Faces oman 96

Issue 96, January 2015

Fine art of DINING OUT! Foodie Notes from Azure Food Talk with Qureshis Culinary Tourism for foodies

Simply scan this QR code with your smartphone and see the FACES website online

Issue 96, January 2015 Issue 96, January 2015

Fine art of DINING OUT! Foodie Notes from Azure Food Talk with Qureshis Culinary Tourism for foodies

Family Attitude Class Entertainment Success

Simply scan this QR code with your smartphone and see the FACES website online

Business Director / Sophia Raman Editorial Consultant / Suzy Fontes Art Director / Pushpender K. Sharma Head of Advertising & Marketing / Aziz K. Baker Advertising / Avril D’souza Operations / M.V.V. Sagar

Published By / Muscat Press & Publishing House (SAoc) PB 770, Pc 112, Ruwi, oman Tel: +968 24 811953 . Fax: +968 24 813153 Printed At / Ruwi Modern Printers LLc Tel: +968 24798157 / 24794167

Contact Telephone +968 24563382/24563385 Fascimile +968 24566014 Email - Editorial editor@facesoman.com Email - Sales sales@facesoman.com Website www.facesoman.com

In the daily work-office-work routine, when lunch is about grabbing a hurried sandwich/showarma at the neighbourhood coffee shop or picking fast food from the drive-through, eating out is a norm rather than an exception. With majority of the companies following a straight shift, in lieu of the previous double, most expatriate bachelors prefer to find a ‘mess’ closer to work or be content with a sandwich or two, which many coffee shops are even willing to deliver to the office. But with the eating out fad catching up, restaurants have devised ways to cater to foodies who want more than sandwiches for their lunch. Be it a leisurely business lunch or a quick buffet, restaurants in and around the capital are geared up to meet the increasing demands of diners from all walks of life.

A spurt in the number of food outlets, both fine and casual, has also fuelled the dining out trend in the Art The Fininineg Out capital, with many an outlet requiring reservation Of D to avoid disappointment. With weekend dinners becoming an eating out event in most households, the onus is on fine dining outlets to provide a sensorial experience to help patrons unwind and feel pampered in a soothing ambience. Moreover, diners today are savvy and know just what they want from I their eating out experience.

To capture this growing fad and celebrate the fine art of eating out, this issue of FAcES follows the dining out trail with articles and features dedicated to foodies. The cover story is a tribute to the role played by social media in encouraging even non-foodies to venture out and treat their palates. There’s more in every page...

Bon appétit!

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The lure o

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feast ON

Chief Executive Officer / Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali

Editor’s Note

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Chairman & Editor-in-Chief / Mohammed Issa Al Zedjali

January 2015

Founder / Essa Bin Mohammed Al Zedjali

All that grati fies Azure at Mille the senses is nnium Reso rt Musanna h

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requent visitor Resort Mussa s to Mussanah’s most famous landm nah (MRM) eateries. , will need ark, Millen nium no introdu buffet lunche With elaborate theme ction to its nights, perfec popular s, ‘day’s specia just what to tly juxtaposing order to satiate ls’ and a la carte the menu, splendours their palate of the resort. , while soakin regulars know To cap this g in the natura perfect symph l has introdu ony betwe ced an all en food and new menu charismatic nature, the at the new Execut ive Chef Mattheplush Azure restaurant, Resort has opene d a new vista with the w Fryar at for foodies and a quest with a passio the helm of affairs. It for gourmet Cocooned n for all things dishes. amidst the nature Gulf of Oman, Marina, the Resort, with the Hajar to weekenders its laidback Mountains dream and as well as opening up frequent visitory aura, has endeared the of itself s; more so plying betwe the port. It has becom following e the focal en the capital the which have and its precin point for those regula fast turned rly cts like beyond the into capital. Wheth economic hubs with Barka and Sohar, relaxed weeke businesses er it is for a leisurely moving nd stay, the lunch, a endowed soothe Resort rs for the stresse, with its inherent charmstopover or a s and nature d souls, is definitely beckoning.

January 2015

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‘FACES Magazine, Oman’ 30

Copyright 2014 FACES / All material published remains the copyright of FACES. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. FACES cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other material.

Contents In This Issue FACES Features 16 cover Story

Focus on the eating out trend in the capital with inputs from bloggers and social media enthusiasts

22 In conversation Maxine Burden, author of the recently released book, ‘Throw Down the Anchor, the Story of Muttrah Souq’, talks about her long tryst with oman

24 In The Spotlight check out the events lined up at the ongoing Muscat Festival at Amerat and Naseem Park; Visit ‘Qureshi Bab Al Hind’, the new fine dining Indian restaurant at the Grand Hormuz

FACES Foodie 30 Feast on

Azure at Millennium Resort Mussanah, has introduced an all new menu for foodies with a passion for all things nature and a quest for gourmet dishes

FACES Health 34 Health check

Read about World cancer Day, observed annually on February 4, which aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year

FACES Style

36 In The Luxe Here’s what some of the world’s most expensive fine dining restaurants have to offer to satiate those pampered palates in an ambience to match

38 Look Good Get through the winter months with this beauty checklist

40 Style File Hit the right fashion notes with a designer silk scarf or a woolly winter version

FACES Elements

52 Man Date cook at home or eat out...? The dilemma of an expatriate bachelor

54 Relatively Speaking This Valentine’s Day, take stock of your love life and work out ways to reaffirm your feelings for your partner

56 At Home Find out how to create a formal dining experience at home

FACES Special 46 Dining out

Focus on Muscat’s fast changing eating out scene and the fine art of dining out in a five star restaurant

FACES Travel

26 Explore oman

Welcome to the adventure-packed world of canyoning in oman as depicted by Dr. Khaled Abdul Malak in his recently launched book, ‘canyoning in oman – 12 Exceptional Wadis

58 Just Travel Food, the most defining facet of any holiday, is all the more pronounced in ‘culinary tourism’

FACES Razzmatazz 10 Star Light

Has Johnny Depp finally found his authentic alter ego in his new film ‘Mortdecai’?

12 Razzle Dazzle Latest celebrity gossip from the world of Hollywood

14 Tittle Tattle Heard through the grapevine...

FACES Digest

64 Movies & Books Reviews of upcoming movies and books

67 Gadget Notes Roundup of new gadgets in the market

Apollo Sugar – Oman’s most comprehensive Diabetic Care Centre provides consultation, diagnostics, EZ scan, diabetic eye and foot clinic, diabetic footwear store, diet and nutrition counseling and sugar treatment packages to live healthy and manage diabetes.

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Malagasy Duo back at Park Inn’s Sama Terrazza

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nwind to the music of Malagasy Duo at Park Inn’s Sama Terrazza rooftop lounge. Professional musicians, Thierry and Sandra, hail from an island like Madagascar; they have years of experience in the music industry, having travelled and performed in hotels in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean islands.

They perform everyday from Saturday to Friday, except Thursday, and have an extensive repertoire of popular songs in English, Italian, Spanish, French and others, playing anything from jazz to current hits, old classics, sizzling Latin music, soul, pop and their native style tropical.

Say ‘Bye’ to dark circles

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ark shadows around the eyes annoying you? Making you look sick and tired…? Check out the Kaya Dark Circle Reduction Therapy developed by dermatologists at Kaya Skin Clinic. Bridling their knowledge of advanced formulations, meso products and techniques, together with cues from the latest technology, Kaya offers a customised line of treatment that best suits your skin and your lifestyle.

Oxygen-starved areas under the eyes are given a boost of carbon dioxide and, in response, the body feeds more oxygen into this zone. This technique is used in conjunction with various other services.

Your dermatologist will analyse your skin and provide you with a treatment plan that combines meso products, skin care products and the latest in laser technology.

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‘Rossini’ at The Cave

ine dining Italian cuisine is the latest culinary rage at The Cave Complex, with the launch of Rossini, the new authentic Italian restaurant in the capital. Brought to Oman by Four Seasons Tourism LLC, Rossini offers guests the opportunity of a culinary journey that is quintessentially Italian – from signature Italian dishes to the hospitality. The menu, crafted by the experience executive chef, Luca Umbreto Voncini, features a wide selection of Italian classics, such as antipasti and risottos, steaks and seafood dishes, in addition to salads, soups and desserts that add to the diversity of the a la carte menu. The menu is well complemented by contemporary décor; the Rossini experience is spread to the stylish Cigar Lounge and the private dining area.

SPAR opens first supermarket in Oman January 2015

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onsumers looking for fresh fare have a new destination, following the opening of SPAR; it is the first SPAR supermarket in the country. The 700Sqm SPAR facility at Al Khuwair has a wide assortment of fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, deli, bakery and food-to-go range from Kitsu. Customers can expect good value food and non-food products imported from different countries with friendly customer service that also includes free home delivery. The 250Sqm SPAR Express Format was also formally launched in South Al Ghubra, behind Al Asalah towers. SPAR is the world’s largest food retailer with 12,500 stores across 40 countries, meeting the needs of over 11 million consumers everyday.

ora aperto now open

a piece of Italy in your plates Now open Oman’s first and only Italian premier dining concept restaurant ROSSINI. Located at the Caves Complex, Oman’s most unique architecture marvel; ROSSINI welcomes food connoisseurs to come experience an authentic Italian cuisine in a luxurious ambiance like non-other in town.

Come take a piece of Italy with you...

ROSSINI - The Cave Complex, Darsait Reservations: T: +968 24651066/78 • M: +968 98879220 E-mail: rossini@fourseasonsoman.com Timings: All Days 12 PM to 3 PM – 6 PM to 12 AM

www.fourseasonsoman.com

Valentine’s Day offer at The Bollywood China Mood at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel

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f you are looking to celebrate the Year of the Sheep with family and embrace the good fortune with friends and colleagues, China Mood at Al Bustan Palace, A Ritz-Carlton Hotel, is the place to be. China Mood is offering a special menu, inspired by the Ming Dynasty; it is available from February 19 to 28 and will include fine Chinese tea so that guests can share in the joyful ambience of Chinese New Year. In celebration of this significant event in the Chinese calendar, Al Bustan Palace invited government dignitaries, Ambassadors and heads of key corporations, last week, to rejoice the dawn of the Year of the Sheep and welcome a new year of good fortune.

Guests attending the event were wowed by a series of Chinese cuisine and a festive, traditional 5 spices crispy duck, cooked in an elegant and oriental fare.

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elebrate Valentine’s Day at The Bollywood, with a special V-day theme that includes red and white heart-shaped balloons, romantic table settings, and dim lighting in the evening. To sweeten the deal, The Bollywood is also offering a complementary heart-shaped gajar-ka-halwa (a carrot-based sweet pudding) to female diners’ visiting the restaurant on the day. And to ensure that the memorable experience stays with you, the restaurant is presenting the opportunity to have your photograph clicked behind a customised Valentine’s Day themed frame at the restaurant. All the photos will be uploaded on The Bollywood’s Facebook page, (https://www. facebook.com/thebollywoodoman). Guests who would like copies of their photos can leave a message on the page.

‘Taste of Lebanon’ at Semsom

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ood news for connoisseurs of Lebanese cuisine. Semsom, offering authentic Lebanese cuisine, has opened its new casual-dining haven at Muscat Grand Mall. Dubbed as the fastest growing company in Lebanon, Semsom has successfully spread its flavours from its home country, Lebanon, to Jeddah, Kuwait, Riyadh, New York and now, for the first time, in Oman. Founded in 2008 by Christine Sfeir, one of Arabian Business’ ‘Top 100 Most Powerful Arab Women’ and managed by Ikhtiar Group in Oman, Semsom offers over 50 tantalising dishes to food lovers in the Sultanate. The sit-down restaurant with its welcoming interiors is a perfect place to enjoy a meal with family and friends.

Cheesy Garlic Twist Pizza from Pizza Hut January 2015

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o make family time more special, Pizza Hut has launched the Cheesy Garlic Twist pizza. Made with a unique ‘twisted’ crust stuffed with garlicinfused mozzarella cheese, Parmesan and melting garlic butter, and loaded with your favourite toppings in the middle, Cheesy Garlic Twist is a finger-licking work of art. It combines the delicious pungency of garlic with soft bread, a thick, melted cheese filling and your desired pizza toppings. The new variety is available at all Pizza Hut outlets in Oman on dine-in, delivery and take-away; it is available in two sizes: medium and large. Diners can also order online at www.pizzahut.om.

colourful stays Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm features 73 contemporary chalets and apartments with modern amenities like free wireless high-speed internet access, on-site all dining at the Ocean Restaurant, RBG Grill, gym, outdoor pool, meeting rooms, kids corner, tennis court and secure outdoor parking.

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Adding Color to Life

parkinn.com/hotel-duqm

Park Inn by Radisson Hotel & Residence Duqm PO Box 29 PC 136 Wadi Say, Al Wusta, Duqm, Sultanate of Oman T: +968 2208 5700 F: +968 2208 5750 info.duqm@rezidorparkinn.com

Johnny, Johnny…

Has Johnny Depp finally found his authentic alter ego in his new film ‘Mortdecai’?

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January 2015

rom playing a variety of oddball and misfit characters for which he, seemingly, feels a natural affinity, to following in the footsteps of British comic legend Peter Sellers in his upcoming movie ‘Mortdecai’, Johnny Depp has done the whole gamut of eccentric characters. In this new film he plays the role of Charlie Mortdecai, a brash, blundering and baffled aristocrat cum art dealer on the trail of a stolen painting, believed to contain the code to a bank vault filled with looted Nazi gold.

Depp’s canvas of colourful roles range from his Keith Richards-inspired Captain Jack (of the multi-billion dollar ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ franchise) to channelling Hunter S. Thompson (in ‘Down and Out in Las Vegas’ and ‘The Rum Diary’) to his bizarre riff on Tonto in the disastrous remake of ‘The Lone Ranger’. Johnny has also played vampires (Dark Shadows), madmen (Don Juan Demarco), and a series of fairytale figures including The Mad Hatter, Willy Wonka and, most recently, The Wolf in the ‘Into the Woods’.

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“I’m drawn to eccentric characters, I always have been,” Depp told an entertainment magazine, recently. “I always felt like an outcast - virtually from birth. I’ve always felt a disconnect; I’ve had this sense of being an outsider for as long as I remember. I never felt like I fit in anywhere - particularly in high school where I have bad memories of teachers and other kids picking on me...I certainly wasn’t a jock and I was never part of any clique. It’s like the through-line of the characters I’ve played. There’s definitely a correlation among these people. They’re outsiders in some way. And I still feel it,” he admitted In addition to Mortdecai, Depp will also be seen later this year in Black Mass, based on the life of notorious American gangster James ‘Whitey’ Bulger.

Talking about his most successful and perhaps most eccentric creation, Captain Jack, Depp who begins work on a fifth Pirates’ film in February, is quoted to have said, “I love Captain Jack! …I did these films originally for my kids and audiences seem to love the character so much that I feel I would be letting people down if I didn’t want to do another one. I guess I’m a glutton!”

51-year-old John Christopher ‘Johnny’ Depp II (born June 9, 1963) lives in Los Angeles with his fiancée Amber Heard, whom he first met while they were shooting ‘The Rum Diary’ (2011), in Puerto Rico. He has two children - Lily-Ros, 15, and Jack, 12, from his former marriage to Vanessa Paradis. In his spare time, Depp, whose teenage rock band once opened for Iggy Pop, likes to indulge his passion for the guitar by popping up on stage for impromptu performances, most recently with Marilyn Manson and several times in the past year with Aerosmith.

It was the 1980s television series ‘21 Jump Street’ that set the show biz ball rolling for Depp, who has the ‘Golden Globe Award’ and ‘Screen Actors Guild Award’ for best actor in his awards kitty. He has since grown as one of

the world’s biggest movie stars; films featuring him have grossed over $3.1 billion at the United States box office and over $7.6 billion worldwide.

But all that fame has not clouded his perception of life and living.

As he says: “For me, being a man is being someone who has kept the child inside him. I think most of us have long childhoods and adolescences and we are only really ‘men’ for a short period in middle age and then we are grandfathers for a long time. At least that’s what I hope is in store for me.”

Nancy Ajram at DSF

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ancy Ajram stunned audiences at the ongoing Dubai Shopping Festival along with Egyptian pop star Amr Diab.

Dressed in an elegant white Gucci gown, she sparkled and looked like a snow princess, as she wooed her fans with her looks and her music. A large crowd packed into Dubai Media City Amphitheatre to see the duo perform.

Katy Perry reunites with John Mayer

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aty Perry’s friends are not happy with her reunion with John Mayer.

According to reports earlier this month, Katy, who has been single since her split with John Mayer over a year ago, is reportedly going into this full force and is ignoring her friends who are telling her to her careful. Katy is reportedly determined to give John a second chance and hopes it will last this time around.

Selena Gomez and Zedd romancing on Instagram

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n a recent Instagram post, Selena Gomez shared a photo of herself and Zedd, a talented producer and DJ, with a message. ‘Missing la and this punk, just a little tonight,’ she captioned. ‘Shooting starts soon!!

Eeeeekkkk –Fundamentals of Caregiving.’ Shortly thereafter, Zedd shared a picture with the singer. “‘Oh hi derrling…’ – The Room #TheRoom #theRoom #THEroom #theROOM.” According to sources, the twosome is working on new music together, which easily explains recent photos of the two working in a music studio.

Miranda Kerr reveals her diet

January 2015

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iranda Kerr has revealed how she keeps her figure at its best. The motherof-one says she makes sure she’s allowed a few treats during the day, so it’s not all about cucumber, celery and lettuce. She explains: “I live by the philosophy of 80/20...meaning I eat healthily 80 per cent of the time and indulge 20 per cent of the time. For an everyday treat, I cook gluten-free muffins with blueberries and chia seeds. I enjoy so many superfoods such as noni juice, which is one of the key ingredients in my skincare line Kora Organics.

I also make my own superfood smoothie with maca powder, acai powder, spirulina, cacao powder, coconut oil and chia seeds, which is alkalizing and nutrient dense.”

Is Cristiano Ronaldo dating TV reporter Lucia Villalon?

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he Real Madrid footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has been linked to a stunning TV reporter, following confirmation of his split from Russian model Irina Shayk. Lucia Villalon is rumoured to be dating Cristiano Ronaldo after the pair were pictured celebrating the striker’s third Ballon d’Or win on their way back from Zurich.

Speculation that Irina and Cristiano’s near-five year relationship was over first surfaced after Irina, 29, missed the glitzy ceremony following her decision to unfollow her ex on Twitter. It was reported that Ronaldo, 29, had dumped his model girlfriend after she refused to attend a birthday party he was organising for his mum Dolores.

Tittle

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“Those are my high school years. I am in no way choosing indie movies to step away from it. There’s a through-line in all of my projects... So, Twilight blew up, and I still look at it as being something that made me who I am. And in no way am I distancing myself. I’m just trying to do cool stuff.”

- Kristen Stewart may have come a long way since starring in the Twilight series, but she insists that she’s not trying to ‘distance herself’ from the franchise.

“Things are really good. We work together, and we talk all the time… We’re still family.”

- Kris Jenner shared the family dynamics, as Bruce Jenner enjoyed a special night out with all his daughters.

January 2015

“It’s moving all the time. I can feel it kicking now.”

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- Kate Middleton, who is six months pregnant, said she doesn’t know if the world will soon have a new prince or princess.

“Watch out… another one’s getting ready to conquer the world! #driven #diva2.”

- Christina Aguilera captioned the photo of her five-month old daughter Summer in a hot pink dress and white frilled diaper in her Instagram post.

- Jennifer Lopez, who made an appearance on ‘Live! With Kelly & Michael’, promoted her new film ‘The Boy Next Door’ and chatted about casting Ryan Guzman.

- ‘A Most Violent Year’ actress Jessica Chastain, who poses on the cover of ‘Telegraph’ magazine’s latest issue, said she wasn’t considered pretty for a long time.

“Now that we are soon welcoming our second child we want to help other children around the world and also contribute to a long-lasting solution for getting children living in extreme poverty the supplies they need to survive.”

“I have always been very much a narrative-based actor. I choose my projects very - Shakira stated that in a statement, as she posed carefully. I call it the goose bump rule. with her partner Gerard Pique and their If I’m reading a script and if I have a son Milan, in honour of her ‘world baby physical reaction, then that’s usually the shower’ before the upcoming birth movie that I do. … For me, it’s always about of their baby. the story.”

- Russell Crowe talks about his movie selection at the premiere of his film ‘The Water Diviner’ held at Lotte Cinema, in Seoul, South Korea.

January 2015

“It’s a mainstream movie, it’s not ‘a Latino movie,’ but the truth is, as a producer, I’m very proud because in retrospect, I just picked the best actor for the role.”

“Only in the past five years have people been telling me I’m attractive. Before then, I wasn’t getting parts because people kept telling me I wasn’t pretty enough.”

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The Fine Art Of Dining Out

January 2015

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A sudden spurt in the number of food outlets – both fine dining and casual eateries – has fuelled the eating out trend in the capital

f the confluence of restaurants in a place is any indication of the growing ‘dining out’ culture, then Muscat is all set to become a prime culinary destination. With new, theme outlets peppering the established ones in and around the capital, it is slowly turning into a haven for those with a penchant for all things food. Be it the fast food outlets, coffee shops, small food joints or the plush fine dining restaurants, foodies in the capital have more reason to follow their palates.

Besides, there is a palpable shift in the concept of dining out, as many foodies are, seemingly, driven to check out the cuisine at different outlets. It has taken food talk to another level, with serious diners comparing food notes and discussing the pluses and minuses of specific restaurants on the social media. This food savvy lot knows just what to expect from different outlets and where to go when those unreasonable pangs for a particular dish crops up.

Eating out is a social event for some, a necessity for many and a hedonistic foray for the growing tribe of foodies.

