Hi - 18 August 2016

OMAN’S LARGEST CIRCULATED WEEKLY — 46,760 COPIES

VOL 10 ISSUE 33 / AUGUST 18, 2016

ALL THE MEATY DETAILS PAGE 20

THIS WEEK IN OMAN

RIDE THE WIND

GET OUTSIDE

SEE HISTORY

Kiteboarding offers some seriously heart-pumping action, and a license to ride is required. Find out where to get certified to hit the waves in Oman.

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With incredible resident rates and a plethora of activities from watersports and sandcastle competitions to poolside DJ parties, this resort left us no excuse to stay in our room.

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Qiblatayn in the Sharqiyah region is one of the great ancient architectural sites of Oman, harkening back to a time before the Muslim world prayed facing Mecca.

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Give us a shout with questions, comments, compliments, complaints, or just to say “Hi” Founder Essa bin Mohamed Al Zedjali Chairman Mohamed Issa Al Zadjali CEO Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali scottarmstrong@timesofoman.com Chief Executive Editor Scott Armstrong felicia@timesofoman.com

Executive Features Editor Felicia Campbell Features Production Editor Swati Dasgupta swati@timesofoman.com Research/Copy Editor Ashish Dubash

ashishdubash@timesofoman.com

shafeeq@timesofoman.com Senior Editors Mohammed Shafeeqe Associate Editors Salim Hamood Al Afifi Shruthi Nair

salim@timesofoman.com

Chief Creative Officer Adonis Durado

shruthi@timesofoman.com

Associate Art Director Waleed Rabin Graphic Editor Antonio Farach Design Editor Sahir K.M. Lead Designer Ali Jani Designers Antonio Ismael Sandiego Geri Batara Sonny Gregory Fernandez Director of Digital Television Joe Morrison Photography MMG Photographers richard@timesofoman.com Chief Sales Officer Richard Pakenham

aziz@timesofoman.com

rketing Head Of Advertising & Marketing Aziz K. Baker P Production Manager Shafi Shaik On The Cover Design by Ali Jani Photography Salim Hamood Al Afifi For general inquiries or comments: HiWeekend@timesofoman.com

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 33 AUGUST 18, 2016

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Your calendar of the hottest events happening in Muscat this weekend

18 19 20 THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

8.30pm Colour Me Crazy

6.30pm Desi Throwback

3.00pm Culinary Battle

Go to the US Embassy this Friday for a crazy colour event where you need to wear light coloured clothes so other guests can use you as their blank canvas, transforming your look by throwing colours.

Participate in the Instagram contest afterwards for a chance to win an iPhone 6.

Talent Hunters Oman is back drawing talented singers from around Oman who will present a collection of classic Indian patriotic songs that are sure to make the crowd nostalgic. E-mail for an entry pass.

Go cheer on cooking competitors as they battle it out for a chance to cook for celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor. This cooking competition is being hosted by the Yellow Chilli in Panorama Mall and finalists will present their dishes to chef par excellence Sanjeev Kapoor, who will give his final judgement on August 24th.

US Embassy Ministries District +968 2464 3400

Al Falaj Hotel, Ruwi +968 9856 4353 sdalal1955@yahoo.com

12.00pm Taste of Italia Give your tastebuds a world tour this weekend at Muscat Hills where Italian antipasto will be served to the live tunes of “Decade Apart”.

Muscat Hills Golf and Country Club +968 2451 4080 PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

THE WEEKEND LINEUP

Tell us what you’re doing this weekend: Tweet us @HiWeekly_Oman; tag us in your weekend instagram photos @hiweekly_oman; or share with us on FB/hiweekly

Yellow Chilli, Panorama Mall +968 2454 1717

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Have you tried any of these five? What do you think of them? Did we miss any of your favourites? Tag us on Instagram @hiweekly_oman and tell us about it on facebook.com/hiweekly

FIVE TO TRY PLACES TO CATCH POKÉMON

HI SOCIAL YOUTUBE COMEDIANS TO WATCH

RYAN HIGA With 17 million people watching him, Ryan Higa keeps entertaining his subscribers with his sense of humour. His sketches are especially fun, as they give a peak into Ryan’s strange mind.

YouTube: Nigahiga

SMOSH Those two comedians are unstoppable. They have about four channels and every channel is different, from animated sketches to live sketches and their daily vlogs, which are sure to keep you laughing.

YouTube: Smosh

FELIX KJELLBERG Combining video games with his sense of humour worked wonders for Felix. He’s well known for his hilarious reactions while playing scary video games.

