Sourcing the ingredients locally as
much as possible, Dona says she goes
every to the Farmer’s Market every
Saturday to purchase all the produce that
is in season. She adds it is important as
a local business, to empower other local
business to help each other grow. For her
own business as well, Dona says she is still
working on the menu to figure out what
the customers prefer and don’t, and hopes
to bring about some more changes in the
future to the menu.
Moving form the world of Marketing
and Communications to becoming a
restaurateur was not an easy leap but an
exciting one for Dona nonetheless as she
was able to express her creative freedom as
an individual and follow her dream. “Being
a restaurateur is not an easy job, you have
to make people happy every single time
they walk through the door, every day feels
like your first day at a new job, which does
keep things challenging”, she says and
adds that all the challenges and patience
are worth the wait when everything comes
to life. She adds the restaurant is still
growing as she believes in a slow and
organic process for a better result rather
than to rush everything.
“I want my customers to feel as though
they are at home! Bring your book, have a
cup of coffee, followed by a meal. Nothing
makes me happier than seeing people
come to sit here comfortably with their
friends or do work”, Dona says, and being
hands-on with her business and is present
in the restaurant everyday herself.
So whether it is the giant neon “BLAH
BLAH BLAH” sign in Grind inviting
customers for a chit chat over a cup of
coffee, or the friendly and welcoming
ambiance of Hopscotch allowing customers
to make it their second home, the restaurant
and café have come together harmoniously
to create a setting that is equal parts chic
and cosy, mirroring the persona of their
creator, Dona Murad, herself.
For more information:
Al Markh Avenue, Saar
12pm - 4pm, 6pm -10:30pm
(12pm -11:30pm Thurs&Fri)
(00973) 1769 1124
@hopscotch.bh @grind.bh
APRIL - MAY 2017
Perle
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