While socialising is known to get even the most fastidious of diners to a restaurant, the ‘necessity’ factor is mainly linked to the ones who loathe cooking or belong to the large tribe of forced bachelors. It is, however, the growing foodie lot that has helped spiral the dining out culture in the capital. Thanks to increase in salaries and the accruing disposable income, weekends, and even weekdays, are all about dining out for many. It has also fuelled a change in the eating habits of discerning diners.

“Today’s diner is well aware; he/she is well travelled,” affirms Mohammed Ashfaque Qureshi, of the famous Qureshi brothers. He was in town recently for the opening of ‘Qureshi - Bab Al Hind’ restaurant at

cover STORY Hormuz Grand. “You cannot fool diners anymore,” he states, pointing out that diners today know the authenticity of specific dishes and the ingredients used. “You cannot say we are in Oman and we cannot get, say, for example, Kaffir lime leaves or galangal or the lemongrass... You could fly it down in a few hours. And so, yes, it has made the consumer more aware, alert and knowledgeable…” he explains.

A spurt in online food reviews from bloggers and even casual diners on social media sites have also, in a way, helped create a catalogue of outlets for diners to rely on.

People are no more content with posting photographs of the places they visited, on their social media pages; they want to capture every little detail of their dining out experience too, whether it is on a holiday abroad or a brunch/lunch/dinner in one of the restaurants here.

In the following article, we present food takes from popular food blogger Riyadh Al Balushi of ‘Omani Cuisine’ fame; established food photographer and blogger Bader Al Lawati; and Sami Al Salmi, the man behind the highly successful Facebook page, Oman Restaurant Review.

OmaniCuisine “Muscat has a great variety of restaurants serving all sorts of cuisines. We have always had great Indian food, but there is also sushi, burger, and Thai restaurants in town, which are excellent. My favourite restaurants, though, are the Omani restaurants with a modern twist, such as Ubhar, Al Mandoos and Al Angham that offer food truly unique to our country. It is great to have international franchises appear in Oman; but it is more interesting to see original concepts not found anywhere else.

“I think that the prices of restaurants in Muscat are diverse and can accommodate all budgets. The cheap Indian and Pakistani restaurants serve delicious food, and the service at high-end restaurants such as Al Angham is impeccable. However, Muscat tends to be an expensive city to go out and I think that the service at many expensive restaurants could be better for the price we pay.

“We have gorgeous beaches and it would be nice if Muscat gets more restaurants like those at Oasis by the Sea that showcase the beauty of our beaches.”

Riyadh Al Balushi * Omani Cuisine is a blog that covers restaurants in Muscat; it has published over a 100 reviews since its launch in 2006.

January 2015

Omani blogger Riyadh Al Balushi of Omani Cuisine* talks about his favourite restaurants and the changes he would like to see in the food map of the capital

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Food Trail Photographer and blogger of ‘Freezing Omanis’ fame, Bader Al Lawati, who has taken a fancy to reviewing restaurants and photographing food in his popular blog www.badermania.wordpress.com, talks about his passion for food and the art of eating out

About the dining out trend

“The growth in food culture has been very apparent, especially in the past five years. More restaurants and chains have been setting up shop here in Muscat and foodies around the capital don’t seem to have enough. I think the eating out habits of Omanis has aided the growth of food culture. We have not only grown in our passion for eating good food, but creating it! Through my dealings with restaurateurs as a food photographer, I quickly realised something - this isn’t just a business to them; it’s a passion that’s coming alive, and their personalities come out in their restaurants!

On savvy diners

“I’ve seen a big change… Muscat diners have become more complex and varied in their preferences than before. For many, good food alone is not enough; the places they eat need to have great service, along with an entertaining ambience.

On theme restaurants

January 2015

“With diners becoming more and more complex, many aren’t satisfied with just great food. They want an experience now. Themed restaurants are quickly becoming a strongpoint in the entertainment industry in Oman, with many young people frequenting them. I have noticed that the last two years have widened the market and the demand for these restaurants has increased. This has forced restaurateurs to be creative and bring out their own flair to be different; this is where I see Omani entrepreneurs excel (like Khalid Al Suwaid of ‘Love at first bite’ and ‘Volare Pizzeria’).

“Even the top restaurants have witnessed a growth in demand… And can you blame them? How can a food connoisseur resist a jazz themed night by the full moon in Oman’s most beautiful beaches? (The full moon dinner experience at Shangri La’s Barr Al Jisssah Resort & Spa)

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Bader Al Lawati

“Another growing trend is the increase in the demand for authentic cuisine, due to which I’m able to re-live my time in Argentina and have the same Latin American food that I used to when I was there (At Rumba Lattina)! Other favorite cuisines of mine here are the authentic Japanese set menu at Tokyo Taro and Nepali momos, which are the cheapest and most exquisite of Muscat’s street food, at Everest Cafe in Ruwi.

“With all these international delicacies a short drive away, I still have a soft spot for Omani food and it always hits me as a sudden craving at any point.

“My other top picks are: African bbq at Safari roof top, Indian and Pakistani food joints (the smaller the better!) and amazing Italian food at both the Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa and the Grand Hyatt, Muscat.

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Favourites…

Foodie in Muscat

“One of my favourite things about Muscat is the availability of different standards of good food - be it a hidden cafe in an alleyway or a guest Michelin star chef at a 5 star hotel. The key for me is to not be afraid of trying new things, keeping an open mind and trusting the staff recommendations, especially at the cheap and cheerful places. My favourite memory is going to a Nepalese cafe in Hamriya and asking the waiter to recommend something... That is how I stumbled on to my favourite dish (Momos) “Apart from keeping an open mind, I like to take opinions of other foodies on social media (and there are many of them); keeping up with the hotels on their social media channels is also my key for not missing the top tier food experiences.

On pricing

“I’ve always been a foodie and Oman offers better pricing than you would think... Comparable experiences I have had in Europe and Australia, at some five-star restaurants, would be significantly higher in cost.

Creating experience

January 2015

“While there are many choices for international cuisine, we are still missing the lesser-known foods. One thing I think we do need is to provide experiences within the restaurants. This has been a trend in international markets for some years, where restaurants create a themed night to educate as well as provide a new experience of a dish or cuisine that may not be popular enough yet.

I personally would love to see experiences like cheese-nights and learn-tomake-sushi nights!”

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cover STORY January 2015

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Oman Restaurant Review

‘Foodies of Oman unite!’ reads the tagline of the Facebook page, ‘Oman Restaurant Review*’ (ORR), the brainchild of a couple of foodies, including Sami Al Salmi. In the following article, Sami, along with admins of the page, share their dining out experiences and talk about the changes needed in the food scene of the capital.

Would you say the recent past has seen a growth in the eating out habits of people?

Oh definitely! As lives are getting busier, people prefer hassle free restaurant meals without the hard work of cooking and cleaning up.

With a sudden surge of at least 3-4 restaurants opening up every month, the average diner does get more out of his/her dining experience.

Like the marvellous growth of the nation, the restaurant scene has also improved vastly from the one coffee shop and few restaurants; it has added to the eating out habits of people.

What has helped spiral this growth?

Things are very different today; the world is hungry for knowledge on different cultures and lifestyles. From this comes a thirst for different cuisines, flavours and experiences. People are ready to get adventurous. I believe the more locals and expats travel the world, more their needs for newer cuisines.

Are diners today more savvy and demanding?

Yes, having learned so much, you cannot pass off average cuisines as authentic. People now know the difference between commercial, authentic and tasty. They want a quality experience and are willing to spend for it, be it service, ambience or food.

Do you think the new crop of themed restaurants have a large market?

Anything new and innovative will always be favoured, if the originality and flavour remains, once the novelty wears off, then the restaurant or outlet becomes a staple in people’s life.

As a foodie, what are the various cuisines you have tried in the capital and what has been your experience?

Between the admins of ORR, there’s not many restaurants left to try! We have our current favourites and the oldies-but-goodies that never fail to comfort our soul. Cuisines we have tried and love are Thai, Malaysian, Egyptian, Syrian and Nepali. Our experiences are mostly great, with a few bad ones thrown in, but there’s nothing good customer service cannot fix. Cuisines missing are Bengali, Vietnamese, Bhutanese, Latin

Sami Al Salmi

Muscat has both small coffee shops as well as top international restaurants catering to foodies from all walks of life. How can a regular foodie make the best of both worlds?

Don’t be afraid to try new foods at least once. Hole-in-the-wall places have some hidden gems and are a fabulous experience as well. What we do is generally keep the top restaurants as a special occasion thing and prefer to try smaller coffee shops and what they have to offer, more often.

What is your take on the pricing in general?

We believe pricing is pretty average in Oman. As long as we get a good value for money experience and can justify the spend, we are all for it.

cover STORY

American, Sri Lankan, large chains like IHop, Cheesecake Factory, a proper fish and chip shop. There’s so much left to explore.

Would you say food connoisseurs in the capital have the best of international food?

Is there anything that is needed to complete the picture?

No...We have a serious lack of authentic cuisines here; limited choices as well. Several authentic cuisines seem to be missing, while other cuisines seem to have been overdone greatly. However, things are changing. The average diner is more aware of what he/she wants, and he is more than willing to spend for it. I believe the next five years will see exponential growth of not only authentic cuisine, but also large chains.

*ORR, which was started in August last year, has over 6,500 members. It has created a platform for diners to interact with restaurant owners/management and an avenue for foodies and diners to review restaurants. (https://www. facebook.com/groups/OmanRestaurantReview/)

for a successful

Restaurant Experience Find out how you can maximise your 1. Think what kind of experience you are looking for before choosing a restaurant.

You might just be treating the family for the weekly dinner, romantic dinner with a spouse, or get-together with friends.

2. When dining along with children, it is advisable to check first if the restaurant has a kid’s play area, kid’s menu, or the kind of food available that your kids would eat.

You may also need to know if the restaurant has a children policy. Children must be constantly reminded of their behaviour and table manners before they should be taken out for dining.

3. Make a reservation to ensure that your table is ready when you arrive. Remember to mention if you are marking an occasion because some restaurants make an extra effort for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries. Dress appropriately according to occasion and arrive on time.

4. Be considerate toward other guests in the restaurants. Don’t speak loudly because you’re not the only person in the room. You don’t need to yell across the table or across the room just to say hi to someone you know.

Instead, walk up to their table to do so.

5. While it is best to ask for clarification about any unfamiliar dish when ordering, be friendly and polite to the restaurant staff because they are enabling you to have a lovely experience. Don’t feel shy to ask the waiters what the dishes contain or any recommendation - that is part of their job.

Also, mention early if you want the bill split in order to speed up the process later.

6. In a good quality restaurant, the waiter removes the extra cutlery and crockery from the table. He also places the napkin on your lap. Exercise the basic act of courtesy like saying ‘Please’, ‘Excuse me’, and ‘Thank you’.

7. The food should be served and eaten at the same time. It is polite to mention ‘Enjoy your meal’ if you have a big group.

However, once the people next to you have received the food, it is ok to start.

8. The outer cutleries should be used for starter while the inner cutleries are for the main course.

9. Sometimes the waiter may come in the middle of each course to ask how the food tastes. Use this opportunity in case you are not happy with the meal. Restaurants actually want your feedback as it gives them the chance to set things right.

10. Food should be chewed with mouth closed and refrain from talking.

11. If you require any assistance, just try to catch the waiter’s eye or raise your hand a bit.

12. After the main course, the waiter is supposed to clear and crumb down the table and leave only what is needed for the dessert. Ask politely if there is any food that you wish to take away.

13. In some restaurants, the bill comes in a discrete folder where you can place the money or a credit card. Even though, the service charge is mentioned in the bill, it is a good manner to leave a tip, which is generally between 5 percent and 10 percent of the total sum.

14. While having dinner in a restaurant, it is impolite to use your mobile phone frequently. Excuse yourself from the table if you wish to take or make a call.

15. Maintain a good sitting posture and never slouch or rest your elbows on the table at all times. www.otc.edu.om (Check these links for additional reading - http://www.etiquettescholar.com/ etiquette_scholar/dining_etiquette.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/20/utensil-etiquette_n_6004682. html)

January 2015

restaurant experience with easy to follow tips from Oman Tourism College

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in CONVERSATION January 2015

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Maxine Burden: Anchored in Oman Maxine Burden, author of the recently released book, ‘Throw Down the Anchor, the Story of Muttrah Souq’, talks about her long tryst with Oman and her penchant for travel

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s an author, re s e a rc h e r, project leader and a volunteer, Maxine Burden has experienced Oman’s touristic bounties from close quarters. Her rich travel experience in Western Australia, mainly as a Cruise Specialist, providing specific cruise itineraries and organising guided tours, set the tone for her life in Oman, which has seen her donning several hats – from volunteering with the Centre for Omani Dress, a non-profit organisation committed to researching, collating and displaying Omani Traditional Dress in the museum at Mawaleh to writing ‘Throw Down the Anchor, the Story of Muttrah Souq’. Enamoured by the laidback lifestyle and the cultural confluence of Muttrah, she wrote ‘Throw Down the Anchor…’, which traces the story of the Souq, that has, over the years, become a must visit tourist destination.

Her husband Philip, CEO of two GIS software companies, which has head office in Beirut, Lebanon, is an avid camper and bush-walker, having trekked many areas within Australia. In Oman, weekend camping is their favourite pastime.

“His support has been amazing throughout the writing of my book, ‘Throw Down the Anchor…’,” she points out. But it wasn’t all easy. Her biggest challenge while writing the book was getting people to talk about their stories and following that with the actual writing and successfully launching the book.

Reflecting on the challenges in her volunteering stint, she explains that the main concern at the Centre for Omani Dress is to have funds available

Talking about her future plans, she says she wants to continue to see and learn more about Oman. “Travel within Oman and to other countries when the opportunity arises. Maybe talk with more Omanis about their history and culture…” she adds.

Maxine has three children - the eldest daughter lives with her husband and children in Denver Colorado, USA; her son, also married, works for Hamersley Iron in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, as a manager in the heavy-duty plant machinery department; and the youngest daughter, who lost her partner in an accident, is bringing up their son, while working as a real estate property manager in Port Hedland, Western Australia

in CONVERSATION

to continue the research of the traditional dress and the setup of the ‘Museum of Omani Dress’ in Mawalah.

Having lived in Oman for a total of 11 years – 4 of which were in the early 1990s – the country has become a second home for Maxine. Tracing those initial days, she says, “I have many memorable moments. I love travelling in the interior, the mountains, seeing old villages, meeting people. The colours of the clothing worn by the women of the interior are amazing and so eye catching.

Colour can lift your spirits and make one feel happier…”

An inveterate traveller, she has been to some fascinating places like Alaska; the Arctic and Greenland; Grand Canyon; Zion National Park; Yosemite National Park in USA; Bavaria in Germany... Before returning back to Oman in 2007, she lived in the UAE – Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai.

“Oman is a special place,” she quips. “When I first came in the early 1990’s, those first views of the stark majestic mountains said it all. I loved it right from touchdown at the International airport,” she adds.

Up Close & Personal with The home I grew up in…

Was a small town named Ridgley, on the North West coast of Tasmania, the small island across Bass Strait from Victoria, in Australia.

When I was a child…

I wanted to learn to play the piano.

This I did and in my teenage years I was playing dance music, along with my brother on drums, for social events such as weddings, social dances and balls.

The moment that changed me forever…

Was a cruise I did with my Father to Japan and Hong Kong when I was 19.

I have always wanted to travel ever since.

My greatest inspiration…

To live as long and as healthy as my 93 year old parents.

If I could change one thing about myself…

It would be to worry less, and to take things as they come.

I dream of…

A peaceful world with happy people instead of the horrifically dangerous, sick and polluted world we live in.

We need good news, and there is good news out there! The problem

is the media thinks bad news is the way to go – I totally disagree. Happy smiling people can change the world.

What I see when I look in the mirror…

Today I see a person who has actually successfully written and launched a book on a very interesting and historical part of Muscat.

My greatest regret…

Is the distance that precludes me from spending regular time with my grandchildren. The time I do get is quality time and I am thankful for this.

You may not know it but I’m no good at…

Solving computer problems.

You may not know it but I’m very good at…

Cooking, according to my husband.

If I have time to myself…

I like to relax, quilt, read and walk.

My house is…

A villa in Qurum.

One of my favourite haunt/holiday destinations is…

Prince Christian Sound in Greenland, especially the amazing light display

of the Aurora Borealis.

One of my favourite weekend spots in Oman is…

Wadi as Sahtan. A drive up the mountain takes you to the plateau on the way to Yassab, which overlooks the Bowl of Oman, with fantastic views on a clear day.

I will not leave my house without…

Water, camera, sunglasses, hat and moisturiser Five things I like about Oman…

The people, especially their visionary leader - His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said; old villages; mountains; its culture; and the Muttrah Souq.

On top of my wish/bucket list is…

A visit Machu Pichu in Peru.

My success mantra is…

To always do the best I can.

In 10 years’ time…

I hope to be retired, living in a location with fantastic mountain, forest and sea views, and growing our own produce.

January 2015

Maxine Burden

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January 2015

in the SPOTLIGHT

Food Talk at Qureshi

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‘Qureshi Bab Al Hind’, the new fine dining Indian restaurant at the Grand Hormuz is a must visit destination for connoisseurs of North Indian cuisine

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lobally sourced ingredients blend seamlessly in traditional dishes, to cater to savvy diners who are forever seeking that much more from their dining out experience. Be it the unheard of ‘Duck tikka’ or the unusual combination of lemongrass flavour in daal, an array of tantalising dishes have endeared diners to their brand of cuisine that is both traditional and international.

The reference here is to the newly opened Qureshi Bab Al Hind restaurant in Hormuz Grand, the vibrant new landmark of Seeb.

Indian food lovers are guaranteed an authentic fare from the famed Qureshi masterchefs, who have made cooking an art form that has crossed the home frontiers to reach out to gourmets around the world. The Qureshi brand, which can be traced back to 200 years, has, at its helm today, the new generation of Qureshis, spearheading the expansion of the brand in their hometown India and the neighbouring UAE, among others.

Now, with this exclusive brand making home at the plush new Hormuz Grand, foodies in the capital can look for an epicurean experience. Opened earlier this month, the fine dining restaurant, which is one of the only Indian specialty restaurant in a hotel here, is geared to pamper the palates of foodies from all walks of life. As Kapil Nayyar, Food & Beverage Outlet Manager, notes, the popularity of Qureshi cuisine is in the secret mixes they have perfected over the years. It has passed down from the Qureshi clan, who excel in the art of cooking Dum and Peshawari dishes, he explains.

The soft opening was attended by three of the Qureshi brothers – Mohammed Ashfaque, Irfan and Imran; Imran Qureshi, will stay back to handle the kitchen. The local media got to savour some of the popular items on the menu and experience, first hand, the Qureshi style of cooking and presentation.

Be it the cooling ‘Aam panna mojito’ and the starter platter of kebabs or an array of mains with the popular biryani leading the ensemble and the irresistible ‘shahi thukda’, diners are guaranteed a completely satiating meal that begins with the traditional hand wash at the table.

Diners can expect a range of authentic dishes with a neat international twist in the use of ingredients. As Ashfaque points out, subtle changes are inevitable. “We cannot afford to be frozen in our thinking; one needs to be innovative,” he explains, pointing out the importance of using technology to one’s benefit.

Elucidating the same with an example of olden cooking on open fire, he asks, “Do you think we can’t generate that old style of cooking with today’s technical

advancements?” and answers it in the affirmative.

The trick, he notes, is to get the correct combinations, as the spices are varied. The earlier concept of associating certain places and countries for particular spices has slowly waned in the wake of globalisation and the realisation that there are various kinds and flavours of a particular spice - like the pepper, which, has at least 12 different varieties of flavours.

The idea, however, is not to indulge in fusion cuisine out of desperation or in a quest to make a statement, he stresses. “It needs to complement each other,” he explains, pointing out how their use of lemongrass flavour to complement daal, without changing the main recipe.

The new restaurant will cater to Omanis, Indians and other expatriates with a menu that is 100 percent North Indian and focusing on dum and peshawari kind of food. There is a thorough mix of flavours – old as well as subtle and mellowed ones. He is confident that diners will pick and chose and make their own favourites over time

As the line up of Muscat Festival events get exciting, hop over to Amerat and Naseem Park to savour the best from the world of entertainment

in the SPOTLIGHT

‘Oman Fascinates’ T

he grand fiesta called Muscat Festival 2015, which began earlier this month, with a host of cultural, entertainment and sporting events, is all set to cross the expected one million mark, as visitors from all walks of life throng the main venues at Amerat and Naseem Park.

As expected, the Jurrasic Park at the Nassem Park and a Snow Village at the Amerat Park, new additions to this year’s Festival, have proven to be major crowd pullers. The Jurassic Park, with 15 dynamic and static models showing different sizes of dinosaurs, accompanied by sound and light effects, has proven to be a winner. The Snow Village at Amerat Park, on the other hand, featuring snowy mountains, skiing corners and tracks that involve ice-carved models and animated cartoon characters, including polar bears, seals, penguins and sea lions, keeps attracting repeat visitors.

In addition, the Amerat Park is also home to a Science City, which showcases innovations carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. There is an ongoing dates and honey exhibition from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and the International Exhibition of Arts and Crafts is host to participants from China, India, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Thailand, Tanzania and France, besides Oman.

Besides the main venues, this year’s events are spread to the Seeb Beach, Al Madina Theatre, the Oman Cars Club, the Photography Association, the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque and the Cultural Club. Stand-up comedy, concerts by Omani artists, laser shows, international trade fair and a cricket match between India and Pakistan and electric games are all a part of the ‘Oman Fascinates’ extravaganza.

Sporting events feature a maritime festival for traditional Omani vessels, a tattoo show, free style jumping, aircraft shows, aquatics (in coordination with the World Aquatics Association), hiking, cricket championship, camel racing and equestrian, modern triathlon race, various auto shows and aerobics.