YouTube: Pewdiepie

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QURUM NATURAL PARK Need reinforcements to strengthen your team? Then Qurum Natural Park is the best place for you. Multiple PokéStops and gyms as well as different kinds of Pokémon can be found there.

Walking around to hatch your eggs could be tiring, but it’s also a great workout and the manicured gardens and lake make it easier as you enjoy the natural beauty.

LOVE STREET If you want to catch Pokémon while comfortably sitting in your car avoiding the heat, then Shatti Al Qurum is the place to be. All sorts of Pokémon can be found hanging around the beach, especially Water Pokémon enjoying a good swim in this hot weather.

MUTTRAH CORNICHE If you’re looking for a variety of Pokémon types then you should head straight to Muttrah Corniche where water, bug, flying, electric and other types of Pokémon are sure to show up on your radar.

AL SAHWA PARK PokeStops are scattered all over Al Sahwa Gardens. After a long walk trying to hatch your eggs, you can sit in the rest areas and have a snack or coffee at the restaurants and coffee shops to re-fuel before heading out to catch more Pokémon.

AL MOUJ Pokémon at Al Mouj aren’t easy to catch as they lurk behind buildings and in parking lots. However, it will be worth the walk when you find electric Pokémon that you’ve never seen anywhere before.

RAY WILLIAM JOHNSON Ray uses his sense of humour to turn today’s trends into hilarious videos. It is the best kind of social commentary.

YouTube: Ray William Johnson

PRANK VS PRANK This couple never gets tired of doing pranks on each other. They go to the extreme to get back at each other, much to our viewing pleasure.

YouTube: PrankVsPrank

PHOTOGRAPHY: SUPPLIED

ON YOUTUBE

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THE WEEKEND ESCAPE

COME OUT AND PLAY Millennium Resort Mussanah, set on an out-of-the way stretch of sand about an hour north of Muscat, is not a tranquil retreat. This is not the hotel you book when you want to spend a weekend cloistered in your sleekly styled room, emerging only for meals and perhaps a spa treatment. The Millennium Resort is a destination for those who want to play.

STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL PHOTOGRAPHY MEHDI TAGHAVI

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Set on a million square feet of land, this resort has only just begun to realise its potential. The sprawling facilities include a marina from which dive boats set off for the Daymaniyat Islands and jet-skis await their next rider; a new paramotoring area; a miniature golf course; a familiesonly pool, main pool, and two adult-only pools; and a world-class spa unexpectedly tucked away on the second floor of a plain-faced building.

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he rooms aren’t much to look at, though those marinaside have a pleasant view. But, forget all that, because you aren’t here for the accommodations. When you stay at this resort, your goal should be to get downstairs for breakfast and then outside to enjoy the recreation, as fast as possible.

The options abound. For parents, the Kid’s Club and daily activities like sandcastle making competitions and treasure hunts, mean an hour or two of blessedly quite personal time to soak in the sun at the beach-front adult’s infinity pool, or to head to the newly renovated, state-of-the-art spa for a couple’s massage or facial.

With an incredible resident’s rate, and many of the activities, from aqua-aerobics to treasure hunts to the Friday night DJ pool party, included in that rate, you’ll have plenty of funds left over to splurge on that spa treatment or on a round of water sports. And if there is something in particular you’d like to indulge in, chances are, the hotel can make it happen. If you fancy a romantic dinner on the beach. Just ask. If you want private dive lessons. Just say the word. Sunset cruise? They can make it happen.

The relatively new hotel management has a vision for the future of this property, with a bounty of new activities on the horizon and a five-star mentality of “never-say-no.” This is a hotel that wants to be better, that wants to be fun, that wants to be the answer to that ever-recurring question, “What are we doing this weekend?” And with a current resident rate of OMR39 per night, including breakfast and dinner for two, they’ve certainly become my go-to answer.

—felicia@timesofoman.com

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THE WEEKEND PLAYBOOK

Thursday 6:00pm : Have your bags packed, and hit the road directly after the office.

7:30pm : Check-in at Millennium Hotel, drop your bags in your room and head to Mydan for dinner (Currently Thursday’s are East Asian night and Friday’s are BBQ).

8:30pm : Change into your swimsuit and head for the pool. Yep. The property keeps the pool open late-night, with refreshments served until 11pm on Thursdays. Cool off with a swim and a cold beverage to wind-down before bed.

Friday 7:00am : You got to bed early enough, so get up and get down to breakfast early.

