Vapiano

Visit: 9 February 2017, dinner
Taste: 4/5
Cost performance: 3/5
Location: Gate Mall, ground floor outside

This is an international Italian chain, with a unique concept.
They gave a card for each person, then we could order in the food stations, swapping our card and paid when leaving.

Generally it was a nice place for dining.
As in my previous post, I reported the table was not suit for sharing, but I found out some tables were good for sharing too, including the tables located outdoor.

We ordered a pasta, a pizza and a salad.
The portion was quite big that we could not finish all.
I was expecting tomato based for the seafood linguine pasta, Frutti di Mare, but it was not tomato based, but cream based, and the pasta was not well made.
The pizza was better, crispy.

The staffs were nice. Much nicer than the one in Luxembourg City.

Our bill:
- Frutti di Mare, QAR 55 --> pasta
- Toscana, QAR 50 --> pizza
- Mista della Casa, QAR 35 --> salad
- Cafe Americano, QAR 15
- San Pellegrino 250ml, QAR 10 --> sparkling water

Lo Spaghetto

Last visits: 26 January 2017, dinner alone
Taste: 4/5
Cost performance: 3/5
Location: near La Cigale Hotel, the small street with Toys R Us in the corner

My first and only visit to this restaurant was few years back in their old Al Saad location.
The new location was brighter and nicer.
I saw two Italian staff, both young guys, one in the cashier and the other one, tall and hot guy, making the pizza.

It was 18:30 slightly after they opened, but the restaurant were quite full with diners.
Since I was alone, I only ordered seafood pasta and sparkling water.
The taste was OK, but I think they could be better with the presentation.
It was like just dumped from the fried pan into the bowl.
The seafood inside, like the crab, was difficult to eat. The shrimp heads were still with their long antenna hair.
Would love to come back though, to try other dishes.

My bill:
- Spaghetti Frutti di Mare, QAR 75
- Acqua Sparkling Water, QAR 12

Cucina at Marriot Marquis Hotel

Last visits: 5 January 2017, dinner
Taste: 4/5
Cost performance: 3/5
Location: Doha Marriott Marquis City Center Hotel

We were 4 persons, ordered one appetizer, one risotto (asparagus seafood), one pizza (diabola) and one pasta (seafood fetuccine), also drank beers, one bottle of white wine and espresso, we paid QAR 647 (after 15% discount as hotel residence).

The interior decoration was good and the service was nice, the food was good too but not that special, I think.
Taste wise, I think W Hotel's La Spiga was better, but Cucina was cheaper and brighter here.

La Spiga at W Hotel

Visit: 2 December 2016, Friday, dinner
Taste: 4/5
Cost performance: 3/5
Location: W Hotel

Great and attentive service by the staffs.
Lex recommended several menu, and we ordered exactly as suggested, and we were happy with the choice.
Our table was attended by one Italian waiter (Marco?) and some others.

The food was prepared and brought to us, surprisingly quick, and brought altogether almost at the same time, that we finished the dinner quickly, less than an hour.
It was our answer when we were asked by Lex to bring altogether at the same time, but we didn't expect they were prepared and served so quick, not like a fine dining, maybe he thought we were in a hurry. And I think they forgot to give us starter bread (Focaccia indicated on the bill for free).
All the food we ordered were nice.

I forgot to say I had SPG card, and just remembered after we paid.
But they were kindly gave us 2 free nice desert, to replace the 10% discount for the SPG discount.

There was outdoor seating as well.
Interior a bit dark and romantic.

Overall dining experience was nice.

Here was our bill:
Food
- Pizza 4 cheese, QAR 75
- Pizza Margarita, QAR 65
- Spaghetti Seafood, QAR 120
- Pappardelle Paper Moon, QAR 75
- Tagliata Beef, QAR 145

Drink
- San Pellegrino 750ml, QAR 35 --> sparkling water
- Corona beer, QAR 45
- Peroni beer, QAR 45
- Caprai Sangvionese, QAR 230 --> the cheapest bottle red wine available, Italian

Le Vesuvio at Katara

Last visits: 20 November 2016, dinner
Taste: 2/5
Cost performance: 2/5
Location: Katara

The more I visited this restaurant, the more I felt they got worse.
This time, wanted to dine in L'wazaar, but they only opened at 19:00, so we went to this place.
I let my colleague to order, and he ordered Pepperoni Pizza (QAR 80) and Gnocchi Meat Sauce (QAR 80).
The taste was so so, considering the price, I don't think I will come back.

Le Vesuvio at Katara

Last visits: 26 September 2016, dinner
Taste: 3/5
Cost performance: 2/5
Location: Katara

Visited several times, it's used to be one of my favorite Italian in Doha, though the price is not cheap, I liked the taste.
I liked the appetizer bread and the sauces.
But somehow that night I felt the taste was so so. Felt overpriced, maybe just because I just came back from my traveling to cheap Balkan countries.

The place was nice and the seating was comfy, and yes it is a fine dining restaurant.

My bill:
- Fusilli di Mare, QAR 80 (I asked to change the pasta to Linguini)
- Fruit Juice Kiwi, QAR 25

Vapiano

Visit: 12 August 2016, lunch
Taste: 4/5
Cost performance: 4/5
Location: Gate Mall, ground floor outside

I heard good things about this restaurant from friends since long time back, but only this time I got chance to taste it.

They don't take order at the table, but they gave you a card to order directly counter, like food court style.

I like the pasta I ordered (shrimp and spinach linguine), but not the pizza.
We were 4 persons, each of us ordered pasta for each of us, then we ordered pizza and salad and water to be shared.
Totally we paid QAR 320.

On the tables, the big decoration made not convenient to share food.
So this place is suitable to eat alone or eat individually.
The toilet is only inside the mall, so you have to get out the restaurant first.

Melenzane, Italian in Gulf Mall

Last visits: 3 June 2016, dinner
Taste: 4/5
Cost performance: 3/5
Location: Gulf Mall, 2nd floor (the same floor with Cinema).

Ordered:
- Gambroni Pasta, QAR 68 --> good
- Mojito, QAR 24
- Bread breakfast is free

Nicely decorated, but not cheap.
The pasta I ordered was quite good though.