Publications

Articles, videos and reviews posted here and published elsewhere.

Iftar @ Streets of Arabia – A Snapchat Story

Categories I'm Always Hungry, My Expat Life, Publications, Review, Snapchat

Inspired by the success of Street Food Doha, the lovely Doha Marriott is at it again for the second year with Streets of Arabia. Dishes from all corners of the region, such as Sudan, Morocco and Qatar, are the stars of the streets. I started with the Moroccan harira soup and was tempted to go for seconds but there was much to discover throughout the restaurant gallery turned street food galore.

Headed to Sudan for stew, Egypt for hawashy, Lebanon for grills, Qatar for majbous, Turkey for kavurma and India for dahi vada. I was not disappointed in the least bit! Desserts were good, the qatayef were a hit for me. I just wish they had them in serving sizes rather than “serve yourself” type setup, people get a little too excited around desserts. #JustSaying

Service, as always, was professional and friendly. I just wish some of the serving staff were more knowledgable of some of the dishes they were serving. The setup is simple, nothing over the top, but nothing plain either. It’s a very chill and casual space for iftar, my kind of chill to be honest. It’s so chill, even the famous Ramadan camels, Bashoosh and Sahara were just chilling in the warm breeze outside the hotel with their new baby girl, Samara. Yep, it’s a girl! Woohoo!

Iftar @ Al Jawhara – A Snapchat Story

Categories I'm Always Hungry, My Expat Life, Publications, Review, Snapchat
Al Jawhara Oasis Ramadan Tent - InterContinental The City Hotel Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

For the third year running, Al Jawhara of The Intercontinental The City has been a hidden gem of the Ramadan season. Not a ridiculously expansive buffet, just the good stuff in the beautifully decorated hall.

The decor remains as the classic Arabian night theme. Seatings are set up nicely and rearrange accordingly, giving you space to move and every seat was a good seat to see the live band and tanora dancer during suhour. On the sides, you have tent like booth seatings and lit lanterns throughout the hall.

The service within the tent is very attentive, friendly and always with a smile. Management and marketing teams passed by to genuinely check on us, which did not just happen because we were invited guests but it’s consistent to how we’ve been treated as paying guests as well. I very much appreciate the consistency in the service provided.

For 195QR, you’re getting your money’s worth! Desserts was probably my favorite this time around, especially the fresh crepes with orange sauce which I topped with chocolate ice cream and nuts. Qatayef were made fresh as well and probably the best I’ve had in a very long time in Qatar. Last year, the freshly made shawarma wraps here was my favorite, done to absolute perfection. Sadly this time around, didn’t get my hands on the shawarma as it seemed to have run out on my two visits to the station.

Overall, I believe the buffet menu changes so you don’t necessarily get the same thing twice in one week. The only constant is the live cooking stations dedicated to pasta, shawarma and one of the dessert sections. Yep, there are two dessert sections!

I have to give them props for monitoring not only the food’s freshness but preventing waste. In speaking with the team, they noted that food was made almost to order (quantity to bookings with fresh additions as needed) to help prevent waste. Suhour was a la carte last year but by popular demand, the buffet is back but on a smaller scale to prevent waste. Kudos ICTC team!

Note: I’ve been to Al Jawhara Ramadan Tent a few times over the years, both as a guest and customer. My opinions on my blog and social media are strictly my own. Please contact if you’d like permission to share/repost this content.

Iftar Tasting @ L’auberge – A Snapchat Story

Categories I'm Always Hungry, My Expat Life, Publications, Review, Snapchat1 Comment on Iftar Tasting @ L’auberge – A Snapchat Story
L'auberge - Warwick Doha Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

In case you missed it, here’s my Snapchat story from the Iftar Tasting at L’auberge in Warwick Hotel Doha.

Throughout the month of Ramadan, L’auberge will be hosting an Arabian iftar with a Turkish flair. Have to say my favorite dish was the chicken maqluba and of course the dessert selection by renowned Egyptian pastry chef, Amin Wahba. Do not miss out on his famous feteer or oum ali, made fresh every night. #YumminessAchieved!

Note: I was a guest of L’auberge but my opinions on my blog and social media are strictly my own. Please contact if you’d like permission to share/repost this content.

Ladies’ Night @ Trader Vic’s – A Snapchat Story

Categories I'm Always Hungry, My Expat Life, Publications, Review, Snapchat6 Comments on Ladies’ Night @ Trader Vic’s – A Snapchat Story

Trader Vic's - Hilton Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato In case you didn’t know, every Wednesday night is Ladies’ Night at Trader Vics, Hilton Doha! Unlimited drinks and bites for two hours for 100QR! Even us hijabis and/or non drinkers can join in on the fun!🍹

You can read my review on Zomato and watch the full Snapchat story below!

 

Note: I’ve been to Trader Vic’s for Ladies’ night a few times, both as a guest and customer. My opinions on my blog and social media are strictly my own. Please contact if you’d like permission to share/repost this content.

