CHIC Eats

In all of Qatar, it wouldn’t be easy to find another hotel like Al Samriya, Doha, Autograph Collection. A short drive from Doha, the hotel nestles at the heart of Al Samriya Farm. Built of bright limestone from the farm itself, it glows against the blue, blue desert sky. And its interior is no less awe-inspiring. As we step inside, I can’t help gasping at the vast, towering lobby. It’s hung with grand, glittering chandeliers while stone arches run around the two upper floors. Jazz music adds an air of relaxed calm. Food and Beverage Manager Fadel Chehadeh tells us that the furniture – including armchairs that make me wish I’d brought a very long book to read in one of them – comes from Sheikh Faisal’s private collection. He gives us a quick, tantalising tour. The hotel has 60 rooms, 27 villas, a meeting room, a spa, private cabanas, a gym overlooking one of the hotel’s swimming pools and a restaurant, which is where we’re bound today. It’s all so beautiful. It’s not difficult to work out why Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese team chose Al Samriya as their home during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Zoufa Restaurant is airy and charming, the limestone walls dotted with miniature camels and many more of Sheikh Faisal’s treasured objets d’arts. Windproof lamps hang all around. Sprays of peacock features burst from a giant decorative urn. There’s so much to admire, it’s a struggle to look at a menu overflowing with authentic Lebanese cuisine. We simply can’t choose, so we ask Chef Kasem Jouni to surprise us. He really does.