Eating Out

One of the favourite activities among expats and Qataris alike is eating out.  The choices of restaurants is vast and impressive, covering a wide range of ethnic choices, although Middle Eastern food is most common. Customers are encouraged to eat in a leisurely fashion and the service is usually excellent.

 On Thursday night, Paul, Mia and I went to the Ramada Hotel for a buffet through Paul's work. A few noteable points: Paul is very respected and liked by his boss, co-workers and subordinates; the American flag was missing among the ten flags flying at the hotel (and this was done intentionally so we learned so as not to make the hotel a "target") ; and Mia was not allowed in the banquet room since alcohol was being served. Although hotels are a ''free zone" regarding the ban on alcohol, there still are certain restrictions.  Since Mia couldn't go in, Paul, Mia and I ate outside the banquet room, in the foyer. Several people from Paul's company (QPM---Qatari Project Management) came out periodically and joined us. The hotel restaurants are usually more expensive and have a larger amount of expats in them than do those in the rest of Doha.

On Friday night, Paul, Mia and I went to an Iranian Restaurant at the Souk for dinner. This restaurant was recommended to us by some women in my cancer support group. No, we haven't forgotten what happened, but I believe that most people are not very political and really are only concerned with their families and circle of friends. The restaurant itself was stunning (to use Mia's word) and opulent (to use Paul's word) in a unique way. The restaurant was designed in a square with a fountain in the middle and a balcony overlooking the eating area.The floor, walls, and ceiling were all done in handmade tiles. The tiles on the ceiling were cut glass, reflecting the colors of the many chandeliers throughout the room.  Some of the chandeliers were pink, others yellow or blue or green.  The tiles on the walls were red, blue, gold and green--there were also murals in the long hallway leading into the restaurant and in the private sitting areas around the outside of the eating area where one could lounge on huge cushions on the floor.  These private sitting areas had heavy tapesteries as drapes and anyone who wishes could choose to eat there.  There was another room which our very friendly Iranian waitor showed us where a long banquet table with huge ornate chairs and mirrored celing tiles and endless floor and wall tiles reflected the many chandeliers on the ceiling.  Another room was all mirrors at various angles and glass celing tiles and detailed floor tiles. Very interesting.  And, to top it off, there was even live traditional Middle Eastern music (one man playing keyboard with another playing violin, then flute) later in the evening.  Paul ordered spinach stew;I ordered steak with saffron rice; Mia ordered french fries(which can be bought everywhere); and we all shared saffron ice cream with strawberry juice for desert. I think Mia wished we had gone to Baskin Robbins for dessert.

Then, we walked around the Souk and browsed. We also saw a group of Qatari musicians and a group of Qatari men dancing together while women in abiyas with veils (many with only their eyes visible) sat in the chairs facing the musicians. I don't know if the women were in any way related to the men.  The men were also dressed in traditional costumes (long white dish dash and white headpieces wuith black cords).