Embarking on a memorable meal, SD tells us all about her dining experience at Jamavar Doha.
Being one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in Qatar, Jamavar brings its legacy from London, to the shores of Doha and has made a name for itself in the local fine dining scene. Located in the iconic Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, this acclaimed restaurant is our choice for tonight – to savour its flavours, experience its ambience and discover why this is one of Doha’s best restaurants.
We arrive and are greeted by the staff, and escorted to our table, right in the centre of one of two dining areas.
We immediately notice how striking the space is, reminiscent of a members-only style diner in one of India’s large metro cities. The colonial interiors beautifully blend with contemporary elegance. It feels almost as if we’re dining in a room in the presidential palace from decades ago. This would be the perfect movie set!
There is an incredible amount of detail and seamless integration between large pieces of décor and subtle motifs, brought together in a warm ambience. There is understated luxury everywhere you look – from the Lutyen-inspired chandeliers to the mirror and glass work on the walls. Stylish nods to colonial India engulf the space and, despite the intricacies, nothing is overbearing. Everything just makes sense.
Jamavar is a type of intricate Kashmiri motif, and the restaurant has been aptly named. Beautiful frames of Jamavar designs are placed around the venue. The rattan chairs, a very traditional Indian style, feature a twist of sophistication with leather cushions on top.
The menu boasts a rich tapestry of flavours from the mountainous regions of the north to the coasts of the south. Today, we’re going with the tasting menu. Chef Surender Mohan is a powerhouse of talent and that’s clearly reflected in this upscale menu. He passes by our table and greets us – a humble man who lets his culinary artistry speak for itself.
Our hostess Lisa is well spoken, knowledgeable and goes into the details of every dish before placing it on our table. She brings some pappadum with four impressive chutneys – the best one being a smoked red pepper variant. While we’re indulging in India’s favourite snack, we’re served with some Mango Lassi (a yoghurt based beverage) served in rose gold copper cups. Stunning.
After a round of local-themed mocktails, all with grand presentations, our first course arrives – a Lobster Idly Sambhar. Any Indian food afficionado recognises this classic breakfast dish from South India, a staple diet for many. Chef Surender has reimagined it with an elevated lobster version, but what’s really interesting is that every component of this dish retains its authentic flavour. The coconut chutney tastes like home, and the sambhar (a spiced sauce with thin consistency) is as traditional as it gets.
The Tulsi Chicken Tikka arrives next and we immediately dig in. The heat in this chicken is not for the weak. This isn’t a crowd-pleaser. You have to really appreciate the Indian green chilli to love this basil-marinated chicken breast. Luckily, it’s served with a pickled radish and cumin yoghurt that helps dial down the heat.
The next course is served – Raan-E-Jamavar. It is as regal as it sounds. The Indian lamb leg is fall-apart tender and the signature spice blend really lifts it up. The gold leaf on top is testament to how luxurious this dish is. A side of sprout salad adds some crunch, but this Raan is magnificent on its own. The mains are served together (with individual portions for each of us) and we taste the Tempered Lentils before anything else. If we’re to go by this dish alone, a truly superior experience awaits. It’s perfectly spicy and tangy, served in a beautiful, small copper bowl.
A vegetable preparation – Aloo Til Til Ka – sits in the centre, generously doused with sesame seeds and chilli flakes. The pairing with the daal is just perfect.
The Murgh Nihari – a delicious chicken curry – is everything you’d expect from an Indian gravy, and more. The spices really stand out and, despite having tried over a hundred variants of curry, there is something very unique in the flavours. We dip our garlic butter naans and relish it.
A Chicken Biryani is part of the mains. Who are we to refuse one of India’s signature foods, even though we’re near our intake capacity? As Lisa serves us, the whiff of aromatic biryani spices takes over.
Everything is going well until we have our first spoon of Leela’s Lobster Neeruli. The Omani lobster is well spiced and stewed in a coconut milk gravy. Our entire experience has just gone up a notch, this is an absolutely brilliant dish – the coastal flavours are really standout, the lobster is perfectly cooked and the spices feel nostalgic yet unique. The coconut and seafood are a stellar combo – mildly spicy with an indulgent creaminess and the perfect level of acidity to cut through. We pair it with a flawless, flaky Laccha Paratha – an ideal one is hard to perfect, but Jamavar knows exactly what it’s doing. This dish is addictive, we can’t stop eating it and, quite frankly, we’ve never tasted anything like it. If there’s just one dish to go back to Jamavar for, it’s Leela’s Lobster Neeruli.
The dessert course sounds simple but is rather complex in its flavours and presentation. We have just about enough space for it. Four pieces of Saffron Jalebi made with gram flour sit atop some milky Rabdi – a crunchy, sweet ending. The pistachio crumbles and almond slivers on top add an extra dimension of subtle flavour and more crunch. Alongside is a portion of Mango Rasmalai, a luxurious, tropical twist on a classic milkbased dessert, originating from the Bengal region in India. Now, it’s hard to explain the ingredients, but imagine a soft, spongy, creamy, indulgent (we can go on…) bite in a dense Mango Shrikhand sauce. The dehydrated raspberry bits and blueberry jelly on top really bring the dish together, adding a fruity balance to the milky textures.
This dinner easily sits in our top five fine-dining experiences in Doha list. It’s hardly a surprise that Jamavar has earned a Michelin star – tonight’s experience makes it abundantly clear why. With impeccable service, masterfully crafted dishes that really do not compromise on traditional flavours and exquisite presentation, it has nailed the art of fine dining.
For more information or to make a reservation, please call Jamavar Doha
at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel on 4485 3000.
@jamavardoha
@sheratongranddoha