The last couple of months has flown by and frankly, I wasn’t prepared. But the Good Ship Life on the Wedge has been righted and all is OK in the world. There is a LOT of love about Doha’s dining scene right now – new openings, new menus and a lot of energy. Stay tuned until the end for upcoming openings and a special offer. So, here it is, your March 2022 hit list: where to eat and drink in Doha this month:
Satsuma
I need to listen to my friends more. When a good friend messaged me about a new place offering unlimited dumplings for QR99 every Thursday, I was skeptical. Derisive even. But folks, its real. Located at the Magnum Hotel and Suites, this new pan-Asian number is in soft opening phase. The wider menu includes Japanese, Thai and Chinese favorites. The Thursday dumpling offer runs from 7pm to 9pm and includes a starter of a maki roll, the dumplings and a choice of mains including a very accomplished mapo tofu as well as soft drinks. The dumplings are made by someone who knows what they are doing – the filling to wrapper ratio is spot on. It’s licensed and beer is a very surprising QR29, wine QR35 and this is why this is a keeper folks.
Must order: the chicken and prawn sui mai
Novecento
I’m all for hotels pushing the boat out with new concepts and this one is a walk-up start winner. The Intercontinental Doha has transformed an outside are into a charming, euro-style terrace with views across their pool area to the beach. The menu is short and sharp, the highlight being their French style tarte flambees (thin and crispy flatbreads topped with all manner of savory goodies). Frankly I just like saying the word flambee. They also offer breakfast, shisha and are licensed and this makes it’s a nice spot for a sundowner.
Must order: any of the tarte flambees. Emphasis on the flambaaaay
Bentley’s Steakhouse
Old is gold and this restaurant at RadissonBlu Doha is everything that is great about old school steakhouses. From the welcome through to the cosy, clubby interior, the white glove but not stuffy service and of course, the excellent steaks. Bentley’s is just, well, fabulous. The menu is one you would expect from a steakhouse – perfectly balanced crab cakes, crunchy fresh from the cooker onion rings, and a selection of steaks to suit any palate. There is also a range of other dishes including a great take on the ubiquitous black cod. I loved the cocktail cart serving up a dirty martini just as I ordered as well as our wine being decanted. It’s the added touches and the exceptional service really that make this a lovely experience.
Must order: the steaks and the crab cakes, just for the cute plate art!
Seafood Saturdays at Jamavar Doha
You can add Jamavar to the list of “wait, why haven’t I been here before?” places. Tucked away inside the Sheraton Grand Doha, this is a branch of a popular restaurant with outposts in London and India. Seafood Saturdays is a perfect introduction to this gem – the concept is like a fish market where you select the type of seafood and the preparation and let them do the rest. I’m, always leary of places who ask you to fill out a form, reminds me of multiple choice exams at school – you know how there are always two answers that are very similar? But here, there is no wrong answer.
Each diner chooses four starters and three mains. This is a LOT but each portion is small and manageable. A dish of Omani lobster with cardamom and saffron is beautifully warming while Canadian scallops with a dash of lime were a surprise hit. Mains included a Turkish seabass with a tangy onion and tomato sauce. at QR235 per person including two mocktails, this is great value. It’s available all day from 12pm.
Must order: tick all the boxes
KKUM
Qatar’s love affair with Korean food is not slowing down. KKUM is the latest addition to the scene and is already garnering firm fans, me included. No Korean BBQ here but they do have hotpot and other spicy offerings. Order one of the steaming bowls of spicy seafood noodle soup (soul food people!) or the perfectly spicy KFC aka Korean Fried Chicken. The hotpot with boiled octopus and veggies is one of the adventurous diners but worth pushing the boat out! Located in one of my favorite foodie streets, Al Kinana street, it’s packed with expat Koreans looking for a taste of home. Prices are pocket friendly and you can dine like a KPop sensation for very little outlay.
Must order: Seriously the menu is packed with great options
Public House at the Marsa Malaz Kempinksi
If ever there was a concept that Doha was crying out for, it’s this. A casual pub-style venue, located on the beach with awesome food. With three distinct seating areas – a backyard, a front yard and a spacious diner style interior. This place has been an instant hit since it opened in February and is only set to get more popular. Good news is that it is kid friendly and with a terrific laid back vibe, it’s easy to see why.
The menu is the brainchild of Justin Yu, formerly of CUT and its packed with comfort food classics like an amped up shareable nachos, a light and bright take on a corn dog and even fresh and fun poke bowls. It ticks all of my boxes and is on my regular haunt list and should be on yours. Happy hour is daily from 12pm to 8pm which is very generous and tempting. In my view the Marsa Malaz never really lived up to its potential on the food and beverage front, glad to see this is changing, fast.
Must order: the salmon poke bowl, corny dogs and the breakfast sandwich.
So folks, that’s your March 2022 hit list: where to eat and drink in Doha this month. Enjoy!
PS you know I love to value add so here are a couple of things to look forward to in coming months:
- Jean Georges is opening at the Four Seasons Doha and it’s going to be epic. It’s taking the spot occupied by the dearly loved Italian resto.
- Speaking of the Four Seasons, use my special code in their online shop and you can order cakes, pastries, their awesome beef wellington and the entire Nobu Doha menu for 15 percent off. Use Rachel15
- The much anticipated Lobito De Mar by Dani Garcia is opening at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski in early March.
- Black Tap craft burgers and Texas de Brazil are among 50 new openings at the Mall of Qatar in coming months. Might even convince me to actually go there again.
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