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    7 of the best restaurants in Qatar’s capital city Doha

    Life

    by Sarah Joseph
    43 mins ago

    From sensational interiors to an array of unforgettable dishes, Doha boasts a flourishing restaurant scene.
    For all the must-try fine dining havens, Emirates Woman has created a guide of all the places to embark on in Qatar’s bustling capital.
    Hakkasan

    This globally renowned restaurant brand opened in Qatar’s capital back in 2013. Located in the opulent St Regis Hotel, Hakkasan Doha has two private dining rooms, an elegant main dining room, an outdoor terrace and a bar and lounge. It’s open from Monday to Sunday, 6pm to 11:30pm and on Fridays and Saturdays for brunch and lunch respectively from 12pm to 4pm.
    For more information visit hakkasan.com
    Morimoto

    Drawing inspiration from both Japanese tradition and Western culinary techniques, Morimoto offers hidden layers of flavour through every dish. With a luxurious dining experience in a 16-seat sushi bar or the main dining area, guests can enjoy the sophisticated area for exclusive dinners and business meetings as it’s open daily from 6pm till 11pm. Located at West Bay Lagoon in Doha, Morimoto offers the best in the fine-dining world.
    For more information visit sbe.com
    IZU

    With another of Chef Izu’s delightful creations, IZU explores the gastronomic world of culinary as each dish is inspired by the chef’s varied works and travels. Promising a memorable dining experience, it uses the finest produce as the restaurant comprises of three seating areas overlooking the Barahat Msheireb. Open all day from 9am to 11pm, it’s located at the Mandarin Oriental hotel.
    For more information visit mandarinoriental.com
    Nobu

    Perched right above the Arabian Gulf, is Chef Nobuyuki’s signature haven with new-style Japanese cuisine at the world’s largest Nobu restaurant in Doha. From the famous black cod to the Nobu style wagyu beef, guests have an array of dishes to choose from. Located at the Four Seasons, it’s open from Monday to Saturday 6pm to 11pm and for brunch on Friday from 1pm to 4pm.
    For more information visit noburestaurants.com
    Three Sixty Restaurant

    This unique restaurant is located on the 47th floor of the torch in Doha, making it the only revolving haven in the city. Making it a must-visit for any visitor, it offers Mediterranean cuisine and breathtaking panoramic views of the Doha skyline. It’s open on weekdays from 6pm to 10:30pm and weekends from 12pm to 3pm and 7pm to 10:30pm.
    For more information visit thetorchdoha.com.qa
    Mosaic

    Serving classic dishes from around the world, Mosaic takes center stage with a lively ambience and an authentic dining experience as it offers a mesmerizing backdrop of the city. Influenced by local materials and shapes, the restaurant’s interiors are inspired by the country’s pearling heritage. From an Arabic grill to the traditional bread oven, the dishes are designed for a culinary journey inspired by the famed Silk Route. Located at the Mandarin Oriental, it’s open daily from 11am to 11pm.
    For more information visit mandarinoriental.com
    Spice Market

    With the best of southeast Asian street food served on a plate, Spice Market is a luxe dining space with handcrafted screens created for intimate moments which are sure to illuminate your night. The delicious dishes are curated by Chef Vongerichten and the restaurant also offers picturesque views of the city’s skyline. Spice Market is open daily except for Friday from 12pm to 4pm and dinner from 7pm to 11:30pm and Thursday & Friday until 12am. The restaurant is located at W Doha Hotel & Residences, West Bay.
    For more information visit spicemarketdoha.com
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    Images: Instagram, Feature image: Instagram @hakkasan More

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    How Trèsind Dubai approaches Indian cuisine through a contemporary lens

    Life

    by Sarah Joseph
    20 mins ago

    Modern Indian fine-dining has taken over the culinary scene in Dubai with restaurants such as Trèsind, making their mark.
    By setting the benchmark for innovative dining in the emirate, the dishes are created with fine attention-to-detail by embracing a myriad of regional flavours.
    Presented through Chef Mohammad Zeeshan’s culinary vision, guests can indulge in a variety of dishes, to visualise a fresh perspective on this legendary cuisine. From Aragula pani puri to the modernist chaat tart, each dish presents a nuanced appeal with its presentation and burst of flavours.