8:00am : Snag yourself a beach-facing lounge by the adult’s only infinity pool and take a few laps before doing some serious sunbathing.

MILLENNIUM RESORT MUSSANAH

11:00am : Throw on some shorts and head over to the tennis courts or the miniature golf course to work up an appetite for lunch.

+968 2687 1519 reservations.mrmo@millenniumhotels.com millenniumhotels.com RESIDENT SPECIAL

1:00pm : Take a break from sunning and go to Azul for a refreshing salad or a massive, juicy hamburger served at breezy tables overlooking the sea.

2:00pm : Trade your poolside lounge for a beach lounge and spend the rest of the afternoon napping, sunning, and swimming in the gentle waves.

5:00pm : Get back into action. Take advantage of one of the free pool classes, like introduction to scuba diving or water aerobics.

(Running through September 30th, 2016) Deluxe Room with breakfast and dinner for two at Mydan starting at OMR39

6:00pm : Towel off and walk past the marina to your pre-booked sunset para-motoring appointment (available between five and seven for OMR20). The ten-minute “flying gocart” experience is a great opportunity to take amazing areal shots of the resort and to snap the ultimate airborne selfie.

6:30pm : Freshen up back in your room and then head down for dinner.

8:00pm : Go back to the pool where the DJ will spin tracks between the live band’s sets, while couples, friends, and groups of families relax in lounge seating area sipping cocktails or splashing along to the music from inside the pool. It’s a lively place to spend the evening under swaying palms.

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Saturday 9:00am: Sleep in after your night of poolside revelry, but don’t miss breakfast, which runs until 10:30am.

10:00am: As you walk around the property in preparation for your spa treatment, stop to watch the sand castle competitions and the kids playing football and bouncing on trampolines.

10:30am: Arrive at the spa for a massage or one of the exclusive skin care treatments.

11:30am: After your treatment, prolong your Zen mood with a cool tropical drink poolside, or use up the last of your energy renting a jet ski or banana boat ride for a final surge of adrenaline pre-check-out.

12:00pm: Check-out and head back to Muscat. On the way, try to figure out what you’d like to do next visit. Perhaps a free scuba diving lesson in the pool followed by a beginner’s course out on the water. Perhaps a kid-free romantic beach dinner and couple’s spa weekend. Perhaps a girl’s fitness weekend of outdoor Zumba, tennis, paddle boarding, and detoxifying spa treatments. The hour-long drive should give you plenty of time to plan next weekend’s adventure.

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TO D LIST

Kiteboarding is not a leisure activity. It is a professional sport which requires professional training. Luckily for thrill-seekers in the Sultanate, the eight-hour course where you need to start surfing the waves and wind is available right here in Muscat.

STORY SHRUTH NAIR • ILLUSTRATION GERI B. SONNY

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here comes a moment, as you balance on a plank carving through ocean waves at high speed, when you’re not sure if you’re flying, floating, or walking on water. In that moment, you can’t be certain if it is anxious beads of sweat or the ocean spray dripping from your forehead, and if you’re honest with yourself, you couldn’t really say if the sounds emerging from your throat are yells of excitement or fright. It is the rush of that moment that draws the brave and the reckless to the highenergy world of kiteboarding.

Kiteboarding is a professional adventure sport that uses a kite (duh) to pull the boarder over the surface of the water on a snow or surfboard-like platform. The kite can be controlled using a bar that is harnessed to the boarder’s body. If this sounds like a bizarre sport made up by kids on spring break, that’s probably because it kind of is. The very first trial of kite-boarding was done in the mid 1990s by a few adventure maniacs in Hawaii who wanted to create some new adrenaline-gushing activities.

Initially, it was practised in a haphazard manner without proper rules, techniques, or equipment, but by the end of the 90s, the first kiteboarding contest was organised by Red Bull in Hawaii, with proper rules and techniques in place, and by 2005, the improvements in kiteboarding safety standards had evolved to the point that the sport as a whole was technically sound enough to be promoted and taught to leisure boarders around the world.

Thanks to Oman’s favourable weather, a lot of tourists from different parts of the world plan vacations in Oman specifically to kiteboard the clear waters, and just this year, a freestyle kiteboarding contest

LEARN TO KITEBOARD • Contact: Al Mouj, 12-5pm, +968 9632 3524 • An eight-hour course costs OMR169 • License will be given at the end of the course

NOTES • The only prerequisite to learn kiteboarding is that you must know how to swim.

• You don’t have to be physically strong to kiteboard, but you must be licensed.

• Everyday in Muscat is a great kite day.

