This weekend the ILQ team enjoyed the Ritz Carlton’s new Friday picnic brunch, held in the The Lagoon restaurant, that brings a fun family experience to Doha.

The first thing you notice is the light and airy feel to the room, and the cute tables and decorations that bring the outside, inside. Tables were adorned with checked tablecloths, buckets of cutlery and a charcuterie board filled with cheese, cold cuts of meat. sardines, olives and nuts for your table to share while you sit back, enjoy each others company and wait for the selection of starters to arrive.

Once we’d settled in, waiters arrived with a selection of bite-sized dishes: mini teacups filled with a tasty gazpacho; beef short-rib croquettes; cracker cups filled with a light creamy hummus; sushi; and a novel concept a mozzarella plant – tomato and mozzarella kebabs planted in a savory crumble soil. The quality and quantity was spot on: it certainly wasn’t too much but it offered a good variety to get your appetite whetted for the selection of main hot dishes.

Of the mains, the grilled meat and seafood were the stars: the steak and lobster were well cooked and had lots of flavor. We also enjoyed hammour, chicken wings and drumsticks, chill burritos and stir-fried noodles.

And just when you think you might hear your trouser button pop, out comes the plates (yes at least 3) of mini desserts and pastries, profiteroles, biscuits and sweets and a pineapple custard shot to swig it all down with. Being the gluttons we are we also decided to head to the ice-cream station and main table which was laden with even more goodies: hazelnut cronuts, fig tarts and mini creme brûlées. The diet starts Sunday, right?

We had a great time and we noticed other families were enjoying the laid-back vibe with entertainment for kids and adults.

The picnic is available every Friday, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm at The Lagoon restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. QAR 249 per person inclusive of soft beverages, QAR 349 per person inclusive of selected house beverages, and QAR 99 per child aged 5-12.

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