Let’s do lunch. I probably utter these three words on a near daily basis, using the midday meal as the perfect excuse to catch up with folks. Where I end up is usually dictated by circumstance: whom I’m meeting, how many hours we have and not to mention the wardrobe element. Here are some of my favourite spots to eat:
When smartly dressed
La Varenne
This French brasserie in Tornado Tower has it all… sensational food, attentive service and a commanding view of West Bay. The business crowd from the building heightens the restaurant’s cosmopolitan feel. And it doesn’t hurt that the raspberry macaron and daily rotation of homemade ice creams/sorbets are among Doha’s finest.
When the outdoors beckon
Park Café at MIA Park
At edge of the Museum of Islamic Art Park sits a charming café with gourmet sandwiches and salads. Greenery, the water, and all of West Bay splayed before you. I settle into the artsy outdoor furniture with a book, and the space transforms.
When kids are involved
The Lagoon
The dining room for the Ritz-Carlton all-day buffet is expansive yet welcoming. There are live cooking stations for pasta and grills as well as a dessert spread that is paradise for kids of any age. On Saturdays, the outdoor garden becomes a sprawling playground with bouncy castles and the like.
When I need take-out
Thai Corner
You’ll find exactly two tables and five chairs inside this hut at the Mega-Mart parking lot. Not exactly made for a dine-in experience (you leave smelling of peanut oil and pad thai), it is nevertheless ideal for a take-away meal of green curry and pad see ew fried rice noodles that’s bursting with yummy.
When I’m veggie-deficient
The Square
The lunch concept is a semi-buffet of unlimited appetisers and desserts with a main course from the changing daily menu. The salad bar is the clear standout, where one may find anything from crisp endives and radicchio to grilled vegetables.
When out-of-towners visit
Turkey Central
No Doha experience is complete without a trip to TC. The mezze platter served with freshly baked Turkish bread is obligatory. Choose from more than a dozen varieties of dips, but make sure to include their baba ghanoush, purple cabbage labneh and moussaka. The grills are equally excellent, especially the lamb chops and boneless chicken.
When my sinuses need a workout
Jakarta
Indonesian cuisine is not for the faint-hearted, and Jakarta restaurant on Ibn Mahmoud Street certainly has an affinity for hot peppers. The food here is Padang-style, in which meat dishes, vegetables and curries are pre-cooked and accompanied by rice. Ask the kitchen for ayam penyet, which translates to steamrolled chicken. The bird is basically marinated, spatchcocked then deep-fried and oh so delicious.
When I’m not cooking dinner
Al Liwan
The Sharq Village & Spa knows how to put up one unforgettable Arabic buffet. More than 20 tantalising mezzes and meats grilled to order make for one glorious meal that will last the whole day. I come here to splurge calorically.
When I want to people-watch
Market by Jean-Georges
There are just no two ways about it — Market at the W Hotel is Doha’s benchmark for stylish dining. And the food never fails to impress. I’m particularly sushi mad here. But it’s often hard to concentrate on the ala carte menu when the lunch express equally impresses at a fraction of the price.
** A version of this article appeared in Time Out Doha – October **
