Qatar Happening - November 2015 by Qatar Happening

TABLE OF CONTENTS

pg 18 The Illusionists 1903 Live At QNCC

November 2015 EVERY ISSUE 7 8

Editor-In-Chief's Letter

QH's Editor-in-Chief tells you what's happening this month

ENTERTAINMENT 13

Top Picks

Life In Stereo

Chasing Tradition

More Than Meets The Eye

Masterpiece Theatre

Daniel Craig: Behind Bond

Passion In A Picture

Arts & Culture Listings

QH Speaks

The best of our monthly social media,

plus the Hit-Or-Miss List

The QH Grab-Bag

Our monthly prize corner for your chance to win

112 It Happened

QH’s photo gallery of the latest happening events in Doha

120 Phone Directory

Need-to-know phone numbers

ARTS & CULTURE

The Stereophonics are set to rock the Sheraton Doha – and we get up-close-and-personal with bassist Richard Jones It's magic like you've never seen it before with Broadway show sensation The Ilusionists 1903 We go inside the blockbuster hit Spectre with 007 himself!

Virgin Recommends

The best monthly entertainment picks from the Megastore

Spotlight On Movies

Entertainment Listings

It's the thrill of The Hunt as the Museum of Islamic Art's latest exhibition brings history alive We channel our inner Picasso during a very special night at the Radisson Blu Qatari photographer Mubarak Al-Noubi explores culture through his own unique lens Find out everything that’s going on this month

Our top five must-see films of the month

Find out everything that’s going on this month

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/qatarhappening

For customer service and subscription questions, such as renewals, billing and account status, email info@qatarhappening.com

CHECK OUT www.qatarhappening.com for the latest information

TABLE OF CONTENTS COMMUNITY 47

Top Picks

The Wow Factor

Chronicling A Nation

Playgroups: Good For Kids And Parents

We go inside the House Of Wow to discover how this community arts centre is a hotbed for talent Author Caroline Carpentier turns the lens on Qatar's business sector in the upcoming Qatar Success Stories: Leading Institutions

Jacqueline Bodnar explores how we all have something to learn from playing nice

pg 90

Community Listings

Find out everything that’s going on this month

Doha Drifts At The 2015 Red Bull Championship FOOD & DINING

SPORTS

QH SENSATIONS

Top Picks

101 Top Picks

Lazy Like Saturday Morning

The Life Aquatic

102 Pure Sense

Doha Drift

106 Japan: It's All About Balance

All-Aboard At QIBS 2015

Go Dragons, Go Dragons, Go!

It's good food in no hurry at The St. Regis Doha's newest weekend brunch at Opal by Gordon Ramsay

74 76

Sizzle And Splash

Blue restaurant at The Grand Heritage Hotel and Spa offers up surf and turf with a twist

My Armenian Kitchen

QH welcomes Mamig Restaurant's Chef Zarmig in a new monthly cooking column that brings culture to the table

Food & Dining Listings

Find out everything that’s going on this month

Burning rubber at the Red Bull Car Park Drift Championship 2015 The boat show's back – and it's bigger and better!

There's a new International Dragon Boat Festival coming to Qatar and our home-team is behind it all

Heaping Helpings

Your essential turkey-to-go Thanksgiving round-up

We ride the wave of the FINA airweave Swimming World Cup at Hamad Aquatic Centre

Sports Listings

Find out everything that’s going on this month

Have Your Say: Feedback and comments are always welcome. Please forward letters to the editor: Email: editor@qatarhappening.com info@qatarhappening.com jorge@qatarhappening.com

Call Details: Inquiries: Marketing: Fax:

+974 4427 8416 +974 5584 4905 +974 4427 8415

Postal Address: P.O. Box 7848 , Doha, Qatar

We relax and rejuvenate at the Millennium Hotel Doha's Pure Spa

The beauty of tradition blends seamlessly with the hyper-modern in The Land of the Rising Sun

108 Delightful Dubrovnik, Magical Mljet

We head to Croatia's gold coast for a weekend retreat in Game Of Thrones territory

110 The Dish On Qatar

Got E-gate, will travel? How this tiny micro-chip can and will save you time at the airport

From The Desk Of The Editor-In-Chief

On The Cover?

The Stereophonics are hitting up Doha loud and proud! Photo Credit: Conceptualized by Lindsey Steenkamp

About Us Dear friends, As the year-end approaches, it’s my pleasure to welcome you to our engaging November issue where I hope you’ll be completely absorbed in the array of quality stories, events and features coming your way across the next 120 pages. But first and foremost, I must take a moment to extend my most sincere congratulations to our very own AHB Group on its recent, successful launch of Qatar’s first branch of Harry Ramsden’s World Famous Fish & Chips out of the UK, of which AHB is a franchising local partner. The VIP event was held at The Pearl’s Medina Centrale and featured warmly-welcomed dignitaries including Mr. Hussein Alfardan and AHB Group Chairman Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal. We’re proud to bring you photographic coverage of this milestone event in our It Happened pages this month and hope to see you and your family at the restaurant, enjoying a fresh meal full of flavour that’s straight from the British boardwalk. Forging ahead, in this issue we shine the spotlight inward for our Arts & Culture section, exploring the thrill of The Hunt: Princely Pursuits In Islamic Lands, the informative new exhibition at the Museum of Islamic Art that’s shedding light on the traditions of hunting –whether on horseback, or through falconry – that were endemic among the ancient peoples of the Arab world. It is our privilege to speak with MIA’s Head of Exhibitions, Shaika Al-Nassr. Then we focus our lens on talented, local Qatari photographer Mubarak Al-Noubi, whose evocative images tell the story of our people and the history of our beloved country from new angles and perspectives. In Community this month, we’re also proud to offer our readers a sneak peek at the upcoming Qatar Success Stories: Leading Institutions in a candid interview with author Caroline Carpentier. Due for publication and release in the first quarter of 2016, this latest installment in the Qatar Success Stories series features a segment on our very own AHB Group, whose business portfolio and keen acumen for growth have garnered it success as one of our nation’s leading businesses, with interests spanning across the real estate and food and beverage sectors, to home design, media and publication. There’s all this and so much more to catch your eye and keep your interest this November. We hope you stay with us and make each day a memorable one. Thank you for making us a part of your lives,

QH is your voice and your guide for all things fun, funky and happening in Qatar! Send us your feedback to editor@qatarhappening.com. Publisher: The Art of Business Chairman: Ahmed Hassan Bilal Editor-in-Chief: Nasser Ahmed Hassan Bilal Editor: Ashlee Starratt Art Director / Production Manager: Lindsey Steenkamp Lead Designer / Brand Manager: Zahi Srour Photographer: Jessie Palanca Sales & Communications Manager: Jorge Granda Sales & Marketing Manager: Marisela Paesano New Media Manager: Serah Mary Sampath Web Coordinator: Imran Khan Administrative & Marketing Coordinator: Mirasol Vinculado Distribution & Accounts: Lanie Fillo-Pana Contributors: Ayaz Ahmad, Shahmim Akram, Sarah Al Motairi,

Mubarak Al-Noubi Photography, Emily Alp, Jacqueline Bodnar, Rowad Ehlela, Diana Farid, Getty Images, Eleanor Graff, The Gulf Times, John Hunt, Piers Morgan – Viva Press, Lynsey Riach, Dr. Steffen Sommer

QATAR HAPPENING (QH) is published 12 times a year by The Art of Business, Doha, Qatar, an associate of Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group. The information contained in QATAR HAPPENING (QH) is correct at the time of printing. Details may change at any time without liability on the part of The Art of Business. Readers are advised to confirm details with the event organizers. All rights reserved 2011, The Art of Business. Reproduction in part or in full is strictly prohibited. QATAR HAPPENING (QH) assumes no responsibility for content of advertisements.

Nasser Ahmed Hassan Bilal

QATAR HAPPENING (QH) retails for QR 10. Bulk subscriptions are available for QR 5 each, for orders over 50.

Printed by Aspire Printing Press - 2015 7

SPEAKS

The Hit-Or-Miss List Fasten Your Seatbelts ‘Cause it’s going to be a bumpy ride! At least that was the whiteknuckled experience one QH staffer had on a recent landing in Doha after returning from holiday. Apparently there’s one runway that juts out over the water at the new HIA with an approach so difficult it’s notorious. So, as we were coming in for a landing we noticed that instead of turning towards the airport and the city, we were flying right past it…getting lower and lower over open water. Hearts racing as the plane continued to slow down with nothing but the sea close enough to touch outside our windows, the pilot finally made what felt like a 90-degree turn pointing us back towards the airport where the runway finally materialized under our wheels just before we were going to touch the water. Never again!

Our ‘hot-or-not’ picks of the month, social media snippets, plus our Editor’s corner.

Paint By Numbers

emember, remember the 5th of November…any V For Vendetta fans out there? Well, we’re mixing it up a bit and asking you to remember, remember the 10th of November. Why? Well, that’s when Welsh wonders The Stereophonics are hitting up Qatar for a single night of music mayhem at the Sheraton Doha, and QH has a one-on-one interview with bassist Richard Jones as this month’s cover story. Having sold more than nine million records world-wide, The Stereophonics are one of the biggest rock acts to come out of Wales in the mid-90s, continuing on with their prolific touring streak and album success as their latest offering, Keep The Village Alive, was released this year. Doha – this is going to be one heck of a show!

We loved unleashing our inner artist at the Radisson Blu’s monthly Dine & Paint event hosted in Picasso’s restaurant. Whether you’re a budding painter or a stalwart pro with a brush, there’s something for everyone at this fun-filled evening. Eat a little, sip a little, paint a little – that’s the motto. We loved it so much that we’ll be heading back for an evening of masterpiece theatre at this year’s annual December QH holiday gathering! Check out our full review in this month’s issue on page 40, and don’t miss out on the next paint-party coming up on November 27!

Also hitting the water this month is the latest edition of the Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS). Think more bling and a bigger bang for your boat as some of the world’s most prestigious manufacturers of watercraft pull up to the Mourjan Marina at Lusail. And, because November clearly isn’t already jam-packed enough with parties and stellar shows, we urge you to get your tickets now for the stage performance of The Illusionists 1903. This troupe of world-class Broadway big-shots are plying their tricks of the trade at QNCC from November 18-21 where audiences will witness some sleight-of-hand and artistry of escape that hearkens back to the golden age of magic. Rounding out our November issue, we explore The Hunt exhibition at MIA, meet the creative crew at the House of Wow, then, jet off to Tokyo, Kyoto and Croatia to bring the world to your doorstep. Are you with us now? Yes? Let’s go! See you next month,

Ashlee Starratt Editor

So, late last month celebrity Chef Gordon Ramsay made a cheeky appearance at The St. Regis Doha for a one-night-only special VIP dinner hosted by the man himself. The top-secret event was invite-only, but QH was lucky enough to send our photographer along for some snaps which you can check out in our It Happened section on page 115. With the re-branding of Gordon Ramsay Fine Dining at The St. Regis, we’re eager to see what new concept the acclaimed chef has in mind – stay tuned!

If That’s Service…

Top Of The Twitter-Verse @DavidRoads

What worries you, masters you.

Yes, Chef!

Then we think we’ll pass! Recently one member of the QH team had a less-than-satisfactory encounter when ordering delivery from a West Bay Indian restaurant in Al Maha Twin Tower. After nearly three hours of waiting and three calls of complaint, the food was still a no-show. Each time we rang the restaurant (eventually asking to speak to the manager), we were told the driver was five-minutes away each time. Clearly not the case, we called back a fourth time when the phone was rudely hung up in our ear! The food finally arrived at nearly 9:30 p.m. after we’d already said to cancel the order – and they still expected us to pay? I think not!

Enjoy a tempting array of Oriental delicacies at their Asian Hawkers Market theme night

This month’s QH Grab-Bag is about experiencing the many wonders on offer at the Mövenpick Hotel Doha. The hotel is treating one lucky winner to a weekend stay-cation for two, from Thursday night to Saturday morning. The stay will include breakfasts, a Thursday night Surf & Turf Brunch with soft drinks, and a Jazz Marché Friday Brunch with house beverages at their delectable Seasons Restaurant. To participate head over to the Qatar Happening Facebook page where the winner will be selected on November 12.

Images courtesy of the Mövenpick Hotel Doha

About Seasons Restaurant

After 13 years in operation, Seasons Restaurant is fondly remembered by long-time expats as one of the oldest foodie favourites in Doha. With its new, trendy re-vamp, the restaurant has created a more modern environment for its in-house hotel guests and diners of Doha. Adorned in bright green and red with touches of playful yet classic décor, Seasons has become a fresh venue with a warm ambiance and the usual culinary excellence it’s known for. The main attractions at Seasons are the inspired, daily themed buffet dinners. From a Great Sunday Roast to Asian Hawkers Market on Wednesdays and the Thursday Surf & Turf Night Brunch, each evening brings authentic flavours and ambiance – it’s hard to decide which to try first! Every Friday features a sensational Jazz Marché brunch inspired by the popular Marché theme, and Seasons boasts an extravagant market-like concept with a variety of creative live cooking stations using only the freshest and most wholesome ingredients. Expect premium-quality selections of cheeses, roasts, sushi and desserts, not to mention the dedicated station offering a signature beverage of the day. Their live jazz band adds to the chilled-out vibe to ease you into the weekend. Kids can go crazy in their very own Kids Kingdom with a special kids’ buffet, face-painting, bouncy castle, games and much more to keep them entertained.

About the Mövenpick Hotel Doha

With 154 refurbished, stylish, and spacious rooms on offer, Mövenpick Hotel Doha re-defines convenient, contemporary comfort in the heart of the city, with one of the most scenic locations in Qatar. Found along the shores of Doha’s famous Corniche, overlooking the Arabian Gulf and the striking Museum of Islamic Art, the hotel is a mere five kilometres from Hamad International Airport, within walking distance to the iconic Souq Waqif, and a short ride to the business district. Ultimately, this hotel is the perfect base for getting down to business swiftly and efficiently.

Stylish and spacious with executive comfort, this is what makes the rooms and suites at the Mövenpick Hotel Doha so welcoming. Recently re-furbished it boasts full business traveller functionality, from internet connectivity, flat-screen TVs and mini-bars, to in-room safes, climate control, and handy workstations. Decorated in rich earth tones, the ambiance of every room is soothing, warm and welcoming – easing you into your evening of work or relaxation. Rooms range from Superior, Deluxe rooms with king or twin beds to your preference, as well as Business Suites. Some rooms enjoy a sea view, while others face the big city lights of Doha. Whether for business or pleasure, their rooms will feel like home away from home. Their in-house restaurant, Seasons, is modern and unpretentious, and is a place to relax and enjoy good food made exquisitely. The restaurant serves up a host of tempting themed nights from a Great Sunday Roast and Asian cuisine, to fine grills and family brunches – not to mention the delightful a la carte menu and widespread buffet for breakfast, lunch and dinner. L’Espresso Café provides an oasis in the heart of the hotel where guests can meet clients or colleagues in comfort while lingering over sweet treats or their barista’s finest coffee. Jazz Up lounge, however, is the hotel’s ultimate wind-down zone. With blues tunes, live jazz and a refreshing beverage menu, Jazz Up is the ideal place to blow off some steam and possibly catch the game on the big screen. For guests looking for a healthy way to unwind after a tough day, the hotel houses a serene getaway. The outdoor swimming pool is perfectly temperaturized for a refreshing dip. The hotel’s steam-room is an ideal release for stress, while the soothing outdoor Jacuzzi is an excellent antidote to the hustle and bustle of the city. For the fitness-conscious, they have a fully-equipped gym with contemporary cardio equipment and an extensive range of weights designed to provide a full workout. For more information on the Mövenpick Hotel Doha call 4429-1111, or visit www.movenpick.com/Doha. n

ENTERTAINMENT

Top Picks

RADISSON BLU DJ Night With Katsy Lee

November 12: Qube. Enjoy a variety of rhythms into the night at Doha’s ultimate entertainment venue with guest DJ Katsy Lee. Ladies arrive early to enjoy your complimentary entry. Or, QR 160 for VIP area, QR 130 entrance for gents, and QR 50 entrance for ladies after 10:00 p.m. For more information please call 4428-1555.

DOHA FILM INSTITUTE Ajyal Youth Film Festival

Nov 29-Dec 5: Katara Cultural Village. The third annual Ajyal Youth Film Festival will consist of daily public screenings of local and international films, the popular ‘Made in Qatar’ section dedicated to showcasing home-grown talent from Qatar, Cinema Under the Stars, family weekend, special events, exhibitions and more. Ajyal’s youth jury will see hundreds of young people between the ages of 8 and 21 watch and discuss shorts and features and decide on the winning films. The festival will open on November 29 with the Middle East’s premiere of The Idol, from Academy Award-nominated Palestinian filmmaker Hany Abu-Assad. For more details and the full line-up and schedule visit www.dohafilminstitute.com.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Special Promotion

Wednesdays: Vintage Lounge. Every Wednesday, enjoy special packages on grains, grapes and Cuba’s finest, plus live entertainment with Jessica Gibson. For more information call 4446-0105, or email diningreservations@stregis.com.

ANTICA PESA DOHA Sundowners At Antica Pesa Lounge

Saturdays: Relax with your favourite beverage and the stunning views as the sun sets over Qanat Quartier at The Pearl-Qatar. Prices are a la carte. From 6:00 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. For more information call 4035-5300, email info@anticapesadoha.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz,

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Quiz Night

November 9: Champions. Participate with a maximum of six per team to win the first prize of QR 3,000. From 7:30 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100, or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

ENTERTAINMENT The Stereophonics are set to rock the Sheraton on November 10

life in

By Jorge Granda Images courtesy of Ignition Records

Infamous Welsh rockers, The Stereophonics, are blowing up their sound at the Sheraton Doha on November 10 in what promises to be one of the biggest live-music events of the season. QH has an exclusive interview with bass player and backing vocalist Richard Jones, to learn how the boys from Wales became the UK new-rockers to beat. 14

rom the cobbled streets of Cwmaman in the Welsh Cynon Valley, to the arenas and stages of London, Reading Festival, Glastonbury, Ireland and the world, The Stereophonics have been one of the UK’s hottest home-grown music exports since 1992. With nine studio albums under their belt, after the release of 2007’s Pull The Pin, the group made history becoming the eighth band after The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, ABBA, Genesis, Oasis, Blur and U2, to earn five consecutive number one albums on the UK charts.

RJ: Yes, and we’re very excited to be coming to Doha. We love experiencing new cultures and discovering new places.

Performing in Doha this month, we chat with bassist Richard Jones to discuss the band’s sound, history and climb to the heights of fame.

QH: Qatar is a long way from Wales!

QH: Welcome to Qatar, Richard! Your upcoming show marks your guys’ Doha début does it not?

QH: What have you got in the line-up be for the concert on the 10th? RJ: We just released our new album Keep The Village Alive, so primarily we’ll be singing our new songs – but also some of our hits from the past.

RJ: We enjoy seeing how our music reaches other countries and people, so we want to connect with all of our fans no matter where they are. Apart from Qatar, we’re also visiting Dubai and Muscat. After

stereo the show in Dubai my wife and I will stay a couple of extra days because the last time we performed there I didn’t have the chance to see the city and now I want to do that. QH: The Stereophonics have put out a prolific number of albums. Are there any artists who have influenced your sound heavily? RJ: Pretty much everything. We like all kinds of genres – there’s nothing specific we listen to, so our influences come from everywhere. We like to tell stories; that’s what we do. QH: How does 2015’s Keep The Village Alive differ from its predecessor, 2013’s Graffiti On The Train?

RJ: There are many differences. When we produced Graffiti on The Train we focused on a story idea – a telling one particular story about teenagers and soul-seekers. In Keep the Village Alive we’re telling many different stories. The lyrics are completely different. I would say that’s the major difference between both albums. QH: What’s the importance of this new record for the band? RJ: This is our ninth record and the second produced by our own label, so it has a great significance for us. We’re creating a lot of waves with this album – which is very satisfying. With this record we are showing our fans how dimensional we are, that we have different styles and tastes. This album is one of those moments

for us where we can show what we are capable of in terms of music. QH: What does the future hold for The Stereophonics? RJ: We’re always on the go doing something. Next year is the band’s 20th anniversary, once we finish the tour we’ll keep playing in festivals and wherever we can to commemorate our anniversary. After that we’ll go into the studio and produce another album which takes about 18 months to finalize.

QH: You guys have gone through your share of shake-ups within the band – namely the departure of former drummers Stuart Cable and Javier Weyler. How is the dynamic now?

ENTERTAINMENT RJ: We have a great chemistry. Jamie Morrison has been playing with us for four years and he’s fantastic. He can play so many different styles of music. We’re all a really good mix – which is the best thing about being in the band. We enjoy each other and do a lot of things together while we’re on tour. We all have mutual respect for each other and music and [we] entertain people. We all want to take our music everywhere – we’re very similar in many things. QH: You guys have enjoyed great success throughout the years – any words of wisdom to new, up-and-coming musicians? RJ: Follow your instincts; if you believe in what you’re doing is the right thing – then go for it. Never stop trying until you get it right. Follow you dreams. QH: Who decided on the name of the band? RJ: We had different names before we were The Stereophonics. Before becoming Stereophonics the band’s name was The Tragic Love Company which was very long and confusing for people. So we decided it was time to change our name. The previous drummer of the band had a radio-gram at his home and the words ‘softens stereophonics’ written on it. He mentioned [it] to me and we all liked the word ‘stereophonics’ so we decided to give the band that name. , L-R: Jamie Morrison, Kelly Jones ni Richard Jones and Adam Zinda

QH: Apart from music, what else fuels your life’s passion? RJ: Music is the biggest part of my life. But I also enjoy movies…I’m a big sports fan – I like the GP races. I have a family which takes a lot of my time. I enjoy walking around cities with my kids, enjoy with them the sounds and smells of the places. QH: Is there one song from your vast discography that still resonates with you? RJ: The second album has a special significance for me. With that album we started to get noticed by people and it was our first big success. All the songs in that album are very special to me. QH: Would you like to give a shout-out to all our readers in Doha? RJ: Thank you for your support and we’re really looking forward to perform in Qatar. n THE STEREOPHONICS LIVE IN DOHA Date: Tuesday, November 10 Location: Sheraton Doha Timings: Doors open at 8:00 p.m.

Stereophonics lead singer Kelly Jones

Ticket Info: • QR 250 for regular • QR 500 for fan-pit Tickets are available at Saqr Qatar stores, in person at the Sheraton Doha and online at Stereophonics@iloveqatar.net.

ENTERTAINMENT

Time travel back to the hey-day of illusionary thrills

More Than

Audiences will once again be asking 'How'd they do that?'

Meets The E ye As told to Jorge Granda Images courtesy of Alchemy Project Event Management & Entertainment Agency

The biggest magic show on Earth makes its Doha début with a host of new, world-class magicians dazzling audiences at QNCC this November 18-21. QH takes you inside the turn-ofthe-century stage spectacle of The Illusionists 1903.

ll the way from the era of Houdini, Broadway’s highest-selling and longestrunning magic show transports audiences to the Golden Age of Magic this month at QNCC. Featuring brand-new, world-class illusionists hand-picked from across the globe, The Illusionists 1903 takes show-goers back in time to a period in history when conjurers were the true ‘rock-stars’ of the day. Featuring six brand-new magicians and eight of the world’s most popular illusionists, this original production showcases the origins of some of the greatest and most dangerous illusions ever built. It also unveils never-seen-before experiments drawn

from a treasure trove of long-forgotten mysteries. The true art of magic will be explored in exquisite, turn of the century grandeur in this larger than life performance from the acclaimed creative team behind international mega-hits The Illusionists and The Illusionists 2.0.

THE ILLUSIONISTS 1903 Date: November 18-21

“The show is a world first,” divulges Creative Producer Simon Painter. “Each of the eight international illusionists [are] the best in their niche and, together, create an impressive 19th-century stage spectacular that will leave audiences spellbound.”

Where: Qatar National Convention Centre

“We’re always fascinated and excited by the new editions of this amazing magic dhow series,” continues Mac S. Far, CEO & Managing Partner at Alchemy Project Entertainment Agency. “[It] keeps getting better and more exciting year after year. After the great success of The Illusionists and The Illusionists 2.0 in 2013 and 2014, we’re happy to bring the show back directly to the Middle East with a mesmerizing brand-new experience – this time after record-breaking sales on Broadway and the West End. We hope everyone enjoys this familyfriendly and exciting event.”

Ticket Info: • QR 145, Silver 1 • QR 125, Silver 2 • QR 145, Silver 3 • QR 245, Gold 1 • QR 295, Gold 2 • QR 245, Gold 3 • QR 395, Platinum 1 • QR 495, Platinum 2 • QR 395, Platinum 3 • QR 995, Diamond • QR 1,995, Royal Tickets can be purchased online at www.tixbox.com

Audiences will discover first-hand the spectacles that transformed stage entertainment over 100 years ago – are you ready for it? n

Contact Info: Visit www.Alchemy-Project.com or follow ‘The Illusionists 1903 – Doha|Qatar 2015’ on Facebook.

Timings: • 9:00 p.m., Nov 18 • 6:30 p.m. & 10:00 p.m., Nov 19 • 2:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., Nov 20 • 2:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. & 9:30 p.m., Nov 21

ENTERTAINMENT Songstress Sheilah Cuffy

GimmeFever!

By Jorge Granda Images courtesy of Anayet

Iconic UK singer Sheilah Cuffy is bringing her soulful sound to the W Doha this November 19 in an exclusive Thursday Night Fever performance showcasing her signature repertoire of disco, funk and soul. QH catches up with the artist for a candid interview. 20

hursday Night Fever makes its début at the W Doha! Sharing a stage with Sheilah Cuffy will be well-known DJ Diego Aguas, so join in to celebrate the 70’s in your best disco attire – wigs, platforms, sequins, mirror balls and more! QH: Welcome to Doha, Sheilah! You’re getting ready to hit the stage here for the first time – what are your expectations for the show? SC: Yes, this is my first experience in Doha and hopefully the first of many. I don’t ‘expect’ anything from the audience – I hope to be pleasantly surprised!

QH: So, where did your golden voice come from? SC: I used to sing at home with my family or at school, but only when people asked me to –as I was very shy and lacked confidence. The turning point came when I was studying fashion textile design in London and my best friends, who were studying performing arts, asked me to take part in a play set in a smoky blues club – and I was the hostess singing all the classic jazz standards like ‘Stormy Weather’. I loved the experience and realized that I felt totally at home on a stage, so I finished my degree, (I still

Spanish DJ Diego Aguas will be on the decks to keep your temperature high

occasionally design and sew for myself and others), started taking singing lessons and one thing lead to another, and voilà! QH: Tell us a little about your performing style. SC: My performing style…well, I would say it’s expressive! Interpretation is everything; telling the story that each song holds, connecting to the true emotions and transmitting it all to the public. QH: We know you’ll get toes tapping here at the W, but what’s your sound like? SC: All the songs are classics of disco, pop, house and, of course, soul. [They’re] songs that are going to take people back to different moments and memories in their lives – a real night to remember! And, also, a night to forget about your troubles and just sing, dance and party!

SC: To be very honest, and at the risk of scaring people away, I’m very ‘in-your-face’! I love to dance so I just start some movements and encourage people to dance with me – and we’ll be doing some singing too! For me, I’m having a party... and if I’m having a good time, it’s contagious, (I hope!)

I love to get up super early. [I] just potter around the house, curl up on the sofa with the cats and disconnect watching some TV, or work on vocal arrangements for my choir and enjoy just being at home.

QH: What would you say is your biggest musical achievement to date?

SC: The great thing is that I get to sing the music that I like – soul, pop, a bit of jazz...anything with a great melody. Although honestly, I don’t spend much time ‘listening’ to music as a pastime, as I am always listening to the [songs] I have to prepare for parties, for the choirs I direct, and for my private students.

SC: I would say being able to make a living from something that I love doing – each day is a gift. Other than that, getting to perform on-stage with the legendary Brian May, from Queen, when I played the role of ‘Killer Queen’ in the Spanish version of ‘We Will Rock You’. Also, I am super proud of founding and directing my soul, funk and gospel acapella choir, Inside Voices, in Madrid and now in Paris. Check us out at www.insidevoicesparis.com. QH: Music trends change in the blink of an eye. Can it be a challenge keeping on top of it all?

QH: Who influenced you musically growing up? SC: I remember listening to the Top 40 on the radio every Sunday afternoon with my brothers and sisters and we would sing all the songs...but I think my main source of inspiration came from soul and funk music – singers like Chaka Khan, Anita Baker and Aretha Franklin. QH: Where have your travels taken you? SC: I’ve been lucky and have got to see some of the world touring with different artists when I lived in Spain. [I’ve been] all over Europe, Argentina, Mexico, Russia, Venezuela, Costa Rica, the U.S.A, Cuba and, my favourite, Japan. Performing at the Blue Note Café in Tokyo was truly sublime! QH: What’s your recipe for getting the crowd to groove?

SC: I teach singing to young kids and teenagers, so I always have to connect with the latest happening sounds. And, with almost 40 members in my choir, people are always suggesting diverse and wonderful musical experiences. QH: Describe your very first gig. SC: ‘When’ is getting too close to revealing how many years I have been singing! [Laughs] ‘Where’ was with a band at a local theatre in London. My first Disco Diva gig was years later in Pacha in Madrid. QH: On one of your rare days off, how do you like to spend your down-time? SC: People always think that, being a singer, I get up at midday, but I’m pretty ‘normal’ and, even though I sing late at night (or rather early in the morning!),

QH: At the moment, what’s your listening pleasure?

