I had fully approached my return to this restaurant with a high degree of cynicism. Of the belief that the borderline cultish proclamations about Kai’s Songbird were a result of them being mesmerized by the location and the concept. For months, since my first visit, I had demurred – “it’s good….but….”. And you can see why I held this view. On arrival, it’s easy to be dazzled by Kai’s Songbird. It’s harborside location, soaring atrium interiors and almost over-designed plush furnishings are unlike anything in Doha. And, of course, there is the novelty of drinking alcohol. Not in a hotel! At The Pearl! With that view! OMG! Swoon! The rest,…
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Doha Hit List January 2023: Hot, new and just reviewed restaurants, bars and offers
Hello? 2023? Is that really you? All shiny, bright and full of promise! To kick the year off in the right way, here is your Doha Hit List January 2023: Hot, new and just reviewed restaurants, bars and offers to check out NOW: Hanok Korean/Japanese Restaurant If you haven’t wandered around the area behind the National Museum of Qatar, do yourself a favor and go. So many new eateries and cafes have popped up, including Hanok. Their menu includes Seiromushi, the Japanese method of steam cooking in which food is steamed on bamboo trays table side. Anyone familiar with K Dramas will have seen this technique. We ordered the set…
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Curious About Curiosa – Exclusive Interview with Jean-Georges and a sneak peek at his new restaurant at the Four Seasons Doha
No stranger to Doha’s dining scene, Jean-Georges Vongerichten this week opens Curiosa at the Four Seasons Doha. I had the chance to meet the legendary chef and get a little sneak peek at his new restaurant. Just weeks after opening the multi cuisine concept of Tin Building in New York, Curiosa is the acclaimed chef’s latest foray in Qatar. A laid back Latin cuisine concept, located in the space that used to house the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Curiosa opens just in time for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The hacienda-style venue being helmed by Edgar Hurtado formerly of IKA and Toro Toro – a chef with his own fan base…
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Lobito De Mar: First Look at Doha’s new Spanish Seafood restaurant
I have a confession to make – I’m a huge fan of Dani Garcia, the brains behind the newly minted Lobito De Mar at the Marsa Malaz Kempinski. But when I was told this new Doha venture was to be located on the moribund bayside site that was home to the now dearly departed Pearl Social and prior to that Antica Pesa, I did hesitate. The spot, on the island outside of the main hotel, well, it seemed a gamble. The underrated Pearl Social was excellent couldn’t make a dent and NY style Antica Pesa too was long gone. Both spots had a celebrity name attached as well. But with…
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Seven New Restaurants Opening in Qatar in 2022
This is Qatar’s year and all signs point to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. And, it’s fair to say that the food and beverage scene is matching that energy. Believe it or not there are more than 3000 restaurants, cafes and eateries in Qatar and that number is growing every day. But here are the seven restaurant openings I am excited about opening in Qatar in 2022. Jean Georges at Four Seasons Doha The master is back in Qatar with this contemporary dining concept at the ever evolving and exciting Four Seasons Doha. Expectations are high, Jean Georges previously opened two spots at the W Doha, so diners here know…
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HUQQA, Line and Sinker – A Review of Doha’s Newest Turkish Restaurant
Ever has that feeling KNOW you are getting taken for an expensive ride…that feeling when the experience is so swift and so practiced that you have to sit back and just admire the AUDACITY. That folks, is what it is like to eat at HUQQA The overall experience is so pleasant and the food is so tasty that you kind of just throw up your hands (or in this case your wallet) and say…I give up. Just take it. Take my money. I had that exact feeling when I realized we were paying QR168 for a dish called Sac Kavarna. You heard me. QR168. For a dish of admittedly beautifully…
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Your December Dining Hit List – Where to Eat and Drink (and be merry) in Doha this Month
And just like that, it’s December and we’re staring down the barrel of the festive season! While this month may be all about Christmas, there are others like Marhaba Qatar who do full round -ups of what’s on offer. My list is more about where to eat, drink and be a little merry in Doha this December… Torba Farmer’s Market The new season of the Farmer’s Market at Qatar Foundation has really impressed me. They have been a little more selective about their stallholders this year and there is now a new emphasis on food – eat in and to go. Favorites include Fresh Doha and their vegan bowls, BAO…
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Three Places to Enjoy Iftar this Ramadan that Aren’t a Buffet
It’s halfway through Ramadan and if you are anything like me, you have “buffet fatigue”. Which is why I’m excited that these three great Doha places are offering iftar menus other than a buffet this Ramadan. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a buffet, but sometimes you just need something low key and different to break the fast.Here are top three picks for iftar this Ramadan in Doha that are outside the buffet bubble. Nobu Doha When I heard that Nobu Doha was staying open this Ramadan it was like music to my jaded ears. To entice new diners and rusted on addicts like myself, they are offering a…
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Is The Pearl Social the Best Restaurant in Doha You Have Never Been To?
Doha’s dining scene can be fickle and driven by fads, as anyone who has seen a line outside the latest specialty coffee house can attest. A few weeks ago I went for my third visit to The Pearl Social at the Kempinksi Marsa Malaz. For a Friday night, the restaurant was at half capacity. The bar (aka the Diver’s Club) upstairs was busy. But the restaurant was not. Occupying the spot that was once home to the overrated, overpriced and over itself Antica Pesa, the Pearl Social completes the trio of restaurants on the hotel’s mini island. This venue has been hit and miss – the location on the water…
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Seven Doha Places to Eat Out During the Day in Ramadan 2019
Here we are again – Ramadan 2019. While I do love seeing Doha come alive during the long Ramadan nights (and in 2019 the days will also be long and hot!), it’s nice to have some quality, convenient (and pocket friendly) options around Doha for dining out during the day, especially on weekends. This isn’t meant to be an exhaustive list of places to eat during Ramadan – rather my recommendations. For that you can check my friends at Marhaba for a full list of Ramadan offerings as they occur and 24hrfoodie team for reviews and photos. you can also find excellent coverage of Ramadan in Time Out Doha. I…
