Located High up on the 55th floor of InterContinental Doha The City in West Bay, a newly opened Cuban lounge ‘La Vista 55’ made its mark on Qatar Living. A fusion of the vibrant atmosphere and intricate flavours of vintage Havana, La Vista 55 brought us a little piece of Cuba to our tables with its authentic tapas curated by Cuban Chef Klaesvirs Leyva Riva.

The Qatar Living team was able to check out this new venture last weekend. We were greeted with a live band directly from the island nation as we walked in, and were further fascinated by the interiors which were wonderfully inspired by the soulful and vivid streets and alleys of Cuba. The islands are well-known for their hospitality, and La Vista 55 only further proved that with their undeniably welcoming staff. There are many eye-catching artistic pieces hung up on the walls to liven things up including a large bird wing light fixture, which calls for amazing photo opportunities.

As per Cuban traditions, the simple menu consists of small plates that are meant to be enjoyed and shared with others. They were designed for guests to snack on whilst enjoying live performances and possibly the best panoramic views that Doha has to offer. We snacked on a variety of speciality tapas including mouth-watering Papas Rellenas and Empanadas de Ropa Viejo. We thoroughly enjoyed the Tostones con Camaron y Piña, a classic dish consisting of house-made plantain crackers topped with sautéed shrimp and pineapple, making the dish both punchy and unforgettable. We also loved the crispy turkey ham croquettes which felt like fluffy deliciousness that melted in our mouths. Another interesting revelation was the Yuca fries, which are traditional Cuban fries that are boiled and then fried, creating a crispy exterior and super creamy interior, served with citrusy Cuban mojo sauce, which was a delicious dipping option like nothing we've ever tried before.

We were told by the staff that the most expensive item on the menu is only QAR 45 and that the idea behind this is that so guests can get to enjoy all the varieties that their menu has to offer without feeling pressured to overspend. Their small bites are not short big flavours and we couldn't agree more that they're all worth trying. The house beverage blends were also quite impressive and offered a variety of vibrant options that positively played with our palate. To finish, we indulged in a delicious passionfruit mousse which was a perfect balance of sweet and sour as well as a classic ‘Pastel Tres Leches’, a famous three milks cake, loved by Cubans, Latin Americans and now, us.

We were captivated by this spectacle and are certain that Qatar will love this newcomer. An impeccable service by the staff, rhythmic live performance and panoramic views of the whole city!

For reservations and enquiries, call +974 4015 8888 or email icdohathecity.dining@ihg.com.

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