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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Korean BBQ, Dynamite Shrimp and Saturday Brunch – the Top Doha Dining Trends of 2019 Revealed
In Doha we love a food trend – both starting them and following them (sometimes a bit later than expected). Some a good. Some are bad. Some are downright infuriating. From Korean BBQ to Dynamite Shrimp and Saturday brunches here my takes on what I think a re are the top Doha dining trends of 2019: Korean Food The popularity of this cuisine, with its mix of salty, sweet and spicy, just keeps growing in Doha. Independent restaurant Maru, with its excellent Korean BBQ has set foodie pulses racing in recent months and is fast attaining cult status. And now, from the people who brought us the beloved Yee Hwa,…
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Your September Dining Hit List – Where to Eat and Drink in Doha This Month
Ahhhh sweet September. My favorite month for so many reasons. And also the month that – post Summer – Doha’s food and drink scene starts to crank into gear. Lots to get excited about this September – some new openings and new offers to keep you fed and watered. Here’s my list of must eats in Doha for September. The Frying Scotsman I love it when hotels push the boat out (see what I did there?). The Radisson Blu Doha has a dozen food and beverage outlets – the biggest offering in the city. It also has a loyal fan base. They have now turned their moribund seafood restaurant into…
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Your April Hit List – Where You Should Be Eating and Drinking in Doha This Month
This is no April fool’s joke – Mad March is done and dusted and we are running headlong into April and soon the second half of the year. There is a lot to be excited about this month – new concepts and menus as many try to squeeze the last drops out of us before Ramadan. So here it is – where you should be spending your dining and drinking riyals in Doha this month: Oishi Sushi As they say, out of sight and out of mind. I had forgotten about this gem of a restaurant tucked away in a corner of Royal Plaza until they took the recent food…
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Doha’s Hidden Restaurant Gems – Revisiting Paper Moon by La Spiga
Returning to Paper Moon by La Spiga is like visiting with an old friend you don’t see very often. The circumstances may have changed, but you can pick up where you left off effortlessly. While this is within spitting distance of my home, I confess I rarely visit this outpost of the W Doha. A recent weekday lunch time found us in the area and keen for some pasta, so we were reacquainted for old time’s sake. I have been critical of the W in recent months. I felt it had lost its way in terms of food and service. But it seems out here on Airport Road, they haven’t…
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Your October Hit List – Where to Eat and Drink in Doha This Month
It’s true – the weather is cooling (however marginally) and the social scene is back in full swing. So much so that I almost forgot my Netflix password (just kidding, it’s embedded in my psyche) But it’s a very Doha thing not to know about something until after it happens or when the bandwagon has well and truly moved on. So consider this your your monthly guide to what’s new and interesting on the foodie scene in Doha – where you should be eating, drinking and playing right now: The Pier at Four Seasons Doha: The much anticipated new concept at the Four Seasons is an outdoor shisha terrace and…
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Six Places in Doha to Go for a Girl’s Night Out
Let me be clear do about this – by “girl’s night out” I don’t mean “ladies night”. In fact, what I really mean is a list of places you can go with your “squad” (although I also hate that term) or tribe (much better). I mean a place to go with drinks (or maybe not), decent food and yes, maybe, some musical stylings (preferably of the retro persuasion). And, of course, this isn’t just limited to after 6pm fun or places with Happy Hours. So…because, sometimes, you just need to be with your tribe, here are my go-to places for a girls night out/afternoon gathering (alert the authorities!). Break out…
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Your Blockade Busting Guide to Getting the Best Dining and Drinking Deals in Doha
Let’s face it – we all love to live large but for as little outlay as possible. With the current “situation” we find ourselves in, we all know that costs are rising in some quarters. As I noted around the same time last year, this comes after a fairly rugged period for many in Qatar where people tightened their belts and bunkered down. Where a couple might go out for dinner one night and then attend a brunch in the same week, it’s now one or the other. Having a family – school fees etc – ups the financial stakes further. Mix in increased fuel charges and the mugging we…
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Seven Places You Should Be Eating in Right Now – Summer 2017 Edition
Don’t be alarmed…but it’s nearly August. Hard to believe we have survived nearly two months of the #QatarBlockade 2017 (although there appears to be a lucrative black market in Diet Coke hoarding and coriander swapping) and one of the swampiest Summers on record. But…here we are. Stronger. Sense of humor intact. And still HUNGRY. I thought it was time to revisit my now regular twice yearly look at places you should be eating at right now. To be fair, many of these places are old favorites that have maybe fallen off the radar (well mine anyway) but have returned with a new vigor and one out of left field. All are…
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Four New Doha Dining Experiences to Try This Summer
This Summer. It is LOOOONG. No seriously. Even with the lush Turkish yoghurt , the fully laden shelves at Lulu Qatar and the ongoing sideshow that is the #QatarBlockade seems this summer has been more of a slog than most. But luckily for foodies there are some new and interesting dining concepts and experiences to keep us full and happy. It’s a competitive market for restaurants and hotels at the moment (THANKYOU our Saudi friends), and savvy diners are reaping the rewards. Here is a look at four early contenders you should be giving a try this summer: Noodles and Ribs at Four Seasons Doha Many hotels and restaurants change up their offerings for…
