Tony Walsh – author & tours through Arabia
for a nice meal
Opposite the Fish Souq (still under renovation) in Mutrah is a restored old house. On the upper floor is the Bait Al Luban Restaurant (Bait Al Luban is Arabic for Frankincense House ).
Its decor is re-imagined traditional Omani and sets the atmosphere nicely. The restaurant has only just opened in Mutrah so diners were outnumbered by staff, however rather than Continue reading “Bait Al Luban Restaurant Muttrah”
in a cold Muscat
An intense 2 or 3 hour downpour was enough to create a river of brown sludge, which diverted even the most massive trucks on their route through Ruwi. The flow lifted away cars and more, and left behind a fine silt to dry in the sun. With the rain came a drop in temperature to an unseasonable 20c and far less at night, winter has arrived.
Some consolation was Continue reading “Restaurants and Rain”
Since the area is still quiet we took a meal in Camilia Restaurant Ruwi before work starts again tomorrow. I’ve been a customer since 1986 and guess this is probably one of the longest established restaurants in Oman. I suspect Camilia has had several managers over its history and the current person must be the best there has been.
From the remarkably genuine Continue reading “Camilia Restaurant Ruwi for Dinner”
We arrived after Iftar for a meal at The Cave, Muscat’s newish restaurant complex (intended to have numerous themed dining choices). Currently there are two choices of venue, one with a buffet that seemed to have been cleared – so we had no choice but to walk to the single option open, which was Rumba Lattina.
As there did not appear to be any service offered outside this restaurant we ‘chose’ to sit Continue reading “Rumba Lattina Restaurant at The Cave”
Though centrally located in Muscat it was a struggle to find Al Mandoos, the Omani themed restaurant in Ghubrah. It was found on the parallel side-road to Shell, just behind a small bakery. The menu had a reasonable selection that allowed choice without overwhelming the decision process.
The waitress kindly gave her suggestions which we took. The food then arrived in startlingly quick time, Continue reading “Meal at Al Mandoos the Omani themed restaurant.”
We decided to have a meal in Qurm and to go for the new rather than old.
Relish is a vegetarian restaurant, well located where the old Al Bustan Bakery was. With a bright cheerful decor and both inside and outside seating, it’s an inviting place to eat. It turned out we were fortunate to get a table on arrival – for those arriving after us had to wait for space.
The menu was almost entirely Indian and so we took a bit of advice and went for one Mexican !! and two Indian dishes to share. I chose a fruit juice simply based on the name.
We had a meal at the Grand Fish Restaurant near Muscat City Centre. It’s clearly a popular place, as mid-week all indoor tables were full and doubtless if it wasnt for the rain the outside ones would have been used as well.
Sticking to its theme Continue reading “Grand Fish Restaurant”
Shawarma Sandwiches in Oman are a staple snack. Made from lamb or, as here, chicken grilled on a vast rotating stand they are ready to go in less than a minute.
Some 40 minutes drive from Muscat is Sifah and it was nice to visit to the new Sifawy Hotel there.
Its a small 55 suite property set around a Marina Continue reading “Sifawy Hotel and Sammak Restaurant”
a stand out on the food scene in Muscat – for lots of reasons
Ubhar is one of the more distinctive restaurants in Muscat (unusual addition of an ‘h’ into what is more usually spelt Ubar). Its in a central location in Qurm with a discrete appearance from the outside. Inside however it’s a fusion with dark wood, shocking fuchsia cushions and clear Perspex chairs – almost 1960s retro.
The restaurant opened a few months ago and is probably suffering from the economic slump and a focus by the affluent local population on coffee shops and fast food . They are missing a unique experience . Standouts were the Appetizers, Soup, and Crème Caramel – the very personable service by the maître d’hôtel and his 100% Omani staff.
One to visit again.
We had a 100 year old drink in Ramadhan
I was delighted to share Iftar with a friend – Iftar is the Break-fast meal after the fasting during daylight hours during Ramadhan.
It is a breakfast in a double meaning Continue reading “Ramadhan in Oman”
Flying from the green of an English Summer into Muscat on Oman Air
The rain of a typical British Summer has kept trees in early summer leaf (except the Horse Chestnut which, where we live, has been badly affected by the new fungus which creates an Autumn brown off in early July).
On the ground the constant downpours have forced the birds of the garden under the creepers, Continue reading “Oman Air to Muscat”
You must be logged in to post a comment.