DOHA: The Orient Pearl Restaurant, a luxury eatery on the Corniche has been partially closed since Saturday for 14 days for “preparing food in unhealthy conditions”, according to the Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning (MMUP).
The ministry on its official website said that the kitchen which prepares ‘Shawarma’ and fast food for the restaurant has been temporally closed for ‘violating standards and preparing (food) in unsanitary conditions,’ under the directions of the Doha Municipality.
Oriental Pearl with different types of dining areas offers a fusion of Syrian, Lebanese and Italian cuisine, a coffee shop and many other facilities. The facility could host nearly 1,000 guests at the same time.
Prior to the temporary closure of the partial closure of Oriental Pearl Restaurant, a video of two cats in its Shawarma kitchen went viral on social media.
However, MMUP has not disclosed detailed information behind the temporary closure.
However, Orient Pearl in a statement to the media by Spokesperson Charbel Mhanna, Orient Pearl Restaurant Management, yesterday said, “No fines or violation notices have been issued by any of the authorities who made periodic visits to the restaurant.”
In response to the video on social media the statement said, “The Management of the Orient Pearl Restaurant would like to inform its customers that the outdoor terrace kitchen has been closed since the September 1, 2015 and is currently being demolished permanently. This step was taken by the restaurant management as part of a prior plan whereby the Shawarma section has been moved into the main kitchen which is indoors.”
The place in question was opened by staff at night after the closing time of the restaurant in order to move kitchen equipment and appliances and proceed with demolition. This explains the video footage which does not show any food items inside the kitchen.”
The Peninsula
