Qatar Up 2 the Minute News and Tidbits

December 25, 2008

Qatar Airways Celebrates A Successful Year

Filed under: Events, News, Qatar, sites — Tags: , , , — stevnima @ 7:10 am

News.Opodo.co.uk reports:

Qatar Airways has boosted its fleet with a new Boeing 777-300 extended range aircraft and said that the development represents the end of a successful year.

The new plane is Qatar Airways’ fifth Boeing 777 and will help the carrier increase capacity on its operations in south-east Asia.

Doha international airport hosted the arrival of the aircraft on 23 December following a long flight from Seattle. The plane will be used to operate flights between Doha and Manila in the Philippines from January 2009.

The Boeing 777 features 42 seats in business class and 293 economy spaces, as well as an Oryx inflight entertainment system.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: ‘The arrival of the fifth Boeing 777 in Qatar Airways’ colours underlines the already strong and fruitful relationship that the carrier has with one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers.

‘Tuesday 23 December marked a day of celebration for the airline, its staff and all its loyal customers.’

Read the entire article here: News.Opodo.co.uk

December 22, 2008

Barwa, Next Al Khor Real Estate Hotspot

Filed under: News, Qatar, sites — Tags: , , — stevnima @ 6:31 am

AboutQatar reports:

BARWA Al Khor, a subsidiary of BARWA Real Estate and a leading master developer, has described Al Khor area as the next hotspot for tourism and luxury living in the region.
Massive infrastructural developments and the booming expatriate population have made the area an ideal location for more world-class real estate projects.
Recognising the outstanding potential within the culturally-rich suburban area, the QR35bn ‘Urjuan’ was officially launched by  HE Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabir al-Thani, Prime Minister of Qatar, in November.

The Urjuan project, which will rise within one of Qatar’s freehold areas, will provide a unique

al-khor

al-khor

environment where residents from a diverse range of global cultures may thrive and it is expected to be a residential community project, which will reflect a modem city that preserves the heritage of Al Khor.Situated at the north of Al Khor, along the shore of Al Khor Bay on Qatar’s east coast, ‘Urjuan is set to become a self-sustained community in close proximity to the proposed Bahrain-Qatar causeway’.

Read the entire article here:  AboutQatar

AboutQatar is a blog that I have linked to.  It has news and coverage of Qatar as well as many images and general information.  Please visit the sight and tell them you heard about the site from qatarup2minute.

S.

December 21, 2008

Romano’s Macaroni Grill Resturant Review

Filed under: Qatar, review, sites — Tags: , , — stevnima @ 4:14 pm
Romano's Macaroni Grill

Romano's Macaroni Grill

As the title suggests this is my review of  “Romano’s Macaroni Grill”  In the Villagio Mall.  From my previous post you can tell I was at the Villagio, and during our lunch I figured, why don’t I let all our viewers hear about my experience at this restaurant.

Well around noon we arrived at the Villagio Mall hungry and looking for a place to eat.  As we walked through the Food Court we saw the “Romano’s Macaroni Grill”.  We perused the menu and saw many Tuscany dishes that seemed to make our mouth water.  So we stepped in and here the journey begins.

Cleanliness:  The place was very clean.  Every table is set up with Paper over the top.  This is so the Waiters can write their names and it gives the kids something to doodle on.  They also supply crayons.  Sounds kind of funny but it’s fun.  I often find myself doodling on the table.  When my drink is empty, I put it at the edge of the table and draw arrow to it “Please Refill”  they laugh and I get my new drink, everybody wins.

We ordered, I ordered the Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, and my wife ordered Spaghetti with Meatballs.  We chatted for a while as they brought us some bread and our drinks.  Everything seemed to come at just the right moment.  We didn’t have to wait very long for anything.  Now keep in mind it was not very busy, so that might have been why.  So if you go on a busy night, I can’t promise it will be the same.

We sipped our Water “Acqua Panna”  which apparently is made in Tuscany Italy.  Very refreshing but then again, to me water is water, this just happened to have a name so I am sure it was marked up as such.

Our food arrived right on time.  We were munching on the bread and then just as we were growing tired of the freshly made bread they brought out the food.  Let me tell you, you definately do not go away hungry.  My plate was pretty big and had lots of Chicken in it.  My wife’s was almost twice the size.  (which is why that’s my dinner tonight).