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was held in Masirah Island where a number of kiteboarders from around the globe showcased their stunts, spins, tricks, and rotations.

Kiteboarding initially made its way to Oman in 2007, when the first certified kiteboarding centres in the Gulf were opened at Al Mouj and on Masirah Island. Kiteboarding-Oman, member of the International Watersport Association, offers a three to five-day course, totalling eight to twelve hours of training in theoretical and practical kiteboarding skills. Upon completion, participants are issued a license authorising them to kiteboard in any part of the world.

Kiteboarding is a challenging sport that requires discipline, skill, and practice, but the good news for many of us is that it does not really require strength or weight. The lighter you are, the easier it is for you to handle the kite. Hence, there are more women actively competing in the sport compared to men. (In Oman, presently there are 30 per cent women participating in the sport, though the female numbers are on the rise.)

The elements that you need to master before getting on to a board include: Flying a kite, understanding the concepts of aerodynamics, and learning board control. Since the kite (your motor, essentially) is solely dependent on wind power, there is never complete certainty about whether or not you can practice your sport on any given day.

Rather than a frustration, most kiteboarders take it as a reminder to respect nature and to admire the strength and vulnerability of the natural world.

This is a sport created by beach bums, who firmly believe that ‘a bad day at the beach is far better than the best day at the office’. A sentiment I think we can all get on-board with. — shruthi@timesofoman.com

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WISH LIST

STORY SALIM AL AFIFI PHOTOGRAPHY ALI JANI

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en’s sandals have been creeping into the fashion industry over the last few years, and this year with simple, funky slippers

and more daring high-knee gladiators appearing in fashion magazines and runways, statement “mandals” are undeniably trending.

But anyone, fashion-follower or not, who lives here in Oman has no doubt garnered some curiosity about the traditional sandals worn by men here in the Gulf. Perhaps one of the most important style elements of an Omani man’s wardrobe are his shoes — modernised versions of traditional sandals, which are crafted with the finest leathers and embellishments. Here we rounded-up six super-cool modern Khaleeji mandals to rock with your Dishdashas or your favourite shorts. —salim@timesofoman.com

Built to Perfection Perhaps you’re an advocate for individuality? 7Bros offers awesome, Italian-made, complex leather sandals with distinctive textures, cut, sewn for an elegant look, and feel. This pair is light in weight, but high in personality. These premium, flat-based sandals are available in black, white, beige, or my personal favourite, olive.

7Bros, OMR45

Smooth Operator These Dr Mauch sandals blend both comfort and fashionable elements together for a contemporary sandal of luxurious calf leather, simply perfect for those who prefer lighter sandals. The colour palette used is just brilliant as they go well with almost anything.

Dr Mauch at Shoe Palace, OMR26

Feel the Luxe Own these Omani-style sandals developed by our very own 7Bros and the Italian deluxe shoe brand Almini. These therapeutic water and soil resistant pairs feature great quality and comfort, a strong base, and are quite stylish in black, black with blue, or black with maroon. As an added touch that perfectly sums up the shoe’s durability and high-styling, these sandals feature a genuine carbon fibre top – magnifique.

Almini at 7Bros, OMR75

Walk Like a Prince This Saudi-inspired style screams ‘royalty’, from its superb combination texture made of leather, to its soft and comfy therapeutic bottom, to its majestic white colour. Those who prefer their sandals flexible with the upper side of feet covered, will love this pair.

Almini at 7Bros, OMR75

Wear It Emirati-Style Some of you like it high-soled. Why not? It’s trendy, comfy, and gives a somewhat royal vibe. These Emirati-style therapeutic German-made sandals offer great massaging technology for the feet. Plus they are made of calf leather with a glossy finish in either black with maroon, black with blue, or black with beige.

Dr Mauch at Shoe Palace, OMR48

Look Artsy, Feel Artsy FIND THE PERFECT PAIR Shoe Palace +968 2456 2571 Sabco Centre, Qurum Business District; Bareeq Al Shatti, Qurum; Markaz Al Bahja, Al Hail 7Bros +968 9100 0050 Qurum Business District (Nearby Sabco Centre); Oman Avenues Mall; Al Khoudh

These head-turners sport a unique and slightly shiny chrome-like top adorned with a trim of contemporary design that is laserprinted on the sandal. The shoes are light, with a leather sole and are available in black with brown or black with silver.

