A CULINARY MOSAIC

When Mandarin Oriental, Doha recently opened its door s, the 5-star property brought with it a collection of dining experiences to rival the best food joints around the world. FACT takes a seat for lunch at the ho tel’s extraordinary all-day dining restaurant, aptly called Mosaic, for one o f the most consistently delicious and quality-filled meals we’ve had in a very long time…

There are few all-day dining restaurants in Doha that will inspire us to forgo our weekend lie-in and get excited for lunch. However, Mosaic at the stunning Mandarin Oriental Doha is definitely one of them. If you’re not acquainted with the latest opening in town, let us give you a quick intro. The beautiful Mandarin Oriental Doha is located in the centre of Msheireb Downtown and overlooking Barahat Msheireb town square, the newest landmark for the city and within walking distance to top attractions such as Souq Waqif and the Musuem of Islamic Art. Here, Middle Eastern charm meets Mandarin Oriental’s legendary hospitality, a philosophy that is also carried effortlessly into the food and beverage offered at the hotel.

Walking into Mosaic is like coming to a charming family gathering; casual yet classy where the food and the surroundings are showcased in equal measure. Mosaic is where you go when you’re craving good food yet can’t decide exactly what your taste buds are gearing towards. Nine speciality open kitchens include Japanese Sushi and Sashimi, Arabic Grill, Asian Wok, Rotisserie, Tandoori Oven, Yakitori and Charcoal Grill, Traditional Bread Oven, Dessert and a refreshing Juice and Smoothie Counter. For an all-day dining, this place is really elevating a simple lunch experience to new heights. Dishes are designed for sampling and guests can expect a culinary journey inspired by the famed Silk Route.

Located on one of the hotel’s top floors, views of Barahat Msheireb, Al Corniche and West Bay offer a mesmerising backdrop. In fact, as we sip on one of the tastiest and most refreshing virgin apple mojitos, we admire views of the iconic Souq Waqif. It’s so close yet it feels like you’re enjoying a truly exclusive moment, looking towards one of the city’s favoured landmarks. There’s something about the serenity in this and as we sip on our drink, we’re reminded that something as straightforward as a Juice Bar can really make all the difference at lunch. We commend the restaurant for coming up with the concept!

Another lovely surprise is the warm and welcoming staff. Usually, in a hotel of this magnitude, it can be hard to get genuine and heartfelt service, but at Mosaic it’s present from the second you arrive. It’s also fantastic to see that, clearly, the culinary team is made up of chefs who are expert in their cooking area and cuisine. For example, we learn that the Tandoori Oven is operated by a highly-skilled tandoori chef, whilst the sushi is prepared by the intricate hands of chefs who have done this extensively, and the Rotisserie where mouthwatering Peruvian chicken is cooked, works at the hands of an Argentinian chef who knows exactly what he’s doing! This approach to gastronomy in the hotel is a sincere and excellent one. Just one more reason to eat at Mosaic!

Now, let’s get down to business. Food is the name of the game and Mosaic is here to play with all the best contenders from a vast epicurean landscape. To start with, a sampling tray of lush cold mezze whets our appetite for the main show. We’re talking tangy Muhammara, smoky Baba Ghanoush, creamy Hummous, and a few other classics. It’s the fluffy hot bread that seals the deal, reminding us of all the carby goodness we ate on a trip to Istanbul. Lo-and-behold, the chef advises us that there is a slight Turkish influence in the preparation of the bread which is sprinkled with sesame seeds and a total hit at the table.

If we had to pick the station from which our favourite dishes came, it would hands down be the Japanese. We certainly were not expecting the high-quality ingredients and also the authentic cooking methods. The pan-fried option as well as the siu mai are real moments of “mmmh” whilst the California Roll is a single bite of perfection. You won’t be disappointed.

Other notable dishes included the VERY scrumptious Heirloom Tomato and Truffle pide. The flavours are a marriage made in foodie dreams and as the cheese oozes off on the hot doughy base, we want to scoop up every single piece to ourselves. The Robatayaki selection also treats our palate to beautiful flavours, especially the Atlantic Salmon coated in BBQ miso and chives – it’s an actual revelation and we’re lucky to have tried it!

Furthermore, the assorted Tandoori Kebab with exquisite naan bread really steals the show. Having not had Seekh Kebab in a while, we dived in and pretty much inhaled the juicy meat, dipping it in an addictive coriander and mint chutney. SO. SO. GOOD! For people who are not really huge fans of chicken, we find ourselves picking away at the Peruvian-style Rotisserie chicken, sliced into manageable pieces, we actually can’t get enough and that’s definitely a testament to the delightful preparation.

For dessert, the Pecan and Pistachio Brownie has us thanking our tummies for keeping just that little bit of extra room for us to be able to satisfy our sweet tooth. Wonderfully moist and with a rich but not heavy dark chocolate taste, we also loved the Tahitian Vanilla ice cream which offset the combination of a classic dessert, flawlessly.

Innovative approaches to dining like providing kids with their very own colourful cutlery, is something we adore about Mosaic and largely the Mandarin Oriental brand. Their attention to detail is above and beyond, something we also noticed in the presentation of the food but also the friendliness of the staff. Mosaic is one hundred per cent the one-stop shop for a diverse lunch of many quality cuisines. As long as the standards stay high, we’re sure that this is soon going to be an award winning venue in Doha. ✤


GO: OPEN FOR BREAKFAST FROM 6.30AM TO 10.30AM; LUNCH IS SERVED FROM 12NOON TO 2.30PM AND DINNER SERVICE RUNS FROM 6PM TO 11PM. CALL 4008 8888 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION

 

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