QH: Any shout-outs to the Doha party-people? SC: Yes – don’t forget your dancing shoes! Ladies, bring an alternative to those high heels! Guys, get your John Travolta on and lets par-tay! n THURSDAY NIGHT FEVER Date: Thursday, November 19 Location: Great ballroom, W Doha Timings: 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. Sheilah Cuffy takes the stage from 10:30 p.m. till 12:30 a.m., while famous Spanish DJ Diego Aguas is on the decks the whole night! Dress Code: As a themed event, 70’s disco outfits are required! Be aware that the best Thursday Night Fever look will be awarded a special prize! Ticket Info: QR 180 (includes event amenities, concert access and one free beverage). Tickets will be sold up until the day of the event if there are any remaining. Tickets can be purchased online at www.q-tickets.com, or in person at the W Doha. Contact Info: For more information follow Anayet events on Facebook.

ENTERTAINMENT

Desert Oasis

By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

This is Doha, and there are plenty of cosmopolitan hotels to choose from when planning a placid weekend stay-cation. But how about taking it a little further…a little more authentic, and a lot more Arabian? QH packs our bags and heads to the dunes for a weekend retreat at the new Regency Sealine Desert Camp.

ach trip to the desert is a reminder of how majestic it really is. We’re bouncing along in a 4x4 about a mile past Sealine Beach Resort and 40 minutes outside the city, where the undulating hills and hidden valleys of the dunes rise and fall like castles in the sand. Located in the heart of this remarkable terrain lays the Regency Sealine Desert Camp, a space where friends and families can retreat in a blend of traditional Arabian design and modern comfort. To reach the facilities you need a 4x4, but if you’re not a lucky Land Cruiser owner, you have the option of driving to the Sealine Beach Resort, leaving your car there and a driver from the hotel will take you onwards to the camp. From the beach resort, the camp is about a 15 minute drive through the dunes – which is always a thrilling experience.

Upon arrival we immediately feel the peace and tranquility of the desert. The overall structure of the hotel exudes magnificent luxury. My first impressions are of the kinds of lavish tents set-up for iftar and suhoor during Ramadan. The camp offers 15 beautifully furnished tents with personal ensuites, and each have a bedroom with king-size and twin beds, a living area with beds, a living area with cozy sit-out furniture where you can revel in the spectacular desert and sea views. All tents are equipped with AC and have all the amenities you’d expect to find in any five-star hotel – including TV and WiFi access. Staying in the camp was a first for me and our team – and it was a terrific experience. We were more than impressed with the tent setup and beauty of the scenery – there’s nothing but peace and quiet. You won’t find this kind of traditional Arabic ambiance and charm in any other hotel available – here you can commune with nature and indulge in a Bedouin-style retreat. The staff is small, but they make sure your experience is comfortable and attend your every need. Once you arrive, straight away they’ll give you a tour and explain the many activities on offer, including dune-bashing with 4x4 vehicles, quad-biking across the terrain, volleyball, football, and camel-riding through the desert. The weekend I stayed at the camp was particularly hot, so we didn’t venture too far from the confines of the AC. I was more immersed in appreciating my surroundings and enjoying the chance to lay back and relax amid the dunes and open sky.

Desert Dining The camp’s one restaurant is situated right at its very core and has easy access to the restrooms. The facilities are relatively cozy so you can find your way around very easily since everything is close by. The camp is dry, therefore there are no lounges or nightclubs. The menu offered at the restaurant is international and features Italian and Chinese live food stations. The fare is tasty and plentiful, and you have the option of eating around a communal table or requesting a private one. The culinary highlight is definitely lunch by the sea. At noon, in the shade of a hand-woven canopy, they serve a lunch buffet, featuring meat skewers accompanied by a variety of daily salads, baked bread and a variety of beverages and fresh mocktails. As the weekend ticked by, our group was in agreement that the experience was unique and reviving. Although, if you have small children you’d take care to watch them when on the beach, as it seems to be a popular spot for drivers in 4x4’s to race speeding by. It’s very dangerous and I hope the management can address this issue to ensure the safety and comfort of its guests. As we headed back to the bright lights of the big city, we couldn’t help but marvel at how the stars in the desert night sky have nothing on any skyline crafted by man. We’ll certainly be back – and back to nature!

Now this is what we call 'glamping'!

Recline under the stars and let the crash of the waves lull you to sleep

It doesn't get much better than ocean-side alfresco dining

PACKAGES & SPECIAL DEALS Half-Day Desert Safari • Duration: 4 hours • Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. • Rate per person: - QR 710 (No. of Passengers: 1) - QR 380 (No. of Passengers: 2) - QR 270 (No. of Passengers: 3) - QR 220 (No. of Passengers: 4) - QR 190 (No. of Passengers: 5) • Pick-up and drop-off within Doha city limits • Dune-bashing for 45-minutes • Trip to Inland Sea • Stop at Regency Sealine Camp • Refreshments to be served during the tour (Cold drinks, tea and coffee)

Luxury Desert Safari Camping • Duration: 18 hours • Timings: 2:30 p.m. till 8:00 a.m. the next day • Rate per person: - QR 1,820 (No. of Passengers: 2) - QR 1,330 (No. of Passengers: 3) - QR1,090 (No. of Passengers: 4) • Pick-up and drop off within Doha city limits • 1 night room accommodation in a Royal Tent at Regency Sealine Camp • Dune-bashing for 45 minutes • Trip to Inland Sea • Access to Regency Sealine Camp facilities and amenities • Arabian Barbecue Dinner • Continental breakfast • Tea and coffee station

Full-Day Desert Safari

Full-Day Desert Camp (with room)

• Duration: 7 to 8 hours • Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Friday 2:00 p.m. only) • Rate per person: - QR 900 (No. of Passengers: 2) - QR 370 (No. of Passengers: 3) - QR 650 (No. of Passengers: 4) - QR 600 (No. of Passengers: 5) • Pick-up and drop-off within Doha city limits • Dune-bashing for 45-minutes • Trip to Inland Sea • Access to Regency Sealine Camp facilities and amenities • Arabian Barbecue Lunch or Dinner • Tea and coffee station

• Duration: 6 to 7 hours • Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (Friday 2:00 p.m. only) • Rate per person: - QR 1,110 (No. of Passengers: 2) - QR 830 (No. of Passengers: 3) - QR 630 (No. of Passengers: 4) • Pick-up and drop-off within Doha city limits • Day-use of Royal Tent accommodation at the Regency Sealine Camp • Access to Regency Sealine Camp facilities and amenities • Arabian Barbecue Dinner • Tea and coffee station

Desert Lodging • Royal Tent - Meal Plan: Full-Board Basis - Weekday: QR 1,300 - Weekend: QR 1,800 • Extra Person Supplement - Meal Plan: Full-Board Basis - Weekday: QR 400 - Weekend: QR 400 • Rates are quoted per room, per night on Single or Double occupancy in Qatari Riyals. • Extra person supplement includes roll-away bed. Maximum capacity is 4 adults. • Weekend: Thursday, Friday and Saturday. • Child Policy: 0-6 years-old, free of charge. 6-12 years-old, 50% of adult extra person supplement.

Desert Transportation • Pick-Up Location: Within Doha city limits • Vehicle Type: Toyota Land Cruiser • Rate: QR 600 • Quoted rate for picking up and returning guests to the same location. Above packages and rates are not valid during events and holidays. (Terms and conditions apply). n REGENCY SEALINE DESERT CAMP For more information, or group bookings: Call: 4434-3312/3113/3114 Email: jvelasco@wyndham.com, arabelas@wyndham.com, heldin@wyndham.com Website: www.regencysealinecamp.com

ENTERTAINMENT

Daniel Craig: Behind Bond

By Piers Morgan Interview and selected images courtesy of Viva Press

Whether you’re a Connery purist or a Dalton obscurist, the fleeting screen faces of Bond have been many over the last half century. But there’s no denying the role-defining performance Daniel Craig brings to novelist Ian Fleming’s spy franchise. The Hollywood hunk is back in this month’s latest 007 film Spectre, directed by Sam Mendes, and QH has your all-access pass.

hile the last installment, Skyfall, is now the seventh highest-grossing movie of all time, making nearly $1.2 billion USD at the box office, one wonders just how an over-thehill, 50-something British spy remains relevant in a world of Avengers and X-Men? Daniel Craig has a theory: "You simply stick to the old adage that a good story goes a long way. And blow [stuff] up every half an hour," he laughs heartily. "That's how it's done." It's a winning formula. Three years since Skyfall, 47 year-old Craig returns for his fourth stint as the super-agent in the hotly anticipated Spectre. As usual, plot devices are tightly under wraps. What we do know is Bond is still mourning from the death of M (Judi Dench) and determined to further unravel the mystery surrounding his dark past. This includes contending with Christoph Waltz (rumoured to be an updated Blofield) and jousting with smoking Bond ladies, Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci. And that's about all we know. Though the lack of flowing info far from quenches Craig's enthusiasm for the role.

fourth Reprising his role as 007 for the nces time, Daniel Craig will take audie on a theatre thrill-ride in Spectre

Ruggedly clad in a brown leather bomber jacket and slick Aviators, the star – married to actress Rachel Weisz and father to 23-year-old Ella, from his marriage to Fiona Loudon – chats animatedly about his 007 legacy, his loyalty to the franchise, fears of typecasting, injuries, working out, ageing, and the folly of his ‘hard man’ image.

ENTERTAINMENT In a scene from the upcoming ng Spectre, Bond (Craig) gets hacki d and cracking with agent Q (playe by Ben Whishaw)

QH: How important was it for you to have Sam Mendes back on board?

excited about making a movie of this size, with this cast, with Sam Mendes and this crew, then go home.

DC: Critical, completely critical. I just thought we had started something on Skyfall and I wanted to finish it. They wanted to make another movie immediately after Skyfall but he couldn't, he just didn't have time. 'I can't do it, I can't do it in that time.' And he was right, the delay was beneficial to us. But I called him relentlessly, four times a day and eventually he said ‘yes’!

QH: You've said before, nothing can prepare you for the onslaught of a Bond film.

QH: Do you remember asking him to direct Skyfall? DC: Not quite. I was literally at a party and Sam was there and I was picking his brains because he's a wonderful director, I respect his ideas and the conversation went on and on. We talked about what we love about Bond movies and I offered him the job, which was not my job to do. QH: How did you feel when he said recently that he didn't think you were the right Bond? DC: He apologized and we moved on. [Laughs] QH: This is your fourth outing as Bond, how do you maintain interest for yourself? DC: These movies don't get made very often. It's just the fourth time for me, and in the grand scheme of things, it's a spit in the ocean. And if you can't get

DC: I think, yeah I stand by that because you know, most movies, even long movies, take three, four months to shoot. This is six, seven, eight months of shooting. You're halfway through, when you're not halfway through. You need a massive energy level, no question. I'd love to have a huge social life when I'm making these movies but there isn't time. QH: These films are such a huge commitment, why would you want to do more then? DC: Money. [Laughs] I love playing him. It's an honour to play him; I get such a big kick out of doing it. I had an opportunity with Casino Royale to wipe the slate clean – this was us beginning again. Although I'm not saying it was a re-birth of Bond, that sounds conceited and I was a huge fan of Bond before and I will always want to bring those elements back in. But I couldn’t just do a movie where I was going to straighten the tie and drink a martini, it's all been done before. It had to happen in the right way. And we've done that now. That, for me as an actor, is so important. QH: What do you, as an actor, have regarding a say in his development?

DC: I try not to get in the way of the writers, [I] let them do their work and then we'll sit down and get the actors involved. They've got things to say, it's a very collaborative process. And largely – it's written on the page – the character is written on the page, the story is on the page, so you just act it. QH: What do you admire about Bond? DC: His inner conflict. It's about when he's knocked down, it's how he gets up. He takes a lot of battering and so he should, he's an agent. But it's how he stands up against adversity because he's one against man.y QH: You got badly injured didn't you? DC: Terribly. [Laughs] I damaged my knee about a third of the way through shooting and we shut down for two weeks and I went away for surgery. I'm alright, I'm a [heck] of a long [expletive] way from perfect. But what I was happiest about was that we didn't shut down. We could of, but we didn't. We could have shut down for me to get absolutely fixed but we didn't need to do that. And that was the last thing on Earth I wanted to do. Actually, it was the perfect timing because we had arrived at a moment where we had a lot to do, so this gave Sam the perfect opportunity to go away and look at the cut and do things. And it allowed me to go away, rest a bit, looked at the script and become useful again.

QH: What did you do to get in shape? DC: Nothing special – the usual exercising, working myself to death. No secret method involved…just sheer hard graft that I'm used to. Getting harder I will admit, but such is life. QH: James is getting on now? DC: He's old now, 47. [Laughs] QH: How long can he keep going? DC: As long as he's physically able – which isn't that long. [Laughs] I'm contracted for one more which seems to be a fair number but I'm not going to make predictions.

Harris, The cast of Spectre. L-R: Naomie a Bellucci Léa Seydoux, Daniel Craig, Monic and Christoph Waltz

QH: Will we see more flesh in Spectre? DC: I seem to be bare-chested throughout this film again. [Laughs] QH: But there was less skin in Skyfall than the iconic images, like rising out of the water, in Casino Royale… DC: No, I actually took my clothes off more in Skyfall than I did in Casino Royale. [Laughs] QH: There was also comedy in Skyfall and I'm assuming you'll follow a similar path in Spectre, is that something you'd like to pursue? DC: Not at all, not again. I always wanted to bring the comedy back in, but Mike Myers really screwed us, he took the best spy gags with Ivana Humpalot [laughs] but I always maintained with really good writing, the jokes will come. And it brings a lightness of touch, allowing the audience to laugh in between those moments of tension. Those are the funniest laughs I think.

Craig and co-star Ralph Fiennes h's who steps into Dame Judi Denc shoes for the role of M

The ultimate Bond girl – on-set with Monica Bellucci

QH: Have you ever felt trapped by Bond? DC: When Bond happened, I remember putting it to bed in my head and saying, 'If this is the last thing I do in my career, then that would be ok' because c'mon, it's not that bad a role to have under your belt. But after Casino Royale, I did panic a little about people only seeing me a certain way and I started thinking, 'Did I need to play someone totally opposite from Bond? But as time goes on, I've relaxed out about that attitude.' QH: Dragon Tattoo, is there any movement? DC: I'm not doing that. No, that is dead in the water. It's not happening. QH: Is it on hold? DC: I really don't know. QH: What's the greatest misconception about you? DC: I'm not strong and macho. It's so funny that people have this image of me as the hard man when that's really not me. Just an actor folks, it's acting. n

ENTERTAINMENT Under the guidance of hotel General Manager, Christoph Franzen, he and his team have turned it into the place to see-and-be-seen, drawing party-goers from across the city to the newly revamped hot-spot. Come on any given Thursday night and Dunes is party-central, with prominent DJs rocking the decks, while during the week it still maintains a great after-work ambiance. But on Fridays...that’s when Dunes really turns up the heat.

keep the Brunch-goers at The Hyatt can at Dunes party going well into the evening

with DJ Santiago Vittorelli is the man h the liquid sounds, for a liquid brunc

The Hyatt dream-team recently launched a concept that I guarantee many hotels in the city will follow if they haven’t already – The Liquid Brunch. The idea is simple – offer regular Friday brunch guests another venue to continue the party right after the buffet closes. From 4:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. you can keep enjoying your favourite beverages while dancing to the tunes played by Hyatt resident DJ Santiago Vittorelli. The crowds are already in the party mood after sipping away the afternoon at The Grill or Isaan brunches so the atmosphere afterwards at Dunes is terrific – everyone is in the spirit and ready to party. And party they do – it really does turns into a full-on dance-floor, the music is awesome, and the people are cheerful and enjoying. Plus, the venue is spacious enough so it doesn’t get crowded too easily, although on Thursdays, and now Fridays, it does – expect to be bumping elbows by the end of the evening.

Party Happenings By Jorge Granda

Photography by Jessie Palanca

No Friday brunch is complete without a bit of an after-party – that’s why we headed over to The Grand Hyatt to experience the new Liquid Brunch at Dunes. Where great tunes, stellar vibes, and a winning atmosphere rock the house all night long. 28

he Grand Hyatt Doha has quickly become my favourite hangout hub. Not only is the hotel regally opulent, but each one of its outlets has its own ambiance that makes every experience unique. The themed brunches at The Grill are superb for example – full of life and with an unparalleled ambiance; while Isaan is, in my opinion, the best Thai restaurant in Doha and I’ve always held a soft spot for Mediterranean restaurant and party-hub Rocca. However, their Dunes lounge wasn’t one of my particular favourites for the longest time – before its overhaul, it lacked atmosphere, essence, and wasn’t, in my opinion, a very good place to party. Now, this has changed dramatically.

The price for the Liquid Brunch is more than reasonable taking into consideration the amount of beverages you can choose from. I’ve been to the Liquid Brunch twice and have had an incredible time – it’s really a fabulous way to cap off a Friday afternoon après-brunch. Two thumbs up to The Grand Hyatt Doha. n LIQUID BRUNCH Location: Dunes Lounge, lobby level, The Grand Hyatt Timings: Fridays from 4:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. Pricings: Enjoy the regular package for QR 199, the house beverages package for QR 299, or the premium package for QR 499. All packages are inclusive of an unlimited flow of selected refreshments. Contact Info: Call 7021-8094.

VIRGIN RECOMMENDS

QH BRINGS YOU THE TOP STAFF PICKS FROM THE MEGASTORE NAME: CAYETANO ‘JHUN’ CENTINO STORE SECTION: MOVIES & VIDEO GAMES TIME AT VIRGIN: 5 ½ YEARS

Best Part of My Job:“I love this section. Before I started here I didn’t know a lot of the actors and actresses in some movies and TV series, but now I’m an expert! I also like to play video games – every morning I go to sleep at 4:00 a.m. or 5:00 a.m. because I’m up playing PS4 all night!” BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT SPECIAL EDITION PS3, XBOX ONE, MICROSOFT WINDOWS Set one year after the events of 2011’s Arkham City, this latest installment follows Batman as he’s on the trail of the notorious villain Scarecrow. After launching a full-scale attack on Gotham, the Scarecrow turns to his mysterious ally, the Arkham Knight, who will unite all of Batman’s greatest enemies to crush the caped crusader for good. The Special Edition version also includes an extended Harley Quinn story pack. Retail price: QR 218.

INTERSTELLAR DVD, BLU-RAY From director Christopher Nolan comes one of the year’s biggest sci-fi blockbusters. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, a team of explorers travels through a wormhole in space in an attempt to ensure humanity’s survival…but at what cost? Retail price: QR 89

WATCH DOGS PS3, PS4, XBOX 360, XBOX ONE, MICROSOFT WINDOWS In a fictionalized version of Chicago, players can take on the role of über-hacker Aiden Pearce as he seeks revenge on those who had a hand in the death of his niece. With an openworld design and a third-person perspective, gamers can roam freely across the landscape’s open countryside, slums and urban city. Retail price: QR 299.

THE WATER DIVINER DVD, BLU-RAY Released just last year this heart-wrenching war-drama stars and is directed by Russell Crowe. After the battle of Gallipoli in 1915, Crowe plays Australian farmer Connor, who travels to Turkey to find his three missing sons. While staying at a hotel in Istanbul, he meets hotel manager Ayshe (played by Olga Kurylenko), who helps him try to find a way to Gallipoli. Retail price: QR 89.

CALL OF DUTY: ADVANCED WARFARE, DAY ZERO EDITION PS4, XBOX ONE, MICROSOFT WINDOWS The latest installment in the ever-popular series from Sledgehammer Games marks the next development cycle for the Call of Duty franchise. Players will navigate the dystopian battlegrounds of the future, where the tactics and technology of warfare have evolved to signal a new era of combat. Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey is also back, lending his voice to the series as lead character Jonathan Irons. Retail price: QR 199.

Spotlight On Movies Awards season’s almost here, and these top five November releases are gunning for Academy gold!

SPECTRE

SPOTLIGHT

Action, Adventure, Thriller This newest 007 feature unveils a cryptic message from Bond's past that sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organization. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

Biography, Drama, History The true story of how the Boston Globe uncovered a massive scandal and cover-up within the local Catholic Archdiocese, shaking the entire church to its core.

Stars: Daniel Craig, Monica Bellucci, Ralph Fiennes

QH Fun Fact: When actor Michael Keaton accepted the role of Pulitzer Prize-winning Globe journalist Walter V. Robinson, he tracked him down and lived near Robinson’s house without him knowing, just so he could get a feel for his character. There’s a fine line between method acting and stalking Michael!

QH Fun Fact: At age 50, a stunning Monica Bellucci now holds the honour of being the oldest actress ever to portray a Bond girl on-screen. You say 50, we say fabulous!

Stars: Rachel McAdams, Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo

Adventure, Sci-Fi, War After being symbolized as the ‘Mockingjay’, Katniss Everdeen and District 13 engage in an all-out revolution against the autocratic Capitol. Stars: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY – PART 2 32

QH Fun Fact: Director Francis Lawrence (no relation to Jennifer!) has stated that the final installment of the series will be the most violent Hunger Games movie yet. Eeek!

TRUMBO Biography, Drama This biographical film centres on the successful career of Hollywood screenwriter Dalton Trumbo and how it came to an end when he was blacklisted in the 1940s for being a Communist. Stars: Bryan Cranston, Elle Fanning, Diane Lane QH Fun Fact: The real-life Dalton Trumbo won two Academy Awards during the 1950s but was unable to accept either of them as his name was removed from the credits by the Motion Picture Academy of America. His first movie to win an Oscar was the comedy Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.

Animation, Adventure, Comedy Snoopy embarks upon his greatest mission as he and his team take to the skies to pursue their arch-nemesis, the Red Baron, while his best pal Charlie Brown begins his own epic quest back home. Stars: Madisyn Shipman, Francesca Capaldi, Noah Schnapp QH Fun Fact: Peanuts creator Charles Schulz dispels the popular myth that Charlie Brown is bald. In fact, he actually has blonde hair, but it’s so transparent you can’t see it.

THE PEANUTS MOVIE

ENTERTAINMENT

Listings All listings are categorized per hotel. Inclusion is limited to availability of space, with priority given to advertisers.

QH RECOMMENDS

RADISSON BLU Laughter Factory

November 16 & 17: Shehrazad. Three excellent comedians with a talent for smart comic-writing and an off-beat stage presence will create a hilarious two-night event. Doors open from 5:00 p.m. and show starts at 8:00 p.m. Admission is QR 140 including one sponsored beverage. Must be 21 years of age or older to enter and valid I.D. required at the door. For more information call 4428-1555.

Quiz Night

November 30: Shehrazad. Get a group of friends together and come along to enjoy Quiz Night for a chance to win dinner vouchers. Our Quiz Master Andrew will wait for you from 8:00 p.m. onwards. Doors open at 5:00 pm. Entrance is free. For more information call 4428-1555.

THE GRAND HYATT Sinatra Centenary Celebration

W DOHA ‘The VIBE’ Ladies Night

Mondays: Wahm. Enjoy a night of deep-house and Afro-beats with resident DJ’s Bruno and Savino. Ladies sip two refreshments on the house from 9:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Strictly reservation and guest-list-only. For more information call 4453-5323.

Making it easier to navigate at your fingertips, we’ve categorized all our listings per outlet – including special offers and weekly/daily regular promotions.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS ANTICA PESA DOHA Happy Hour

Mon, Tues & Wed: Enjoy your favourite beverages with a 50% reduced menu price. Prices start from QR 40. From 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4035-5300, email info@anticapesadoha.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

Ladies Night

Sundays: Ladies can enjoy welcome beverages, along with the sounds of a DJ, at the stylish first-floor lounge in Antica Pesa Doha. Prices are a la carte. From 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4035-5300, email info@anticapesadoha.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

DOHA MARRIOTT New Pearl Lounge!

Daily: The Pearl Lounge. ‘Pearls don’t lie on the sea-shore – if you want one, you must dive for it’ – Chinese proverb. The trendy and popular Pearl Lounge has taken on a new look, so join them in-style for the nightclub’s re-opening and unwind in chic and elegant surroundings. For more information call 4429-8444.

LA CIGALE Brand-New Sky View

Daily: Sky View. Aren’t you excited to catch a glimpse of the striking, newly-renovated Sky View? Guess what? La Cigale has introduced a new double-floor indoor section, where you can cherish the nights all year-round. Enjoy the most vibrant mixes while savouring light snacks, house beverages and sushi. No entrance fee and no minimum charges during weekdays. (Rules and regulations apply). For more information call 4428-8204/888.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Happy Hour Sundowners

Daily: Ipanema. Join Ipanema for their new Happy Hour Sundowners featuring Brazilian mixes and lounge music with a combination of mouthwatering boteco snacks. Get the first boteco dish complimentary with your beverage. Promotional items start from QR 30. From 5:30 p.m. till 7:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100, or visit www.marriottmarquisdining.com.

MÖVENPICK HOTEL DOHA Ladies Night

Tuesdays: Jazz Up. It’s mid-week and the weekend seems just too far away. Grab your girls, ditch the heels and hit ‘play’ on blowing off some Tuesday steam. With one free beverage on arrival and 25% off the tempting refreshments menu, Jazz Up is undoubtedly the perfect, cozy setting for a chat with your crew. From 5:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4429-1138.

Nov 18: In this centenary year, and in partnership with the American embassy, the British embassy and Qatar Airways – who will be flying in international acts – the magic of Frank Sinatra will be returning to The Grand Hyatt Doha at the extraordinary Sinatra Centenary concert on November 18 starting at 7:30 p.m. The concert will include a three-course seated dinner and Vegas-style show with dancers. Tickets are sold at The Grand Hyatt Doha concierge desk, priced at QR 595 for VIP Gold tickets and QR 495 for Silver tickets. For more information call 4448-1234.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Oyster Bay Live

Thurs & Fri: Oyster Bay beach. Every weekend, the resident reggae band gets the crowd grooving to their foot-tapping beats on the beach. Minimum spend QR 2,000 for VIP tables only. For more information call 4446-0105, or e-mail diningreservations@stregis.com.

#Shout Vol. 7

November 6: The Rooftop. #SHOUT at The Rooftop is a non-stop session on Friday with international guest DJs to keep you entertained until the sun goes down. Special guest include DJ Da Candy, DJ Sarah Robertson and DJ Maxine. QR 150 entrance for gentlemen, entrance for ladies for free as per consumption. For more information call 4446-0105, or e-mail diningreservations@stregis.com.

REGULAR PROMOTIONS HILTON DOHA All At 25

Daily: Zawaya. Enjoy selected beverages for QR 25 during happy hour from 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4423-3115 or email doha.restaurants@hilton.com.

Happiest Hours

Daily: Blanco Lounge. Indulge in the daily happy hour from 6:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Relax with your favourite beverage and feel the vibe of Cafe Del Mar chill-out music with a view. For more information call 5536-0347, or 4423-3413, or email doha.restaurants@hilton.com.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Paloma Bandoke Night

Mondays: Paloma. If you think you’ve got the talent to sing, this is your night to shine! Calling all talent-‘less’ voices of Doha – if courage is what you’re missing, Paloma gives you a ‘flaming’ special refreshment for all singers before or after your performance! Also, enjoy a selection of nachos with a pitcher of frozen beverages starting at QR 128. For more information call 4484-4444.

Taco Tuesday

Tuesdays: Paloma. Tuesday night is Taco Night! Chef Salvador brings you the authentic flavours of real Mexican tacos. Choose five different varieties from the taco menu and top them up with a signature Mexican refreshment for QR 128. For more information call 4484-4444.

Girls Night Out

Wednesdays: Paloma. Girls Night Out is back! Every Wednesday bring your girlfriends along and enjoy a complimentary fruity, frozen Mexican refreshment from 8:00 p.m. till late. But a party isn’t a party without a mystery piñata, and all the girls are welcome to stand a chance to bring home exciting prizes. QR 80 entrance fee is applicable for men. For more information call 4484-4444.

Thursday Vibes

Thursdays: Lava. With the resident DJ on the decks with his awesome tunes, Thursdays will become the only night you can possibly think of going to and, most importantly, leave with the excitement of coming back the next week! For more information call 4484-4444.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Pink Wednesdays Wednesdays: Strata. Welcome to Doha’s only Pink Wednesday – a girls’ night out where the ladies receive two welcome refreshments upon arrival and can groove away to the tunes of R&B, soul and funk, along with a fantastic chance to win a high-end designer item like a Louis Vuitton bag and more! For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

After Work Evenings

Sat-Thurs: Hive. De-stress with an after-work visit to Hive and make the most of the buyone-get-one-free offer on selected house refreshments between 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

Bucket Week

Daily: Hive.Quench your thirst with a bucket of six for the price of four for QR 175. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Cosmopolitan Ladies Night

Mondays: The Lounge. Enjoy a QR 20 promotion on any item from the cosmopolitan special refreshments menus, plus a complimentary choice from the nibbles menu. Entertainment by DJ Laura O'Shea. Ladies receive complimentary entrance, gentlemen pay QR 50, including a welcome beverage. From 8:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Gents Night Out With DJ Kinky D

Wednesdays: The Lounge. Gentlemen can enjoy a 20% discount on selected refreshments and signature burger items, with entertainment by DJ Kinky D. Complimentary entrance for gents. From 9:00 p.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Deep House Night Out

Thursdays: The Lounge. Enjoy this tech a deephouse night out with DJs Hamad Al-Obaidly Tough Stuff and Crazy U. It’s the best Thursday night out. Entrance fees for ladies are complimentary, while gentlemen pay QR 60, including a welcome beverage. From 10:30 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA After-Brunch Sessions

Fridays: Glo. Because brunch without an afterbrunch session is just a lunch! Come to Glo for an after-brunch session where guest DJs spin the latest grooves. Free entry. From 4:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

Weekend Vibes

Thursdays: Glo. Glo brings you the finest DJs spinning the latest in house and tech music to start your weekend! Free entry. From 5:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

Bounce Arenas

Wed, Thurs & Fri: Champions. Champions presents evenings of international music and pizzazz with all your favourite songs played by their live band. QR 50 entry fee. From 8:00 p.m. onwards. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

MARSA MALAZ KEMPINSKI Bohemia Sessions

Wed & Thurs: Bohemia. Enjoy a signature ambiance, innovative refreshments and chilled tunes and vibes from DJs Longplayer and B Sound. Spread the word and join the fun! From 8:00 p.m. till 2:00 a.m. For more information call 4035-5011, email restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

MÖVENPICK HOTEL DOHA Be Entertained At Jazz Up

Fridays: Jazz Up. This is a charming spot where sports and music-lovers can chill-out in intimate and contemporary surroundings, listen to soothing tunes and indulge in their wide selection of refreshments and snacks. Catch all the major sporting events live on the big-screen, plus sizzling performances by the Doha Jazz Club every Friday from 8:00 p.m. onwards. For more information call 4429-1111.

