Last Saturday, taking advantage of the holiday that Luis Enrique granted his players, President Luis Rubiales, on behalf of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, was kind enough to invite all the special envoys to the World Cup in Qatar to what was called “a cocktail” but it ended up being a full-fledged (great) meal. The most veterans say that it is a beautiful tradition that is repeated over the years and these lines serve to maintain it.
The pompous name of the place of the appointment already pointed ways. The St. Regis hotel in Doha didn't exactly look like it would house a McDonald's. It's not that one doesn't know how to enjoy the delicacies of American food from time to time, but after almost 20 days away from home, a good meal is priceless. This time, the initial perception was on the right track. Upon entering the St. Regis complex, to the north of the spectacular West Bay of the Qatari capital, a huge sign announced the presence of the Bibo restaurant, signed by chef Dani García from Malaga, who has three Michelin stars. We were going to eat well, there was no longer any doubt about that, and everything was paid for by Rubiales, who was also funny.
With the clock ticking, always an enemy in this World Cup, the first round of 16 game scheduled for mid-afternoon in the other corner of the city, the Netherlands-United States – unforgivable for the writer not to listen to the Star spangled banner standing –, enjoying the food was going to be a challenge, completely ruled out the after-dinner meal. Quite a pity, the food washed down with Spanish wines and various beers, the exception that proves the rule in Doha, where alcohol has become a highly sought after commodity in the world of communication. But the menu more than made up for those time constraints, completing the best meal in the entire World Cup with dishes as magnificent and tasty as a sea bass ceviche, an exquisite guacamole, an oxtail cannelloni and, thank you Lord, homemade croquettes. Happiness is this.
While the meal was being served, the Federation took the opportunity to deliver a gift to all those present at the hands of a more than cordial Rubiales, and also pay homage to the two most veteran World Cup journalists, Joaquín Maroto and Cristina Cubero, both with 8 behind them. Healthy envy.
The famous “cocktail” had ended up being a meal with all the diners seated at various tables, of free choice –a wise decision–, where good vibes reigned. Before heading off to the Khalifa stadium, where the United States would collide with its harsh soccer reality, and as if the stars were aligning, dessert appeared on time, as exquisite as the rest of the menu.
The effort was worth it. After pressing the Uber driver that we were late and completing a deadly challenge such as crossing an eight-lane highway on foot, another Doha classic, the chords of the American anthem did not escape us. God bless.
