It’s been a hot minute but my dining hit lists are finally back… by popular demand. So, here is my Doha dining hit list for May 2024 including all the new, hot and just reviewed restaurants and bars in Qatar.
Muru by Mauro Colagreco
I waited patiently and it’s finally open. Vast, pricy and very beautiful, Muru’s food is also settling in nicely. The menu is also pretty vast…circumnavigating crudo, ceviches, tartare, maki rolls, several types of grills including Tandoor and more. Starters include a catch of the day ceviche (QR85), made with a surprising cut of barracuda – it’s meaty yet bright thanks to the injection of pomegranate and mango.
A star dish is a curling tendril of perfectly grilled octopus (QR175), served on a bed of earthy chickpea and saffron stew – composed yet also homey. Also on the menu is the legendary black miso cod. The MURU version (QR195) is served on a surprising layer of umami laden creamed rice, pushed even further with a nutty sesame salt (gomasio). Prices are prunchy so I recommend you try their Friday brunch which is generous, interesting and delicous for QR385/QR465.
Must order: Black miso cod and the cocktails.
Chicago Rare
Chicago Rare is all about…Chicago but more specifically the prohibition era. There is a long, clubby bar area with dark leather seating then a beautifully designed atrium space for the main dining room.
Its centerpiece is another bar with an elevated stand for the band. There is also outside seating with views across the water. Starters range from QR40 to QR190 with extras like Canadian lobster from QR250 for a half.
Mains clock in from QR155 with the option of a seafood tower for QR780 or a meat platter (with nearly 1.2kg of cuts) for QR950. Steaks themselves are the star with Canadian, USDA Prime and Australian beef on the menu ranging from QR260 up to QR800 for a massive tomahawk. My highlights? A perfectly roasted veal bone marrow (QR75) with pickles and brioche toast to smear it on. The 240g smoked Camembert (Qr190) almost undid me – gooey and generous made to share. The 400 gram Australian wagyu (QR390) cut like butter. The Chicago crusher burger (QR140) lives rent free in my mind – two smashed patties, proper cheddar and a runny over easy egg to add another layer of richness.
Must order: THAT seafood tower and the steaks.
HanNan Kitchen
At the just opened HanNan Kitchen in thriving foodie hotspot Bin Mahmoud, Burmese dishes are front and center. The interior is Instagrammable – walls adorned with Burmese art. Service is engaged and charming – clearly the team are knowledgeable and proud of their food. The Burmese flavors are unique yet also familiar in many ways, the flavors intense. But the other Thai and Vietnamese dishes on the menu are also crowd pleasers.
You can also dial up or down the spice levels as needed. Push the boat out and try Aloo Htung (QR27) Burmese potato salad which is fried in a fiercely hot wok, crushed and mixed with tangy Shan pickle and Ayayerwardy prawn (QR46) is named for the famous river that traverses Myanmar. Shell on prawns are stir fried with chili, garlic and ginger. I’m a forever champion of small eateries in their city and HanNan Kitchen is exactly the type of eatery we need more of. It’s clear this will be a restaurant that will set the scene for some time.
Bentley’s
Bentley’s at Radisson Blu is the kind of old school escape you need every once in a while. Clubby but cosy interior, personalized service from staff (who even took note of my friends name and used it throughout the evening) and yes, of course, good food. It’s a classic steakhouse so after a martini starters included crab cakes encased in a perfectly crispy exterior; a punchy and fresh seafood cocktail with the freshest seafood I have had for a while.
Speaking of meaty, my US prime ribeye was seasoned hard just how I like it and yes, I’m all about the sauces and sides. No store bought onion rings here – tempura style batter was light as air. Dessert include an Oreo cheesecake and an Irish coffee made tableside with fresh cream. Honest food cooked with real care. So if you feel like a payday treat or just because you want to be pampered a bit, this is your place. Prices hover around QR65 and up for the starters and Qr300 plus for steaks – so expected for a steakhouse and hotel restaurant.
Must order: The crab cakes and of course, the steaks.
While you are here…
Thanks for reading my May 2024 dining hit list!
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Please note:
While I pay for a large portion of my experiences that I write about, I am sometimes provided meals and other experiences free of charge or at a reduced rate. However, I make it clear that I am under no obligation to give a positive review.