    Located in the Arabian Court at the One&Only Royal Mirage, the restaurant welcomes guests from all around the world has already put the emirate on a global map.
    To see how it all began, we speak to Chef  Zeeshan, who began his journey with Trèsind in 2014 and has contributed to the restaurant’s overall success since then.
    Talk us through your career.
    I was born into the renowned Qureshi culinary family in Lucknow, India. Growing up, I was surrounded by food and immersed in the culinary traditions of Awadh, it was a natural progression for me to pursue a career in hospitality as a Chef. My journey in the culinary world has been marked by passion, dedication and a desire to present traditional Indian flavors in modern and innovative ways.
    What inspired you to become a chef?
    The inspiration to become a chef came from my upbringing in a family deeply connected to the culinary world. I was exposed to the rich and diverse flavors of Awadhi cuisine from a young age, and this instilled in me a deep appreciation for cooking and a desire to share these flavours with the world.
    The restaurant has put Indian cuisine on Dubai’s culinary map How did it all begin?
    Trèsind Dubai’s journey began with a vision to showcase Indian cuisine in a new light. I aimed to create a dining experience that would elevate Indian flavours and presentation to a new level. By combining modern culinary techniques with traditional recipes and ingredients, the restaurant quickly gained recognition and put Indian cuisine in Dubai on the global culinary map.
    Trèsind focuses on its presentation and gastronomic journey. Talk us through your creative process.
    The creative process at Trèsind involves a meticulous approach to presentation and the overall gastronomic journey for the guests. My team and I draw inspiration from the rich Indian culinary heritage, seeking to reinterpret classic dishes into contemporary masterpieces. The process involves experimenting with flavours, textures, and techniques to create a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity on the plate, delivering an unforgettable dining experience.

    The restaurant is known for serving progressive Indian cuisine. How do you curate a menu that’s different from others?
    Curating a menu that stands out from others is a constant challenge that my team and I work on a daily basis. We focus on showcasing progressive Indian cuisine by continuously exploring new ingredients, innovative cooking methods and artistic plating. While honouring the traditional roots of Indian cooking, we try to push the boundaries to surprise and delight diners with unexpected flavuor combinations and visually stunning presentations.
    The restaurant is known for its seasonal changes – how do you keep up with the latest innovations?
    To keep up with the latest innovations and embrace seasonal changes, we try and stay at the forefront of culinary trends. We are continuously experimenting with new ingredients and techniques, attending food festivals, collaborating with other chefs, and engaging in research to ensure that the menu evolves with each season, offering guests fresh and exciting dining experiences.
    What are some of the key hero dishes to try at Trèsind?
    Trèsind boasts a menu filled with exceptional dishes, but some of the key hero dishes that guests must try to include signature creations that blend traditional Indian flavours with contemporary twists. Examples may include The Modernist Chaat trolley, and Hunter’s Lamb Raan.