Water sports activities are being held in collaboration with the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) and in conjunction with Oman Sailing. Sailing and racing boats, laser shows, child aerobic show, camel and equestrian racing show, tent pegging show, Muscat Marathon, universities and colleges beach soccer, beach volleyball, various auto shows, basketball competitions and marine craft village are all adding to the grandeur of the event.

The popular Tour of Oman cycling race, which is in its sixth edition, will be held from February 17-22 as part of the festival.

With the Muscat Started in 1998, Muscat Festival has, over the years, proven to be the most awaited event in the local calendar; not to be missed this year as the Festival becomes biennial.

Naseem and Amerat : 4-11 pm Entrance cost: Naseem: Adults (200 Bzs) Children (100 Bzs) Amerat : Free of Cost

January 2015

Opening hours:

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explore OMAN

Canyoning in Oman Trekking, jumping, abseiling, swimming, climbing… welcome to the adventurepacked world of canyoning in Oman, as vividly depicted by Dr. Khaled Abdul Malak in his recently launched book, ‘Canyoning in Oman – 12 Exceptional Wadis’

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f your experience of adventure is limited to a long trek on the beach/desert or watching your favourite movie star indulging in daredevilry to save the planet, the very idea of canyoning might send shivers down your spine - weather notwithstanding. Hanging mid-air on a rope, as you gather your wits around you to control that loud palpitation and get oriented to your surroundings, isn’t an everyday task; not one that you could accomplish single-handedly, if you are a first-timer.

But if you have the gumption to give it a try, are loaded with stamina and have a reliable guide/ trainer charting the course, then you could, even if you are a novice, be on your way to savouring the incredibly fascinating beauty of the wadis of Oman, which have a magical allure that is at once beckoning as well as intimidating.

As the ‘12 Exceptional Wadis’, captured by inveterate explorer and seasoned adventurer Dr. Khaled Abdul Malak in his book on ‘Canyoning in Oman’, demonstrates, majority of the outdoors enthusiasts have not come even close to experiencing the concept of adventure related to canyoning. “It is a relatively new activity/sport,” he admits, pointing out that the novelty factor is more pronounced in Oman, where, until the early 2000, only two canyons – Wadi Hawasina and Wadi Tiwi – were explored, that too partially.

January 2015

Cover of Dr. Khaled Abdul Malak’s new book ‘Canyoning in Oman’

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explore OMAN Dr. Khaled Abdul Malak

His first book,‘In search of the sublime, a journey through Oman’, explored four different terrains – wadis, caves, mountains and beaches. The new book is a visually descriptive volume on 12 wadis, which he explored during the last ten years. It includes details of the GPS points, distances, routes to get there, places where you can park the car, finishing points ot the trip, what time to start, what time to finish, how many hours you’d need to cross the wadi, kind of ropes you would need, the length of the ropes...

It also provides inputs on wadis, where you may be required to spend the night owing to the complexity or the distance. Some wadis cannot be crossed in one day and you may have to continue the next day.

The book (available at WH Smith and the Family Bookshop) also comes with a pocket guide containing waterproof cards specifying important details of individual wadis. Most of the wadis covered in the book are about two to two and a half hours from Muscat and many can be done in a day. There are still several more to do, he notes. He relies on Google Earth to study the region and zero in on a spot.

January 2015

Endowed with an unquenchable thirst for adventure, Dr. Khaled, Oral Surgeon at Harub Dental Surgery, took easily to canyoning, thanks to the early initiation from Patrick Cabiro and Nathalie Henriot, French professional climbing instructors, who he refers to as his climbing masters. The book, which took him over ten years to compile, includes his extensive trysts with wadis and canyons, including the first trip with the French climbers.

According to him, although the objective of the book is to serve as a comprehensive reference for visitors and researchers, it is not restricted in its scope. “…Even if you do not do these kinds of activities, you can enjoy the pictorial beauty and dream about these places,” he quips.

Having learnt to love nature and sports from his parents, while growing up in Lebanon, and later through his travels to other parts of the world, it was the sea that first beckoned him into the adventure arena. “I was a seaman – I do a lot of snorkelling, I love the sea,” he notes.

Curiously, when he arrived in Oman in 1996, he was afraid of heights. It was thanks to the French climbing instructors that he garnered confidence to go on his first trip.

“I enjoyed it,” he recalls and adds, reflectively: “Everyone can go; it is all about trusting the material you use.

Every time I give a talk on the subject of adventure tourism, people ask me if I am crazy to do this stuff and I say ‘no, it is more dangerous in Oman to drive on the highway than go with me and do climbing or caving’. It is much safer, unless you are really unlucky...”

Following his chance meeting with the climbing instructors and the first trip to Wadi Finns, he fell in love with canyons of Oman. “I think they are really stunning,” he muses, as he points out that since then he and his group of enthusiasts have opened many of them, which have been portrayed in his new book.

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explore OMAN

“I, generally, try to find green spots – green means water and water means human population… possibly abandoned villages. Then I look for access points by car and follow it by going to the field,” he explains.

Each wadi takes several trips before it is fully explored. The first trip usually is about checking the wadi from top, followed by progressing it in phases from the bottom. “We try to reduce the unknown zones before we do the drop. There are surprises every time… Some wadis have us canyoning overnight too,” he adds.

January 2015

Cautionary notice

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Although ‘Canyoning in Oman…’ is meant to celebrate the rich natural bounties of Oman and reach everyone, its objective is not to goad people into taking up canyoning. Don’t go and try to do things unless you have knowledge of what you are doing, cautions Dr. Khaled, pointing out that it could become deadly.

“It is a very high standard activity,” he observes.

Explaining the pros and cons of canyoning, he states: “I am not a professional, I am a doctor and I do this for passion. You need to know how to deal with ropes... It is not something anyone can undertake.”

One main cautionary notice to follow is to inform friends/family about the trip and the time required and when they should call for help. Add a couple of hours to the expected time, as delays are known to occur. “You wouldn’t want to unnecessarily raise alarm or create panic as there is no access to phones in most of the wadis,” he points out, explaining that accidents can happen. “Accidents will happen; you have to know how to get away.

We have the experience and have the tools that we need to get out of problems,” he adds.

Highlighting the importance of tools and experience, he narrates the events of a wadi crossing, which involved a cauldron that is generally dry in summer, but filled with water when there are rains. “The previous times when we did it, we went down with rope and managed to climb out of it, before continuing onward. On that particular day, we arrived there and found out that the wall, which was, otherwise, 4 or 5 metres climbing down and relatively easy to climb out, had become 11 metres following a dry spell. We were trapped in that hole, because, when you do canyoning, you cannot go back, you pull the ropes along. Fortunately, we had a drill and I could set up anchors to climb this 11-meter wall and get out. It took us about 5 hours to get out...but we managed to do it,” he explains.

Rain is another factor that one must be alert to.

Generally in Oman, there are two kinds of rains, observes Khaled. One that is predicted by the meteorology department and the other, the local rain, which is unpredictable and characterised by rains only in a particular area. Experience has shown him that such rains are mostly before mid-afternoon and so it is best to start early, he advises. “In case of local rains, you need to make calculations to be in a place that is wide enough to climb and hide and to shelter from the falling rocks. You have to protect yourself. Rains can be the most dangerous,” he cautions.

explore OMAN Khaled’s guidelines for first timers

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Never venture out on a trip by yourself.

Begin by exploring the wadi from the base.

Have knowledge of the climbing material.

Ensure fitness, even if you are only trekking.

Have the common sense to know where your limits are and what you can do.

Remember most wadis involve swimming too.

Orientation is important, as you could get lost and face difficulties finding your way out; if it gets dark and if you do not have enough food, it could prvoe to be a big problem.

Have the stamina to endure the tasks involved.

In any venture, time is very important. Check the time from the start and know when it gets dark. Keep two hours extra for return, as you might not find your way in the darkness.

Know when to stop.

Canyoning is a year-round activity, choose your wadi depending on the season.

However, having said that, he clarifies that canyoning is possible if you are accompanying an experienced climber. A canyoning trip he undertook last month with 14 people had nearly half of them with zero experience. And, expectedly, everyone managed to complete it without getting hurt or panicking at the prospect of bouldering, climbing, swimming, sailing…

While Khaled’s interests in canyoning has no business angles, he says he would be happy to become an advisor for those interested to run businesses related to it. He is an advocate of adventure tourism, for he believes it is all about clean tourism. “This is eco tourism; it is tourism where you will not destroy nature. I go everywhere and I meet wonderful people who love their land and feel proud of it. I think the authorities should help them to develop these kinds of activities,” he states.

Footnote: Whether you can or cannot do canyoning depends on your mental strength. It may be physically possible, but mentally it is up to you to know what your limits are.

Khaled’s Favourites

Wadi Nakhr drop in Jabal Shams: “I wouldn’t say it was the best… perhaps, the craziest. Technically, it wasn’t very difficult, but not everyone can do it – you need to be physically strong. It is possibly one of the biggest freefalls...the drop is 385 metres and it took me about 50 minutes to abseil this.,” he states, reflectively.

His advice: “You need to be mentally strong to do this. If you think you can’t, don’t do it. Unplug and say ‘this is fine and I can do it’. Second is the physical strength. The rope is almost 40kgs in weight and when you use this tool, which we call the descender, to slide on the rope, you should ensure that there is no tension on the descender. This means you have to pull the rope and at the same time release the descender to slide down. The first 100 metres was very difficult. After that the rope is lighter...

“This one was a physical accomplishment.”

Explaining about his other favourites, he says, “The other real joy I got was on my first real adventrure trip with the French climbers. They took me to Wadi Finns and I found a new chamber by chance; it was beginner’s luck.

“The third one was the drop that I did with my daughter; it is also a drop that has never been done. It is 300 metres and we decided to name it KAMKAM, formed with the initials of the family – Khaled and Marta and Kevin and Mona. Adventure runs in the family. The whole family is into this crazy business...” he quips.

January 2015

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The lure of ‘Azure’ feast ON

All that gratifies the senses is Azure at Millennium Resort Musannah

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January 2015

requent visitors to Mussanah’s most famous landmark, Millennium Resort Mussanah (MRM), will need no introduction to its popular eateries. With elaborate theme nights, perfectly juxtaposing the buffet lunches, ‘day’s specials’ and a la carte menu, regulars know just what to order to satiate their palate, while soaking in the natural splendours of the resort.

To cap this perfect symphony between food and nature, the Resort has introduced an all new menu at the plush Azure restaurant, with the charismatic new Executive Chef Matthew Fryar at the helm of affairs. It has opened a new vista for foodies with a passion for all things nature and a quest for gourmet dishes.

Cocooned amidst the Gulf of Oman, the Hajar Mountains and the Marina, the Resort, with its laidback dreamy aura, has endeared itself to weekenders as well as frequent visitors; more so following the opening up of the port. It has become the focal point for those regularly plying between the capital and its precincts like Barka and Sohar, which have fast turned into economic hubs with businesses moving beyond the capital. Whether it is for a leisurely lunch, a stopover or a relaxed weekend stay, the Resort, with its inherent charms and natureendowed soothers for the stressed souls, is definitely beckoning.

30

feast ON Europe and Arabia infuse a zing in the menu, which is also packed with Far East Asian dishes and beach club items to cater to diners from all walks of life.

The focus is on presentation, states Executive Chef Matthew Fryar, whose stress is on fresh food, be it in the new menu of Azure or those in other outlets of the Resort. Most of the items are sourced locally, he assures, adding: “We have moved from classic presentation to a modern style.”

The extensive menu is packed with salads and fried and roasted items, ranging from samosas to grilled cheese. Diners looking for a quick bite can opt from the ‘Global Burger Go-Go’ with patties and burgers combined with salads; Little Munchies with chicken nuggets and French fries could work as well. The ‘Light Mains’ are packed with Nasi Goreng, fish and chips, Indian chicken tikka, Vietnamese chicken breast and Malay prawns among others. For pizza and pasta lovers, there is a choice of pizzas, pasta and spaghetti

bolognaise. There is a separate section Panini sandwiches – Cajun Chicken Panini, Grilled Vegetable Panini, Turkey Ham & Cheese Melt, Classic Cheese & Tomato and Steak Sandwich, are perfect for a hurried lunch or a light al fresco dining with the nature for company.

Our luncheon was a leisurely affair with ‘Prawns Caesar salad’ acting as a perfect appetiser, with sliced eggs, cheese and salad padding the tiger prawns. This was followed by ‘Chicken tikka’, served with poppadum, mint chutney and onion salad. Authentic flavours and artistic presentations add to the experience of the leisurely lunch.

The array of dessert platter – ‘Armonia Di Caramello’, with salted caramel and dark chocolate tart with caramelised nuts and raspberry compote; and ‘The Beach Club Fudge’, packed with double chocolate brownie, vanilla whipped cream and chocolate sauce set the tone for a perfect siesta in a nature clad ambience

January 2015

Its location, about 90kms from Qurum, could seem dampening, especially with the traffic getting boisterous, following the shifting of the port to Sohar. The long lines of trucks and heavy vehicles during the midmorning don’t make driving towards Musannah an attractive prospect; but if the destination is Millennium, the respite at the destination could make it worth your while. And if you do know the traffic pattern and the time schedules of heavy vehicles, your trip to MRM could be so much easier.

It is a world away…with its quaint resort style easily complementing the azure sea in the background and the winter breeze adding to the mood.

Our destination – Azure Restaurant – presented the perfect setting for a leisurely lunch with a hint of siesta.

The live kitchen in the centre – manned by Azure chef Giuliano Lusco, and the circular glass paneled walls, with two-seater arrangements, offer a panoramic view of the mountains, the sea and the bay. With one end of the restaurant adjoining the Zayna Spa and the other leading to the swimming pool, the seating options are plenty, whether you are in for a quick lunch/dinner or a leisurely meal. Pegged to this elaborate arrangement is the pergola terrace, facing the beach area; it creates a perfect winter option.

Nature beckoned us and we opted for al fresco dining. The weather was in tune with our mood and the late afternoon lunch stretched like the azure sea – calm and content. The easy combination of cuisines from

31

Scrumptious Weekend

let’s cOOk

Recipes from MRM Executive Chef Matthew Fryar to add that zing in your weekend meal

Prawn Caesar Salad Ingredients (serves 4) l 12 prawns (3 prawns for each plate) deveined l 400gms romaine salad l 2 boiled eggs - sliced l 4 tbsp of bacon bites l 4 tbsp sliced parmesan cheese l 4 tbsp crunchy white bread - toasted l 4 tbsp Caesar dressing (4 teaspoons parmesan, 4 teaspoons mayonnaise, 8 pieces of anchovy, black pepper, 1 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice, little bit of mustard) Method 1. For the crunchy white bread, take 2 or 3 slices of white bread for each plate, season with a bit of oil, garlic and salt, and then cut it in little pieces. Bake in the oven at 170 C° till golden 2. For the bacon bites, take 2 or 3 slices of beef bacon for each plate, cut it in little pieces, fry in a frying pan with a bit of olive oil until they get crunchy and golden.

3. For the Caesar dressing, mix the entire ingredient in a blender, and blend till well combined.

4. For the Caesar salad, put the romaine salad in a bowl, add the Caesar dressing, the crunchy white bread and the bacon bites; toss them all together and set aside in a plate.

5. For the prawns, marinate all the prawns with olive oil, salt and black pepper and grill them for 10 minutes on the grill or till cooked to your liking.

6. Place the salad in 4 serving plates then; add 3 cooked prawns on the top of each plate and serve, finishing with the sliced parmesan cheese & egg.

Chicken Tikka with mint chutney

The Beach Club Fudge

(Double chocolate brownie, vanilla whipped cream and chocolate sauce) Ingredients (serves 4) l l l l l l l l l

120gms brown sugar 100gms butter 130gms chocolate dark 20gms flour 4 whole eggs 10gms coco powder 20gms walnuts 20gms hazelnuts 1 inch vanilla stick

Method 1. In a non-reactive bowl, over a water bath, melt together the butter and chocolate.

2. With your kitchen aid, whisk together the sugar and eggs till they turn light.

3. In the same bowl, mix together the chocolate and sugar mixture; mix the flour, coco powder and nuts together and fold into the chocolate mixture.

4. Place it on a baking tray and bake at180°c for about 20 minutes.

5. Check after 15 minutes with a wooden skewer to see if brownie is cooked (very carefully poke the skewer into the brownie and remove, if no liquid or cake is stuck to the skewer, it is ready).

6. For the whipped cream, add 100ml of thick cream with 25gmd sugar and a drop of vanilla essence. Whip till a firm peak forms.

7. Plate as per the picture or create your own look.

Method

Ingredients (serves 4)

January 2015

For the chicken:

32

l 24 pieces of chopped chicken legs, bone removed (6 pieces for each plate) l 1tsp salt l 1tbsp red chili polder l 1tbsp cumin polder l 1tbsp chat masala l 1tbsp kasoori methi – dried fenugreek leaves l 2tbsp mustard oil l 2tbsp lemon juice l 4tsp plai yogurt l 2tsp ginger and garlic paste l 4 tomatoes l 4 onions

For the mint chutney (200 ml) l 100gms coriander leaves l 40gms fresh mint l 2.5cms fresh peeled ginger l 2 pieces of peeled garlic l 1 green chili l Juice of ½ lemon l ½ teaspoon sugar l ½ teaspoon salt l 50ml plain yogurt

1. Marinate the chicken legs with salt and ½ of the lemon juice, and then set aside. In a bowl, mix the chat masala, yogurt, mustard oil, other ½ of lemon juice, cumin powder, kasoori methi and the ginger and garlic paste. Set aside for 10 minutes’.

2. Season the marinated chicken legs in this paste, and set aside for other 10 minutes. Julienne the tomatoes and the onions or chop them in small pieces and place them evenly on each plate.

3. Grill the marinated chicken legs for 10 minutes or cook in the oven at 200 C° for 7 to 8 minutes. In a blender, mix and blend the coriander leaves, fresh mint, ginger, peeled garlic, lemon juice, salt and the sugar for one minute; add the yogurt and keep blending until the paste became creamy.

7. Serve with tomatoes and onions salad, and the mint chutney.

These small bundles of dense energy and nutrients should be a part of your daily diet, says Anu Bahl, Dietician and Clinical Nutritionist Seeds are available all year round and are priced very reasonably too. They are the secret behind the reduction in medical and grocery bills as well. So go grab a handful and enjoy them at leisure.

Sesame Seeds More than just the topping on a bun, sesame seeds are full of powerful disease-fighting phytonutrients. They are highly valued for their oil. Sesame seeds are packed with two unique sesame lignans (group of chemical compounds found in plants), which have great potential in reducing cholesterol. Regularly enjoying sesame seeds also lower blood pressure. The lignans help in fighting inflammation and hormone related diseases like breast cancer. Not only are sesame seeds a very good source of manganese and copper, but they are also a good source of calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, vitamin B1, zinc and dietary fiber.

How to consume: 1 to 2 tablespoon in any form, roasted or ground.

Sesame seeds taste best when roasted. They can be added to almost anything, including salads, stir fries, soups, desserts and baked goods. You could eat sesame seeds in the form of tahini, which is a part of hummus.

Flax Seeds They are high in dietary fibre and essential fatty acids ALA. The high fiber helps in healthy bowel function and prevents constipation and ALA is a powerful anti-inflammatory. The Phytoestrogens help to reduce the symptoms of PMS and menopause, and potentially reducing the risk of developing breast and prostate cancer. It lowers blood cholesterol levels and maintains HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) ratio.

How to consume: Best is to eat them raw or slightly roasted - post meal - to promote digestion. For weight watchers it can be eaten as a snack before meal as it suppresses appetite

healthy bites

seeds

and helps to lose weight. Can be added to any salad for that extra crunch.

Pomegranate Seeds Pomegranates are said to be nature’s power fruit. They are a rich source of antioxidants and phytochemicals (polyphenols) and, therefore, it helps to protect our body’s cells from free radicals, which can cause cancer and premature ageing.

Pomegranate seeds are a good source of two essential vitamins C and K. A 100 grams portion of raw, edible seeds provides 18 to 20 percent of our daily Vitamin C and Vitamin K requirements with very less calorie addition. It is an excellent choice for weight watchers.

How to consume: Pomegranate seeds can be consumed raw, in juice form or even dried form, which is used to add a tangy flavor to various recipes

January 2015

Love thy

Part Two

33

Health CHECK January 2015

34

Cancer

Alert

World Cancer Day 2015, observed annually on February 4, aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness about the disease and urging governments and individuals around the world to take action

C

ancers figure among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with approximately 14 million new cases and 8.2 million cancer related deaths in 2012, as per the Cancer Fact sheet on the World Health Organisation website. This is expected to rise to 22 million within the next 2 decades.

With such ominous figures, the World Cancer Day (an initiative of UICC the Union for International Cancer Control), with the tagline ‘Not beyond us’ (for 2015), will take a positive and proactive approach to the fight against cancer, highlighting that solutions do exist across the continuum of cancer, and that they are within our reach. It will focus on four key areas: 1. Choosing healthy lives 2. Delivering early detection 3. Achieving treatment for all 4. Maximising quality of life The main focus area is reflective of the fact that about 30 percent of cancer deaths are said to be due to the 5 leading behavioural and dietary risks - high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol use. Tobacco use is the most important risk factor for cancer, causing over 20 percent of global cancer deaths and about 70 percent of global lung cancer deaths.

With so many potential causes of cancer, World Cancer Day’s focus on early detection, treatment for all and improving quality of life is bound to ensure a positive and proactive approach to fighting cancer.

But the bigger question here is: what are the chances of anyone getting cancer?

Why do some people get cancer and some don’t, even when their lifestyles are quite similar?

According to medical experts, there are a number of different factors working together. However, one school of thought believes that worriers are more prone to cancer. A study involving over 60,000 people suggests that people prone to anxiety are more likely to get cancer.

This observation, while focusing on psychological factors such as stress, anxiety and depression, overlooks behavioural factors, such as lack of self-care, poor diet and smoking.

