A PARISIAN GEM BLOOMS AT THE PEARL-QATAR

Slipping down a unique Silk Road fusion journey with OHLALA’s Lindsey Steenkamp.

Three months ago, the Paris-based restaurant Shirvan Métisse opened its third outlet worldwide, right on our doorstep at The Pearl-Qatar. Slipping down this unique Silk Road fusion journey with an exploration of the lavish interpretations of Michelin-starred chef Akrame Benallal, whose inspiration, as the name suggests, came from the ancient Azerbaijan province of Shirvan.

The journey begins as I enter the restaurant and feel enticed by the sonic ambience created by the international upbeat lounge music. I’m captivated by the ghostlike ceiling pendants dangling from ornately laser-cut wooden ceilings nestled atop interior treetops acting as pillars. As I sit down and start to notice the elegant details of the cutlery displayed in front of me, a passionate hostess welcomes me and immediately divulges her ambitious mocktail offerings. I’m leaning towards something fresh to clean my palate as I anticipate my food to follow. The Spices Garden mocktail is my first choice as it hosts passion fruit puree, rose water, fresh mint, honey and an infusion of my favourite spice, saffron.

Gregoire, the head of operations and our main host, immediately sets the tone for the overall experience as he delivers a surprise side dish called Et Qutab, an Azeri grilled bread stuffed with lamb, onion and sumac topped with pomegranate sauce. The salty lamb combined with the sweet and sour sensation is delicious and pleasantly intriguing.

My usual go-to starter is always tuna tartare and I easily jump on an oyster carousel when I get the chance. A unique Black Hummus with activated charcoal catches my eye and I decide to pair it with cheese naan bread. Yes, they serve naan bread and I have already set my eyes on the truffle naan for my next visit. I’m impressed with the rich and smoky flavour of the hummus.

The Red Tuna Tartare arrives in an ornately patterned glass plate not only a feast for the eyes, but the taste buds as well. A rich and creamy texture broken by the fresh and flavourful tuna, topped with a crunch of winter asparagus. The two elegantly garnished Oysters Chermoulah arrive on a bed of ice. They are carefully created with a slash of Moroccan chermoula sauce, salmon eggs marinated with white balsamic vinegar and lemon. They are decorated like tiny pieces of art with edible flowers, and I fall in love with the interesting array of flavours that erupts with every bite.

The performance turns progressively more luscious as the night wears on with the main course. With every corner of the Silk Road covered on the menu, my heart is set on trying the Morrocan-inspired Lobster Pastilla. Creamy lobster pieces are served on a bed of rice noodles and topped with crunchy, golden phyllo pastry. Upon serving, a decadent sauce is poured over the ingredients and the hostess crunches the Pastilla (phyllo pastry) with a spoon and fork, mixing the ingredients in the dish served at the table.

The perfectly seasoned creation delights every sense with rich and smooth flavours and is complemented with a crunchy texture.

For a red meat option on the table, I opted for the lamb chops marinated with homemade harissa sauce, served with a pistachio and yoghurt sauce and a mixed herb and yoghurt sauce. The lamb is as soft as butter and packed with wondrous aromas.

The sweet finale before the curtain drops on a delightful night, is the classic, homemade Pistachio Ice Cream, topped with a texture of salted caramel and chopped pistachio. The ice cream is smooth, dreamy and not overly sweet. Alongside this, is a more dashing, chocolate flirtation called, Chocolate Delicacy. An over-the-top chocolate experience in the shape of chocolate squares towered over chocolate mousse. A taste and texture sensation that I have never experienced before.

I would recommend sharing a few of the dishes as they are rich and come in generous servings; this way you can try more than one of the magical ensembles. I will most definitely return with guests that I would like to impress. The overall attention to detail on every touchpoint at Shirvan Métisse Doha is meticulous, with exceptional experiences and superior customer service. Their elegant interpretation of the Silk Road journey with a lively atmosphere is guaranteed to make your heart and your taste buds skip a few beats.