SHERATON DOHA Midnight Happy Hour

Sun-Wed: Irish Harp. In the Irish Harp from Sundays to Wednesdays, 11:00 p.m. till midnight, enjoy selected refreshments starting from QR 25-QR 30. For more information call 4485-3000.

Salsa Night

Wednesdays: Irish Harp. Hit the floor for some salsa dancing and music all night long. Prepare your dancing shoes and join them every Wednesday. For more information call 4485-3000.

THE GRAND HYATT A1 Nights By Xtremer Entertainment

Fridays: The Grill. Do you want to feel ‘A1’? Xtremer Entertainment presents ‘A1 Nights’ at The Grand Hyatt every Friday onwards from 9:00 p.m. until late. Xtremer’s official DJ Rage will rock the house along with top international DJs performing the best hiphop, R&B, UK garage and soul music. Ladies enjoy free refreshments before 11:00 p.m. Dress code is dress-to-impress. For more information call 7712-3440 or 7798-2400.

House Of Groove

Thursdays: Dunes. It’s all about house music every Thursday at Dunes with a night celebration of house tunes from resident DJ Santiago and guest DJs on rotation. Free entry and no minimum charge. For more information call 7021-8094.

After Office With Kinky D

Mondays: Dunes. Throw out your work shoes and join Dunes every Monday to enjoy DJ Kinky D’s finest tunes. Happy hour from 5:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 7021-8094.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Sway Ladies Night

Wednesdays: The Rooftop. Luscious fruit skewers will be served during this ladies night promotion till 11:00 p.m. A photo-booth will also be installed where guests can get the chance to have their photo in a branded photo-frame. Premium booth bookings are QR 4,000 and premium table bookings are QR 2,000. Their in-house photographer will be available from 9:00 p.m. till late. For more information call 4446-0105 or email diningreservations@stregis.com.

W DOHA After Work Aperitivo

Sat-Fri: Wahm. De-stress and head down to Wahm for an after work aperitivo with 50% off on all refreshments. From 5:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5323.

ENTERTAINMENT

Misturado ess Park Crowne Plaza Doha - The Busin

Directory

Strata Lounge InterContinental Doha The City

Pearl Lounge Doha Marriott

Let us help you make the most of your weekend with our comprehensive directory of the hottest nightlife spots throughout the city. So grab your friends and head out for a night on the town! Admiral’s Club The Ritz-Carlton

Beach Bar Lounge The Four Seasons Belgian Café InterContinental Doha Bohemia Marsa Malaz Kempinski Bubbles On Two Radisson Blu Champions Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Cigar Lounge Sharq Village & Spa

4448-4800

4494-8888

4484-4444

4035-5555

4428-1428

4419-6100

4425-6666

Crystal Lounge W Doha

4453-5135

D’Illusion Gokulam Park

4470-8888

Dunes The Grand Hyatt Fahrenheit Horizon Manor Hotel

Jazz At Lincoln Center Doha The St. Regis Doha The Jazz Club Oryx Rotana

Jazz Up Mövenpick Hotel Doha Krossroads Horizon Manor Hotel Lava Lounge InterContinental Doha Le Club Mercure Grand Hotel Level 23 The Ritz-Carlton

Liquidity Crowne Plaza Doha - The Business Park Madison Piano Bar La Cigale

4484-4444

Pearl Lounge Doha Marriott

4429-8888

Qube Radisson Blu

4428-1428

Rocca The Grand Hyatt

4448-1234

Shehrazad Radisson Blu

4428-1428

Sky View La Cigale

4428-8888

4446-0000

4402-3333

4429-1111

4445-5444

4484-4444

4446-2222 Spike’s Lounge Doha Golf Club

4496-0777

Strata Lounge InterContinental Doha The City

4015-8888

The Irish Harp Sheraton Doha

4485-4444

The Library Radisson Blu

4428-1428

4448-4800

4408-7777

4428-8888

4448-1234 Manhattan Radisson Blu

Paloma InterContinental Doha

4428-1428

4445-5444

The Library Bar & Cigar Lounge The Four Seasons

4494-8888

Glo Marriott Marquis City Center Doha

4419-6100

Misturado Crowne Plaza Doha - The Business Park

Habanos The Ritz-Carlton

4484-8000

Orion Radisson Blu

4428-1428

Vintage Lounge The St. Regis Doha

4446-0105

4015-8888

Oyster Bay The St. Regis Doha

4446-0105

Wahm W Doha

4453-5353

Hive InterContinental Doha The City

4408-7777

The Lounge Kempinski Residences & Suites

4405-3325

ARTS & CULTURE

Top Picks

DOHA YOUTH & JUNIOR CHOIRS Choir Auditions

Sun & Wed: The Doha Youth Choir and the Doha Junior Choir are now holding auditions for singers ages seven to 10-years-old and 11 to 18-years-old. Choir teachers are experienced and dedicated to the cause of sharing their knowledge and passion for choral music. They rehearse Sunday and Wednesday afternoons in Al Waab. For more information email info@dohayouthchoir.com, or visit www.dohayouthchoir.com.

MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART Turkish Treasures Gallery Trail

Ongoing: Museum Of Islamic Art. Turkey has played a major role in the arts and cultures of the Islamic world. From the rule of the Central Asian Saljuq Dynasty in the 11th century, until the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century, Turkey was the cradle as well as the crossroads of a rich variety of Islamic art made for sultans and viziers as well as ordinary patrons. This self-guided tour reveals the beautiful and significant works of Turkish art in the collections of the Museum of Islamic Art. A tour pamphlet is available free of charge in Arabic and English at the museum. For more information call 4422-4444 or visit www.mia.or.qa.

IAID Classical Ballet

Sat-Thurs: Hilal St. Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. Classical ballet is a dance that is generally associated with graceful, elegant movements. Developed in Italy, it was originally formed from a type of ballroom dancing, but moved on to incorporate a focus on turn-outs, pointes, ankles, knees and posture â&#x20AC;&#x201C; which ballerinas spend years perfecting. IAID Classical Ballet is a graded course using the British Theatre Dance Association syllabus and is designed for both children and adults. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, visit www.iaidonline.org, or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

QATAR TURKEY 2015 Magnificent Century: The Exhibition MUSEUM OF ISLAMIC ART The Hunt: Princely Pursuits in Islamic Lands

Sept 16, 2015-Jan 9, 2016: Special Exhibitions Gallery, 1st Floor. Rich with symbolism and pageantry, hunting was an essential activity in the lifestyle of princes, sultans and pashas throughout the Islamic world. As such, images of the hunt in almost every medium are commonly found in Islamic art, whether in lavishly illustrated Shahnameh manuscripts, inlaid metalwork or colourful minaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;i ceramics. Frequently commissioned and exhibited for royal display, such artworks form a significant component of collections held by prominent Qatari and Turkish museums. This exhibition draws on such artworks to explore and celebrate hunting and the related activities of polo, feasting and fighting. Free entry. For more information call 4422-4444 or visit www.mia.org.qa.

Ongoing: QM Gallery, Building 10, Katara. The Magnificent Century series has become a television legend, a historical soap opera on the life of the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent that has now been watched by 300 million viewers in 54 countries. Exhibition visitors will be transported back to the glorious world of Suleiman the Magnificent and see the artistry and craftsmanship that went into creating the iconic props and decors of the series. Free entry. For more information visit www.qatarturkey2015.qa.

ARTS & CULTURE

Chasing Tradition By Emily Alp Photography by Jessie Palanca

QH is on the trail of The Hunt: Princely Pursuits in Islamic Lands, the latest exhibit from Qatar Museums on display now until January 9, 2016 at the Museum of Islamic Art. We delve deeper into the history of this royal pastime with MIA’s Head of Exhibitions, Shaika Al-Nassr.

umans have pretty much always hunted other species to survive. Yet the means and reasons for it have expanded over time to a breathtaking degree. In fact, we can learn a lot about the history ofpolitics, society, culture and the natural environs by looking at hunting heritage in any given place.This information also helps us frame the ever-changing interplay of man and nature. Qatar’s Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) is now inviting visitors to experience the history of hunting in the Islamic world through well-preserved art, weaponry and multimedia spanning from the 11th through the 20th centuries and across the Middle East, Central Asia and Southern Europe.

The exhibit, entitled The Hunt invites one to experience the obvious, as well as different types of polo, feasting and fighting through select, detailed remnants. Although MIA’s Head of Exhibitions, Shaika Al-Nassr says the exhibit targets local and regional residents who are interested in hunting –especially men – the space offers a chance at fascination to anyone from any walk of life. Al-Nassr herself commented on her love for the archers’ rings—resplendent, colourful pieces crafted from various materials and often engraved or bedecked with precious jewels. “Even if it was an archer’s ring, I would wear it,” she says. “These were not made to be used, so much as worn as a piece of pride by the [Mughal dynasty] emperor [Bahadur Shah] on a chain around the neck, or displayed with pride.” Walking through the carefully curated exhibit, one gets the immediate sense that hunting was about so much more than just surviving. Indeed, hunting over these years in the Islamic world was about prestige, showmanship, craftsmanship, sport, skill, and politics—and it was most obviously celebrated among the elite. “We wanted to show the history of how these activities were being practiced by the sultans, emperors and kings,” Al-Nassr says. “It’s not just about the sport—we show the skills and bravery that were required to go hunting.”

So inspiring were the bravery and skills that artists, writers and sculptors worked diligently to craft tributes. Techniques like manuscript illumination, or diwan—where Arabic script is framed and accompanied by colourful, precise painting—can be found at the exhibit and explored in detail if one takes the time. Handles of guns host bone and jewel inlay, and the sleek metal barrels feature fine etching. Deadly works of art, their narrow forms span a mid-sized person’s wide-open arms. The archers’ ring display features rings for show as well as those clearly treasured for their use. Arrows feature bird feathers and careful levels of precision in their design and heads. It’s wise to take your time with this tight little escape into the past—linger, look closer and really feel out what was going on. “This exhibition is not just about a theme and objects,” Al-Nassr explains. “It takes you back in time to feel the life of the royals, when they were hunting.” The Hunt explores, among other animals, the importance of horses throughout these regions from ages past. The sport of polo in particular is emphasized. It took on an intriguing, if not morbid, form when it was played as polo buzkashi, wherein riders would drag a dead goat around a flag. A scene is captured in a black-and-white photo taken in what is now Turkey about 120 years ago. Then, there was the sport called jeered, with paintings from the 1500’s celebrating its participants as they hurled a

An early statue depicting a falcon – an animal traditionally used in hunting practices ancient and modern throughout the Arab world

Sicily or southern Italy, Oliphant (hunting horn), Norman, d ivory, bronze, Mid-12th century, carved and incise / 2.3 cm (base), IV.11.1998 L: 53 cm; Diam: 9.8 cm (mouth)

wooden ball to each other using javelin-like sticks. Horses in battle are also lightly suggested at the exhibit through their protective faceplates, called chamfrons, sitting in a glass case. Intricately etched and crafted, these plates meant to protect the face of a large, dependable animal, at first could be mistaken for a section of human breastplate armour. Falcons, depicted in the 12th century, and salukis as well as cheetahs were also used in hunting and are portrayed in works around the exhibit. The exhibit’s intricate falcon hoods are worth a bit of meditation. Walking around and reading about all of the works, one can move back in time and envision exotic scenes. On horseback, hunters would ride with their falcons or cheetahs—often trained to sit just behind the rider—that would be let loose on prey. Groups of hunters in Central Asia formed coordinated circles called qamargah, and used horns and calls to scare animals out inside the circles to hunt them.

Ancient manuscripts depict a hunting party on horseback

Today, in many parts of the world, hunting as a trophy sport is considered a questionable pursuit due to the growing endangered species list and concern for animals living in their natural habitat. It’s an activity that draws people nonetheless. More often, people apply for licenses and get permission to hunt animals based on healthy populations. This can be for food or for sport, and, today, decorations around it usually stop with skin rugs, mounts and works of taxidermy. In centuries past, hunting occupied a nobler place in society, as a mode of expression for leaders and artisans alike. Evidence of this could be seen throughout traditional homes—featuring items like candlesticks, incense burners, pomanders (like incense burners but meant to hold a fragrant paste that seeps from the pores of the burner and effuses the air around it), carpets, tiles and paintings featuring game and colourful, detailed hunting scenes.

The Hunt exhibit is now showing at MIA and will run until the January 9, 2016. Beyond visiting the space, Al-Nassr emphasizes the many activities taking place over its run, including falcon and saluki demonstrations, expert lectures, poetry recitals, guided tours, archery in the park, art workshops and films. All of these can tracked on the museum’s website at www.mia.org/thehunt. n

ARTS & CULTURE

By Ashlee Starratt Photography by Jessie Palanca

QH heads to Picasso’s restaurant at the Radisson Blu for a Dine & Paint event that’s not your average paint by numbers. Here, Doha’s budding artists and paintbrush virtuosos gather for a night of good cheer, tasty tapas and some truly expressive creations on canvas.

hoever dreamt up the artful notion of entwining the painter’s palette with a palate of the culinary sort, it seems fitting that the two art-forms should unite at a restaurant by the name of Picasso’s. It’s an anything-butordinary Tuesday night at the Radisson Blu, and though the hotel lobby is quiet, smatterings of people meander here and there, on a mission for dinner; but on the first floor Picasso’s is buzzing.

The premise behind the monthly Dine & Paint event is simple – to nuture talent in the community and encourage artistic expression over plates of delicious food. Does it get a little messy? Yes. Is it worth every errant brushstroke? Absolutely. After all, art is soul food. Chef Jürgen Lepping is the mastermind behind the hugely popular concept and for him he says it all stemmed from a desire to offer the community something entirely different. “The first time we tried it there were maybe ten or 12 people, but it just became bigger and bigger. We’re doing it once a month and now we have 60 or 70 people – and they love it!” As we head inside, each table in the small restaurant is set up with a small canvas and easel at every seat, paintbrushes of all shapes and sizes and empty palettes at the ready. The way it works is, you paint a little, you eat a little…taking time to enjoy the cuisine while your base-coat dries, or heading over to the tapas station to re-fuel when painter’s block hits.

Once settled, we don the plastic aprons provided, grab our empty palettes, and head over to the ‘filling’ station. Here, if you’re in need of a dose of inspiration, you can choose from a selection of photos, while an attendant fills your palette with a spatter of rainbow colours to mix and match. However, original masterpieces are appreciated and encouraged. In fact, one Dine & Paint regular – Ethiopian artist Tessema Asrate – has fostered his talent so highly that several of his portrait-works hang on the restaurant’s walls. For Tessema and others, such Thikra Denha – one of the organizers alongside Chef Jürgen – the experience is equal parts building bonds between participants. Often, Dine & Paint regulars will make the rounds to each table, encouraging newcomers and offering tips and tricks of the trade. “Some people turn up and they’ve never painted before…and then they realize, after two or three sessions, that they’ve improved so much,” Thikra says with a smile. “We go around and help –but we don’t do lessons as such…instead we’re there to help them just improve their techniques.”

Chef Jürgen Lepping

If you’ve fallen out of practice, it’s easy to forget how therapeutic painting can be. To create something out of nothing from a blank canvas – the options are endless and the only limit is how far you’re willing to stretch your mind’s eye. The rhythm of the brushstrokes, blending of colours and the pleasure of seeing your creation take form is peaceful. Using a bright blue base coat, I attempt to create a colourful, abstract image using primary colours and heavy splashes of white. I haven’t picked up a brush since my grade school days, but since there’s no right or wrong way of creating something that’s uniquely yours, there’s no need to feel self-conscious about the opinions of others. As the evening goes on, a community forms. I find myself approaching other painters, complimenting them on their canvases and meeting and chatting with new people. Two ladies stop by our table to engage us in conversation, giving positive feedback on our artworks and boosting our confidence. Tessema comes over to introduce himself and gives me the handy tip of making sure I paint the sides of my canvas as well so the artwork becomes seamless.

Dine & Paint regular – so much Local artist Tessema Asrate is a the restaurant's walls so that several of his artworks adorn

After enjoying the company of new friends and indulging in an array of Chef Jürgen’s mouthwatering Spanish delicacies, we realize that the clock is about to strike 11:00 p.m., and the paint is dry. Taking my canvas home, I hang it on the wall in my bedroom as a colourful reminder that there’s a touch of the whimsical in each and every one of us. But it’s Chef Jürgen’s words to would-be Picasso’s that still resonate the next day: “They should not be afraid – even if they’ve never painted in their life… there could always be a great artist in there.” n DINE & PAINT Location: Picasso’s restaurant, 1st floor, east wing, Radisson Blu Date: Tuesday, November 27 Timings: 7:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. Pricing: QR 235, inclusive of canvas & all art supplies, full buffet and three house beverages Contact Info: Call 4428-1555 or visit www.radissonblu.com/Doha

ARTS & CULTURE By Diana Farid Images courtesy of Mubarak Al-Noubi Photography

We look through the lens of local Qatari photographer Mubarak Al-Noubi, whose images of daily life in Qatar bring the story of a people and their history to the world.

Passion In A Picture A sandpiper sips from its reflection in a coastal pool

hile photography as a hobby is trending, it entails real passion and remarkable talent to stand out among the many frames. Anyone can have a camera, but not everyone can take a picture that touches and mesmerizes the heart. Thirty-two-year-old Mubarak Salem Al-Noubi is one such artist; the Qatari photographer’s pictures are so full of life they seem to move under your gaze. Conveying a story and a message, each frame is like wandering into another world that stirs up feelings or provokes memories. Perusing his Instagram portfolio, his stunning landscape photography evokes a sense of tranquility, while his portraits makes the viewer feel as though they can reach out to the people in the picture and talk to them. Al-Noubi is a photographer who embraced his craft from a very young age. Fascinated by photography for as long as he can remember, he began by collecting different kinds of cameras because he loved to document special moments or images by taking photos. For him, pictures were the best way to store and revive special feelings. His passion grew until he eventually bought his first camera from pocket money he’d been saving to embark on his artistic journey. For this writer, exploring Al-Noubi’s collection is more complex than staring at a simple photo. I felt the weight of years looking back at me from the face of an elderly man in one photo while, in another, I felt joy emanating from the hearty smile on a child’s face. His landscapes are serene, and the characters in his portraits touching. “My photos are a documentation of my life, a proof of the experiences I have been through and situations I have lived, so for me it is a mirror to my soul,” he explains. Capturing images that freeze life’s exquisiteness, he continues: “I don’t choose to capture specific things; I can simply take a picture of anything my eyes fall on or any item that captivates my heart.” Drawing inspiration from all around, Al-Noubi aims his lens wherever he wanders – sometimes becoming fascinated by a location he’s stumbled upon, or heading off to a pre-determined locale to take images he’s always dreamed of capturing. “While inspiration is simply the toughest part of any creative person’s life, for me it’s a journey rather than a process,” he adds. “Just looking at my surroundings inspires me to take the kind of photos I wish to take.” Enjoying his craft, Al-Noubi explains that he never feels exhausted by his job, but rather stops to appreciate the process, while focusing his energy on all that inspires him. Passion is the best catalyst for success and, as he developed his skill, Al-Noubi felt certain that photography was his life’s calling – so he took it to

A young girl in traditional attire sifts sand through her hands

a professional level, documenting the most touching moments in his life and sharing them with his fans and followers. “Photography for me is a real endless passion,” he smiles. “I use my pictures to signify what I have inside me, so looking at my pictures is like looking inside my brain and fetching my feelings.” Whether it’s people, portraits, animals or landscapes, Al-Noubi’s work shares a single commonality – one of refreshing beauty. He chooses to take pictures that have a story behind them because, according to his school of thought, “Every photo should be impressive enough to push the viewer to keep coming back to it and be impressed every single time he [sees] it.” It’s this ethos that explains the many unpublished pictures that don’t make it on to his social media accounts – when a picture fails to tell a story, he chooses not to publish it.

An elderly man tends to his workshop

For Al-Noubi, his profession is not so much taking a picture but rather making a picture – and coming up with a composition that touches the viewer and conveys feeling to its audience requires talent, practice, and persistence. “Photography should stand for a photographer’s point of view,” he states firmly. “However, many [people] think that the more the equipment [he has], the better the photographer”. This is inaccurate as Al-Noubi believes that the artistic feel is what counts; he chose to learn photography and cultivate his talent the hard way – watching YouTube tutorials and becoming self-taught in the tricks of the trade. “I also credit my own mistakes – for they were the best teacher – as I used to see [them] and then learn how to rectify it,” he adds. Al-Noubi says he appreciates the work of other photographers but declines to name any one

A traditional game of dama

particular role model, instead preferring to have his own signature style, setting his own rules, and following his own path. It’s his goal to continue to use his passion for photography to be in touch with his fans and convey his interpretations of the world around him. And the possibilities as he sees them? Endless. “[I want to] go international and stand out on a global level,” he says with a smile. “It would be my dream that someone supports me and adopts my talent so I can have more exposure.” To learn more about the work of Mubarak Al-Noubi and to view his portfolio, follow him on Instagram at ALNOUBI_, or view his profile at www.500px.com. n

Smiles of the next generation

Need for speed at Lusail International Circuit

Dark desert highway

ARTS & CULTURE

Listings

Museum Guide

For a complete list of timings visit www.qma.org.qa/en/exhibitions

QH RECOMMENDS

Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art Education City 4402-8855 mathaf_info@qma.org.qa www.mathaf.org.qa Open: Tuesday to Sunday Closed: Mondays

Museum of Islamic Art & Park The Corniche 4422-4444 infomia@qma.org.qa www.mia.org.qa Open: Wednesday to Monday Closed: Tuesdays

QATAR TURKEY 2015 Archaeology & Heritage Conservation In Turkey Lectures

Ongoing: UCLQatar, Education City & Museum of Islamic Art. This is a lecture series organized in partnership with UCL Qatar University that introduces the work of key Turkish experts in the fields of Archaeology and Heritage Conservation. Topics covered will include Neolithic cultures of Eastern Anatolia, the challenges of preserving the World Heritage Sites of Bursa and Cumalikizik, and underwater archaeology in Turkey. For more information visit www.qatarturkey2015.qa.

ANIMA GALLERY & LOUNGE Resinification: A Solo Exhibition by Mauro Perucchetti

Until Sept 30, 2016: Parcel 17, Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. Mauro Perucchetti’s work unites pop aesthetics with social commentary, addressing some of the most pressing and difficult issues in today’s society in a way that’s subtle and accessible, without being trite, shocking, or obscure. Opening hours are Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 3377-1370, email art@animagallery.com, or visit www.animagl.com.

IAID Broadway Jazz For Ladies

Saturdays: Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. Broadway dance is different from other styles due to its fusion of ballet, jazz and modern elements, which allow for unconventional movements and stage-inspired production choreography. The use of theatre props such as canes, top hats and gloves are also popular in Broadway productions. For more information call 4432-0974 or 4441-1234, visit www.iaidonline.org, or email enquire@iaidonline.org.

Visual Arts

Sat-Thurs: Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. IAID’s Visual Arts program is a progressive course for beginners, intermediate and advanced that covers colour theory, art styles, drawing and painting techniques, shapes and figures, visual art perception and portraits with the use of various art mediums. For more information call 4432-0974/ 4441-1234, email enquire@iaidonline.org, or visit www.iaidonline.org.

MATHAF: ARAB MUSEUM OF MODERN ART Focus: Works from Mathaf Collection Until Feb 14, 2016: Ground-Floor Galleries. Offering a glimpse into some of its most iconic works, the museum’s Focus exhibition presents five solo shows highlighting a selection of key artists in its collection. Among them are some of the Arab world’s ground-breaking modern and contemporary artists – Saloua Raouda Choucair (Lebanon), Inji Efflatoun (Egypt), Farid Belkahia (Morocco), Faraj Daham (Qatar), and Abdulhalim Al-Radwi (Saudi Arabia). Entry is free and opening hours are Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. Closed on Mondays. For more information call 4402-8855 or visit www.mathaf.org.qa.

QATAR MUSEUMS Luc Tuymans: Intolerance

Until Jan 30, 2016: Al Riwaq Gallery. Belgian artist Luc Tuymans is one of the key figures of a new generation of figurative painters, widely credited with having contributed to the revival of painting in the 1990’s and recognized as one of the most important living painters today. This exhibition is a comprehensive survey of his work – his first solo show in the Gulf region – and will include a series of wall paintings and a new body of work, 'The Arena', created specifically for the show. The exhibition will be curated by Lynne Cooke, Senior Curator of Special Projects in Modern Art at the National Gallery of Art Washington. Entry is free. For more information visit www.qm.org.qa.

The Fire Station & Garage Gallery

Old Civil Defense Roundabout contact@firestation.org.qa www.firestation.org.qa. Open: Wednesday to Monday Closed: Tuesdays

ALRIWAQ DOHA

Museum of Islamic Art Park 4452-5555 Open: Same days as Museum of Islamic Art

QMA Gallery

Building 10, Katara, Cultural VIllage 4408-1255 qmagallery@qma.org.qa Open: Monday to Saturday & Sunday Closed: Fridays

VCUQATAR Community Classes

Ongoing: Education City. VCUQatar offers a choice of over 40 community education classes related to art, design and crafts, three times a year. Every fall (October to December), spring (February and March) and late spring (late April to mid-June) you can enhance your knowledge about photography and filming, glimpse into Islamic pattern construction or Arabic calligraphy and explore the world of fashion or interior design. For more information on registration for the 2015/2016 calendar year call 4402-0555, or visit www.qatar.vcu.edu/community.

line! See ushapon pening.com www.qatar

COMMUNITY

Top Picks

ENERGY WORLD QATAR 2015 Science Conference

Photo Credit: Jessie Palanca

QATAR DIABETES ASSOCIATION World Diabetes Day Walkathon

Nov 13: Aspire Park. The Qatar Diabetes Association, in collaboration with Landmark Group and Action On Diabetes, is organizing an awareness walkathon in addition to blood sugar tests and nutrition counseling at its mobile clinic during this huge yearly event. The walkathon will take place around the lake in Aspire Park, with festivities running from 3:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. Gathering time for the walkathon will be 2:30 p.m. and participants will be provided with T-shirts, caps, healthy snacks and water for free at the event. For more information visit www.qda.org.qa.

Nov 19-28: The new Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre. Energy World Qatar is a celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) in all aspects of life, and an initiator of interest, understanding, enthusiasm, and engagement in science among the young people of Qatar, in a fun way. This national ‘edutainment’ and interactive adventure for families, will take people of all ages (parents, children, students) on a journey into the future of energy, technology and mobility. It provides a hands-on encounter and experience to create greater awareness of energy and its challenges, stimulate creative thinking and innovation amongst participants to find solutions to meet those challenges. For more information visit www.energyworldqatar.com.

DOHA MUMS Tickles And Giggles Playgroup

Tuesdays: Join the Doha Mums every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. till 12 noon at Tickles And Giggles, located on The Pearl, for a soft playgroup and climbing fun for all ages up to 12-years-old. For more information visit www.dohamums.com.

Comedian John Hastings

PUNCHLINE COMEDY The Chuckle Club

Nov 9 & 10: The Grand Hyatt & Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park. The Chuckle Club is back with laughs this November bringing another exciting line-up of hugely-talented comic imports to Dunes at the Grand Hyatt on Nov 9 and to the Crowne Plaza on Nov 10. Come out and get your laughs on with UK-based Aussie comedian Ro Campbell, Scotland’s Carmen Lynch, and UK-based Canadian comic John Hastings. Tickets are QR 120 and can be purchased online at Platinum List, Virgin Megastore, Q-Tickets and Ticketmaster. Show starts at 8:00 p.m., with food and beverage promotions on offer at the event.

IAID Hip-Hop Classes For Kids

Sun, Tues, Wed & Thurs: Hilal St., Al-Tadamon Signal, D-Ring Road. This is a popular high-energy urban class that uses the latest music combined with movement and choreography inspired by today’s hottest hip-hop tunes. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, visit www.iaidonline.org, or email enquire@iaidoline.org.

