FACT Qatar March 2022

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E UPH O RI C A N D IN T IM AT E B E T HE FI RST O NE TO TA K E A S EAT AT T H E M O ST E XC LUSI V E CAV I A R BA R IN TOWN

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Spring Has Sprung

City Rides

Plugged In

CONTENTS

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Culinary Spotlight

Travel

Matter of Fact

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• THE EDITOR

FACT Magazine Qatar Edition • MARCH 2022 VOLUME 08, ISSUE 09

Sunshine Season

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“Spring won’t let me stay in this house any longer! I must get out and breathe the air deeply again.” Gustav Mahler.

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PUBLISHER RAMI KHALIL PUBLISHING DIRECTOR CHIRINE HALABI EDITORIAL DIRECTOR LIZ O’REILLY ASSISTANT EDITOR ASAD ULLAH DIGITAL EDITOR SARA WADDAH ART DIRECTOR SYED MUHAMMED RAIHAN GRAPHIC DESIGNER MIA GHAZI

he change in the air means spring has sprung and we’re obsessed with it in this month’s issue. Our cover story is about all things spring, from global traditions to spring cleaning and from gardening to great things to do around the city in the coming balmy months. And we’ve even added new seasonal

looks in the Fashion Focus to give you an idea of how to dress for the current gorgeous weather.

In City Rides, we got behind the wheel of the latest BMW and were happily impressed. March also heralds the twice-yearly period for major technology and gadgets releases, so we’re showcasing some of the best.

Since we’re speaking of trying things out, in the run up to the Fact Diving Awards, we’ve been out and about at five different restaurants, sorry don’t be

PHOTOGRAPHER MIRCO PANACCIO PRODUCTION & DISTRIBUTION AJIT KUMAR NEIL MAHMOOD EDITORIAL & SALES ENQUIRIES chirine@fact-magazine.com DISTRIBUTION DAR AL-SHARQ

envious. We also spoke to two of the city’s favourite chefs. Check out what they had to say about the local dining scene.

Take up the invitation to visit Romania, Amal Sarhan did and she shares her

PRINTED BY AL ANAN PRINTING PRESS, OMAN

experience with us in the Travel Section.

Elsewhere you’ll find news from the worlds of entertainment, beauty and what’s happening around Qatar.

Welcome to spring everyone.

Liz O’Reilly Editorial Director editorial@fact-magazine.com

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CONTRIBUTORS AMAL SARHAN CECILIA LERMAN GARETH WOODS KALVIN NG KIRSTY WALKER

All Rights Reserved. Opinion expressed within does not necessarily represent the opinion of the publisher. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy of the information within this publication.

However, FACT M.E. Publishing cannot accept legal responsibility for any erroneous content or omissions.

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“Spring adds new life and new beauty to all that is.” Jessica Harelson

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• FACT FINDS

ANTIQUE VEHICLES SHOWCASE Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani (FBQ) Museum is to open a new section featuring classical, vintage and sports cars such as Ferrari and Lamborghini.

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he facility will debut right before the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, featuring a collection of over 500 antique vehicles, according to museum director Claudio Cravero.

“The collection will count around 500 cars, but will showcase 120 vehicles in a visitor journey through the evolution of car manufacturing globally and in parallel with Qatar’s development – a sort of narrative journey that goes from the beginning of motorisation/mobilisation in the Gulf region up to the latest brand-new models that you can see in the streets of Doha,” he explained.

“It will include classical, vintage and sports cars like Ferrari and Lamborghini. A depot-like display of up 200 cars will also be on show.”

The ‘car museum’ will be the latest addition to FBQ Museum’s other sections such as the carpet section and clothing hall, among others, as well as the Q’uran room, which houses a huge number of Q’urans.

Other sections of the museum display traditional musical instruments, furniture, photographs, artworks and other antique 8

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pieces from various parts of the world.

Established in 1998, Cravero noted that FBQ Museum is one of the biggest private museums globally, which has a private collection of more than 30,000 objects on display.

“They range from the Jurassic era and pre-historic times to pre-Islamic era up to the present day, crossing geographies and boundaries. The pieces on display are actually real and a concentration of influences between cultures.

“Sheikh Faisal’s passion for collecting dates back to when he was 10 years old and he is still collecting extensively so we received pieces that have been acquired from other collections or from auction houses, they are brought to the museum and put on display,” he added.

Almost 25 years old, the FBQ Museum is one of the oldest private museums in the Middle East and its uniqueness is reflected in the diversity and variety of the objects it keeps. ✤

GO: CALL 4486 1444 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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• LISTEN UP

CELEBRATING CAMELS The first edition of the Qatar Camel Festival is underway and has attracted participation from many countries.

The first edition of the Qatar Camel Festival, which continues until March 22 at Lebsayyer, has attracted wide participation from many countries.

The 45-day event, features competitions for categories including the most beautiful camel and the original breeds of high value.

The festival is considered a continuation of the traditional way of life and sport as people in earlier times gave great importance to camels, an integral component of desert life.

The Qatar Camel Festival also aims at enhancing animal wealth and to protect and nurture the high value original breeds of Arabian camels. It is considered an excellent opportunity for camel owners and lovers to exchange experiences and expertise and discuss related issues while attracting new fans from the younger generation.

During the early phase of planning the festival, Hamad Jaber al-Athba, head of the organising committee at the Ministry of Culture and Sports, said the festival was being developed to enable all interested parties to participate and enjoy the event as camels have always been linked to the local environment and heritage, and are considered a 10

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key component of the economic, social and cultural lives of the people of the region and Qatar, in particular.

He described the event as a sports, tourism and economic carnival on an international level with considerable participation from many countries, even outside the GCC. The prizes are of high value, making the event strongly contested.

The festival has been divided into two phases; the first is allocated for local competitions, while the second is for international competitions among herd owners from all over the world, and GCC and Arab countries in particular.

Mohamed al-Marri, head of the media committee of the festival, said the first local phase of the event started on January 28 and the international competitions are currently progressing. He also explained that the objectives of the festival include preserving the relevant heritage and traditions and keeping them alive for the future. ✤

GO: VISIT WWW.MOC.GOV.QA FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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SPOTLIGHT ON AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION The Ninth Qatar International Agricultural and Environmental (Agritech and Envirotech) Exhibition 2022 will tackle climate change among other important issues.

The Ninth Qatar International Agricultural and Environmental (Agritech and Envirotech) Exhibition 2022 is set to take place from March 10 to 14 at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre and will shine a spotlight on innovation in agricultural techniques, creating a blueprint to attain food security and sustainable development.

The latest edition will provide an opportunity for industry experts to explore a wide range of agricultural technologies, equipment and related products, meet key decision-makers, gain valuable insights and discover best practices.

Exhibitors are also expected to showcase and promote an array of technologies and innovations on soil cultivation, irrigation systems, plant protection and dairy production, among others.

Under Envirotech, a wide range of products/equipment, services and systems will be highlighted, including recycling, alternative energy systems, waste management, water treatment, waste-to-energy and many more.

Organisers said that the increase in adoption of advanced farming technologies and conducive government policies supporting domestic crop production is one of the factors driving market growth in the country.

Exhibition participant, Qatari agriculturist and Agrico managing director, Nasser Ahmed al-Khalaf, reiterated that such an exhibition, which “has been at the forefront in providing a full-fledged platform for local and international agriculture stakeholders to exchange expertise,” plays a 12

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key role in Qatar's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in food.

The four-day exhibition will feature government sessions, talks, panel discussions, and other sessions that will tackle initiatives and opportunities in Qatar, industry concerns, climate change and ways to preserve the environment and support and showcase research and scientific studies.

In a statement, organisers said: “Protecting the environment and supporting sustainable development are at the forefront of Qatar’s priorities. As one of the first countries to ratify the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 1996, Qatar has a longstanding commitment to addressing global environmental challenges. Qatar is an active partner in the international community to confront the climate crisis.

“The event will feature a specialised business matchmaking platform to help exhibitors and visitors meet key decisionmakers from the public and private sectors, through prearranged meetings, to discuss potential opportunities and partnerships.”

The 2021 edition of the exhibition witnessed more than 300 exhibitors from 42 countries participating. Besides attracting more than 8,500 local and international visitors, it also saw a 28% increase in the number of participants from various countries and 61% locally. ✤

GO: VISIT AGRITEQ.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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PRESERVING CULTURAL HERITAGE Qatar Museums is preserving ancient desert fort Al Rakiyat’s unique and local building style for future generations.

Qatar Museums’ (QM) Department of Architectural Conservation has completed the restoration project of the historic Al Rakiyat fort in the north-east of the country.

Historical sources place the origins of the fort between the 17th and 19th century. Its unique, local building style and historic integration into the country’s landscape have made Al Rakiyat (the well in Arabic) one of the oldest and most important desert forts in Qatar.

QM's Cultural Heritage Conservation director, Adel Abdullatif al-Moslamani, said: “As part of a concerted effort to safeguard our past for future generations, we set out to restore one of our country’s principal heritage sites to its former glory. Al Rakiyat fort is a breath-taking relic of Qatar’s rich history where our forefathers guarded valuable water resources for nearby coastal villages. With respect for the centuries-old structure, our team worked carefully to preserve and reinforce the original fort, allowing it to carry on the story of our past for decades to come.”

Following its initial restoration in 1988, the archaeological site suffered environmental damage that took a toll on 14

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the structural components of the historic building. The current QM-led restoration effort followed leading global conservation standards and restoration techniques, using traditional and authentic building materials.

Restoration works focused on the main structural components of the building, including plaster, flooring, installation of a wooden ceiling, doors and treatment against pests.

Heritage preservation is a core component of Qatar’s national strive towards economic, human, social and environmental development, recognising that all forwardlooking progress must be informed by the country’s distinctive Arab and Islamic values and identity.

The Al Rakiyat fort now stands as an enduring landmark of Qatar’s cultural identity, giving forthcoming generations an important insight into the defence architecture. ✤

GO: VISIT QM.ORG.QA FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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CELEBRATING A SILVER JUBILEE Qatar Airways has unveiled a unique retro livery aircraft to mark 25 years of operation.

Qatar Airways welcomed a nostalgic flashback to its early days of operation with the delivery of a Boeing 777-300 aircraft painted in the awardwinning airline’s retro livery design as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.

The aircraft made its debut operating as Flight QR 0041 from Hamad International Airport (HIA), Doha, to Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, and will become a familiar sight on a variety of other Qatar Airways routes over the coming 12 months, celebrating 25 years of excellence during the airline’s milestone year.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are tremendously excited to celebrate our 25th anniversary by introducing this unique aircraft to our fleet. We hope this retro design will bring many memories of travel to our passengers, especially those who experienced travelling with us in our early years. This livery marks the milestone of how far we have come as the national carrier, evolving into a six-time ‘World’s Best Airline’ winner.

“As we look forward, this is a year of endless possibilities for the entire Qatar Airways Group family, with several important landmark events and celebrations planned 16

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across this period. Not least of which is the muchanticipated FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 where the eyes of the world will be turned in our direction.

“We will continue to shine and share our success with those who are at the heart of everything we do – our millions of loyal passengers around the globe.”

As the world’s fastest-growing global airline, with one of the youngest, most technologically-advanced fleets in the skies to date, Qatar Airways has undergone a dramatic transformation since its creation as a small regional carrier serving a limited number of destinations in 1997, into one of the world’s leading global airlines.

The national carrier for the State of Qatar, part of the Qatar Airways Group, now stands at the forefront of the commercial aviation industry, connecting Doha to more than 140 destinations across six continents via the ‘World’s Best Airport’, its home and hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA). ✤

GO: VISIT QATARAIRWAYS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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LET’S GO GIRLS, DOHA’S CALLING Doha has been ranked as one of the safest cities in the world for post-pandemic solo female travel.

According to the 'Post-Pandemic Solo Female Travel Index' published by holiday search engine Holidu.co.uk, Doha is ranked No. 15 on the list and is the only country in the Middle East to feature in the top 50.

The index ranks the safest cities around the world based on several factors, including street safety and crime levels, as well as the attitudes, culture and cost of being a solo traveller in each destination. The index also explores the handling of Covid-19 in the country in which each respective city is located, and how much the levels of crime have increased over the last three years.

The top 10 cities on the list are Montreal, Canada; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Ljubljana, Slovenia; Ottawa, Canada; Edmonton, Canada; Vienna, Austria; Linz, Austria; Łódź, Poland; Calgary, Canada; and Zagreb, Croatia.

Doha is perceived by women as the fifth safest city at night when alone, while it is also the third-most lit-up city at night.

Women’s perceived safety at night looks at the 18

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percentage of females that felt safe walking alone at night in the city or area where they lived. This has a ranking weighting of four, being deemed the most important factor in this study.

Brightness at night analyses radiance data in the respective city and uses this as an indication of how light it is at night (street lights/artificial lighting) for women when walking alone. This has a ranking weighting of two.

The Holidu website says 73% of women travelling alone worry about their safety, according to a study by Solo Female Travellers. And this is a concern that spans across traveller age, geography and culture, so choosing the right destination is incredibly important.

Do you feel safe in Doha? Let us know on our social media. ✤

GO: VISIT HOLIDU.CO.UK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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• LISTEN UP

A JOURNEY THROUGH TIMEPIECES Backes & Strauss ‘Alves Trophy Collection’, celebrating the journey of football superstar Dani Alves is exclusively available in Qatar at Blue Salon.

Blue Salon was exclusively invited to the highly anticipated launch of Backes & Strauss’ Alves Trophy Collection which recently took place in Barcelona. Hosted by the football superstar Dani Alves himself with Vartkess Knadjian, CEO of the watchmaker.

