With Valentine’s Day the biggest thought on your mind is always where should you go for a lovely celebration with your significant other. Whilst most residents will find themselves in the restaurants within West Bay or The Pearl Qatar, we suggest you don’t overlook the stand alone restaurants outside of these popular foodie haunts.
If we told you to head to the Jaidah Square Building in Umm Ghuwailina don’t be confused, we’re not telling you to buy your beloved a new car or some books (although of course that is your choice)!
Rather we suggest you check out Papermoon restaurant – the little sibling to La Spiga (W Doha Hotel), but it would be a shame not to give this stand alone restaurant the credit it deserves.
Papermoon Doha
The entrance to Papermoon is a little difficult to find. It is located on the first floor so when you find the entrance you enter a small vestibule-like corridor. From there you take an elevator to the main dining room, where it seems you find another world of dining elegance.
The classical interiors and subdued lighting provide a cosy and relaxed dining experience. The restaurant also has an outdoors terrace which hosts regular retro movie showings.
Whilst waiting for the starters to be served we enjoyed cold drinks, and were particularly enamoured of a fruity mango concoction with dragon fruit and mint.
The menu focuses on traditional Italian basics with some culinary nods to perfection. The starters were delicious: a crisp and fresh Rocket Salad, and a rich Eggplant and Mozzarella layered dish.
As with any good Italian restaurant there is plenty of fresh pasta to choose from, and we enjoyed a hearty homemade ravioli with an indulgent snow-like flurry of shaved truffle. Not to be missed (keep an eye out for Papermoon Doha’s special week of Truffles in February)!
Enjoying a pizza in Papermoon Doha is akin to being transported to the European nation. A slight charred crispy base packed full of tuna and layers of cheese – delicious carb overload for the days you need it!
The surprise of the meal was the lamb chops which were plated with flair, and were full of flavour thanks to the right proportion of fat. The accompanying grilled vegetables were almost an afterthought as this dish was most definitely all about the meat.
Having enjoyed some hearty Italian fare we ordered the chocolate fondant for dessert. Unfortunately the molten inside was not as gooey as we would have liked, but that’s a diner faux pas as we took too long to take pictures of the pretty plating! Rich hot chocolatey goodness with a creamy coconut ice cream – it’s a perfect end to a night of great Italian hits.
Papermoon Doha provides excellent service, delicious plates of food, and an ambience that bodes well for any upcoming Valentine’s Day celebrations – well worth the effort to hunt it down.
For more information and reservations call +97440166000 or email [email protected]
Papermoon Doha
Address: 1st Floor, New Jaidah Square Building next to HSBC Main Branch Old Airport Road / Al Matar Street. You can access the restaurant from the ground floor of the Jaidah Square Building, or take the restaurant entrance opposite HSBC bank entrance.
Papermoon Doha Dining Promotions:
Business Lunch is available from Sunday to Thursday. Choose form a 2 course (QAR70) or 3 course menu (QAR89).
Supper Club runs from 4.30pm until 7.00pm from Sunday to Thursday. Priced at QAR110 it includes one appetiser, one main, and one dessert.
A special Chef’s Tasting Menu is also available from QAR199 per person.
Qatar Eating was a guest of Papermoon Doha.