COMMUNITY

By Sarah Al Motairi Photography by Jessie Palanca

QH had the opportunity to sit down with House of Wow’s Executive Director, Timothy Carr, and learn about this new creative arts space for youth and all it has to offer.

s I entered the House of Wow villa, my eyes were directed to a wall of Arabic graffiti. It read ‘House of Wow’ in Arabic in the most elegant calligraphy, styled in radiant colours, illuminating an entire wall. Further to my right, I was taken aback by another wall, grey in colour, with a hint of red, 3D rectangles spray-painted on, flying at me through bursts of clouds. To my left, Timothy Carr, Executive Director, greeted me with a warm smile. Gieneve, Head of External Communications for The Youth Company, welcomed me with a warm personality and lots of giggles. I instantly felt at home. Mohamed Farid, Chairman and Founder of The Youth Company (TYC), materialized this grassroots organization giving young people the chance to unlock their potential through the arts. TYC operates as a social enterprise with a mission to provide a

platform for youth empowerment and development, as well as to supply the community with consultancy services. With the success of TYC, Mohamed once again aimed high, creating an extension of The Youth Company: House of Wow, with partner Khalifa Haroon of I Love Qatar. House of Wow is a creative arts centre that allows the youth to learn new skills, build confidence and explore talents through dancing, rapping, spoken word, singing, music, writing, and other creative art-forms. Timothy Carr shares: “House of Wow is made up of three floors: Chill (the first floor), Create (the second floor), Collaborate (the third floor). The top floor is called 7ayak Hub. It provides a co-working space for entrepreneurs, businesses or individuals to collaborate. The space is fully equipped with internet, AC and a professional workspace.” Qatar lacks co-working spaces and House of Wow provides a sanctuary to those looking for a quiet place to work. The second floor is a space for artists to do their magic. “We’re currently in the process of outfitting a studio on the second floor,” explains Timothy. “Artists will have the opportunity to use the space for recording and filming.” The bottom floor is for artists of all backgrounds to ‘chill’. With an open floor-plan, writers, dancers, illustrators, rappers, filmmakers, photographers, musicians and so on,

have a place to meet, share and explore each others talents and skills. “Qatar is a small country and House of Wow is a hub to help the arts culture get stronger,” says Timothy. “Its goal is to activate the youth and help them build a network. The scene in Qatar has more talent than the rest of the GCC but it’s weak because there hasn’t been a space for artists to connect and work.” Timothy Carr hails from a background in creative arts: “In Kuwait I was helping artists with music videos, documentaries and filmmaking. I did it for free. It was a hobby and I loved doing it. Through my talents and exposure, I became a regular on the Kuwait scene – organizing events, directing artists and so on.” Mohamed Farid contacted Timothy in order to assist with the opening night of House of Wow. “He called me and asked if I could be in Doha tomorrow. I said sure. Made it out here, filmed the opening night. It was a huge success. Later, Mohamed asked if I could stay and work with House of Wow. At the time I couldn’t as I had obligations in Kuwait, but a few months in and I finally agreed. It’s been four months since I moved to Doha and joined the House of Wow team.” House of Wow is in its beginning stages but there’s already so much lined up. According to Timothy, “It’s

House of Wow's Executive Director Timothy Carr

Founder of The Mohamed Farid, Chairman and hands out Youth Company and House of Wow Ramadan iftar gift boxes to passersby during

Some talented BBoys bust a move

just a matter of getting the place going – activating it. We hold weekly events such as Open Mic Nights, AllStyle Dance Battles, Hip-Hop Shows, Musicians Corner and the likes. People of all backgrounds and skill levels are welcome to participate any given night.” Upcoming projects include an in-house YouTube web series hosted by Timothy Carr. Guests will include local bands, rappers and other musicians sharing their songs, inspirations and personal journeys. “We’re working on a comedy show that will be aired from House of Wow,” smiles Timothy. “Ah, and a food show. We want to create a weekly series visiting restaurants throughout the country allowing us to chat with chefs in [Doha]. We will also air a show allowing filmmakers and photographers to share their thoughts and reviews on today’s film industry.” House of Wow is also an education hub, providing workshops in a number of creative arts fields from dance, to writing, to filmmaking and photography, to origami, beat-boxing and music. Timothy continues to share his optimism for House of Wow: “There’s so much potential in Qatar. A venue like House of Wow is exactly what local talent needs to build on its existing potential. Come out and support us!” If you would like to contribute to House of Wow as an educator, or participate in workshops and events please visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/houseofwowqa. Or follow them on Twitter (@houseofwowqatar), or Instagram (houseofwow). n

COMMUNITY

Chronicling

A Nation By Ashlee Starratt Selected photography by Jessie Palanca

French author and entrepreneur Caroline Carpentier has made waves in Qatar and beyond, by bringing the achievements and highlights of our galvanized Gulf state to the world in Qatar Success Stories (2013), and Qatar Success Stories: Inspiring Women (2015). Now, she’s back on the literary circuit in preparation for the release of a third volume, Qatar Success Stories: Leading Institutions due for release in early 2016. QH sits down with Caroline to go page-by-page.

Medeis Al Caroline Carpentier (right) and launch of Khaleej's Natalie Parra (left) at the ss Stories the original edition of Qatar Succe

QH: It’s been nearly three years since the first edition of Qatar Success Stories. Can you tell us why it was time for another installment? CC: Qatar Success Stories is meant to be informative and accurate. Qatar is changing fast; new economic leaders are emerging, new companies are being created and great projects are initiated. The companies and institutions that were featured in the first edition have evolved and their corporate profile and vision have to be updated. Moreover, several CEOs have changed positions since then and we need to give a tribute to the newly-appointed decision-makers. QH: How does ‘Leading Institutions’ differ from its predecessor? What new, updated information will it contain? CC: For this upcoming edition, to be published in 2016, we’ll of course update the information of all companies eager to renew their participation. We’ll also be adding about ten to 15 companies and institutions that have emerged these past years. Also, we’ll produce the book in French and will feature several French and other foreign groups that are major in Qatar to add showcases of economic partnerships between Qatar and other countries. Finally, we’ll add a section called ‘Focus On’ to highlight the new generation of young leaders and to feature start-ups that are too recent to be featured on a double page. We will as well update the introduction about Qatar and highlight key information about the country – how to live, accommodation, etc.

CC: I think that most of the time, international media treats Qatar unfairly and I want to share my own experience (almost eight years in Qatar) and my own observations about Qatar and its people. Inspiring Women of Qatar was needed because foreigners do not know that women here are valuable, active and supported to be entrepreneurs and to work. I wanted to highlight these remarkable women who I have met over my years in Qatar and give them a tribute to express themselves. ‘Leading Institutions’ is about informing – it’s much more ‘corporate’ about the economic climate, how we work in Qatar, what is the vision or work ethic of the decision-makers, what company could be a partner for a foreign business, etc. for the original 2013 release of Caroline, at the inaugural event y patron Mr. Ahmed Hassan Qatar Success Stories, with literar of the book's key sponsors one , Group AHB of man Bilal, Chair

QH: Tell us a bit about how the idea of ‘Leading Institutions’ came into being and who helped you along the way to make this book a reality? CC: When I was working in the French Embassy, I noted that there was very little information about businesses and their leaders. Except for some vast documents which were very detailed and more like a directory, there was no book that compiled information at a glance for the most relevant and successful entities. So I created Qatar Success Stories with an esthetic too, as a ‘corporate gift’. All the books are also the work of a team: Sacha, our graphic designer, Caroline Coens who is project manager, our editors and translators, Nibu, from Aspire Printing Press and their people who do a great job. I thank as well the Ministry of Culture for giving me, each time, authorization to publish, and of course my Qatari friends, including Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, Chairman of AHB Group, who have supported and helped me over the years to make my books a success! QH: What’s next on the horizon for Caroline Carpentier the author? Will you continue to do more books that are centred on Qatar – or do you have other concepts in the pipeline?

r to Qatar, H.E. Caroline and French Ambassado with some of Eric Chevallier (centre) celebrate year's book Qatar's best and brightest at this Inspiring Women. launch for Qatar Success Stories:

QH: Can you give us a sneak peek at some of the people and organizations that will be highlighted in this edition? CC: Most of the companies featured in the 2013 edition have agreed to renew, such as AHB Group, Alfardan Group, QInvest, International Islamic Bank, Qatar Airways, Qatar Petroleum, etc., plus institutions such as Qatar Foundation. We’re also adding the Qatar Business Incubation Center (QBIC) and other new initiatives, and we plan to include to various entities such as the Qatar Tourism Authority, Msheireb Properties, Ooredoo, and Qatar Rail to name but a few among the economic leading groups that are an asset to Qatar. QH: When will the book be published and where will it be distributed? Can the public buy it here in Doha? CC: We plan to publish during the first quarter of 2016.The book is distributed to all participants, but also to business councils, joint chambers of commerce, diplomatic missions in Doha, Qatari Embassies abroad and, we want also to give copies

to major five-star hotels, airlines, business and first-class lounges and, of course, media. The book is targeting a professional audience rather than the public so it will be available in many places but not for sale and not in bookstores. QH: Equally important – how will it be used and who is the target readership? CC: Our objective is to inform about Qatar’s economic and social environment and to give foreign delegations visiting Qatar a ‘guide’ to get to know businesses and their leaders. It’s informative and it shows some of the most successful ideas and projects ‘made-in-Qatar’. So our audience is mainly businessmen and women, diplomats, journalists and visitors who want to know Qatar better. QH: Highlighting the local entrepreneurs and educators who are making a difference in Qatar has become a passion of yours – Qatar Success Stories, Inspiring Women, etc. What keeps you working towards these kinds of projects?

CC: I started to know Qatar quite well and I would like to keep on updating my previous books in order to give continuity to the information. Inspiring Women of Qatar will be updated for publication in 2017! We also plan to celebrate the launching of Qatar Success Stories: Leading Institutions with a big event in Doha and in Paris. We also plan to develop the website in order to offer the largest visibility to Qatar's leading institutions and provide the international business community and media with accurate information about Qatar. QH: If our readers are interested in learning more about ‘Leading Institutions’ or any of your other works, how can they contact you? CC: They can visit our website at www.qatarsuccessstories.com. n To learn more about Caroline Carpentier and her work visit www.qatarsuccessstories.com, or email info@medeisalkhaleej.com.

COMMUNITY Snowcomms owner Anna-Denise Ioannou Mikati

with Anna-Denise (centre in yellow) s are the ladies and staff of Snowcomm QIBS 2015 gearing up for a show-stopping

Women often see things differently from their male counterparts. So it’s good to have a variety of views, since there is no correct way to do anything. But women also enjoy boating – it’s not just a male pastime. Sometimes we will see things somewhat differently and, after all, the boat show is meant to show off the best of the yachting world to everyone! QH: Are you planning to bring more shows of its kind to Doha or perhaps even abroad? AIM: Yes – we’ll be ready to surprise you just after the [upcoming] Qatar Boat Show. QH: You clearly know your way around a ship. Were you always so nautically inclined?

The Business Of Opportunity By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

QH: Tell us about QIBS and your involvement in its organization?

We meet Anna-Denise Ioannou Mikati, a local entrepreneur and owner of Snowcomms, the company behind the organization of the upcoming Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS). The Middle East’s premier yachting lifestyle event is scheduled to take place from November 10-14 at Lusail City’s Mourjan Marina. QH talks to Anna about the importance of women in business and what it takes to organize a world-class event like QIBS.

AIM: With my husband and co-owner of the company, we develop the strategy of the show every year and ensure that the Qatar International Boat Show is in line with the country’s vision for the tourism sector. In addition, I am managing the boat show team, coordinating the different functions, and ensuring the strategy and objectives are achieved.

emale entrepreneurs are an important part of economic growth in any country, creating new jobs for themselves and others, while providing society with different solutions to management and organization of major international events world-wide. This is the case of Anna-Denise Ioannou Mikati, co-owner with her husband of Snowcomms, the company responsible for the set-up and staging of one of the biggest boat shows in the Middle East. Born in Greece, Anna and her husband are in charge of the production of the QIBS mega-event every year. They both work all year-long with a team of ten permanent staff to bring this impressive show to life.

AIM: My husband bought a boat as a surprise for my birthday a few years back and I've been hooked ever since – yachting is a passion once you enter this world. QH: What kind of watercraft do you have?

QH: How long have you been involved in the boat show’s production? AIM: It’s actually my third time –and every year it gets better, bigger and more exciting. This is the third edition of QIBS and I’ve been working on it for four years since we conceptualized the event and introduced the show to the Qatar market. QH: So you’ve made Doha your home?

AIM: A J 10-metre fun-boat! QH: Convince our readers that this year’s edition of QIBS is worth checking out. AIM: The show this year is even more entertaining, with new, exciting additions such as stands on water, water-taxi services, a cruise terminal, networking gatherings, media visits to Qatar’s shipyards, launching of brands, amazing competitions for our visitors, and a playground area with its own real train-boat . I’ll remain in the background, paddling furiously like the proverbial swan on water to make sure everything flows smoothly – that’s the most important thing. Like a guardian angel, I and my team are making sure the show is beyond everyone’s expectations. I’m looking forward seeing you all there from November 10-14! n

AIM: Ten years now and going strong. QH: There are eight women working closely with you to put together this event. How did that come about and why is it so important for you and other women to be part of QIBS? AIM: They always say that women can think more laterally than men, and together we make a great team –even with our male companions! We’re a team of highly-educated, career-oriented ladies with a passion to deliver one of the most prestigious shows ever to be held in Qatar and organized by Snowcomms.

QIBS 2015 Location: Mourjan Marinas, Lusail City Dates: November 10-14 Timings: •2:30 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. on weekdays •12:30 p.m. till 9:30 p.m. on weekend •Entry: Free Contact Info: For more information visit www.qibs2015.com

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Doha College Principal, Dr. Steffen Sommer

Technology may keep us ultraconnected, but what message are we trying to convey?

Student councils are a positive platform for youth to have a voice within the school administration

So, if students have a voice what are they saying?

If Students Had A Voice, What Would They Say? By Dr. Steffen Sommer, Principal of Doha College Images courtesy of Doha College

There’s no doubt that advances in technology have changed education in fundamental ways. The modern classrooms bear little resemblance to those of ten, twenty or fifty years ago. The role of students is also changing as they continue to have more say in what and how they learn. 54

‘student voice’ is not new; thoughts and opinion have always found expression through structured and informal channels in learning institutions. At Doha College we’ve introduced a program that has taken the student voice to a new level—the ability to provide feedback directly to staff to influence the content and format of their lessons. We have found the gift of a formal, structured ‘voice’ has had a positive impact on students. Those participating in this innovative feedback program have gained confidence (whether in speaking to an adult or their peers) and have a new-found respect for their teachers with regard to lesson preparation.

Doha College teacher and program leader Sara James has explored this very question, delving into the qualities that students valued in their lessons. The three most important aspects were knowledge, enthusiasm and fun. That is, the teacher must be knowledgeable about the lesson content and enthusiastic in its delivery. As parents, you may find it interesting that students also listed ‘rules’ as a crucial part of school life! Here is a comprehensive list of the words students used to describe a good lesson and teacher: have rules; must be relatable; positive; have understanding; have clarity; be charismatic; be sociable; brave and bold; be engaging; passionate; kind, inclusive; humourous; challenging; interesting; helpful; organized, and a little bit crazy. I’m very pleased to say that staff has embraced the program as an opportunity to make life in the classroom more enjoyable for everyone. In December, Qatar will hold its annual National Day celebrations. This is a time in which everyone demonstrates their affection about this great country. Here at Doha College we’re asking students to use their voices to express their thoughts and feelings about living in Qatar. In conjunction with Qatar Happening Magazine, we have launched an essay competition for students from Year 10-13. Students have a choice – they can submit a 600-700 word essay or a compilation of photographs on the theme ‘My Qatar’. This is an extraordinary competition as Qatar Happening Magazine has kindly offered winners a one-month internship. The competition closes at 2:00 p.m. on November 4, 2015, and information is available by contacting the Doha College marketing team at marketing@dohacollege.com. n

COMMUNITY

Playgroups:

Good for Kids And Parents By Jacqueline Bodnar

Playgroups are a great way to get children of all ages together for some fun playtime. With a little bit of planning, it’s easy to set the right mood and help everyone have a great time. Children and parents alike benefit from getting involved in playgroups – and we show you how! Toddler Playgroups Whether your children are older or you have young toddlers, there are ways they can all benefit from play-dates with other children. Once children are a year old, it helps to start getting them around other people for playgroups. While children under the age of three generally engage in parallel play, rather than being interactive with other children, groups can still be beneficial for them. Children older than three get a chance to play and interact with others. It’s a great opportunity for them to learn to share and take part in group activities.

Addressing Problems Children need to learn how to get along with other people, and playgroups are a great way to start them on that path. The children get a chance to practice their social skills and have fun at the same time. However, that doesn’t mean it will be all fun and games. “Parents need to have realistic expectations about little ones getting along,” says Dr. Eileen KennedyMoore, a psychologist and author of the book What About Me? Twelve Ways to Get Your Parents’ Attention Without Hitting Your Sister (Parenting Press, 2005), and The Unwritten Rules of Friendship: Simple Strategies To Help Your Children Make Friends (Little, Brown, 2003). “It’s normal for very young children to ignore each other, to snatch toys, and to cry when they don’t get what they want.” Understanding that there may be problems can help you work to prevent them from happening, and to deal with them if they do. Although young children often have a hard time sharing, they may be able to understand the concept of taking turns.

Groups like this are great for helping children begin to understand the concepts of taking turns and following directions. When young children get frustrated, they may resort to hitting, pushing, or biting. Preventing such problems before they start is key. When you see a child getting frustrated, try to step in with a new activity, provide a healthy snack, or physically separate the children.

Parents Do Benefit “Parents can definitely benefit from play-dates for young children,” says Dr. Kennedy-Moore. “Besides providing the camaraderie of other parents, playdates are also a great opportunity to observe other children. Seeing that everybody else’s kid does it, too, can help parents feel more confident in their own parenting abilities and more accepting of their child’s developmentally normal behaviour.”

Planning Is Key Keep in mind that having fewer children present will help keep things calmer. Another good way to avoid meltdowns is to keep the visits short; a good range for children under three would be no more than two hours at once. When it comes to deciding what to do during that time, keep in mind that the activities should be something that will involve all the children and should be kept age-appropriate. You can plan field trips, create themed play-dates or have treasure hunts. No matter what type of playgroup you plan, make sure you have fun. “Children under the age of three in playgroups have the opportunity to explore new areas in their environment,” explains U.S.-based expert Suzanne Reszka, the lead teacher at People’s Church Preschool, located in East Lansing, Michigan. “As they explore these new areas, they become more independent. Their emotional, social and language skills develop, and their feelings of self-esteem increase.” For this age group, Reszka recommends planning events around sensory activities, such as water-play, textured blocks and playing dress-up. Other areas that are good for this age group are activities that involve large motor skills, as well as playing with music and finger-play. “Children over the age of three will develop in social and emotional areas and in language, as well,”

says Reszka. “They will have the chance to interact with their peers, learn how to handle a variety of situations and begin to develop problem-solving skills. These children will love to build with blocks, paint, play in sand, and play learning games.” Remember, if your child sees you getting frustrated at some of the behaviour, they will pick up on that and become frustrated, as well. Have fun and they will have fun, too.“Play-dates are very exciting for young children,” says Dr. Kennedy-Moore. “But focus on keeping them short. Shorter play dates work better.” n

TIPS FOR STARTING YOUR OWN PLAYGROUP • First, decide the details of the group. You’ll need to determine who the group is for, how often it will meet, what area it will cover, etc. Give some thought to membership rules, such as if everyone must attend at least one playgroup per week, or if there will be any security measures in place. Some groups arrange a quick phone call between the group leader and the person wanting to join. Others ask the person to attend the first meeting before adding them to the group roster. • Set up a way for everyone in the group to communicate regularly and be able to arrange play-dates. A good way to do this is through social media or WhatsApp groups. • Once you’ve created the group you need to find members by advertising the group in your area. You can do this through websites, message boards and even grocery store bulletin boards. • After you get a couple of people in the group you can all determine what days and times are good for people to meet and begin making arrangements for play-dates.

DR. KENNEDY-MOORE’S PLAY DATE DISASTER RULES • Hitting and biting This is usually a response to frustration. The best strategy is prevention. Keep a close eye on the children during the playgroup and be ready to step in and move him or her a safe distance away. • Refusing to share Before the playgroup starts, put away special toys. Most kids find it easier to take turns than to share. • Not playing together Encourage joint play, but don’t insist on it. Many young children enjoy parallel play more than cooperative play. Some children need time to feel comfortable with new playmates. • Dislike of snacks Don’t stress. They can eat when they get home. • Your home is trashed Incorporate a regular clean-up time as the last part of the playgroup. Put on lively music and have everyone pitch in. • Crying at the end Consider a shorter session next time or a different time of day.

COMMUNITY

Listings

Community Guide Australian and New Zealand Business in Qatar Group

QH RECOMMENDS

6651-1892 www.anzbiq.org

American Women’s Association 5511-8085 www.awaqatar.com

Doha Players

4447-4911 Search ‘Doha Players Lovers’ Group on Facebook

DOHA MUMS Mummy & Me Yoga

Ongoing: Mummy & Me Yoga is a fun way to reconnect with your body while enjoying time with your baby. It’s a great way to take part in an understanding community of other new Mums. Classes are very fluid so feel free to participate fully or stop and rest, play or feed your baby as needed. Most importantly just relax, enjoy and have fun! For more information or to join email rsvp@dohamums.com.

COUNTRY CONNECTIONS QATAR Relocation Services For Expats

Ongoing: If you’ve just made the move to Qatar, it’s only natural to experience some culture shock at first. Country Connections Qatar is a local company that offers settlement and relocation services to help newcomers adjust to life in Qatar. With a range of options to suit every budget they offer a number services that include assisting with accommodation and school searches, spousal support, city orientations, to providing information on necessities such as arranging childcare and medical appointments. For more information call 3353-7452, email support_ccq@hotmail.com, or visit www.countryconnectionsqatar.com.

DOHA SCOTTISH DANCING CLUB Dance Classes

Nov 9, 16, 23 & 30: Doha English Speaking School. Those with an interest in participating in one of Scotland’s most traditional forms of dance can join the Doha Scottish Dancing Club for lessons. Classes are held from 7:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. on Mondays every month. The cost is QR 20 per class and there is no additional registration fee or membership requirement. Bring soft shoes and a bottle of water to stay hydrated. For more information email dohascottishdancing@gmail.com, or request to join the club’s Facebook page.

KATARA Q Talent Store Now Open: Gate 17, Katara beachside. Q Talent is a local company that focuses on finding, connecting and promoting Qatari talented youth. They provide services for employers who are looking for Qatari talent, while providing opportunities for young artists and entrepreneurs to grow and prosper. The Q Talent store features clothing, books, arts and crafts, perfumes, accessories and more – all designed, produced and created by local young artists. For more information find them on Facebook or visit www.qtalent.com.

QATAR ANIMAL WELFARE SOCIETY Become A Volunteer

Ongoing: Whether you’re a pet-owner or simply a lover of animals – especially those in need –the Qatar Animal Welfare Society (QAWS) is always looking for volunteers to help out. With up to 100 animals in their care, every hour of donated volunteer time counts. Whether it’s dog-walking, animal socialization, kennel cleaning or administrative work, QAWS could use the extra hand. For more information on becoming a volunteer call 5539-6074 or visit www.qaws.org.

IAID Karate Courses

Sun, Tues & Thurs: Hilal St., Al-Tadmon Signal, D-Ring Road. Shotokan is a karate style developed from various martial arts and tackles karate basics, forms or patterns of moves and sparring. Affiliated with the Qatar Karate Federation, this course is open for kids and adults. For more information call 4432-0974/4441-1234, email enquire@iaidonline.org, or visit www.iaidonline.org.

Egyptian Women’s Association 5572-4171

French-Speaking Ladies Group 5559-7467

Indian Women’s Association 4442-4052

Qatar National Cancer Society 4447-8128 www.qncs.org

Red Dotters Qatar

5520-9294 Follow @RedDottersQatar on Twitter

Silver Dhow Association 4435-2598

Turkish Women’s Association www.twaq.org

Tuesday Ladies Group Email: tlgindoha@gmail.com

SASCOM: South Africans In Qatar

www.southafricansinqatar.netfirms.com

line! See ushapon pening.com www.qatar

Canadians In Qatar

Search ‘Canadians In Qatar’ Group on Facebook to join the community

FOOD & DINING

Top Picks

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Hwang Goes Bento!

Sun-Fri: Hwang Pan-Asian restaurant at the InterContinental Doha the City is open for lunch! Enjoy their special bento box selections and create your own for the perfect lunch.Choose your favourite options from three starters, three main courses and three desserts. Bento boxes start at just QR 75. Open from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. for lunch on Sunday through Fridays. For more information call 4015-8888.

TORO TORO DOHA Pan-Latin Flair

Mon -Sat: Toro Toro is a creative blend of Pan Latin flavours and one of the most successful and growing concepts of Celebrity Chef Richard Sandoval. Toro Toro showcases the most authentic recipes from Mexico to Argentina in a vibrant atmosphere, giving to its eclectic and selected guests a full Latin experience including the acclaimed rodizio experience. From 7:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4035-5101, email info@torotorodoha.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

NOZOMI DOHA Now Open!

Daily except Mondays: Nozomi is the awardwinning contemporary Japanese lifestyle restaurant and celebrity hotspot travelling from the heart of London to Marsa Malaz Kempinski. Nozomi subtly fuses entertainment with dining. Its culinary style is best described as contemporary Japanese infused with European subtleties. Nozomi offers a wide selection of sushi, its famous black cod and tender Kobe beef, and its world class lobster tempura and vegetarian dishes. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4035-5089, email info@nozomidoha.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Country Culinary Week

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Greek Bouzouki Nights

Nov 26 & 27: Mykonos. Take your chance to escape from the fuss of the city and dive into Mediterranean life. Join the real Greek-fest, dance with the live music by the famous Bouzouki players, and savour a buffet dinner with Greek specialties and live cooking stations. Doors open from 7:00 p.m. till 12 midnight. QR 250 per person. For more information call 4484-4444.

Nov 1-7: Crossroads Kitchen |Ipanema | New York Steakhouse | Champions. Saddle up and join in for the ultimate country culinary week at the Marriott Marquis City Center Doha. Enjoy country food, family fun, live entertainment, and stand a chance to win exciting prizes. QR 199 inclusive of a buffet of appetizers plus three beverages. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

FOOD & DINING

Lazy Like Saturday Morning By Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca Additional images courtesy of The St. Regis Doha

There’s no argument from us QH foodies that The St. Regis Doha’s Opal by Gordon Ramsay – coowned by the charismatic chef himself – is a point of reference for diners in Doha. The restaurant is famous for its gourmet pizza stations and classics such as the Opal Wagyu burger. But their new Lazy Saturdays brunch experience is quickly becoming a fan favourite, as this hungry writer finds out. 62

he St. Regis Doha is one of my favourite haunts – I like its grandeur and majestic décor and, most of all, its vast array of top-notch food and dining outlets that virtually spoil you for choice. As someone who likes (okay – who are we kidding – loves) to brunch, I’ve been scouring the city to find a decent Saturday option – and bingo! I found the Lazy Saturdays brunch at Opal by Gordon Ramsay – and it’s a great spin on the meal that can’t decide if it’s breakfast or lunch. With a breezy outdoor terrace overlooking the blue waters of the Gulf, Opal showcases the best of the famous chef’s dishes. The wooden-table, bistro-style space is chic and unpretentious, but still keeps that St. Regis/Gordon Ramsay vibe. The space inside is small and cozy, while the terrace is spacious and the views worth jostling for a seat over. Like the restaurant’s regular menu, the brunch offerings are simple but irresistibly tasty. They’re

also a la carte, so depending on how hungry you are, you may end up spending a bit more than you would elsewhere during an ‘all-in’ brunch – but trust us that each dish is worth shelling out for. Unlike other brunches, the Lazy Saturdays brunch offers guests a much more plentiful variety of breakfast items and options. After knocking back a couple of house beverages I’m ready to start making my way down the menu. The first dish that catches my attention is the Croque Madame sandwich with smoked turkey ham and a sunny-side-up egg (QR 65). An exceptional slice of baked bread topped with turkey ham, eggs and cheese arrives on the table. It looks as delicious as it tastes – so mouth-watering in fact that I had three of them in less than 20 minutes. This sandwich is a morning blessing – just for this dish I would come back to this brunch over and over again.

Succulent Australian strip-loin steak – too heavy for breakfast? Well, good thing this brunch!

Their fluffy waffles are a sweet brunch staple

There are also other breakfast items like eggs Benedict with creamy spinach and smoky Hollandaise sauce (QR 55), the scrambled egg and wild rocket salad with tomato and basil salsa (QR 55), and the local prawns-on-ice with fresh lime, a Marie rosé dressing and punchy tartar sauce (QR 70). After three Croque Madames, I had no room left for any other dishes involving eggs, so I moved on to a main course – the boneless chicken with tamarind sauce, coriander and spring onions (QR 75). Perfectly cooked and juicy, it’s a dish I recommend whole-heartedly. If you’re not that hungry and instead prefer something lighter, go for the roasted vegetable salad with goat curd-cheese, roasted hazelnuts and a honey-truffle dressing (QR 65) – very tasty and fresh. The artichoke salad with endives, Stilton cheese, and a cherry caramel reduction (QR60) is another healthy choice that goes down easy.

For heartier fare, the Australian strip-loin steak with Yorkshire pudding and roasted vegetables (QR 95) more than hits the spot. You can accompany it with an array of side-orders that include crushed potatoes, capers or shallots, and a thyme jus (QR 80). Two other note-worthy dishes on offer are the pan-roasted salmon served with celeriac, apple rémoulade and a half lemon (QR 90), and the rigatoni pasta in a rich tomato sauce with delicate slices of grilled eggplant, mozzarella and Parmesan cheese (QR 70). From a warm greeting at the hostess stand, to the spot-on timing of our meal, the service at the Lazy Brunch is impeccable, but still easy-going – as it should be at brunch. We were treated like royalty and enjoyed every minute of it. Thoughtfully-executed classics, and an off-the-charts welcoming vibe make this restaurant – and the Lazy Saturdays brunch concept – a success. n

Our hands-down favourite – the Croque Madame sandwich

LAZY SATURDAYS BRUNCH Location: Opal by Gordon Ramsay, The St. Regis Doha Timings: Every Saturday from 12 noon till 4:00 p.m. Average Meal Price: A la carte prices, plus QR 175 for selected free-flow beverage package, or QR 75 for free-flow of soft drinks, mocktails and juices. Smoking: Yes, on the outdoor terrace Licensed: Yes Contact Info: Call 4446-0105, or email diningreservations@stregis.com.

