CHIC Eats

see my fellow diner across the table for all the steam!

The prawns pakoda are also worth it. The prawns are enormous! They are fried in a crispy batter and served with a tempered yoghurt with mint. Like the chicken tandoori, they similarly emerge on a tiny grill still sizzling with steam billowing.

The samosa chole chaat is an excellent item for vegetarians. Rich in flavour and stunningly presented. We’re talking vegetable samosa, chickpea curry and that yummy yoghurt and mint. Samosas can get a little boring and predictable but some evident time, care and thought has been invested here.

The naan bread is fresh, warm and dances perfectly against your tastebuds with the garlic and butter adorning its moreish surface.

The main courses are all exquisite. The lamb and chicken biryanis respectively are incredible though rather filling. Served in a pot, as it should be, to retain the flavour, it is rich in texture and taste. The chicken makhani is mildly spicy without being too hot. The chicken tikka was simmered in a rich tomato and cashew nut gravy.

Something you don’t always get in Indian restaurants in nalli nihari - Old Delhi style lamb shanks braised in a spiced gravy. The lamb was succulent and you could taste that it had been braised for hours on a low heat.

The quality is ever present across the board. From the fresh mocktails, the mango lassi which slipped down a treat to the mostly Indian desserts which are equally as nice. Take the zafrani rasmalai as a good example with its cheese dumplings soaked in thickened, sweetened milk or the gulab jamun which is a dessert of grated carrots cooked with whole milk, dried fruits and ghee. My favourite was the cheese cake with the mango coulis. Though not immediately apparent, this is called a rooftop venue because the roof can slide off in an instant - weather dependent. It had been a little windy the day we went so the roof was on when we visited but they slid it off later on so we could dine at height under the stars and admire the view. This is not the sort of place to dine and dash. Friends, family or a group of colleagues can plan to spend a whole evening here eating as much as you like and then see away the night with tea and shisha of which there is a good array of flavours to choose from.

The decor is comfortable and elegant though not typical of other Indian venues we have attended but we did notice screens playing Indian music videos adding a nice vibe to the place.

Al Matbakh Rooftop Grill? Thank you.

For reservations or more information please call 4433 6666 @tivolisouqwaqif

Our round up of the best chic eats venues

Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel

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