DOHA TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL : Live a red carpet escape together with Hollywood stars with WorldTop7 best restaurant tips

Go beyond the limits of the usual touristic frontiers and reach Qatar, a multicolored and multicultural jewel outstretched in the middle of the Persian Gulf.

The whole world is starting to discover that Qatar is not just desert; with its strategic position in the middle east and in the world economy as one of the main natural gas dealers, it’s becoming one of the preferred venues for big events.

Located just one hour from flight from Dubai it is the home country of the most prestigious five stars airline, the Qatar Airways and it’s getting ready for the most acclaimed and followed event in the world, the FIFA world cup 2022. An impressive project, that includes a huge number of constructions, aims to restyle the whole country and mostly its capital Doha.

Qatar has always been chosen for big sports event, just as an example, the Qatar stage of the Tennis ATP tournament takes place in Doha every year in January, King Roger Federer is a regular and this year’s winner, for the third time.

But it’s in October that the red carpets will be laid down and the brightest stars will shine in Doha, with the arrival of international and Middle Eastern celebrities for the prestigious DOHA TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL running from October 25 – 29, 2011 at Katara Cultural Village.

Mr. Robert De Niro already acknowledged the potential of this One Thousand and One Nights country some years ago, when he decided to hold one of the sessions of his Tribeca Film Festival; WorldTop 7 will help you joining him in the discovery of Doha’s surprising choice of exotic fine dining restaurants.

http://www.dohafilminstitute.com/filmfestival

RESTAURANTS

SPICE MARKET & THE MARKET by Jean Georges

Trendy Asian & International vibe

These two fine dining restaurants are located inside the W hotel: the TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL head quarter, where most of the stars will be staying.

You will be overwhelmed by the twinkling of the celebrities dining right next to you and of the ambience itself: a mix of latest design features and impressive artistic furniture.

Choose the SPICE MAREKT for an exotic Asian fusion cuisine night in a charming atmosphere or The Market by Jean Georges if you prefer a more vibrant and trendy ambience and excellent international delicacies.

But don’t forget to close the night with a drink at the Wham!, the pool bar on the mezzanine floor where all jet setters and resident expatriates gather to listen to the latest lounge tunes played by the most famous DJs in the world, while laying back in the Oriental style booths.

AL MOURJAN

Award winning Lebanese cuisine

Amongst all Arabic cuisines, the Lebanese one is definitely the best and at AL MOURJAN you’ll have the best Lebanese – Arabic culinary experience in the stunning view of the Doha Bay, at a very reasonable price.

Outstretched  on the shallow waters of the bay, you can’t miss it, it is the only restaurant on the whole “Al Corniche”, the panoramic promenade that runs all along the bay; you will recognize it by the color changing lights on the outside.

It’s the place to go for a romantic candle lit dinner, where you’ll have the best view of the shiny West Bay area with its skyscrapers on one side and the beautiful architecture of the Museum of Islamic Arts on the other side.

Don’t forget to start your dinner with a choice from the long list of “Mezze”, delicious typical Arabic starters and to close smoking some fruit flavored “Shisha”.

Just bear in mind that according to Qatar Islamic law, all venues outside five stars hotel are not licensed.

THE LAGOON

Famous brunch venue, first class cuisine

Even if it is located inside the Ritz Carlton Hotel, one of the most luxurious hotels in Doha, THE LAGOON offers a casual chic atmosphere in its huge dining room with 40 feet windows overlooking the surrounding park and the turquoise water of the Persian Gulf.

It features both buffet and a la carte menu, mixing international dishes with typical Arabic delicacies and specialties from the Far East, all made with the highest quality fresh ingredients on the market.

It is an institution for the Friday brunch: from noon to 4 pm, expatriates and locals rush here to gorge in to the lavish buffet while sipping the no-limit delicious Champaign wine included in the price. A particular note regarding the wide selection of extremely fresh fish station: oysters, lobsters, seafood, sushi, sashimi and so on…

Make sure you don’t have breakfast before heading to the Lagoon for the brunch!

L’WZAAR

Underwater atmosphere, fish market style

The DOHA TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL red carpet will be laid down at Katara, the cultural village, that will host all Festival related events and will be crowded with all stars and visitors.

Stay in the buzz and get another delicious Lebanese cuisine experience at L’WZAAR seafood market. As you walk in, you will be overwhelmed by the sparkling furniture and decoration miming an underwater environment, with the huge fish tanks and the wide market style stall displaying all sorts of fresh fishes.

Choose the fish you prefer and tell the chef how you want it cooked, the experienced cooks will help you decide and you will watch them performing the magic through the windows over the kitchen.

L’Wzaar is not licensed, but you won’t believe the extremely reasonable bill.

If you feel frustrated when eating fish without wine, you can head to the “Fish Market” at Intercontinental Hotel, same concept, good atmosphere in the terrace on the beach, prices definitely on another level.

THE CELLAR

Mediterranean cuisine, tapas

The CELLAR is the ideal venue to detach from the bustle of the Tribeca Festival and relax in a stylish and laid back lounge atmosphere.

Located in the modern design architecture of the Oryx Rotana Hotel, close to the airport, it offers a Mediterranean menu with a fusion of dishes from Spanish, Italian, Greek and Arabic cuisine, with a prestigious selection of wines.

Most of Doha’s restaurants organize theme nights, The Cellar Tapas night on Tuesdays is one of the best value for money choices: 220 QR (around 40 EUR) for all-you-can-eat tapas and three glasses of wine. Just follow the never ending flow of delicious generous bites from all dishes in the regular menu, you will feel you will never want to stop.

And when you’ve had enough of food, pop next door to the Jazz Club to chill out with some good live jazz bands playing every night.

JASMINE

Thai and Hong Kong cuisine in the Souq

You can’t leave Doha without a stop at the picturesque Souq. Try to find this authentic Asian cuisine gem In the middle of the crowded narrow market streets, between fabrics and souvenirs retailers, through the smoke of the “shisha” of the shisha bars.

Located on an upper floor, the JASMINE RESTAURANT features a chic Asian atmosphere with a menu listing Thai dishes and specialties from Hong Kong. All dishes are cooked by experienced real Thai chefs with the freshest ingredients imported daily directly from Thailand.

MAZE

Luxury at its top, The Pearl marina

If you want to get the total red carpet experience, you have to join the stars at the MAZE, owned by the legendary Star-Chef Gordon Ramsey himself!

Located in the beautiful frame of “The Pearl”, the new residential area built entirely on the water, Mr. Ramsey’s chefs’ cuisine will leave you speechless. Treat yourself with their signature dishes from a fusion traditional European cuisine with an Asian flare such as daikon cress, tartare of yellow fin tuna, ponzu dressing and avocado, slow-cooked Rivarina lamb, roasted hammour served with a Provençale board and garlic aioli while admiring the most luxurious yachts that crowds the marina.

The Pearl is the only outdoor location where restaurants can be licensed, so don’t be shy and choose from the prestigious wine list and remember that luxury has its high price.