FOOD & DINING

Blue signature salmon tataki and Crazy Crab rolls are the best maki on the menu!

Sizzle And Splash By Ashlee Starratt Photography by Jessie Palanca

It’s surf-‘n-turf with an Asian twist at Blue Restaurant in the Grand Heritage Doha Hotel and Spa. QH stopped by one hungry lunch-hour to try their Steak & Sushi Saturdays promotion – much to our dining pleasure!

f you’ve previously driven by the Grand Heritage Hotel and Spa on the way to Aspire or Villaggio, be aware that you’ve overlooked one of the city’s best kept culinary hotspots – Blue is a gem of a restaurant. Navigating the Villaggio area on a weekend is tantamount to madness – and finding a parking spot? Searching for that elusive needle in the hay-stack would be easier… That’s why we chose not to fight the Saturday mall crowds, and instead head over to the spacious warmth of the Grand Heritage for a spot of lunch at Blue. Located on the hotel’s first floor, it’s a cozy, small eatery that draws its name from the signature shade of cobalt blue water goblets that adorn every table. But don’t be fooled – good things come in small spaces. With swaths of natural light streaming in from their airy outdoor terrace, our table is bathed in sunshine, adding a boost to our mood and to the ambiance of the restaurant. There’s only one other table there ahead of us on this Saturday lunch-hour, but by the time we leave around 2:30 p.m. the seats have quickly filled up. As our waiter, Zen, brings us over a complimentary Blue Lagoon mocktail, we notice the platters being hustled on high out of the bustling back kitchen hold works-of-art pieces of sushi or sputtering skillets of fragrant U.S. Prime Filet. It’s clear within the first 30 minutes of our lunch service that everyone’s here for the Steak & Sushi Saturdays promotion – and really, come with a party of two, three or four, and the value for money can’t be beat.

So the premise is this – for QR 215 you get 30 (yes 30!) pieces of assorted sushi, sashimi and maki rolls, plus 160-grams of U.S. Prime Filet. Not a bad deal at all. Generally the sushi is prepared from the chef’s selection but, of course, you can request your favourites too. Blue has one of the most extensive sushi menus of any restaurant in the city and they don’t disappoint in terms of freshness and creativity of presentation. There’s the spicy crab roll that goes down a treat, the standard California roll crowdpleaser, a chopped spicy tuna variation that’s got a creamy kick of flavour. Between the three of us we make short work of the platter before hostess Arianne brings us a few of Chef Victor’s signature combinations to try. The salmon tataki is a knock-out – delicate seared filets of salmon topped with a teriyaki glaze, wrapped around a centre of avocado and cream cheese. Oh. Ehm. Gee. We’re also big fans of the Crazy Crab roll – think tempura-tossed crab salad – creamy, crunchy and with a hint of heat. It’s a lot of sushi that we almost feel we don’t need the steak…but there it comes anyway, delicate medium-rare cubes, tossed stir-frystyle in a soy sauce with carrots, peppers, onions and potatoes. It’s not quite a stew, not quite a stir-fry – but one hundred per cent gone in two helpings. We linger a bit, drinking in the afternoon sunshine and sipping on some hot mugs of coffee when Zen returns with the dessert menu. I love how Blue uses iPad menus instead of paper – they’re eco-friendly, easy to swipe and navigate – plus the colourful food photography lets you eat with your eyes as you decide what to order. The last time I was at Blue I left in a chocolate coma after indulging in their signature chocolate fondant cake with homemade vanilla bean ice cream. Remembering the pull of its ooey-gooey centre, I’m a sucker for tradition and order it again. My colleagues opt for the velvety New York-style cheesecake topped with fresh-cut strawberries and drizzled with a berry coulis, and – at the insistence of Marianne – the sticky caramel date pudding that brought German football legends Bayern Munich to their knees with its decadent flavour and texture.

A sizzling skillet of succulent cubed beef stir-fried in a spicy sauce with fresh veggies

The famous sticky caramel date pudding that sustained one of Europe's biggest football clubs.

(Yes, the Grand Heritage has hosted quite a few sports icons passing through Doha at Aspire!) We leave with fully bellies and a bag brimming with leftovers – seems like we’ll have sushi for Sunday as well. Once again, Blue has exceeded our expectations, leaving us marveling at the scope of its menu, the quality of their service and the pleasure of a promotion that aims to please every taste – and budget! See you this Saturday for round two? n BLUE RESTAURANT Location: 1st Floor, Grand Heritage Doha Hotel and Spa Timings: 12:30 p.m. till 12 midnight, daily Average Meal Price: QR 215, Steak & Sushi Saturdays promotion Licensed: No Smoking: On outdoor terrace only Contact Info: Call 4445-5555 or visit www.grandheritagedoha.com.qa.

FOOD & DINING

Nobu Doha's White Pearl Lounge

Chef Nobuyuki 'Nobu' Matsuhisa with business partner and actor Robert De Niro

Star Flavour

Selected photography by Jessie Palanca Additional images courtesy of The Four Seasons

Join The Four Seasons and Nobu Doha for a night to remember as they celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening with guests of honour Chef Nobuyuki ‘Nobu’ Matsuhisa and Academy Awardwinning actor Robert De Niro.

cclaimed celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa and A-list screen-star Robert De Niro will host an evening like no other at Nobu Doha. The celebration reception event includes a selection of exquisite Nobu cuisine, a traditional Japanese sake ceremony, and live entertainment by celebrated Japanese taiko drum performers and international sensation DJ SOMA. Sip, savour and be seen at a star-studded evening commemorating Nobu's momentous recent début in Doha.

About Chef Nobu Matsuhisa Nobuyuki Matsuhisa – known to the world simply as ‘Nobu’– is the acclaimed and highly influential chef proprietor of Nobu and Matsuhisa restaurants located across five continents. Born and raised in Saitama, Japan, Nobu served a rigourous apprenticeship at a respected sushi bar in Tokyo. It wasn’t long before his dreams of seeing the world moved him to open a sushi bar in Peru. A classically trained sushi-chef, Nobu was challenged by the new culture and regional ingredients, which kindled his inventive style, known today as ‘Nobu Style’.

After three years in Peru, Nobu moved to Argentina, then home to Japan, then on to Alaska, before finally settling in Los Angeles, where he opened his first U.S. restaurant, Matsuhisa, in Beverly Hills, California in January of 1987. Matsuhisa was an instant success and became a magnet for food lovers and celebrities alike. It was here that his longtime friendship and business relationship with actor and director Robert De Niro began. It was at De Niro’s urging that together they open the very first Nobu in New York City in 1994 with restaurateur Drew Nieporent. Like Matsuhisa, Nobu was an instant hit.

With such a magnificent collection of restaurants, it’s no wonder that Chef Nobu has been so widely honoured. Notable citations bestowed upon his restaurants start with Matsuhisa, chosen as one of the Top Ten Restaurant Destinations in the world by the New York Times (1993), while Nobu was awarded Best New Restaurant by the James Beard Foundation (1995) and Three Stars by Ruth Reichl of the New York Times (1995); Nobu Next Door was awarded Three Stars by Ruth Reichl of the New York Times (1998); Nobu London awarded One Michelin Star (1997); Nobu Fifty Seven awarded Three Stars by Frank Bruni of the New York Times (2005); Nobu Berkeley St. awarded One Michelin Star (2005); Matsuhisa Beverly Hills and Nobu Las Vegas awarded One Michelin Star each (2007), and Nobu San Diego awarded One Michelin Star (2008). Some of Chef Nobu’s personal honours from the culinary community include America’s 10 Best New Chefs by Food and Wine Magazine (1989), Southern California's Rising Stars by Los Angeles Times Magazine (1998), induction into Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America by the James Beard

Lobster salad with spicy yuzu dressing

Foundation (2002), nomination for Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation (1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006), and One of the 11 Most Influential Chefs of the Decade by Madrid Fusion (2009). Nobu currently has 32 restaurants in 28 different cities around the world, spanning across five continents. n A NIGHT WITH NOBU AND DE NIRO Date: Saturday, November 7 Where: Nobu Doha, The Four Seasons Timings: 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Price: QR 1,500 per person Dress Code: Formal attire Contact Info: For more information and to secure your place, call 4494-8600 or email dining.doh@fourseasons.com.

FOOD & DINING

My Armenian Kitchen Photography by Jessie Palanca

QH is proud to introduce our new monthly cooking column with renowned celebrity Chef Zarmig, whose award-winning ArmenianLebanese cuisine has earned her accolades – from cookbooks to food series – across the Middle East. Here in Doha she spear-heads the prestigious Mamig restaurant at Katara and the opulent Aziza in the Marriott Marquis City Center Doha. This month, Chef Zarmig shares her recipe for one of her favourite fresh fish dishes for a cool autumn dinner.

Chef Zarmig adds a tasty finishing touch

Chef Zarmig is a celebrity chef, author and television personality across the MENA region

Fish Fishné Ingredients: • 1 whole fish (1.5 or 2 kgs) – any white fish of your choice • ½ cup lemon juice • ½ cup fishné sauce (sour-cherry preserves) • 4 Tbsp oil • ½ cup fresh coriander, chopped • ½ cup fresh dill, chopped • 2 carrots • 1 bunch broccoli • 4 -6 pcs. fresh mushrooms • 2 potatoes • 2 cups rice • 6 cups fish broth • 3 Tbsp ghee • Salt and pepper Fresh and crisply-cooked filet of fish served with fresh vegetables and a sweetly-tart fishné sauce – wholesome and hearty!

Directions: • Wash the fish and marinate it for four hours in the fridge with lemon juice, oil, fresh coriander, fresh dill, salt and pepper. • Peel the carrots and the potatoes and cut into slices. • In a baking tray, put the marinated fish. Add the potatoes, carrots, broccoli and mushrooms, and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. After removing, add the fishné sauce. • In a cooking pan, put the ghee and add the rice, fresh dill, salt, pepper and fish broth to cook. Once ready, put the rice in the bottom of the serving platter, then the fish on the top. Decorate with the carrots, potatoes and some lemon slices before serving. n For more information on the restaurants of Chef Zarmig visit www.mamigdoha.com and www.azizadoha.com.

68 QH Nov 2015 - FINAL.indd 68

11/30/15 12:27

SPECIAL PROMOTION

The Ritz-Carlton's Chef William Khala will teach students the basics of getting started in the kitchen

will help The team from The Ritz-Carlton with you unleash your inner master chef am their new Culinary Academy progr

Fresh ingredients for fresh creations and ultimate flavour

Experience the revamped service and menu at La Mer

The Sky’s The Limit

Puttin’ On The Ritz Images courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton

From mouth-watering pastries to decked-out tables with all the trimmings, foodies in Doha can become their very own master chefs in a new culinary experience hosted by The Ritz-Carlton – plus, La Mer restaurant reaches new heights. QH ties its apron and heads into the kitchen. Culinary Academy When it comes to dining in style, no matter the trend or cuisine, The Ritz-Carlton Doha has plenty to offer. Delighting guests and visitors to the hotel’s nine dining outlets, their Food and Beverage team constantly creates innovative culinary surprises and new gastronomic experiences to satisfy even the most demanding of gourmets.

The season of excellence, beginning this month, offers an exclusive opportunity for guests and visitors to participate in interactive cooking classes with the Ritz-Carlton Culinary Academy every Saturday during the months of November and December. Classes start at 10:00 a.m. and at 3:00 p.m. with The Ritz-Carlton chefs, where guests will discover diverse regional cuisines from around the world. Under the plume of Executive Chef Gael Cruchet, the Culinary Academy will focus on basic dining, cooking techniques, proper equipment needs, and plate presentation. The cooking classes will take place at La Dolce Vita where guests will experience how to be a chef for a day.

Class Schedule: • November 7: Pastry – cookies • November 14: Qatari specialties • November 21: Thanksgiving dinner • November 28: Tunisian & Moroccan cuisine • December 5: Christmas Yule log & specialties • December 12: Christmas festive dinner • January 9: Thai Cuisine – kai hor batoey, green curry, pad Thai

The Doha skyline’s getting a little bit closer as The Ritz-Carlton Doha elevates the legendary service of La Mer restaurant on the hotel’s breathtaking 23rd floor. Raising the bar on how fine-dining should be, through new appeal and culinary concept, it remains strong as one of Qatar's most romantic, modern French restaurants. This month in La Mer, tantalize your taste-buds with their new menu and line of exciting events. Don’t miss the delightful sommelier’s table with a Prost Mainz Weine Markt theme on November 27, or the exclusive ‘Flavours of Bordeaux’ Chef’s Table on December 11 with Chef William Khala and his team of expert sommeliers. These events will highlight fresh, seasonal and playful combinations between flavours. La Mer’s Chef de Cuisine William Khala will elevate the palate of food creations and set the stage for novel culinary artistry that explores the best of the Western world. “Hosting themed events with the best sommelier’s offerings will definitely offer an unforgettable experience to all of our guests. I’m delighted to present the legendary Ritz-Carlton service combined with the world’s finest gastronomy creations,” says Chef Khala. With unsurpassed options to suit the needs of all guests, and sweeping views of the city and sparkling blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, The Ritz-Carlton Doha is an inspired destination in the heart of the city. For more information about the Culinary Academy call 4484-8000 or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/doha..n

FOOD & DINING

Creamy fettucine pesto

QH: Describe the quality of the food. The décor is upscale New York-eatery-chic

EB: The quality of the food was very good – especially the salad (excellent!) and the dessert was fantastic – however, the pasta was not al dente. Considering the price and the quality of the other dishes, I would expect the same level in the preparation of the pasta.

L-R: Demi Chef de Partie, Christopher Baylon, contest winner Ernesto Baseotto, and Outlet Manager Sead Cekic

QH: Describe the quality of the service. EB: The place was empty – just three customers were there. Therefore, the service was dedicated to us. I must say the service was good and the wait staff kind. QH: Would you go back? Why/why not? EB: Yes, but not frequently due to the price. More reasonable prices would make it the right place to go for breakfast on weekends. QH: Favourite thing about the restaurant? EB: The food – mainly the salad and dessert. QH: Least favourite thing about the restaurant? EB: They could improve the pasta preparation and include more dishes for main courses.

Word Of Mouth Photography by Jessie Palanca

QH: What did you order?

This column is part of a monthly contest where we send one of our readers to experience a meal in a restaurant. It’s our way of giving the community a voice in our pages. This month Ernesto Baseotto goes extraindulgent at Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar on The PearlQatar. Here is his review.

EB: The harvest salad (QR 46), fettuccini pesto (QR 56) and an Oreo brownie (QR 49).

QH: Was there a special touch or flair to the experience? EB: Not particularly, since the style of the place is similar to their competitors – Ex: Shakespeare & Co. QH: Could the overall experience be improved? If so, how? EB: Again, add more dishes as main courses. n

QH: Were the prices reasonable? EB: Considering the location, the prices are quite high – but affordable once a while. QH: Describe the ambiance. EB: The ambiance is pleasant and quiet ideal for families to enjoy a relaxed meal.

For more information on Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar call 4495-3876, Ext: 1311, or visit www.hdc-global.com/chocolatebar.

Editor’s Note: The views and opinions expressed in our reader reviews do not reflect in any way those of Qatar Happening Magazine’s staff, directors, management, or Editor-in-Chief. All hotel PR food and beverage departments are aware of the content and receive a copy.

FOOD & DINING Why carve the bird at home this Thanksgiving when you could keep the mess out of the kitchen – and make life a little easier—with our biggest turkey round-up yet! INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Thanksgiving Day

Nov 26: Coral Restaurant. Enjoy a special Thanksgiving celebration at Coral. QR 235 with one house beverage. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY Thanksgiving Dinner

Nov 26: The Square. Celebrate Thanksgiving with an evening of traditional holiday dishes such as roast turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, freshly-baked corn-bread, and pumpkin pie. The restaurant is offering three buffet packages, so there’s something for everyone! QR 230 per person for soft drink package, QR 330 per person including unlimited serving of house beverages, and QR 360 per person including unlimited serving of special house beverages. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Turkey Dinner In A Box

All-Month: Enjoy a calm and hassle-free celebration at home! Order a ready-made, warm, mouth-watering roast turkey with signature stuffing, vegetables, potatoes and sauce perfectly prepared by their culinary team. Please place your order 48 hours in advance of your desired pick-up time. The turkey box includes a 6-7 kg slow-roasted turkey, accompanied by traditional condiments, veal chipolatas, roasted vegetables, glazed chestnuts, cranberry sauce and Chef Vinon's special stuffing with pan gravy. QR 1,350 serving 8-10 people. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Heaping Helpings

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Thanksgiving Specials

Nov 27: Crossroads Kitchen, New York Steakhouse and Quick Bites. Indulge in a delicious tradition, from Turkey To-Go, to some of the most delicious Thanksgiving meals you’ve ever tasted. Come and enjoy the holiday flavours at Crossroads Kitchen, New York Steakhouse and Quick Bites. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

MARSA MALAZ KEMPINSKI Thanksgiving Dinner In Sawa

Nov 26: Indulge in a special Thanksgiving dinner buffet in Sawa featuring traditional roast turkey with stuffing, gravy sauce and all the delicious accompaniments, along with a selection of international starters, salads, main courses and dessert stations. QR 220 per person. From 6:30 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4035-5011, email restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

THE GRAND HYATT Thanksgiving Dinner

Nov 26: The Grill. Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful and show our gratitude for all the blessings that we have in our lives. And for this special occasion Executive Chef Jean-Christoph will present a traditional Thanksgiving set menu at The Grill for a special dinner with family, friends and loved ones. For more information call 4448-1240/7798-2400.

THE RITZ-CARLTON Thanksgiving Celebrations

Nov 26 & 27: La Mer and Lagoon Restaurant. A joyful occasion is upon us at La Mer and Lagoon Restaurant offering the perfect family Thanksgiving setting where guests can express gratitude towards their loved ones. Embark on a culinary feast and count your blessings surrounded by family and friends. On November 26, La Mer restaurant invites guests with a set menu priced at QR 420 or QR 570. While Lagoon Restaurant offers a Thanksgiving dinner buffet at QR 220. Then, on November 27, enjoy a Thanksgiving Brunch staring at QR 340. For more information call 4484-8000, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Celebrate Thanksgiving

Nov 26: Vine. Ring in the weekend and experience a wide selection of BBQ classics while enjoying the views from the terrace. QR 320 per person including soft drinks, QR 420 per person including enhanced beverages. For more information call 4446-0105, or email diningreservations@stregis.com.

W DOHA Thanksgiving Brunch

Nov 27: Market by Jean- Georges. Experience a soulful Thanksgiving brunch with live entertainment by Doha Jazz, and say ‘thank you’ to all you’re grateful for at this spectacular Friday brunch. QR 410 per person including house beverages, and QR 295 per person including soft drinks. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135, or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com. n

FOOD & DINING

Listings All listings are categorized per hotel. Inclusion is limited to availability of space, with priority given to advertisers.

QH RECOMMENDS

Argentinean Brunch

Nov 13: The Grill. Visit The Grill on for an Argentinean brunch and enjoy authentic dishes and live performances. Enjoy a soft beverage brunch for QR 295, a house beverage brunch for QR 420, or a special brunch for QR 725. For more information call 4448-1240 or 7798-2400.

Ella Fitzgerald Bunch

Nov 20: The Grill. Indulge in a jazz brunch with the sensational Nicola Emmanuelle. Enjoy a soft beverage brunch for QR 295, a house beverage brunch for QR 420, or a special brunch for QR 725. For more information call 4448-1240 or 7798-2400.

WYNDHAM GRAND REGENCY Marrakesh Night MARSA MALAZ KEMPINSKI Paella Tuesdays

Tuesdays: El Faro. Every Tuesday, (or Martes in Spanish!) taste the only authentic paella in Doha and receive a complimentary pitcher of Spanish beverage. The offer is valid on every paella for two people. From 6:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4035-5011, email restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

Making it easier to navigate at your fingertips, we’ve categorized all our listings per outlet – including special offers and weekly/daily regular promotions.

SPECIAL PROMOTIONS DOHA MARRIOTT The Late Brunch Is Back In Town!

Fridays: The View. Every Friday at the View Poolside Restaurant, experience the awesome, re-vamped outdoor Late Brunch! Shaking up the city’s brunch scene, join in for Doha’s first and only Late Brunch! Chill out and watch the sunset by the pool with spectacular views across the city and the famous backdrop of the Doha skyline. With funky tunes, full grill,buffet and seafood selections, dance the night away under the stars! Including ‘all-in’ refreshments and BBQ! QR 380 per person. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

Special Thursday Night

Thursdays: Night Market (formerly Gourmet Route). Thursday nights just got even better at Doha Marriott’s new street-food offering! For only QR 335 per person including unlimited beverages, enjoy a selection of your favourite foods from the streets of India, Southeast Asia, Mexico and more. Let the sizzle and aroma of the live cooking stations entice your senses, bringing back memories of faraway places. Starting November 12. For more information call 4429-8499

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY French Promotion Nov 16-Dec 7 : Prime. Featuring unique, authentic French dishes while serving selected French beverages, ‘La Maison Prime’ is a celebration of French cuisine.The promotion will include raffle-draw prizes such as a dinner for four people prepared by French Executive Chef Emmanuel Pauliat. All French citizens with proof of citizenship will receive a 20% discount at Prime during the promotion period. For more informaiton call 4015-8888.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA New York Jazz Week

Nov 26-30: New York Steakhouse. New York Steakhouse presents evenings of jazz with pizzazz. Savour an exclusive selection by Chef David of popular dishes from the New York restaurant scene, amidst live entertainment by City Light. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

THE GRAND HYATT Harley Davidson Bunch

Nov 6: The Grill. In association with HarleyDavidson, The Grill presents a rock ‘n roll brunch. Enjoy a taste of American cuisine, live music and fun activities at The Grill. Try the Harley-Davidson Jumpstar rider experience and go all-out and look the part. Enjoy a soft beverage brunch for QR 295, a house beverage brunch for QR 420, or a special brunch for QR 725. For more information call 4448-1240 or 7798-2400.

Thursdays: Tangia Restaurant. Enjoy an authentic Marrakesh buffet at Tangia Restaurant. Gentlemen pay QR 240 and ladies pay QR 200. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m., with daily live entertainment between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4434-3203/3333, email wgrf&b@wyndham.com, or visit wwww.wyndhamgrandregency.com.

REGULAR PROMOTIONS ANTICA PESA DOHA ‘Pranzo All'Italiana’ Brunch

Fridays: Indulge in signature Roman recipes at this simple and classic a la carte ‘Pranzo all' Italiana’ brunch. Starts at 12 noon. For more information call 4035-5300, email info@anticapesadoha.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

Grapes Tasting

Fridays: A taste of four Italian grape selections plus one after-dinner spirit. QR 200 per person, excluding food. Starts at 12:00 noon. For more information call 4035-5300, email info@anticapesadoha.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA BY ANANTARA ‘Naan’-Stop Tandoori

Wednesdays: Azraq Restaurant. Enjoy an authentic Indian buffet serving tandoor cuisine, prepared and served at live cooking stations. The textures, flavours and expressive range of Indian cuisine are sumptuously brought alive. Diners can choose from a selection of seafood, meat and vegetarian Indian food options in Azraq Restaurant. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4040-5050.

Seafood Night Fiesta

Thursdays: Azraq Restaurant. Let your taste-buds run wild at Food Fantasy's spectacular seafood buffet at Azraq Restaurant. Situated in the middle of the sea, Anantara brings you the most succulent ‘catch-of-theday’ seafood, where quality and diversity are the key words for an exceptional seafood buffet. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4040-5050.

Ultimate New Friday Brunch Azraq Restaurant. Every Friday at Azraq, savour a truly bespoke brunch experience with an endless display of the choicest seafood, grilled delicacies, live cooking stations and decadent desserts complemented with a captivating live contemporary band. Complementing the personalized culinary journey are highly-skilled mixologists preparing tantalizing beverages such as the signature Arabian Snapper mocktail. This fantastic restaurant welcomes families with children and has a children’s area designed especially for even the youngest discerning guests. From 1:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4040-5050.

CHOWKING Indo-Chinese Menu & Value Meals Daily: Tuck in to the new flavours at Chowking with their delectable Indo-Chinese menu. Also, enjoy dinner for two for QR 70-QR 80 including soft drinks. Available at all restaurant locations, serving the best taste at the best price. For more information call Delivery Hotline: 4431-1212, Mamoura: 4486-6077, Al Khor: 4411-8816/17, Salwa Road: 4437-1212, Al Sadd St.: 4431-4411, Holiday Villa Hotel: 4411-5225/5335.

DOHA MARRIOTT Express Business Lunch

Sun-Thurs: Corniche Restaurant. It’s time to mix business with pleasure! Enjoy a light lunch in a bright setting at Corniche Restaurant with their new Express Business Lunch. With a weekly menu rotation, sample Mediterranean favourites and regional specialties with highlights including homemade tortellini, Oriental skewers and classic lamb flatbread. Delight in the carefully-selected three-course set menu together with an unlimited salad bar, all for QR 95. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

JW’s Steakhouse

Daily: Marriott’s signature restaurant and still the best in the city, JW’s Steakhouse offers an exclusive, upscale dining experience reflected in the sophisticated atmosphere and classic décor. JW’s main courses feature only the finest cuts of US Certified Prime Angus beef, complemented by exquisite spices and sauces. Seafood and salad are also available. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

Weekend Brunch

Fri & Sat: Restaurant Gallery. Discover an array of live stations and specialties featuring favourite dishes from around the globe. Highlights from the weekend brunch include a wide selection of fresh sushi, Peking duck, fajitas, Oriental grills, pizza, curries, biryanis, fresh seafood, ice cream and more. Now offering a kids’ club zone with a special kids’ buffet and activities. QR 270 for regular brunch and QR 375 for special brunch. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8499.

FOOD & DINING GRAND HERITAGE DOHA Bento Box

Daily: Blue Restaurant. For only QR 99 enjoy a delicious soup, main course and a dessert with one soft drink. For more information call 4445-5555.

Family Brunch

Fridays: Blue Restaurant. Enjoy a sophisticated brunch with special kids’ activities in the exclusively-designed area adjacent to the restaurant. QR 220 including one round of soft drinks. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4445-5555.

Listings INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA THE CITY The Business Lunch

Business Lunch

Daily Theme Nights

LA CIGALE International Cuisine

Sat-Thurs: The Square. Take time out of your busy work schedule and enjoy a three-course business lunch. The a la carte menu offers a wide selection of delectable starters and mouth-watering main courses, including locally-sourced seafood, prime cuts of meat, vegetarian options and a dessert. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. QR 88 for three courses, inclusive of one soft beverage. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

Wed- Sat: Mawasem. Indulge in a lavish family buffet, or taste the world with their theme nights. Wednesday is steak night, Thursday and Friday seafood extravaganza, and Saturday is their Asian night. Regular price is QR 250 with soft drinks, or QR 350 with special beverages. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. For more information call 4423-3112 or email doha.restaurants@hilton.com.

Daily: The Square. Feast on an exciting array of international dishes every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening. Then, Monday offers the best of the Mediterranean and includes authentic Italian, Spanish, Lebanese, Moroccan, French and Greek delicacies. Or, take a trip to Asia every Tuesday where Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Indian favourites take centre-stage. Experience the theme nights daily from 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. QR 180 excluding beverages, or QR 250 including unlimited house beverages from 7:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

Tiki-Style Brunch

Cosmopolitan Thursdays

HILTON DOHA Theme Nights

Fri & Sat: Trader Vic’s. Trader Vic’s welcomes you with new chef creations, signature dishes and refreshments with your family and friends from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m., for QR 395 every Friday. Also, don’t miss their lunch menu served only on Saturday. For more information call 4423-3112 or email doha.restaurants@hilton.com.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA The Drunch

Fridays: The Fish Market. For those who prefer to enjoy the pool or beach and always miss the brunch, they have an alternative for you – an indulgent Friday Late Brunch with all your seafood favourites alongside a beautiful sunset over the Arabian Sea. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. for QR 375 with unlimited house and soft beverages, freshly-brewed coffee and a selection of tea and juices. Kids dine for QR 160. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

Hellenic Chill-Out

Daily: Mykonos. Every afternoon from 3:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m., Mykonos transforms their outdoor terrace into a truly Mediterranean chill-out lounge where you can enjoy a selection of refreshments while listening to the best house music. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

Ocean Basket

Mondays: Mykonos. Every Monday, Mykonos brings the Mediterranean Sea to your table. Enjoy a mezze selection (including salads, starters and dips), followed by an indulgent grilled mixed seafood platter. End with a sweet note and try the ice cream selection. QR 150 per person. For more information call 4484-4919 or 4484-4444.

Thursdays: The Square. Celebrate the beginning of the weekend with dinner and refreshments with friends at The Square. Enjoy international popular dishes on the buffet from 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. along with your favourite house beverages. Priced at QR 300 including selected house beverages, or QR 230 inclusive of soft drinks and mocktails. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

Seafood Night

Wednesdays: The Square. Delectable locallysourced seafood is on offer every Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Cold seafood salads, fresh seafood cooked a la minute at the live cooking stations and an enviable dessert station will make it a night to remember. Priced at QR 350 per person including selected house beverages, or QR 250 per person inclusive of soft drinks and mocktails. For more information call 4015-8888 or email doharestaurants@ihg.com.