Over the years, research has demonstrated that emotions such as depression, anger and hostility make one more prone to illness and disease. Conversely, it has been shown that positive attitudes such as hope, optimism and happiness strengthens the immune system and protects one from disease.

Recent studies point to two personality types that seem to make one either cancerprone or cancer resistant.

l l l l l l

Represses both positive and negative emotions.

Shows anger, resentment, or hostility towards others.

Takes on extra duties and responsibilities, even when they cause stress.

Reacts adversely to and does not cope well with life changes.

Is negative or pessimistic.

Becomes easily depressed or has feelings of hopelessness.

Worries often and excessively about others.

Feels the need for approval and to please others.

Health CHECK

Cancer-Prone Personality Types

l l

Cancer-Resistant Personality Type

l l l l

l l l l l

Expresses emotions in a positive and constructive way.

Controls anger and resolves anger issues positively.

Knows when to say no.

Copes well with stress and feels in control of situations.

Is optimistic and hopeful.

Does not become easily depressed.

Seeks out and maintains social support networks.

Does not worry excessively.

Likes to please, but does not seek approval as an emotional crutch.

Studies may have shown a link between behaviour and personality and the onset of and recovery from cancer, but as with everything else, there are always exceptions. While some of the most optimistic and positive people could get cancer, some of the angriest and most hostile could live to be 100, cancer-free. But when a cancer patient is told that his or her disease is terminal, those who adopt cancer-resistant traits tend to live longer because their newly acquired behaviours will automatically boost immunity.

Mind-body techniques are said to assist in surviving cancers, at times even when doctors have given up hope. A patient’s coping style, behaviour and recovery strategy are critical factors in five-year survival rates.

In addition, studies have shown that mortality is typically reduced for those who have a social support network, compared with those who are socially isolated. Combined with a recovery programme that includes stress management and relaxation techniques, relapses are said to be fewer.

Whether mind and body techniques work or not, some of the factors that could cause cancer are: 1. Risky behaviour: Indulging in risky behaviour, like smoking or drinking too much, or eating a very unhealthy diet can have a real effect on your health. But some people get cancer even when they look after themselves really well, while others don’t.

2. Genetic predisposition: Studies have shown that genetic make up makes it more likely that one will develop cancer. Some families have a much higher incidence of cancer than other families in the population.

3. Age: According to some doctors if all men lived long enough they would get prostate cancer

January 2015

Mind over Body

35

in the luxe

Fine dining, you said?

Calling all connoisseurs of food…

Check out what some of the world’s most expensive fine dining restaurants have to offer to satiate those pampered palates in an ambience to match.

Sublimotion

Kitcho

It is all about tradition, with dishes including turtle soup, raw salmon slivers with lemon, and green tea at Kitcho, located in Kyoto, Japan. It is the most expensive Michelin-starred restaurant in the world; it was ranked number one on The Daily Meal’s most expensive restaurants list last year.

Price: $600 (per person)

Bewitching beaches are not the only reason why the world’s rich celebrities party in Ibiza; the new Sublimotion Restaurant has also upped its celebrity quotient. The restaurant, located in the Hard Rock Hotel in Playa de Bossa, allows for only 12 guests at a time. The exclusive venue offers a 20-course ‘gastro-sensory’ meal that is intended to ‘elicit an emotional experience’ and allow you to experience humour, pleasure, fear, reflection and nostalgia – all in one bite. Price: $2,078 (per person)

January 2015

Aragawa

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Steak lovers…head to Aragawa in Tokyo. Aragawa is said to source its meat from purebred Tajima cattle raised in the Sanda region of Hyogo Prefecture, where only a few are selected for the designation of Sanda beef. The meat is flavoured only with salt and pepper, and cooked over Binch tan (white charcoal is a traditional charcoal of Japan) hardwood charcoal from the Wakayama Prefecture.

Price: $425 (for a single steak)

Located in a shopping centre off Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, this restaurant comes across as a Japanese culinary shrine, with a sushi bar and just enough room for 10 diners. Interestingly there is no menu and the items change everyday. What is more, diners are presented nearly 30 courses of Kaiseki dishes (a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner) by Urasawa chef and owner Hiroyuki Urasawa. The formal meal is presented as a succession of small and meticulous dishes, each accentuating the natural flavours of seasonal ingredients, many flown from Japan. Price: $1,111 (per person)

in the luxe

Urasawa

Plaza Athénée

When Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse reopened his flagship Parisian Plaza Athenee on the prestigious Avenue Montaigne in Paris, he eliminated most of the meat items on the menu and instead focused on a largely produce-based organic menu.

It now includes new dishes like black rice with shellfish and Anjou-grown quinoa, and Mediterranean fish with bulgur wheat.

Price range: $475–$575 (per person)

Le Meurice

Restaurant Le Meurice at Hotel Le Meurice in Paris is designed to pamper all your senses - antique mirrors, crystal chandeliers, bronzes, marble and frescoes.

Their tasting menu has on offer dishes like guinea fowl pie, lobster, potatoes ‘flavoured by the sea’ and some ‘chocolate from our factory’. Price: $470 (per person)

A part of the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group, Per Se is an elegant dining room overlooking Central Park in the Time Warner Center. It won a James Beard Award in 2011 for Outstanding Service and was named the sixth best restaurant in the world in this past year by Restaurant Magazine. Price $851 (per person)

January 2015

Per Se

37

look GOOD

Cool and Beautiful

Get through the winter months with this beauty checklist

W

hat began as a slight nip in the air has turned into a regular winter chill, with temperatures taking a big dip, especially in the evenings.

Of course, no one is complaining, as most have welcomed the season with the inevitable beach picnics and dinners in the parks‌ But what about your skin, which has to take the brunt of the dry spell?

For many people, winter brings with it an uncomfortable dryness to the skin, especially on the face, hands and feet; a few may even have to contend with flaky and cracking skin. While the latter may require dermatological assistance to get through the winter months, a little dryness of the skin can be easily tackled with a few tried and tested methods.

1.

2.

3.

January 2015

4.

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Opt for face cleansers and soaps that have extra amounts of oils such as lanolin, cocoa butter or coconut oil.

Moisturise your skin liberally.

Find a moisturiser that is oil based, as it will help your skin retain more moisture.

Do not forget the sunscreen with the change in the weather.

Winter sun can also damage your skin.

Use warm rather than hot water for baths and showers.

Prolonged exposure to hot water can remove natural oils that protect your skin.

5. Keep yourself hydrated.

Remember that drinking water helps your skin and your overall health.

6. For your feet, find lotions that contain petroleum jelly or glycerine; use exfoliants to get the dead skin off.

7. Do not use harsh face peels, masks or astringents that can strip natural oils from your skin.

lifestyle mantra For dry and rough skin: your skin needs a regular exfoliation, even a few times a week to get rid of dead, dry skin. check out the ‘Vanilla absolute scrub’, a vegan-friendly scrub that is made with shea butter and sugar, which makes it an ideal moisturiser without harming your sensitive skin (metropolissoap.com).

Dry skin could also do with some oils. the neutrogena Body Oil, which was first introduced in 1966, contains emollient sesame formula; it has a slightly sweet scent and is very versatile. you could directly apply it on dry skin, splash it liberally while showering or pour it into your bath for mega moisture (neutrogena.com).

For chapped lips: Glossier Balm Dotcom is an all-purpose skin-care balm that is packed with emollient cupuacu fruit extract and castor seed oil. simply dab it on chapped lips to relieve dryness or dot it on cheekbones for an instant healthy glow (glossier.com).

But if you are looking for more than a balm, give sugar Baby Gift set a try. this set comes with an exfoliator to scrub off dead skin along with two different lip treatments - a tinted balm with sPF and a high-shine gloss - to fight flaky lips and moisturise for up to 6 hours (sephora.com).

For chapped hands & dry cuticles: this one is perfect if you believe in the magic of argan oil, which is especially great for dry skin on hands. tree Hut Renewing Hand cream feels super light and non-sticky, but is heavy enough to instantly relieve cracked cuticles and dry, chapped skin (walmart.com).

For dry, dull hair: summer or winter, washing your hair everyday can dry it out by stripping natural oils from the strands and scalp. it can become more pronounced during winter. Overcome this by using alterna cleanse extend translucent Dry shampoo, which lets you wash only on alternate days while giving extra texture to your hair (sephora.com).

But if it is extra moisture that you want to trap in your strands, check out L’Oreal Mythic Oil. a note of caution though: a few drops will make your hair sleek and shiny; but too much too close to the roots will leave strands greasy (amazon.com).

For dry, frizzy hair: For those who are endowed with thick or curly hair, winter demands special treatment, especially with the conditioner. the Dove Damage therapy intensive Repair Daily treatment conditioner intense Damage could do the magic. this extra-moisturising version contains keratin for a super sleek finish and does the job of a hair masque in the time of a regular daily conditioner (walgreens.com).

Winter CAre

By Sophia Raman

HOW can Men Get intO a WinteR caRe MODe WitHOUt cReatinG a FUss aBOUt tHe cHaPPeD liPs anD scaly scalP?

c

happed lips, skin breakouts, dry scalp…are all winter eventualities, unless you are blessed with great skin.there are innumerable products in the market for every type of skin and managing a few winter irritations should not be a problem. But if you detest the idea of shopping for skincare products and are wary of using your partner’s creams and lotions, try some home products or follow these simple beauty hacks to beat the winter setbacks.

1. if you are on the verge of getting a huge pimple, simply rub some calamine lotion onto the area, as it will help to dry up the cystic acne.

2. if you have popped the pimple and if the area has become red and irritated before a big date or meeting, rub some redness-reducing eye drops on the area; it contains tetrahydrozoline hydrochloride, which helps get rid of redness fast.

3. if your face is puffy from a holiday party, wake up a little earlier than usual and put a cold pack over your eyes for 5-10 minutes. Buying specially designed eye masks, which can be kept in the fridge or freezer, will also helps.

4. if winter tends to make your face look haggard, because of all the dead skin cells, scrub your face with an exfoliant. combine a teaspoon of baking soda with water and massage it into skin before rinsing off with warm water; follow it with a moisturiser.

5. if your lips get really chapped in the winter despite using a balm, precede it by massaging a mixture of some olive oil (or honey) with sugar and rinse it off with warm water.

January 2015

Beauty checklist for the season

39

style FILe

When

Scarves Fashi n Become

Statements

Hit the right fashion notes with a designer silk scarf or a woolly winter version

S

January 2015

carf, one of the most versatile fashion accessory, is known to add panache to even the simplest of outfits, turning the wearer into a confident hipster. Be it one of those all-weather designer silk scarves or the very wintry woolly ensemble, it can breathe a chic note on any outfit.

And with winter chills giving an extra edge to this chic item of clothing, it is certainly the season of scarves.

While the trendy silk scarves are known to give that edge to celebrities - with Audrey Hepburn’s headscarf making it ultra chic - scarves of all kinds, designs and shapes have retained their hold on fashion trends over the years. The only elements that have, probably, changed in the style quotient are the colours, designs and, of course, the many ways to wear them. From a simple wrap around the neck to stylishly tied knots, the trick, as fashionistas have learnt, is all about wearing the scarf with an eye for the details and the overall appearance you want to project.

Depending on the season and the changes in the weather, you could opt for flannel, wool or fleece scarves during winter and cotton or silk during warm days. But whether you pick a wool scarf or a silk/chiffon one, what matters is how you wear it. Even if your intention of draping the scarf is to keep warm, remember the objective is to add glamour to your outfit. Make sure that the material you choose does not irritate your skin since the skin around your neck can be sensitive.

Interestingly, the new trend of wrapping the scarf around the handbag is also known to add oomph to the overall look and add an element of attitude to the appearance.

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for 2015

style FILe

Scarf Trends Animal Print Scarf: When in doubt go for

animal prints‌more so this winter, as scarves in dark coloured animal prints have hit the trend counter.

Floral Print Scarf:

According to trend watchers, scarves designed in floral prints are going to be the most in demand this year. The best bets are the ones in bright and dark colours.

Knitted Scarf: Apt for this season is a knitted scarf, which is believed to be the trendiest item of 2015. Although knitted scarves are not limited by design and colour, black or brown knitted ones are ideal for this season.

Lace Scarf: Laces, it appears, will never go out of style, even when the reference is to scarves. Formal events and parties demand an element of glamour, which can come easily with lace scarves that are available in a variety of styles and colours.

Plaid Scarf: This has been an all time favourite of many a fashionista. Style gurus believe that plaid scarves are the most appropriate ones to wear at casual events. Plaid scarves in red, black and brown are the rage this season.

Polka Dot Scarf: It is easy to feel stylish in polka dot scarves, which are available in a variety of colours and with dots varying in sizes. If you are undecided, pick a white and black polka dot scarf. Other choices could be red scarf in white polka dot and polka dot scarf with stripes.

Striped Scarf:

January 2015

Get an instant cool look with a striped scarf. Black and white stripe design is befitting the cool winter; you could also pick scarves in dark colours with bold stripes.

41

style FILe

Kn tThat...

Bring the best out of your scarf and take your overall appearance one notch higher by tying that scarf right.

- If you are wearing a short scarf, drape it around your neck, keeping the left side slightly shorter. Cross the right side over and tie a knot without pulling the right side all the way through.

Now, pull the draped out portion over the knot, making it look like a half bow.

- If it is a pashmina scarf, fold it in half and position the centre at the front of your neck with the ends draped over the back. Now crisscross the ends and bring them over to the front of your neck. Tie a loose knot at the front and tuck it underneath the wrapped portion of the pashmina with the upper layer loose.

Flatten the ends over the chest and gently pull down the top layer to cover the knot, giving it a loose turtleneck look.

- If the scarf is long, fold it in half, creating a fold at one end and two loose ends. Drape the middle of the scarf around your neck with two ends on the left side and a loop on the right side – each facing forward. Slip the two loose ends through the loop and tighten.

Here are some ways to go about perfecting that knot: Half-bow scarf: Loop the scarf around your neck and tie it like

you would your shoelaces. Then, take one side of the scarf and make a loop, as if you were only tying one side of the bow on your shoes. Take the longer section of the scarf and wrap it in front; follow it by taking it behind the entire scarf, next to your neck.

Scarf bow: Wrap the scarf (a longer one) around your neck, making sure that both ends are even. Then, tie the scarf just as you would tie any bow.

Scarf

braid: This may look complicated, but all that you need to do to achieve this is double up the scarf and wrap it around your neck, with the non-folded end slightly longer than the folded end. Then, take one end and thread it through the loop, rotate the loop, and then thread through the other end.

January 2015

Quick toss:

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Place the scarf over the shoulder in such a way that one end is slightly longer than the other end. Loop the longer end over your neck, without taking it fully around. The scarf should hang from the back.

esque It wIth Ale

LeT’S TaLK aBouT eaTing ouT! PrESENTING ALE AL ZEDJALI’S TAKE ON LOOKING FASHIONABLy ‘PrESENTABLE’ WHILE DINING OuT

Simple slipknot: Double up your scarf and wrap it around the back of your neck. Now slip both ends of the scarf into the loop.

Layered knot: Take both

ends of the scarf and tie them together. Then open the loop and put it around your neck.

Muffler scarf: Take one end of a wide scarf and place it on your shoulder. Then take one corner from the other end and make a little knot on one shoulder. Leave the last corner free to give the triangle look.

Fake knot: Tie a loop at one end of your scarf and leave it loose. Slip the other end of the scarf into the loop and tighten it to suit your needs.

I

f there’s one thing I loath, it’s the people who put off dinner plans for the weekend because they feel the need to look presentable every time they visit a restaurant.

I get that and I apply that…but I think people need to alter their views on ‘presentable’.

What you wear for work is more than fitting for a night out...

Feel it’s too plain?

Accessorise it up! Take off your suit jacket, let down you hair, put on a more festive pair of shoes and change your make up. And, all this can be done in the car.

Actually, you don’t need to go through the stress of changing your entire makeup palette; go from the nude lips you have for work to a pop of red for dinner! Keep a chic scarf or jacket in your car and tie it around your neck (or on your head if you rock a hijab) and you are ready for a night out.

This isn’t as big a problem for guys, but I think we can do the same… I’m obviously not talking about makeup, but if you wear white slippers for work, change it to a more attractive colour for dinner and match it with your kumma!

Those who wear suits have nothing to worry about either - untuck the shirt, take off the jacket and unhook the first button (keep it classy but comfortable).

Ale Al Zadjali is a 21 year-old award-winning fashion designer; he is the brain behind the ‘Esque

By Ale’ line of clothing

January January 2015 2015

Neck rosette: Take a skinny scarf and wrap it around your neck. Twist the scarf until it starts to curl. Now wrap the scarf around itself and tuck in the ends.

43

Dine Out

Dine Out‌In Style Regular foodies may need no introduction to the fine art of dining out, but the uninitiated could take a hint or two from the following pages

Muscat: Food capital of Oman From small roadside coffee shops and unpretentious food outlets, to upscale restaurants and food courts in shopping malls, Muscat has come a long way from its unimpressive foodie days

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January 2015

hether Muscat needs more authentic restaurants and sensorial dining experiences or not, weekenders, looking for specific dining experiences, have a fair share of food destinations to frequent within the capital.

Depending on the budget, preferences of the palate and the mood, food outlets in Muscat are well equipped to cater to a wide array of food lovers, including strict vegetarians.

While some areas in the capital are fast turning into food zones, like the busy MBD area and the Shatti Al Qurum, areas in and around the CBD have their own set of food outlets, some of which have sustained over the years, catering to specific needs of the people in the area. Besides, with most of the outlets in The Cave Complex becoming operational, it has provided a new dimension to fine dining. Food courts in the malls too have penetrated the food market, providing foodies with several options, ranging from fast food to exclusive restaurants. And there are those uber exclusive in-house restaurants in plush star hotels around the capital, which have created special experiences to meet the demands of the discerning foodies.

With social media becoming the point of reference for most users, dining out woes and delights have found new platforms, which have helped restaurants stand on their guard with services offered and fare promised. It has helped demonstrate the likes and dislikes of people, providing avenues for restaurateurs to gear up their act and meet the ever-growing demands of the diners

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Deciphering menus at some of the fine dining restaurants is like decoding cryptic clues in a puzzle

Dine Out

Turning Tables I

Tasting menu

One easy way of going about it is opting for a tasting menu, also called a menu degustation, wherein you trade choice for variety. Instead of separately ordering appetiser, mains and dessert, a tasting menu will offer the option of five or more smaller courses, depending on the restaurant. It may be apt, if it is your first time in a particular restaurant, to discern its culinary leaning. These tasting menus are designed to present a perfect feel of the restaurant kitchen and chef.

A la Carte Vs prix-fixe

Check if the restaurant you are patronising offers ‘prix-fixe’ (‘fixed price’) menu, where you are given a couple of choices from which to select for each course. This, as the name suggests, is fixed price, which might also include a charge for service but does not, usually, include beverages. Some restaurants, however, may make exceptions to the items, by substituting one or more if you are drawn to some items on the à la carte menu.

The fee factor

According to Linguistics professor Dan Jurafsky, who spent months analysing 6,500 menus (650,000 dishes), ranging from Michelin-starred restaurants to cheap roadside diners, restaurants with longer, more complicated words in their menu descriptions would cost patrons more, while cheap outlets would opt for generic words such as ‘tasty’ and ‘hearty’. His study found that it was not so much the length of the menu description that was important, as was the words within it. Although less expensive restaurants too had rambling descriptions, they used easy-to-understand words, unlike the expensive ones, which tended to be more to-the-point but with more obscure and lengthy culinary terms. He calculated that a menu with longer words would cost 18 cents (11p) more for every extra letter within them, on average.

Check out the random five words used by an average restaurant against the ones used by a gourmet one: 1. Tasty 1. Angolotti (a type of pasta) 2. Juicy 2. Assiette (meaning ‘plate of’ or ‘dish of’) 3. Rich 3. Medjool Dates (from North Africa) 4. Crisp 4. Nougatine Cassolette (covered with chocolate) 5. Fresh 5. Manjari chocolate (from Madagascar)

For healthy diners: Words to look for on menus Words to Avoid Words to order Glazed Roasted Crispy Baked Melted Broiled Smothered Rubbed Breaded Seared Creamy Grilled Honey-dipped Steamed Crusted Sautéed Gooey Spiced Cheesy Seasoned While placing an order, remember…

- Soups are often heavier with creams than the vegetables they are supposed to contain. To find the right one, look up in the menu for a mention of a balancing effect, like a mix of tart yogurt, a drizzle of strong herby oil and/or a dollop of sweet, briny caviar.

- If the salad menu specifies the source of its ingredients, you can be assured of fresh fare.

- Starters, which come with many parts, tend to come across as a hastily constructed hodgepodge.

- If opting for fish in the main course, pick for one that is served with a minimum of flash – whole roasted fish is a better bet

January 2015

f you are a nouveau foodie, but are inclined to pamper your palate all the way through, take a deep breath, relax and remember the trick is in asking right questions; even if the restaurant in question is one of those uber expensive ones (may be more so, if you want to avoid disappointment).

Although menuspeak differs, depending on the place and cuisine featured, there are some words and phrases that are universal in helping you make informed guesses about the dishes. According to a regular foodie, one of the most basic lines of inquiry is asking servers what their favourite dishes are, and what dishes the chef considers specialties of the house. Of course, you need to remember what items you are allergic to or are not really fond of.

With menus becoming complex, quick choice of dishes has become a thing of the past. This is more so in high-end restaurants, where you are likely to find a variety of menus within the menu. Traditional a la carte menus, on the other hand, are easy to sort out, where dishes for each course are listed and priced individually.

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Dine Out

Dressed to Dine Pick your outfit depending on your dining out destination, advice style gurus

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ost five-star restaurants follow formal dress codes, but if there is none, it is best to err on the side of dressing up. Although the trend today is to follow a more relaxed dress policy, in comparison to the earlier years, it is preferable to stick to the established practices, as fine dining is much more than a mere act of eating. It is a sensorial experience.

