Shanghai Club has become synonymous with a lively dining experience and FACT’s Emille Artigas found the Koi Friday Brunch reflects this, demonstrating the excellent food and timeless culture in one sitting.

Nestled in the middle of West Bay, towering on the 43rd floor of the JW Marriott Marquis City Center, the Shanghai Club is arguably one of the most scenic spots in Doha. It’s this picturesque location that makes it the ideal spot to enjoy Friday brunch.

Friday brunch has not only become the favourite weekend event in Doha but has also evolved as a lifestyle for most. Brunch-goers have become more discriminating and their tastes and demands more distinct. Hence, it’s not easy to find the perfect recipe for the ultimate brunch experience – which, for me, is the combination of the food, drinks, ambiance and entertainment.

We were warmly welcomed with cool and invigorating fresh coconut juice straight from the husk, these are displayed at the entrance that is colourfully bedecked with Chinese lanterns, charming fans and flamboyant ornaments.

The expansive and elegantly bedecked restaurant setting delivers a distinct yet vibrant feel. The conveniently spaced seating area includes a stylish round bench in the corner, a middle section and our space, which faced the amazing views of the Doha skyline. This and the live jazz music performed by the three-piece band made for the perfect Friday atmosphere we had been craving.

The kids were immediately drawn to the Chinese fans on the table and kept a tight hold on them. And, while we were enjoying our drinks, the miso soup arrived, which marked the beginning of the myriad of flavours coming our way.

The orchestra of appetisers started filling our table with radiant and bright colours. Starting with the tangy tuna tartar served cold mixed in ice, then corn tempura, which is a delectable duo of sweet and savoury, followed by the creatively prepared soft shell bao, soft shell crab in a taco, so picture perfect and the taste was equally amazing, while the playful mix of the kani salad balanced all the flavours on the spread.

The taste of the satay chicken will always be a mainstay, the essence of the vegetable-pickled peanut sauce makes the taste effortlessly memorable. Not to be missed is the host of assorted dimsum, where we couldn’t get enough of the collection of sweet and savoury tastes.

The appetisers were served like an orchestra, with every presentation resembling a performance. The one that stood out was the mango salad, which teased our palates with every single bite with its balance. And the master of the show was the assorted sushi, which was served enveloped by a dancing steam vapor. The assortment of sushi from shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, lobster roll, crispy phili shrimp and salmon nigiri and sashimi was easily the best tasting set we have had, as we have unanimously decided.

The time had come for our main courses to be served, and oh, what a range of gastronomic delights. The palate-pleasing parade started with the aromatic Malaysian BBQ Mamak Chicken, followed by the banana-leaf-steamed sea bass with perfectly blended lemon grass sauce. Next came the savoury Peking Duck, served with thin pancake wraps, shredded vegetables and hoisin sauce. This was such a delectable ensemble but our favourite was the 48-hour slow cooked short ribs, so seamlessly tender and impeccably seasoned with peanut sauce. A choice of condiments from steamed rice to phad thai and the stand-out wok-flashed vegetables mixed and seasoned with shitake mushrooms, made it all an even more scrumptious treat.

We were engaged throughout the brunch as several mixed beverages and mocktails were served to our delight, entertaining both kids and the adults between courses. Then the parade of desserts from the fluffy passion fruit cheesecake and meringue ice cream with matcha cream to our favourites for this course, the sticky rice mango and the cashew nut cake sans rival, not too sweet but rich with fruity tangs, were indeed the sweet ending to the wonderful and vibrant brunch experience.

Tucked away in the centre of the city, with the most amazing colourful views to entertain you throughout your dining experience, Shanghai Club is anything but shy. The spectacular wall fresco dazzles your eyes at the entrance and the enticing live jazz music that surrounds the air sets the expectation that food, like the setting, will be bursting with inspired colours. The Koi Brunch delivered this and more – an exciting venue that cascaded vibrancy throughout our brunch journey.

GO: CALL 5506 2798 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A RESERVATION.