KEMPINSKI RESIDENCES & SUITES Chef's Table Surprise Menu

Daily: Aroma. Join a theatrical performance from the culinary team as they create art right in front of you on your dining table. A surprise menu for six people is available with prior reservation in Aroma. QR 950 per person. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Steak & Grapes Menu

Daily: Aroma. Enjoy the most succulent and tender steaks, perfectly combined with superb grilling, tasty accompaniments and a flawlessly matched glass of grapes. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Sat-Thurs: Aroma. Experience their newly redefined business lunch menu, brought to you by Executive Chef Vinon Yergu. Aroma offers a creative two or three-course menu by using fresh and locallyfarmed ingredients. The finest business lunch in Doha is available from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. QR 75-QR 95 per person. For more information call 4405-3325, email restaurants.doha@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/doha.

Daily: Le Cigalon. Indulge in an extravagant buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with an a la carte option available. Buffet breakfast is QR 130 and buffet lunch or dinner with live-cooking stations is QR 220 inclusive of American coffee or tea. From 6:30 a.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4428-8698.

Sushi Mania

Daily: Yen Sushi Bar. Partake in the best sushi and sashimi served on a special rotating belt and colour-coded, plated formula along with an a la carte menu option as well. From 11:30 a.m. till 12:00 midnight. For more information call 4428-8698.

LA VARENNE Brunch

Fridays: 28th floor, Tornado Tower. Join La Varenne every Friday from 1:00 p.m. till 4:00 p.m. to indulge in their interpretation of a table-top brunch. Enjoy a full-course, all-you-care-to-eat menu with sharing-style dishes showcasing an array of the best La Varenne classics, along with their hors d'oeuvres and dessert trolleys. QR 235 per person including soft beverages and QR 395 per person including house beverages selection. For more information call 4499-0680 or email reservations@lavarenne.qa.

Business Lunch

Sat-Thurs: 28th floor, Tornado Tower. Enjoy the most exquisite French business lunch in Doha with two courses for QR 85 and three courses for QR 95. For more information call 4499-0680 or email reservations@lavarenne.qa.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Brunch & Tunes

Fridays: Crossroads Kitchen. Start your weekends out right with live tunes, an interactive international brunch buffet and activities to keep the kids entertained. Prices start from QR 245. From 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100, or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

Sweet & Savoury Crêpes

Daily: Quick Bites. Enjoy the authentic finesse of France with this delectable artistic treat. Choose from the finest selection of sweet and savoury crêpes at Quick Bites for QR 40. From 5:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

FOOD & DINING Three Countries, One Platter

Daily: New York Steakhouse. Taste three origins of beef tenderloin as New York Steakhouse presents 100-gram cuts from the U.S.A, Argentina and Australia on one succulent plate. Treat yourself to three glasses of grapes from each homeland, carefully paired to perfection. QR 280 and QR 390 including sommelier's pairing. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

Listings MONTE’S Now Open!

Sun-Sat: Ground floor, Tornado Tower. Using carefully sourced ingredients prepared by a team of chefs and bakers, Monte’s provides freshlyprepared food to go! For more information call 4499-0689.

MÖVENPICK HOTEL DOHA The Great Sunday Roast

MARSA MALAZ KEMPINSKI Sawa Goes Mediterranean

Sundays: Seasons. Every Sunday, Seasons celebrates the age-old family tradition of the hearty Sunday roast dinner. Bring the whole family and tuck into a rich buffet filled with your homemade favourites, from roast beef, to Yorkshire pudding with gravy so good it will transport you back to the good-old days at Nana’s house. QR 160 per person. Add QR 65 for an additional three refreshments or two glasses house beverage. For more information call 4429-1138.

Tandoori Vs. Wok

Mon & Tues: Seasons. Indulge in a colourful collection of international creations. Each week their talented chefs draw inspiration from many cultural cuisines to present a wide variety of authentic flavours and aromas from around the world. You will be spoiled for choice while exploring dishes from Asia, Europe, the Middle East and so much more. QR 150 per person including three refreshments or two glasses of house beverage. For more information call 4429-1138.

Tomahawk – Can You Handle It?

Daily: New York Steakhouse. Can you handle the largest steak in Doha? This is definitely the talk of the town! Choose from 1kg or 2kgs of flavourful Tomahawk Wagyu rib-eye. QR 690 for 1kg and QR 1,280 for 2kgs. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4419-6100 or visit www.marriottmarquisdohadining.com.

Thursdays: Sawa. Every Thursday, Sawa transforms into a Mediterranean culinary haven. Explore a buffet with authentic starters, salads and cheeses from the region, grilled fish and meat, oysters, live pasta cooking stations and even real Italian gelato! QR 220 per person. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4035-5011, email restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

Fridays: Sawa. Tandoori ovens battle with wok pans over your appetite in Sawa! The buffet offers a large selection of curry dishes, ranging from traditional Indian recipes to curry dishes from Thailand, along with delicacies freshly-prepared in wok pans. QR 220 per person. From 6:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4035-5011, email restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

Tapeo After Work

Wednesdays: El Faro. Enjoy your favourite beverage with a complimentary selection of inimitably authentic Spanish tapas and pintxos. From 5:00 p.m. till 9:00 p.m. For more information call 4035-5011, email restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

1001 Nights Chef's Choice Menu

Daily: Al Sufra. This surprise feast menu takes you on a journey through the Levant cuisines, designed by Al Sufra's Head Chef Julien Al-Khal. QR 900 for two people including soft beverages. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4035-5011, email restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

Levant Lunch

Mon-Sat: Al Sufra. The rich, traditional Arabic recipes of Al Sufra are now available for lunch. Have a relaxing break from work and indulge in comforting, homemade food, prepared by the expert culinary team at Al Sufra. From 12:30 p.m. till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4035-5011, email restaurants.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

Taste The World

Jazz Marché Brunch

Fridays: Seasons.Experience the wholesome freshness of the all-new Seasons Friday Brunch. Inspired by the popular Marché theme, Seasons boasts an extravagant market-like concept with a variety of creative live cooking stations using only the freshest and most wholesome ingredients. Expect premium-quality selections of cheeses, roasts, sushi and desserts, not to mention a dedicated station offering a special beverageof-the-day. Their live jazz band adds to the chilledout vibe to ease you into the weekend. Kids can go crazy in their very own Kids Kingdom with a special kids’ buffet, face-painting, bouncy castle, games and much more to keep them entertained. QR 200 per person. Add QR 30 for soft beverages or QR 75 for special refreshments. For more information call 4429-1138.

ORYX ROTANA X'Press Lunch & Dinner

Daily: The Cellar. It’s quick-bite time and The Cellar is ready for it! Enjoy their new three-course set menu including a large variety of starters, main dishes and desserts for only QR 95 per person for lunch and QR 150 per person for dinner, guaranteed to be served in 60 minutes. For more information call 4402-3333.

Tapas Galore Selection

Tuesdays: The Cellar. Enjoy The Cellar’s array of tantalizing tapas with unlimited sommelier's selection for only QR 300 per person, or QR 160 per person for food-only. For more information call 4402-3333.

Latin Night

Sundays: Choices. Enjoy a unique concept and indulge in a Latin American buffet from 7:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. for QR 215 per person for food only, or QR 305 including unlimited selected house beverages. Also try their premium package for QR 350 which includes unlimited special refreshments. For more information call 4402-3333.

RADISSON BLU Friday Brunch

Hyde Park. This Friday brunch caters to the tastes of each guest with over 30 dishes from around the world. The hotel provides extensive children’s activities and games along with supervising staff that will take care of the kids while the adults are entertained by a live band. QR 170 per person for buffet-only, and QR 235 per person inclusive of special refreshments. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1555.

SHERATON DOHA Seafood Night

Wed & Thurs: Al Hubara. Enjoy a sumptuous Seafood Night with a lavish buffet selection prepared with the finest ingredients. QR 330 inclusive of unlimited soft beverages, with a 50% discount for kids between the ages of six to 12-years-old, while kids below the age of six dine for free. From 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4485-3000.

International Brunch

Fridays: Al Hubara. Spend quality time with your loved ones. Dine and enjoy an array of international specialties at Al Hubara Restaurant. QR 350 per person inclusive of unlimited soft beverages, with a 50% discount for kids between the ages of six to 12-years-old, while children below the age of six dine for free. Every Friday from 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4485-3000.

Weekend Brunch All'Italiana

Fri & Sat: La Veranda. La Veranda’s Italian Chef Federiko Carsili creates an irresistibly sumptuous weekend buffet every Friday and Saturday for brunch. The weekend brunch includes barbecue and pasta à la minute, live stations, fresh seafood and salad-bars, house-made sandwiches, antipasti and cold-cuts buffets, Doha’s most generous variety of imported Italian and French premium-quality cheeses, and a rich selection of artisanal pastries and desserts. Top up your culinary experience with free-flow special beverage packages. Starts from QR 290. Kids between the ages of six and 12-yearsold will receive a 50% discount, while children below the age of six can dine for free. For more information call 4485-3000.

Pizza Class With Chef Federico Carsili

Saturdays: La Veranda. Want to be a pizza chef? Join in for a pizza class at La Veranda, hosted by Chef Federico Carsili –a fun tutorial for all pizza-lovers that’s not to be missed. Every Saturday from 4:30 p.m. till 6:00 p.m. Advance bookings must be made. QR 150 per person, with a maximum of 15 attendees. For more information call 4485-3000.

FOOD & DINING

Listings

THE ANVIL ROOMS The Blacksmith’s Lunch

THE GRAND HYATT New A La Carte Menu

THE ST. REGIS DOHA Burger & Pint Night

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Oyster Feast

Curry Nights

Gourmet Chili-Dog Nights

Mon & Thurs: Al Dana. Sourced directly from the cold waters of Northern Europe, your favourite catch is prepared in a varied selection of flavours and sizes. QR 15 per piece. For more information call 4425-6666, email rc.dohsq.reservations@ritzcarlton.com, or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/sharqvillage.

Mondays: Isaan. The Thai restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat curry night. Every Monday from 7:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m., you can order a variety of unlimited curry to share, with your choice of fish, beef, chicken, mussels or vegetables. You can share up to five curries per round, for only QR 95 per person. For more information call 7021-8097.

Friday Brunch

Chatuchak Weekend Market Brunch

Daily: 28th Floor, Tornado Tower. Choose a signature steak, a side, a sauce and a soft drink for QR 149 available seven days a week. Fridays and Saturdays include a sommelier’s selected refreshment for QR 179. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4499-0685 or email reservations@theanvilrooms.qa.

Daily: The Grill. German Chef Martin Kretzschmar introduces The Grill’s new menu, inspired by his European, Middle Eastern and Asian experiences. Don’t miss out on The Grill’s signature dish, the Tomahawk steak, enough for two people, and their delicious French onion soup. For more information call 4448-1240 or 7798-2400.

Al Liwan. Unwind with friends and family and indulge in a luxurious buffet featuring the freshest seafood, Middle Eastern favourites and international classics. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. QR 325 per person including soft drinks, and QR 420 inclusive of selected house beverages. Children ages 12 and under dine complimentary. For more information call 4425-6666, email rc.dohsq.reservations@ritzcarlton.com, or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/sharqvillage.

Fridays: Isaan. Get an outstanding Thai Chatuchak Weekend Market experience, every Friday for brunch from 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. Walk around and explore the colourful array of live cooking stations and market-like stalls. A range of options are available. Enjoy a soft drink brunch for QR 280, a house beverage package for QR 395 and the special brunch for QR 680. For more information call 7021-8097.

Indian Barbecue By The Pool

The Grill. Enjoy every Friday from 12:30 noon till 3:30 p.m. one of the finest brunches in town with themed concepts almost every week. Soft refreshments brunch for QR 295 or QR 420 for a special refreshments brunch. For more information call 4448-1240 or 7798-2400.

Thurs & Fri: Al Seef. Take a seat by the pool and discover the vast range of ancient Indian cuisine. From the fragrant infusions of the north to the exciting and punchy ¬flavours of the south, plus the exotic flavours of its grilled specialties from the tandoori oven, there’s something to excite every palate from their culinary team, complemented by live entertainment. From 6:30 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. QR 215 per person excluding beverages. For more information call 4425-6666, email rc.dohsq.reservations@ritzcarlton.com, or visit www.ritzcarlton.com/sharqvillage.

THE FOUR SEASONS Piatto Unico

Sat-Thurs: Il Teatro. ‘Piatto Unico’ in Italian literally means a ‘one-dish meal’ that’s wellbalanced, healthy and bountiful. The chef is delighted to share this unique Italian lunch on a weekly changing basis to suit all tastes. Perfect for those who don’t have much time for lunch and offers great value for a true Italian experience. QR 99 per person. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4494-8631.

Sapore Italiano

Fridays: Il Teatro. Their infamous family-style lunch has to be experienced by the whole family! Their talented chefs have created an Italian four-course menu using fresh ingredients to satisfy your palate. QR 250 per person including regular refreshments, and QR 350 per person including special refreshments. Served every Friday from 12:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information call 4494-8631.

Friday Brunches

THE RITZ-CARLTON The Backyard

Thursdays: The Lagoon. There’s no better retreat in the city than the lush and green Lagoon Garden to celebrate a longer weekend. The party invites guests to enjoy live entertainment while savouring a sumptuous selection of BBQs from around the world. The well-known MVM band will respect the multicultural spirit of the city while playing your favourite songs. What’s more exciting than having an outdoor barbecue with family and friends while the weather is nice? From 7:00 p.m. till 1:00 a.m. For more information call 4484-8000, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

Friday Brunch The Lagoon. Bring all the family for a relaxing weekend brunch. Live music complements the delicious buffet of Middle Eastern specialties and international live cooking stations. Children have their own junior buffet and entertainment. QR 305 per person including soft beverages, QR 395 per person including house beverages, or QR 425 for full brunch. Kids under the age of four can dine for free. QR 150 for kids ages 4-12 years-old. From 12:30 noon till 4:00 p.m. Last order for beverages is at 3:30 p.m. For more information call 4484-8000, or email rc.dohrz.leads@ritzcarlton.com.

Mondays: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Enjoy the tastiest and juiciest burger in Doha! Choose from lamb, Wagyu beef, or Opal’s vegetarian burger served with fluffy fat fries andhomemade tomato sauce all for QR 100. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000, or email opalbygordonramsay@stregis.com.

Tuesdays: Opal by Gordon Ramsay. Tuesday night is officially Gourmet Chili-Dog Night. Enjoy the tastiest chili-dogs in town served with special refreshments and includes ice-cream for dessert, all for QR 125. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0000, or email opalbygordonramsay@stregis.com.

BBQ Night

Thursdays: Vine. Ring in the weekend and experience a wide selection of BBQ classics while enjoying breath-taking views from the terrace. Follow dinner with a trip to The Rooftop for a nightcap and music from their resident DJ. QR 320 with soft beverages, or QR 420 including grapes, grain and special beverages. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4446-0107.

THE TORCH DOHA Fine Steaks & Prime Cuts

Tues & Thurs: Three Sixty. The restaurant introduces a selection of fine steaks and prime cuts served every Tuesday and Thursday including a Chateaubriand beef roast sharing platter, T-bone steak, Black Angus short ribs and Wagyu filet at Doha’s only revolving restaurant. For more information call 4446-5600, or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Land & Sea Night

Wednesdays: Panorama. From 7.00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m., the restaurant features an extensive buffet of salads, appetizers and carvings. Indulge in a choice of main course from the a la carte menu, in addition to an array of delicious dessert selections. QR 240 per person including a welcome mocktail, still water, selected soft drinks and chilled juices. For more information call 4446-5600, or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Tex -Mex Night

Wednesday: Flying Carpet.The restaurant serves a wide selection of steaks, burgers and hot dogs at QR 200 per person including soft drinks and chilled juices. From 7:00 p.m. till 10:30 p.m. For more information call 4446-5600, or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

Rotisserie Nights

Tues-Sat: Panorama. Enjoy signature roasted Black Angus cuts, served on a carving trolley by the table, with daily selection of sauces and sides. Served Tuesday to Saturday from 6:00 p.m. till 11:30 p.m. For more information call 4446-5600, or email restaurant.reservations@thetorchdoha.com.

W DOHA Pitcher Perfect

Sun-Thurs: Market by Jean-Georges. Enjoy signature Market by Jean-Georges refreshments served in pitchers with your favourite bites at this award-winning restaurant – all for QR 160. From 5:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135, or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Burger Night

Sundays: Market by Jean-Georges. Start your week with your favourite burger, side dish and one amazing sundae from the selection – all for QR 125 per person. From 6:00 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Sip & Savour

Sat-Thurs: Spice Market. Try Spice Market’s signature refreshments alongside a combination of mouth-watering snacks with a 50% discount on selected beverages. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Business Lunch

Sat-Thurs: Market by Jean-Georges. Choose your favourite starter, main course and dessert in just half an hour at QR 95 for a three-course meal. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4453-5135, or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Jazz Brunch

Fridays: Market by Jean-Georges. Enjoy a delicious brunch with live entertainment by Doha Jazz. QR 410 per person including house beverages, or QR 295 including soft drinks. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

Vietnamese Sundays

Sundays: Spice Market. Inspired by the vibrant street-life of Southeast Asia, Spice Market introduces an all new Vietnamese Night. It’s all about the balance of flavours, the yin and yang, the sweet and salty, the fresh and fermented, spread across eight courses prepared every Sunday at Spice Market. QR 150 per person. For more information call 4453-5135 or email bnfreservations.wdoha@whotels.com.

WYNDHAM GRAND REGENCY Business Lunch

Sun-Thurs: Tangia Restaurant. Enjoy an authentic Moroccan Business Lunch in Tangiarestaurant with a three-course set menu for only QR 87 per person including beverages. From 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. For more information call 4434-3203/3333, email wgrf&b@wyndham.com, or visit www.wyndhamgrandregency.com.

Moroccan Brunch

Fri & Sat: Tangia Restaurant. Tangia restaurant presents a traditional Moroccan brunch with a variety of tagines, salads and Moroccan bread for only QR 149 per person. From 12:00 noon till 4:00 p.m. For more information call 4434-3203/3333, emailwgrf&b@wyndham.com, or visit www.wyndhamgrandregency.com.

Chinese Bliss

Set Menu

Sushi Fiesta

LE VESUVIO Three-Course Meal

Thursdays: Chopsticks Restaurant. Chopsticks is serving a delightful Chinese-food dinner buffet for only QR 169. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. For more information call 4434-3203/3333, email wgrf&b@wyndham.com, or visit www.wyndhamgrandregency.com.

Saturdays: Chopsticks Restaurant. Chopsticks is serving a delightful miso soup followed by a Sushi Fiesta. Eat as much you can for only QR 169 per person. From 6:30 p.m. till 11:00 p.m. Immerse yourself in an electrical range of original and sensational sushi platters and try their sushi made of chicken, beef and duck exclusively at Chopsticks, the award-winning restaurant. For more information call 4434-3203/3333, email wgrf&b@wyndham.com, or visit www.wyndhamgrandregency.com.

SPECIAL LISTINGS ASPIRE KATARA HOSPITALITY ASPIRE GRAND CAFÉ Bagel Day, Every Day!

Daily: Aspire Park. Aspire Grand Café’s latest addition to the menu is a new bagel experience. For more information call 4449-3963.

CHAC’LATE Tahini Bomb

Daily: Katara Cultural Village. Enjoy hazelnut cake and tahini ice cream enclosed in a dark chocolate shell, garnished with cookie crumbs and fresh berries, and accompanied with mouth-watering, warm dark chocolate syrup. For more information call 4408-0733.

Ice Berry Tisane

Daily: Katara Cultural Village. Delight you palate with fresh orange and lemon juice garnished with slices of fresh orange and berries. For more information call 4408-0733.

Daily: Katara Cultural Village. A convenient, reasonably priced option for groups that includes starters, mains and desserts. Advance reservation is highly recommended. For more information call 4408-0710/11.

Sun-Thurs: Katara Cultural Village. An ideal option for busy executives, available from Sunday to Thursday at lunchtime for QR 75. For more information call 4408-1500.

HDC RESTAURANTS AT THE PEARL-QATAR Al Tabkha A fast-casual restaurant concept offering healthy home-made Lebanese cuisine in a familyfriendly environment for dine-in, takeaway or delivery. They offer a Friday buffet for QR 95, falafel combo for QR 30, chicken shawarma for QR 20, daily specials for QR 50, take-away and delivery from QR 65 and dine-in breakfast set menus from QR 45, QR 55 and QR 70. Open daily from 8:00 a.m. till midnight. Located at Croisette 18, Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. For more information call 4495-3876, Ext: 5874/5875.

Burj Al Hamam Offers a wide range of Lebanese traditional dishes and fresh seafood specialties with breathtaking marina views of The Pearl-Qatar. Open daily from 12:00 noon till midnight, and Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. till 12 midnight. Set menus start from QR 200/QR 300/QR 400. Average meal price per person is QR 170. Located at Croissette 1, Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. For more information call 4495 3876, Ext: 1291.

Tse Yang

Daily: Aspire Park. A new, scrumptious Caesar salad is available at Burgeri for QR 30. For more information call 4449-3958.

An elegant, chic and high-end Chinese restaurant overlooking a breath-taking marina. Open daily from 12:00 noon till midnight. Located in Croisette 6, Porto Arabia, The PearlQatar. For more information call 4495-3876, Ext: 2071.

B. Mighty

Megu

RED VELVET CUPCAKERY Summer Quencher

A high-end Japanese restaurant providing an exclusive experience second-to- none. Open from 12:00 noon till 3:00 p.m. for lunch, and from 7:00 p.m. till 12 midnight for dinner. Located at Croisette 6, Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. For more information call 4495-3876, Ext: 2101.

BURGERI Hail Caesar

Daily: Aspire Park. Get your hands on a choice meat patty topped with strips of smoked turkey, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, onions and melted smoky Cheddar cheese. For more information call 4449-3958.

Daily: Katara Cultural Village. Buy a mouth-watering cupcake of your choice and a refreshing lemon ice tea for QR 25. For more information call 4408-0700.

L’WZAAR SEAFOOD MARKET Teppanyaki Dinner

Daily: Katara Cultural Village. Enjoy fresh meat and seafood dishes with options to choose from off of the a la carte menu or seafood market counter. For more information call 4408-0710/11.

Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Bar A slick, chic and stylish café offering salads, desserts, decadent chocolates and ice-cream, alongside dishes that are a delicious choice for lunch, dinner and breakfast. Open daily from 6:00 a.m. till 2:00 a.m. Located at Croisette 1, Porto Arabia, The Pearl-Qatar. For more information call 4495-3876, Ext: 1311.

FOOD & DINING

Directory

Trader Vic’s Hilton Doha Nobu The Four Seasons

SPANISH & TEX-MEX Aceite 4018-8894 Caminito 4447-0000 Chili’s 4466-0663 El Faro 4035-5555 Ipanema 4419-6100 Latino Steakhouse 4485-3000 Oyster Bay 4446-0105 Paloma 4484-4444 Picasso’s 4428-1428 Rodizio Brazilian Churrascaria 4408-7777 Salsa 4429-8888 Toro Toro Doha 4035-5101

ARABIC & LEBANESE Agora 4445-5555 Al Balad 4491-8692 Al Bandar 4431-1818 Al Batross 4432-8888 Al Canteen 4433-6666 Al Mourjan 4483-4423 Al Sayyad 4484-7420 Al Shaheen Restaurant 4485-3000 Al Sufra 4035-5555 Al Sultan Brahim 4446-0105 Al Tabkha 4495-3876, Ext: 5874/5875 Al Tawash 4498-2002 Argan 4433-6666 Burj Al Hamam 4495-3876, Ext: 1291 Istanbul Sultan Dining Restaurant 4468-5089 Khan Rafouk Tarab Café 4408-0840 Kunafa Albisana. 4408-1200 Layali 4431-0005 Lebanese Shawarma 4466-2616 Majlis 4448-1234 Marmara Istanbul 4436-2947 Shawarma Albisana 4408-1400 Sukar Pasha Ottoman Lounge 4408-2000 Tajine 4435-5554 Tangia 4434-3333 Turkey Central 4443-2927

INTERNATIONAL Antica Pesa Marsa Malaz Kempinski

CHINESE Chopsticks D’Chopstix Royal Bafilyon Ruby Wu’s Tse Yang Wok of Fame

4434-3333 4408-4888 4411-4458 4428-1428 4495-3876, Ext: 2071 4413-4772

CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN Aroma Astor Grill Belgian Café Gordon Ramsay La Mer Market by Jean-Georges Nando’s Delivery Hotline Opal by Gordon Ramsay Panorama

4405-3325 4446-0105 4484-4444 4446-0105 4484-8000 4453-5135 4436-0606 4446-0105 4446-5600

FRENCH La Sahtaine La Varenne Le Relais de L’Entrecote Maxim Sormani The French Olive

4423-3333 4499-0680 4495-3876 Ext. 1411 4428-1428 4495-3876 Ext. 3222 4444-4777

INDIAN Biryani Hut Bombay Balti Chingari Royal Indian Royal Tandoor Al Souq St., Jasra Souq Waqif Saffron Lounge Signature by Sanjeev Kapoor Sukh Sagar Taj Rasoi

4464-1401 4428-1428 4428-1428 4466-6876 4444-6151 4432-3244 3325-8919 4019-8877 4431-9172 4429-8888

Al Hubara 4485-3000 Al Liwan Restaurant 4424-2888 Al Matbakh Rooftop Grill 4433-6777 Baraha 4447-0000 Blue Brasserie Restaurant 4472-2666 Choices 4402-3333 Corniche 4429-8888 Cosmo 4424-7777 Crossroads Kitchen 4419-6100 Executive Club Lounge 4424-7777 Flying Carpet 4446-5600 Grand Gourmet 4434-3333 La Cigalon Restaurant 4428-8888 Mawasem 4423-3333 Nando’s Delivery Hotline 4436-0606 Panorama 4446-5600 Pool Grill 4494-8600 The Dining Room 4433-6666 (Al Najada Boutique Hotel) The Grill 4448-1234 The Lagoon 4484-8000 The Village Souq Waqif 3331-1558 Three Sixty 4446-5600 Torch Tea Garden 4446-5600 Vine 4446-0105

ITALIAN Antica Pesa Doha Bice Ristorante Carluccio’s Cucina Di Capri Fabio’s Pizza II Teatro La Dolce Vita Italian Restaurant La Spiga by Paper Moon La Veranda le Vesuvio Paper Moon Porcini Rocca The Italian Job

4035-5011 4495-3876 4495-3876 4419-6100 4428-8698 4416-5641 4494-8888 4436-7991 4453-5135 4485-3000 4408-1500 4016-6000 4484-8000 4448-1272 4428-1428

Toro Toro Doha Marsa Malaz Kempinski

JAPANESE Neo 4432-2508 Nobu 4494-8600 Nozomi 4035-5089 Oishi Sushi 4442-8989 Sakura 4428-1428 Strata Restaurant & Lounge 4015-8888 Sushi Minto 4467-5577 Megu 4495-3876, Ext: 2101 Yen Sushi Bar 4428-8888

MEDITERRANEAN Aramede 4408-7777 Bistro Bistro 4428-1428 La Villa 4446-2222 Le Central Restaurant 4428-8888 Medi @ The Village 4444-4700 Mykonos 4484-4444 Sawa 4035-5555 The Cellar 4402-3333

PERSIAN Grill @ The Village 4444-4700 Parisa 4425-6666 Prince Of Persia 4015-0190.

SOUTHEAST ASIAN Asia Live! 4429-8888 Chowking Delivery Hotline 4431-1212 Mamoura 4486-6077 Al Khor 4411-8816/17 Salwa Road 4437-1212 Holiday Villa 4411-5225/335 Isaan 4448-1250 Mango Tree 4495-3876 Nusantao: Sea Kitchens 4494-8888 Spice Market 4453-5353 Sri Kebaya 4434-0838 The Noodle House City Center Mall 4411-5063 The Pearl 4495-3876 Wok Mee Noodle House 4496-6600

The Anvil Rooms Tornado Tower

Al Shurfa Arabic Lounge Al Jomrok Boutique Hotel

BAR FOOD Belgian Café Library & Cigar Lounge Madison Piano Bar Pool Bar Shehrazad The Irish Harp The Lounge Wahm

4484-4444 4494-8600 4428-8888 4484-4444 4428-1428 4485-4444 4405-3325 4453-5353

AMERICAN & BURGERS American Grill 4411-0188 Burgeri 4449-3958. Chili’s 4466-0663 Fuddruckers 4483-3983 Hardee’s 4467-8750 Johnny Rockets 4455-2792 Ric’s Kountry Kitchen 4443-7846 TGI Friday’s 4488-7008

SEAFOOD Almaskar 4485-3000 Al Dana 4425-6666 Al Dente Seafood Restaurant 4472-2666 Al Sayyad 4484-7420 Al Sultan Brahim 4446-0105 Fish Market 4484-4444 Harry Ramsden's World Famous Fish & Chips 4468-3231 L’wzaar Seafood Market 4408-0710 Pier 12 4428-1428

STEAKHOUSES Bentley’s Grill JW’s Steakhouse Le Grill New York Steakhouse Prime The Anvil Rooms The Butcher Shop and Grill The Old Manor Steakhouse

4428-1428 4429-8888 4484-7412 4419-6100 4015-8888 4499-0685 4413-5508 4446-2222

CAFÉS Alison Nelson’s Chocolate Ba 4495-3876, Ext. 1311 Al Jalsa 4425-6666 Al Kut Lounge 4434-3203 Allegria 4485-3000 Anima Gallery & Lounge 4002 7437 Arabica 4494-8600 Aspire Grand Café 4449-3963 Atrium 4424-7777 Atrium Lounge 4485-4444 Biscotti 4448-1282 Café Murano 4035-5555 Chac’Late 4408-2000 Gourmet House 4405-3333 Jones the Grocer 4407-7175 Le Gourmet 4436-1789 Maya La Chocolatiere Landmark Mall 4486-2264 Villaggio Mall 4417-8132 MBCo The Gate Mall 4407-7130 Al Emaadi Financial Square 4411-7224 Moka and Co 4458-3232 Monte's 4499-0689 Orangery Café Troittor 4428-8888 Quick Bites 4419-6134 Red Velvet Cupcakery 4408-0700. Sarab Lounge 4446-0105 Savor Café Lounge 4408-7777 Seasons Tea Lounge 4494-8600 Shisha Garden 4428-8888 Sky Lounge 4402-3333 Sugar and Spice 4411-4456 Sweet Temptations 4485-3000 The Courtyard 4433-6444 The Drawing Room 4433-6666 The Lobby Lounge 4484-8000 The Terrace Lounge 4433-6555 Torch Café 4446-5600 W Café 4453-5353 Ya Hala 4423-3333

SPORTS

Top Picks

STRONGBOX FITNESS Doha Yogathon

Nov 6 & 7: Al Jazi Gardens Compound, West Bay. The first-ever Doha Yogathon will give instructors and studios an opportunity to market themselves, their classes, and their yoga styles! Students will pay a fee of QR 200 and receive a wristband to attend as many classes as they want throughout the weekend. Classes will take place during the day from 9:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m. The Yogathon will take place at the Strongbox gym in Al Jazi Gardens opposite the West Bay Petrol Station. For more information email acrobaticsmiddleeast@gmail.com.

