Bahri Restaurant - Doha

Bahri - Inside Town Center, Opposite Al Ahli Hospital / Civil Services, Bin Omran, Doha

Cuisine: Egyptian

All reviews will be based on the Cuisine and Fare the restaurant/outlet is known for / specialized in.

This review is based on inputs from myself as well as fellow foodies who have accompanied me to this restaurant. 


ALL RATING ARE IN THE SCALE OF 5. A rating of 5 mean Excellent while 1 is Poor.

FOOD: RATING 4 OUT OF 5.

This place only has 3 items where in the Main Star of the show is the Feteer meshaltet (as they are called in Arabic) which is an Egyptian version of a pie that translates roughly to cushioned pies.

Basically it is a square pie in form of a cushion or a pillow that is filled with anything under the moon (Sweet & Savory) along with a genours helping of Mozarella Cheese and some truly Egyptian cheeses like Akawi & Roumy.

The other two main items are Pizza and Pasta along with a few sandwiches and side dishes.

Item 1 – Main Course – Cheese Feteer / Cheese Pies (Savory)

If you are fan of pastry and cheese then you should order one of the Cheese Pies. Mind you! Do not ignore this pastry as a Manakeesh or Pide, this guy here is way more riches and cheesier!!

My top picks are as follows

·         Kiri Cheese & Zaatar – I guess there is no need of an explanation.

·         Kraft Cheese with Honey – This is main ocurse one and not a sweet

Order this and you are richly feed with cheese!!

There is one pastry with the Roumsy Cheese. It has a distinct flavor. A cheese lover should try it.

Item 2 – Main Course – Meat Feteer / Meat Pies (Savory)

The meat pies is the game changer and the SUPER STAR of this joint. SLURP!!

The meat used are of many types including Sausage, Egypian Pastrami, Pepperoni which are all mixed with cheese and veggies.

My go to item is the Meat Pastry – Minced Meat , Mozarella, Roumy Cheese & dash of fresh veggies.

If you are fan of other meats mentioned above, they make pies using those meat only but I am not a use cold cut meats fan hence I stick to the minced meat version.

Meat Pastry / Meat Fateera

Meat Pastry / Meat Fateera

Meat Pastry / Meat Fateera

Item 3 – Main Course – Chicken Feteer / Chicken Pies (Savory)

I haven’t ordered the Chicken Pies but the general consensus among my Egyptian food experts is that Mix Chicken pastry is the good one.

Item 4 – Main Course – Seafood Feteer / Seafood Pies (Savory)

Seafood and Pastry is not something I indulge in especially when you are aware that the seafood may be mostly frozen / packed ones rather than the fresh catch of the day.

The Tuna Pastry has been recommended by some but I have not tried it yet.

Item 5 – Main Course – Sweet Feteer / Sweet Pies (Sweet)

The true Egyptians are lords of sweet (aka SUGAR and HONEY!!) so it comes as no surprise that the largest variety of pies are under the Sweet Pies category. The items listed here covers almost all sweet elements including Arabic sweets.

I am yet to have one from Bahri as I am usual stuffing myself with the Savoury ones!!

But I have ate loads and loads of these sweet pies from other outlets and they are all SUGAR BOMBS!! The ultimate sugar rush is an understatement. Anyways here are my top picks

•  Honey Moon Pastry– Cream, Custard, Sugar, Nuts, Arabic Sweets wrapped in a flaky pie!
• Basbosa Pastry– Basbosa, Cream & Custard
•  Choclate & Banana – Banana & Nutella / Hazelnut Spread.

·          

Item 6 – Main Course – Veggie Feteer / Veggie Pies (Savory)

There is only one LEGEND in this menu list

·         Vegetable Pastry– Falafel, Tomato, Olives, Mushroom & Cheese

Item 7 – Main Course – Pizzas

Choose any of the fillings of the above mentioned savory pies and top it on to a Pizza Base.

Mind You! There Pizzas are not the ones you experience in a typical pizza joint. This a truly Egyptian masterpiece made for the dough of the Egyptian style breads.

I always prefer the Chicken Pizzas that Bahri serves the meat ones are usually the cold cut meats which I mentioned earlier I am not a big fan.

There are two versions of the chicken and both are worth the try

• ·         Chicken Pie – Shredded Chicken, Mozarella, Olives & dash of fresh veggies
• ·         Mixed Chicken Pie – Shredded Chicken, Turkey ham, Mozarella, Olives, Mushroom & dash of fresh veggies

Chicken Pizza

Chicken Pizza

SERVICE – 3.5 OUT OF 5

The place is known of its home delivery and this does take toll on the service during rush hours / peak weekend hours. The main reason is the guy taking the order at the tables also is the delivery coordinator. Hence the priority of orders can get mixed up.

Moreover, there is only one Chef who prepares this magical pastry hence, he may tend to get overloaded with orders.

 LOCATION – 4 OUT 5

The Town Center is dead bang in the middle of Bin Omran, within the vicinity of many landmarks like Bein Tv Studios, Al Ahli Hospital etc hence there is no need of google maps to find this place.

Parking can be an issue at time especially in weekends as this place has one of the largest outlets of McDonalds, Petra & KFC and add to it a big outlet of Rawnaq.

PRICING: 4 out of 5 (5 means cheapest while 1 means expensive)

I rate this place 4 (The wallet may be needed)

The generous portion size, good quantity and the wonderful taste.

A medium sized Pie or Pizza is good for 2 but I suggest you order 2 mediums (1 Pie & 1 Pizza). That should cost you around 55-65 riyals including drinks.