All About That Girl Power

Categories Food, I'm Always Hungry, Publications

All About that Girl Power
By: Ms. Hala Abdoun for BQ Plus via Zomato
Originally Published: March 2017
Publication Source: BQ-Magazine.com
Republished on the Zomato Community Blog under the title, Celebrating Women’s Day in Doha

Article on pages 38-40

All About That Girl Power!
Hala Abdoun for Zomato Qatar

March is the month we celebrate Girl Power! We take the time to appreciate the fantastic women in our lives, starting with our mothers of course. We remember her hugs, her kisses and her cooking, which was really hugs and kisses in a bowl, right?

Celebrating Women is the latest collection on Zomato showcasing the top eateries that are either owned and/or cheffed by women. With over 3,500 restaurants in Doha alone, these nine eateries truly shine with the unique and awesome power of the women in charge!

9. La Creme
Where:  Royal Plaza Shopping Mall, Al Sadd
Rating: 3.4 / 5
Sweet Power: Considered a hidden gem by many foodies, this sweet spot is all about fulfilling your sweet tooth. Owned by the classically trained Chef Nicole, she has spent years perfecting each bakeable recipe, from the popular goodie jars to customized tiered cakes.

8. Nineties Cafe
Where: Souq Al Wakra, Al Wakrah
Rating: 3.4 / 5
Nostalgia Power: Anyone else nostalgic for the good days of the 1990’s? We sure wish we could turn back the hands of time. Lucky for us, we’ve got Maryam running the cafe that gives us all the feels from back in the day. This place serves up a simple menu of waffle bubbles to go with your favorite drink of the day.

7. Shay Al Shoomos
Where: Al Jasra Street, Souq Waqif
Rating: 3.4 / 5
Mama Power: Remember when mama worked her magic over a small kitchen stove to produce a feast? Qatari Chef Shams does exactly that! She’s cooking up her famous rogag with all kinds of fixings, brewing up pots of shay and treating her customers like they were all her own children. Thanks mama!

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6. Italia Mia
Where: Behind Souq Waqif Art Center, Souq Waqif 
Rating: 3.6 / 5
Pasta Power: Want to eat like a true Italian without leaving Doha? Try out what the dedicated following this hidden gem has amassed are raving about. In the heart of Souq Waqif are dishes upon dishes of homemade pastas and everything in between to make you feel like you’re in Italy. Mamma mia!

5. Korean Garden
Where: C Ring Road, Fereej Bin Mahmoud
Rating: 3.7 / 5
Fusion Power: Many think Asian fusion dishes are a new trend in Doha but that’s far from the truth. Owner Yun Hee Lee is the Asian fusion trendsetter, serving up Korean and Japanese fusion dishes in one of the oldest Asian restaurants in Doha. So much the trendsetter, BQ Plus deemed it one of the Best Asian Restaurants back in the September 2016 issue. You Go Girl!

4. Thai Cuisine
Where: Al Jazira Street, Fereej Bin Mahmoud
Rating: 3.7 / 5
Delivery Power: Any place that makes sure you are eating at the comfort of your home will almost always have a place in our hearts. Owner and Chef Korn Kanok Penglong has made sure you get your favorite Thai dishes ready to pick up or delivered to your comfortable couch (or bed, we don’t judge) in time for your TV binging.

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3. Mamig
Where: Katara Cultural Village, Katara
Rating: 3.8 / 5
Star Power: Chef Zarmig is a celebrity here in the Qatar food scene and rightfully so! She’s the power behind the only high end Armenian Lebanese restaurant around. She’s tapped into everything we truly love perfectly: good food, smooth sheeshas and live music overseeing the Doha skyline from the heart of Katara. 

2. Three Peppers Restaurant
Where: Old Airport Road, Old Airport Area
Rating: 4.1 / 5
Pepper Power: Just like a small pepper packs a big punch, this small place packs three big punches! Chef Mary’s take on authentic Chinese eats is probably the reason behind why the Old Airport area is always so jam packed. This hidden gem fills up faster than you can say “Szechuan chicken please!”

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1. Nistantasi Bakose
Where: Melia Doha, Dafna
Rating: 4.3 / 5
Gold Power: And topping the list is the one restaurant garnishing the ever popular Turkish kebab with gold. That’s right, GOLD! Fonda and her husband Ahmet have brought the finest dishes from their main Istanbul restaurant to Doha to become an overnight sensation. She oversees all the ingredients coming into Qatar straight from Turkey and keeps the chefs on their toes to serve up what foodies have deemed the best Turkish restaurant in town.

We’ve run out of space but we can’t end this powerful list without some honorable mentions. The Pearl is now complete with the opening of it’s first Thai restaurant, White Oryx. Raved for baking up the best cookies in town is the perfectly named, Sweet Moments The Boutique. And in the third floor of Marriott Marquis is Aziza, serving up levantine favorites.

Don’t miss out! Download the Zomato app, bookmark these restaurants and celebrate these women today and every day!

All images courtesy of Zomato Community Blog unless otherwise noted