Iftar Buffets
Well two Iftar Buffets done, and I have decided to publish my thoughts so far.
Normally I head to the 5 star hotels for a predictable Iftar buffet that ends with me feeling full, unwell and overcharged. So this year I am going to see if I can feel full and unwell but not overcharged.
My first Iftar Buffet was believe it or not, in Applebee's Dar Al Salam. At a cost of QR 90 each this seemed like a good deal. You get a soup and unlimited starter type courses from a buffet table. Then you get to choose from a list of mains which included two steak dishes. Then desert from the buffet table again.
The lentil soup was lovely so that was a good start. The starter buffet looked awesome and I thought I had struck gold with this one. However having eaten the contents of my plate I would summarise this course as hmmmm... ok. The main was a steak ordered as meduim to rare and I got well done. Back it went, and when it came back it was medium, but I couldn't be bothered to send it back again so I eat it.
The steak was salty, tough and tasteless. Not what you would expect from a steak house. My dining partner swapped her plate with mine half way through as she had chosen a different steak dish and stupidly thought mine looked better. Her steak was also overcooked, over salted and tasteless but not quite so tough. Desert was very, very disappointing; some fruit and a cake like thing and that was it. There were posh sounding drinks that were very underwhelming throughout the meal. Was I full... yup, was I feeling unwell... yup, was I overcharged... hell yes, would I go there again... nope. Complete waste of QR 200 (after an undeserved tip of QR 20).
Last night it was off to the Merweb. Their buffet is normally QR 120, but I used some of my QGRABS vouchers that I had bought online for QR 60 per person. Their salad bar was it's usual good quality, and I have no complaints there. The main hot buffet was ok, but had a very, very limited selection. The desert was the Merweb's usual total disappointment. There were the usual juices on offer and they were ok. Was I full... yup, was I feeling unwell... yup, was I overcharged... if I had paid the full price of QR 120 I would have absolutely been overcharged, as I paid QR 60 I felt I could have probably got better from somewhere like Caravan or Ponderosa for the same money. Would I go there again? I have to, I still have two vouchers left :(
So I am still looking for the best value Iftar Buffet. I will let you know how my quest continues.
tb ,, thanks
will be waiting for the next review :O)
Qr.240/- for a person is too high. If you have Pakistani taste buds, try Zaoq Iftar Buffet for 95/-per person. Though I didn't try it yet, but can recommend confidently:P
you know 'Aqua' is costlier then Petrol here...:(
TB let me know closer to the time say by the Friday before so can book you for that. Only one issue which I have with them is that all the juices like Strawberry, apple juice, vimto, Leban etc are inclisive even tea and coffee is inclided but have to pay QR3 for a big bottle of water! lol
That's a generous offer UK, and I may take you up on it. Thank's buddy.
you are right TB, all venues are just using the opportunity to make a quick buck....therefore, just throw tat vouchers somewhere inside my car and forget it ! :(
TB if you like I can book for your Al Ghazal Club only problem is that its on Saturday for a reasonable price of QR65. Plenty of Food for that price!
If any other QLer is also interested let me know!
I still have vouchers for other venues from Qgrabs Sulieman, so there is still hope for a reasonably priced but quality Iftar buffet. But I have my doubt's. I am starting to think all venues are just using the opportunity to make a quick buck not do customers a favor. That's good business I guess.
Rizky buddy it's for people with more money than sense
:O(
I saw no recommendation in this thread, Isn't there any good Iftar buffet
215 without the juice...lols
wat the hell they are charging tat big amount for when they cant offer a simple juice ? :(
TB - Thanks for sharing Parco Mall idea might try that tonight as the everyday food from the same shop is getting a bit boring for me!
"2. I would like to try Sharq village and spa (Al Deewan Restauran)"
I lived in the Sharq during Ramadan years back, and got totally fed up with their Iftar Buffet. Mind you I don't know if it has changed any since then.
I am starting to think Parco Mall is my favorite Iftar venue. Their food hall has everything I want and I can mix and match from a fabulous variety of outlets much cheaper than an all in one buffet.
SA now that is lot of money for an Iftar buffet. Not good for the pocket and if you eat too much to make it worth the money it might not be good for the body too.
Ah SA... that would mean going back to being full, unwell and overcharged at the end of the meal. I am trying to drop the feeling overcharged bit ;)
then I would say
1. Intercontinental in Westbay (My first choice for Iftar outside home)
215 to 240 QAR per person (215 without the juice)
2. I would like to try Sharq village and spa (Al Deewan Restauran)
How can I you refer Khanan? Is there an option?
what about our Shisha night what time do you finish the Taraweeh?
UK : You can refer me so I get some points:)
I too missed that one. Anyways I have few to consume , starting tomorrow.
Will post reviews then.
Yes TB the Salt Spa.. :)
If you are waiting for today's Qgrabs deal, I hope you enjoy your spa.
Just notice the above deal is completely sold out, wil lhave to wait till tomorrows deals now!
Todays Qgrabs deals are for Horizon Manor Hotel.
Tempting at QR49 for a buffet!
http://qgrabs.com/deals/horizon-manor-hotel-doha-iftar-sarangi-qd00000231
So far only one Iftar buffet done for me.
Did my Company Club Buffet at QR65 at Al Ghazal Club. Food was plenty but the choice of the mains was a bit limited this year.
Conveyed my thoughts to the man in charged who promised that next Saturday they would improve, as if I would come back.
Was told by Khanan about QGrabs and will try one of the vouchers soon if like the place.
nice ill be using my wok of fame brochure also soon :D
Try Try Try :) :) :) and Provide us feedback :P :P
lol don't lose your hope...and keep us updated:P
happygolucky lol. A colleague was planning to go there. Will check and post if he had gone.
TB is normally heading to 5star iftar so thought he might be interested in another one.
Try the buffet in Mehfil Restaurant in Grand Regal Hotel for Qr. 115. Not tried yet but I hope it will be good, God knows.
lol cherukkan...:) Looking for a scapegoat, eh!
No buffets for me. It is a sure shot activity for weight gain and all that comes with it...:)
"Someone who buys vouchers can't be slim! He plans to get fat"
Correction... should read...
"Someone who buys vouchers can't be slim! He plans to continue to be fat"
I prefer to have it in the comfort of my home.
ROFL.... me slim... hahahahahaha
Applebee's had a bit of atmosphere. Mainly expats with children and it was light hearted and friendly. The staff were willing, just a little incapable, but very friendly. Getting food from the buffet was no problem at all and everything was on offer all the time.
Merweb was like a morgue. The customers were gloomy, the service was virtually silent and I couldn't wait to leave. However the front of house staff were first class, fast, efficient and friendly. It was the customers who were miserable. The buffet had a tiny cue, but then the buffet was also tiny. Yes they ran out of stuff which did get refilled but not very quickly so the kitchen gets a negative point from me.
"I think he's slim built"...lols Yea very slim tat one can clearly see his 6 packs abs....:)
TB's doing some hunting on iftar buffets, which satisfy him well and not overcharged. I think he's slim built.
I have already paid for the vouchers at a cost of QR 60 each, of course I am going to use them. But there is nothing more to pay.
TFS, how about ppl there coz i consider it a main point, (e.g. al-Demashqi rest. al-sadd is considered to be very good food quality and reasonable price Qr.70 but ppl there sucks, they rush to the buffet as if it is the first time they see food, and the buffet is not refilled again properly)
He is not poor, poors dont head towards 5 star hotels...:(