The collection is made up of 42 timepieces, marking Dani’s journey from humble beginnings to global superstar. Starting with his first major trophy with Esporte Clube Bahia in Brazil and the Copa del Rey with Sevilla, the collection travels all the way through his multiple Champions League victories with Barcelona and Brazil’s triumph at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

These unique watches have three distinct features commemorating each individual achievement. They are created in brushed Titanium with a bespoke skeleton tourbillon movement made up of 176 parts and a power reserve of 72 hours.

The hour markers and the tourbillon cage reflect the colours of club/country and visible from the open case back is a 3D version of the trophy, the case back bears the year of each victory.

Dani declared that for him each watch represented part of his life, part of his history. He also declared his passion for 20

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Qatar saying, ‘Qatar is my home’. Blue Salon presents the Dani Alves collection exclusively in Qatar.

Backes & Strauss is a British luxury brand which combines mastery in both diamond cutting and watchmaking; two crafts requiring a high amount of skill, precision and attention to detail.✤

GO: CALL 4446 6111 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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SPRING INTO SPRING Spring is almost here. The hours of light are growing apace and we can already see flowers blossoming around us.

The sky is even bluer and the air conditioners are getting their routine service before it gets really hot.

This is a season of rebirth. A time for change or to re-blossom. Spring is all about good light — everything gets brighter and that calls for you to let go of the dull moments of the past few months and focus on positivity and light. It’s the season that generally makes everyone feel more motivated like experiencing a ‘fresh start’. We’ve looked at special ways to welcome spring around the world. We’ve also got tips on making space for the new season by decluttering your home and going green with seasonal planting. And, of course, we couldn’t forget a round-up of super spring events happening round town.

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N O W O P E N

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• COVER STORY

Spring Fever Around The World

MARZANNA IN POLAND The polish version of Sechseläuten, Marzanna is a celebration of the coming of spring but instead of fire, they use water. Poles gather to make a doll of straw called Marzanna, the Goddess of Winter, Plague and Death, which they carry in a parade and then drown in a river.

SPRING EQUINOX IN MEXICO Every year, around March 20, in the town of Teotihuacán, a preHispanic archaeological site, people wearing white with red scarves gather in celebration of the coming season, with many climbing up 360 steps to the apex of the Pyramid of the Sun, the largest structure in the area, outstretching their arms to gather the energy from the ball of fire in the sky.

The coming of spring means many different things to various people around the world, as countries celebrate the beginning of this fruitful season with interesting traditions and festivities. Here are just a few of them.

HOLI IN INDIA Holi is a major spring-time festival in India with people dancing on the streets in showers of paint and dye. Known as the Festival of Colours and celebrated during the first moon of March, the festival marks the beginning of spring and the end of winter, with Indians promising to remember the good in life and leave the bad behind.

HANAMI IN JAPAN Hanami, or the famous Cherry Blossom Festival, is one of the most well-known seasonal events in the world. The traditional celebration is held to welcome the start of spring and appreciate the beauty of the Sakura flower, or the cherry blossom, known as the flower of spring. To celebrate, the people of Japan gather to feast under the wonderous pink trees, with picnics and parties scattering the parks. The trees are lit at night in a romantic festivity called Yozakura.

CIMBURIJADA IN BOSNIA Cimburijada, or the festival of scrambled eggs, is celebrated on the first day of spring in the Bosnian town of Zeneca, either on the banks of the Bosna River or at the city park. The celebration begins with a traditional breakfast of a super-sized bowl of eggs for everyone. It is said that eggs were chosen as they symbolise a new life and a new beginning.

SECHSELÄUTEN IN SWITZERLAND This celebration might seem more extreme than most. With the onset of spring and the end of winter, people in Switzerland celebrate with the burning of an effigy of a giant snowman called Böögg, made with old clothes and fireworks. They believe that the faster the snowman burns, the warmer the coming summer will be. The event, which lasts two days, includes a host of other activities, including parades and banquets as well as comedy.

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BABA MARTA DAY IN BULGARIA Baba Marta Day, or Grandma March Day, is a famous celebration in Bulgaria commemorating the beginning of the spring season.

Bulgarian folklore suggests that ‘Grandma March’ was a grumpy old woman who always scowled at her two brothers. When she did smile, however, it is said that the sun began to appear above the horizon. Bulgarians today wear a petite white and red yarn accessory called a Martenitsa to mark their wish for good health and their happiness at the coming of the spring. They wear these adornments until the end of the month, after which they tie them mainly to fruit trees for good fortune.

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• COVER STORY

THE NEAT BEAT The days are getting longer and warmer, and spring cleaning is calling. We absolutely agree that throughout the year we tidy and spruce up certain areas of our homes, but there’s nothing quite like a spring decluttering — a deep clean after winter.

This goes beyond just vacuuming and mopping and actually feels more like letting go. Letting go of items in your closet that you’ve never worn; spotting expired spices and seasonings in the kitchen pantry; changing bed linens; and the introduction of a couple of bins and baskets for better organisation.

It feels a little daunting, but the key is to take one step at a time.

If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed it's due to a lack of proper organisation and storage, but we have you covered. We have a couple of tips for you to kick-start the process.

Before we get into it, just remember it’s not about extra cabinets or closets for storage that can make your home look clean, as perfect as a Pinterest photo, it’s just sometimes you need to be better at prioritising certain elements and decluttering. And this is our promise, a decluttered home won’t only look better, but will reduce your stress levels and make you feel better.

valued anymore in three categories: discard, organise or store.

The key is to be strong enough to discard whatever you think you don’t need anymore. This will make your decluttering process way easier. Allot time to each room and task — say two hours for your room, or 30 minutes for wardrobe classification. Find a way to donate anything you don’t need before recycling it.

ONE STEP AT A TIME Don’t try to get it all done in a one go. Divide and conquer. First, take everything out of the drawers and off the shelves and surfaces. Then categorise what you truly value before putting everything back. You can classify the items not so cherished or

STORAGE SOLUTIONS Once you know how many things are going to stay — you’ll be able to acquire storage solutions that truly fit your needs. Don’t buy bins, baskets, racks and hooks before that. There are custom storage solutions for almost everything, explore your options.

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• COVER STORY ALL THOSE LINENS The moment you enter a bedroom, the first thing you look at is the bedsheet and comforter. As spring is here, change your throw pillow covers and give your room a low-cost freshen up. If you have pillows that have gotten lumpy, it’s time to replace them.

And, because winter throw blankets are too heavy for the spring — it’s time to put them away, perhaps covered and stored under the bed.

KICK OUT KITCHEN MESS Thoroughly decluttering the kitchen is one of the best ideas since it is the most used space in the house. Keep the countertops clear and organise drawers one at a time. Check your stock of spices to see what needs to be trashed, replaced or has many duplicates.

Look for the serving platters and dishes you’ve never used and replace them with the ones you’ve been using year-round. Next: remove anything chipped and any stained and mismatched plastic food storage containers. This is a good way to start!

MAKE A PHOTO FILE After cleaning thoroughly and classifying your things — record a video or take photos of everything. It’ll give you an easily accessible record of where everything goes. Of course, you can’t photograph and see every single item — but it’ll be useful to give you a general flow of where everything goes and where and how to keep things for the long run.

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• COVER STORY lilies the best thing is they’re scented and if placed by the front door will make your exit and entry from home so much sweeter.

However, if you have pets, make sure to choose non-toxic plants and make sure all containers provide adequate drainage.

GET YOUR HANDS ON HERBS Edible herbs are the easiest to grow and require little effort. On the top of that, many of them smell pretty amazing. If their pots/ containers are placed in the window of your kitchen they’ll scent the entire space so well. We recommend you start with leafy herbs like basil, mint, parsley and cilantro, which are extremely good to grow in containers, both indoor and outdoor. The best thing about them is that they do not require tons of soil and their growth rate is pretty high — so you can pick and eat them regularly and it’ll encourage your gardening habit.

OUTDOOR SEEDING You can start many seeds (lettuce, spinach, peas and carrots) outside or in your rooftop garden just about now. Prepare your soil by removing any weeds and topping it off with some fresh organic compost. You can get the seeds from any nursery nearby and plant them according to the instructions on the packet.

Use a ruler to get it right and water everything thoroughly after planting. Keep soil moist. The most important thing is to visit them regularly, checking to see if they need water, weeding or anything else.

OH, HOW GREEN! Al fresco dining has been fun for the past few months and during that time of outdoor dining, what we really enjoyed was interacting with the greenery, plants and garden veggies.

If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to begin prepping your summer garden and, with the right tools, and supplies you can have access to latent green fingers this spring, irrespective of whether you have access to a private garden or not. Let’s also be honest that you cannot call it an artistic, unique and well-appointed home without some breathing, growing trimmings. Plants. Gardening doesn’t offer instant fulfillment but it’s well worth the effort and the wait that follow. Here are a few tips for you.

SPACE AND SPOT We understand that finding outdoor space might be hard but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy fresh air, veggies or herbs perhaps.

As long as you have good potting mix, you can grow small herbs in pretty much anything — even a tin but just remember to place it at a spot where it can get some natural sunlight off and on. Old ceramic vases and bowls can be a really good start to plant in as well. But as a general rule, always remember to opt for one bigger size of the container than you think you will need for any plant. If you have a planter large enough, it’ll give the plant space to grow properly and establish its unfurling beautiful leaves more effortlessly. Plant some lilies, since they’re perfect for containers, or dahlias and chrysanthemums can be good choices too. For 30

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• COVER STORY THE NUTCRACKER - MOSCOW BALLET LA CLASSIQUE Following 2021’s sell-out performances of Swan Lake, Moscow Ballet La Classique will return to Al Mayassa Theatre at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC) on March 24 and 25 to present the jewel of classical ballet, Tchaikovsky’s spectacular The Nutcracker. Founded in 1990, La Classique will take the audience on a journey back in time to the frost-covered, gas-lit world of young Clara, her beloved nutcracker doll and magician Drosselmeyer, with its artistic ballet mastery, lavish costumes and magnificent staging.

AROUND TOWN Finally, now as Covid restrictions have eased and events are back on the social calendar, it makes the advent of spring all the more enticing. The weather is going to get warmer and you’ll hear lots of music in the air: somewhere, everywhere. There’s plenty on the horizon to feel excited about and you can hangout outside without masks on now. It’s a good departure from virtual events and a good arrival to an in-person setting. Everything is back in full…ish force and we’ve listed some unmissable events taking place this spring. They’ll define your energy for the rest of the year!

GRAND PRIX OF QATAR (MOTO GP) From March 4 to March 6, it is time for some thrilling speed as the oldest motorsports championship in existence returns to Qatar for another year. The high-pitched sound of motorbikes roaring will take over the Losail Circuit Sports Club. The 2022 Grand Prix of Qatar is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular events on the MotoGP calendar. The action will take place at night under floodlights at the circuit, which sits around 30km outside Doha. All bikes are custom-made to be the fastest prototypes in the world.

QATAR MUSIC ACADEMY ANNUAL CONCERT A call for music lovers! Rejoice and enjoy classical Arabic and Western music on March 12 and 13 at Katara Opera House as Qatar Music Academy (QMA) holds its Annual Concert. This is an opportunity to see the academy’s most talented students perform live on stage, providing music to suit everyone’s taste.

Opened in 2011, QMA focuses on furthering musical excellence in Qatar and the region.

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THE LAST OF DRIVE-IN CINEMA — LUSAIL Yes, we agree that cool nights in Qatar are absolutely wonderful and one of the ways to enjoy them has been DFI Drive-in Cinema at Lusail, that was launched during Ajyal Film Festival 2020. But now. as we’re looking forward to the warmer days, the drive-in cinema will come to a close on March 31. So, before it’s too late, grab your popcorn and enjoy a wonderful experience watching screenings of different movies, right from the comfort of your car with friends or family.

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12:00 PM - 12:00 AM SCAN TO VIEW OUR MENUS

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THE 2022 BMW X6 M50I BMW revealed their intent to dominate the mid-sized SUV segment with the unveiling of their new X6 range.

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CITY RIDES •

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fficially debuting in April 2008, the first-generation BMW X6 was the originator of the Sports Activity Coupé (SAC). The enthusiastic response from the general public led to the production of the X6 M as well as the ActiveHybrid X6 in 2009. The second-generation followed in 2014 and the third in 2020. Now, in 2022, BMW have launched their new third-generation offering, the BMW X6 M50i. This modern model is already attracting plenty of positive attention in the mid-sized luxury crossover SUV segment and, compliments of the outstanding team at Alfardan Automobiles – BMW Group Importer, FACT Magazine’s team were fortunate enough to get their hands on this new creation.

There is no doubt the latest X6 is a real head-turner. This thirdgeneration model has a clean and exclusive look, giving it a confident and commanding presence. The sporty, yet luxurious M50i is a little longer and a little wider than its predecessor, adding to its already muscular stance. The large, single frame BMW kidney grille drew our attention to the front end of the vehicle, where adaptive LED headlights underscore the exclusivity of this SUV. The flanks are defined by a crisply drawn character line running from front to rear, along with the dynamically designed roofline.

Burly fenders house 20-inch light-alloy wheels that are fitted

as standard, a feature that only enhanced our desire to get this Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) out onto the roads. At the back end, a subtle roof spoiler along with a hatch spoiler hint at the vehicle’s athletic capabilities, whilst the elongated adaptive LED brake lights along with the sport dual-exit exhaust system, add further touches of class to an already outstanding exterior design.

Shifting our collective attention to the interior, we were welcomed by a modern and spacious cabin with plenty of sporty flair. As you would expect, BMW have spared no expense in the use of highend materials and quality finishes throughout the vehicle. We found the standard 16-way power front seats for both driver and front passenger to be both supportive and very comfortable. The ergonomically designed cockpit ensures all control elements are within easy reach of the driver with the sport steering wheel itself feeling perfect in hand.

