Thomene Dilley discovered a perfect Mediterranean-Middle Eastern fusion on a visit to Jardin restaurant at Banyan Tree Doha.

Shimmering like a diamond on the ground floor of Banyan Tree Doha, you will find the lavishly beautiful Jardin Restaurant. This Mediterranean gem is situated in a breathtaking conservatory in the heart of Mushaireb. My dining partner and I made our way towards the entrance and as we were warmly welcomed by Ye Mann Aung, their star waiter, we were in awe of the magnificence of the natural light cascading through the glass panels over the plants, as if we had stepped into a magical world. The décor is flawless, inspired by the Mediterranean with blues and crisp white textures, elegantly furnished with natural elements.

Once we were seated on the spacious terrace, Rupesh, the restaurant manager, came to introduce himself and enthusiastically told us that their head chef would be preparing us some selected meals from both menus. The indoor menu has a strong emphasis on prime beef such as Wagyu ribeye steak, prime Black Angus cuts and you can even order a kilogram of Tomahawk Wagyu. There is also a sumptuous Russet potato selection, from creamy Gremolata to truffle-infused mash. The outdoor offering focuses more on Arabic fare with delectable hot and cold appetisers, pastries, mixed grills, lamb chops and shish tawouk.

Our Starter Platter arrived; it was out-of-this-world. We had a selection of six mouth-watering dips served with their fluffy flatbreads that are lovingly prepared each day by the chef. The muhammara was on point. You could taste the roasted red pepper and it gave it a delectable smoky flavour with a delightful slight crunch from walnuts. The hummus was smooth and creamy, with delicate citrus flavour leaning more towards the Mediterranean side, without cumin which made my heart happy! The showstopper was the fattoush salad, served inside a round fried pita bread. Our waiter cracked the bread until the pieces combined with the salad. A drizzle of dressing, et voila! A masterpiece. The dough for the zaatar manakish was thin and crispy and the taste of thyme, coriander and sumac combined with toasted sesame was stunning.

Our mocktails arrived and they were fresh and citrusy. All Jardin’s mocktails are named after landmarks in the Mediterranean region and each has ingredients inspired by their location. We indulged in La Promenade des Anglais and I felt I was somewhere on the French Riviera, sipping on liquid from the gods. Lychee, peach, fresh lime and soda brought this together sublimely and it quenched my thirst and my soul. The large ice balls are made in-house and the drinks looked gorgeous topped with a flower in each glass.

Our main dishes arrived, and we had the Wagyu tenderloin with mushroom sauce and the classic mashed potato and fries. The beef was seared to medium perfection, deliciously pale pink on the inside. The mash was creamy and buttery and the mushroom sauce boasted a subtle hint of thyme. The fries were hand cut and wonderfully crispy on the outside.

We also opted for the grilled hammour and vermicelli rice. The fish was grilled beautifully. Moist on the inside with lemon and garlic coming through splendidly. All our main meals were served with sumptuous grilled vegetables on wooden boards, and you also have the option to choose a steak knife from their selection. For dessert we decided on the Chocolate Fondant, Oriental Ice-Cream Sandwich and the Blue Eye, their signature dessert. The Chocolate Fondant was phenomenal. Soft with the centre filled with a caramel and chocolate ganache. It was served with vanilla bean ice-cream topped with a dash of sugar powder. The ice-cream was not too sweet, and it complemented the chocolatey goodness of the dessert. While I looked away for a few seconds, my dining partner finished it after I had only one bite. I can’t say I blame him! The Oriental Ice-Cream Sandwich came in three flavours. Almond, pistachio and chocolate. Each topped with a perfectly thin layer of puff pastry. Tones of Cardamom and rose reminded me of the sweets sold at the souq.

And the Blue Eye was fresh and delicate. This Yuzu blueberry cake resembles the blue eye, known to some as the ‘evil eye’, thought to represent calmness and serenity. It was a piece of art. Yuzu is a Japanese citrus variety and the taste is pungent, lush and fresh. The cake is decorated on the outside with the blue eye symbol and has a delectable Yuzu mousse layer with cream while the centre is filled with blueberry. It was a perfect dessert before relaxing and reclining on the comfortable chairs with a decaf Americano from their generous coffee selection.

Ye Mann Aung informed us that Jardin has a live Cuban band every Friday from 8pm to 11pm on the terrace and they also offer an afternoon tea daily. They have valet parking and wheelchair access and a hookah menu is available.

Overall, our experience was flawless. The food was magnificent and the staff friendly, knowledgeable and attentive. Both restaurant and staff left us dazzled and we will definitely be going back. ✤

GO: CALL 4410 3332 OR 3990 5544 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.