Seen in that context, it is imperative that the outfit befits the occasion. Like the ‘jacket-require’ dictum for men, which demonstrates an element of formality. While many might opt for a suit, a less formal blazer or sports coat with shirt and slacks are perfect too. The objective should be to look presentable…and that means no sandals or sports wear with t-shirts, even if there isn’t any explicit dress code.

Women are expected to dress elegantly in a five-star restaurant.

This could mean a cocktail dress, heels and a jacket, or even a wrap. Accessories like jewellery and a clutch could do the trick.

Food outlets that recommend a dress code are looking to give their patrons a memorable experience. It is, probably, a desire to make the guests experience the restaurant ambience in totality; but as a patron, a dining out event, will give you time to unwind from the everyday chores and enjoy the experience. As a frequent diner noted, to be a part of any culinary experience, you must look the part and must dress to dine.

Here are five dining out dress codes to help you get going: Casual: Although a casual dress

January 2015

code signifies an openness; the expectations are far from casual when you are dining in a fine dining restaurant. The casual dress code refers to clothing that is comfortable, yet polished. It is more in tune with the

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golfing attire. As fashionistas point out, light colours, especially bold patterns, are more casual than darks and blacks; collared shirts are standard for most fine diners, while collarless shirts are only acceptable when casual wear is recommended.

Business Casual:

A business casual outfit is one that earns you a polished-yet-comfortable look.

Generally, business casual means dressing professionally, looking relaxed, yet neat and pulled together.

For women, business casual clothes may include suits, collared shirts, kneelength skirts and tailored dresses.

Remember, revealing clothes are not

Dine Out apt for a place of business nor for a business-casualtype setting. Men could combine a collared shirt and dress pants or trousers, such as khakis, tucked into a belt.

Casual Elegant:

Formal: Although strictly formal attire is rare, it is best to opt for special dresses and tuxedos when recommended. The formal standard demands guests to dine in their best wear - women in exquisite dresses and men in suits. If it is a black tie affair, men will be

required to wear tuxedos and women cocktail or long dresses. A white tie invitation, on the other hand, is more formal than black tie and requires men to go all the way with white tie, vest and shirt and women to wear long gowns.

Jacket Required: Usually restaurants calling for 'jackets required' will expect both men and women to be dressed accordingly with formal wear, with gentlemen going the extra mile by wearing a matching jacket.

January 2015

Restaurants recommending casual elegant clothes mainly want guests to slip into dressed-up versions of their casual attire. While men could look casual elegant in a dark suit or a button down with trousers and completed by a sport coat, women should opt for formal pant outfits or a snazzy black dress, complemented by an evening wrap or clutch bag. Turtlenecks, darker coloured outfits and leather shoes are also universally accepted as casual elegant supplements for both men and women.

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Dine Out January 2015

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Top Restaurant Trends for 2015 Like fashion, food items too are known to follow the global trends to meet the demands of connoisseurs 2015 will see the continuation of some old trends but will usher some fresh concepts that are reflective of the new generation, says a food research firm.

1. Meals will increasingly become staged items, in obeisance to the social media – Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, as restaurants realise the power of customers in generating social media buzz in real time.

2. The year will see menus becoming shorter and the dining rooms getting smaller, as technology takes over.

3. The focus will shift to ‘fast casual’ (where customers prefer to eat at slightly higher quality chains, instead of the regular fast food), with traditional fast food and fine dining markets finding it hard to offer newer, alternative forms of food service.

4. Another trend in casual dining for the year is what is called as ‘fast fine’ dining, which refers to upscale outlets that offer fast food with better ingredients and less of a conveyor belt atmosphere.

5. From Japanese sushi to Americanised Chinese food, the concept of ‘Asian food’, will shift to Korean and Vietnamese food.

6. Watch out for bitter flavours as customers get into a ‘bitter is better’ mood. This would mean inclusion of deeper chocolates and darker coffees in the restaurant menus.

7. It will be beverage time, with restaurants gearing up to make beverages their main act, instead of a sideshow. New beverages are bound to crop up as restaurants get into the act of creating new mixes.

8. As healthy eating gains precedence, with customers following personalised diets, menus will be tailored with specific choices. The year will see restaurants displaying pick-and-choose options to meet the demands of customers from all walks of life, whether they are following the paleo diet or eating only vegan.

9. Local food is the key word of the year, as everyone is, seemingly, going all local. This would appease customers who want everything local - from housepurified water to regional seafood to locally manufactured products.

10. It’s time to cater to Generation Z, who are now making their own decisions about where they go out to eat. As restaurants begin to appeal to this new kind of customer, there will be a shift towards high-tech service, louder music, moving visuals and heightened experiences.

Top 20 Food Trends 1.

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Locally sourced meats and seafood Locally grown produce Environmental sustainability Healthful kids’ meals Natural ingredients/minimally processed food New cuts of meat Hyper-local sourcing Sustainable seafood Food waste reduction/management

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Farm/estate branded items Non-wheat noodles/pasta Gluten-free cuisine Ancient grains Whole grain items in kids’ meals Non-traditional fish Ethnic-inspired breakfast items Nutrition House-made/artisan ice cream Fruit/vegetable kids’ side items Artisan cheeses

Trends in Appetizers

1. Vegetarian appetisers 2. House-cured meats/charcuterie (cold cooked meats) 3. Ethnic/street food-inspired appetisers 4. Seafood charcuterie 5. Amuse-bouche/ bite-size appetizers

Trends in Breakfast/Brunch 1.

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Ethnic-inspired breakfast items Traditional ethnic breakfast items Egg white omelettes/sandwiches Prix fixe brunches Breakfast burritos

Trends in Dessert 1.

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House-made/artisan ice cream Bite-size/mini-desserts Savory desserts Hybrid desserts Smoked dessert

Trends in Culinary Themes

1. Environmental sustainability 2. Natural ingredients / minimally processed food 3. Hyper-local sourcing 4 Food waste reduction/management 5. Gluten-free cuisine

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man date

Eating Out Vs Cooking At Home

Calling all men...why cook at home when eating out is so much simpler and easier?

January 2015

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xpatriate single men, especially in this part of the world, are known to pick the ‘eating out’ option when confronted with the task of ‘cooking’ at home.

The latter comes with a list of chores, beginning from grocery shopping to cleaning up after eating. Not forgetting the delicate art of cooking everyday meals…

‘Why bother’, would be an easy excuse, considering that most independent food outlets run a monthly mess, catering to the large tribe of single men (and women) who are wary of cooking or even contemplating the task of entering the kitchen. Whether one opts for a three-meal

service or only lunch and dinner, the restaurants in the capital are known to tailor their services according to the needs of their patrons, with takeaway option also pegged on to it.

Eating out is, seemingly, the most feasible option. All that it takes from you is a walk or a drive to the restaurant of your choice. And, if you prefer to have it in the familiar confines of your home, you could arrange a home delivery service or have someone pick it up for you.

The ease and comfort that eating out

assures is undeniable.

But what about your health…? Can regular eating out ensure right nutrition and weight? Won’t you get tired of the same menu, the set breakfast-lunch-dinner items? And the cost…?

Cooking, even if it is only about fixing a sandwich or boiling noodles, is about understanding the logistics involved. Seen from a bachelor’s point of view, it involves…

- Making a checklist of ingredients required to fill the kitchen shelves and shopping for the same - Stocking the fridge with essential items - Having a supply of cooking utensils and other tableware

Mashed Potatoes and Salad Complement your meat dish with mashed potatoes and salad.

Ingredients for mashed potatoes: - 4 potatoes (medium sized, cut into cubes) - Seasoning (salt, pepper, garlic powder, creole and Italian seasoning) - Half-cup milk - 1/3 stick butter - Sour Cream (or cream cheese) about 4oz.

Breakfast

1. The easiest breakfast items are eggs. If you feel you aren’t equipped to fry a simple bull’s-eye or an elaborate omelette, simply boil it. Eggs have longer shelf life and you can store them in your fridge easily.

2. Oatmeal is another easy choice. All that it requires from you is boil water, add in the required oatmeal, stir it and take it off the stove. You can spruce it up with fruits and nuts.

3. Another option would be a bowl of yoghurt with some chopped fruits.

4. Ensure that your kitchen is stocked with some cereal bars and the fridge with some fresh fruits.

Lunch

1. The easiest bachelor meal, if you are at work, is a quick pack of noodles. The ones that come ready in containers require you to only add hot water.

2. If you like the idea of baked beans, put a can in the microwave and top it with a bit of Dijon mustard.

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food everyday. Of course, alternating the restaurants or simply making the food outlet choice randomly could spice up the meal times, but the economical benefit from opting for a mess service is lost.

If you have an inkling that you could get into the ‘cooking’ mode during the weekends or even on a regular basis, check out some easy to put together recipes, which do not require you to stock up on the ingredients required to cook.

Dinner

1. An elaborate dinner is all about planning well.

If pasta is on the day’s menu, you could cook extra and freeze the rest in the freezer.

2. You could also marinade your meat items and freeze them in separate ziplock bags.

3. Salads do not require any cooking skill.

Simply chop the veggies of your choice and serve.

Method: 1. Cut the potatoes into cubes and boil it until it is cooked and strain the water.

2. Add the butter to the hot pot and toss the potatoes back in. Mix well.

3. Mash them with a fork or cooking spoon, or put it in a mixer.

4. Add the milk and sour cream and mix well.

5. Add your seasonings, a little at a time; taste to see if it is fine.

6. Continue to mix well and add more milk (to thin) or sour cream (to thicken).

Ingredients for Salad: - Bag of pre-mixed salad (mixed green) - Strawberries (sliced thin and small) - Candied Pecans - Feta cheese - Raspberry dressing (or your choice) Method: Mix it all together in a bowl and serve with dressing

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Having said that though, cooking isn’t really a fun task when you realise that you are the lone benefactor of your efforts. It is best when there are at least two people to share in the food; it also minimises the prospect of eating leftovers, which is inevitable when cooking for one. Sourcing the ingredients for smaller portions is also a challenge as most supermarkets have items packed in bigger sizes.

Most of the offers/deals are available only in larger packages and that means more spending if you are looking for smaller packs, or wasting, since most of these items come with short expiration date. Added to this is the time and energy needed to prep and cook the meal, wash the utensils and plates, scrub pans, store leftovers and clean the kitchen.

While these arguments do not resolve the dilemma – eating out or cooking – it could, probably, inspire you to cook an occasional meal and overcome the ennui of eating the same restaurant

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Relatively SPEAKING

F d l n ow o a b b f E

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VE

This Valentine’s Day, take stock of your love life and work out ways to reaffirm your feelings for your partner

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ove is on an eternal ebb-and-flow mode, yo-yoing from the ‘I love you forever’ days to the moody ‘get out of my life/leave me alone’ ones to the ‘can’t do without you’ phases. Love has a way of giving ‘constancy’ a run for its money with its unending waves of ebbs and flows… As if it is playing a game of peek-a-boo to see if it can withstand the emotional sways.

Some relationships are known to flail in the ebb phase, unable to find a source for ‘flow’; while others, seemingly, thrive in the emotion, encountering only brief episodes of ebb. But there is no denying those, at times inexplicable, ebbs and flows of love, whether it is brought on by age or stress. As Daniel Jones explains in his book ‘Love Illuminated’, we spend our youth asking ‘How do I find love?’ and midlife, asking ‘How do I get it back?’

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Happily-ever-after may be a fairy tale concept, but if you believe you need to strike a safe balance between the ebbs and flows, check out the following tips from relationship gurus: Get adventurous According to some studies, indulging in adventurous activities with your partner can produce an adrenaline rush and an aroused state of mind, which can easily transfer excitement back into your relationship. You could, probably, get on one of those gigantic roller-coaster rides at the ongoing Muscat Festival or go on an adventurous cross-country drive together. For, excitement experienced mutually can bring the tingles back. The idea should be to pretend you are on your first date, advice experts.

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Exercise together If riding a rollercoaster isn’t your thing; jump on the exercise bandwagon with your partner. This is known to trigger the release of similar kind of chemical in your brain. It could be a jog in the park or a workout at the gym, sharing that heightened physical experience is said to instill some new energy into the relationship and even boost the libido.

Work at it There is no one formula or a magic spell that can make a relationship work. Take time out to assess and analyse how you can make it work. Research has shown

MIND & BODY

My STruGGlE To BE Happy HAppIneSS TIpS FRoM RoMA FeRnAnDeS, CLInICAL pSYCHoLogIST AT WHISpeRS oF SeRenITY Today, as we struggle to be happy, we are fighting not only with ourselves but also with the world to find happiness.

Happiness requires changing negative habits to positive ones. This may not be easy, but with dedication one can achieve anything they have been seeking.

Stop over thinking: We over analyse and dissect every issue in our life, which makes us anxious all the time. We have to learn to slow down and put into prospective our priorities.

This will cut down a lot of the struggles in our mind.

Build relationships: We give the people in our lives a lot of power over us. We need people in our life to add value rather than to take away our energy. It is, therefore, necessary to surround ourselves with positive people and distance from people who may cause harm, either emotionally or physically.

Thankfulness: Being thankful for what we have and appreciating the small things is what adds an immense amount of value in our lives. Keeping a journal of things that make us happy can be an excellent way of training the mind to think positively.

Exercise: This does not only mean physical workout, but it also includes exercise for the mind. Regular meditation, activities to de-stress and counselling are some of the ways we can detox the mind from the baggage we add on everyday. only a healthy mind and a healthy body in sync gives us a person that is healthy in the complete sense. (roma.fernandes@whispers-of-serenity.com)

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that expecting a fairy tale relationship is a prescription for disappointment. The onus is on both of you to actively keep the marriage happy, and one of the ways to go about it is to follow the tried and tested dictum: ‘Don’t fix the bad, increase the good’. For research has also shown that trying to change your partner doesn’t work.

Future talk Keep the communication lines alive; talk about and plan for the future. This could include plans for moving to a new city, having kids, or purchasing a home together. Do not limit yourself with your fantasies for the future, as it could get both of you thinking of the possibilities. reveal your dreams whether your partner knows about your dreams of learning or doing something or not, bring it up in your conversations. explain how you plan on achieving that goal and get your partner involved in it.

Some mutual admiration is bound to crop up…

Competition helps Agreed…you and your partner are a team. But that is no reason to take away all the mystery and excitement from your life. Think of silly ways to get competitive with each other; it may be a game that you both love to play or you could simply challenge each other with a DIY task.

Quiz time of course you know everything there is to know about your partner, but a little prodding will surprise you to learn that there are things you still do not know. Yes, there are always things you could be learning from each other, so look online for some relationship quizzes or stay up quizzing each other on some most random things you could think of.

Think positive When all else fails, simply think positive. Just thinking that your partner is way better than he/she really is can foster a longer and better relationship, say experts. go on; start thinking…

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at HOME January 2015

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Fine Dining At Home Want to create a formal dining experience at home?

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rom the lighting and the upholstery to the music and the table setting, fine dining restaurants know just how to woo their patrons even before they have tucked into the gourmet meal. Attention to little details on the table only enhances the essence of being pampered on an epicurean level.

Recreating this ambience, right at home, may seem like a difficult proposition for a party, but if it is a small get together, or, better still, a romantic dinner, a few props and a formal table setting could do the trick. Find out how, with a few simple steps, you could turn your dining experience at home on par with one in a five star restaurant. It would be a fitting finale to your scrumptious home cooked food or even a takeout from your favourite restaurant. For a good lunch/dinner is as much about presentation as it is about good appetite.

at HOME Bread Plate & Butter Knife If you do not want to make the dining table look crowded, you could, probably, avoid the bread plate, or, alternately, opt for one that is small enough to fit comfortably (4 to 6 inches in diameter). Place the butter knife on top of this plate, with the blade facing in.

Glassware Place glassware above the knife and fork. Keep the water glass innermost, with the beverage glass directly to its right.

Napkin Most restaurants have mastered artistic ways of folding napkins. You could, of course, learn one online, but simply placing it on the left of the fork or placing on top of the plate will also do.

Dessert Bowl If dessert is on the menu of the meal, place it directly above the dinner plate, with the fork closest to the plate and pointed to the right. The spoon should be parallel, but facing the opposite direction. When it’s time for the dessert, ensure that the table is cleared, except for the dessert utensils and the water glass.

Footnote: A formal dinner is all about spending time together, away from all the personal tasks. To make it all the more intimate, switch off the television, get your guests to switch off their mobile phones and put on some soothing music. Even a family dinner, planned on a formal scale, could infuse warmth into the relationship and provide space and time for the members to indulge in casual conversation

January 2015

The Placemat or Charger A formal table setting demands a placemat or a charger (charger plates or service plates are larger plates used during full course dinners; they are not used to serve food). Although some formal settings include both – placemat and charger – it is easier and convenient to keep one or the other.

Plates & Bowls One of the important elements of a formal dining experience in a restaurant is the set up of the table for the entire meal, even before guests take their seats. This means that the dinner plate stays on the table during the meal, placed beneath the soup bowl or salad plate (whichever is served as the first course).

Remember that most formal dinner plates are 10 to 12 inches in diameter, while salad plates are available in many sizes - however, it should not be less than 7 inches in diameter. And, if you are going with the current trends, your dinnerware does not have to match; mix up the colours and materials to create a strong contrast between each layer.

Forks, Knives & Spoons A general rule of thumb is to arrange silverware to work inward as the meal progresses. For example, if your dinner starts with salad, place the salad fork to the outer left, with the dinner fork closest to the plate. But if there’s no salad on the menu, do not make space for it on the table.

Remember that the knives and spoons belong on the right. The knife should be closest to the plate, blade facing in, and, if there is soup on the menu, the spoon should be on the outside.

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Just TRAVEL

Tourism on a Platter Holidays abroad are all about food… whether you indulge your palate with exotic street food or tuck in to fine cuisine, food is the most defining facet of any holiday – dedicated ‘culinary tourism’ , or otherwise

January 2015

‘Food tourism’, ‘tasting tourism’ or ‘culinary tourism’ refers to trips made to destinations where the local food and beverages are the main motivating factors for travel.

International Culinary Tourism Association defines culinary

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tourism as ‘the pursuit of unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences’. Interestingly, there are people whose sole motive behind travelling the world is to sample and experience authentic international cuisines.

Tourism and gastronomy According to reports, travel based on gastronomic experiences is fast growing. It is estimated that one million international culinary tourists travel each year. A study by the International Culinary Tourism Association found that, on average, food travellers spend around $1,200 per trip, with over one-third (36 percent or $425) of their travel budget going towards food-related activities.

Serious food travellers, however, are said to spend around 50 percent of their overall travel budget on foodrelated activities. And, generally speaking, gastronomic tourists tend to be couples that have above-average income; they are mostly professionals in the 30 to 50-year age bracket.

French and Mediterranean-inspired dishes more prevalent than traditional Spanish fare. Catalan cuisine features a unique combination of ingredients such as red meat and fish; poultry and fruit; and sausage with white beans.

Each dish is unique, original and utterly impossible to put down.

New York, US This famous city is endowed with an exciting food scene that attracts tourists from all walks of life.

Marrakech, Morocco Marrakesh, in the Southwest by the Atlas Mountains, draws its expertise from the culinary influences of France, Africa and the Middle East. Food stalls within the old city walls offer a fare of kefta and merguez. For more fancier dining, chose Bô-Zin, outside the city walls, and enjoy the Moroccan tagine.

London, UK It is thanks to celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsey, who have popularised the restaurant scene in London, that foodies throng to this city. Specialty gourmet shops like the Fortnum & Mason and Paxton & Whitfield still flourish. Tourists can choose from afternoon tea, Indian curries and classic pub fare like shepherd’s pie.

Montreal, Canada Popular for its French cuisine, Montreal, however, has become famous for its imaginative Carte du jours (menu card of the day) from more than 80 countries.

You could opt to dine at any one of the city’s 5,000 restaurants or visit the meandering local markets for some of the culinary treasures of the Montreal chefs. Look out for Montreal-style bagel topped with cream cheese or a smoked meat sandwich - local treats.

Bombay, India Be it the street food, popularly referred to as chaat (like pani puri and vada pav), or the world-famous butter chicken in one of the fine restaurants, Bombay is a foodie’s delight if you know just where to eat. Its cuisine boasts influences from a variety of cultures – from mutton dhansak, to the mutton Frankie sandwiches. Street food is a must try.

Bangkok & Phuket, Thailand If you are looking for food adventures, check out the street food in these cities.

Although Thai food is traditionally on the spicy side, it has a very special flavour to it, be it in their noodle dishes, rice items or the seafood. It projects a profusion of exotic flavours and fragrances, which have made it a must visit food destination. Try out the local dishes such as chicken and coconut soup, red and green curries and spicy beef salad.

Tokyo, Japan It is considered by many as one of the world’s capitals of dining, with the official registered restaurants in the city numbering 160,000. Although some of the traditional local dishes may not suit the palates of a new tourist, regulars recommend the local dishes as a must try.

Paris, France Paris has a wide array of fine dining restaurants, but regular foodies would know that there is nothing better than the Parisian patisserie. The real Paris food experience is all about giving in to temptation and enjoying the delicious pastries

Just TRAVEL

It has over 10,000 restaurants and gastronomes can find every kind of cuisine imaginable and for every budget. With unlimited options, you could go on a food jaunt around the world without even leaving the city.

Melbourne, Australia Whether you want to sample the spicy Wagyu beef tartare, the chillibaked mussels from Cumulus or the sweet ‘laneway’ dining, Melbourne boasts an impressive food scene. This popularity is credited to chefs who have established their network there - like Frank Camorra of the MoVida empire and Andrew McConnell of Cumulus, who turned laneway (alleys) dining into a more sophisticated experience.