7Bros, OMR50

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STORY FELICIA CAMPBELL | PHOTOGRAPHY ALI JANI

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merican childhood memories — no matter whether you grew up on the coast or in the deep south, in a rural mountain village or a bustling urban centre — always includes the sweet scent of baking chocolate chip cookies.

I remember spending snow days at home with my mother who would pull out the mixing bowl and let my brother and I help measure and add ingredients. After the fun of mixing up the sticky cookie dough came the agony of waiting. The roughly ten minutes it took for those tender, chewy cookies to bake, and the additional five

minutes cooling, were the longest 15 minutes of our lives. The recipe that most follow is the simple instructions printed on the bags of semi-sweet morsels sold in every supermarket, the most famous of which are the Nestle Toll House brand. Here in Muscat, Nestle Toll House has their own cookie cafes, and I must say that I love both their tiny, bite-sized cookies and their oversized, pan-baked cookie “cakes”, but on overcast days here in Muscat (albeit due to humidity rather than snow clouds), I find myself craving the delicious process of making these simple treats myself, and the sweet anticipation as I stare into the oven as they bake.

–felicia@timesofoman.com

Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe Ingredients • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 2 large eggs • 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels • 1 cup chopped nuts (optional. I hated nuts in cookies as a kid, and I still do) Instructions • Preheat oven to 190°C. • Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

• Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.

Nestle Toll House Café Panorama Mall, Bausher/ Ocean Mall, Qurum +968 9986 7141 / +968 9142 6497

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A SACRED PAST STORY SHRUTHI NAIR • PHOTOGRAPHY DAWOOD AL ADHOUBI

t felt like déjà-vu when I entered the town of Al Kanata in Ibra, once one of the most popular trade hubs of Oman. The narrow pathways, the gravelled roads, and the beautiful little mud huts we crossed while walking through the ancient town, or rather what remained of it, took me back in time, over 300 years back to be precise. It felt like a dream I’d had before in which everything around me was brown — the sandy ground on which I stood, the crumbling remnants of a lost civilisation, and even the air itself, seemingly hinting at the eruption of a light dust storm. My tour guide, Salim Mubarak, lead the way, telling me the incredible story of the place as we walked.

Salim explained that the place where our cars were parked, which was nothing but a gravelled kacha road was once home to a huge, heavily-secured gate through which only select traders and visitors were allowed to enter. Wide-eyed, I fol-

lowed him towards a beautiful, crumbling mosque he said was called, Al Kanata. It had a prayer hall and a madrasa where children used to study. The mosque had been renovated using the same materials that were used in ancient times in order to preserve its essence.

We walked on, entering the ruins of the famous Kanata souq, where everything from agricultural products to traditional crafts were brought and sold in abundance. I could hear the pride in Salim’s voice as he spoke about how important a landmark this market was, and how important Ibra had been to the whole Sultanate in terms of trade and commerce.

Pointing out to the fort at the peak of a mountain a few kilometres from where we stood, Salim said that it was one of the two forts that had been used for surveillance and military purposes during the pre-Renaissance period. I stared up at

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DISCOVER THE ANCIENT SITES OF IBRA For a historic tour of the sites of Ibra, get in touch with tour guide

Salim Mubarak +968 9953 4098 To reach Al Kanata by car, turn right off the Muscat-Sur highway towards the Sultan Qaboos Mosque. Pass the mosque and keep driving straight for about 2 kilometres just after Al Safalat, the ruins will be on your right.

the ancient lookout post, my imagination running wild. I was so lost in this hidden gem of a town, that I completely forgot the purpose of my visit until the echo of the call to prayer brought me back to my journalistic senses.

It had all started when an Omani friend mentioned a little known mosque in the South named Qiblatayn. He tried to explain the reason why it was so important, but I couldn’t quite comprehend it at the time. But my interest was peaked none-the-less, so I made a plan to drive down to Ibra to get a first-hand look at this notable mosque, which is exactly where I was headed when I got sidetracked in Ibra inside the ruins of Al Kanata.

I reminded Salim of the reason for my visit, and we headed farther down the road towards this infamous architectural site. We had only been driving a short while when Salim’s car pulled over in front of me. Puzzled, I stopped behind him.

He stepped out of his car and announced that we had arrived.

“This is the Qiblatayn,” he said.

I looked around. There was nothing stone-strewn earth. Then I noticed a little mud structure atop a tiny hill in the distance.

“Is that Qiblatayn?” I asked. He shook his head and motioned for me to follow him.

“I will tell you the story once we are in the mosque,” he said. A little skeptical, but curiosity peaking, I carefully made my way behind him. Over a dusty hill, another mosque came in to view. We climbed the hill, removed our footwear and went inside.

