Oh, what a night! If you’re planning to start your weekend early, we highly recommend you start at the InterContinental Doha Hotel and Residences! Two of their fabulous outlets – Paloma and Lava – celebrate Ladies Night on Wednesdays with a live band, free drinks and delicious food!

As we entered the Paloma restaurant we could see the elegant venue in all its glory. In one corner, the bright kitchen was bustling with activity as the chefs carefully prepared the night’s delicacies. In another corner, the stage was prepped and ready for a night of lively ’70s and ’80s hits performed by the resident live band, The Kicks! Nestled in the centre of the room was the bar, which we were quickly informed would be serving three free special drinks in honour of ladies night!

The Kicks Band

As we sat down at our table, we were reminded that Paloma is not only a bar but a sophisticated eatery as well. Before we could even glance at the menu, we were given a basket of warm, crunchy nachos served with soft, creamy guacamole and a chunky salsa! The perfect snack while you peruse the menu.

Chef Salvador Franco Canales was happy to greet us and introduce his infamous Mexican menu. If you plan to pull an all-nighter, we highly recommend that you order everything on the appetiser page – it all looked so delicious! It was hard to choose just one appetiser each but we took Chef Salvador’s expert advice and chose the marinated seafood ceviche and the Yakitori chicken balls. Sounded delicious – and I can guarantee it tastes even better!

Paloma InterContinental Doha

The ceviche was prepared with assorted seafood – squid, shrimp and oysters – mixed with sweetcorn, tomatoes, chilli, coriander, avocado, onions and tortilla chips. It’s a refreshing, light starter to nibble at while you enjoy the live band and your first (or second) free drink. The Yakitori Chipotle chicken balls, made with minced chicken, scallions, chipotle and soya – all grilled in tangy chilli sauce – provides the hearty sustenance to keep up full until your main course arrives. Don’t be afraid of the word ‘chipotle’ – in Chef Salvador’s dishes, it is perfectly married with other flavours to bring out the best in the food. It doesn’t just burn your mouth!

Paloma InterContinental Doha

These scrumptious starters seemed impossible to follow but we were soon proved wrong as Chef Salvador treated us to an incredible selection of fajitas including Cajun chicken, beef tenderloin, lime-garlic shrimp, AND slices of Angus sirloin beef! All that sizzling meat is served with bell pepper strips, onion, rice, beans, sour cream and guacamole so you can create your own fajita combos inside fresh, warm tortilla wraps! Needless to say, we didn’t leave a single bite!

With a bubbling atmosphere and an entertaining live band, we almost didn’t want dessert to arrive and signal the end of the meal – but we were so happy when it did! We were treated to a chocolate lava cake with a rich, gooey centre, and sweet vanilla ice cream garnished with edible wildflowers. It wouldn’t be Ladies Night without a bit of chocolate!

Paloma InterContinental Doha

We were thrilled to hear that ladies night doesn’t end at Paloma. If you are still riding high after your dessert fuelled sugar rush, you can slip next door to Lava. Ladies get three more drink vouchers to keep the party going! After all… girls just wanna have fun!

Facts: Ladies Night at Paloma begins at 10 pm and includes three free drinks. However, you can pop next door to Lava to continue the party with another three free drinks after 10 pm! For ladies only of course!


Author: Charlotte Wright

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