Doha: IN-Q Enterprises (IN-Q), the commercial arm and wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Museums (QM), held the grand opening of Cafe #999 at the Fire Station on 18 January. The restaurant returns under the new management of IN-Q in consultation with Groupe Ducasse Paris.

Café #999 offers authentic Italian culinary creations as reimagined by Groupe Ducasse Paris chefs led by Executive Chef Jeremy Cheminade and Head Chef, Fabio Fioravanti. It is the third and latest Groupe Ducasse Paris restaurant to be launched in partnership with QM in Doha.

The grand opening of the restaurant was celebrated with an Italian Long Table Lunch in the presence of Groupe Ducasse Paris Founder, Alain Ducasse; QM CEO, Mr. Ahmad Al Namla and VIP guests from Qatar.

Commenting on the grand opening, Phil Lawrie, General Manager of IN-Q said: “We are proud to officially launch Café #999, the third outlet in our long partnership with M. Alain Ducasse, who shares our passion for art, heritage and culture. Here we take guests on a timeless artistic and gourmet journey to Italy in a vibrant retro-pop setting. Café #999 is the perfect dining destination, located at the heart of the Fire Station overlooking Al Bidda Park and the stunning West Bay skyline. We can promise our guests an amazing experience.”

Khalifa Ahmad Al Obaidly, Director of Fire Station - Artist in Residence, shared, “The reopening of Café #999 with its new menu and ambiance is an exciting moment for us. We take pride of the fact that with Café #999, we are able to offer our artists a delectable fusion of gastronomy and art. At Café #999, artists find affinity.  They are welcome to collaborate and bring their art to life on the walls of Café #999.  This innovative concept of the restaurant is integrated into the Fire Station, bringing the community together for an inspiring experience here at Doha’s art hub.”

Alain Ducasse said: “Through our collaboration with QM, Groupe Ducasse Paris strives to offer Qatar new dining concepts and experiences that are of premium quality. We hold ourselves to high culinary and presentation standards while remaining casual and welcoming to Café #999’s loyal visitors and newcomers.”

Café #999 offers a menu that is thoroughly Italian, in technique and flavours, serving a selection of artisanal starters, main dishes, and desserts highlighting great Italian classics such as caponata, risotto, pizza, tiramisu, and more.

The restaurant is a celebration of culture and art, bringing an immersive artful experience to the Fire Station, merging food and art, from retro-pop tableware to creative food styling, and a dining experience that is a feast for the eyes, too. 

The renovated restaurant space was designed by French designer Helen Bonte who drew inspiration from retro pop art, a true testament to Fire Station’s artistic identity merged with Italy’s cultural icons. Cafe #999 promotes Qatar’s local art scene by collaborating with artists to paint the walls of the restaurant. This includes the brick oven decorated with Qatari artist Mubarak al-Malik’s signature graffiti style and wall paintings by budding artist Reem Saad Abdelrahman Elnour and multi-talented graffiti artists, Mehdi Manaa.  

At Café #999, guests of Doha’s art hub find the ideal place to connect and interact. Whether inside, amid the new artful interiors, or al fresco with friends and furry companions, Café #999 welcomes everyone.

Cafe #999 is open Saturday to Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm and on Friday from 1 pm to 9 pm.  Pets are welcome in the outdoor seating area. For reservations, please call 4452 5650 or email cafe999restaurant@qm.org.qa.

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About IN-Q Enterprises WLL

IN-Q Enterprises WLL (IN-Q) is the commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of Qatar Museums (QM), trading primarily in the retail and food & beverage/hospitality sectors.

Since our establishment in 2015, IN-Q has created a reputation for quality, exclusivity, authenticity, and creativity in everything that we do – themes inspired by the mission of QM.

IN-Q is a key stakeholder behind QM's delivery of its commitment to instigate Qatar’s future generation of arts, heritage, and museum professionals by nurturing creative talent and creating commercial opportunities for young artists, designers and entrepreneurs.  A total of 137 local artists consisting of 106 consignment partners and 31 design partners are given the opportunity to showcase their designs and products in our gift shops. Meanwhile, 27 SMEs currently operate under the umbrella of IN-Q.

We engage QM's audiences through merchandise, publications and our e-shop, and provide authentic food & beverage and retail experiences through diverse operations, which include:

  • F&B
    • IDAM by Alain Ducasse at the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA)
    • MIA Café, MIA Park café, kiosks and food trucks
    • Jiwan Restaurant at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ)
    • Café 875 and other kiosks at NMoQ
    • Desert Rose Café at NMoQ
    • Café #999 at the Fire Station
    • Naua and 3-2-1 Café at 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum (QOSM)
    • Mathaf Café at Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art
    • Profiles Café at M7
    • Ralph’s Coffee at Place Vendome
  • RETAIL
    • MIA Gift Shop
    • NMoQ Gift shop
    • 3-2-1 QOSM Gift Shop
    • Mathaf Gift Shop
    • Cass Art Qatar Shop
    • Exhibitions’ pop up stores at M7, Fire Station and QM Galleries
    • QM and 3-2-1 QOSM kiosks at Doha Festival City (DFC) and MIA park
    • IN-Q Online
    • Cass Art Qatar Online (Coming Soon)

We also deliver innovative catering experiences through IN-Q Catering and facilitate venue hire for events hosted at the museums and heritage sites in the following locations:

  • MIA
  • NMoQ
  • 3-2-1 QOSM
  • M7
  • Fire Station
  • Mathaf
  • Al Zubarah Fort
  • Barzan Towers
  • QM Gallery - Katara

IN-Q provides manpower services under its Manpower Contracting function to its primary client and parent organisation, QM.

About Groupe Ducasse Paris

Groupe Ducasse Paris is deploying its activity in food, restaurant, hospitality, education and consulting. The company constantly develops innovative ideas and ensures their sustainability. Its continuous pursuit of excellence is based on the talent of men and women, the quality of the produce and a great savoir-faire. President and Founder, Alain Ducasse is the company’s inspiration and is dedicated to offer a fair cuisine, transmission of knowledge and developing a responsible vision of his profession.

www.ducasse-paris.com
https://www.instagram.com/alainducasse/?hl=fr

About Qatar Museums

Qatar Museums (QM), the nation's preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves, restores, and expands the nation's cultural offerings and historical sites, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) region with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.

Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, educate and encourage environmental stewardship and sustainable practices, and amplify the voices of Qatar's people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the Museum of Islamic Art and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Dadu, Children's Museum of Qatar.

Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival and the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design M7—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.

Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.

Press contact:
Maria Luisa L. Bernabe
Marketing & Communication
IN-Q Enterprises WLL
mbernabe@qm.org.qa