Indian fine-dining restaurant Riyasat is officially open at The St Regis Doha, Alfardan Hospitality has said.
Guests celebrated the opening of the restaurant at an exclusive event where they enjoyed a royalty-inspired Indian dinner curated by Surjan Singh Jolly, fondly known as chef Jolly.
The menu was specifically created for the evening, where guests were able to dine like nobility with some of the most refined Indian flavours, Alfardan Hospitality said in a press statement, noting that this is the first-ever Riyasat in the Middle East.
“Welcome to the glamorous past, Riyasat’s heritage takes you back to the era of the majestic Indian estates in the 19th century, celebrating Indian fine-dining cuisine with a contemporary flair. Located in the opulent St Regis Doha, the menu has been specially curated by chef Jolly, a judge of MasterChef India, allowing guests to experience culinary traditions practised by royal Indian families,” the statement explained.
Chef Jolly is a prominent figure on the global culinary scene, most notably as an Indian celebrity chef who has been Chef Judge for MasterChef India.
He is a television personality and culinary consultant with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry.
From the nobility and royal court kitchens to the humble street food of popular cities in India, for chef Jolly it is all about combining simple yet refined Indian flavours from the culinary legacy.
The new Doha concept will strive to reflect the vibrant culture, warm spirit and dining delights that Riyasat has to offer.
“Every bite, every moment, every flavour is a joyful celebration of luxurious dining and symbolic to the finest Indian flavours. An experience of reinventing ancient traditions into a global, youthful and edgy setting,” the statement continued.
Every plate is embellished with “tantalisingly fresh” seasonal ingredients to ensure expertly crafted and curated flavours, including a wide selection of hearty Indian favourites such as Anjeer Akhrot Seekh; char-grilled skewers with figs, roasted walnuts and curd cheese, Talli Machchi Kakatiya; a banana leaf griddle fried seabass with a ginger-curry leaf-mustard tamarind glaze and gun powder, Makhan Chooza Roast, Amritsari; roasted chicken, royal cumin-cream steeped, garlic and herb mint, Riyasati Gosht Dum; aromatic lamb shanks biryani, saffron basmati rice, ‘burhani’ garlic-yogurt, a Persian influence, Shahi Balai Tukda; inspired by Bahadur Shah Zafar’s favourite sweet toast, ‘rabdi’ reduced milk, toasted almonds and pistachios finished off with a gold leaf, to name a few signatures. The menu caters to various diets such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free.
Inspired by the majestic estates, Riyasat’s interiors are sophisticated but with a modern twist. From November 9-30, all guests will be offered a complimentary signature beverage on arrival when dining at Riyasat.
With Diwali approaching, Riyasat will be celebrating one of the most popular festivals of India, with a special menu from November 12-14.
The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 6.30pm to midnight, and planning to open for lunch soon.
A view of the interior.