January 2015

Frequent travellers love the idea of returning to familiar destinations to enjoy all the tried and tested dishes or even travel to new places to experience exotic cuisine.

Gastronomy has, indeed, become a significant feature of a well-planned tourism experience.

With every destination boasting its own specialties, which have crept into the culture of the land, there is no dearth of culinary tourism options for dedicated tourists.Whether it is risotto or fegato in Italy; pastrami sandwiches in New York; mezze in Lebanon or Turkey; ceviche in Mexico; sushi in Japan; tapas in Spain…travellers have become discerning and know just what to order where, and what to seek for when it comes to street food.

Check out some of the exciting culinary destinations around the world: Barcelona, Spain The last five years have attracted more tourists to this Spanish city, thanks to its culinary influences. For example, Catalan influence is discernible in both its culture and cuisine with

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MGM’s success story Omantel partners with Inmarsat

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mantel has announced its partnership with Inmarsat, which owns and operates three global constellations of 12 satellites flying in geosynchronous orbit to provide Omantel corporate customers with high quality communication solutions and added value services using satellites. Commenting on this partnership, Ali Bakhit Kashoob, Senior Manager, Product Development Corporate at Omantel said “Our partnership with Inmarsat International will enable us to offer advanced and reliable seamless voice, broadband data and IP communications solutions across the globe to our corporate customers operating in areas that are not covered by terrestrial networks.” Omantel Business Unit provides advanced communication solutions that meet the needs of the different public and private customers.

Tom & Jerry debut in Oman at Muscat Festival 2015

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January 2015

ajid Al Futtaim, a leading retail and leisure pioneer across the Middle East and North Africa, has announced that international entertainment icons Tom & Jerry will make their Oman debut at City Centre Muscat and City Centre Qurum to create great moments for everyone, every day, during Muscat Festival.

From January 31st till February 8th, visitors to City Centre Qurum will enjoy live shows daily from the cartoon world’s best-loved cat and mouse duo, including meet-and-greet opportunities.

During the same week, City Centre Muscat will host a Tom & Jerry cheese maze activity, with participants hunting through a dedicated zone and earning a certificate afterward, alongside children’s art activities.

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eflecting on an eventful and prosperous year, Muscat Grand Mall has announced that 2014 witnessed an impressive growth in footfall figures, with the mall also welcoming 15 new global brands during the year. Now boasting a total of 142 outlets within the mall complex and a unique collection of apparel brands, the Mall has steadily become one of the most popularly visited destinations in downtown Muscat. Commenting on MGM’s journey through the past year, Hassan Jaboub, General Manager of Muscat Grand Mall said, “Given the range of exciting events and campaigns held throughout the year, we also witnessed an overwhelming record footfall of over nine million visitors to the mall. Furthermore, the mall expansion project has gathered momentum and will further add to the choice and selection for Muscat shoppers, for 2015 we are looking forward to a very exciting year, indeed!”

Personal Excellence training for Berger employees

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o improve on-the-job performance of the employees as well as enhance personal traits, Berger Paints organised a training programme for all its Omani employees. A total of 20 participants took part in the Personal Excellence programme that was conducted in Arabic and received a certificate on successfully completing the course. The programme incorporated a comprehensive approach and practical training of key concepts that would help the employee to grow – professionally as well as personally. The importance of effective communication, prioritisation, time management, problem solving capability and dealing with co-workers and seniors were some other topics that were covered. The two-day training was held at Khimji Training Institute at Azaiba by experienced trainers adept at enhancing performance.

InterContinental Muscat and Bait Al Muzna join hands

NBO appoints first female Omani Chief Risk Officer

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ational Bank of Oman (NBO) has announced the appointment of Salma Salim Said Al Jaaidi as its new Chief Risk Officer. The appointment of an Omani female as a Chief Risk Officer is a first in Oman’s banking industry.

This announcement is part and parcel of the Bank’s succession plan for senior executives and commitment to supporting Omani talent and empowering women to take up senior leadership roles in the Bank. With a career spanning over 29 years with various leading financial institutions, Ms. Salma Al Jaaidi, an MBA holder, joined National Bank of Oman in 2003 and has led various divisions within the Bank’s Risk Management Group and most recently served as the Deputy Chief Risk Officer. NBO has been on a transformational journey to achieve its vision: To be the Bank of Choice.

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nterContinental Muscat and Bait Al Muzna have joined hands to promote Omani Artists to the Hotel guests as part of the IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) ‘In the Know’ initiative. The initiative is about how the Hotel can connect to their well-travelled guests to things that make Oman as a destination special. The Hotel has introduced Enaam Ahmed Al Lawati as the first Omani Artist. Enaam is one of Oman’s prominent and award winning artist, who has exhibited her work internationally. This ongoing ‘In the Know’ initiative will continue for the rest of the year where other Omani Artists will have an opportunity to introduce their work. The Hotel’s Club Floor lounge is displaying various arts from the Omani Artists.

Educative presentation on diabetes management

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r. Binu. P. Pillai, Endocrinologist at Apollo Sugar, Ruwi, conducted a power point educative presentation on Diabetes, with doctors of Royal Guard of Oman Hospital, earlier this month.

Dr. Binu elaborated on various aspects of diabetes management and emerging treatment modalities; he used case studies in diabetes to highlight some of the common mistakes in diabetes management. He reminded that one shouldn’t always get over fascinated with new drugs, forgetting the time-tested old ones. Dr. Binu emphasised the importance of advising patients about regular exercise and reminded that an annual detailed complications checkup should be done in all patients with type 2 diabetes. The meeting was attended by all RGO doctors and an interaction with the audience followed the meeting.

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January 2015

Saraya Bandar Jissah wins Global Award

araya Bandar Jissah emerged as the winner of three prestigious awards at the International Property Awards ceremony held recently in Dubai. Proving itself as a developer of world-class status, Saraya Bandar Jissah was crowned the ‘Best International Mixed-use Development’ in the global category as well as ‘Five Star award for New Hotel Construction and Design category’ and ‘Five Star award for Mixed-use Development category’ in Oman. A host of Arabia’s finest developers, architects, interior designers and real estate agents gathered for the glittering awards ceremony held at the Joharah Ballroom, Madinat Jumeirah Hotel in Dubai. Entries were received from companies in 12 countries across Arabia and winning entrants were presented with either a ‘Highly Commended’ or ‘5-Star’ award.

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Audi Oman announces pre-bookings for the all-new S3 BMW Group sales for 2014 in Oman

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l Jenaibi International Automobiles has achieved its best-ever annual sales result with a 38 percent increase in sales over the previous year. Oman was the second biggest growth market for BMW Group in the Middle East.

The highest number of vehicles sold in one year by any premium luxury automotive manufacturer in the Sultanate, 2014 was an important milestone for the BMW Group importer and a direct result of its ongoing commitment to the BMW and MINI brands. Al Jenaibi International Automobiles has the largest infrastructure for sales and service in Oman with plans to expand its facilities to include a best-in-class new showroom and after-sales facility for further improvements to customer service and the overall purchase experience.

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udi Oman is inviting bookings for their latest arrival, the dynamic new S3 sedan, which will be available in the Sultanate for the first time early this year. The new S3 Sedan expands upon the already sporty character of the A3 sedan, adding specific features that underscore the high-performance characteristics for which the Audi S model range is known. With a starting price of just RO 15,500, the S3 is equipped with features such as MMI navigation plus, a panoramic sunroof, parking aid front and rear with rear view camera, 3-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a Bang & Olufsen sound system and a comfort key.

Geely Emgrand sets 2014 sales record

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eely Emgrand has hit record again with sales amounting to 19,008 units, of which the domestic sales reached 17,069 units, up 34.2 percent year-on-year. As the flagship model of Geely, Emgrand enjoys the most impressive performance among indigenous cars. Its sales in the past 5 years since its launch amounted to 600,000 units, showing the vigour and competitiveness of self-owned brands. According to the statistics, the sales volume of the new Emgrand has risen to 17,952 units in September and reached 19,008 units in October from the 10,572 units in July, enjoying a monthly growth of over 30 percent. Emgrand not only remains the sales champion, but also becomes the only self-owned brand among the 10 best-sold vehicles in October. In Oman, Towell Auto Centre (TAC) is the sole distributor of Geely Emgrand range.

January 2015

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Mitsubishi’s winter bonanza offer

eneral Automotive Company, official distributor of Mitsubishi Vehicles in Oman, is giving customers an exclusive opportunity to choose from an enviable range of select Mitsubishi vehicles with special offers and cash gifts. Valid until February 27 – this offer applies to all 2014 MY Lancer Fortis, Lancer EX, ASX, Pajero, Pajero Sport and Outlander models. As part of the offer, each of these models will be available with six years unlimited mileage warranty, six years roadside assistance and free registration. Select models will also be available free insurance for one year, free 2-year/30,000km-service package and special cash gift offers of up to RO500.

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More Hyundai Accent cars added to Al Maskry rent-a-car fleet

l Maskry rent-a-car, a leading rent-a-car operator in Muscat has added more Hyundai Accent cars to their existing fleet. A key handover ceremony was held recently to mark the delivery of the new cars and Sheikh Amur Sulaiman Said Al Maskry, Managing Director of Al Maskry received the keys of the new Hyundai cars from the representatives of OTE Group, the exclusive dealer of Hyundai range of vehicles in Oman. Hyundai has a strong presence in the passenger vehicles category in Oman with its wide range of Sedans and SUVs both in various trim variants. Every Hyundai vehicle has features, which add value and keep Hyundai ahead of the competition. Undoubtedly Hyundai is fast becoming the most loved brand in Oman.

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The new Touareg arrives in Oman

olkswagen Oman, represented by Wattayah Motors, today announced the new Touareg is now available in Oman, with prices starting from RO17,999. Unveiled at the SUV world premiere in Beijing in 2014, the new Touareg, has been redesigned to offer customers new front and rear designs, new technical features and a wide range of colours and interiors. Touareg is one of the world‘s most successful premium-class SUVs. The 2015-generation can be identified by the new front and rear designs and by its new colours. In terms of technology, all V6 and V8 models now come equipped with an automatic post-collision braking system (helps prevent a secondary collision in case of an accident), bi-xenon headlights and a coasting function..

Mazda Oman

Mazda Oman, committed to supporting football, is making every effort to promote this game across all levels. One such step is to hand over Mazda2 cars to the 14 football teams that will be playing in the upcoming Mazda Professional Cup competition. The top 14 teams in the country will compete for the Mazda Professional Cup and the final match will be played on January 29th. Mazda Oman has always linked itself closely with the game and supported it across various levels. TAC is the sole distributor of Mazda range in Oman and makes owning a Mazda extra pleasant with its efficient after sales service and quick response time.

January 2015

to hand Mazda2s cars to 14 football clubs

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Movies Movies Books Book

Movie Review

Director

Paul Tibbitt

Cast Cast

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CHART TOPPERS

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Tom Tom Kenny Kenny Bill Bill Fagerbakke Fagerbakke Rodger Rodger Bumpass Bumpass Clancy Clancy Brown Brown Carolyn Carolyn Lawrence Lawrence Mr.Mr. Lawrence Lawrence Antonio Antonio Banderas Banderas

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1. Uptown Funk -Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars 2. Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

3. Blank Space - Taylor Swift 4. Take Me To Church - Hozier 5. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift

January 2015

6. Lips Are Movin - Meghan Trainor

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7. Sugar - Maroon 5 8. I’m Not The Only One - Sam Smith 9. Hold You Down - DJ Khaled 10. Elastic Heart - Sia

The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water SpongeBob goes on a quest to discover a stolen recipe that takes him to human world, where he tangles with a pirate ‘The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water’ is an animated/live action adventure comedy film, based on the Nickelodeon television series SpongeBob SquarePants created by Stephen Hillenburg. A sequel to the 2004 animated film The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, it stars the regular television cast (Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke,Rodger Bumpass, Clancy Brown, Carolyn Lawrence and Mr. Lawrence), who are returning to reprise their respective roles from the series and the previous film, with Antonio Banderas and Slash. The film revolves around Burger-Beard, a pirate in search of the final page of a magical book that makes any evil plan he writes in it come true, which, as the movie narrates, happens to be the krabby patty secret formula. When his search is completed and the formula is missing, the entire city of Bikini Bottom is in danger.

SpongeBob, Patrick, and the gang need to go on a quest that takes them to the surface. In order to get back the recipe and save their city, the gang must retrieve the book and transform themselves into superheroes.

s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget

Fifty Shades of Grey

Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Ehle, Rita Ora, Luke Grimes

When Anastasia Steele, a literature student, goes to interview the wealthy Christian Grey, as a favor to her roommate Kate Kavanagh, she encounters a brilliant and intimidating man. The innocent and naive Ana finds herself desperate to get close to him. Not able to resist Ana’s beauty and independent spirit, Christian Grey admits he wants her too, but in his own terms. Ana hesitates as she discovers the singular tastes of Christian Grey, who despite the embellishments of success, is consumed by the need to control everything.

Book Review

Leaving Time

Author: Jodi Picoult Teenager Jenna Metcalf was just three years old when her mother disappeared from an elephant sanctuary. Ten years later, she takes up the search for her mother, Alice, by studying Alice’s decade-old journals on grieving elephants. The research itself is fascinating, but Jenna cannot find her mother on her own. By enlisting the help of a formerly famous - now infamous - psychic, as well as a down-and-out private detective whose career went south during the botched investigation of Alice’s disappearance, Jenna forms a sort of new family to help her in her quest.

Seventh Son

Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Kit Harington, Alicia Vikander

John Gregory, who is a seventh son of a seventh son and also the local spook, has protected the country from witches, boggarts, ghouls and all manner of things that go bump in the night. However John is not young anymore, and has been seeking an apprentice to carry on his trade. Most have failed to survive. The last hope is a young farmer’s son named Thomas Ward. Will he survive the training to become the spook that so many others couldn’t? Should he trust the girl with pointy shoes? How can Thomas stand a chance against Mother Malkin, the most dangerous witch in the county?

Jupiter Ascending

Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne, Sean Bean, Douglas Booth

Jupiter Jones was born under a night sky, with signs predicting that she was destined for great things.

Now grown, Jupiter dreams of the stars but wakes up to the cold reality of a job cleaning toilets and an endless run of bad breaks. Only when Caine, a genetically engineered ex-military hunter, arrives on Earth to track her down does Jupiter begin to glimpse the fate that has been waiting for her all along - her genetic signature marks her as next in line for an extraordinary inheritance that could alter the balance of the cosmos.

Edge of Eternity (The Century Trilogy, Book 3)

Author: Ken Follett Ken Follett’s Century Trilogy follows the fortunes of five intertwined families - American, German, Russian, English and Welsh - as they make their way through the twentieth century. ‘Edge of Eternity’, the finale of the Century Trilogy, covers one of the most tumultuous eras of all: the 1960s through the 1980s, encompassing civil rights, assassinations, Vietnam, the Berlin Wall, the Cuban Missile Crisis, presidential impeachment, revolution - and rock and roll. The characters in the book find their lives inextricably entangled as they add their personal stories and insight to the most defining events of the 20th century.

Revival

Author: Stephen King In a small New England town, over half a century ago, a shadow falls over a small boy playing with his toy soldiers.

Jamie Morton looks up to see a striking man, the new minister. Charles Jacobs, along with his beautiful wife, will transform the local church. With Jamie, the Reverend shares a deeper bond based on a secret obsession. When tragedy strikes the Jacobs family, the preacher curses God, mocks all religious belief, and is banished from the shocked town. In his mid-thirties, Jamie meets Charles Jacobs again, with profound consequences for both men.

Their bond becomes a pact beyond even the Devil’s devising, and Jamie discovers that revival has many meanings.

January 2015

Upcoming Releases

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Web World

Chill Out

Movies Movies Books Book

Apps to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions

Whether you made a New Year’s resolution or not, check out the apps below to get into a resolution mode

Agree, keeping New Year’s resolution isn’t an easy task and most give up even before the first month of the new year winds to a close. While there is no doubt that monitoring progress towards a goal helps stay motivated, the availability of apps is bound to make it all the more easier.

If health and fitness is on your agenda, check out ‘MyFitnessPal’, which is available for free via the Web or as a free smartphone app. It is a popular diet and fitness tracker. You can also use it to monitor your fitness by entering workout details manually or using one of the compatible apps to connect to a Fitbit or other fitness tracking devices.

If you constantly find yourself multi-tasking on your smartphone and are looking to save time, download ‘Workflow’. It automates tasks across different apps, streamlining what would normally take a lot of swiping, to a few taps. Another app, ‘Hours’, will help you find out how much time you actually spend working towards your goals. When you move onto a new task, launch the app and tap the name of the project. ‘Hours’ makes it easy to find out the cumulative time you spend on each, and a timeline gives you a good sense of how you have spent your day.

And if your resolution involves reading more books or staying in touch with friends or family, check out ‘Joe’s Goals’. Decide on your goals, determine how you will reach them and then track your progress with the site’s calendar and diary tools. Also try ‘Lift’, which uses Jerry Seinfeld’s productivity secret to help you reach your goals. In this approach, you log how often you perform a key behavior, and commit yourself to stick to the routine until you reach the overall goal.

January 2015

Riddle Time

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1 2 3 4 5

Why did the boy sprinkle sugar on his pillow before he went to sleep?

Did you hear about the painter who was hospitalised?

Why did the robber take a bath?

Why did the boy tiptoe past the medicine cabinet?

What goes up when the rain comes down?

Riddle Time Answers (December 2014)

1

What did the fish say when he swam into the wall?

Answer: Dam!

2

Why don’t skeletons fight each other?

Answer: They don’t have the guts.

3 4

What streets do ghosts haunt?

Answer: Dead ends!

What did the penny say to the other penny?

Answer: We make perfect cents.

5

Why did the man with one hand cross the road?

Answer: To get to the second hand shop.

s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget 4 gadgets of 2014 Top

Gadget Notes

SmartThings Starter Kit

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his smart kit, launched sometime in September last year, is just what a gadget guru would have prescribed for a family. Be it to alert you when your kids get home from school or to brew your coffee before you wake up, this kit promises to be the invisible aide that you have always wanted. This $200 kit from SmartThings connects inanimate objects in your house to your phone. You could use it to attach sensors to your home and programme smart objects from locks to crockpots.

Jawbone UP3

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e l e a s e d sometime in N ov e m b e r 2014, it is a n advanced activity tracker, packed with state-of-the-ar t sensors that give you the full picture of your heart. It is intended to turn you into a super fit athlete or a brutally efficient cyborg, who operates by data alone. From telling you how many minutes of REM sleep you got last night or finding the difference between your heart rate while resting and during a workout to checking how hydrated you are or how many calories you burnt on your last run, Jawbone UP3 has all the right answers. The $179 wearable fits on your wrist and comes in black and silver.

HERO4 GoPro

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hen GoPro went public this year, it proved, with HERO4 GoPro, that a company that perfected the art of recording high-flying exploits could thrive. With improved resolution, upgraded audio systems, and time lapse capabilities for ultra low-light scenes at night, the HERO4 promises to make videos from the extreme (base jumping, surfing) to the pleasantly mundane (what the world looks like to your dog) even better. It is available in silver and black editions at $399 and $499, respectively.

DJI Phantom Vision+

Launched early last year, this DJI quadcopter retains the simple style that has made their drones so popular, but adds 4K video capability — and the ability to transmit the HD video wirelessly to an on-the-ground device. A new ground-facing camera also allows Inspire 1 to fly steadily to keep the video footage clean. The DJI Phantom 2 Vision+ pushes the video boundaries. Priced at about $1,200, the device is expensive, but it is known for its exceptional flight capabilities and powerful camera.

FUN

Bites

a fish and chip shop!

The game warden told him that this was illegal.

The man took out another stick of dynamite and lit it.

He then handed it to the game warden and said ‘are you going to fish or talk?’

Doctor, doctor…

Doctor, Doctor, I swallowed a bone.

Are you choking?

No, I really did!

Doctor, Doctor I think I need glasses.

You certainly do, Sir, this is

Doctor, Doctor my son has swallowed my pen, what should I do?

Use a pencil till I get there.

Doctor, Doctor I think I’m a bell?

Take these and if it doesn’t help, give me a ring!

Doctor, Doctor I think I’m suffering from Deja Vu! …..Didn’t I see you yesterday?

Doctor, Doctor I’ve got wind! Can you give me something?

Yes - here’s a kite!

Doctor, how do I stop my nose from running?

Stick your foot out and trip it up!

January 2015

Fishing

No one in this town could catch any fish except this one man.

The game warden asked him how he did it and the man decided to take the warden fishing the next day...

Once they got to the middle of the lake the man took out a stick of dynamite, lit it, and threw it in the water. After the explosion the fish started floating to the top of the water.

The man took out a net and started picking up the fish.

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February 2015

FUTURESCOPE Aries

your own health as well. You often forget to look after your own health, but if you don’t pay attention to your own health, you cannot help others.

February 2015 may not be an easy month for you. There seems to be some family problems on the horizon. Aries loves his/ her family, but sometimes Aries can be a bit too head strong, and act more like a bull in a china shop if there is a problem. You really need to try to control your temper during February. You might suffer from stress a little bit this month, so you need to try to focus on your health. Love will not feature greatly during the month of February.

Taurus

Don’t be surprised if February brings you a fair share of health problems. You may feel tired, but will not be in a state of mind to rest. Be a little bit careful at work. Make sure your colleagues at work are not using you to further their own career. If you are a married Taurus, or in a long-term relationship, you might have to deal with some tensions. Your partner will seem anxious, and you need to take some time out to deal with what is bothering him/her.

Gemini

You are in for a lot of pleasant surprises and opportunities during February. You should try to make the most of them and capitalise on them for the future. Be prepared to work a bit harder to achieve some of the opportunities presented to you. If you are interested in making plans for the future, now is a good time to do so. You need to make some serious changes to your lifestyle and start to feel healthier.

