Pool food has a reputation of being cheat food… an arch indulgence because we tell ourselves we’d be able to ‘swim it off’ – as though a bit of paddle and wade can mathematically negate the naughty calories we’ve just inhaled. This reviewer prefers to think of it more as resort food, a reward for a relaxing weekend or much deserved vacation.
And that is exactly the mood created at the recently renovated poolside dining area of the Doha Marriott Hotel. It’s called The View, which is apt for the impressive one it offers. In daylight the water sparkles, by moonlight West Bay shimmers. Palm trees swaying in the breeze add to this vista. This, by all accounts, is a haven to unwind.
Low glass panels create a boundary with the pool deck, yet the space feels very much as one, a sense reinforced by the Café Del Mar-style music mixed with the natural soundtrack of water splashing and bathers chatting. The only thing missing from this picture is some munchies, so we get cracking.
The menu is not particularly extensive but ticks all the columns for sharing plates, light bites, a bit of grease, and comfort grub. On Fridays and Saturdays, the selection expands with the addition of grilled items barbecued in the open. But on this weekday evening, we order nachos, a sandwich, pizza and a Greek salad.
When the nachos arrive, we cannot help but hide our disappointment. The tortilla chips are scarcely covered in cheese, pico de gallo is nowhere to be seen, and the dollop of sour cream lacks the smoothness one would expect. The server asks if there is an issue and we explain that we prefer the version from Salsa, the award-winning Tex-Mex restaurant mere steps away from The View, and thought they would be more similar.
Less than ten minutes later, the server arrives with a bowl of piping nachos, gooey with cheese and smothered in salsa. He explains that since we like the Salsa nachos, that’s exactly what we’re getting. This is service that catapults the dinner experience from ordinary to outstanding.
The rest of dinner takes us through a few arcs. The salad gets highest praise for its crunchy freshness, while the chicken tikka pocket is fragrant in its cloak of tandoori spices and far more convincing than the seafood pizza on a flavourless base.
But the charm of being here is without doubt the ambience that keeps us mellow and contented as we soak in The View.
The bill (for two)
1 x chicken nachos QR65
1 x Greek salad QR55
1 x seafood pizza QR85
1 x chicken tikka pocket QR59
1 x triple scoop of ice cream QR38
1 x carrot juice QR28
1 x bottled water QR20
Total QR350
