Looking for midweek energy without the weekend chaos? Sirine Errammach discovered Sakura Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar delivers it with fire, flavour and a little theatre.

With 14 different outlets under one roof, choosing where to dine at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha can feel like an exercise in indecision. Italian, Indian, Chinese… every corner tempts you in a different direction. But on a Wednesday evening, the pull of Sakura Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar proves irresistible.

The Japanese restaurant is home to the now-famous Ladies’ Night, which began as a midweek treat for women but has since grown to welcome all. And like any ritual worth keeping, it begins long before the first bite.

The entrance alone sets the tone. A bamboo archway, crowned with a carved wooden sign reading Sakura, leads the way. Curtains painted with cherry blossoms sway as we pass, opening to a stone-paved corridor lined with smooth pebbles and bursts of greenery. Overhead, mirrored panels double the perspective, stretching the path ahead. By the time we reach the dining room, the bustle of the hotel fades, and we step into something more intimate.

Inside, the lighting softens. High-backed wooden chairs with deep red cushions wrap around the teppanyaki counters, each one a front-row seat to fire, steam, and skill. For privacy, two rooms are tucked away from the main hall, but the counter is where the action—and the fun—is, and we’re seated right away. Here, the Ladies’ Night menu unfolds with generosity: no decisions to make, no menu to scan. There’s a certain relief in surrendering to it.

The meal begins with a tidy platter of starters, a curated showcase of Japanese flavours. Thick-cut salmon sashimi offers delicate sweetness lingering after a dip in soy. Rolls follow, layered with creamy avocado, fresh cucumber, and sweet surimi, wrapped in rice speckled with tobiko and topped with Japanese mayo. Pure simplicity arrives in the form of kappa maki, alongside smoky glazed chicken yakitori skewers, enough to awaken the palate without stealing focus from what’s still to come.

Chef Engelbert steps up to the grill, spatulas in hand, moving with effortless rhythm. The first hiss of garlic oil hits the searing iron, releasing a rich aroma. Two dipping sauces await: a sharp, tangy ginger and a velvety, indulgent peanut sauce.

Eggs are next, juggled and cracked onto the grill, quickly cooked, chopped, and folded into rice flecked with carrot and scallion—set aside for a final toss later. Then the evening’s stars take the stage: salmon with a bronze crust, buttery in the center; caramelised chicken cubes perfect with peanut sauce; tenderloin beef, seared and melting on the tongue; and vegetables like cabbage, peppers, and onions, crisp-tender and glossy with garlic.

As the grills heat up and music begins around eight, the atmosphere shifts. Laughter bounces across counters, glasses clink, and even a birthday celebration adds to the cheerful energy.

To balance the smoky richness, we sip mocktails. The Cucumber Lemonade refreshes instantly, light and cleansing between bites. The Cranberry Punch adds tartness softened by orange, sharpened with lime, and lifted with mint.

For dessert, a platter arrives with miniature delights: fresh fruit salad, silky chocolate mousse, Opera Cake, mini tarts—one brûléed, the other filled with vanilla cream—and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, covering every craving.

Out of 14 tempting options, Sakura Teppanyaki and Sushi Bar proves that sometimes the best choice is to follow the flame and let the evening carry you. ✤

GO: CALL 4428 1555 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING.