Food Festival Experience - Qatar 2013

It was around four o'clock that we arrived at  the Museum of Islamic Art Park .The weather was still hot and there were not too many people there . On the stage a Spanish (?) folk group was dancing and  this " maria ,maria takeiro" music turned us into festival mood at once .Then we looked into the issue of having lunch-dinner . Foolishly we wanted to see everything first -so we walked around and we became exhausted .We bought 90 rials tickets and we had some sandwiches from the Deli cafe /lamb satay from W hotel / Thai chicken from a  fast food outlet .I love Thai food -but this one was very  much supermarket quality . The gourmet sandwiches from the Deli and the lamb was very good ,also the vegetables noodle from W Grand Regency hotel / but these five stars hotels give so small portions that you should call  it only a bite for taste  than a main course . I just wonder why they try to save money  -  this  would be great advertisement for them .When we went to  W Grand Regency for an expensive open buffet in summer they were so generous with the discount ! Actually those small dishes  here were so small that they should have been distributed for free and not for 10 -20 rials .
 We were sitting around a nice round table and a Qatari family asked if they were allowed to sit there too - as there were not enough tables for everyone .That was very unexpected for both families - their girls were laughing embarrassed at the idea of their parent that  they share a table with  strangers  . From the stage we heard jazz we were sitting around a table with total strangers and we were enjoying those little bites that we could afford .
 The night came and slowly the park became crowded .A crane lifted up  the hanging restaurant of a five star  hotel .Laser lights were dancing around them . It was 500 rial/person .I was very happy that we could not afford that because it looked frightening . Security sits and a table around - then you are  up in the air . Nothing under your chair . If someone can afford it and needs excitement then  he should go for it . Certainly it is a very special way of having dinner !

 Shifting the festival to the park was a good idea . This MIA park is so charming especially at night  .At the end of their promenade there were the BBQ donuts  -  round shaped boats  large enough for five people  to have dinner  in . Daytime they are serving tea /coffee - cakes and at night dinner on the boats while floating in the small bay  . That is 230 rial .

The festival last day is today when they are open from 2 pm-10 pm . It has very nice atmosphere -  go out if you can  this evening .

iftar buffet at the Al- Khaima restaurant or Fight For Your Food

It was some years ago that my husband had a company iftar dinner there . He had liked the place and decided to take us out the other day .
We had reservation and clearly stated that we were coming with small kids . We were happy to see that they have a big hall just for families . But when we entered we were less happy to see that it was way too much crowded . In fact one of our kids had to use the toilet and it was so painful until we got to the place - there was not much room for left for the aisle and we had to disturb people while they were having dinner .
I saw a lots of Arab expat families but no one local .
The second shock came when I noticed that they were smoking at the next table . When my husband went to the staff to complain he got the information that it is allowed to smoke at the family section. Family section -can you believe that ? It has a smoking area !
We had no chance to get another table .Do we have any excuse for not leaving at once ? Only that we were hungry at the end of the fasting day .Otherwise we would have left .

The third shock .
My parents always told me to avoid big crowds/pushing each other -it is simply not our style . So somehow even after living here for so many years it is deep in my soul -I rather wait .Ten minutes after that the voice of the muesin gave sign for iftar time - there were barely any food left on the buffet table .
So if you happen to go there for buffet dinner you have to stand and wait and push and take as much food as possible on your plate ... literally you are supposed to fight for your meal .

Finally I had some salad which is a healthy dinner but asking 70 riyal for that is a daytime robbery .I booked for an open buffet dinner which included there grilled fish/grilled chicken cubes /grilled lamb - but I did not get any .
I did not ask for nicotine and our clothes are still smelling the smoke .

This restaurant is for you of you got used to this type of fighting for your food dinner.
I have been to many restaurants with buffet dinner but I have never seen this unfair practice that I witnessed here . I think they should refill their buffet table if it runs out of food within ten minutes ...
For us "never again "