It was dark. The smell inside reminded me of the air after the first rain shower of the season. The small space was soothingly cool, thanks to the three-sided walls made of mud and clay topped by a simple wooden roof.

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My eyes were drawn to two Holy Quran stands placed in front of the hollows in the left and right sides of the wall facing me. While the one on the right held the Holy Quran, the other sat empty.

Just as I was about to enquire about the absence of the holy book, Salim began narrating the story of Qiblatayn.

“More than 1,500 years ago, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) made a wish to Allah that he wanted all the Qiblas (the direction Muslims face while praying) in the world to change their direction from Masjid Al Aqsa in Jerusalem to Masjid Al Haram in Mecca. Allah granted his wish and an order was given that all the Qiblas in mosques that were going to be built henceforth would face Mecca. However, ancient mosques, like the Qiblatayn, which is the oldest mosque in Oman, already had a Qibla that was facing Jerusalem. Hence another Qibla was made beside it to face Mecca and thus, it got the name Qiblatayn, ‘Two Qiblas’,” he explained.

We went outside and I just stood there letting the swift, cool breeze caress my skin as I looked down at the Al Garbi Wadi where our cars were parked. That now dry ravine often floods and overflows, feeding the dense date forest that blankets the adjacent areas. I looked to the west where all I could see were steep, austere mountain ranges, a tiny fort barely visible at their far end. It’s different to hear about history or to read about history and to see and feel history.

Here, I could feel the ancientness of the earth beneath my feet, I could see the stories of the past in the ruins of the once great cities, and as I closed my eyes, I could almost hear the salat of the faithful who had stood here before me being carried in the wind.

—shruthi@timesofoman.com

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BURGERS

C A P I T A L ' S

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STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY SALIM AL AFIFI

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ack in the day, whenever we heard the word ‘burger’, the big, fat, yellow McDonald’s symbol would be the first thing to come to mind. Fast food chains were at one point our only option for hamburgers here in Oman, a rather boring option for foodies and big, juicy restaurant-style burger enthusiasts.

Variety restaurants began filling the gap, and almost every casual joint has a burger on the menu nowadays, but far more interesting are the new restaurants that are specialising in this meaty sandwich.

Perhaps you’d like yours medium rare with caramelised onions, or maybe you'd enjoy sinking your teeth into a patty topped simply with garden-fresh lettuce, or maybe you’re a fan of sautéed mushrooms and crispy bacon along with a monstrous portion of beef in the form of four gigantic patties. Want to choose your meat’s country of origin? Opt between grass-fed or grain fed? Now you can at upscale burger bars in Shatti and small, fast casual joints whose sole focus is on fresh ingredients.

Ushering in a new burger-era in the Sultanate, offering unique burger experiences to feed our ever-growing hunger for customised meat patties, perhaps the most surprising thing about these meat-centric spots is the fact that they are not American imports like the fast food chains we grew up with, but the passion projects of Omanis.

As a hardcore burger fan, I spent several weekends eating my way through the hamburger havens of the capital to bring you the most distinctive, and in my opinion, the most delicious, three newcomers. —salim@timesofoman.com

The Juicy Classic @ KIWI CAFE OMAN EVER SINCE ITS LAUNCH in December of 2012, Kiwi's has held a special place in the hearts of burger fanatics in town, and that love continues to grow as the little Omani chain expands its juicy reach. Tucked in a strategic corner of the small shops at the entrance of the Dolphin Village in Bausher, the menu at Kiwi's features a few non-burger options, like chicken nuggets and chicken sandwiches, but they are known for their super-fresh, signature burgers (in double, triple, or quadruple) that are served on home-baked buns.

Whenever I park my car in front of their vintage exterior seating area, which sports a dark brown wood tables and chairs with contrasting umbrella shades, I feel excitement bubble up inside of me.

On my most recent visit with Saud Al Lamki, one of the restaurant owners, I thought about sitting outside, as the siting area offers a great view of Dolphin’s palm trees and Bausher’s busy road, but it was excruciatingly hot, so I headed inside instead. The interior at Kiwi is simple, very casual, in a way that makes you feel at home. Its beachwood walls have a few decorative stones that add a bit of a local ambiance, while the sporty rectangular tables and chairs in black and red, are quite modern.

