The opening of Dean & Deluca in Villaggio Mall has been eagerly anticipated by Doha gourmands and, at last, the wait is now over. Filled with a selection of gourmet foods from around the world, wandering through the new deli is the adult equivalent of a child set loose in a sweet shop – you just have to have it all; a tempting display of distinctive, fragrant cheeses, tender cuts of cold and cured meats, and even a fish counter brimming with artfully presented temptations. There is an entire area dedicated solely to freshly prepared dishes to take away: a lazy dinner party cheat’s dream.

Challenge yourself to pass the freshly baked organic bread counter without placing a warm loaf into your basket. It might be an idea to line your stomach before coming here to shop. Buyers, beware as you throw in goods with reckless abandon – quality comes at a price.

There is also a newly opened café located just outside, where dishes on the menu are made from the wonderful foods in the store – a perfect way to sample the fare. The dining area is demarcated by green railings, presumably to stop passers-by stealing your food, with plants resting in ornate pots atop cream pillars. Large green umbrellas perch at intervals over black marble tables; it’s light and airy. An impressive setting, you can window shop as you dine, surrounded by such designer names as Burberry, Tanagra and D&G.

It’s an extensive menu for a café, with something for everyone, be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Choices range from breakfast waffles topped with fresh berries and dripping in mascarpone cream, to oriental mezze, soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps and paninis. Or for something more substantial, choose from a large selection of hot foods that encompass the foodie gamut, from basic burger right through to lobster thermidor.

We decided to go for breakfast, and carefully avoiding the ‘healthy’ option we selected the traditional English breakfast and an omelette that came served with smoked salmon. The staff were friendly, although there appeared to be lots of frantic rushing around between store and café as hungry diners waited for their food.

We placed our order and settled in. Our coffees were wonderful – hot, creamy and not overly strong. Our food arrived well presented on long, rectangular plates. My omelette had accompanying sides of salad and crème fraiche, and was much larger than anticipated. Smoked salmon slices garnished the top and were piled inside the folds of the lightest and fluffiest omelette I had ever tasted. It was delicious, with the quality of the ingredients evident in every bite.

My dining partner’s full English was served with two home-made sausages, grilled veal bacon, mushrooms, hash browns, a grilled tomato and a choice of eggs (he opted for fried). Again, generous portions, but the grilled bacon was slightly overcooked, crispy to the point where it was impossible to cut, and the mushrooms were cold. However, the sausages were well-cooked and succulent, with the tomato moist and juicy, and the hash brown with fresh herbs crispy and tasty. The fried eggs were fluffy, although they were not quite as runny as preferred. Our advice is to specify consistency on ordering.

This café has already become a popular haunt among Doha diners and was incredibly busy when we left, which is understandable as it serves up great food and ambience in equal measure. If you enjoy a relaxed dining experience in an elegant setting, look no further than Dean & Deluca.

The bill (for two)
2x lattes QR36
1x macchiato QR20
1x salmon omelette QR44
1x English breakfast QR55
Total (incl charges) QR155