Due to the sloping roofline of the X6, tall adults may find the headroom to be a little limited above the rear seating, however, average sized adults and children will find plenty of room on offer. The large panoramic glass sunroof lets in an abundance of natural light, creating a greater sense of space within the M50i. The boot has a capacity of 580-litres, an area that can be increased to 1,530-litres with the rear seats folded flat. Other fact magazine

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• CITY RIDES notable standard internal features include four-zone automatic climate control, thermoelectric cup holders and a 16-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System.

Anyone driving the new M50i will be aided by BMW Intelligent Personal Assist. An intelligent digital character responds to the vocal prompt of “Hey BMW” and can explain all manner of different functions, provide up-to-date information as well as generally assist the driver.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional combines a new display and operating concept that boasts a greater level of connectivity.

Included in this setup is a high-resolution instrument cluster and a control display, both of which come with 12.3-inch (diagonal) touchscreens. Along with the impressive iDrive 7.0 operating system, the infotainment setup also includes HD Radio, SiriusXM satellite radio and compatibility with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Thoroughly impressed by both exterior and interior designs, it was time to focus our attention on performance. The sound of the 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine brought a smile to all within earshot and we immediately felt the responsive nature of this high-performance machine. The remarkable engine, combined with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, enables the M50i to generate 523hp and 553lb-ft of torque. This allows the SUV to surge from 0-100km/h in just 4.3 seconds and to reach an electronically capped top speed of 250km/h.

To tame the abundance of power and acceleration produced by the M50i, BMW have included adaptive sport suspension and upgraded braking systems. These supreme systems, along with launch control and exceptional handling capabilities, make the M50i an absolute joy to drive and we received plenty of admiring looks when we made our way through the busy city streets of Doha.

BMW have also made sure to include an extensive range of safety and assistance features. These include Active Cruise Control, Collision and Pedestrian Warning, Steering Assist, Lane Control Assistant, Traffic Jam Assist, rear collision warning, road priority warning, Lane Change Warning, Emergency Stop Assistant, airbags throughout the vehicle and so much more.

We can only encourage all those looking to purchase a superior Sports Activity Coupé to book a test drive of their own. ✤

GO: CALL ALFARDAN AUTOMOBILES ON 4447 7577 FOR MORE INFORMATION. 36

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CITY RIDES •

“

“This thirdgeneration model has a clean and exclusive look, giving it a confident and commanding presence”

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• MOTORING NEWS

A NEW ERA ALFA ROMEO PRESENTS TONALE TO THE MIDDLE EAST, MARKING THE BRAND’S METAMORPHOSIS. Alfa Romeo has introduced the Tonale, highlighting a new era of connectivity and electrification.

Two levels of electrification – Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid Q4 – have been developed, the 275hp Plug-in Hybrid Q4 version with all-wheel drive being the most powerful and efficient.

In a world exclusive, Tonale debuts non-fungible token (NFT) technology, with Alfa Romeo being the first automaker to link a car with an NFT digital certificate. With the customer’s consent, the NFT records vehicle data, generating a certificate that can be used as a guarantee of the car’s proper maintenance, with a positive impact on its residual value.

The major new interior features in the Tonale include a threespoke sports steering wheel, the cluster in the ‘telescopic’ instrument panel, built-in Amazon Alexa voice assistant features and the all-new infotainment system, including a 12.3” screen and the main 10.25” touchscreen unit, featuring a customisable Android operating system and 4G connectivity.

Level two autonomous driving is available with new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), including Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC), Lane Centring (LC) and Traffic Jam Assist.

For Alfa Romeo, Tonale marks a concrete commitment to sustainable mobility. With two levels of electrification, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid, the Tonale debuts the 160hp Hybrid VGT (Variable-Geometry Turbo) engine.

The 275hp Plug-in Hybrid Q4 clocks up 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 6.2 seconds and a range in pure electric mode of up to 80km (over 60 km in the combined cycle).

The Alfa Romeo Tonale offers five-hole wheel rims and ‘3+3’ sinecurve headlights developed in conjunction with Marelli with a new full-LED Adaptive Matrix. The new model also boasts a fully independent MacPherson suspension system, with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) shock absorbers with Dual Stage Valve active suspension with electronically controlled damping. ✤ GO: VISIT ALFAROMEO.COM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

INTO THE WILD

THE 2022 FORD BRONCO RAPTOR SETS THE STAGE AND REACHES NEW HEIGHTS. Built for desert running and boulder crawling, the 2022 Ford Bronco Raptor, the newest member of Built Untamed SUVs, has debuted as the most powerful street-legal Bronco and the first Ultra4 Racing-inspired SUV ever.

The Bronco Raptor packs extreme Built Untamed capability and durability with an exclusive twin-turbo, 3.0-litre EcoBoost engine delivering more than 400hp, a Raptor HOSS 4.0 race-ready suspension system, a fully boxed, high-strength steel frame, and standard 37-inch all-terrain tyres.

At 9.8 inches wider than a base Bronco, the Raptor epitomises extreme Built Untamed design with race-inspired features inside and out.

An advanced 4x4 system includes a higher-capacity clutch, designed to withstand the demands of high-performance desert events, enhanced by the High-Performance Off-Road Stability Suspension (HOSS) system.

For higher-speed desert capabilities or crawling over rocks, the compacted graphite iron-block engine is paired with a 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, allowing drivers to alter the sound with four exhaust modes: Normal, Sport, Quiet and Baja.

Exterior colors include Hot Pepper Red Metallic, Velocity Blue Metallic, Eruption Green Metallic, Shadow Black, Iconic Silver Metallic, Area 51, Cactus Gray, Cyber Orange Metallic Tri-Coat, Oxford White, plus Ford Performance-exclusive Code Orange paint.

Base Bronco Raptor models are equipped with Black Onyx 38

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marine-grade vinyl seats. The dark interior is accented with Ford Performance Code Orange splashes, with touchpoints wearing low-gloss carbon fiber accents.

Upgraded features include laser-perforated Black Onyx Neo suede seats, vinyl-wrapped instrument panel topper, leatherwrapped outer seat bolsters, and a thicker steering wheel with magnesium paddle shifters and gloss black Raptor logo centre.

Seats are designed with aggressive foam side bolsters to help keep passengers firmly seated over rugged terrain.

Bronco Raptor comes standard with a High Package that includes SYNC4 with 12-inch touchscreen, information on-demand panel, enhanced voice recognition, and a 360-degree exterior camera with the Lux Package offering a 10-speaker B&O audio system.✤ GO: VISIT ME.FORD.COM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

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• PLUGGED IN

ON THE GO The HUAWEI MateBook E has been launched to ensure smooth hybrid working and higher productivity rates

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ybrid working is defined by the freedom for people to choose to work wherever they want.

Huawei recently announced the HUAWEI MateBook E, the first Huawei three-screens-inone Windows 11 laptop, featuring the first-ever OLED Real Colour HUAWEI FullView Display.

Serving as the ultimate companion to stay productive on the go, it offers the complete experience of PC, tablet and smartphone. With a weight of 709g and a thinness of 7.99mm, it is slim and easy to carry. The display can be detached and used as a tablet, allowing you to use the HUAWEI M-Pencil. The Smartphone Mode gives you full control over your smartphone through the PC. The 12.6-inch OLED Real Colour HUAWEI FullView Display has a screen-to-body ratio of 90%. It supports a peak brightness of 600 nits, P3 wide colour gamut and has a high pro-grade colour accuracy, ensuring the display remains sharp and bright.

Furthermore, the device employs hardware-level low blue light technology and is the first Huawei three-screens-in-one laptop to receive the TÜV Rheinland Full-Care Eye Care 2.0 certification.

The new laptop can connect wirelessly with compatible smartphones such as the newly launched HUAWEI P50 Pro and with monitors like the HUAWEI MateView, with drag and drop gestures through the innovative Collaborate Mode. Quad

microphones ensure an all-round sound pickup level.

Featuring an 11th Generation Intel Core processor and the Intel Iris Xe graphics, the HUAWEI MateBook E supports up to 16GB dual-channel RAM and up to 512GB high-speed solid-state drive for great multi-tasking performance and fulfilling storage needs.

The new HUAWEI MateBook E is available in Nebula Gray and includes HUAWEI FreeBuds Pro, HUAWEI CD23 Bluetooth Mouse, HUAWEI Backpack, and HUAWEI Dock 2. ✤ GO: VISIT HTTPS://CONSUMER.HUAWEI.COM/QA/

A NEW LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION Dubbed as the best camera phone with aesthetic design, the HUAWEI P50 Pro is a must-buy this season.

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he device has brought cameras to a new level of sophistication. The True-Form Dual-Matrix Camera system on this phone consists of the Main Camera Matrix and SuperZoom Matrix, delivering true-tolife imagery. The HUAWEI XD Optics and HUAWEI XD Fusion Pro image engine, as well as the True-Chroma Image Engine colour filter system and Super HDR technology, result in brighter and clearer high-resolution images. The True-Form Dual-Matrix Camera supports 4K video recording with both the front and rear cameras, with a zoom range of up to 200x.

The ultra-wide AF Selfie camera has a 100-degree wide-angle camera, wide enough for large group selfies and breathtaking vistas.

The big and powerful camera system is turned into an iconic dual ring design. The front is covered by a 3D curved phone with an unobtrusive single punch hole camera at the top. This display supports HDR and the full P3 colour gamut delivers an unmatched visual experience for videos and games, with a 120Hz high refresh rate and 300Hz touch sampling rate.

The HUAWEI P50 Pro packs a 4,360mAh battery, despite its slim body, with 66W HUAWEI SuperCharge and 50W Wireless HUAWEI SuperCharge.

EMUI 12 produces an innovative UI with an elegant look. The Device+ tab in the control panel enables users to easily control 40

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or set up multi-device collaboration with other devices, such as the FreeBuds, MatePad and MateBook. The trusted AppGallery is available for users to download a wide range of high-quality apps.

The HUAWEI P50 Pro is available in Cocoa Gold and Golden Black ✤.

GO: VISIT HTTPS://CONSUMER.HUAWEI.COM/QA/

‫ذا ﻣﻴﺰه ﻫﺎوس‬ THE MEZZE

Shisha Terrace NOW OPEN

Classic Shisha flavours and Sommelier Selection MODERN LEBANESE RESTO-LOUNGE SERVING MASTERFULLY HANDCRAFTED BEVERAGES AND SCRUMPTIOUS MEZZE AND GRILL PLATTERS MENU

SHISHA MENU

themezzehouse.doha

For more information please call 4009 5515

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• PLUGGED IN

THE PERFECT COMPANION Sony is introducing a new way to enjoy your favourite music with the brand-new, truly wireless LinkBuds, coming to the Middle East in April.

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inkBuds have been created with a unique open ring driver unit, which allows you to clearly hear exterior sound while on a call or listening to music, making the LinkBuds the perfect companion.

You can make calls without noise due to precise voice pickup technology. Sony’s noise reduction algorithm was developed using over 500 million voice samples.

Sony’s Integrated Processor V1 reproduces all the detail in your music with minimal distortion, for a stunningly authentic listening experience.

Wide Area Tap allows you to double or triple tap to adjust playback to your liking.

With Speak-to-Chat you can automatically pause your music as soon as you speak to someone. Once your conversation is over, your music starts playing automatically. LinkBuds also come with hands-free help so you can get information, connect with friends, and set reminders by activating your preferred assistant. Just say “OK Google” or “Alexa”.

LinkBuds support Google’s Fast Pair feature, allowing pairing with Android devices. You can also locate your misplaced headphones.

Swift Pair makes it quick and easy to pair your LinkBuds to your Windows 11 or Windows 10 laptop, desktop PC or tablet.

Sony has designed LinkBuds with the environment in mind.

These unique earbuds and their charging case are made using recycled plastic materials and plastic-free packaging.

Thanks to IPX4 water resistance, the earbuds resist splashes and sweat. You can also enjoy up to 5.5 hours of charge and store an additional 12 hours in the case. A 10-minute charge gives you up to 90 minutes of play time. ✤ GO: VISIT SONY.COM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE Xiaomi is introducing its brand-new Redmi Note 11 series that makes flagship-level specs more accessible and raises industry standards.

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iaomi’s new Redmi Note 11 series includes four devices: Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, Redmi Note 11 Pro, Redmi Note 11S and Redmi Note 11, bringing powerful upgrades to camera systems, charging speed and display.

Raising up the flagship camera experience, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G, 11 Pro and 11S once again feature 108MP primary sensors, allowing you to capture and share pictures in high resolution with higher dynamic range and colour performance. Additionally, the 2MPdepth camera on Redmi Note 11 Pro, 11S and 11 adds a natural bokeh effect to your portrait shots.

The Redmi Note 11 series enhances your screen experience with smoother animations and lag-free transitions, while registering more precise touches. With screen sizes of 6.67 inches and 6.43 inches, the series is equipped with an FHD+ AMOLED DotDisplay featuring DCI-P3 wide colour gamut, providing more vibrant colours, while also ensuring screen clarity even in bright daylight.

The dual super linear speakers, located at the top and bottom of the phone, offer a complete entertainment experience.

Raising up its performance, Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G is powered by Snapdragon 695 offering 5G connectivity and superb performance.