    As a MICHELIN restaurant, how is the experience constantly evolving since its launch in the UAE?
    As a MICHELIN Guide Dubai 2023 selected restaurant, Trèsind Dubai maintains a commitment to excellence, which drives the continuous evolution of the dining experience. The team strives to elevate their offerings, incorporating guest feedback, experimenting with new techniques, and embracing culinary advancements to consistently deliver an exceptional experience that lives up to the prestigious MICHELIN Guide recognition.
    The restaurant pays homage to a nostalgic time – what are some of the key elements that have contributed to this?
    Trèsind’s homage to a nostalgic time is deeply rooted in its approach to traditional Indian cuisine. The key elements that contribute to this nostalgic experience are the use of time-honoured recipes and techniques passed down through generations, the selection of authentic ingredients, and the careful preservation of culinary traditions from various regions of India. This creates a sense of familiarity and nostalgia while being presented in a modern and progressive setting.
    What is your favorite comfort meal?
    My favourite comfort meal likely draws inspiration from his upbringing in the culinary haven of Awadh. It may include soul-warming dishes such as biryani, kebabs, or traditional Lucknowi dishes that remind him of home and evoke a sense of comfort and nostalgia.
    How’s Dubai’s F&B scene evolving as a whole?
    Dubai’s F&B scene is known for its rapid evolution and innovation. The city has become a melting pot of global culinary trends and experiences. Chefs and restaurants continually strive to push boundaries, experiment with flavors, and introduce new dining concepts. Dubai’s cosmopolitan population and diverse visitor base have contributed to the city’s dynamic F&B landscape, with a wide array of options ranging from street food to high-end gastronomic experiences.
    What’s next in line for the Trésind?
    The team at Trèsind Dubai are known for their innovation and commitment to evolving Indian cuisine, the future holds exciting prospects. They may continue to explore new culinary territories, collaborate with other chefs, delve deeper into regional Indian cuisines, and perhaps even expand their presence to other locations, both within Dubai and beyond, to share their unique culinary vision with a broader audience.
    – For more on how to look smart and live smarter, follow Emirates Man on Facebook and Instagram
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    This Michelin-recognized chef aims at revolutionizing urban ​​​​dining in Dubai

    Life

    by Ruman Baig
    2 hours ago

    Located in the Opus Tower designed by Zaha Hadid, Sfumato Gastro Atelier draws a conceptual parallel from the architectural wonder it is nestled in.
    The food and the interiors are minimalistic at the first glance, but the subtle detailing and nuanced layering in both these elements will leave a lasting impression. Chef Alena Solodovichenko dares to experiment confidently in a male-dominated world, challenging stereotypes and pioneering her own unique style to produce an unforgettable experience in an internationally-renowned setting.
    The guiding concept of the Sfumato Gastro Atelier is affordable luxury with a forthright but delicate vision of all-day dining for the new wave. Chef reinterprets her family recipes with produce from local farms featuring delicate and intimate flavors, showing that vegetables and roots can evolve into sophisticated ingredients ready to play the main role in any dish.
    In a detailed conversation with Emirates Woman, chef talks about being at the helm of change, breaking stereotypes and testing the culinary waters in Dubai.
    The restaurant is located in the iconic Opus Tower designed by Zaha Hadid. Did the architecture play a role when it came to drawing inspiration for the menu?
    The architecture played an important role in the process of creating Sfumato menu. Zaha Hadid’s architectural style is characterized by smooth, flowing lines and curves, and is typically free of sharp or angular features. That’s why the menu in Sfumato is delicate and feminine as well. I also took part in creating design for the dishes, and made sure it reflects the forms of the Opus Tower.
    Culinary is still a male-dominated industry. As a Michelin-recognized chef, how do you constantly revolutionize urban ​​​​dining?
    This is true – statistics show that there are more men in the industry than women. Being in the kitchen since I was 19 years old, I have always considered this fact as motivation to improve my techniques. I want to create things that will inspire other women, coerce them to revolutionize their approach, and help them get rid of the fears.
    Female chefs are still rare, especially in the MENA region. I receive tons of messages with women sharing their personal stories – some of them are truly inspired by my career track. Some of my subscribers on Instagram have left their jobs and gone to the kitchen to pursue their dreams. Such stories make me really proud, and willing to show that everything’s possible.

