions and friendships.

30 Aug 2017

Villa Mama's chooses Chelsea for its London debut

Bahraini restaurant Villa Mama’s will make its UK debut next month on Elystan Street in Chelsea. Designed by Erta Designs, the restaurant will display artwork, textiles and furniture of Bahraini design, with café style benches providing outdoor seating. Diners will eat at violetta marble-topped pedestal tables, and homemade jams and spices will be displayed on a Parisian reclaimed shop counter. There will be a small, terracotta courtyard at the back of the restaurant, where herbs will be grown to be used in the kitchen. For the rest of the day, sharing plates of traditional Bahraini dishes will be available. ‘Mezzeh’ offerings will include khubus, served with a Bahraini fermented sardine sauce; slow-cooked chicken, rice and cracked wheat; lamb and feta kofta with cherry molasses; turbot cooked in stock with pilaf and onions; and a saffron rice cake layered with spiced chicken and pine nuts, for two. Dessert will consist of rose water rice pudding, almonds and pomegranate and an Egyptian bread and butter pudding. Villa Mama’s will have a concise wine list, curated by front of house Elena Pavare, with ‘house’ glasses from £6. There will also be a cocktail menu, with creative options available both with and without alcohol. The ‘Nostalgia’, cocktail is made with sweet potato, pumpkin spice syrup and lime with the option of adding Flaming Pig whisky, and the ‘Prunus’ consists of plum, basil, Swedish bitters and lemon with optional Montenegro and golden rum. “It was my dream to open a restaurant that felt like an extension of my home and kitchen, to preserve my heritage and share my family recipes and stories. Having opened Villa Mama’s in Bahrain six years ago, London feels like the next adventure for me,” says Roaya.

Bahrain · 30 Aug 2017