Redmi Note 11 Pro and 11S offer advanced octa-core MediaTek Helio 42

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G96 processors. Redmi Note 11 is equipped with Snapdragon 680 to deliver superior performance while conserving power. Additionally, all four devices come with a 5,000mAh large-capacity battery. The 67W turbo charging in Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G and 11 Pro takes just 15 minutes to reach 50% of battery. Redmi Note 11S and 11 feature 33W pro fast charging, allowing you to charge to 100% in an hour. ✤ GO: VISIT MI.COM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

ADMISSIONS

OPEN

COVID-SAFE NEW LANDMARK CAMPUS

TODAY’S LEARNERS, TOMORROW’S LEADERS. At the heart of our approach is the idea of readiness – we empower our students with resilience, creativity, self-belief and skills to thrive in a world that is changing fast.

READY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR LANDMARK CAMPUS AND PREMIUM ACADEMIC PATHWAYS? CALL + 974 3026 6800 OR EMAIL DOHA-ADMISSIONS@ACS-SCHOOLS.COM TO ORGANISE A PERSONAL TOUR.

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• PLUGGED IN

APP-LICIOUS What’s on the smartphone agenda for March?

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Parent Sense

Aviation Pulse

Creating a healthy baby routine can be hard for a new parent, especially tracking developmental milestones and a newborn’s feeding schedule.

Or maybe you need a baby sleep sense tracker to improve the baby’s sleep. The solution is Parent Sense — the all-in-one newborn routine tracker and baby schedule planner that has been developed based on Meg Faure’s bestselling Baby Sense series.

The app recommends a daily schedule to track the activities of your newborn baby. This includes, sleep cycle, feeding, baby growth and development stages for up to 12 months.

The daily routine is based on age, prematurity, feeding methods, bedtime routine and wake-up time. The app further offers free parent tips to craft the newborn routine. Weekly summary of feeding and pumping tracker and the outcomes expected and achieved are also available. A bespoke suggestion for a baby’s day is also available on the premium version.

Aviation Pulse brings worldwide aviation news on your device totally free for no subscriptions or hidden charges. This app has been designed for aviation industry enthusiasts to keep them abreast of latest worldwide trends. The app provides information and content on aviation industry news sorted by categories, airlines, countries and aircraft types for convenience, exclusive blogs and posts from top aviation bloggers and people involved in the industry. Their take on certain trends and information about futuristic approaches, aviation events and conferences happening worldwide and an aviation related video and picture gallery. The information of 300 airlines is available on the app, including Qatar Airways, American Airlines, Delta Air, Etihad Airways, Air Baltic, Air France, British Airways, Easy Jet, Emirates, Finnair, Lufthansa, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. The app is updated every hour.

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• 5 OVER 5

In Conversation with…

Robert Cody The Head of School, ACS Doha School, on the importance of passion.

How did your career in education start?

From as early as my teenage years, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher. I remember taking a placement test in high school that would predict possible career paths for my future. I answered as I thought a teacher would so the test results would align with what I already believed would be my pathway.

My first full-time teaching job was in a wonderful multi-cultural community outside New York City. Being 25 years of age and working in a school as diverse as Lawrence allowed me to become the teacher I am today. This experience changed me personally and professionally.

Where do you draw your inspiration? Were there any mentors who influenced the way you work and think?

Not everyone you meet is a positive role model. But there is always learning that you can take away and better yourself.

At the start of my college career, two professors had some of the most significant influences on my life, Sister Francis Daniel Kammer, and Meritta Cullinan. Sister Francis saw me as a good human being and made me feel more intelligent than I believed 46

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I was, which allowed me to develop more confidence and push myself to excel. Meritta had a different teaching approach and pushed me but she did not give up on me and showed me how caring people live.

I consistently draw inspiration from passionate educators, hopeful parents, and students who dream of a better life.

As an expat in Doha, what, for you, are the most interesting and unique aspects of Qatar, or your favourite thing to do here?

I enjoy the culinary world of Qatar. Arabic food has become one of my favorite cuisines, and the variety of selections available in areas such as the souqs and food festivals allow me to explore constantly. The Metro has made my life much more convenient and enjoyable. Qatar's effort to celebrate diversity with international festivals and ensure that pop-up markets and festivals are at Metroaccessible locations is also worth mentioning. My wife and I continuously enjoy being tourists.

Recently, I've also been happy to use the biking trails that have been developed across the Lusail area.

5 OVER 5 •

With the changing pandemic restrictions, what innovations did ACS International employ to create exciting experiences for the students and faculty alike?

It was always our goal to remain a community school, even though our students had to be remote at times. Thanks to the design of our spacious new campus, students and teachers were able to engage in in-person learning while still conforming to Covid-19 requirements.

Students had the flexibility of collaborative spaces for smaller group projects and assignments. They built on their social skills and engaged in activities, from dressing up as their favourite book characters, to an interactive photo collection, the return of sports and physical activities outdoors, participation in a global initiative with Hour of Code, and their first live recitation of poetry in front of friends and family at the campus' newly opened theater.

For the periods when students were off campus due to the pandemic, we saw it as an opportunity to build further on the community. ACS Doha introduced bedtime stories for both Early Childhood and Lower School, allowing our youngest students to gather again with their teachers and classmates around bedtime reading.

Parents and students enjoyed the connection with the school and the stories. We even had Aisha AlNaama, a Qatari mountaineer, read

to them from a book about her adventures in climbing Mt. Everest.

We also included other online community initiatives for students and parents alike. Lower School students could tune in to a live PE lesson every morning to help them keep active and meet their classmates. Middle School students could join online HITT classes hosted by Christopher Quinn, the school's Athletic Director.

Sowmiya Kasthuri, Dean of Admissions & Marketing, and I also had our Zoom sessions throughout the day with daily check-in links available for the communities to join for any questions or a simple catch-up over a morning coffee.

What advice would you give for someone considering a career in education?

The first thing I would say is to understand the magnitude of this decision. You will serve in a significant capacity to develop students' and team members' paths for the rest of their lives.

Make sure it's something you're genuinely passionate about and enjoy and, more importantly, realise that this path will be filled with everyday learnings. Never take lightly the impact you have on fellow human beings. If you are willing to work hard and care for each person you teach and meet, you can change generations of people as a teacher. ✤ fact magazine

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LIFE-LONG LEARNING Executive Chef Mert Duran, of Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha, talks inspiration, challenges and comfort food.

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CHEF IN FOCUS •

Tell us how did you foray into the culinary world? Was there a specific moment where you knew this was your calling?

My love and passion for culinary were influenced by my father.

Growing up, I witnessed him cooking good food at home.

My calling started in university. I chose to become a chef when I realised the happiness and joy food provided to people. I had a professor in culinary school who taught us the importance of flavours and food scents and the warmth they can bring to others. The taste of simple recipes can remind people of their childhood or multicultural dishes can make others think of their favourite country to visit. I enjoy seeing people feel this happy when they taste each dish I create for them.

What’s the most challenging part of overseeing all the culinary operations of a hotel featuring five restaurants, inroom dining, banqueting and outside catering?

The most challenging part is to make sure that the hygiene of each and every venue is top-notch. This responsibility is on my shoulders and the entire hotel depends on me to ensure that we always keep the appropriate standards.

Being in the hospitality industry gives me the leeway of

managing a diverse team and serving diverse guests, which is another challenging part. Strong communication and teamwork skills are very important. It means that I have to be able to deal with everyone’s perspectives and handle them well.

Another challenge is working long hours; as much as I enjoy my job, I only have limited time with my family.

What is comfort food for you? Which is that one dish that you perhaps go for when relaxing or late at night?

Mostly bread and cheese is my comfort, it’s light and I can eat it at home after long hours of work.

My go to when relaxing is sucuk (pronounced as sojuk) ekmek, this sandwich reminds me of my childhood, my mother used to cook this for me and my sister. Apart from its wonderful taste, it’s also sentimental for me.

Is there something in the food world you are looking to explore or learn about?

Every day is an exploration, I cannot choose what I want to explore it just goes without saying. Every type of dish from any country around the world provides never-ending learning for me. ✤

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MEXICAN PASSION Executive Chef Aaj Fernando of La Bodega Negra, St Regis Doha, on inspirations and his beloved chillies.

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VOICE FROM THE KITCHEN •

Do you remember the first time you prepared something in the kitchen and knew that this was your calling?

Yes, I do. The first time I mastered cooking fish. As I grew up in a beach town, my home cuisine was based on seafood. When my mother finally taught me how to take care of and cook fish, I knew then that this was for me.

I do love cooking our local favourite hamour.

around the world. It’s a pretty organic fluid process to be honest.

There needs to be some balance to a restaurant menu. However, the key is first making a great dish.

Each one needs to be able to stand up on its own, I then worry about the balance of the overall menu later once I’ve created the dishes. Often one dish leads naturally to another.

You have to have a natural interest, searching for a flavour or a base ingredient and developing a dish from there. Once I have an

What’s that one ingredient that makes Mexican cuisine outstanding and devises the entire flavour?

Mexican chillies!

It’s not as obvious as you may think, this isn’t about heat it’s about flavour. The many different chillies we use add depth and taste to sauces. Chillies can, of course, just add heat but they can do so many other things to a dish and they develop flavour over time, like in a mole. The difference between raw, ripe and dry is also amazing! It is such a versatile and clever ingredient

idea in my head then its trial and error and refinement.

Most dishes are never totally finished or perfect you always want to tweak and make them even better.

What is your process in developing a menu? Where are you looking for inspiration?

My inspiration simply comes from everywhere around, either from my travels, reading about a new ingredient and experimenting, researching Mexican food history, chatting with other chefs

Can you share with us your signature dish or style and what makes it special to you?

My signature dish is roasted hamour with smoked tomatillo and jalapeño sauce and charred cheese.

When I moved to Doha, I was on the hunt to find the perfect piece of fish to tie both lbn (La Bodega Negra) and Doha together. I naturally looked at the obvious ones but then I found hamour – I love that it is rich and flaky with a hint of meaty flavour, I think it is great.

We make it with a sauce of smoked tomatillo and jalapeños, the idea is that you make your own fish parcel using fresh crispy lettuce and top it with charred cheese and smoked green sauce. ✤ fact magazine

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A TOUCH OF CLASS Kirsty Walker takes a nautical journey at 12 Chairs Caviar Bar, Doha.

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CULINARY SPOTLIGHT •

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aviar was a delicacy long before raw oysters, truffles or bubbly. Reserved for monarchs and their elites throughout history.

And it’s safe to say caviar is an acquired taste.

Over the years I’ve learnt to enjoy these indulgent pearls of fishy joy, spooned onto a dollop of sour cream, balanced on a blini. I’ve always wanted to understand it better.

So, imagine my delight at hearing that a caviar bar had just opened up the road in West Bay Lagoon, at the Mondrian Doha.

12 Chairs Caviar Bar Doha went live in November 2021. In a cosy contrast to the Mondrian’s vast, iconic lobby, it’s discreet and classy.

On arrival, our coats are taken and we’re shown to our lowbacked bar chairs overlooking the kitchen, and within reach of the chef’s blade. Comfortable, plush, and yes, 12 of them. Upbeat lounge music complements a stunning sea-themed wall and floor design – very stylish.

You can order à la carte, but we opt for the Omakase menu, with the chef as our guide. Surprises are good for the soul!

Our nautical journey starts wonderfully as Marcus Riot, Chef de Cuisine, presents us each with ‘bumps’ of Oscietra and Beluga caviar together with a double shot of special Japanese/Cuban mixed beverage. The caviar we were expecting, the shot, not.

And what an unexpectedly delicious pairing it is.

Those scrumptious caviar bumps are chased by two cones of soft cream cheese, wrapped with ultra-fine filo pastry baked in-house. One contains raw marinated wagyu, the other housesmoked Norwegian salmon. Both are topped with a generous scoop of Kaluga caviar. fact magazine

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• CULINARY SPOTLIGHT “Eat it in two bites,” we are told. I barely swallow the first before taking the second. My guest has already requested another.

Hamza, the Head Mixologist, presents me with a Love Bird. It’s exquisite. A double layer of citrus from the orange enhanced beverage and the tart tang of grapefruit juice, is complemented by sweet lychee puree. Garnished with an orchid leaf and served in a stunning avian-shaped glass, this is a beautiful drink.

My friend orders a Silicon Soul, also citrus-based, with a twist.

Yuzu juice, Russian beverage, a touch of grenadine and sweet notes of rose. There’s a fresh red rose petal on top, and I eye the drink whilst she sips happily.

Let’s not forget, this is a caviar bar, and the intriguing variety of enhanced beverages and mocktails created and curated inhouse, are an absolute treat.

Distracted by our drinks, a plate of meticulously garnished lobster tartlets appears in a puff of dry ice, accompanied by a glass of bubbles with ‘vanilla caviar’.

Hints of vanilla from these little spheres zip up and down with the bubbles, while I devour my yuzu-marinated Canadian lobster.

Why do I not do this more often?

Next, we get some Mexican Tuna Akami. Presented beautifully in tiny taco shells, the spicy kick, crunchy corn, and salty caviar combine perfectly.

We enjoy a quick rendezvous with a Pineapple Scallop – a tender, chopped Japanese scallop, blow-torched into the shape of a pineapple, and dressed with pineapple ponzu (crazy!) – before the main dish, ‘Beauty and the Beast’.

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A deep red rose of pickled beetroot sits alongside a perfectly seared Japanese A5 Wagyu steak, with a generous portion of Kaluga caviar atop. Orange and beetroot puree on the side, drizzled with a generous portion of truffle jus, and served under a glass dome of smoke, the dish is phenomenal. Each bite is an explosion of flavour.

The last thing awaiting us is dessert. A Piña Colada ice cream parfait served with fresh pineapple pieces and coconut meringue, accompanied by an oh-so-good homemade Mocha Cream shot with coffee ‘caviar’. I can safely say we have arrived at our destination.

