LE JOURNAL / qatar / NEWS & REVIEWS
ALAIN DUCASSE Words: John Ovans
'GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT AT IDAM'
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ontemplating art can be a cerebral, appetite-building business, and with the patrons of Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art in mind, bespectacled Monégasque chef Alain Ducasse has opened IDAM,
his very first restaurant in the Middle East. Perched at the top of the iconic Qatar landmark, the restaurant was designed by Philippe Starck, and is awash with the likes of monochrome furnishings, grey marble and Baccarat crystal art pieces,
while tables are set with handcrafted porcelain, fine silverware and top-drawer linen – available to just 60 diners at a time. The menu, a year and a half in development, proves the mettle of the ‘good things come to those who wait’ policy, showing (in some
dishes, quite literally) the fruits of long-haul labours: make sure to try the restaurant’s signature dish, tender, braised camel, duck foie gras, black truffle, and souffléed potatoes, which in itself takes six days to prepare. There are even ten types of daily made bread.
Across the board, the cuisine is billed as contemporary French-Mediterranean with an Arabic twist, and food is perfectly matched by the local spices, fruits and flavours thrown together by ever-beavering barmen who work alongside the chefs to optimise palates all round.
British designer behind the brand, Katharine Pooley says of the changeover, “Having been in Doha for a year now it is lovely to understand more about Qatari taste. The team and I have now incorporated more colour with a diversified twist of classical and contemporary that we hope will find
favour with all our clients.” The new look features products from the store’s latest brand collaborations, some of which are by labels appearing in the Middle East for the first time. Brands such as Arca, Vittorio Frigero, and DK Home are all represented exclusively at Katherine Pooley in the
region. Particular highlights from the pieces on show are designs by Lotus Arts De Vivre. Originally working in jewellery design, this Thai studio now creates furniture, carpets and luxury lifestyle accessories, from chess sets, shoes, and humidors, to objects d’art, and works by private commission.
Katherine Pooley Words: Nour Harb
ESTEEMED Interior designer celebrates Doha anniversary with store revamp
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uper chic interiors brand Katherine Pooley celebrated one year in Doha in May with a party at their Gate Mall boutique. The store was redecorated in time for the occasion in a colour scheme of orange, gold, navy, pewter and nickel, mixed with bright blues, white and creams. The
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