I have been to Eli France several times, both for a la carte and for the Friday brunch buffet. The space is great. It is well lit, natural lighting, tons of windows, with a view outside on one side and a view of the mall on the other. A big, open space with comfortable chairs. There is always plenty of seating, at least every time I have been here.
Probably my favorite place to sit and relax in the mall. Now that I think about it, Eli France would be a way better place to stop for a coffee than any of the other coffee shops I usually frequent in City Center.
Both times I went for a la carte was for breakfast. I had the steak and eggs one time and the “eggs any style” the other time. The steak was ok, although it didn’t really feel like the steak breakfasts I am used to back home because they didn’t ask how I wanted it done. It appears to only come one way (well done). Where I’m from, “well done” is synonymous with “ruined,” haha. But it was good with the gravy.
I liked the “eggs any style” breakfast more. It’s pretty close to a traditional American diner breakfast. Most importantly, they actually cooked my eggs the way I ordered them (over medium). I like runny yolk, but I don’t like runny whites. Not every place gets it right, but Eli France did. Plus, at QR 28, it’s one of the least expensive diner breakfasts I’ve found in Doha. I should actually go here for breakfast more, now that I think about it.
The Friday buffets were good too, and pretty reasonably priced for a Friday buffet (QR 99). It’s not an extensive spread like at the hotels, but the usual Arabian dishes are all accounted for (cold mezze, grills, lamb majboos (or maybe that was biryani)). There are also some European dishes, like beef medallions with mushroom gravy and chicken with a cream sauce (maybe a la king?). Anyways, what they did serve was well prepared. I always left satisfied.
The menu here is huge. There are so many options it is almost paralyzing to pick something to eat. I am sure there are some gems, as well as some disappointments. With a menu that large it is hard for everything to be great. But I can vouch for breakfast, and I can vouch for the Friday buffets. You should check it out.
RATED: 4/5
Joe Expat 