The service and presentation were cool, calm and collected.

For relative amateurs like us, Chef de Cuisine Marcus, and his Chef de Partie Stephan, guided us through each plate, not only upon serving, but also while slicing, placing, and constructing each dish precisely before presentation at the bar. It was a pleasure to watch.

A visit to 12 Chairs Caviar Bar is a wonderfully creative, and highly personal experience. Though you might think that caviar takes centre stage here. I beg to differ. The food is out of this world, and the designer drinks crafted to perfection. But the diner is the star of the night. ✤

GO: CALL 4045 5999 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.

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A FLIGHT TO ITALY As we head into spring, the winds are sometimes still chill enough to require comfort food. Seeking some of the best, FACT’s Asad Khan’s first stop: Business Lunch at La Veranda.

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e’re always on the lookout for the perfect open-air eateries as spring comes around, and we place La Veranda, at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel, high on that list.

Many restaurants in Doha have jumped on the trend for Business Lunch, but La Veranda’s offering is something not to be missed in a plethora of options around town. By the beautiful sea and with the view of the skyline, this place ensures a classy, elegant and tasteful experience that takes you to Italy without ever boarding the flight.

The Business Lunch at La Veranda is a hybrid between a buffet and à la carte. There’s an assorted spread of appetisers, including salads and dips and for your main, you choose one dish from a set menu. The contemporary and innovative food choices can be enjoyed within the walls of this elegant establishment, featuring a Vespa as a centrepiece, or from the beautiful terrace.

We began our lunch with some cold salads along with warm bread and goats’ cheese and an array of delectable spreads: lots of lettuce here and there, beetroot, carrots, smoked salmon, roast beef and rocca. For the cold appetisers we highly recommend the Lamb Meatballs and Caprese Salad, the beauty lies in the simplicity of the ingredients. The meat was well-done and the salad perfectly light, whilst the goat cheese added warmth to the taste buds. This is the definition of comfort food.

Speaking about comfort food, our mains were the perfect companion for a nice chilly afternoon. The Caserecci Ai Funghi Porcini (homemade short pasta toasted in creamy porcini

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mushroom sauce and truffle essence) and Pizza Crudaiola (tomato sauce, mozzarella, rocket leaves, fresh cherry tomato and Parmesan) were hearty and full of flavour. These were indisputable top choices — winning over the palate convincingly.

The Porcini Pasta there is a pasta lover’s dream. Rich, creamy and loaded with cheesy mushroom goodness. Paired with glorious buttery sauce, it was the perfect dish for an afternoon hangout.

Don’t get sidetracked by just the pasta though. The pizza looked Neapolitan in a real sense. And tasted Neapolitan. But it was fundamentally different, eliminating the gene that turns the crust wet. It was crispy and supple. Both the mains we didn’t chew, we didn’t breathe. It was more like inhaling culinary nitrous oxide and going into a food comma right there.

Pro tip: leave some room for desserts because you will want to try the ones at La Veranda, even if you’re feeling really full.

My favourite of them? The ultimate strawberry tart. It’s hard to make a perfect tart, but I can tell you that the chefs at La Veranda have the secret. The light and airy cream cheese filling, with a velvety texture, perfectly harmonised with the warm biscuit on the outside and has stuck in my mind.

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to food and selection of cuisines in Doha but La Veranda is a gem standing out on flavour and presentation in terms of food whilst boasting views and a vibe that are hard to beat. A place for traditional, fresh and flavoursome Italian cuisine. ✤

GO: CALL 4485 3000 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION. 58

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Much More Than Perfect Burgers & Brews

brewskisandgrub +974 - 4441-2550 / 7705-2550 fact magazine

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CHILL OUT! FACT’s Asad Khan headed to the new hotspot in town, Brewskis and Grub, to catch up with friends and get his hands on some lip-smacking food.

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rom its serious nightlife scene to hyped-up creative culinary delicacies, Brewskis and Grub, at Crowne Plaza Doha, is successfully on its way to building a solid reputation as one of the coolest places in town.

We know about food, drinks and fashion and this place is a physical manifestation of this expertise combined with a hint of fun. If you think this is just another sports bar — you’re quite wrong. Unlike others, Brewskis has a refined food menu as well.

The first thing you notice when you walk into this spacious place is all the flat screens, then the tap-n-pay system, that allows customers to recharge a card and refill their drinks on their own, and next the slick masculine interior —wood furniture paired with fun décor touches. We headed there on a weekday rather earlier in the evening and when we left the place it was almost houseful.

A deliciously-designed menu catered for a perfect catch-up with friends while satisfying our meaty and burger cravings. As with all things at Brewskis, the key to the menu is sharing, so you make sure you order lots and have a little of each other’s choices as you’re going to want to try a variety of dishes. Each waiter had an almost encyclopedic knowledge of the menu which was quite a testament to their training. Best thing? They didn’t keep us waiting long.

Pretzel bites were brought to the table as we perused the menu.

We selected a couple of appetisers — and all were blasting with distinct flavours! Our favourite was the Buffalo Chicken Dip, Brewskis Salad and Pecking Duck Tacos.

It’s a well-known fact that people consume an ungodly amount of buffalo wings while watching sports. That’s fine and all, but the best thing one can conveniently eat, hands down, is the dip. fact magazine

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• FOODIE CORNER And what’s better than a bubbling cauldron of Buffalo wings in dip form? Nothing. This dip satisfied all our culinary senses to a point where our minds were so focused on the range of textures and flavours bounding around our mouths that we forgot we had other appetisers and mains coming.

Let’s be honest, of all the dishes in Chinese cuisine — one of the most mouth-watering is Peking Duck. It’s complicated and requires last-minute assembling. But the one folded and rolled up at Brewskis was worth all the hard work. The tacos were filled with apricot compote and fried brie cheese that gave the otherwise salty ensemble a hint of sweetness with the right balance of flavours. Also, the Brewskis Salad was such a healthy choice featuring fresh greens, roasted red peppers, spiced feta cheese paired with fresh olives, sundried tomatoes and cranberries tossed in a honey vinaigrette! This is what you must order if you’re on a diet and counting your calories but still want to have fun.

Delving into the mains: our hands-on favourite was the Brewskis Signature Burger. I’ll never forget the glow when my friend bit into his burger. The 250gr rib eye patty was well-done and the cheese and truffle mushrooms were brilliantly balanced — a condiment tour de force. The burger brought back memories of backyard barbecues and family gatherings — ahhh, such comfort food!

Everything about it was taste-bud-tinglingly good, plus I could actually bite into it without any form of demolition. Pro tip: If you want to try their different burger options — go for Brewskis Sliders featuring Signature, Blue California and Traditional Burger.

Another thing you need to get your hands messy with is the wings. All on the menu: BBQ, Buffalo and Asian Chicken are airfried. You might not believe this, but I’d never eaten this many wings, they were messy for all the right reasons.

Dessert was another highlight to our evening. Brewskis Cookie Monster (chocolate chip cookie dough baked in a pizza pan and topped with three scoops of ice cream - chantily, chocolate and caramel - and Churros served with chocolate and caramel sauce were a perfect sweet ending to a savoury night of lip-smacking dishes. ✤

GO: CALL 4441 2550 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.

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A TRIP TO

THE LAND OF SMILES FACT’s Kalvin Ng headed to Thailand via the Banyan Tree Doha.

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lthough Doha isn’t short of options for fine Thai cuisine, Saffron is a cut above the rest – literally.

Located on the 24th floor of the Banyan Tree Doha hotel in Msheireb, the restaurant offers stunning, panoramic views of the Corniche and the gleaming skyscrapers of West Bay across the water. The elegant lighting, smoky mirrors and copper-hued interiors added a touch of sophistication, making it an ideal venue for an intimate meal as the sun set over the city.

Thailand is often called ‘The Land of Smiles’. This was clear from the moment the hostess welcomed me into the spacious dining room. The service was equally friendly and courteous throughout.

Head Chef Porntip Eumanan explained that Saffron is the signature Thai restaurant of every Banyan Tree hotel in the world. With 22 years of experience under her apron, she knew how to add something special to well-known Thai dishes at the Doha outpost.

For example, while many restaurants offer a papaya salad, Porntip gave it her twist by pairing it with soft shell crab, deep-fried in a batter with just a hint of red curry. The duck in the spicy duck salad was marinated for six hours, slow grilled for another hour, then sliced and flavoured with a delicate chilli and mint dressing.

She suggested rolling the duck pieces around a bouquet of fresh herbs. I dutifully obliged before devouring the little parcel.

The Khong Wang Ruam meat appetiser platter for two was a mix of tradition and innovation. Tender chicken satay skewers and fresh rice paper rolls with sea bass sat alongside a gentle pomelo salad. Prawns were wrapped in noodles then deep-fried, creating a delightfully crunchy snack. This was followed by two staples of Thai cuisine: seafood Tom Yum soup, and Tom Kha Gai, fact magazine

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• ON THE MENU a creamy chicken and coconut soup. Both achieved the perfect harmony of sweet, sour, salty and spicy.

The unique touches extended to the main course: a creamy chicken green curry was accompanied by a side of fish floss, which the diner could sprinkle on top to add a delicate umami layer. The tartness of the tamarind cut through the sweet and sour fried tiger prawns, while a fresh banana blossom salad almost stole the show from the Pad Thai. Each dish was executed with poise and a light touch, all washed down with imaginative mocktails from bartender Kevin that wouldn’t look out of place on a beach in Phuket, or in the hustle-and-bustle of downtown Bangkok.

Chef Porntip promised something special for dessert, and she didn’t disappoint. Mango sticky rice puddings can sometimes be too heavy or, well, too sticky. Here, the consistency of the glutinous rice was just right. The star of the dish, however, was the coconut ice cream, made according to the chef’s secret recipe. It was fluffy and creamy, with a hint of salt to bring out the sweetness of the coconut. Additionally, a plate of banana fritters paired well with an ice cream infused with Thai tea.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have made it difficult for us to travel to Thailand, but for a few hours at least, my palate - and my stomach - were lucky enough to go on a culinary journey to the Land of Smiles without leaving Doha. ✤

GO: CALL 4410 3310 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.

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SM

OK

Co o he ler e ad v ed enin to g Hu s ca qq ll fo at o r r som eli sh e ch Tu a rk rgri ish lle an d fo di nt od. F er na ACT tio ’ na s As a ld eli d Kh ca cie an s.

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erfectly located at the main entrance of The St Regis Doha, Huqqa is a place that captures the quintessential elements of Turkish and international cuisine. For starters, there’s open space here, which is impeccable to enjoy the cool breeze whilst slicing the well-done sizzling meat. Black street lights and the sound of knives will get you harking back to your trip to Turkey. Well, it did for me!

Huqqa is an experience of its own — complete with sights, upbeat music, smells, sounds and flavours that manage to ease the wanderlust momentarily.

We began our feast with an array of Huqqa’s mezze selections and soon small but flavourful plates started to take over the whole table. The best thing — the appetisers were not just Turkish but international in every sense. Each was better than the last, but our absolute favourite was the Fatteh Spinach Kavurma, featuring yoghurt, roasted spinach and chickpeas and served with crispy pastry, and Fried Macaroni Cheese Balls served with tangy tomato sauce. The cheeseballs with sauce were tangy, sweet and creamy — extremely soft and gooey on the inside — and definitely came as a surprise. Another great appetiser before the mains: Beef Taco Sandwich. These tacos featuring minced beef with corn taco shells and cheddar cheese exploded with flavour while the Veggie Muhammara was wiped clean in no time. Paired with the warm, homemade bread we could easily and happily have eaten just this all night.

Another surprise came courtesy of dynamite shrimps. A little fact magazine

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• TASTE TRIAL crusty on the outside, this appetiser wasn’t anything we’ve not tried before at many different restaurants. It was the same, but very different. Fried to perfection and garnished with spicy mayo dressing — super addictive! This was a definite crowd pleaser!

Huqqa is known for always bringing flavoursome dishes to the table, and it definitely brought the spices and heat with its Adana Wrap Sandwich: minced beef with cheese paired with lamb. The lamb did not figure strongly in the taste landscape but you could definitely feel a difference in texture and it added something extra to an already excellent dining experience.

Now onto the mains, the star of the night was the meat steak. The chefs at Huqqa have mastered the art of infusing meat with just the right amount of salt and pepper. The delectable flavour and tenderness of the meat shone through — a carnivore’s dream.

The best thing about this meaty affair was that there were no extra spices that could deviate us from the actual flavour of the meat which was crispy on the outside but incredibly soft on the inside.

For dessert, we devoured the scrumptious Baklava, a perfect ending to a classic meal. The Baklava at Huqqa was not the ordinary one you might expect but rather incredibly special in terms of both its presentation, and taste. It was milky and soft to the core and the garnishing of pistachios really made an impression. This is for royalty.

We ended our night with a beautiful presentation of Turkish coffee. You’ve got to try it because it’ll give your metabolism a kick to digest everything at a much, much faster rate. ✤

GO: CALL 4424 4866 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.

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LEVANTINE Breafast

Come and enjoy with your family a gastronomical journey from the heart of the Middle East with a wide variety of authentic dishes.

8AM - 1PM EVERY FRIDAY & SATURDAY | 99 QAR per person

Scan menu here For reservations: 3359 8514

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HARVESTING THE LOVE OF COFFEE! As Harvest Coffee celebrates its two-year anniversary, they’ve launched a new brunch menu while brewing your perfect cup of speciality coffee.

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ow long has it been now since you saw a barista? A day? An hour? Or just a few minutes, maybe? The days of handing over your keep-cup for an expertly-made oat milk flat white certainly are back, and everyone is just delighted at the fact that Covid has finally taken a back seat, well sort of, as we all dine out and embrace the new normal.

