SERENDIPITOUS DELAY IN DOHA
We found ourselves stranded at Doha International. On the bright side, I got to see a bit of Qatar, but it was the food that bowled me over
Accidents are, by definition, things that should be avoided at all costs. But then they wouldn’t be accidents if they could be
avoided.
Thankfully, there are what we call happy accidents. Some will call it serendipity. You’re walking down the street absent-mindedly when you literally bump into this person. You knock her bag out of her hand in the process. You clumsily go down on your knees to collect the contents of her bag, which have been scattered on the ground.
As you get back on your feet, apologising profusely, this woman is smiling at you. You suddenly recognise her from 15 years ago when you were in the same class at varsity. Back then you wanted to introduce yourself to her but each time you saw her you got so nervous you’d break into a sweat.
Now here she is smiling at you, asking how you’ve been. So you ask her out for a drink. A few months later you’re walking this woman down the aisle. This happened to one of my cousins.
Let me tell you about my happy accident: last weekend I was on my way to Norway on Qatar Airways, with an expected connection flight at Doha, Qatar. But we had a three-hour delay even before we left OR Tambo International. This had a domino effect on the rest of my itinerary. Together with hundreds of irate fellow passengers, we suddenly found ourselves stranded at Doha International, having missed our connecting flights. We were taken to Oryx Rotana Hotel to wait for our connecting flight the following day.
Here comes the bright side. I got to see a bit of Qatar which I don’t think I would have visited of my own volition.
But it was the food at the Choices Restaurant that bowled me over. I’d been to Saudi Arabia, now I wanted to see how the Qatari kitchen fared.
For lunch I had lamb harees — a blended stew of lamb leg, wheat, fried onions, cashew nuts and parsley. A huge disappointment, it had the appearance and flavour of lentil soup. Not even a sliver of meat. But dinner turned things around. Covering parts of South Asia, the Middle East, Turkey, North Africa and Andalusia, the buffet is truly an international experience. Pieces of braised goat side by side with prawns; boiled lamb next to exquisite grilled veggies; saffron rice, basmati rice.
The conservative use of spices was surprisingly refreshing — just enough to give the food flavour, but allowing the food to tell its own story.
Many chefs tend to cover up their inadequate talents by smothering food in layers of spices.
The desserts and fresh fruit — oh my word, what a cornucopia. They cut no corners there. You wouldn’t believe you were in the middle of a desert. Fresh strawberries, bananas, pears, all the fruit you could think of.
Then again, this is one of the richest countries in the world so it can afford to import everything without feeling a dent in the pocket.
The buffet was 199 Qatari riyals (the equivalent of R799) which compares favourably with my recent dining experiences in Franschhoek. And I had more food than I could deal with, compared to those miserly Franschhoek portions I wrote about.
The restaurant itself is massive and ornate. Very high ceilings. Mirrors and shiny floors all over. Bling-bling fit for royalty.
The next time you get lost and land in Qatar, do pay this place a visit.
The conservative use of spices was refreshing. I had more food than I could deal with. And what a cornucopia of fresh fruit!
Choices Restaurant
Oryx Rotana Hotel, Al Matar Street, Doha, Qatar Tel: +974-4402-3333
★★★★★ Fikile Mbalula
★★★★ Blitzboks
★★★ Matshela Koko
★★ Proteas
★ Donald Trump
★★★★★