Emille Loyola-Artigas finds that Sel & Miel is reminiscent of a Parisian lifestyle, showing why it’s the cream of Doha’s crop with French food that relies on simple combinations of rich and natural flavours that come together to create unforgettable dishes.

Conveniently located at the lower lobby of The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, home to some of the most celebrated restaurants in Qatar, lies an epicurean gem, Sel & Miel, a modern French brasserie that features authentic recipes passed down from generation to generation.

From the impressive lobby of the hotel, a walk down the majestic staircase introduces you to a casual yet sophisticated ambiance that showcases relaxed interiors with four different seating sections, including an indoor and outdoor terrace with natural sunshine and views of the turquoise blue waters of the Gulf.

It was a bright sunny afternoon and the art-deco design, intricately appointed black and white checkered seats, elegant tables and charmingly adorned walls, including the frames of French celebrities, blended perfectly with gold touches throughout the venue, the large colourful mosaic on the main wall, stunning lights and the fitting music to complement this lovely day.

The perfectly crafted menu looks so appetizifng, with everything I have been craving for. The number of items is not overwhelmingly many, so you can be sure that each dish has been given thorough attention and is masterfully prepared and created. We were served by Malcolm, who is very amiable, knows the menu by heart and speaks highly of each dish with passion. He brought us fresh and perfectly baked sourdough bread, crunchy on the outside but very soft inside, along with black olives, honey and mustard jams and butter to start with.

Our Hors D’ Oeuvres began with Escargot de Bourgogne, a dish not easy to perfect—served in a white sectioned bowl, its rich aroma and flavours are undeniably tempting. The soft delicately chewy Burgundy snails took on the flavour of garlic and the spice sauce that they were drenched in. Next to the table was my favourite for this course, the Market Beet Salad, appealing to me mainly because of the creamy 95 grams of goat cheese with it. Most of the time, you don’t even see the goat cheese in a salad. The combination of dry and sweet beetroot makes it juicier and the succulent shavings of pear and walnut blended flawlessly.

For our Les Plats and Les Poissons, we were instantly drawn to the sight of the C’ote de Boeuf, or the Ribeye steak, when it arrived. Cooked ‘medium’, as per our request, the taste was like heaven on earth, tender and juicy with a perfectly seared crust, every bite melts in your mouth with all its opulent flavours. It’s the best steak I’ve had, as far as I can remember, and was served with sweet roasted onion, garlic aioli and house truffle fries; its deliciousness more than words can say. The impeccably cooked salmon in herbs served with fresh fennel and asparagus was a very close second. It was followed by the Bouillabaisse, or Provencal Fish Stew, a delightful mixture of prawns, mussel, potatoes and fish of the day in a rich tomato-based sauce – a scrumptious ensemble of essences.

The mains were served with the most amazing and tasty mashed potatoes I have tasted, literally no need for salt and pepper or any seasoning; and the green beans soaked in basil pesto and pumpkin seed crust are a revelation! Very simple and healthy, yet very tasty.

And oh, did I mention the Ribeye steak? It was truly so excellent; it deserves another mention. Chef Glynn Trollip, who was handson and very busy as I could see through the open-kitchen window, checked on us and, among other compliments, I must have raved about the steak about a hundred times over A French meal would not be complete without desserts, and the Chocolate Mousse is the first that came to mind. Intricately served on a white plate, this chocolate sponge mixed with hazelnut and pecans is just the way I like it. I love the light and airy texture, fluffy and creamy, just the right richness, thickness and sweetness, served with soft and velvety pistachio ice cream, this is the dream ending to the already divine experience.

Food is an important part of the French culture. Throughout the various regions of France, dining is both a pleasure and a deep-rooted ritual, and each dish at Sel & Miel is a simple combination of flavours put together with passion and respect for each ingredient used. The experience genuinely let us live the brasserie’s motto ‘La joie de vivre’. We will be back for more, and we know exactly what we want! ✤

GO: CALL 5576 4278 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.