I usually keep it simple and go for a double burger, which comes with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and their 'special sauce'. The ingredients are so fresh, and the thin, fresh ground patties so juicy, that I couldn't imagine adding anything more to these idyllic hamburgers. But, in the name of research, I strolled up to the counter and ordered their infamous 'AK47 burger'. Beef patties topped with cheese, beef bacon, jalapenos, pickles, fresh lettuce, sliced onions, tomatoes, and a smear of barbecue sauce, it was an intense, and heavenly sandwich, the flavourful, tender patties I'd come to expect, amped up a few notches. This is as fancy as it gets at Kiwi's, which is a great thing. This is where you come for back-to-basics, high-quality burgers. Period. Along with fresh, crispy fries, and an ice cold Coke, you couldn't ask for a more satisfying meal.

KIWI'S +968 9361 3740 FACEBOOK.COM/KIWICAFEOMAN DOLPHIN PLAZA SUNDAY-THURSDAY, 12PM-11:30PM FRIDAY-SATURDAY, 5PM-12AM

BEST BURGER: TRIPLE KIWI (Meal), OMR2.800

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The Haute Burger @ GRAFFITI BURGER BAR RAW AND ALIVE. I thought as I stepped into the chic Graffiti Burger Bar in Shatti Al Qurum. Walking on the cementcovered floor, my eyes couldn’t help but glance around in wonder at the fun collection of interesting film and art-driven design elements — a gigantic vintage mirror that somehow reminded me of my favourite childhood cartoon, Beauty and the Beast; a wall on which padlocks hung, a reference to the love locks of Paris; and a shiny, yellow bus that can accommodate six diners. The restaurant seemed to be a little eco-system of its own in which to enjoy upbeat music while getting down to business with some expertly decorated burgers.

The jolly waiter, who was rocking a Spanish Cowboy getup, escorted me to my industrial-chic cement table and handed me a menu, which was smaller than I had imagined, given the huge theatrics of the restaurant itself. The items on the vinyl record-shaped menu had movie-inspired titles—Beauty and the Beef, a juicy beef patty topped with sautéed fresh mushrooms, and herb cheese, served on a homemade black bun; Glad-he-ate-her, a smoked cheese burger chargrilled to perfection, and greased with a signature Chipotle wonder sauce; What Lies Beneath, a brown mushroom stuffed with sun dried tomatoes, fresh herbs, covered in cheese; the Gold Digger, a lobster burger, topped with mildly spicy red Deutsch cheese, and served on a golden bun; and the Moulin Rage, a creamy dish made of seasoned fries, topped with shrimps and a trio-cheese sauce. I order a Beauty and the Beef, a Moulin Rage, and a Gold Digger, just for good measure.

Khalid Al Suwaid, the man behind Graffiti, joined me and

When you leave a mark, it doesn’t have to be a scratch on a wall, it could be on your skin, it could be a song you sing, or a word you say; it’s a form of expression. For me, I’m putting my graffiti on my food. told me about his journey. Khalid came up with the name Graffiti, a term which now refers to street art (or defacing, depending on how you look at it) created with spray paint.

But the original meaning of the term was "to leave a mark," which is the creative concept at the heart of his restaurant, which he wanted it to be a space in which some sort of community could form, where strangers (which is what they call guests at this restaurant) can meet, have a good time, and create memories.

“When you leave a mark, it doesn’t have to be a scratch on a wall, it could be on your skin, it could be a song you sing, or a word you say; it’s a form of expression,” said Khalid. “For me, I'm putting my graffiti on my food,” he added, as the waiter placed three dishes on my table. The dramatic, black of the organic in-house-baked bun of the Beauty and the Beef, drew me in first. The thick patty, garnished with mushrooms and dripping cheese, and adorned with cute little edible flowers, it tasted fantastic. Tearing myself away from "The Beauty," I turned my attention to the little Gold Digger, a slider-sized burger with a shimmering, golden bun that featured lobster. This was an exquisite bite, a first-class burger that you shouldn't miss.

In place of simple fries, I supplemented my feast with the Moulin Rage, the restaurant's version of the FrenchCanadian dish, Poutine. The creamy mixture of French fries and shrimps along with the cheeses was excellent, and the portion was huge.

I personally enjoyed every bite of each burger I tried, but I return to Graffiti Burger in the evenings, when the place really comes alive, as much for the artsy, youthful atmosphere and live singing as I do for their perfect patties.