The simple morning or afternoon ritual of coffee is something we never take for granted. And you shouldn’t either. It drives your energy for the rest of the day!

Let’s be honest, coffee drinkers and those who are looking for an uber-chic place to dine out or just grab some snacks and get comfortable, are spoilt for choice in Doha. While some offer loud music and a space too hip — others are more minimalistic in nature with a vibe that makes you feel at home. For us it’s the latter that wins.

Harvest’s rugged concrete, gender neutral aesthetics and minimalistic décor are perfect for someone who’s in search for the best Instagrammable spot. The refined concrete barista bar and clean white walls are made warmer by a mix of wood textures. It’s the perfect space for a mobile office, hours of chainsipping (excellent) espressos or a quick coffee and banana bread on the go. In the plethora of what’s available in town, Harvest Coffee really marks its space and is comfortably busy at almost every time of the day. Breakfast, brunch, coffee or snacks, the place offers an ultimate experience. This is the kind of place you want to hang out with friends or simply just sit solo and power up your laptop to get through all that pending work.

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THE CONCEPT: Overlooking the sea at The Pearl-Qatar, the coffee shop has indoor and outdoor space — it is capacious and minimalistic.

Both the menu and environment here are winners. The moment you enter you smell a strong aroma of coffee beans, hear the sound of coffee machine whirling and the cash counter opening and closing in a matter of minutes. Great speciality coffee has complex and delicate flavours when brewed properly and that’s the concept that has earned Harvest its place on the speciality coffee scene in Doha. Speaking about what inspired Harvest to open its doors in Qatar, the owner said: “The concept was to bring an authentic coffee and brunch culture that brings people together for meaningful conversations. Harvest is a place of expression and a multi-cultural place to feel at home at."

Harvest also has social convictions and takes conversations of importance seriously. The café actively took part in the #FreePalestine movement creating awareness about one of world’s most controversial conflicts. It’s a communal space that brings people of many different cultures, nationalities and values together. “For Palestine we had full week of screenings.

Sometimes we also support artists. People often get surprised that we do, as non-profit. We do not charge the artists to showcase their work, neither do we ask for any sort of commissions if they sell anything. So, for us, Harvest is not just a place where you come and have coffee or brunch — it’s more than that. It’s a space for emerging artists and young talent. A place for growth. We intend to be a community space,” he added. fact magazine

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THE PERSONALITY: Why, every day, do you pay for a watery latte that was lovelessly made on a push-button machine? Something that could easily and safely be operated by a child. Move on, shape up and ship out. Perhaps, it’s time to return craft and artistry to the beverage.

All blended in-house, Harvest Coffee’s offering is so rich and flavourful that it’ll remind you why you originally fell in love with the stuff. This place possesses a distinct personality, much in the way that dwelling spaces adhere to the character of their inhabitants and take on the dash of visitors here and there.

“Everything at Harvest is homemade — something you can make at home. It tastes like home, but of course we add on our very own twist to the dishes. It’s not something you can get bored of or feels tacky. And the most important thing is that everything on the menu, in terms of food, goes with the coffee. We do not want to forget how important speciality coffee is,” added the man behind Harvest. “We just launched our new brunch menu featuring healthy options and options that fill you up. Dishes that you can customise, four are savoury and one sweet, and they are something that you can eat throughout the day irrespective of the time.”

As Harvest marked its second anniversary, the owner shared about the overwhelming response the coffee shop has been getting by food connoisseurs and coffee lovers alike. “It has been an amazing journey because we never expected that it would be packed indoor and outdoor — all seasons. We’re growing and that’s credited to the fact that we involve customers as well, in terms of feedback. We try to give back to the community and people serving community.”

Soon after Harvest opened its doors, Covid-19 struck pushing coffee shops and restaurants to close down and allowing only food deliveries or take-away, but it was the perfect brews of Harvest that kept it going, not affecting the sales, with people coming in for to-go coffee whilst walking their way around The Pearl. All you need to know is that Harvest brews one of the most effortless cups of coffee that tastes marvellous!

THE BRUNCH: As part of its anniversary, Harvest released its new brunch menu and I was all up for trying their Green Scrambled (homemade brioche scrambled eggs, spinach puree, feta yogurt cream, feta crumbs and olive oil with crushed black pepper), Benedict (house-made brioche bun served with smashed avocado, smoked turkey breast, baby rocket and smoked paprika) and classic pancakes (pancakes with toasted walnuts and dulce de leche sauce).

The Benedict was wholesome. It was spicy with just the right hint of crunchiness to it — a balanced recipe and a balanced egg on the top, neither overly nor under cooked. I’ve had scrambled eggs before but here at Harvest they were fluffy and green.

The feta yogurt cream added a texture and savoury taste to an otherwise mild and metallic spinach taste. It was quite a perfect twist of flavours to an old-fashioned dish that we all have been getting a little tired of by now.

For pancakes, the fluffier the better right? But, what was even better was the perfect balance of crispiness on the outside but 76

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softness on the inside, loaded to the brim with dulce de leche without being too thick or greasy. They were perfectly sugary, but not too much for the palate. I can still feel the joy of cutting through that buttery pile of pancakes and relishing it to the core.

I paired my brunch with a classic flat white. And, if I must, you should too. As you sip your coffee with warm sunlight coming from the large windows — you’ll understand what all the hype is about Harvest. They harvest love, food and everything that makes your day positive, happy and delightful! ✤

GO: FOLLOW @HARVEST.QA fact magazine

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HOW TEMPTING! All the best places to make the most of this spring season.

ALWADI HOTEL DOHA - MGALLERY

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL DOHA

AtTEAtude – Tea Lounge and Terrace Treat yourselves to an elegant Afternoon Tea featuring freshlybaked scones, a selection of cut sandwiches, and a mouthwatering range of pastries at QR175 for two people inclusive of refreshing beverages.

GO: Call 4009 9666 or WhatsApp 3075 8211 for more information or to make a reservation.

Nobu Welcome back Nobu Corporate Chef, Herve Courtot, at Nobu Doha from March 9 to 12. Savour his signature dishes and caviar specialities from Nobu restaurants around the globe during his visit and join him for an exclusive culinary class on March 12, featuring Nobu signature dishes. The offer runs from 3pm to 4pm for QR650 per person for the culinary class including a Nobu Cookbook.

GO: Call 4494 8600 or e-mail res.doha@fourseasons.com for more information or to make a reservation.

CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL DOHA-THE BUSINESS PARK Rodizio A destination for the carnivore connoisseur, Rodizio is about meat, prepared on live open-flame grills in the heart of the outlet and served to the table on skewers that allow the guest to choose how much or how little they want. Go before 7pm to get a special price of QR195 on unlimited special cuts.

GO: Call 4408 7777 for more information or to make a reservation.

HILTON SALWA BEACH RESORT & VILLAS South Bay Restaurant Enjoy a special bonfire barbecue at South Bay Restaurant with a selection of delicious grills and bonfire marshmallows with chocolate chip cookies and sauce. Available from 4pm to 8pm at South Bay. GO: Call 4423 6666 for more information or to make a reservation.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL DOHA Elements Experience an international hybrid lunch at Elements. Savour your favourite international dishes from a new diverse buffet including appetisers and a salad bar, and a main course freshly prepared from the delicious à la carte menu daily from 12.30pm to 3pm for QR150 per person (food only).

GO: Call 4494 8600 or e-mail res.doha@fourseasons.com for more information or to make a reservation.

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HOLIDAY INN DOHA — THE BUSINESS PARK Stock Burger Co. Looking for cool, fun, casual brunch vibes? Check out the Friday Brunch at Stock Burger for free-flowing tipples and unlimited party platters with surprises in store. The offer costs QR299 per person for unlimited house beverages and speciality platters plus pool access at Crowne Plaza Doha-The Business Park.

GO: Call 4031 3333 for more information or to make a reservation.

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HYATT REGENCY ORYX DOHA The Cellar Enjoy a warm and chic brunch and splurge on assorted tapas, confit chicken or sous-vide lobster tail for your main course plus a selection of desserts and soft beverages. The offer runs every Saturday from 12pm to 4pm for QR160 per person and QR260 per couple.

GO: Call 4141 1234, WhatsApp 6608 5806 orvisit hyattrestaurants. com for more information or to make a reservation.

INTERCONTINENTAL DOHA Novecento Indulge in your favourite Afternoon Tea in town with your friends.

Choose the classic option or indulge in a sweet afternoon with unique Chocolate Afternoon Tea. The offer runs daily from 2pm to 5pm for QR185 per couple, inclusive of two hot beverages.

GO: Call 4484 4919 for more information or to make a reservation.

JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Shanghai Club Get on the list and brunch your way to the newest Pan-Asian brunch spot in town with Koi Brunch, every Friday from 12pm to 3pm at Shanghai Club. Take in the scenery while savouring deliciousness, prepared by the renowned chefs for QR320, inclusive of soft beverages, and QR420, inclusive of enhanced beverages.

GO: Call or WhatsApp 5506 2798 for more information or to make a reservation.

JW MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA Fuego Business Lunch Take a break from your meetings-packed schedule and try a rich and flavourful business lunch at Fuego, prepared by Chef Oscar. The offer stands at QR95 for a three-course lunch menu and QR79 for two-courses.

GO: Call or WhatsApp 5506 2798 for more information or to make a reservation.

LA CIGALE HOTEL Yen Sushi Bar All sushi addicts are welcome! All-you-can-eat sushi at Yen Sushi Bar every weekend for QR149 per person.

GO: Call 4428 8698 for more information or to make a reservation.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, DOHA Liang Enjoy a variety of Liang’s signature dishes selected by Executive Chef Thomas Fong Chin Fan bringing his culinary experience in Cantonese cuisine and extensive knowledge of Chinese food culture to a special Business Lunch. Dishes are designed for guests to experience two or three courses and include favourites such as Hot and Sour Soup, Assorted Steamed Dim Sum, Kung Pao Tiger Prawns, Sweet and Sour Chicken and Chilled Mango Sago amongst others from Sunday to Thursday, 12pm to 3pm for QR90 per person for a two-course meal and QR120 for three courses.

GO: Call 4008 8888 or e-mail modoh-reservatons@mohd.com for more information or to make a reservation.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, DOHA Mosaic Discover the flavours of the Silk Route at Mosaic, where the exotic spices and culinary traditions of Asia, the Middle East and Europe are showcased at nine live cooking stations. The delightfully delicious fare now features an exclusive menu of premium master cuts from 6pm to 11pm. Set menu option for QR390 per person and à la carte dishes are available.

GO: Call 4008 8888 or e-mail modoh-reservatons@mohd.com for more information or to make a reservation.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA HOTEL Crossroads Kitchen Embrace the authentic tastes and flavours of the Levant with Mashawi Nights. Enjoy grilled favourites, live carving stations, mezze options and more… with a twist. The offer runs every Thursday from 6.30pm to 11pm for QR195 per person, including soft beverages, and QR295 per person, including selected beverages, for two hours.

GO: Call 4419 5510 or WhatsApp 6643 6890 for more information or to make a reservation.

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MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA HOTEL

SHERATON GRAND DOHA

New York Steakhouse Have you heard? The all-time favourite Big Apple Brunch has an incredible new line-up of dishes on the menu. Whether you are a carnivore or seafood lover you’re sure to find something you love at The Big Apple Brunch every Friday from 12pm to 4pm for QR495, including soft beverages, and QR595 including selected beverages.

GO: Call 4419 5510 or WhatsApp 6643 6890 for more information or to make a reservation.

Jamavar Inspired by the royal kitchens of India, Royal Seafood Saturdays at Jamavar celebrate the distinctive and rich coastal culture with a premium selection of seafood and bursting flavours of rare spices and ingredients every Saturday from 12.30pm to 12am for QR235 per person, inclusive of two selected beverages.

GO: Call 4485 3000 or WhatsApp 5594 9701 for more information or to make a reservation.

RADISSON BLU HOTEL, DOHA Inginuity It’s a meaty affair at Inginuity every day with Steak Diane.

Enjoy pan seared minute steak, mushroom sauce, buttered vegetables, turned potatoes flambéed for your enjoyment from 3pm to 11pm for QR119 per person.

GO: Call 4428 1555 for more information or to make a reservation.

SHERATON GRAND DOHA Al Hubara Whether catching up with a business partner over lunch or taking some much-needed time away from the office, Al Hubara brings you a buffet-style business lunch with a variety of options of salad, soup and sushi on Sundays and Mondays from 12.30pm to 3.30pm for QR99 per person.

GO: Call 4485 3000 or WhatsApp 5594 9701 for more information or to make a reservation. fact magazine

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MIND, BODY AND SOUL As Spring approaches, give yourself a much-needed treatment, take a holistic approach to your health.

HYATT REGENCY ORYX DOHA Club Olympus Experience the ultimate in comfort, tranquillity and wellness.

Indulge yourself in a sanctuary of relaxation in the Club Olympus wellness area, which offers a wide range of massage treatments, including a full-body massage, an aromatherapy massage, head, neck, shoulder and back massages and much more.

Call 4141 1230 or e-mail clubolympus.oryxdoha@hyatt.com for more information or to make a reservation.

MANDARIN ORIENTAL, DOHA The Spa Celebrate Women’s Day with a glow up. Book the multi-faceted Glow treatment from The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Doha’s ‘Occasions’ collection designed to enhance your radiance. The two-hour treatment includes consultations with skincare and beauty experts, customised HydraFacial therapy for cleansing and nourishing, a professional make-up session, and more for QR1,800.

