Tapas Bravos – Restaurant Review of Aceite at the Melia Doha

There are few things that can make the world better again than fried cheese and copious amounts of sangria. Which is why when the invite came to try this new restaurant, I literally ran towards it screaming.

Spanish food is literally surging in Doha right now. With the excellent El Faro at the Marsa Malasz and now this gem, Aceite at the new Melia Doha.

On a Thursday night in July, it was busy with big groups of work people enjoying the tapas and a drink as well as couple and of course two hungry Australian sheilas.

Plied with a very hypnotic sangria tapas style starters of cheese and chicken croquettas along with fried calamari set the scene.

The croquettas were parmesan and apple – a moorish (see what I did there) melange of sweet and savory and fried to perfection.

Lightly crumbed and fried, the calamari was served with its own ink. Unctious yet also just oily enough.

Between courses we were brought something described as “Squid Cappuccino”. This did not fill me with excitement. I have been known to be wrong. Topped with a creamy foam, deep inside was a salad of squid and peppers dressed with oil. It was a stand out amongst a meal of excellent dishes – not too fishy yet also not oily.

A seafood paella from Valencia of vermicelli noodles, clams, mussels and prawns was a salty seafood sensation. It had all the familiar smells of a paella but the textures were new and exciting. Also, I haven’t had a decent clam in Doha for some time (so many jokes there)

Those who know me know I don’t like sweets. Except for icecream. And cupcakes. And donuts. These churros ended the meal with a bang – deep fried and dusted in sugar and cinnamon, I didn’t even stop to dip them in the chocolate. The same can’t be said of my dining companion who drank it direct from the cup. #nojudgement

A large, bright space with a TV showing Spanish tourism videos, the bar area was almost raucus and gave the restaurant a fun and dynmanic atmosphere many would be envious of in this city’s competitive dining scene.

While the atmosphere is casual, the food is very definitely five star.This is fine dining with a populist edge.

*Life on the Wedge was a guest of Melia Doha, but view are my own.

The Details:

Aceite

The Melia Doha

West Bay

Tel: (974) 401 99999

PS

Many thanks to my readers for the kind words about my mother’s passing last month. The last few weeks have been harder than I ever imagined. Your support and that of my friends and loved ones meant more than I can ever articulate.