DOHA • For those who wish to spice up their lives a bit, one authentic Indian restaurant which offers a wide array of traditional food has recently opened right in the heart of bustling Doha’s centre of culture and heritage – Souq Waqif.

Royal Tandoor Restaurant has joined the line up of more sought-after dining places in the Souq. However, what makes it special is that it is nestled in Bismillah Hotel, the oldest surviving hotel in Qatar. With over a hundred choices of sumptuous cuisine, mostly Indian, Royal Tandoor will delight lovers of fine dining in a cozy setting.

“Everything that you see here except the plates and glasses, all came directly from India,” explained William Aranha, Managing Director of Integral Food Services (IFS), franchise owner of the restaurant. That’s the reason why every diner seems to be brought to another milieu once he steps inside the restaurant.

“Royal Tandoor Souq Waqif branch is only the second of its kind which IFS opened in Doha; the first one opened in Al Sadd last year,” said Aranha. IFS, though, has other concepts to offer to customers like Tandoor Express, Tandoor B-B-Q and Bombay Chowpatty, among others. “Royal Tandoor is different in that it is for fine dining,” he told media persons during the restaurant’s soft opening yesterday.

Royal Tandoor sets the standard for North Frontier and Mughal cuisine not just in Qatar but in the entire Gulf region. The real art of Tandoori cuisine lies in bringing out the many delicate flavours of food in perfect harmony by using a secret mix of Indian herbs and spices in the recipe of the marinade and careful attention to the grilling process, to create exotic delicacies for royal guests in the age-old Indian royal durbars. This magic is being recreated at Royal Tandoor Restaurant in contemporary style.

Their menu teems with an impressive collection of meat and seafood dishes dipped in carefully prepared sauces with herbs and spices for the discriminating palate. Their sizzling chicken wings, lobster and shrimps are truly tempting. Also worth tasting are their appetisers and fresh juices.

The interior of the restaurant is a sight to behold. The red walls are complimented with carefully carved furniture and fixtures and curtains that can be drawn for a more intimate dining experience for families who deserve to be afforded with a royal treatment. Their majestic crystal chandeliers emit just enough lighting to provide the right mood. Their very courteous staff is just another reason to come Royal Tandoor.