    You’ve reproduced your family recipes with produce from local farms featuring delicate and intimate flavors – tell us a little about that?
    There’re a lot of dishes in Sfumato inspired by my childhood memories. Yet I understand that people have different backgrounds, and the culture in Dubai is different from the one I grew up in, so what I did wasn’t just reproducing family recipes. I find joy in taking something familiar and making a twist to find new flavors. For example, we have a dish in Sfumato that was inspired by the traditional Ukrainian dish golubtsy. What I did was replacing all original ingredients with the local ones, leaving just the concept of cabbage roll. In the original recipe they use meat, but I took hamour, which is a well-known product for people in UAE. For me it is still a dish that reminds me of my childhood, but now it’s also familiar and appealing to those who have never tastes golubtsy.
    The cuisine is tailored to excite the senses of sight and taste without compromising the natural goodness of the ingredients – how do you manage to execute this?
    Honesty and authenticity is what my cuisine is about. I want people to know the real taste of the ingredients. We use delicate techniques, and our sauces are designed to highlight the natural flavor without overshadowing it. A good example is our Beetroot Stracciatella, where we use beets and sauce made from rosemary and black currant (by the way, it’s a fascinating discovery that same-color ingredients tend to match perfectly with each other). We bake beetroot first, and then dehydrate it. Thus, we manage not only to preserve the taste of beets, but also to make it even brighter and sweeter. 
    Another important aspect of my vision is feminine touch. When in Sfumato, one should feel that there’s a woman at the helm of the kitchen. We show huge respect in our job – for the guests, and for the ingredients as well. When a person comes to me and says: “I’ve never enjoyed beetroot, celeriac, or cauliflower, but after visiting Sfumato I’ve changed my mind”. This is the greatest compliment. We take care of our guests, our dishes are healthy. If people in Dubai start to eat more veggies, and there’s at least a tiny fraction of my contribution, it’ll feel right to me.
    The menu features ample variety for meat lovers but the vegetarian dishes particularly stand-out because of the choice of ingredients and the preparation behind it – can you take us through the process?
    We use various techniques, of course, – fire, sous vide, dehydration, molecular techniques, – but fas a chef, fire is still one of my favorites. We’ve got josper – and I’m a 100% fan of this smoky taste it gives the products. I personally eat lots of vegetables and roots, although I’m not a vegetarian and enjoy good meat, fish, eggs, cheese etc. But when you can cook veggies right, you (and your guests) just fall in love with them.  
    While Dubai is known for its opulent gastronomical scene, SFUMATO Gastro Atelier is particularly minimal in principle and virtue – how do you think it will be perceived?
    I hope that Dubai is ready to try something new. We hear our guests say that there’s nothing like Sfumato in Dubai. Our minimalistic approach is truly unique. Tons of truffle and oysters, opulent sophisticated dishes, – this is not about us, and I truly believe that our philosophy will be well received.

    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
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    Experience a relaxing iftar by the beach in the heart of Ras Al Khaimah

    Lifestyle

    by Team Emirates Woman
    2 hours ago

    Looking for an unwinding cityscape iftar?
    For a big city detox, the UAE is home to a myriad of unique glamping spots and Longbeach Campground is one of them with an exquisite iftar for visitors to experience.
    Visitors can break their fast after sunset in the beachside dining at Longbeach Campground with a magical iftar featuring a signature live BBQ dinner, an array of live stations and a selection of other delectable dishes, unlimited selected beverages every Thursday to Sunday from sunset until 11 pm.

    For a relaxing evening, guests can feast after a long day of fasting featuring the relaxing sounds of the waves along with the soft tunes performed by the resident entertainment team.
    Additionally, the resort features a plethora of recreational facilities such as a beach, yoga, sea view aerobics, kite flying and enticing water spots to ensure the 300-metre stretch of beach keeps you entertained all day long. Bringing together a traditional camping ethos with luxurious amenities and engaging activities, this one-of-a-kind venue is not one to miss out on this season.

    If you’re looking for a fun-filled camp, kids will be far from bored with all the host of onboard activities for them to try out during their stay. There’s also a pleasant site of farm animals for kids to interact with at the petting zoo. Starting at Dhs249 for the authentic deluxe tent with a comfortable setting, this will make the perfect home for your next camping trip in Ras Al Khaimah.
    The packages for the Iftar start at Dhs110 for adults and Dhs55 for kids, below the age of 12 years old.
    To make a reservation visit bmhotelsresorts.com
    – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
    Images: Supplied More