September sped by like Lewis Hamilton on the track. Now we’re in October and headed towards, gulp, Christmas. But I’ve cut through the noise and here is your Doha Hit List October 2023 – new, hot and just reviewed restaurants and bars. Weekend brunch at Liang Liang is a little slice of Hong Kong in Doha. While the a la carte menu at Liang is full of stars, it’s the weekend dim sum brunch that gives a true glimpse of the restaurant’s appeal. Six courses, you lose track of the small plates as they are slid effortlessly on your table. Some in steaming bamboo baskets; others on small plates. From the…
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New Review: Innovative and Irresistible Indian Food at Masala Library
I’m usually one to tease my opinion in reviews. I’m not going to play around here. In fact I am deadly serious. We’re talking about butter chicken. Butter chicken is serious business. But if you are in any way a fan of Indian food, even a distant one in the way I am a fan of heavy metal bands, you need to go to Masala Library. Go for the butter chicken – a deconstructed thing of beauty which I will get to later. Stay for the rest of the experience. There’s no shortage of good high end Indian food in this town – Ishka360, Jamavar and Rivaaj among the most…
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Review: Is Kai’s Songbird Doha the Real Deal or a Flight of Fancy?
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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Rivaaj Doha may have a new name but is the food still as good?
I was a big fan of Riyasat at the St Regis Doha and was curious what had changed since its recent “rebrand” as Rivaaj. With the dissolution of Al Fardan Hospitality, this was one of the high-profile changes. Rivaaj has now moved under the umbrella of their landlords St Regis. The other notable change has been neighboring BIBO moving to we presume, Marsa Malaz Kempinski where sister restaurant Lobito De Mar is located. As a side note – I have lauded what was done in the complex that once housed a moribund ballroom at the Al Gassar Resort. The addition of interesting and popular venues and a gallery was a…
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Mid-Year Report Card 2023 – The Qatar Dining Scene
It’s mid-June, Summer is well and truly upon us and vacations are being planned. This also means it’s time for my Mid-Year Report Card 2023 – The Qatar Dining Scene. For those new here, the Mid-Year Report Card is my annual check-in about the Qatar dining scene – what’s great, what’s leaving us a little cold, what could be improved. It’s also a chance to look ahead to what’s happening and what we can look forward to. What I’m Loving Filipino food in the spotlight, finally: This cuisine may finally be getting its time in the sun – with some international and local buzz New Openings Delivering the Goods: The M…
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The Best Sports Bars and Places to Drink During FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
The question (after can you drink?) I’m being asked the most is what are the best sports bars and places to drink during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. So to make it easy for visitors and those of us living here, I’ve put together this list with some recommendations. I’ve tried to group it best in zones – West Bay, The Pearl, Southern areas – where people are staying and hanging out and also proximity to stadiums. And it’s but no means exhaustive. Please know there are some variables. Things to know: West Bay Close to the Corniche and populated with many hotels and serviced apartments, this will be a…
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Doha hit list October 2022: Hot, new and just-reviewed restaurants and offers to check out, right now
We are literally counting the days now until the kick off of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and honestly I can’t wait. Here is my freshly pressed Doha hit list for October 2022 – what’s hot, new and just reviewed restaurants and offers you need to check out now. Scroll to the end for what to look forward to in coming weeks. Tex Mex Classics are back at Paloma Doha Paloma has something for everyone – a menu of fun and fresh Tex Mex classics, margaritas the size of your head and even a live band. After closing for two years thanks to COVID-19, it’s back just in time for…
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Doha hit list September 2022: Hot, new and just-reviewed restaurants and offers to check out, right now
Ahhh September, my favorite month! We’re emerging from Summer and on the gentle slope to the end of the year. OK, with the World Cup, maybe not so gentle. Soooo…expect a frantic two months on the dining scene with a slew of new openings and announcements. But, for now, I have you covered. This is your Doha hit list September 2022: Hot, new and just-reviewed places and offers to check out, right now… Pan-Asian flair at Saturday Brunch at Satsuma What a gem this place is. Lurking inside the Magnum Hotel and Suites, Satsuma has a kitchen team that knows their way around the Pan Asian classics. I checked out…
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Your June 2022 Doha Dining Hit List – Where to Eat and Drink in Qatar this Month
And so foodies, we find ourselves at the half way point of their weird and sometimes wonderful year. This means it’s time for your June 2022 Doha Dining Hit List – where to eat and drink in Qatar this month and let me tell you – there are options for all budgets and moods: The Frying Scotsman We’ve been waiting an eternity for this fun single concept place to reopen at the Radisson Blu. It’s benefitted from a pared down menu and a focus on what it does best – fish and chips. While they have cod (QR110) and haddock (QR95) on the menu, I loved the fresh hammour (QR100).…
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Take Out Tuesday – Wagamama Remix and Korean Fried Chicken
It’s Take Out Tuesday again and this week and we are trying an old favorite and a new, delicious take on fried chicken. What’s not to love about that? Wagamama I made a very cool discovery this week, I can order Wagamama through Snoonu. Previously this favorite had been out of my delivery zone, so it was very, very welcome. Wagamama never disappoints and I’m pleased to say the dishes travel well including perennial favorite Chicken Katsu and the vegan Yaki Soba. We also opted for the Korean Beef – just the right amount of spice. For starters you can’t go past the spicy calamari as well as the generous…