AMBIANCE: 3 OUT 5

This place is fan-favorite among the Egyptian community in Doha so in the weekend / rush hours expect a lot of loud ranter, laughs and noisy kids. The vibe sends you to one of those busy cafes of Egypt.

The Pie Station (including the oven) is a part of the seating area hence when it is crowded and the oven is running on full heat, the air conditioning may take time to cool of the place. Nevertheless, the place is a hole-in-the-wall / down right casual joint so the ambiance has to be a little hectic.

DECOR AND SEATING CAPACITY – 2.5 OUT 5

Simple tables and chairs. There is about 8-9 tables but they are closely packed so expect a few nudges and budges when the occupants of the neighboring table moves about.

There is no separate family section / table and the washroom is okay but can get messy at peak hours.

OVERALL RATING: 3.5 OUT OF 5.

The Egyptian community just like the Indian one is a huge fraternity of the Expat community in the Middle East and hence their food culture is rather wide and in a way cluttered by some common / usual suspects that many think is the main food of that nation.

So, if you ever thought that the Egyptian Cuisine is all about livers, sausages, falafel and foul, then I am afraid the foodie in us has been gravely misinformed because Bahri is a restaurant that stays true to its Egyptian roots.

This little restaurant in Bin Omran is a true testimony to the Egyptian fraternity in Doha and is indeed of those unique restaurants where food makes any hungry person happy and content. Bahri is very much imbibed by the Egyptian culture of good rich food with a vibrant overwhelming feel of being in Egypt (i.e when the place is rush hour).

Bollywood Masala Restaurant - Old Salata, Museum Road, Doha (Qatar)

All Ratings will be from 1 to 5. 1 being poor and 5 being excellent

Bollywood Masala - Indian Restaurant

The name does sound a little to "filmy" but then i must say they have done a great job on making a meal out of the Indian film industry (bollywood). A good Indian Restaurant catering a good North Indian (Mainly the Lucknow/Delhi) fare. All fares are named after an Bollywood Film. Diners can have a good view of the cooking stations as the chefs/cooks dish up your order.

Meal Review

Starters
They are a must! 
Golmaal Golmaal : This is a platter of skewers (an assortment of bbq) - chicken, mutton, veg and seafood. Comes in 3 different sizes (small, Medium and Large). Small will cater a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children between 4-12). 

Mind you, i still say go for the Medium platter. The price between small and medium is quiet small with regards to the difference in quantity. You get atleast 2 skeweres of 2 different types chicken, mutton, veg and seafood bbq. That is about 16 skewers. Mind you they all give you a basket of freshly made Indian Breads. 

Starters Rating : 4/5. Chicken is good, The Mutton is quiet well done while the seafood is let to be pondered upon.

PS: If you are dining alone or on a date dinner, i suggest you go for a single BBQ dish. I would suggest Bhunne Lasan ke Murg Tikka (Chicken) or Gulati Kebab or the meat eater while a Mushroom Tikka for the Veggie among us!

Soups and Salad

They are the usual fare as with the other restaurnats. If you are in for a classy salad, i suggest you hit the restaurants in West Bay. As for Soups, they are again a normal fare but i suggest you to take up the Manchow Soup.

Main Course
One piece of advice. We are in Bollywood so please no Chinese! No Wok! Okay!

Top Picks of Main Course
Chicken Dishes
Chicken Lavaabdar - Rating 3.5/5
Murg Kadai - Rating 3.5/5

Mutton Dishes
Gosht Kadai (Mutton) Rating 4.5/5
Kashmir ki Kali - Rogan Gosht 4.5/5

Vegetable Dishes
Baingan Bhartha (aubergine Dish in cream) - Rating 3/5
Any Paneer dish Rating 3-3.5/5

Seafood - No special comments. The South Indian and Goans are the best in this. Period. I rest my case.

Biryani : Good but not what I would call the best in the town. I always preferred Hyderbadi Biryani, though i must say this place has a unique dish or two in the Biryani section. Have a go at the Paneer Tikka Biryani!

The Mutton dishes are just brilliant. It is not the so called speciality restaurant dishes more of the homely touch dishes. Chicken is a good fare but not brilliant. Vegetables, well North India (Lucknow to be precise) is Red Meat country you know!. The Mutton takes up the 3.5 starts out of 5 while the chicken follows suit. As for the breads, try the Garlic Naan and the Roti that is made of gram flour.

Desserts and Beverages

Not much to savour here. The menu is very much limited though the Lassi is good. Rating 2/5

OVERALL RATING : 3.5 /5 

PROS : Good Main Course, Fair Pricing, Unique Menu
CONS: Dessert,Parking, Seating Capacity

Food : 4/5. All in all a good fare with Mutton being the best. The Chicken is good and the vegetables good especially if you are an adherent MEAT EATER and does not realise that is a world of vegetable culinary in this world, you wont regret the veggie choice. As for a veggie lover he/she wont mind having a go at the dishes.

Service : 4/5

Price : 3/5 (1 is Very Cheap and 5 is Very Expensive). Moderately priced and when compared to the other restaurants which specialise in North Indian delicacies, Bollywood Masala is one of kind affordable place.

Location: 3/4 It is quiet nicely located but then giveing direction can be a little confusing. Parking is a hassle! In case of preplanned dinner/ Reservations get there about 15 minutes early, may have to look for parking!

Seating Arrangement/Capacity: 3/5 It is quiet limited. I would say it is more of a HITW (Hole In The Wall) with respect to seating. In case of a weekend Dinner. Please make sure you do a booking atleast 1 day in advance, trust me it is worth it or else the pavement may become your waiting area!

Ambience: 3.5/5 - Gets noisy when crowded other than that is quiet nice.

Value for Money: 4/5