Cancer

January 2015

Expect work to dominate your life this month. This applies to all people born under this sign. Even if you are not in employment, there will be numerous tasks for you to complete. There is a strong focus on home, so it could mean that you have home repairs piling up and other matters associated to the home, which you need to deal with. If you are working, or have your own business, you need to be prepared to spend many hours at work. If you are married you need to get your family onboard.

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Leo

When it comes to work, there could be a good chance of promotion for you, or some kind of recognition. Don’t let it go to your head; you like to be the leader but sometimes it is better to lead from the side lines until a really good opportunity arises.

Love will be a very important factor in your

Movies Movies Books Book

Virgo

Ed Sheeran February 17, 1991

Edward Christopher ‘Ed’ Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter. Born in Hebden Bridge and raised in Framlingham, Suffolk, he moved to London in 2008 to pursue a musical career. In early 2011, Sheeran released an independent extended play, ‘No. 5 Collaborations Project’, which caught the attention of both Elton John and Jamie Foxx. His debut album, +, containing the singles ‘The A Team’ and ‘Lego House’, was certified quintuple platinum in the UK. In 2012, he won two Brit Awards for Best British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act. ‘The A Team’ won the Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. In 2014 he was nominated for Best New Artist at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.

AQUARIUS

(January 22 to February 19)

Something is bothering you and you might start the month of February feeling a bit lonely. You will crave for extra attention and companionship, but will also have some feelings of insecurity. Get a hold on yourself; take a good look at yourself and retrospect. Perhaps the limelight is already strongly focused on you, and you need to perhaps spend more time thinking about others. Also watch your language during February. There could be some problems with how you approach others at work or in your business, and you really need to be aware of this. life during February. You may even meet someone really special, but Leos do have a tendency to overwhelm their love interests.

Your health is good but don’t push yourself too much.

Pisces

You do have a tendency to want to help and look after others. This is not a bad thing but sometimes you overdo it. During February someone close to you will be experiencing some health problems and, while you want to help, you need to make sure you look after

You will more than likely find that February will be one of the busiest months during 2015, and you may even feel like your feet don’t touch the ground.

There will be a lot of career opportunities for you, and you may even find that you will start climbing up the career once again after a bit of a quiet time.

If you are a business owner, work will be flowing in during this month. Take advantage of all the new contacts you will make during this month as they can help to support your business in the future.

Libra

During February you can expect to be in great demand at work, and you may find everybody would like your help. That is absolutely fine, but make sure you get something out of it as well. At the end of the day you would like acknowledgement for your achievements. Compensation can come to you in monetary terms, or in the way of a promotion with a better salary packaged attached. At home you will feel like redecorating.

Sagittarius

You often expect people to do as you tell them, but this needs to change during February. For once, you need to listen and adjust not only to people but to your surroundings as well. You are not always aware what is going on in your surroundings, but now might be a good idea to change your attitude and become more aware. You need to keep an eye on for new property projects near-by, and consider how they can influence the value of your property in years to come.

Scorpio

You are preoccupied with work. This has been going on for a long time, many years actually, and you don’t seem to be able to get yourself out of this lifestyle. The only problem is that your home life may suffer from your work rate, and you really do need to stop neglecting your family. Try to have some time off from work, and spend time with your family. You do need to watch your health as well. It would be a good idea to keep an eye on your diet

Capricorn

You may feel a bit stressed, and perhaps even anxious during February. Things at work seem to be getting on your nerves, and you are bringing your problems home with you. This is not a good thing, and you need to be aware. The best way forward will be to speak up for yourself, and tell people how you feel about things. If you are a married Capricorn, your family will need some attention as well. Your diet needs to see some drastic changes.

s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget

Obsessed with ‘My Little Pony’

Meet Rob Harrison, a grown man so obsessed with My Little Pony that he has spent thousands feeding his unusual passion. Rob, an IT consultant, is part of a legion of male fans around the world in love with the animation - a group so large they even have their own nickname ‘bronies’. He loves watching characters such as Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy and Applejack cantering across his screen every week. The main attraction in his living room includes memorabilia such as soft toys, full-sized costumes that he wears to conventions and card games.

Human Ken Doll wants to become ‘100 percent plastic’ Justin Jedlica, the self-styled ‘Human Ken Doll’, who has had more than 190 cosmetic procedures in his Quixotic quest to become ‘100 percent plastic’, says he risked going blind during a recent surgery. The goal of the extreme operation was to get rid of veins in his forehead. Jedlica, who claims to have spent more than $220,000 on plastic surgery, also had implants sown into his back during his recent operation. He says he’s looking to get quadriceps and calf muscle implants within the next few years, too.

Fleeing suspect drives straight into prison parking lot

Police in Ohio got more than what they wanted when a Michigan man drove away from a traffic stop, smashed through a gate and landed right in a prison parking lot. Jason Davis of Monroe, Michigan, was arrested after he drove around the outside of the Toledo Correctional Institution and then back into parking lot. Court records show that the charges against him include vandalism of government property, drug possession and failing to use his turn signal.

Was the loose pet alligator eating neighbourhood cats?

An 8-foot alligator was found next to the carcasses of two cats in the backyard of a suburban Los Angeles home where the reptile had been living illegally since the 1970s. Animal control officers armed with a search warrant discovered the alligator, estimated to be about 40 years old, in a closed box with the cat remains at the home in Van Nuys, Los Angeles Animal Services Commander Mark Salazar said. Salazar said Animal Services was conducting a full criminal investigation and called on any residents in the area who have lost small pets at ‘any time over the last 40 years’ to contact the department. Keeping wild animals without a permit is illegal in Los Angeles.

Facts about restaurants & eating out l The practice of dining in is thought to have formally begun in 16th-century England, in monasteries and universities. l According to some records, militaries held formal dinners as far back as the Roman Legions. l The Vikings held formal ceremonies to honour and celebrate battles and heroes. l During the 18th century, the British Army incorporated the practice of formal dining into their regimental mess system; the mess night or ‘Dining in’ became a tradition in all British regiments. l Americans held mess nights in the 18th and 19th century, but the tradition waned after the Civil War. l During World War II, the custom was revived in the U.S. military, initially in the US Army Air Forces 8th Air Force, which was based in Britain. l The concept of selling food for profit goes back to ancient civilizations, including ancient Rome and China, where street vendors sold bread to people in cities. l It was the French Revolution that led to the invention of fine dining. Chefs employed by the by noble households, found themselves out of a job after the death of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette and decided to open up their own establishments and offer prix fixe meals to the masses. l The world’s oldest restaurant is in Spain.

Botin Restaurant in Madrid, Spain is the world’s oldest operating restaurant, which has been in business since 1725.

However, there are other restaurants that claim to be older than Botin, including Stiftskeller St. Peter in Salzburg, Austria, open since 803, and Zum Franziskaner in Stockholm, Sweden, open since 1421.

January 2015

Weird News

69

Airlines

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Emergency

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Airlines Emergency Cinema

January 2015

Beauty

70

Airlines Flight information ....................... 24519456 Aeroflot ....................................... 24704455 Ahlan Lounge ............................. 24519088 Air Arabia ................................... 24700828 Air France ................................... 24562153 Air India...................................... 24762111 Air Maldives ............................... 24566046 Air New Zealand ......................... 24700326 Bangladesh Airlines.................... 24701128 British Airways............................ 24568777 Cathay Pacific ............................. 24789818 Continental Airlines.................... 24816565 Egypt Air .................................... 24794113 Emirates Airlines ........................ 24404444 Ethiopia Airlines ......................... 24660314 Gulf Air .......................24703222, 80072424 Iran Aseman ............................... 24660313 Japan Airlines ............................. 24704455 Jet Airways ..................24787248/24787246 Kenya Airways ............................ 24660317 KLM Royal Dutch Airlines ........... 24566737 Kuwait Airways ........................... 24701262 Lufthansa..................................... 24796692 Malaysian Airlines ...................... 24560796 Middle East Airlines ................... 24796680 Oman Air .................................... 24531111 Pakistan International Airlines................... .................................................... 24792471 Qatar Airways ............................ 24771900 Qantas ........................................ 24559941 Royal Jordanian ........................... 24796693 Saudi Arabian Airlines ................ 24789485 Shaheen Air International ........... 24817021 Singapore Airlines ...................... 24791233 Sri Lankan Airlines ..................... 24784545 Swiss International Air Lines ...... 24796692 Syrian Airlines ............................ 24797567 Thai Airways ............................... 24705934 Turkish Airways ................ 24703033/ 2778

Emergency Hospitals

Al Nahdha Hospital ..................... 24837800 Khoula Hospital........................... 24560455 Muscat Private Hospital .............. 24583600 Royal Hospital ............................. 24599000 Al Raffah Hospital .................. 98294371/70 KIMS Oman Hospital ................... 24760100

Electricity

Muscat / Muttrah ........................ 24714300 Ruwi ............................................ 24701821 Salalah ........................................ 23219188

Water

General Enquiries ..............................1442 Muttrah ...................................... 24795775 Salalah ....................................... 23290222

Cinema

City Cinema Ruwi ................. 2456 7664/68 City Cinema Al Shatti ........... 2456 7664/68 City Cinema MGM................ 2456 7664/68 City Cinema Sohar ............... 2456 7664/68 Star Cinema ................................ 24791641 Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540855 VOX Cinemas - MCC...................22344444

Cinema Beauty Health Clubs Hotel & Hotel Apartments Retail Sports Travel & Tour Operators Eat Out

Beauty Al Lilac Beauty Center ................ 24483994 Al Nahda Resort and Spa, Barka ................

26883710 Ayana Spa ................................... 24693435 Beauty Centre ............................. 24697585 Beauty Today .............................. 24568991 Chi Spa, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa ....................................... 24776666 Daksha’s Salon ............................ 24562596 Emirates Medical Center............ 24604540 Essence Spa................................ 24603225 Europe Beauty Centre & Health .................

Club, CBD ................................... 24797813 Europe Beauty Centre & Spa ....................

Wadi Kabir.................................. 24815805 Grand Spa................................... 24695766 Grand Spa (Bareeq Al Shatti)..................... .................................................. 95588880 Hana’s Slimming & Skincare ....... 24697270 Holistic Skin & Hair Care ............ 24601134 Hollywood Beauty Centre ........... 24568292 Kaya Skin Clinic ................ 24601700/4300 Kottakal Arya Vaidya Sala ........... 24701555 Manal Beautician ........................ 24479655 Muscat Beauty Salon ................... 24562541 Muscat Slimming Centre ............ 24565687 Nadia Beauty Salon ..................... 24689777 Nails Spa ..................................... 24699440 Raz Hair and Beauty Salon .......... 24692219 Saharz Beauty Centre ................................ ................................24695151 / 24696161 Signature .................................... 24490282 Sri Sri Ayurveda Clinic .............................. ..................................24480874, 92800793 The Chedi, The Spa .................... 24524400 Tips & Toes Nails Spa.................. 24603969 The Spa Bar for Men ................... 24698681 Touch & Glow Beauty.................. 24791979 VLCC .......................................... 24695157 Perry's Saloon ............................. 24538539

Airlines Emergency Cinema Beauty Health Clubs Hotel & Hotel Apartments Retail Sports Travel & Tour Operators Eat Out

Oman on your fingertips

Health Clubs

Muscat Region

Al Bustan Palace Hotel ................ 24799666 Al Bahjah Hotel ........................... 24424400 Al-Khuwayr Hotel Apts ............... 24478171 Al Madina Holiday Inn ................ 24596400 Al Fanar Hotel ............................. 24712385 Al Falaj Hotel .............................. 24702311 Azaiba Hotel Apartments........................... ................................24490979 / 99424470 Beach Hotel ................................ 24696601 Bowshar Hotel............................. 24491105 Coral Hotel Muscat ..................... 24692121 Crowne Plaza Muscat.................. 24660660 Golden Tulip Seeb...................... 24510300 Grand Hyatt Muscat .................... 24641234 Haffa House Hotel ....................... 24707207 Holiday Inn Muscat ..................... 24487123 InterContinental Muscat ............. 24680000 Best Western Hotel ..................... 24692121 Majan Continental Hotel ............. 24592900 Marina Hotel ............................... 24711711 Mina Hotel .................................. 24711828 Muttrah Hotel .............................. 24798401 Nuzha Hotel Apts ........................ 24789199 Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240 Park Inn ...................................... 24507888 Qurm Beach House Hotel ........... 24564070 Radisson Blu Hotel Muscat.......... 24487777 Ramada Qurm Beach .................. 24603555 Ramee Guestline Hotel ............... 24564443 Ramee Dream Resort .................. 24453399 Ruwi Hotel .................................. 24704244 Safeer Hotel Suites...................... 24691200 Qurum Beach Resort Hotel ......... 24605945 Shangri La’s Barr Al JissahResort and Spa .....................24776666, 800708102 The Chedi Muscat....................... 24524400

Al Dhakliya

Nizwa Hotel................................. 25431616 Al Jabal Al Akhdar Hotel............. 25410500 Adam Motel ................................ 25434975 Al Diyar Hotel ............................. 25412402 Bader Aslam Motel ..................... 25435007 Bahla Hotel ................................. 25420211 Matan Motel ................................ 99062641 Majan Guest House..................... 25431910 Tanoof Guest House.................... 25411601

Al Batinah

Al Nahda Resort & Spa .............................. ............................... 26883710/ 992RELAX Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545 Sohar Beach Hotel ...................... 26841111 Al Wadi Hotel .............................. 26840058 Al Suwaiq Hotel .......................... 26862241 Green Oasis Motel ...................... 26846442 Ghurnata Hotel Apartments........ 26844539

Al Sharqiya

Al Ashkara .................................. 25566266 Al Qabil Resthouse ..................... 25581243 Al Raha Tourism Camp ............... 99343851 Al Sharqiya Gardens................... 99332264 Al Sharqiya Sands Hotel ............. 99205112 Al Wasil Camp ............................ 99332264 Desert Safaris ............................. 25593232 Golden Sands Camp................... 99445092 Ibra Hotel.................................... 25571873 Mahoot Hotel .............................. 25504401 Marsa Sur Hotel Apartments....... 25540784 Masirah Motel ............................. 25504401 Ras Al Hadd Beach Hotel ........... 25542031

Musandam

Millennium Resort ...................... 26871555 Khasab Hotel .............................. 26730267 Qada Hotel ................................. 26731664 Isra Hotel Apartments................. 26730562

Al Wusta

Ghaftain Rest House ................... 99485881 Ghaba Rest House ...................... 99358639 Haima Motel ............................... 23436061 Qatbit Motel................................ 99085686

Dhofar

Hilton Hotel Salalah .................... 23211234 Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah ...... 23235333 Haffa House Hotel Salalah........... 23295444 Al Hanna Hotel............................ 23290274 Al Jabal Hotel .............................. 23210611 Al Mazyuna Hotel........................ 23293340 Al Nassr Hotel ............................. 23294815 Al Saada Tourism Complex ........ 23225250 Bamasir Hotel ............................. 23293340 Darbat Hotel ............................... 23295877 Dhofar Tourist Hotel.................... 23282300 Redan Hotel ................................ 23292255 Salalah Beach Hotel Apts ............ 23235999 Salalah Hotel ............................... 23295332 Samahram Hotel Apts ................. 23295444 Thumrit Tourist Hotel .................. 23279371

Al Dhahira

Al Buraimi Hotel.......................... 25652010 Abha Hotel.................................. 25654700 Al Aeilat Hotel Apts .................... 25654330 Al Baraka Oasis Hotel Apts ......... 25650955 Al Dhahira Hotel ......................... 25650492 Al Masah Hotel ........................... 25653007 Al Raha Hotel Apts ...................... 24701898 Al Sharq House Hotel Apts ......... 24702399 Hamasa Hotel.............................. 25651200 Ibri Oasis Hotel........................... 25489955 Nafahat Al Burami Hotel Flats ..... 25654777

SEARCHING

Hotel & Hotel Apartments

2

Health Clubs Hotel & Hotel Apartments

January 2015

Your Fitness Quotient....

Al Falaj Health Club ........................24702311 Al Majan Hotel ................................24592900 Al Qurum Resort .............................24605945 Adam’s Fitness Center ....................24684989 Balance Health & Fitness ...............24564132 Bodylines, Al Sawadi ......................26795545 Body Speak ......................................24765578 Crowne Plaza...................................24660660 Fitbody Gym....................................24601970 Fontana Club Radisson Blu ...........24487777 Future Health Club .........................24600030 Grand Hyatt Club Olympus ...........24641234 Golden Tulip ....................................24510300 Hammer Gym .................................24483399 Horizon Fitness Center ..................24571337 InterContinental Muscat ...............24680000 Muscat Holiday Inn ........................24487123 Samaa Health Club .........................24694892 Qurum Beach Resort Hotel ...........24605945 Crowne Plaza Salalah .....................23235333 Hilton Salalah ..................................23211234 Sohar Beach Resort.........................26841111 Sky Club, Park Inn ..........................24507888

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Sports Basketball

Oman Basketball Association .... 24796780

Boating

SEARCHING

3

Retail

January 2015

Sports

72

Retail Al Araimi Complex ..................... 24566180 Al Khamis Plaza .......................... 24562791 Al Harthy Complex ..................... 24564481 Al Wadi Commercial Centre ...................... .................................................. 24564782 Alasfoor Plaza ............................. 24564686 Capital Commercial Complex (CCC) ...... .................................................. 24567338 Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex ....... 24692113 Khimji Megastore........................ 24708075 Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540222 Sabco Center .............................. 24562761

Capital are Yacht club ................. 24737712 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Grand Hyatt Boat House ............. 24641234 Gulf Leisure ................................ 99819005 Marina Bander Al Rowdha .......... 24737288 Ocean Boats Diving and Sea Tours ............ .................................................. 92645889 Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107

Bowling

Al Masa Bowling ......................... 24693991 Oman Bowling Centre ................ 24480747 Seeb Novotel .............................. 24510300

Classes

Al Falaj Hotel (Martial Arts, Tennis, ...........

Swimming).................................. 24702311 Grand Hyatt Muscat (Aerobics, Ballet, Salsa, Yoga for women) ............... 24641234 InterContinental Muscat (Fitness workouts, Aqua Aerobics, Spin, Pilates+) ... 24680000

Cricket

Oman Cricket Club .................... 24703142

Cycling

Muscat Cycling ........................... 98453580

Diving & Snorkeling

Al Khuwair ..................96473101, 24601569 Fahad Plaza, Ruwi ....................... 96725845 Muscat City Centre .................................... ..................................96473113, 24558063 Sohar .......................................... 95119656 Salalah ........................................ 23289260

Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545 Blu Zone Watersports.................. 24737293 Desert Adventures ...................... 95201107 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Dimaniyat Diving ........................ 24795545 Global Scuba .............................. 99317518 Gulf Leisure ................................ 24693561 Musandam Extra Divers.............. 99877957 Muscat Divers ............................. 99355671 Muscat Diving and Adventure Cente......... .................................................. 24485663 Ocean Boats Diving and Sea Tours ........... .................................................. 92645889 Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240 Sub Aqua Dive Centre Salalah .... 92471073

Muscat City Centre

Golf

Centrepoint

Muscat City Centre (Mall) .......... 24558888 Bata (Footwear) ........................... 24558855 Emax (Electronics) ..................... 24558062 Home Centre .............................. 24558063 Max (Fashion) ........................ 24558981/82 Origem (Fashion)........................ 92648542 Oysho (Fashion).......................... 24558865 Rado (Watches) ........... 9776492, 92247101 Salsa (Fashion) ............................ 24558631 Sunglass Hut ............................... 24558869 Zara (Fashion) ............................. 24558887 Zara Home .................................. 24558869

Muscat Grand Mall

Muscat Grand Mall ..................... 22000000

Almouj Golf Club........................ 22005990 Ghala Valley Golf Club ............... 24591248 Muscat Hills Golf Club ................ 24510065

Hiking

Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Muscat Diving and Adventure Center .......

24485663 Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107

Horse Riding

Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545 Al Sawahil Horse Riding ............. 95177557 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Qurum Equestrian School........... 99832199

Ice Sports

Ice Skating Centre ...................... 24489492

Jet Skiing

Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545

Kayaking

Al Sawadi Beach Resort .............. 26795545 Muscat Diving and Adventure Center ...... .................................................. 24485663 Rob Gardner ............................... 99239658 Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240

Motor Sports

Bikers Oman ............................... 99556430 Harley Davidson Owners Group ............... .................................................. 99310853 Oman Automobile Association ................. .................................................. 24510239

Rock Climbing

Muscat Diving and Adventure Center ........................................ 24485663 Rob Gardner ............................... 99239658

Rugby

Muscat Rugby Club .................... 24604890

Running

Muscat Road Runners ................. 24692903

Sailing

Castaways Sailing Club ............. 24594613 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153

Sport Fishing

Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Grand Hyatt Boathouse ............... 24641234 Gulf Leisure ................................ 99819006 Muscat Diving and Adventure Center ...... .................................................. 24485663 Oman Dive Center...................... 24824240 Marina Bandar Al Rowdha .......... 24737288 Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107 Water World Marine ................... 24737438

Squash

Al Falaj Hotel .............................. 24702311 Al Sawadi .................................... 26795545 Crowne Plaza Muscat.................. 24660660 Grand Hyatt Muscat .................... 24641234

Tennis

Oman Tennis Association ........... 24751902

Khasab Travel and Tours............................

26730464 Kurban Tours & Travel ................ 24699886 Mark Tours .................................. 24782727 Marmul Travel and Tours ............ 24482868 Majan Travel ............................... 24785728 Mezoon Travel ............................ 24796680 Midland Tourism......................... 24566524 Moon Travels ............................. 24793551 Nahar Tourism Oasis .................. 99387654 National Travels & Tourism (NTT) ..............

