The Orient Pearl in Qatar is a 4-star restaurant so you'd probably expect the kitchen to look something like this . . .
But it actually looks something like this . . .
And like this . . .
Apparently cats have invaded and begun raiding the kitchen's leftovers.
It's unclear how long management had been allowing this to go on but when a video got posted to social media, things got real.
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This is not hygienic! An ILQer sent this to us and was shocked to see cats eating out of the kitchen at the Orient...
Posted by ILQ - iloveqatar.net on Sunday, September 6, 2015
The Ministry of Municipality and Urban Planning reacted quickly, announcing that the restaurant had been partially closed.
"Partial closing of a famous restaurant in Old Aslata in Doha The mayor of Doha announced today (Sunday) that an official decision has been made to partially shut down a restaurant and its shawarma and fast food station in Old Aslata in Doha for 14 days due to not abiding by the set health regulations and preparing food in an unsanitary way. The location has three restaurants."
The closure only affects a fast-food portion of the large restaurant.
In a statement the restaurant said :
“The outdoor terrace kitchen has been closed since the 1st of September 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,” according to Doha News.
Hmmm…. Okay. Then why did the government shut you down?
Qatar has been taking a strong stance against unsanitary conditions in restaurants. Some have even been shut down permanently and arrests have been made.
So sights like this shouldn't be too common.