Call 4008 8888 or e-mail modoh-spa@mohg.com for more information or to make a reservation

SHERATON GRAND DOHA RESORT & CONVENTION HOTEL

ALWADI HOTEL DOHA - MGALLERY M|SPA Relax your mind, body and soul with the heavenly spa ritual Ultimate Body Balance, which includes a full-body exfoliation to soften and smooth the skin, followed by a relaxing Balinese massage. The Ultimate Body Balance therapy consists of 30-minute body scrub and a 45-minute Balinese massage for QR599 per person.

Call 4009 9666 or WhatsApp 3075 8211 for more information or to make a reservation.

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL DOHA The Spa Indulge in a luxurious Gold Hammam Ritual. This treatment begins with foot therapy with Gold Hammam soap, followed

by Gold rejuvenating body polish and Rhassoul body wrap to hydrate and regenerate the skin. This two-hour ritual concludes with a relaxing body moisturiser using AMRA 24-carat Gold body butter and a mini facial for QR2,000.

Call 4494 8600 or e-mail res.doha@fourseasons.com for more information or to make a reservation.

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Sheraton Health & Recreation Center Awaken your senses and enhance your inner relaxation with tailored massages after an intense fitness session or just to relax. Swedish, Deep Tissue Sports, and Combination available for 30, 60 and 90 minutes. There is also an Anti-stress Neck and Shoulder therapy and Foot Reflexology for 30 and 60 minutes.

Price starting from QR400.

Call 4485 4600 for more information or to make a reservation.

MARRIOTT MARQUIS CITY CENTER DOHA HOTEL Saray Spa Savour pampering spa experiences at Saray Hour during weekdays and enjoy significant savings on selected signature treatments. Holistic massage for QR250 instead of QR460, Balinese and Swedish massage for QR300 instead of QR480, and Sports massage for QR350 instead of QR500. From Sunday to Thursday, 10am to 3pm.

Call 4419 6090 for more information or to make a reservation.

THE WESTIN DOHA HOTEL & SPA Heavenly Spa by Westin March is a month to celebrate women – ‘SPA’RKLE at Heavenly Spa. Get ready with glitz and glam and glow in your face and body treatments and add a sparkling design to your nails. Get your fingertips adorned in nail art and glimmers, starting from QR190.

Call 4492 1682, WhatsApp 6686 6854 or e-mail heavenlyspa. doha@westin.com for more information or to make a reservation

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• TRAVEL

GO WEST

The title could be a little misleading, since we’re talking about an Eastern European gem that’s full of architectural history, abundant greenery and cultural beauty? If this sounds like the perfect getaway, then Romania might just be the place for you!

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TRAVEL •

K

nown for its Transylvanian roots, Romania is adorned with beautiful cathedrals and edifices rich with Ottoman, Saxon and AustroHungarian heritage, woven with hidden natural marvels at every corner, and brimming with a prolific modern cultural atmosphere. The towns of Brasov, Sighisoara and Sibiu especially offer this ultimate blend of old and new, central and remote.

BRASOV A charming town in the middle of Romania surrounded by mountains, including the well-known Muntele Tampa, or Mountain Tampa, Brasov is known as a melting pot of culture, history and magnificent architecture. It was first founded in the 13th century and developed into one of the most important commercial towns in the region.

Located 170km north of the capital city of Bucharest, it is home to the famous Black Church, one of the most beautiful sites of Gothic architecture and a must-see. It was partially destroyed on many occasions, most notably by the Great Fire of 1689 whence it got its name. The restorations thereafter incorporated Baroque designs giving way to some of its Gothic beauty. It has the largest collection of Oriental rugs in Europe, 110 to be precise, dating back to the 1400s and 1500s. You can get a ticket for 10 lei (around two Euros) for adults, at the shop next door, which also sells souvenirs.

You may want to take a stroll through the main town square, sit by the fountain, and order a plate of ‘Polenta’ – a traditional Romanian dish made of corn. Next, visit the Council House, originally a watchtower, which was built in the 15th century. Brasov is also home to Strada Sforii, or Rope Street – one of the narrowest streets in Europe, with a width of 1.32m.

If you happen to pass by Strada Michael Weiss, look up at the windows of the yellow house on the corner. If you’re lucky, you will see the old lady perched there – a rather chatty character always busy talking to people down below on the street.

Don’t forget to pass through the Graft Bastion located on the northwest side of the town’s fortress. You can take a stroll through the ramparts and enjoy the soothing sound of the brook running alongside, then climb the narrow steps up to the White Tower on the hill to catch a view of the town below.

Speaking of high places, you may want to take a trip on the cable car going up to Mountain Tampa, where the popular Brasov sign stands overlooking the town. You could hike to the top but beware of the bears in the forest.

If you’re staying for a while in Brasov, you can take a 45-minute bus to the legendary Bran Castle. This 14thcentury landmark is popularly associated with Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The Irish writer famously never visited Bran; he depicted the castle based on a description of it.

Tickets to this beautiful salute to Romanian history cost 45 lei (around nine Euros) for adults.

Apropos castles, if you have a little more time, take the train to Sinaia, dubbed the ‘Pearl of the Carpathians’ and home

to the exquisite Peleș Castle, a summer palace built in 1874 for King Carol I, that served as a residence for the royal family until 1947. It was the first castle to have electricity in Europe, and all its 160 rooms were individually designed.

You can also take the Gondola Sinaia, the highest cable car in Romania, up to the Bucegi mountains at an altitude of 2,050m. The view is simply breathtaking, and if you’re there during winter, you can head to the ski slopes.

SIGHISOARA Take a three-hour train ride from Brasov to reach the little town of Sighisoara. Known for its rich Saxon history, laden with narrow labyrinthine cobbled lanes and lined with a myriad of coloured houses, this small town’s beauty can be observed in every nook and cranny. But the jewel in the crown has to be the 14th-century Clock Tower located at the heart of the town. After the fire of 1676, one of the gateways was converted into a prison, which you can see, along with the torture instruments used on inmates.

Another beauty of this little town is the Scara Acoperita, or the Covered Stairway, built in 1654 as a safe passage for pupils to get to school on top of the hill. Still standing today, the 300-step wooden tunnel is a must-see for anyone adventurous. Once you reach the top, you will be able to visit the old school, as well as the church on the hill.

The Breite Oak Tree Reserve is a hidden gem in this part of Romania: a 74-hectare haven of towering oak and hornbeam trees hundreds of years old. Located on the largest grassland plateau in Europe at an altitude of over 500m, this serene sanctuary is a 45-minute walk or a 20-minute car-ride away from Sighisoara. fact magazine

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• TRAVEL

SIBIU Sibiu provides a further look into the history of Transylvanian times, with classical buildings and architecture drenched in historical significance.

While you are in this beautiful town, you don’t want to miss the Piata Mare or the Big Square, home to many of Sibiu’s rich heritage and year-round festivities. Make sure to visit the Holy Trinity Orthodox Cathedral, adorned with classic crimson, royal blue and gold architecture, similar to the colours of the Romanian flag. This 20th-century building incorporates a mix of neo-Byzantine, Baroque and Transylvanian styles. During World War I, three of its four bells were famously melted by the Austro-Hungarian empire to use as canons and were not replaced until 1926.

The Pasajul Scărilor, or the Stairs Passage, that snakes through the town, is a peculiar historical treasure of Sibiu.

The 13th-century meandering stairway umbrellaed with archways connects the town’s upper quarter, home to beautiful historical sights, and the lower quarter, fringed with vividly-coloured buildings.

While at the Piata Mare, make a stop at the Brükenthal Museum, a treasure trove of Romanian history and art, as well as the European Art Gallery, the Museum of Natural History and the Pharmaceutical Museum.

The ASTRA Museum located in the Dumbrava Forest is another must-see. The open-air 96-hectare ethnographic museum is a prized spectacle for. It depicts traditional rural life in the 18th and 19th centuries featuring conventional huts, mills and churches. The easiest way to get to this cultural refuge is a one-hour walk along the Pârâul Trinkbach river from the Piata Mare.

Last but not least is Alba Iulia, another national gem and cherished historic site located on the Mureș River and an hour’s drive away from Sibiu. It was once the capital of the principality of Transylvania and in 1918 it was also the site where the unification of Transylvania and Romania was made official. Once you’ve admired this starshaped historical locale, take a stroll around the town and surrounding the fortress or rent a bike and zip through its many winding paths. ✤ 86

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The 6th edition of the popular Fact Dining Awards is fast approaching and, unlike last year, with the hospitality scene finally re-opening, we are on track to honour the crème de la crème of the country's restaurant scene. The resilience of the food sector has absolutely astounded us over the past months and we’re delighted to pay tribute to both the stalwart city favourites as well as the new venues who’ve defied the challenging business climate of the pandemic and dipped their toes in the waters to bring us an ever more fantastic and well-rounded selection of eateries across Qatar.

WE’RE BACK WITH THE VOTING FOR OUR ANNUAL FACT DINING AWARDS DOHA 2022 WITH OUR NOMINEES. THERE ARE MORE TO COME. STAY TUNED!

HOW IT WORKS: l 41 categories with 410 nominations to date. l Each category has two winners — a BEST and a FAVOURITE. l The BEST is decided by a panel of anonymous judges made up of industry experts, reputed bloggers, and the editorial team. l The FAVOURITE is decided through online public voting.

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l A gala award ceremony will take place at a venue and date to be announced, where we will reveal the winners. l 82 awards will be given out on the night, chosen from hundreds of nominated venues. l FACT Dining Awards is part of a wider initiative by FACT M.E. with annual ceremonies across the region.

FACT DINING AWARDS •

FACT DINING AWARDS DOHA FINAL CATEGORIES Fact Dining Awards Doha 2022 is coming soon and we’re happy to announce the nominees for our final categories – two of the most important, we think you’ll agree – since the Holy Month is one of the busiest foodie months of the year with glamorous Ramadan Tents springing up across the city and venues going out of their way to make Ramadan dining at home easy too, we invite you to cast your votes for the Ramadan Tent of the year and Ramadan At Home. Just follow the easy voting instructions set out opposite to make your vote count.

RAMADAN DELIGHTS Ramadan Tent

• Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery • Four Seasons Hotel, Doha • Grand Hyatt Doha Hotel & Villas • Hilton Doha • Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha • InterContinental Doha • Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel • Park Hyatt Doha • Sharq Village and Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Qatar • The Ritz-Carlton, Doha • The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa • W Doha Hotel and Residences, Qatar

Ramadan at home

• Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery • Burj Al-Hamam, The Pearl-Qatar • Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha • Crowne Plaza Hotel Doha – The Business Park • Four Seasons Hotel, Doha • Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha • InterContinental Doha • Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Hotel • The Ritz-Carlton, Doha • W Doha Hotel and Residences, Qatar

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE NOMINEES! VOTE NOW ON WWW.FACTQATAR.COM (ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON GOVERNMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS WITH RESPECT TO COVID19) fact magazine

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• ENTERTAINMENT

BIG SCREEN Encanto Need to Know:

Encanto is a family musical and animated movie from Disney that follows the Madrigals. They live hidden in the Colombian mountains in a magical place called the Encanto (charmed). It's a very easy-going movie that is enjoyable to watch.

Creators: Byron Howard, Jared Bush Cast: Stephanie Beatriz, Jessica Darrow, Diane Guerrero, John Leguizamo, María Cecilia Botero

“

You can't help yourself from connecting with the deep emotions portrayed by each character as you feel the tension of the story.

Euphoria Need to Know:

Euphoria is a 2019 drama series with the first episode of the second season released in January 2022. Its main character is a 17-yearold called Rue, a high school student dealing with tough subjects such as loss, addiction, love and the difficulties of navigating this new social environment while still discovering her identity and place in the world.

Creators: Sam Levinson Cast: Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Angus Cloud, Jacob Elordi, Alexa Demie, Sydney Sweeney, Maude Apatow

Why Is It Worth Watching?

Encanto is an absolutely enchanting movie to watch both with kids and alone! We follow the main character Mirabel (Stephanie Beatriz), and her magical family.

They attempt to protect the 'Encanto' that gifted each of them with unique magic when Abuela (Maria Botero) was in need. However, Mirabel is the only one in her family who does not receive such a gift and even though they seem like a picture-perfect family, deep-rooted issues create a strain within them. On the surface, it looks like a simple children's film, but the animation explores complex issues such as generational trauma.

In this case, the trauma Abuela experiences when she must leave her home and she loses her husband. Apart from the beautifully constructed story, the animation is also worth mentioning, from vibrant colours to every element's smooth, fluid movements. Encanto is a visually stunning movie and attentive to the details put into each character and the way emotion is represented on each animated character's face. The songs are also definitely going to be stuck in your head for a few days.

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Why Is It Worth Watching?

This series is probably one of the best teen shows out there, with a complex and expertly crafted story. With Rue (Zendaya) being the unreliable narrator guiding the audience through her own life as well as the lives of those around her. This approach adds an interesting layer to the story, and the fourth wall breaks are always unexpected.

Everything about this show is stunning. The gorgeous visuals and cinematography allow the audience to feel an intimate connection with each character and their emotions. The soundtrack and the camera angle also only add to the intensity of each scene. The excellent performances augment the immersion and the lines between acting and reality seem blurred. You can't help yourself from connecting with the deep emotions portrayed by each character as you feel the tension of the story.

The characters are also well developed, with them all having their moral issues and unique views on the situations on screen. An incredible show that is most definitely a must-watch!

