Tag: camel

guests in town

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Looking for things to do in Doha? Look no further. Here are Leah’s ‘must dos’ in the Qatari capital: 

>>>EXPLORING (points in red may require 4×4 driving):

>>>DINING: 

  • Al Wakra Souq 
    • Several places to eat by the water
  • Fancy Dining: 
    • Three Sixty, Aspire Tower, 47th floor, reservations: 4446 5600
    • La Varenne (28th floor), Tornado Tower, Reservation: 4499 0680
    • Aroma, Kempinski West Bay (ground floor). Try their camel burgers! 
    • Eat a meal at Banana Island (includes boat ride to island)
  • Brunch
    • Ritz Carlton (they have Cronuts!!!) 
    • Sheraton (ask to sit by the sea)
    • Nobu (great, great sushi) $$$
    • The W Hotel
  • Arabic Restaurants
  • Indian Restaurants
    • Saffron Lounge, Katara /Bukhara 
    • MRN (across from Al Jazeera at TV Roundabout) 
  • Burger Boutique, Gulf Mall (best burger joint)
  • Al Aker Sweets (best Knafeh)
  • Pool Grill, Four Seasons
  • Mado Restaurant (Turkish)
  • Paper Moon (Italian) – Movie nights on Mondays at the outdoor terrace
  • Sugar and  Spice, Lagoona Mall/Aspire Park
  • Top of Aspire, Torch Tea Garden, Torch Hotel (expensive but has a good view) 
  • Pearl of Beirut, Al Khor 
  • Open, Double Tree by Hilton (open 24/7)
  • Quick Bites, Marriott, City Centre (open Friday)
  • French Olive (open Friday)

>>>GOIN’ OUT:

  • NOBU
  • Backyard, The Sheraton (picnic tables and happy lights) – only during the winter info@candelaentertainment.com  
  • Sheesha Garden, La Cigal Hotel (Sheesha + good shawarma)
  • Krossroads, Horizon Manor (Filipina live band and karaoke) 
  • Rooftop, St. Regis (gets cold at night)
  • Tora Tora, Kempinski, The Pearl (great drinks)

>>>OTHER IMPORTANT LOCATIONS:  

camel burgers

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What better way to celebrate hump day than with a nice, juicy camel burger? I kid you not, my mouth is watering right now just writing about it. Aroma at Kempinski in West Bay (PIN) serves the best camel dish in town.

Before I get too far into this, you may be wondering: what in the world does camel even taste like? I’d say it’s a mix between beef, buffalo and heaven. When done right, it’s moist enough to cut with a fork yet durable enough to not crumble to bits. So far it has been a major hit among visiting family and friends. It’s a wonderful meal to have after a day of camel riding (too soon?) and dune bashing in the desert.

Dress nicely when you go to Aroma and call ahead to make reservations. It’s never been full when I’ve visited but I would never want to be rejected the desert’s most desired meat because of a full room.

Park valet when you arrive and walk through the lobby and through the mirror door (it revolves!).

The burger costs QR85 complete with chick pea fries and arugula salad. I like it best with a chilled  white wine on the side. There is truly nothing to wine about here.

let’s choose optimism

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Doha is too hot. Qatar is too small. There is nothing to do on the weekends and the driving is a total disaster. There is nothing to love about this place.

Wrong. (Well it is hot, I will give you that)

From day one I decided to choose to be deliberately optimistic or risk falling into the trap set by the looming pessimists. I had to choose to reset my agenda and not have it dictated by those who only see their glass of mint and lime half-empty. Because it’s actually half-full, you know.

This blog will feature the adventures I have been on in my first year as an expat in Doha and will shed light on new outings I’ve yet to enjoy.

You can look at this as a way to make something out of nothing or you can raise your glass high, see this stage of your life as one worth actually enjoying and opening your eyes to the city and country around you.

So much of enjoying your time here is based both on your perspective and access to a compelling itinerary. I hope to provide you with a solid dose of both. Like Hollywood, Doha can make or break you. Don’t let this place chew you up and spit you out.

Even if it’s salty Arabian (err, Persian?) Gulf water, the glass my friend, is about to bubble to the brim.

Editor’s Note: As the spring turns to summer, go get yourself the best mint and lime concoction in town at Katara’s Al Jazeera Media Cafe (PIN).