GRAFFITI BURGER BAR +968 2460 4143 SHATTI QURUM (NEXT TO SHATTI CINEMA) 12PM-12AM, DAILY

BEST BURGER: BEAUTY AND THE BEEF (Burger only), OMR3.900

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 33 AUGUST 18, 2016

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 33 AUGUST 18, 2016

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The Omani Twist @ SHUWA DINERS THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I'M SERIOUSLY CRAVING LOCAL flavours, and other times, all I want is a good old-fashioned burger. But then there are times when these two contradictory cravings hit at once. Perhaps a distinctly Omani problem, I think this must have been the inspiration behind Shuwa Diners in Jawharat Al Shatti in Qurum. As the name suggests, it's a one-stop destination for everything shuwa (the traditional pit-roasted, Omani-spiced meat) from sandwiches to pastas to their most popular creation: Juicy, shuwa-topped burgers.

The restaurant itself features a serene, contemporary interior with a few arabesque touches in a soft pastel colour palette that complements the fabulous sea views provided by their gigantic windows. Comfy sofas and chairs in beige and turquoise surround glass tables set with traditional Omani silverware offset by white-dyed miniature stones. The friendly waiter welcomed me in and politely asked me to where I wanted to sit. I headed straight for a table by the window, which had a magnificent view of the beach and palm trees. He pulled out my seat for me (a classy touch) and handed me their shuwa-packed menu.

I skimmed passed the other fusion dishes, and went straight for the shuwa burgers, ordering American shuwa burger, a thick beef patty topped with lamb shuwa, beef bacon, pickles, and onions, with burger classic condiments, mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard; and the Mexican, a cheese-stuffed beef patty accompanied with jalapeno, guacamole, mildly spicy salsa, mayonnaise, and shredded pieces of lamb shuwa. While I waited for my meal, I looked around the room. Paintings by local artists adorned the walls, and I learned they were available for purchase.

Soon my burgers arrived. I reached for the American shuwa burger first. The combination of a mustard-y, tender beef patty topped with perfectly seasoned shuwa was a strange experience. It is rare to have two of one's favourite meals mashed into one, especially when they are so different from one another. It was familiar, yet out of this world. I devoured half of the burger before I remembered I had another burger to get to.

The Mexico was just as tender and succulent, and the jalapeño sauce, guacamole, and salsa mingling with charred burger and pulled shreds of shuwa where unlike anything I've tasted before. The tangy flavours gave the burger a character of its own that married well with the smoky local flavour of shuwa.

In addition to Omani shuwa burgers, the restaurant adds the flavours of other global cuisines to their long lineup of meat patties, with offerings like pizza burgers, butter chicken burgers, and sesame-wasabi burgers, none of which I tried, but all of which I plan to return to explore. This is the restaurant where you go when you want a burger, but you also want to be surprised.

SHUWA DINERS JAWHARAT AL SHATI, QURUM +968 2469 9976 SHUWADINERS.COM SUNDAY-WEDNESDAY, 12PM-10:45PM, THURSDAY 12PM-11:45PM, FRIDAY 2PM-11:45PM

BEST BURGER: MEXICAN SHUWA BURGER (with side dish), OMR4

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VOLUME 10 ISSUE 33 AUGUST 18, 2016

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Bank Muscat and the Ministry of Tourism hosted a reception in honour of Sheikh Majed Al Sabah, renowned social media personality, for a unique ‘Discover Oman’ programme at the bank’s head office. The reception was attended by Maitha Al Mahrouqi, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Tourism, the senior management team of the bank, social media enthusiasts and bloggers. Photography: O. K. Mohammed Ali

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Fifth Annual Day celebration of Wimpey Laboratories, an independent testing, inspection and consultancy service provider, was held in Majan Continental Hotel last week.

VOLUME 10 ISSUE 33 AUGUST 18, 2016

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The Pakistani Community in Oman celebrated their country’s 70th Independence Day with events organised by the Embassy of Pakistan, Pakistan School Muscat, Pakistan Social Club, and PIA.

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SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY Fill empty cells with the numbers 1 to 9, so that each number appears once in each row, column, and area.

Level | Very Easy

Level | Easy

1 7

6 3

8 2

9 4

9

5

9

2

7

3

8

1

5

7

2

3

5

9

8

9 3

2 5

2

3 8

8

3

6

2

5

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7

1

9

7 3

1

Level | Difficult

7

5 4

4

2

2

1 6

3

5

3

1

6

1

4

8

5 1

6

7

1

5

1

7

9

4

7

8 2

8

2

1

6

5

1

4

2

3

8 6

8

5

2 8

7

9

7

8 3

6

9 1

5

4

7

Level | Moderate

3

7 1

2

1 6

1

1

4 6

8 3

3 4

1

6 9

2

3

4 4

6

9 3

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