Cappuccino artwork features the LV logo, and Parisian pastries displayed on a cart next to the bar are printed with or molded into the Monogram flower. The floors also feature the Monogram flower in gold metal, while a table displays Louis Vuitton coffee table books by Assouline. All of these branding touches should satisfy Instagrammers, but the rest of the lounge is far more subtle in its style.

Attentive visitors will notice other designer pieces from the house, including the Bell Lamp with leather straps by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, Costela armchairs by Martin Eisler, high tables by Paola Lenti and the Cosmic Table by Raw Edges. Drinks are served in blue twist glasses by Studio Louis Vuitton.

Yannick Alléno presents his menu with a handwritten message in French: “From Paris to the Middle East, my menu is a bridge between French excellence and local culinary tradition.” Guests can dine à la carte or choose between a lunch menu ($68 (approx. Rs. 5,700) for starter and main course; $80 (approx. Rs. 6,710) for starter, main course and dessert) or a more elaborate tasting menu with caviar for $410 (approx. Rs. 34,415).

For a lighter meal, there are salads and sandwiches, including a hot turkey toastie with béchamel and comté cheese, with a monogram print toasted into the bread. Main courses include a lamb shoulder confit with yuzu, served on pilaf rice with dried fruit, or a choice of five nigiri sushi: red tuna, sea bass and sesame, Balik salmon, dry-aged hamachi and caviar gunkan.

LV’s monogram print is toasted on the sandwiches

Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

Yannick Alléno’s menu combines French cuisine with regional flavours

Courtesy of Louis Vuitton

The overall verdict

It’s pretty difficult to impress business class travelers in this region, where lounges offer everything from spas to cigar bars, so Yannick Alléno’s Louis Vuitton Lounge is a deserved new addition to the wish list.

The meal isn’t free, and it doesn’t have all the amenities of a business class lounge, but you can always head to the adjacent Al Mourjan to drop off your bags or stock up on bottled water. You’ll need time for that, especially because you’ll probably be tempted to explore Qatar Duty Free’s other offerings, which include the newly opened Dior Luxury Beauty Retreat, the world’s first in an airport.

But if you fancy a meal, don’t let these temptations stop you from trying Yannick Alléno’s menu, which offers food far superior to that of a typical business class lounge.