I was 10 years old , when we shifted to our new home. Just across the road there was a small tea shop . They had a 2 tier glass boxes kept for display. Every evening the box was filled up with snacks like bonda, parippu vada , uzhunnu vada, ulli vada(Onion fritters) and pazham pori. It was around the same time I used to come back from school. When I would reach in front of my home, this delectable aroma would travel across and reach me. Outside food was not entertained in my home. If required my mom would make it at home. But I liked to eat snacks from such shops. My love for street food started from there…
Well, this love continued. During College days, I used to travel to city for tuition classes on weekends. On my way back I would go to my father’s work place. And stay there for couple of hours and come back home with him. We used to halt at a place in between for tea (the whole journey will be approx 1.5 hours). I would somehow convince my father and eat those hot thick small dosas with a spicy watery red chutney from the tea shop. Meanwhile, my father (he used to halt every day at that place after his work) would be enjoying the hot crispy lentil fritters and tea. Like father like daughter..
Story continues.. When I shifted to Bangalore for work my father gave me an advice, don’t be a spend thrift shopping dresses and shoes. But yea, eat food on time and eat what you like. I kept his word. Bangalore is the place where I explored and tasted many snacks from different parts of India. I literally became a food junkie and my love for food continued.
Now let us get back to the story. Few days ago I got an invitation from Zomato Qatar. It was for a Street Food Festival, happening in Doha Marriot Hotel. Excited Me?? Ohh yeahh
I took an Uber and reached the Hotel.I was greeted by the staff representative at the restaurant area. The area was metamorphosed in to a street…with festoons, musics and the whole corridor had food stations in both side..The delicious smell from all the sides awakened my taste buds and I could not wait longer to taste the food.. The lady staff briefed me on the food varieties and took me till the end of the corridor to show the cuisines and stations available. For Zomato foodies, the table was arranged at the Salsa Restaurant. Hala (Community Engagement Lead, Zomato) was waiting for the foodies. Though I have seen her couple of times, this was the first time I was interacting with her. I just loved her company.
We all were served a delicious strawberry mojitto as welcome drink
One of the main attraction of Salsa restaurant is their live music. Our table was so close to the band and I enjoyed every moment that evening…
After a while we all started our dinner. I made up my mind that to not over eat any dish so that I could taste atleast one bite of all of the snacks. First I got some fresh tender coconut water for my drink.
.. and then I moved to the American counter. I took a piece of deep fried spicy chicken, sweet potato wedges, a sandwich and grilled salmon on a mash.
Sweet potato wedges
Chicken fry
pickles for sandwich
Salmon on a mash
They had a huge array of desserts, I opted for a slice of cherry pie and raspberry cream brule at the end of the meal.
sorbet
Mexican
The next cooking station I approached was Mexican. Right from ingredients like the pungent spices to the cooking methods, it has lot of similarities with Indian cuisine. I tried 2 of the flavor water. – Jamiacan Flower and Tamarind. Later I took the tortilla wraps and a Mexican crazy bread (a really spicy chicken bread) which were delicious…
Mexican crazy bread
Asian
The Asian live stations were setup inside and outside the restaurant. First table had the Chinese hot pot. They had several options which includes sea food, vegetables, meat and chicken. All these were wired in skewers lined on the table. I chose chicken and lobster.. They dunk the skewers in a boiling pot of sauce and gave it me once it is done.
Dumplings and salads were at the adjacent table. All the dumplings were freshly made. I chose the chicken dumpling and some papaya salad.
dumplings getting cooked
Chicken dumplings garnished with a chili sauce
Hala already mentioned in the beginning that we shouldn’t miss the Japanese omelet. And she was absolutely right. I thoroughly enjoyed the omelet . May be that is the dish which I had more than what I was supposed to eat. The omelet is like a sandwich of a vegetables stuffed pancake and a prawns omelet (we could choose the stuffing).
Once omelet is cooked, it was sliced and garnished with the sauces, spring onions, sesame seeds etc.
Just behind the Japanese station there was Indonesian station. I picked chicken satay and the cracker. Rice cracker (I would rather call it papad) had peanuts and fine slices of lemon leaves. This was crisp and flavorsome.
Asian stations was my favorite that evening. In the below picture you could see Japanese Omelet (Left top), Papaya salad (left bottom, chicken satay (bottom right), with a cracker.
Sushi station
Lobster sushi roll
English
One of the cuisine which I least tried was English. Reason behind it is, I was so much full by that time. I tried one flat onion bread. I managed to click few pictures.
Indian
The last station I approached was Indian. Here one table had all the Indian street chats displayed, which includes the vadas, puris, tikkis and so much more. I tried one gol gappa ( pani poori), which was extremely delicious. Just opposite to this table there was a fritter station which had a lot of choices. I opted for baby spinach leaves. Chef dipped the fresh baby spinach leaves in a seasoned chickpea flour batter and deep fried. On a regular day I could eat a plate full of this.
Tikkis and chats
Kathi roll station
chef preparing the spinach fritters
Spinach fritter, bread pakoda with a dates chutney
Jilebi station
Desserts and fruits
jilebi
There were many dishes, which I couldn’t try. I totally missed the fresh sea food area. The entrees in the buffet is so huge than a person could anticipate. But very soon I will be visiting the Street Food festival for a second round. It is one of the best place to be on a weekend with your family or friends. Just call and book well in advance, so that you get the seating in the restaurant you prefer.To check the restaurants click the below URL
https://www.zomato.com/doha/restaurants/in/doha-marriott-hotel-al-salata Or visit their FB page https://www.facebook.com/DohaMarriottHotel
https://www.zomato.com/doha/restaurants/in/doha-marriott-hotel-al-salata Or visit their FB page https://www.facebook.com/DohaMarriottHotel
The price of Street Food Buffet in Doha Marriott, are below.
Without Alcohol – 240 QR
With alcohol it is 335 QR.
For Kids,
Below 6 years it is free
6 to 12 years it is 50%
Above 12 years – full charge
If you have an entertainer app, you could use the coupons.
The goodie bag which I got that evening 🙂
Thanks to Zomato Qatar for inviting me for the meet up. And happy to get a verified reviewer pin 🙂
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