AILYN AGONIA

DOHA EATING outlets and hotels across the country are decked up for the festive season. Besides decorating its interiors with colour and holiday flavour, staff members have left no stone unturned in preparing an elaborate menu for their patrons and guests on the occasion of Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

“In the true spirit of Christmas and New Year, we are delighted to offer the best of the season to all,” said Steven Kalczynski, general manager of Sheraton Doha.

Sheraton Doha, the oldest hotel in the country, kicked off its festive theme with a Winter Market which opened earlier in December. The bazaar which features a selection of cookies, pastries and cakes is open from 6.30pm to 7.30pm and will continue till December 26. The Doha Sheraton choir, who has been entertaining hotel guests for several years, will be now serenading the shoppers and guests.

Those looking for a romantic getaway on the Christmas Eve can visit Sheraton’s popular rooftop restaurant Al Shaheen. The eatery is offering a four-course menu of international cuisine from 7pm to 11.30pm, to cost QR260.

La Veranda is also offering a three-course Christmas Eve dinner menu for QR230, Al Hubara restaurant has dished out a dinner buffet for QR240 and Latino restaurant will host an Argentine Night, featuring a four-course dinner menu for QR270.

To welcome the New Year, Sheraton will host ‘countdown events’ in most of its outlets. Topclass countdown and exquisite dinner at Al Shaheen costs QR470, La Veranda’s Buon Anno is priced at QR290, seafood dinner buffet at Al Hubara for QR 270 and dance party at Irish Harp and The WaterHole for QR150.

Meanwhile, InterContinental Doha Hotel has lined up an array of choices for the season, including traditional Christmas treats to be prepared by its team of international chefs.

On December 24, its Tex-Mex restaurant, Paloma, will be offering special turkey dishes and live performance by Big Mouth Band and DJ Shadi. For its part, The Café restaurant will prepare a lavish buffet with a selection of Christmas treats at QR 295 (a person), a Greek festive menu at Mykonos at QR 225 (a person) and special menus at Belgian Café for QR 225 (a person).

Al Wajbah Ballroom will offer exquisite buffet with all the seasonal dishes at QR345 per person and will feature a host of children’s activities on the Christmas day.

As part of its special treats to welcome 2012, The Café restaurant will offer a grand festive buffet at QR395 (per person), the enthusiasts can have a three-course celebratory menu for QR395 (a person) at Belgian Café, a four-course set menu for QR 595 at Fish Market and countdown party at Paloma and Lava for QR150 (a person).

At Ritz-Calrton, Christmas Eve dinner at its Porcini restaurant will feature a five-course menu by Chef Ricardo Acquista for QR520 and a five-course menu by Chef Frederic Delormes at La Mer is available for QR560.

On the Christmas day, a family- friendly brunch at Al Wosail Ballroom will be organised from 12noon to 4pm for QR250 or QR350 and half price for children between the ages of four and 12 years.