ENTERTAINMENT •

ON THE RECORD

FULLY BOOKED

FICTION

The Good Son

By Jacquelyn Mitchard

ALTERNATIVE/INDIE

ALTERNATIVE/INDIE

Lucifer on the Sofa

By Spoon

Texas Moon

By Leon Bridges & Khruangbin

Well, excuse us for thinking we’d discovered something new only to find, from the UK’s Guardian newspaper, that Spoon, ‘a little band from Austin, Texas’ were one of the most reviewed acts of the 2000s and have actually been going for 17 years!

Spoon, where have you been all our lives?

The five-piece indie rockers have just released a new album, catchily titled Lucifer on the Sofa, and, as you can probably tell already, we’re more than a little bit in love.

For us, the standout tracks include The Devil and Mr Jones which rounds in from a big opener to something much more laidback and contemplative. Then you check out the lyrics, which seem an ode to a certain illicit substance, and realise that, as with so much from this band, there’s more to discover.

Wild is new but oh so familiar. You could be listening to this at any time over the last 20 years and it wouldn’t be out of place. Make sure you listen out for the early U2-esque guitars, though that’s where the similarity ends.

Astral Jacket has a deeply mellow intro, into which we fell immediately, and with lyrics like “In the blink of an eye, You feel so fine, You move in light divine, In the blink of an eye, You feel it, You lose all track of time,” this is like the soundtrack to a dream and requires at least several listens.

And last but not least, the title track, Lucifer on the Sofa, which features some jazzy brass and a story-telling vibe.

American soul singer, songwriter and record producer, Leon Bridges, teams up with eclectic trio Khruangbin – it’s pronounced Krung-bin in case you were wondering – for an EP that’s genre defying and easy listening at the same time.

A follow up to the collabo’s 2020 release Texas Sun, Texas Moon is a little darker, a little more soulful but still filled with references that are unmistakably modern-day Texas scene.

Opener Doris is the perfect showcase for Leon Bridges’ voice with an almost psychedelic background over a distinctly soul-inspired bassline and the storytelling capabilities of old-school soul.

B-Side – watch the video to encounter the weirdness of Khruangbing – channels the fest of funk, an almost fusion of indie and RnB – and will be guaranteed to have you on your feet or chair dancing if, like us, you’re working as you listen.

Chocolate Hills sounds just a little bit Princey, a compliment indeed. But, to be honest, it’s really not fair to compare these guys to anyone else, their sound is so fresh and just a welcome new listening experience.

Father Father is a tuneful departure from the overtly soulful influences. The lyrics – bell-clear – are sad and contemplative but the sound is deeply mellow. A tune for relaxing and switching off to.

Mariella. We love the intro on this track and its tale of lost love which beautifully illustrates the country feel. Gentle, tuneful and overall, the whole ticket.

Texas Moon, as an EP, might be short but it packs a whole lot of musical experience into its 22-minute- plus running time.

What do you do when the person you love most in life becomes unrecognisable to you?

You try to adjust and find bits of that person.

For Thea Demetriou it’s the same. As her son Stefan is sentenced for the drug-fuelled murder of his love interest Belinda — she still finds ways to keep loving him somehow. Stefan is released from prison after three years and struggles to make amends in a community that wants nothing to do with him. Jacquelyn wonderfully describes Thea’s struggles to understand her son. Often she still sees her sweet boy but at other times a young man tortured by guilt and broken by the hardships of prison.

It’s an intense emotionally-charged drama bursting with guilt, forgiveness and a beautiful account on motherhood.

URBAN FICTION

Brown Girls

By Daphne Palasi Andreades This bold and daring debut novel is set in Queens, New York and explores a group of friends and their immigrant families. The story introduces a group of young women of colour growing up in one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

Friends Nadira, Gabby, Trish, Naz and Angelique attempt to connect and find the common ground between their immigrant backgrounds and American culture. Their struggles bring them closer, forming friendships for life. They sing Mariah Carey at the top of their lungs whilst roaming the streets of New York and trying to be the obedient daughters their mothers want. As they age, although their paths diverge, they still remain close and familiar to each other. fact magazine

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DIVE INTO SPRING A vibrant spring collection, endorsed by beloved Lebanese singer Myriam Fares and aimed at inspiring shoppers to experiment with new possibilities has been launched by REDTAG. 92

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FASHION FOCUS •

T

he Myriam-inspired Spring 2022 Collection is inspired by people’s desire to ‘dive in’ to new possibilities. The pieces showcase vibrant prints and styles that exude a spring vibe, inspired by the desire to discover uncharted territories in fashion and explore a world of increasing choices, opportunities, freedom, authenticity, and personal rejuvenation.

Highlights include flowing silhouettes with classic cuts; maxis, printed skirts, straight and palazzo pants in urban and contemporary styles; and apparel that embodies effortless chic. The spring colour palette includes both soft pastel hues and brighter shades of the season. The latest collection and the matching accessories meet the practical as well as stylistic demands of routine life and special occasions.

Meanwhile, the brand’s regular spring collection is inspired by the positivity and the optimism associated with the season. The new collection bears the brand’s promise of being in sync with changing styles and the socio-cultural evolution in the region.

The statement-making pieces offer something special for the whole family, and come in plus sizes as well, in line with the brand’s inclusive approach. The styles exude the vitality of spring, resonating with those who see fashion as the ultimate form of self-expression. This spring, there is an air of optimism as people leave the pandemic days behind and look forward to better times.

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• FASHION FOCUS

Highlights include tropical floral print shirts, trendy tees and suave polos for men and dresses with geometric prints, scalloped V-necks, casual rugged ensembles, and matching accessories for women. Comfort remains a key consideration, be it in simple statement shirts or dressing up for casual outings, easy-to-wear dresses and colorful basics create an emerging and mood-boosting direction. ✤ SHOP THE STORY @REDTAG-STORES.COM 94

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• FOR HER

Clé de Peau Beauté

NEW &

Brightening Serum Supreme Time to glow! This luxurious Clé de Peau serum is all about brightening dull, uneven skin tones. It improves skin’s youthful clarity by targeting visible dark spots and dullness. The serum is rich and silky in texture and minimises the appearance of dark spots in two weeks. It contains the highest concentration of exclusive brightening ingredient, 4MSK, to target visible hyperpigmentation and brighten skin tone while Sea Ferment Brightener actively prevents hyperpigmentation before it appears. The hero ingredient is the brand's 4MSK complex.

Inala Power Potion Inala is a brand born out of DIY’ing beauty treatments while at home. Like many of us at the beginning of the pandemic, Lala Anthony took to trying out home remedies. The first product of her brand is Power Potion, a rice water, biotin, arginine-powered leave-in hair treatment that strengthens strands and stimulates the scalp for optimal growth. It also replenishes with hydration and helps minimise breakage.

Clinique Smart Clinical Repair Wrinkle Correcting Eye Cream While many eye creams tend to be on the rich side in terms of texture, this new whipped formula by Clinique is lightweight but doesn’t hold back on treating fine lines and wrinkles. Free of parabens and phthalates, it contains less than 1% synthetic fragrance, and comes in recyclable packaging. Thanks to its peptide complex, it visibly smooths delicate eye-area skin and helps boost natural collagen, support skin’s natural structure and strengthens the moisture barrier.

Amika 3D Daily Leave-In Hair Thickening Treatment Set the foundation for healthy hair growth with Amika’s 3D Daily Leave-In Hair Thickening Treatment that is a daily scalp treatment. The secret is in a patented blend of ingredients, along with hydrolyzed rice and vegetable proteins that add body and shine. The hydrolysed rice protein helps improve hair volume while providing thickness and natural shine and vegetable protein helps thicken, moisturise, and make hair more manageable. The treatment is suitable for all hair types.

ROSE INC Skin Enhance Luminous Skin Tint A lightweight, skincare-make-up hybrid complexion product that also plays well with masks because these formulas tend to be lightweight. Rose Inc.'s Skin Enhance Luminous Skin Tint offers sheer your-skin-butbetter coverage and a hydrated, glowy finish. The serum's spheres keep the ingredients potent throughout the bottle's lifespan. Available for 28 different skin tones, pigment spheres are suspended within a skincare base infused with sodium hyaluronate to visibly plump and smooth the appearance of fine lines, squalane to weightlessly hydrate the skin, and peptides to help protect against environmental damage.

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FOR HIM •

NOW Scents, skincare, grooming musthaves – check.

Lumin After Hours Recovery Oil Don’t let your eyes tell the story of a man who’s not getting enough sleep! Let Lumin’s After Hours

Neutrogena

recovery oil take those tired eyes and pump some

T/Gel Therapeutic Shampoo-Extra Strength

life back into them. This oil works wonders as it

It’s time to say good bye to dandruff and that scalp

replenishes and hydrates your skin while working

itch with Neutrogena’s latest scalp care collection.

to reduce the dark circles under your eyes. More

The

shampoo

importantly, it protects that thin layer of skin under

effectively controls the most resistant scalp

your eyes by hydrating, repairing, and tightening

conditions, like dandruff, with twice the amount

the skin. Inflammation, dark circles, bags and

of active ingredient as T/Gel Original Formula. This

damaged skin will all be things of the past with

formula contains Neutar (1% Coal Tar), proven to

Lumin’s After Hours recovery oil.

dermatologist-recommended

control your flaky, itchy scalp for hours after it’s rinsed out. Its rich, amber formula gently cleanses, and the added conditioners leave hair manageable and soft.

Givenchy Givenchy Gentleman Réserve Privée A woody, floral, ambery fragrance, Givenchy Gentleman Réserve Privée is composed of traceable

Sweet Chef

BRO MASK

Carrot Ginger & Salicylic Acid Pore Cleanser

Korean Face Mask for Men

is the striking duality between liquor absolute

It’s time for guys to up their skin-care game with

BRO MASK’s Korean Face Mask for Men is an

and iris, the emblematic ingredient of Gentleman

a cleanser made of natural ingredients and strong

incredibly versatile product. Infused with collagen,

Givenchy fragrances. The voluptuousness of the

enough to bring visible results. This is a non-drying

vitamin B3 niacinamide serum and green tea, these

former responds to the refined elegance of the

or stripping, clarifying cleanser that decongests

masks can be worn as a facial moisturiser, acne

latter. The first olfactory notes of Gentleman

and brightens skin, while improving tone and

solution, anti-ageing cream or as a soothing after

Givenchy Réserve Privée are full of promise.

texture over time. The gentle lather clarifies and

sun treatment. What they do not contain, however,

Coriander seeds and bergamot create a fresh,

brightens the complexion by harnessing the power

are chemical additives; they are made wholly free

aromatic accord that conceals the warm sensuality

of brightening ginger, pore-tightening carrot, and

of parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. The face

at the heart of the fragrance; powdery, slightly

decongesting and exfoliating salicylic acid. This

masks have a thick gel-like texture to deliver

woody iris mingles with the sweetness of Siam

formula helps to remove excess oil from the skin’s

active ingredients deeper into the skin for greater

benzoin and chestnut. The experience ends with

surface, making it ideal for blemish prone skin.

hydration/refreshment plus higher efficacy and

an intense trail, where cedar, patchouli and vetiver

Once rinsed off, your face is left clean, bright and

adhesion over paper masks; they stop evaporation

essences blend and are rounded by a balmy note:

balanced — not tight.

and lock in moisture so skin absorbs every drop.

the evocation of woody, ambery, textured notes.

top-quality ingredients. What makes it captivating

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• MATTER OF FACT

What We’re (Still) Talking About Dogs On Film

Water Laugh!

Timeless Fashion

There’s been a lot of action on social media just recently about the latest film from Channing Tatum, DOG. It tells the story of an Army Ranger, who is tasked with transporting a troubled military dog, Lulu, to the funeral of her former handler. So far, so cute, right?

Unfortunately, Lulu is a working Belgian Malinois. As with so many films, the inclusion of the breed is likely to lead to a surge in popularity for the Malinois.

As a breed, they’re the SAS or Navy Seals of the dog world but, like those special forces, they need very specific

Well, now we’ve heard everything…we think. Viewers on a UK TV show reacted angrily to a segment about a chap who calls himself a ‘Water Sommelier’ and insists that various varieties of H2O should be cherished and tasted in the same way as fine grapes.

In a taste testing he presented a £130 bottle of precious liquid, which apparently sells for much more in restaurants. Yes, it’s harvested by hand from a melting glacier in Patagonia and then transported by boat, presumably to a bottling plant. He describes it as more about the story than actual hydration.

We were rather taken by a silly story of Italian fashion house Moschino sending models down the runway in outfits inspired by furniture. From a lampshade hat to a chest of drawers and even a grandfather clock, big-name fashionistas donned the show-stopping creations and, no doubt, drew gasps of admiration and rounds of applause from the Milan Fashion Week audience.

Seriously, though this sounds like a bizarre anecdote, it’s actually true and it makes us wonder if the fashion world really does take us for fools?

Yes, we know the outfits paraded on the

and ongoing training and a job to do. In short, they are NOT great family pets!

And that’s what the social media action has been about, urging people to enjoy the movie but don’t rush out and get yourself a Malinois!

As someone very sensibly said: “If you didn’t rush out and become a stripper after watching Magic Mike, don’t go buy yourself a cool dog after watching DOG!”

But, is it just us, or is this slightly bonkers?

In this part of the world, we, pretty much, all drink bottled water, of necessity. But, truly, when you’re in a country like the UK, where tap water is perfectly safe to drink, why on earth would anyone consider paying that kind of money for a plain old bottle of water?

It reminds us of that old prank that if you say oranges slowly, it sounds like gullible.

catwalk are meant as inspiration, you know, they’re not for real life – though we bet we’ll see certain stars sporting some of the more outrageous of them on the red carpet in the coming awards season – but we’d like to know how they get away with this sort of nonsense and people lap it up in the name of fashion.

If you ask us, fashion, like much of the world at the moment, has gone a bit crazy.

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