So how was it I am betting you are wondering.  Ok, let me first say that my tastes differ from my wife.  Which is normal.  So just keep this in mind while you are reading.  I really enjoyed my meal.  It was cooked to perfection and the sauces was not too runny and not to thick.  the chicken which was grilled was not burned it tasted great and with the sauce even better.  The noodles were cooked perfect also, they were not par done and hard and not over done and super soft.  Although I am sure you could get it that way if you wanted.

Now my wife’s turn.  When I asked her how it was she said.  “Ok”  No more no less.  I inquired as to which part was just OK and why just OK what was wrong?  She didn’t have an answer.  So I told her that I would tell you all what she said, and she said.  It was not the worst but it was also not the best I have ever had.  Well there ya go, so to my wife it was just Ok.   So who are you going to trust?  Well me of course me because I am after all writing this article.

So what about the price you are probably wondering.  Well I think it was fairly priced.  Our bill came to right around 130 QR.  For two people going out to eat, I am sure we could have spent way more but then again, if we had went to Burger King it would have been a lot cheaper.

I do have one tip though.  And you will probably hear this from time to time, if I am reviewing a restaurant outside or in a mall, and that is try to get a table inside if you can.  Although Villagio was not particularly busy today it can get pretty loud considering you can usually hear kids yelling from across the Ice Rink.  I would suggest you ask for a booth somewhere inside and near the back.  Not only is it quieter but it’s also a little more private.

I hope you enjoyed my review.  Please feel free to share your own experiences should you desire and thanks for stopping by.

By:  StevNima

Villagio Mall A Taste of the Expensive Life

Filed under: Qatar, sites — Tags: , — stevnima @ 3:47 pm

Today I took a trip to Villagio Mall and let me tell you it sure does look great. I have been to this mall many times but I really looked around this time.

villagiofront

Did you know that they opened another entrance? Well I didn’t until today, which in a roundabout way is the focus on this article.

This article is on the new section of the Villagio mall. Ok maybe it’s not new it’s been there for a while but stores keep opening up and it looks really spectacular. I must warn you though these stores are not for the faint of pocketbook. The stores here sell expensive quality products, from handbags, to Diamond rings. If you are looking to spend a little cash but at the same time getting value for yourvillagiohall1 money this is the place to go.

Let me start out by describing the entrance to this area of the mall. You can get there from the food court just behind the end of the gondola ride turn around. There are huge pillars marking the entrance. The floor is shiny and the lights seem to shine just a bit brighter there.

The first store you will probably see on your right is Tiffany’s. Yes Tiffany’s, as in Diamonds and very expensive jewelry. There are many of these stores in the U.S. in such cities as N.Y City, or Los Angeles (LA). On the way down the massive hallway you will see a Cartier store, also selling jewelry, and other expensive accessories. Keep in mind I did not go into any of these stores I just wanted to see what was down the hall and tell everyone. If you want to know what they sell they all have websites or better yet, go to the store.

There are many other stores in this area Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Bvlgari, and Even Ralph Lauren. From what I could tell the stores Gucci and Prada will be opening soon. They were blocked off with giant posters noting where the store will be located once construction has been completed.villagiohall4

Each store looks immaculate with their service representatives’ awaiting your entry to help you find that perfect gift for someone, or just splurging on yourself. As I said the prices are going to be of course high, but that is because you are buying the genuine article. No fakes here and you do get what you pay for. I am sure the prices would be a little cheaper in say Europe, but guess what, by the time you buy a ticket to Europe to get your favorite Gucci bag, you will have paid the same price you get it here and probably a lot less.

I hope more people go and visit. As you can tell by the pictures there were not a lot of people there at the time, but I am sure they have their villagiohall22moments. Also, as I mentioned before they have another entrance that lets you into the mall right in front of these stores. If you drive behind the Villagio Mall you will see it. villagioback1Take the road that is between the Plaza mall (Shopping Cart) and Villagio. Turn right after you get past the Villagio Mall and then you are in the right parking lot. This entrance has an area in front of the doors should you want to drop people off or ample parking right in front.

Hope to see you enjoying just another section of Qatar that not many people know about.

By:  StevNima

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