24660376 Nomad Tours .............................. 95495240 Nomadic Adventures and Tours.................

99336273 NTT Tours............................... 24660378/70 OTTB ........................................... 24789845 Oasis Tours .................24499922, 99440441 Oman Geo Tours......................... 24600914 Oman Discovery ......................... 24706424 Oman National Transport ........... 24490046 Oman World Tourism .................. 99252680 Orient Holidays .......................... 24478902 OUA Travel ................................. 24559900 Premier Tours ............................. 99222620 Rawabi Desert Adventures ......... 95201107 Remal Al Sharqiya Tourism......... 24544525 Rusayl Travel .............................. 24510012 Salalah City Services .................. 23299663 Salalah Tourism........................... 23292289 Sama Al Wasil Tourism Village...................

99604004 Shanfari Travel and Tours ........... 27602710 Sumahram Falcon ....................... 95774166 Sun and Sand Tours .................... 99373928 Sunny Day Tours, Travel & Adventure ........

24490055 Steps Travel and Tourism............ 24488891 Tour Oman .................................. 24799966 United Tours ............................... 24787448 Zahara Tours ............................... 24400844

4 SEARCHING

ABC Tourism ............................. 244582663 Adonis Oman Travel & Tours 24693371 Advantage Travel & Tours ........... 95220095 Airborne Travels......................... 24479295 Al Azure Tours .......................... 244565745 Amazing Arabia ..........24701454/99310005 Al Ahlam Tours ......................... 244892612 Al Areesh Wahiba Camp ............ 99317107 Al Daleel Tours ........................... 23296503 Al Ghadeer ................................. 99325441 Al Ghubayra ............................... 24812874 Al Haditha ................................... 24603587 Al Hashar Tourism & Travels ....... 24836100 Al Hasn Araimi Travel ................. 24799966 Al Maskry Tourism & Travels ...... 24595241 Al Naheem .................................. 24478192 Al Noor ....................................... 99318822 Al-Qandeel Travel & Tourism ..... 24643877 Al Raha Tourism Camp ............... 99343851 Al Sawson ................................... 24485637 Arabian Sands Tour Services ...... 24785027 Arabian Sea Safaris..................... 24693223 Arabian Trails ............................. 24475437 Arise Travel and Tour ................. 24605825 AST Tours ....................24571311, 23298085 Bahwan Travel Agencies............. 24797405 Choice Holidays ......................24660364/7 Desert Discovery ........................ 24493232 Desert Thunder........................... 95555153 Eihab Travels .............................. 24683900 Elite Travel & Tourism................. 24485020 Empty Quarter Tours .................. 99387654 Ena Tourism ................................ 23298500 Global Tours ............................... 24484156 Golden Oryx Tours ..................... 24489853 Gulf Leisure ................................ 24693561 Gulf Ventures .............................. 24559985 Kanoo Travel ............................... 24700249

Travel & Tour Operators

December January 2014 2015

Travel & Tour Operators

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SEARCHING

5

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

Arabian Al Deyar ...........................................24603553 Next to Shatti Plaza

Kababji ............................................24488846 Al Khuwair

Al Khanjar ........................................24795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

Kargeen Café AL Harthy Complex ........................24560531 Centrepoint .................................... 24694048 MQ Complex ...................................24692269

Al Istanbuli ......................................24480900 Next to Rawasco, Al Khuwair Al Reef Al Lebnani ..........................24485775 Al Khuwair, Opp Safeer Bld Al Tanoor .........................................24776540 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Al Zafran ..........................................26841111 Sohar Beach Hotel Arab World Al Ghubrah ......................................24491734 Ruwi High St. ...................................24798119 Automatic Al Khuwair .......................................24487200 Azaiba...............................................24499981 Bareeq Al Shatti...............................24605735 Qurum..............................................24561500 Seeb ..................................................24424343 Beirut Restaurant ............................24568411 Near Qurum Roundabout Bin Ateeq Al Khuwair .......................................24478225 CBD ..................................................24702727

December January 2014 2015

Camilia Restaurant and Cafe.........24706663 CBD

74

Irani House ......................................24698098 Al Khoud ..........................................24545741 Azaiba ..............................................24491921 Jabal Lebnan....................................24698098 Al Noor Plaza, Madinat Al Sultan Qaboos Al Jood Restaurant .........................24472630 Al Khuwair

Samar .............................................992RELAX Al Nahda Resort & Spa Samat (Iranian food) MQ.....................................................99 889394 Qurum................................................24605515 Shahrazad ........................................24776565 Al Husn Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Shiraz................................................24660660 Crowne Plaza Hotel Tarboosh Opp Sabco Centre...........................24565673 Al Ghubrah ......................................24498553 The Arabian Courtyard .................24524400 The Chedi Muscat The Khanjar Omani Cuisine ..........24795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort Turkish House .................................24488071 Al Khuwair Ubhar ...............................................24565689 Bareeq Al Shatti Wadi Hadramout Restaurant Al Khuwair ......................................24475282

Al Ahli Cafe ................................ 24424400 Al Bahjah Hotel Al Falaj Coffee Shop ................... 24702311 Al Falaj Hotel Al Fursan ................................... 24603555 Ramada Beach Hotel Al Maha ...................................... 24487123 Muscat Holiday Inn Al Makan Café Muscat City Centre ..................... 24545311 Shatti Al Qurum .......................... 24404200 Al Mas......................................... 24491105 Bowsher Hotel Deluxe Atrium Tea Lounge ..................... 24764000 Al Bustan Palace Barista ......................................... 24571531 Sabco Centre Cafe Barbera .............................. 24603505 Near Shatti Cinema, Shatti Al Qurum Café Capuccino .......................... 24564443 Ramee Guestline Hotel Café Ceramique ......................... 24566617 Al Araimi Complex, Qurum

Caribou Coffee........................... 24694473 Bareeq Al Shatti

Mood Café Madinat Plaza ............................. 92125639 Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24538752

Casa de Cafe .............................. 24499565 Midan Hotel Suites

Patisserie .................................... 24479344 Risail Complex, Seeb

Colombian Aroma Cafe .............. 24693131 Bareeq Al Shatti

Petit Café .................................... 24603555 Ramada Beach Hotel

Coffee Republic........................ 244703739 Qurum City Centre

Pink Berry................................... 24558113 Muscat City Centre

Costa Coffee Seeb Intnl Airport ....................... 24519734 MQ .............................................. 24692858 Muscat City Center..................... 24535895 Oasis by the Sea ......................... 24605574 Alasfoor Plaza ............................. 24571236 Lulu Bowsher .............................. 24503861 Bareeq Al Shatti .......................... 24692699 MBD ............................................ 24793169

Pooldeck ..................................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

Chado Tea Lounge..................... 24500773 Oasis By The Sea D’Arcy’s Kitchen Jawaharat A Shatti ....................... 24600234 MQ .............................................. 24699119 Glacier Café Markaz Al Bahja ......................... 24540200 Zakher Mall ................................ 24540391

Café de Lotus.............................. 24560439 Al Khamis Plaza

Gloria Jean's Coffees .................. 24662940 Fun Zone, Qurum, MGM........................................... 22009295

Café G Patisserie ........................ 99531999 Madinat as Sultan Qaboos

Golden Bean Café ..................... 96969645 Al Araimi Complex, Qurum

Café Samaharam......................... 24707207 Haffa House Hotel

Grind Floor ................................. 24487777 Radisson Blu

Café Torque ................................ 24500773 Azaiba

Le Mermaid Café ........................ 24602327 Near Grand Hyatt Muscat

Café Unique................................ 96684686 Ruwi

Majlis al Shams ........................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat Mokha Cafe ................................ 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Richoux cafe .............................. 22005165 Opera Galleria Ground Floor Rumours Cafe ............................. 24692121 Coral Hotel Muscat Second Cup CCC, Qurm ................................. 24566616 Shatti Al-Qurum .......................... 24699951 Bareeq Al Shatti .......................... 24697776 Sirj Tea Lounge ........................... 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat Shalashil Café ............................ 24498008 Star Hotel Apartments, Ghubra Starbucks Ernst and Young bldg ................. 24567644 Jawaharat A’Shatti ....................... 24601457 Muscat City Centre ..................... 24558861 MQ .............................................. 24699367 Borders, Muscat City Centre....... 24558636 Qurum City Centre ..................... 24470588 Surf Cafe ..................................... 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Sidewalk Cafe and Deli .............. 24563058 CCC, Qurm

6 SEARCHING

Cafe’s

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

January 2015

Café Vergnano 1882.................... 24692370 Madinat as Sultan Qaboos

Mokha Cafe ................................ 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

75

Far Eastern Bamboo Kitchen ......................... 96969645 Al Araimi Complex, Qurum China Mood ................................ 24764000 Al Bustan Palace InterContinental - Muscat China Town ................................. 24567974 CCC, Qurm, MBD Chinese Durbar .......................... 24486688 Al Khuwair

7

Chinese Garden ......................... 24489414 Al Khuwair, Near Ice Skating Rink Chinese Palace ........................... 99563368 Al Wadi Commercial Centre

SEARCHING

Pal Meera.................................... 24692368 Shatti Al Qurum

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

Golden Dragon ........................... 24697374 Madinat As Sultan Qaboos Golden Oryx .............................. 24702266 Rex Road Jade Garden................................ 24605945 Al Qurm Resort

January 2015

Chicking Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540200 Muscat City Centre ..................... 24489575 Cold Stone Creamery ................................

24470614, 95202436 Qurum City Centre Coral Express ............................. 24540200 Markaz Al Bahja Dairy Queen Jawaharat A’Shatti ....................... 24693031 Lulu, Ghubrah ............................. 24504504 Seeb Intnl Airport ....................... 24519468 DQ Grill & Chill .......................... 24693031 Jawaharat A’Shatti

Lai Thai ....................................... 98025189 Al Khuwair

Domino’s Pizza ............................ 24479111 Al Khuwair

Magic Wok Muscat City Centre ..................... 24537118 Qurum City Centre ..................... 24470596 Mamasan .................................... 24210452

Dunkin’ Donuts Ghala .......................................... 96177967 MQ .............................................. 96177967 Shatti Cinema ............................. 96177967

Marjan Rest. and Pool Bar ........... 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Gourmet Burger Kitchen............. 24558065 Muscat City Centre

Meji’s Aroy Thai .......................... 99839595 Shatti Al Qurum Narjeel ........................................ 24560606 Asas Oman Hotel Apartments Palayok ....................................... 24797290 Ruwi High Street, opp. OC Centre Al Khuwair Shang Thai ................................. 24483083 Al Khuwair slip road Silk Route Chinese & Thai........... 24696967 Al Noor Plaza, Madinat As Sultan Qaboos Royal China ............................... 24571339 Shatti Al Qurum Hot Pot & Grills ........................... 24404291 Bareeq Al Shatti Thai Basil .................................... 24499565 Midan Hotel Suites, Ghubrah

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Fast Food

The Noodle House ...................... 24558377 Muscat City Centre Tokyo Taro .................................. 24702311 Al Falaj Hotel Wasabi Sushi............................... 24699490 Bareeq Al Shatti

Il Gelato Di Bruno ....................... 95275987 Oasis By the Sea Hardees ...................................... 24477774 Al Khuwair, Wattyah, Al Khoud, City Centre One number for all the four stores Hot and Crispy ........................... 24699524 Al Masa Mall, Sarooj Just Falafel................................... 22009922 Muscat Grand Mall KFC ............................................. 24477777 One number for all the 21 stores Ruwi, Qurum, Al Khuwair, MCC, QCC, Lulu Ghubra and Darsait, Near Airport, Azaiba Roundabout

McDonald’s Al Khuwair .................................. 24482046 As Sarooj..................................24691033/4 Muscat City Center..................... 24545773 Book Roundabout ....................... 24421119 Qurm Behind CCC ..................... 24565798 Papa John’s Pizza Lulu, Ghubrah ............................. 24501111 MQ .............................................. 24697220 Qurum ........................................ 24571100 Muscat Intl Airport...................... 24519468 Ruwi ............................................ 24793153 Al Khoudh ................................... 24546516 Penguin Ghubrah ..................................... 24493963 Seeb............................................ 24422004 Sultan Qaboos University ........... 24413144 Pizza Inn Ruwi ............................................ 24784555 Al Araimi Compex, Qurum ......... 24566661 Pizza Muscat Al Khuwair .................................. 24483393 Al Harthy Complex ..................... 24565618 MBD ............................................ 24817715 Pizza Hut ..................................... 24822500 Wadi Kabir, MBD, Rex Road, Qurum, CCC, QCC, MSQ, Al Khuwair, Ghala, Bowsher, Ghoubra, Airport, Al Khoud, Mawallah, Mabella, Barka Subway Oman Oil, Qurum Jabal .............. 24666704 Al Khuwair .................................. 24593963 Al Masa Mall ............................... 24604664 CCC............................................ 24560327 MQ .............................................. 24694774 Muscat City Centre ..................... 24558080 Wally’s Markaz Al Bahja .......................... 24540200 Al Masa Mall ............................... 24543154 Al Khuwair .................................. 24502929

Indian

Lazeez ........................................992RELAX Al Nahda Resort & Spa

Aaryans ..................................... 24702311 Al Falaj Hotel

It’s Mirchi ................................... 24564443 Ramee Guestline Hotel

Ananthapuri .............................. 24706226 Opp. Muscat Municipality, Darsait

Mumtaz Mahal ............................ 24605907 Qurum

Annapoorna ............................... 24810396 MBD

Mughlai Zaika ............................. 24568200 Wattayah

Biryani House ............................. 24488478 Al Khuwayr

Omar Al Khayyam Restaurant ....................

Ruwi ..........................24703035/ 24707082 Al Khoudh ..................24535001/ 24539718

Curry House ............................... 24564033 Wattayah Mullapanthal ............................... 95267540 Ruwi Chowpatty .................................. 24488829 Al Khuwair Daawat ........................................ 24787980 Ruwi Divine ......................................... 24705070 Ruwi Dosteen Restaurant ..................... 24622850 Seeb Happy Village ............................. 24564995 Qurum Horizon Restaurant ..................... 24798252 Ruwi Hot Pot Restaurant...................... 24700691 Near Khimji’s Mart, Darsait Kamat Al Khuwair .................................. 24479243 Ruwi ............................................ 24783300

Passage To India ......................... 24568480 Behind Hatat House Princess ...................................... 24482213 Al Khuwair Punjabi Dhaba ............................ 24787755 Darsait

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Puranmal...................24707172 / 24706969 CBD Sagar .......................................... 24794114 Ruwi Saravanaa Bhavan ................ 24704502 / 07 Near Ruwi Roundabout Spicy Village..............................................

Al Khuwair .................................. 24475518 Rusayl ........................................ 24510120 Nizwa ......................................... 25431694 Sohar ......................................... 24843238 Sur ............................................. 25544594 Customer Care ............... 800spicy (77429) Sayujya Restaurant...................... 24816909 MBD

Italian

Swagath Veg Restaurant.............. 24707676 Ruwi

Capri Court ................................ 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

The Indus Restaurant .................. 22022888 Opera Gallaria - Shatti Al Qurum

Come Prima................................ 24660660 Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat

Keranadu .................................... 24564443 Ramee Guestline Hotel

Taj Samarkhand Restaurant ........ 24582040 Muscat Oasis Residence, Bowsher

Khana Khazana............................ 24813466 Ruwi

Tawa Magic ................................ 24703300 CBD

Mediterranean Grill.................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

Khyber ........................................ 24781901 CBD

The Great Kabab Factory............ 24478373 Al Khuwair

Koliwada .................................... 99421778 MBD

The Taj ........................................ 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

O Sole Mio .................................. 24487777 Radisson Blu - Muscat Trattoria ...................................... 24210451

Kumkum...................................... 24714114 Muttrah

Woodlands.................................. 24700192 MBD, Ruwi

Pane Caldo ................................. 24698697 Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex Pizza Express .............................. 24696169 Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al-Qurum Tuscany....................................... 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat

SEARCHING

Copper Chimney........................ 24780207 CBD

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

January 2015

The Bollywood ............................ 24565653 Qurm, Behind CCC

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International Al Bandar Lounge ....................... 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

SEARCHING

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A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

January 2015

Japengo....................................... 92892868 Qurum

Al Aktham ................................... 24489292 Al Khuwair, behind OIB

Jean’s Grill .................................. 24567666 Sultan Center

A’Rifaak ...................................... 92558842 Al Khoud, Main Street

Jungle ......................................... 24561600 Qurum Rose Garden

AlExandria.................................. 24561611 Qurum, next to Sabco Center

Khaboura Cafe............................ 24592900 Majan Hotel

Al Khiran Terrace Restaurant .....................

Al Bustan Palace ......................... 24764000

Khalab .......................................992RELAX Al Nahda Resort & Spa

Sundowner’s Beach Bar............... 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

Al Waha Lounge ......................... 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

La Brassiere ............................... 2471 3707 Muttrah

TGIF ............................................ 24488899 Al Khuwair, City Seasons Hotel

La Mer ........................................ 95038487 Shatti Al Qurum

The Beach Restaurant ................. 24524400 The Chedi Muscat

Left Bank ..................................... 24693699 Below Mumtaz Mahal restaurant, Qurum

The Chedi Pool Cabana.............. 24524400 The Chedi Muscat

Le Jardin...................................... 24510300 Golden Tulip Seeb

The Crepe Cafe .......................... 24558530 Muscat City Centre

Beach Pavilion Restaurant and Bar Al Bustan Palace ......................... 24764000

Love At First Bite ......................... 24601737 Shatti Al Qurum

The Serai Pool Cabana ............... 24524400 The Chedi Muscat

B+F Roadside Diner................... 24698836 Bareeq Al Shatti

Musandam Café.......................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

The Restaurant ............................ 24524400 The Chedi Muscat

Blue Marlin ................................. 24737940 Marina bander Al Rowdha

Musandam Restaurant ................ 26730267 Khasab Hotel

The Coffee Shop ......................... 24704244 Ruwi Hotel

BreadTalk.................................... 24603033 Bareeq Al Shatti

Nando’s ....................................... 24561818 Opp CCC Muscat City Centre

Tinello......................................... 24502570 The Treasurebox Hotel

Assira Pool Bar............................ 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Bait Al Bahar ............................... 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

Bread and Co.............................. 24698379 Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al-Qurum Buffet Restaurant ......................... 24697967 Bareeq Al Shatti Chilli’s Muscat City Center .................... 24558815 Qurum City Center .................... 24470700 Circles ........................................ 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Class Room ................................. 24813141 National Hospitality Institute, Wadi Kabir Coral Reef Cafe .......................... 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort Coffee Shop ................................ 24702311 Al Falaj Hotel Four Seasons ............................... 24707207 Haffa House Hotel

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iFoods ......................................... 24121114 18 November St, near Sultan Centre, Azaiba

Golden Spoon Al Khuwair .................................. 24482263 Seeb Souq................................... 24424204 Hamburger Nation ...................... 24558077 Muscat City Centre

Neptune Bar................................ 24795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort Nouras Al Shatti .......................... 24603555 Ramada Beach Hotel Odyssey ...................................... 24824240 Oman Dive Centre, Bandar Jissa Olivos.......................................... 24487777 Radisson Blu Retro ........................................... 24571339 Shatti AL Qurum RBG Grill .................................... 24507888 Park Inn Muscat Samba ......................................... 24776666 Al Waha Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa Slider Station .............................. 24698990 Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al Qurum Stomach ...................................... 24692486 Jawaharat A’Shatti Complex Sultanah ...................................... 24776666 Al Husn Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

Trader Vic’s................................. 24680000 InterContinental Muscat Tropicana.................................... 24660660 Crowne Plaza Hotel Muscat

Long Bar and Xyro ...................... 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Nirvana ......................24781901/ 97015530 CBD

Mediterranean

O'Malleys .................................... 24487777 Radisson Blu

Bellapais .................................... 24521100 Risail Complex

Periwinkle’s Pub ......................... 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

Mediterranean Grill ................. 246803000 InterContinental Muscat

Piano Lounge .............................. 26776666 Al Bander Hotel, Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah

Pubs & Lounge Al Ghazal .................................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat Al Jizzi Lounge ............................ 26841111 Sohar Beach Hotel Al Marrah Pub ............................ 24424404 Al Bahjah Hotel Barrio Fiesta ............................... 24592900 Majan Hotel Churchill’s Pub............................ 24487123 Muscat Holiday Inn

Mexican Pavo Real .................................... 24602603 MQ Senor Pico................................... 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

Sports Bar ................................... 24487123 Muscat Holiday Inn The Hut ....................................... 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

The Wahiba ................................. 26795545 Al Sawadi Beach Resort

Club Safari.................................. 24602327 Grand Hyatt Muscat Copacabana ............................... 24641234 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Steak & Grill

Feeney’s Irish Pub....................... 99262821 Al Qurum Resort

Grill House ................................. 24603660 Grand Hyatt

Habana Cafe ............................... 24602327 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Just Grilled.................................. 24601290 Oasis By The Sea, Shatti Al Qurum

John Barry Bar............................. 24641234 Grand Hyatt

Kobe’s Sizzlers .........24563220 / 24564092 GBM Building, Qurum

Layalina Bar ................................ 24487123 Muscat Holiday Inn

The Safari Rooftop Grill .............24641234, .................................................. 24641114 Grand Hyatt Muscat

Le Pub......................................... 24702311 Al Falaj Hotel

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The Lazy Lizard ........................... 24487777 Radisson Blu

Club Bar ..................................... 24704244 Ruwi Hotel

Duke’s Bar ................................... 24660660 Crowne Plaza

Is your enterprise missing in our lists?

Sama Terazza ............................. 24507888 Park Inn Muscat

Please mail us the details editor@facesoman.com or call us on: + 968 24563382/24563385 For a Quick Entry!

SEARCHING

Tomato ........................................ 24680000 InterContinental Muscat

Rock Bottom Cafe’ ...................... 24564443 Ramee Guestline Hotel

A list of restaurant and eateries, to match your tastes

January 2015

Tapas & Sablah ........................... 24776666 Al Bandar Hotel, Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa

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