LA CIGALE Spinning

Daily: Ozone Gym & Spa. This is a 45-minute fat-burner class using a stationary bike at varying speeds and resistance levels in order to strengthen and shape muscles. Members pay QR 40, non-members pay QR 60 per class. Reservation is required. For more information call 4428-8101.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Karate For Kids

Saturdays: Fitness Studio. Karate is a dynamic, explosive and highly-rewarding martial art that combines physical fitness with mental and spiritual training. When you begin your karate journey, you’re throwing down a challenge to your mind, body and spirit that will build strength of character and help you to overcome your fears. From 4:00 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. Members’ children pay QR 50, non-members’ children pay QR 80. For more information call 4484-4444.

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Personal Training QSPORTS Nations Football Cup

Nov 13: QSports launches the third Nations Football Cup, so register your team for the prestigious tournament as spots are limited to the first 32 teams who meet the tournament requirements. Venue to be determined. To register visit www.qsports.qa, or call 4017-6791 and 3308-7381.

All-Month: Six Senses Spa. Buy three months of their Into Shape package and get three personal training sessions complimentary. Refer a friend to buy 10/20 personal training sessions and get three/four sessions complimentary for yourself. For more information call 4425-6999/6995, or email reservations-sharq-spa@sixsenses.com.

SPORTS

The Life Aquatic

As told to Jorge Granda Images courtesy of FINA

This November, witness the strength, speed, and agility of the world’s best swimmers at the Hamad Aquatic Centre as the FINA airweave Swimming World Cup returns to Doha.

he countdown is well and truly on to one of the most highly-anticipated sporting events of the year, as the Hamad Aquatic Centre comes alive once again on November 2 and 3 to host the world’s fastest and most competitive athletes as they take to the water to battle for the FINA airweave Swimming World Cup glory. As a

qualifying event for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, fans can expect tense, explosive action in the pool as world champions, world record-holders and Olympians look to secure their place at next summer’s Games. With more than 44 countries and 322 swimmers having registered their interest to compete in Doha – more than ever at a World Cup swim-meet – this year’s FINA airweave Swimming World Cup is already proving to be a must-see event. Fans will no doubt be hoping to catch notable swimmers such as three-time Olympian Katinka Hosszú, Great Britain’s double world record-holder Adam Peaty, and South Africa’s golden boy, Chad Le Clos, again this year in Doha. The two days of thrilling competition will kick off with morning heats starting at 10:00 a.m. and

The world's best will line-up at Hamad Acquatic Centre this month with their eye on the prize

South African champion Chad Le Clos will be back in the pool at this year's event

finals from 6:00 p.m. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. each morning of the event, allowing fans to settle in before the fast-pace races get underway. Tickets can be purchased at Virgin Megastores in Qatar or online at tickets.virginmegastore.me, and are priced at QR 10 per ticket or session. n FINA AIRWEAVE SWIMMING WORLD CUP 2015 Dates: November 2 & 3 Location: Hamad Aquatic Centre Ticket Info: Priced at QR 10. Tickets are available at Virgin Megastores or online at tickets.virginmegastore.me. Contact Info: Visit www.qatarswimming.com, or follow â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;FINA airweave Swimming World Cup Dohaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on Facebook

SPORTS

As told to Jorge Granda Images courtesy of Red Bull

The high-octane excitement and pounding adrenaline of the Red Bull Car Park Drift Championship returns to Qatar on November 6. QH buckles up and hits the pavement in a quest to find the best drifter in the country.

he story of drifting goes back to the 1960’s on the winding mountain roads of Japan, where, around a series of sharp corners, a collective of like-minded racers set out to beat their ‘A-to-B’ times by exceeding the grip limit of their tires. As it turns out, it didn't do much to help their racing times but instead evolved into an entirely different discipline. Drifting was born, and by the year 1970 it was featured in the prestigious All Japan Touring Car Championship. Each rider took it further than the last, resulting in some awesome feats that re-defined driver control. It took 20 years for the international motorsports scene to take on drifting, with countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and China now making drifting a fully-fledged sport.

Fast-forward to 2005, when a Red Bull manager discovered the drifting fever in a Hong Kong car park and decided to light its fuse in the Middle East. Lebanon hosted the first ever Red Bull Car Park Drift event in 2008 at the City Mall car park, making it possible for all underground drifters to put their skills to the test. It was here that the spotlight was placed on rally champion Abdo Feghali, making him a drifting legend and the first-ever crowned ‘King of Drift’. The Red Bull Car Park Drift event in 2009 proved that the discipline was quickly growing strong, as Garo Haroutiounian became its second winner after an extremely fuelled competition. From then on, drifting became infectious worldwide, with 2010 marking the first-ever regional competition series with 15 qualifiers in ten countries, with the final held at the Forum de Beyrouth, where Lebanese national Firas Khaddaj became the first regional King of Drift. In 2011, the Red Bull Car Park Drift evolved, establishing itself as the core developer of drifting in the MENA region with 19 qualifiers and 11 participating countries. The number of drift-thirsty fans grew by five-fold, and the Regional Final held once again at the Forum de Beyrouth made KSA national, Said el Mouri, its victor.

Since 2008, the Red Bull Car Park Drift gives all drifters the chance to follow their passion in a safe environment, and now, after a lengthy five-year break, the Middle East’s premier drifting tournament makes its return in Doha on November 6, searching for the best drifter in Qatar at the Losail International Circuit. The winner will then meet with the best drifters from seven other countries on November 20, 2015 in Dubai to crown the Middle East drifting champion at the Red Bull Car Park Drift Final 2015. “We‘re delighted to support the Red Bull Car Park Drift Championship in Doha and to see such an interest from Qatar’s drifting community,” QMMF President, Nasser Khalifa Al Attiyah tells us. “This event is a great way for people to interact, have some fun, and portray their skills in a safe way and safe environment, while encouraging all drivers to drive responsibly and observe road safety.” Al Attiyah requests that all drifting fans use only designated areas for these activities and to display cautioun and consideration of other road users when driving on public roads. Twenty-five amateur drivers will showcase their drifting skills based on the following criteria – the loudest engine roars, the external look of the car, the amount of smoke produced by the friction of the

tires, and the audience’s excitement and cheers for each candidates’ performance. The event is open to the public with free entrance and will be supervised by Lebanese drifting legend Abdo Feghali, the Middle East hill-climbing champion who holds the world’s longest vehicle drift record. On the track, peedlovers will have the opportunity to showcase their unique drift techniques under the watchful eye of a panel of expert motorsports judges who will award points to each driver depending on their unique accomplishments.

a Al Attiyah (left) QMMF President Mr. Nasser Khalif Feghali (right) with Lebanese drifting legend Abdo

The winner will be named Qatar’s Car Park Drift Champion and will have two weeks to get ready to compete against other winners from the Middle East in the regional championship in Dubai on November 20. Before landing in Qatar, qualifying rounds took place at the start of the year i n the UAE, Tunisia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritius, Jordan, Oman and Egypt.

JUDGING CRITERIA Heats Participants must make it to the National Qualifier in order to move on to the National Final. If a candidate tops the leader-board at the National Final, they’ll move onto the Regional Qualifiers, followed by the Regional Finals for the chance to be crowned ‘King of Drift’.

Penalties Participants will lose points if they hit an obstacle, drift the wrong way, or spin their car. Participants who get three (3) penalties in one round will be disqualified.

Winning

leave In drifting, the more smoke you in your wake, the better your score

Each of the judges will score participants on how well they continuously drift, follow the track, how much their car smokes, and much more. The judges also look for an impressive exterior. Score big with each of the judges and get to the top of each leader-board to move on to the next round.

Distribution Of Points • 80 pts: Drifting Skills I • 80 pts: Drifting Skills II • 40 pts: Car Sound • 40 pts: Tire Smoke • 40 pts: Box • 60 pts: Car Look & Design • 60 pts: Clipping Point For more information visit www.redbull.com/cpd or give a shout-out on social media using the hashtag #CPDrift. n RED BULL CAR PARK DRIFT CHAMPIONSHIP When: Friday, November 6 Where: Losail International Circuit, Parking 6 Timings: 7:30 p.m. till 10:00 p.m. Entry: Free

SPECIAL PROMOTION

All-Aboard At QIBS 2015

The third edition of the Qatar International Boat Show (QIBS) is setting sail from November 10-15 at Lusail Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mourjan Marina. QH goes below the decks at one of the most prestigious marine events ever hosted in Qatar. 92

Luxury liners at QIBS 2014 glow at anchor at Mourjan Marina

he allure of the wide open ocean has inspired the imagination of explorers since our earliest ancestors learned to fashion wood and rope into modest, sea-faring vessels. Much of the mapped world we know has come from the ability to capture the wind and navigate to new and exciting destinations. Anyone who has stepped onto a sailboat or yacht and nervously taken the helm can tell you that moving across the water with a keen eye to the wind and waves is truly a life-changing experience. Although the world of boating has changed a lot in the past few centuries with the advent of new materials, navigation systems and propulsion technologies – one thing still rings true: the freedom and power of the sea is undeniable. Learning how to pilot a craft to new and exciting destinations is an amazing skill to have that often rekindles our longing to explore what’s around the next bend. For those who connect with the words above, but have little more than a cinematic understanding of boats, the Qatar International Boat Show offers the perfect entry point into a unique pastime that is rooted firmly in Qatari tradition. This annual event is a great way to experience the diverse world of boating from some of the leading global manufacturers and enthusiasts. This year’s show will host more than 120 brands and 85 boat selections, ensuring that you can discover something unique during over the course of the four-day event. QIBS 2015 is held under the auspices of H.E. the Prime Minister and Interior Minister, Sheikh Abdullah bin Nasser bin Khalifa Al-Thani, which speaks to the refined offerings that anyone can come and experience. QIBS ensures that guests get a genuine feel for the marine lifestyle, one which allows people to adopt a more nomadic way of life, if only for afternoon – or month depending on a yacht's capabilities. The freedom of owning a boat is what draws guests to the show and also encourages enthusiasts to seek out new innovations and advancements that give them more time on the water, and less time in Doha traffic. Playing host to over 90 companies, even the most discerning boating enthusiasts will find

Qatar's traditional dhows will also be represented at this year's event

the utilitarian craft or luxury vessel they’ve always wanted. Last year over 12,000 people ventured aboard to experience the vast array of marine offerings and this year is slated to be no different. The event location was selected to give guests beautiful views of the Arabian Gulf while they explore the luxury offerings and have their inquiries fielded by some of the industry's experts. QIBS also boasts a family-friendly environment with a kids’ playground, catering options and even a kids’ drawing competition where the whole family could win lunch packages from Al Balad restaurant. This annual show is the brainchild of Snow Comms, a unique event agency that strives to bring innovative experiences to the Middle East and even the high seas. Whether you’re in the market for a new boat or just want to experience the freedom of the yachting lifestyle, QIBS is a great way to do both in a stunning environment. To learn more about QIBS you can visit their website, www.qibs2015.com, or follow them on social media on Facebook and Twitter. In the days leading up to the show there will be a number of competitions to win VIP passes and experience all that luxury yachting has to offer –so stay tuned and get ready for an introduction to a world unlike any other. n

SPORTS

Go Dragons, Go Dragons, Go! By Shahmim Akram Photography by Jessie Palanca

In December, the Qatar Dragon Boat (QDB) organization will be hosting an International Dragon Boat Festival. The water-sport is relatively new to the region, yet has quickly gained a loyal following. QH learns more about dragon-boat racing from Jeff Ching, the Chairman of QDB.

un, dun, dun…the drummer beats out a steady rhythm. Arms straining, the 20-person crew paddles their long-boat while the steerperson controls the direction. The waves are getting choppy, but the crew dig in and focus their strength. Dun, dun, dun…one last push and together they paddle their boat smoothly past the finish line as the crowd goes wild! Welcome to the sport of centuries –welcome to dragon-boat racing! Ching explains that “Dragon-boat racing is one of the oldest practiced water-sports in human history... believed to have started over 2,000 years ago as part of a Chinese tradition.” Historically, mock boat battles were carried out with the intention to wake the Chinese Zodiac dragon character who would then bring the rains for a bountiful harvest. Later, the death of political reformist Qu Yuan was also added to the lore. He jumped into a river after the kingdom

was defeated, and local villagers went out in their fishing boats and splashed their paddles to keep the fish away from his body. Together, these elements provide an understanding as to the ancient origins of traditional dragon-boat racing. But it was only as recently as 1976 that the first International Dragon Boat Races were held in Hong Kong. Since then, it’s been recognized as a professional water-sport by the Olympic Council of Asia and was adopted into the 2010 Asian Games. Ching himself was introduced to dragon-boat racing while on a secondment in Hong Kong and later brought the sport to Qatar when he imported a dragon boat so that he could keep racing – “I have not looked back since!” Through his passion and dedication for the sport he has helped to increase the profile of dragon-boat racing in Qatar. In March he helped organize Qatar’s first dragonboat racing event in which 15 teams participated – “The reception was very positive and participants have asked for more of these types of competitions.” Amazingly most of the paddlers and spectators had not known much about the sport before the event. Ching discusses the difficulties faced due to having a lack of sponsorship: “We have to work to a limited budget and rely on volunteers. To put things in perspective, our inaugural event attracted over 300 athletes, but we had to organize all the setup without any major sponsors. This remains a challenge – but with promoting a new sport there will always be challenges, and we have a

Qatar Dragon Boat Chairman Jeff Ching (left) and Alex Tubar, captain of the Onslaught Racing Dragons Qatar team

Qatar will be The Onslaught Racing Dragons first-place one of many teams vying for the title at next month's competition

helping to bring a very diverse expat community together. “Dragon boat racing can accommodate many age groups and abilities. We have national dragon boat athletes in the community, as well as those that paddle recreationally. Events are generally quite familyoriented, with music, food and a play-area for children.” The upcoming international competition in Doha will, according to Ching: “Feature a recreational/corporate class to introduce residents to the sport, as well as a competitive class for dragon-boat clubs that practice regularly.” It’s also an attempt to attract regional dragon-boat teams to compete in Qatar “As people generally associate the Middle East with Dubai or Abu Dhabi, and we hope we can attract athletes here to see another part of the Middle East.” Attributing the success of dragon-boat racing in the Middle East to the high expat population, Ching believes that is “Natural for people to find means to connect with other people, and dragon-boat racing is a perfect medium for this. It’s a diverse, eclectic mix of people working together on the boat.” on the water, It's a full-body workout out there s in unison as precision timing and movement t paddling are the hallmarks of dragon-boa

lot of committed and passionate dragon boaters who compensate the lack of funding with their commitment to volunteer.”

To learn more about Qatar Dragon Boat visit www.qatardragonboat.com/teams, or email QatarDragonBoat@gmail.com. n

Each dragon boat is equipped for a capacity of 22 – 20 paddlers, one drummer and one sweep who steers

It’s this passion and commitment that Ching has used to set up QDB as a community group with all the dragon boat clubs in Qatar, “With the mission of developing the sport of dragon-boat racing and to encourage the development of an international elite team to participate in competitions overseas.” In the future, they hope to send dragon boat teams based in Qatar to the annual International Dragon Boat Federation competitions. Adelaide in Australia will host the next competition, which is expected to attract over 5,000 professional dragon-boat athletes from around the world. The beauty of the sport is that it appeals to all, while the theatre and drama of the racing adds to the event,

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Transform Your Life Images courtesy of Crunch Doha

Co-founded in 2013 by Nuwaid Pocker, Crunch is an intense physical program tailored to change your body and lifestyle. QH hits the gym and gets down to business!

ince its inception two years ago, Crunch Doha has gained a loyal following of fitness enthusiasts. Based on co-founder Nuwaid Pocker’s personal experience when undergoing an immense physical and mental transformation, Pocker walked away from his journey with a desire to give back. When he began to realize that people were ready to change their lifestyles when guided in the right direction, this inspired him to become a catalyst of change in their lives, and thus, Crunch was born. Crunch Doha is Qatar's first transformation company focused on achieving results in weight-loss, toning, strengthening and adopting a healthy lifestyle naturally. With six tailored, tested and successful fitness programs that re-shape bodies, Crunch provides its clients with the right personal training,

nutrition and supplementation plans for both fat-loss and weight-gain to achieve personal goals. Because it’s not your average gym – or like anything you’ve ever tried before – deciding to join Crunch Doha could be the first step towards changing your life, your outlook, and reaching new levels you never thought possible. From the first step, Crunch begins by reinforcing your faith in yourself and making your fitness training a life-changing journey. They then create the perfect fitness and nutrition program for both fat-loss or weight-gain to meet your needs, with experts who are there every step of the way to monitor your progress, give encouragement, and help you push through till the end. By selecting one of six customized fitness programs, you’ll be able to see initial results within days and final results within weeks. As such, you’ll feel motivated to give more instead of giving up, and start pushing yourself harder to see increased improvements. These programs include the 12-Week Transformation (Signature Program), 4-Week Intensive Explosive, Anti-Gravity, Iron Mass Gainers, Monthly Lifestyle Builder, Boot-Camp and the Three-Week Shed.

Nuwaid Pocker (right) aims to s revolutionize the health and fitnes h Doha community in Qatar with Crunc

Crunch Doha’s approach has successfully worked on over 200 clients, whose entire lives have changed in a matter of weeks, helping people realize their capabilities, re-define their limits, love their appearance, and feel amazing on the inside. For more information on all programs and services visit www.crunchdoha.com. n

SPORTS

Listings All listings are categorized per hotel. Inclusion is limited to availability of space, with priority given to advertisers.

QH RECOMMENDS

Tone & Shape

Saturdays: Ozone Gym & Spa. This 60-minute totalbody workout combines low to medium-intensity cardio and weight-training exercises. Starts at 11:00 a.m. Complimentary for members,non-members pay QR 60 per class. For more information call 4428-8101.

Explosive Cardio

Sun & Tues: Ozone Gym & Spa. This 60-minute endurance cardiovascular training session will burn fat, tone muscles and improve fitness capabilities. Sundays and Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. Complimentary for members, non-members pay QR 60 per class. For more information call 4428-8101.

MARSA MALAZ KEMPINSKI Fitness Classes

BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA BY ANANTARA Diving Lovers

All-month: Even with the sun, sand and indulgence, diving lovers will be looking for something more. This is why Anantara is inviting all certified open-water divers to come and join in with their special offers. Day-Dive Experience: two dives with full equipment, QR 500 per person; two dives without equipment, QR 200 per person. Night-Dive Experience: one dive with full equipment, QR 550 per person; one dive without equipment, QR 400 per person. For groups of four divers minimum. Prior booking is recommended due to limited availability. For more information call 4040-5050.

BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA BY ANANTARA Splash Surf Pool Happy Hour

All-Month: Cool down and hit the waves at Splash Surf Pool during their happy hour between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. For every 30 minutes of pool time at QR 150 per person, guests will receive an additional 30 minutes complimentary. For more information call 4040-5050.

DOHA MARRIOTT Boot-Camp

Mondays: Are you looking for a new way to get your heart pumping? Why not take on the challenge with the Doha Marriott’s weekly boot-camp class! Get your heart racing with explosive exercises that are designed to level up your overall fitness and aerobic capacity and put you on your way to a new and healthier you! From 6:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. For more information call 4429-8520.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA TRX Fitness

Sun & Tues: Another name for this challenging class is suspension training. Participants will be working against gravity using their own bodyweight and TRX equipment to complete a series of exercises. It helps to develop strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously. Members, QR 30/non-members, QR 50. Sundays from 10:30 a.m. till 11:30 a.m., and Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. till 6:45 p.m. For more information call 4484-4852.

Fitball

Sundays: Fitball is an effective body-conditioning class for all fitness levels andhas been a huge success in changing people’s lives, making them feel stronger, prepared for more physical-impact exercises, and overcoming physical and emotional barriers. The fitball sessions are welcoming with a relaxed, supportive atmosphere. All classes are small and friendly. Members QR 30/non-members QR 50. From 9:30 a.m. till 10:30 a.m. For more information call 4484-4852.

Core Strength

Thurs: The best core exercises may surprise you. It's not enough to just do abs-crunches and situps. To build a strong core you need to exercise a variety of muscles from your hips to your shoulders. A strong core improves athletic performance and postural imbalances. Classes are offered on Thursdays from 5:00 p.m. till 5:45 p.m. Members QR 30/non-members QR 50. For more information call 4484-4852.

LA CIGALE BoxFit

Ongoing: Ozone Gym & Spa. A stress-releasing workout, this 60-minute class uses boxing techniques that involve the muscles of the core, upper body, shoulders and hips to improve strength, endurance and agility. Complimentary for members, non-members pay QR 60 per class. Private classes are QR 200. For more information call 4428-8101.

Daily: The Health Club. Numerous fitness classes are available, including body-pump, boot-camp, abs workout, Pilates, body-weight, Zumba, yoga, pushup challenge and more. Classes start from QR 85 per person. For more information call 4035-5555, email spa.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

Tennis

Daily: Make use of their outdoor tennis court on the island grounds, with private or group lessons with coaches. For more information call 4035-5555, email spa.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

RADISSON BLU Bulgarian Folk Dance Class

Tues & Sat: Cabana Club. With more than ten years experience in Bulgarian folk dance, Velislava Metodieva is happy to share with Qatar’s diverse community his cultural traditions of Bulgaria through its dance. Members: QR 55 per class and QR 350 for eight classes. Non-members: QR 65 per class and QR 400 for eight classes. From 7:00 p.m. till 8:00 p.m. For more information call 4428-1621/1622.

SHERATON DOHA Spinning

Sun-Sat: Fitness Centre. Join in Sheraton Fitness for spinning classes at QR 50 per class. For bookings and reservations call 4485-4601/4600/4609, or email HRC.sheratondoha@sheraton.com.

Martial Arts

Ongoing: Fitness Centre. Join in Sheraton Fitness for aikido and kick-boxing classes at QR 70 for kids and QR 80 for adults per class. For bookings and reservations call 4485-4601/4600/4609, or email HRC.sheratondoha@sheraton.com.

THE FOUR SEASONS Cycling Enjoy a 60-minute Activiocycling class that targets the 65-85% heart rate zone. QR 60 per person. For more information call 4494-8888.

QH SENSATIONS

Top Picks

BANANA ISLAND RESORT DOHA BY ANANTARA Balance Wellness Centre

Upon request: ‘Ayurveda’, a Sanskrit term meaning ‘science of life’, is a more than 5,000-year-old healing system founded in India. Our daily interactions, stress, diet, and other routine parts of life can shift the balance of both body and mind, which can lead to health issues. Fortunately, the wisdom of Ayurveda can help connect us more deeply to our minds and bodies, offering tools to identify imbalances in our lives and simple ways to help correct them. Discover their Ayurveda journeys at Balance Wellness Centre for powerful, long-lasting benefits for body, mind and soul. For more information call 4040-5050.

SHARQ VILLAGE & SPA Bliss Of Mind And Soul

Daily: Six Senses Spa. Experience pure relaxation while stimulating your senses with a combination of detoxifying body-buff followed by a blissful marma massage. This package reduces stress levels, imparts powerful anti-aging benefits, and creates inner joy as it reconnects you with your body and mind. 80-minutes for QR 700. For more information call 4425-6999/6995.

LA CIGALE New Hammam Treatment

Upon request: Ozone Gym & Spa. Looking for an unforgettable hammam treatment experience? Ozone Spa has introduced new Moroccan products for your ultimate rejuvenation. For more information call 4428-8101.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA A Royal Bath MARSA MALAZ KEMPINSKI Spa Your Way

Daily: Spa by Clarins. Great for friends too! Take some time for togetherness with a couple’s spa day that includes including a Rasul steam ritual and a 60-minute Clarins warm oil massage. This full-day experience also includes full access to all spa and wellness facilities. QR 1,400 per couple. For more information call 4035-5555, email spa.marsamalaz@kempinski.com, or visit www.kempinski.com/marsamalaz.

Upon request: Saray Spa. Pamper yourself to a private 75-minute, or 90-minute Moroccan hammam bath, and revisit a tradition that’s been cherished for centuries. Rejuvenate and feel the benefits of Saray Spa’s timeless remedies. Price is QR 600. To embark on your serene journey call 4419-6090, or email sarayspadoha@marriotthotels.com.

101

QH SENSATIONS

Pure Sense By Ashlee Starratt & Jorge Granda Photography by Jessie Palanca

We venture into the realm of the serene at the Millennium Hotel Doha’s Pure Spa, where the concept of ‘me time’ goes from wishful thinking to reality. QH takes time to indulge in this hidden gem of a facility with two massage treatments that were, purely, out-of-this-world. We Say Relax… It’s been more than two years since I’d set foot inside the Millennium Hotel. Located in the Al Sadd area just beside Centrepoint Mall, it’s a rare Doha find – one of those lovely locales that you might otherwise overlook…until you end up stumbling upon it. Today, I’m here to experience their newly refurbished spa facilities, but as I head through the lobby I find myself rediscovering the hotel with fresh eyes.

102

Having undergone extensive renovations, the lobby shines and glimmers, while off to my right, as I head towards the elevators, is their new Cosmo restaurant where I can already hear the clink and rattle of a fragrant lunch service. As I head up to the Pure Spa on the hotel’s 7th floor, I’m greeted by Spa and Recreation Manager Usman Moole. Friendly, professional and warm, he takes me on a tour through the spa’s facilities and fitness centre. The space is small, but accessible, with a couples’ massage room to the left of the main reception area and a cool, blue après-spa relaxation room to the right. The amenities in the gym are state-of-the-art and there are a few treadmills, bikes and elliptical machines already occupied as we walk through. With an extensive spa treatment menu, and offering personal training sessions for guests and clients, Pure Spa caters to a much broader range of services than you might expect for a facility of its size. There are two more treatment rooms inside the ladies quarters, plus a spacious locker area and changing rooms and a cozy, but lovely Jacuzzi pool area, sauna room and steam-bath. The facility is airy and warm, with strategic points of natural light dappling the space. Usman then takes me up

a short flight of stairs to the enclosed roof-top pool area where the water practically touches the bank of picture-windows that wrap around the space – offering a nearly 360-degree view out over the Al Sadd and Al Rayyan areas. It’s a different view from the West Bay skyline and one I find refreshing – allowing me to see my city from a new perspective. After the tour, Usman introduces me to my massage therapist Elena, who takes me into the ladies quarters to get ready for my 60-minute Peace Of Sense Swedish massage. I’ll be having the treatment in the blue-lit couples’ room – though I’ve got the place to myself. Before the treatment begins she asks me to select from one of three essential oils – lemongrass, rose and tropicano. I choose the sweet and fruity tropicano, which to me smells like summer in a jar. Elena, who hails from the Philippines, begins the massage by first pounding and loosening up the pressure points along my spine and lower back – this is because when you’re as tensed up as I am, you can actually hurt yourself by not limbering up a bit before having a deep-tissue massage. Kneading my back, shoulders, neck, legs and arms with long, rhythmic strokes, interspersed with light

With a welcoming staff and warm facilities, an afternoon at Pure Spa is just what the doctor ordered

Ease your muscles in the spa's spacious dry sauna

according to Spa and Recreation Manager Usman Moole, manicure and pedicure services. During my visit I opted for the Balinese massage. Originating in practice from the Indonesian province of Bali, I was lucky enough that my therapist for the treatment was, in fact, Indonesian, so I was in for a special treat.

pounding and cupping claps, I feel myself loosening and drifting off under Elena’s hands. The room’s blue light makes me feel like I’m in a space capsule, and when Elena lightly prods me to turn over she has to wake me up first. The treatment ends with a luscious face and scalp massage – the best part of any spa treatment for me. I’m impressed with Elena’s technique, her stamina, and strength to not miss a single stroke during the hour-long session. Afterwards, as I’m enjoying a hot cup of green tea by the Jacuzzi, I’m reminded of the importance of these small ‘me’ moments – and that the best experiences sometimes comes in the coziest of places.

