A former Bahraini banker has swapped corporate meetings for coffee mornings in Sri Lanka and has quickly become known for giving locals and tourists a taste of the kingdom.
Fatema Janahi, a 44-year-old from Manama, moved to the country affectionately known as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean to open a café in Galle Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site, after spending nearly 12 years as a banker in Bahrain.
Speaking to the GDN, Ms Janahi, now the owner of Coco And Date café, talked about her connection to Sri Lanka and its people.
“My mother is Sri Lankan, so naturally, I have always had a strong love for the country,” she said.
“The first time I came here, I was only about 10 months old, and we celebrated my first birthday in the country.
“I speak Tamil fluently because of my family, and can even understand a little bit of Sinhalese.
“We used to travel from Bahrain to Sri Lanka almost every year for our summer holidays, and I consistently travelled here even when I had time off work, either solo or with friends.”
Ms Janahi has always had a passion for communication and hospitality, having been influenced by her grandmother.
When she lived in Bahrain, she used to live with extended family members in Bait Al Oud, a historically significant archaeological home located in the heart of Manama.
Every day after lunch, her grandmother would prepare a pot of tea, alongside salted watermelon seeds, and tell stories to the children of the house.
Having lived in the house for about 40 years, Ms Janahi revealed that their door was always open for people to come and go, with her grandmother embodying the very essence of Bahraini hospitality.
Therefore, when she retired in 2016, it came as no surprise when Ms Janahi decided that she wanted to pursue something that combined her love for Sri Lanka and her passion for communication.
At first, she worked alongside travel agencies in Bahrain and became a tour guide for tourists to Sri Lanka.
Eventually however, she found her calling, and it came from the people who were closest to her.
“My friends also told me that I was very good at choosing food and other dining options,” she said.
“I have always liked simple yet quality ingredients, and I would like to think I am good at matching flavours.
“Therefore, in September 2024, I ended up opening Coco And Date, and the entire menu consists of my recipes of Bahraini, Sri Lankan and fusion dishes.
“The name comes from coconuts, which Sri Lanka is known for, and dates, which, of course, is a Bahraini favourite.
“I like to sit at a specific table close to the entrance because I love to hear what people think of the food, especially when they have no idea that I am the owner!”
Menu items include sandwiches, Dates Salad, Hummus Salad, Acai Bowls inspired by Arabian flavours, stuffed dates, ogailly milkshake, a variety of tea from Sri Lanka, and different kinds of coffee.
However, the most popular drink on the menu, one that has left tourists and locals alike very curious about Bahrain and the kingdom’s culture and traditions, is the Arabic gahwa.
“Many people are excited to try gahwa for the first time,” said Ms Janahi.
“I love talking to people about Bahrain, and I love it when Bahrainis and other GCC tourists discover the place, especially when it is by accident.
“Tourists from the region always seem happy to have a sense of familiarity away from home.
“Other than that, even locals have been very curious, warm and welcoming. I ended up introducing Eid and National Day celebrations in the area for the first time, and everyone was very excited to experience something new.”
Ms Janahi said that she is celebrating Eid Al Adha this year by introducing a menu with traditional desserts and special stuffed dates with a variety of fillings.
Finally, she shared some exclusive news with the GDN about a new venture in the near future.
“I am about to open a restaurant in the area in about three months that will serve Arabic food, especially Bahraini and Khaleeji cuisine.
“So far, I have already decided on dishes such as Bahraini style macaroni, balaleet and nakhi.
“I am very excited to introduce everyone to Bahraini dishes especially and to give people a taste of the kingdom.”
nader@gdnmedia.bh
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