Balinese Bliss I’m a big fan of spa treatments and am always looking for new spas to visit. I’d heard that the Millennium Hotel had a cozy facility called Pure Spa, but up until recently I’d never had the chance to visit – which is no excuse since it’s located not far from the QH offices! Though not as large as some other spas found around Doha, this charming centre is fully-equipped to provide guests with the ultimate spa experience. The facility offers a variety of options for massage, body treatments and scrubs, a Turkish bath and even,

The Balinese massage is meant to be a fullbody, deep-tissue, holistic treatment that uses a combination of gentle stretches, acupressure, reflexology, and aromatherapy to stimulate the flow of blood, oxygen and ‘qi’ (energy) in the body, bringing about a sense of well-being, calm and deep relaxation. This is exactly what I got. My experience covered all of the above, and it was evident that my therapist knew exactly what she was doing. During the treatment I experienced a variety of massages techniques that made me feel calm and peaceful, while the scented massage oil proved therapeutic, as its aroma enhanced my relaxation. Oil-based massage helps the experience to be more fluid and pleasant, while boosting your circulation and targeting knotted tissue. The massage lasted an hour, and afterwards I felt relaxed, refreshed and a bit sleepy. But after a stimulating shower I was once again energized and ready to head back to reality. It was a terrific treatment that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good massage and a bit of a mid-week break. The spa is clean, and the entire staff is attentive; there’s also a pool on the rooftop if you fancy a dip afterwards, and a lounge where you can have a juice, play darts and just unwind. Sounds like our kind of day! n

PURE SPA Location: 7th Floor, Millennium Hotel Doha Timings: • 7:00 a.m. till 11:00 p.m., daily for spa treatments • Gym facilities are open daily, 24/7 Prices: • QR 349, 60-minute Peace Of Sense Swedish Massage • QR 399, 60-minute Balinese Massage Contact Info: Call 4424-7327 or email purespa.mhdo@millenniumhotels.com.

103

SPECIAL PROMOTION

Depression –

Time To Fight For You By Rowad Ehlela

With rates of depression on the rise, QH turns to EVOLVE – Mind/ Body/Soul to ask the question, ‘are we the masters of our own cure, or is seeking trusted medical solutions the way to go?’ As the medical market encroaches into the health and wellness space, what options can be considered a sure thing and what limitations are there with selftreatment? We find out. Firstly, What Is Depression? As if depression weren’t bad enough, statistics show that diagnoses are growing at an alarming rate. In addition, higher rates of depression also show high rates of other negative health outcomes, such as obesity, heart disease, and stroke. Individuals suffering from depression are more likely to be unemployed or recently divorced than their nondepressed counterparts. Depression can come in many forms and affects everyone differently, from mild self-consciousness to the mourning of a loved one. The Healthline, a leading UK-based health statistics organization, currently estimates around 121 million people around the world suffer from depression.

104

Mind Self-identification plays a major role in well-being; firstly we must all become at one with ourselves and gain a real appreciation of who we are and what we’re feeling. If you can’t recognize what’s happening in your mind, then finding a solution will be a needle in a haystack. Have you ever sat alone in the dark for a continued moment of silence and explored your mind, searched for moments of joy, sadness and answers to particular situations? I encourage you to have regular conversations with yourself (especially at night) to nurture the relationship you have with yourself – after all, who has experienced every detail of your life better than you? When it comes time to seek council on a matter in your life then I say look within. This life is a journey of self – we grow, we experience, we adapt, we learn; however, we can easily fall victim to depression if our relationship with our self is weak. A pill given to you by a doctor who you don’t know beyond his profession, and who sees endless amounts of patients annually, will have limited answers. Though a short-term fix, it’s one that shifts the power outside of yourself and into a pill...but is that pill stronger than your mind?

Body As identified, depression is heavily linked with poor health, leading to overeating and weight gain, as

well as strokes caused by stress. It can be a vicious cycle for many to escape alone. The impact a healthy body has on the human mind and cognitive state is incredible. Studies show that obese people are 25 per cent more likely to enter a depressive state than those of average health – which is why it’s imperative the treatment is correct. The power a strong workout can give you is the selfnurturing your body needs to toughen up physically, which will reflect on your internal being. The mirror effect is 99 per cent of the work; stand in front of the mirror and look directly eye to eye with yourself, is it you that is looking back or the perception of self that has been imposed over you? Your job title? Your classification in society? You must accept yourself as a soul and a body and recognize the correlation between the two. Depression isn’t something you just click out of – you must work hard at it and take as many positive steps as you can to overcome the challenge. Challenging yourself physically and growing in strength of mind and body will play a role greater than prescription medications can.

Soul No matter your spiritual beliefs or practices, you were born on this Earth for a reason, and you must recognize that if you are to battle through

ating Staying active is crucial to comb us commune depression. Sports like surfing help ssion-fighting with nature while releasing depre brain chemical serotonin

the challenges that depression brings. There is a greater power to your existence than what today has brought, and what will manifest in the future is dependent on today’s mentality – negativity only breeds more negativity.

our Practicing yoga can help balance d us inner world with the world aroun

Take up soul fulfilling activities, such as yoga, where you get to harness the power of the physical moment, breathing and mental focus. Seek outdoor pursuits and activities that put you in touch with the energy the Earth has to offer. The simple caress of Vitamin D on your skin from the sun is known to raise endorphins and have you feeling more refreshed in seconds. Surfing is another excellent source of energy to take up, as awaiting the right wave can be some of the best moments to sit and reflect upon the life that awaits your return to shores. Cherish these moments, and when you’re ready, just select your wave and enjoy the ride. With every change in the season the plant must adapt, take heavy conditions, and overcome. But with strong roots it will be shining summer after summer. So nurture your ‘roots’ and keep moving forward! n Get yourself on track to optimal health by learning more about EVOLVE – Mind/Body/ Soul’s services. For more information visit www.evolvemindbodysoul.com.

105

QH SENSATIONS Tokyo cityscape over the Ginza district

By Lynsey Riach

Bright and buzzed meets chilled and zen in this country that seamlessly intertwines modernity with tradition.

f you imagined a city where neon lights shine bright all night, people buzz around you and most of the signs are not in English, then you’d be spot on. This is Tokyo – and you can expect to spend your time here on fast-forward.

japan: it’s all about

balance…

Slicing sashimi at Tsukiji Fish Market

Japan's sentinel Mt. Fuji

Japan is home to many clichés and you can be assured you’ll find them on your stay. First up? Those sumos. Yes, they do exist and yes, you will see them towering over everyone else in the stereotypical crammed subways. On your first day, hop in a taxi to Chou-Ku Nihonbashi to see the big boys practice their shuffles, shoves and bun-tying skills (that alone is worth the visit). Careful on overdoing the Instagram snaps…they don’t like being photographed much. From there it’s a lunch stop at the freshest sushi joint in town – the Tsukiji fish market. Open since dawn, these traders have been haggling over the price of tuna while you caught up on your sleep. Pull up a pew at the many sushi bars offering their freshest cuts all prepared in front of your very eyes by seriously skilled sushi chefs. Photos are welcome. Taking a stroll to nearby Ginza (the main shopping area in town) I walk past more clichés – the Japanese vending machines, (and lots of them) selling all sorts of products from warm milk tea (this I love!) to umbrellas. It appears the Japanese have excel at being self-sufficient. If you’re looking for a chocolate fix, you’ll need to bring your own as a green tea Kit-Kat is about as much as you’ll get (seriously). They don’t really ‘do’ fast-food chains or well-known snacks which is a rare novelty for today’s traveler.

A Kyoto geisha

But more on those stereotypes! Karaoke. It’s everywhere. In the trendy area of Roppongi, Lovenet is home to themed and private soundproof booths where you can belt your heart out. And, with a phone in your room, drinks service is delivered direct to you (here, you start to believe you really are a pop-star). With a complex corridor of booths, I stumbled upon the wrong room and found a Japanese businessman belting out an emotional ballad. Wish I’d had my camera… On the subject of photography, that’s another Japanese stereotype isn’t it? But in this town you’ll need your camera on-hand at all times. Tokyo is a city where you’ll marvel at so many interesting sights from your very suave and suit-clad taxi driver (watch out for the automatic popping doors), to the endless colourful signs in Japanese, to the Halloween-esque outfits adorned by the girls of Harajuku. This is a sight to see – hop on the train to this densely populated area of teens, shops and cafés. It’s the Tokyo you’ve always imagined. And for the inner geek, Akihabara is where Sega, Nintendo and comic book stores dominate. At night head to Tokyo Tower for a view to remember. If you come at sunset, you may even catch Mt. Fuji in the distance. Take a stroll down the hill and you’ll find plenty of noodle bars waiting to

106

welcome you. Ramen (noodle soup) and teppanyaki (grilled meats on skewers) are cheap and cheerful. It’s now time to face what is often dubbed the busiest place on Earth – Shibuya pedestrian crossing. A hub of giant videos flash overhead as you attempt ‘The Scramble’ to the other side. First, head on up to the giant Starbucks to watch everyone else cross, re-cross, and cross again – then attempt it yourself. You’ll feel crushed, you’ll be carried by the crowd and you’ll want to do it all over again (don’t forget that phoo op!) As the days of Tokyo to start to take their toll, head on out for some respite to see what else Japan has to offer. If skiing is your thing then in the winter this is a popular country to visit. But let me suggest Kyoto, home of the geisha and just a 2 ½ hour bullet train ride away. With trains departing frequently, you can find yourself rocketed to Kyoto just for the day or, I recommend, a little longer. Marvel at the scenery as it whizzes past homes, gardens, schools, through Osaka and stopping at what feels like old Japan. Firstly, chances of seeing an actual, real geisha are slim. Reportedly only a few hundred remain working in this ancient Japanese art, and you may well think you’ve seen one when in fact tourists dress up for yet another selfie. If caking your face in white, dense makeup sounds like fun then visit Maica to fulfill your fantasy. I tried it out for size and it seems being a geisha isn’t all as glamourous as you think. The kimonos are heavy – five kilograms heavy. The wooden clogs are tricky to keep your balance in (and I have good yoga balance), then, add on the concretetight makeup and toppling wig. WOW, these girls have a job just to get about so it’s surprising that a real life geisha will actually nip past you very quickly and into a tea room to entertain in the blink of an eye, or, in my case, hear the sound of her clogs hitting the cobbled street behind me. While in Kyoto, it felt fitting to stay in a traditional Japanese ryokan – an inn with tatami-matted rooms and communal baths. Most ryokans offer bicycle rentals to explore the beauty of Kyoto, and with so many iconic Japanese temples, sublime gardens and shrines to behold, passing the day peddling is the best way to take them all in. Whip out your map and set yourself free to explore this other type of Japanese culture.

The traditional backstreets of Kyoto

Fresh sashimi rich in colour

Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine

Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Taisha

Night falls in Tokyo's Shinjuku district

End your stay in Japan with a traditional tea ceremony. Prepare to wait for your cuppa as this cultural activity involves the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha (powdered green tea) – just don’t try to dip that Kit-Kat into it… Safe travels and happy holidays! Qatar Airways flies direct from Doha to Tokyo twice daily. For more information on Japan, visit www.jnto.go.jp. n Lynsey Riach is a qualified yoga Instructor living and working in Doha, normally walking her dogs, on her yoga mat or on her travels. To learn more about her services visit www.andstretchyoga.com.

107

QH SENSATIONS

Delightful Dubrovnik, Magical Mljet

By John Hunt Selected images courtesy of Eleanor Graff

We cross the Adriatic for a brief sojourn to the sun-drenched and sea-worn south of Croatia’s coastal heartland.

ast month, my wife and I enjoyed a four-night stay in southern Croatia, where the Adriatic Sea laps at the shores of port town Dubrovnik, and where the nearby island of Mljet – a national park – are to be found. And, unsurprisingly, lots of seafood. We flew direct from Edinburgh to Dubrovnik and transferred to the five-star Hilton Imperial Hotel, just 100-metres from Dubrovnik’s main tourist draw: the Old Town. The hotel was superb, and we got a great balcony room overlooking the Adriatic. Later we met with our first guide, Vesna, who showed us around the Old Town – beautiful, historic, photogenic – and handed over a bunch of tickets to get us into various attractions. The first tickets (QR 50) enabled entry to the city walls, a fair climb, but the pay-off was the terrific ‘birds-eye’ view of the town below us. That evening, we dined at Panorama restaurant which is perched on a cliff overlooking Dubrovnik and accessed by cable car (QR 60 return). Needless to say, the views were excellent, as was the food. I had shrimp risotto and Ellie went for the tuna steak. A great meal in a great location – say no more.

108

Island Life The following morning, we took the ferry to Mljet (pronounced ‘Mm-yet’), docking 60 minutes later. Under a cloudless sky, the island looked amazing. There’s loads to do here: mountain biking, swimming, kayaking, hiking, etc. We met another local guide, Ivana, entered the park (ticketed), rented three bikes, and set off on an hour-long ride along the two main lakes at the northern tip of the park. The ride was so serene and filled with such great views that I forgot I was exercising! Ellie, Ivana and I enjoyed an untroubled al fresco lunch at an eatery overlooking one of the lakes, which glittered in the afternoon sunshine. Ivana walked us back to the town of Polace, where the ferry docked, and then to Hotel Odesij. This was horrendous. The hotel had the look of a 1960’s construction, but doesn’t appear to have had any attention since. Our room was tiny, the shower-room miniscule (with the smell of sewage coming from the floor drain) and there was mould in the room as well as in the common areas: restaurant, lobby/bar… Dinner was included and we entered the dining room to be confronted by a rancid-smelling buffet that looked as bad as it smelled. We took one look… and swiftly went out for a pizza (two enormous pizzas, and a couple house beverages came to a total of only QR 73). We couldn’t finish our pizzas, such were their magnitude, so took the remainder away in a box.

The following morning – our return ferry not departing until 4:00 p.m. – gave us all day to further explore the sights. We arrived for breakfast, which was literally inedible. I took three slices of French toast, had a bite, and did something I haven’t done since I was about eight – spat it out. Ellie and I (literally) disgusted, retired to our room and had cold pizza instead. A storm had been forecast for this particular day and right on cue, it hit the island with monsoon-like rain and wind. We checked out, and found a seat in the lobby, teeming with guests keeping dry. We killed time on our tablets until the return ferry. Odisej is the only hotel on Mljet, and they are outrageously abusing their monopoly. The Croatian National Tourist Office (CNTO) are aware of the situation. Time for action.

Something Fishy Back in Dubrovnik we checked into Hotel Argentina, another delightful five-star property. By the evening, the storm abated so we walked to Restaurant Arsenal, overlooking the harbour. This was another seafoodbased treat in a beautiful, capacious setting; shrimp risotto for me (yes, again!) and sea bass for Ellie. Both dishes were fantastic and very keenly priced. For our final day, we returned to the Hilton and wandered around the Old Town, a lazy but comprehensive walk during which we visited the popular Maritime Museum. That evening we met with our third guide of the trip, Nicolina, who took us for dinner at Proto, (again, in the Old Town) which has a lofty (and deserved) reputation.

Mljet's Great Lake's region

The terrace at the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik

Enjoy a meal with a bird's-eye view at Panorama Restaurant

A view down one of the main streets of Old Town

Milk cake at Proto – a Croatian delicacy

The cliffside Restaurant Nautika

Dubrovnik's bustling day-time café culture

The ladies both went for (and raved about) cod risotto with Parmesan cone, while I opted for fettucine with shrimp tails in a Parmesan and white vino sauce. This was probably the finest single dish I have had in recent memory and no amount of superlatives can adequately express its quality. Sadly, the following morning meant goodbye to Dubrovnik, a transfer to the airport, and home. While the CNTO spoiled us with hotels, transfers, dinners and the like, there wasn’t a single thing that we would not have paid for other than Odisej, where I would have demanded a refund.

A rainy-day view of Dubrovnik's historic Old Town neighbourhood

Dubrovnik’s raison d'être is tourism, and it does it extremely well, abetted by a superb climate, the beauty of the Old Town and Mljet, the mouthwatering cuisine and the very reasonable prices (especially for pizza!). If you hadn’t guessed by now, we enjoyed our trip immensely and if you get the chance to visit, then definitely go for it. We flew direct from Edinburgh to Dubrovnik but getting there from Doha isn’t too convoluted; fly Qatar Airways to Zagreb (the Croatian capital) and then a 50-minute internal flight to your destination starting from only QR 1,890. n

109

QH SENSATIONS

The Dish On Qatar

By Ashlee Starratt

Traveling to and from Qatar can often include long wait times at passport control. For newcomers to Doha thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a little trick of the trade we want to let you in on â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the E-gate card. This handy chip will let you bypass the line-ups at HIA immigration and have you well on your way to holiday mode. 110

’ll never forget the first (and only!) time my family flew all the way from Canada to spend the Christmas holidays and New Year’s here with me in the Middle East. After exploring Doha for a few days – dune-bashing, museum tours, walks along the Corniche, the usual activities– it was wheels up for a week in Jordan and Dubai. This was two years ago, when the old Doha International Airport was still in commission, and getting out was no problem in spite of the holiday rush…but coming back was a nightmare. Our flight from Dubai landed around 2:00 a.m. and by the time the shuttle bus dropped us off at the immigration hall there was a line-up of people waiting to get through that wound out the doorway and onto the tarmac. For over two hours we waited in this queue of people, inching forward every few minutes and trundling our bags behind us. To make matters worse, my sister had contracted a bad case of food poisoning in Dubai and had been sick all day and night – she nearly collapsed from dehydration as we waited in the immigration line. By the time we got through, grabbed our luggage and, exhausted, flagged a taxi home, it was nearly 5:30 a.m. After this experience I promised myself – never, ever, again. I’d been hearing friends and colleagues allude to some mythical ‘E-gate’ – a device that let them skip the line-ups and transit through the airport with ease. I remember at the time thinking to myself...”Skip immigration! What does that even mean? Like, I have diplomatic immunity or something?” Newsflash – you still have to scan your carry-on bags and pass through the metal detectors with or without E-gate. But essentially, these are the basics: the E-gate function is a small micro-chip that’s affixed to your Qatar residence permit I.D. This is the I.D. that’s issued to every newcomer in the country and you must carry it with you at all times – just like you would your driver’s license. Qatar I.D. cards don’t automatically come with the E-gate chip included; instead it’s a paid service. To get the E-gate put on your I.D. you must go to the Ministry of Interior’s central immigration office in Madinat Khalifa – also known by its official name as the General Directorate of Borders, Passports and Expatriate Affairs. It’s best to go as early in the morning as possible, since parking is a snarl and the wait times can be lengthy. As you enter the compound, tell the security that you are here to get your E-gate and they will direct you to the right building. Though there will be crowds of people and a dozen different languages floating through the air, there will be a guide or greeter who can point you in the right direction once you enter the building. When I went, there was a Filipino employee who spoke flawless English greeting people and

pointing them where to go. First I had to stand in a line-up to get my eyes scanned and a new photo taken; this is because when you go to have your E-gate applied, they must produce a whole new I.D. card for you. It was at this point that I also had to forfeit my old Qatar I.D. After having my photo taken I was given a number and told to go stand in another line-up. When my number was called I was given another number and directed towards the main waiting area where my name would be called to claim my E-gate card. This is where things got a bit time-consuming as I waited about an hour and a half until my number came up – then I went up to the kiosk to pay for my E-gate. There are two options when purchasing the E-gate chip: you can pay QR 100 yearly, or you can pay QR 300 and it’s good for three years. I opted for the latter to save me any more frequent trips to the immigration department. Please note that most government agency outlets do not accept cash – it’s debit or credit card only. Once you’ve paid, you’re told to go sit back down and someone will call you when your card is printed. This is where things can become a bit overwhelming – the place is loud, the crowd overflowing, and where English is not the first language of the staff it’s very easy to miss your name being called. It took about 20 minutes for my card to appear and I was on my way. The only difference was now it had a shiny micro-chip on the front and a new, updated photo of me gazing up and outward. Something very important to note – you must activate your E-gate card before leaving immigration. Eventually HIA will have activation services available on-site at the airport, but right now they’re not open yet. At the back of the room near the doors, the smiling Filipino man directed me to a little upright machine that scanned my card and also took my fingerprints. Once the prints have registered, the card is activated and ready to use. Now, let’s say you’re traveling – just how do you skip the passport control kiosk? Well, at the new HIA, after you’ve checked in, got your tickets and dropped off your luggage, heading towards immigration you will see a sign directing E-gate holders into a separate area. Here you avoid the line-ups and the passport stamps and the human interaction at immigration. Instead E-gate holders can access what look like shiny toll-booths. First you must place your E-gate card face-down on a scanner and then the first set of doors will open. Inside the ‘toll-booth’ you must then place the exact same finger that you used to activate your E-gate on the scanner for identification, while looking directly ahead into an eye-scanning device. When both fingerprints and eye scan are confirmed, the gate opens and you’re on your way to taking selfies with the big yellow bear. During peak travel times such as June/July, Eid Al Fitr, Eid Al Adha and the December holidays, the E-gate can and will save your sanity at the airport. Just remember that when your company renews your Residence Permit each year, you make sure they re-include the E-gate chip on your new I.D. card. Now, here’s to happy trails – and happy trips – ahead! n

111

IT HAPPENED

Hussain, man of AHB Group, Mr. Ahmed L-R: Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, Chair l Bureau, Mr. Hussein Alfardan, Managing Director of Tourist Trave d Al Attiyah, Minister of State and Mr. Abdul Rahman bin Hama

Images courtesy of The Gulf Times and Jessie Palanca

Group Chairman, L-R: Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, AHB Mortlock, Mr. Hussein Alfardan and Louise Group GM of Food and Beverage for AHB

HARRY RAMSDENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WORLD FAMOUS FISH & CHIPS GRAND OPENING The Pearl-Qatar October 12, 2015 112

of AHB Group, with Joe Texeira, Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, Chairman us Fish & Chips UK (left) Famo World den's CEO of Harry Rams

of AHB Group (right), Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, Chairman n Bilal (left) with his son Hassan Ahmed Hassa

Louise Mortlock, GM of Food and the Beverage for AHB Group gives ng keynote address at the grand openi

Ryan (left) of AHB Group, with Chef Jonathan Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal, Chairman UK (right) den's World Famous Fish & Chips and Joe Texeira, CEO of Harry Rams

in, Mr. Yusuf Darwish, l Rahman Gurgi, Mr. Ahmed Hussa L-R: Mr. Hussein Alfardan, Mr. Abdu Chairman, Mr. Ahmed Hassan Bilal Group AHB and h Attiya Al d Mr. Abdul Rahman bin Hama

HARRY RAMSDENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WORLD FAMOUS FISH & CHIPS GRAND OPENING The Pearl-Qatar October 12, 2015

in, Mr. Yusuf Darwish, l Rahman Gurgi, Mr. Ahmed Hussa d Hassan L-R: Mr. Hussein Alfardan, Mr. Abdu and AHB Group Chairman, Mr. Ahme h Attiya Al d Hama bin an Rahm Mr. Abdul n Bilal Hassa d Ahme r Nasse Mr. and Bilal

113

Images courtesy of Getty Images

IT HAPPENED

Khalifa Al Thani H.H. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad bin for the IPC inaugurates the special ceremony Athletics Championships 2015

THE 2015 IPC ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OPENING CEREMONY Suhaim Bin Hamad Stadium Oct 21, 2015

RED BULL WINNING 5 City Center Mall Sept 17-Oct 1, 2015 114

PRIVATE DINNER WITH CHEF GORDON RAMSAY The St. Regis Doha Oct 20, 2015 115

IT HAPPENED

DJ Longplayer

HED KANDI InterContinental Doha The City Sept 25, 2015 116

NOZOMI GRAND OPENING Marsa Malaz Kempinski Oct 7, 2015

OKTOBERFEST CELEBRATIONS InterContinental Doha Oct 7-10, 2015 117

Photography by Ayaz Ahmed

IT HAPPENED

SUNDOWNER SESSIONS Sharq Village & Spa Oct 9, 2015

PINK BRUNCH InterContinental Doha Oct 16, 2015 118

DJ Kinky D (left)

Defected Records founding father, Simon Dunmore, takes his turn on the decks.

DEFECTED IN THE HOUSE Sheraton Doha Oct 1, 2015

le (right) and QH Grab-Bag winner Jane Pring Ra첫l Cob a guest with El Faro Head Chef

THE QH GRAB-BAG COOKING CLASS Marsa Malaz Kempinski Sept 29, 2015 119

PHONE DIRECTORY HOTELS Al Gassar Resort Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara Crowne Plaza The Business Park Doha Marriott Hotel Grand Heritage Doha Hotel and Spa The Grand Hyatt Holiday Villa Hilton Doha InterContinental Doha InterContinental Doha The City Kempinski Residences & Suites La Cigale Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Marsa Malaz Kempinski Millennium Hotel Doha Mรถvenpick Hotel Mรถvenpick Hotel West Bay Doha Oryx Rotana Radisson Blu Sharq Village & Spa Sheraton Doha The Four Seasons The Ritz-Carlton The St. Regis Doha The Torch Doha W Doha Hotel & Residences Wyndham Grand Regency Zubarah Boutique Hotel

4424-4881 4040-5050 4408-7777 4429-8888 4445 5555 4448-1234 4408-4888 4423-3333 4484-4444 4015-8888 4405-3333 4428 8888 4419-5000 4035-5555 4424-7777 4429-1111 4496-6600 4402-3333 4428-1555 4425-6666 4485-4444 4494-8888 4484-8000 4446-0000 4446-5600 4453-5000 4434-3333 4447-0000

AIRLINES Air Arabia 4432-2111 Air France 4444-5101 American Airlines 4499-5737 Air India 4441-8423 British Airways 4432-1538 Cathay Pacific Airways 4445-8319 Delta Airlines 4483-0725 Egypt Air 4435-2901 Emirates 4438-4477 Etihad Airways 4436-6657 Fly Dubai 4422-7350 Gulf Air 4499-8000 Lufthansa German Airlines 4431-0212 Oman Air 4432-0509 Qatar Airways 4449-6666 Royal Jordanian 4443-1431 Sri Lankan Airlines 4444-1217 Turkish Airlines 4443-3027

HEALTH / BEAUTY

AHMED HASSAN BILAL GROUP

Amaoras RelaxationSpa 4408-4085 Angsana Spa 4434-3152 Bay View 26, Wellness Centre 4496-6410 Bliss 4453-5555 Bottega Verde 4483-4535 Coiffeur Franรงaise 4468-9211 Dados Beauty Salon 4498-0033 Diva Lounge 4431-8488 Doha Dental 4431-7766 Doha Marriott Spa 4429-8520 Ebn Sina Medical 800-2288 Four Seasons Spa 4494-8801 Frank Provost 4494-8844 Glow American Salon, Salwa Rd. 4468-9945 West Bay 4411-7652 GoodLife Chemist City Center 4483-9100 The Pearl 4495-3876 Guerlain Alfardan Spa 4420-8660 Habibs Hair and Beauty Salon 4413-0672 La Cigale - Ozone Spa 4428-8888 Medical Spa Villaggio 4451-7590 Patrice Salon 4485-4012 Pure Spa 4424-7327 Ritz-Carlton Spa 4484-8173 Saray Spa 4419-5517 Six Senses Spa 4425-6999 Snips Salon 4408-4083

REAL ESTATE Ahmed Hassan Bilal 4442-8877 Trad. & Cont. Co. www.ahbqatar.com INTERIOR Forum Design 4456-8716 RESTAURANTS Chowking Salwa Road 4437-1212 Chowking Al Khor 4411-8816/4411-8817 Chowking Mamoura 4486-6077 Chowking Holiday Villa 4411-5225/335 Crunch Cantina 4442-8877 German Bakery Company 4442-8877 Harry Ramsden's World Famous Fish & Chips 4468-3231 PUBLICATIONS ABODE/QH Magazines 4427-8416

TOURISM / TRAVEL Alpha Tours Ambassador Travel Arabian Adventures Cleopatra Travel Continental Tourism Darwish Travel World Wide Destination Fanar Travels Fox Transport Gulf Adventures Mosafer Travels Mowasalat Karwa Taxi Qatar Airways Holidays Qatar International Adventures Qatar International Tours Qatar Tourism & Exhibitions Authority Regency Travel & Tour Tourist Travel Bureau Victoria Car Rental

4434-4496 4445-7788 4436-1461 4443-9333 4462-2122 4441-8666 4467-1200 4441-3428 4462-2777 4422-1888 4432-0121 4458-8888 4449-6969 4455-3954 4455-1141 4499-7499 4434-4444 4443-5050 4466-6635

HOSPITALS / EMERGENCY AMBULANCE, POLICE & FIRE DEPARTMENT

999

DOHA CLINIC HOSPITAL 4438-4333 EMERGENCY HOTLINE 4435-5999 AL AHLI HOSPITAL 4489-8000 HAMAD GENERAL HOSPITAL 4439-2222

RUMAILAH HOSPITAL PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY QATAR FOUNDATION FOR CHILD & WOMAN PROTECTION HOTLINE

120

4439-3333 4439-2948 4466-6671

SHOPPING Alfardan Jewellery 4440-8408 City Center Doha 4483-0582 Hyatt Plaza 4469-4848 Landmark Mall 4487-5222 Lagoona Mall 4433-5555 Salam 4448-5555 Villaggio 4413-5222 Virgin Megastore Villaggio 4413-5823 Landmark 4418-2245

EMBASSIES American Embassy Bahraini Embassy Brazilian Embassy British Embassy Canadian Embassy Chinese Embassy Egyptian Embassy French Embassy German Embassy Greek Embassy Indian Embassy Italian Embassy Japanese Embassy Jordanian Embassy Korean Embassy Kuwaiti Embassy Lebanese Embassy Nepalese Embassy Philippine Embassy Polish Embassy Russian Embassy Saudi Arabian Embassy South African Embassy Spanish Embassy Sri Lankan Embassy Turkish Embassy U.A.E. Embassy

4496-6000 4483-9360 4483-8812 4496-2000 4419-9000 4493-4205 4483-2555 4402-1702 4408-2334 44128150 4425-5777 4483-1802 4484-0888 4483-2202 4483-2238 4483-2111 4493-3330 4467-5681 4483-1585 4411-3230 4483-6231 4483-2030 6622-1552 4483-5886 4467-7627 4495-1300 4483-8880