Oman dining: Enjoy a barbecue dinner at Samah Restaurant

T-Mag Thursday 22/February/2018 14:56 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman dining: Enjoy a barbecue dinner at Samah Restaurant

Ever since its invention in the Caribbean, this ancient cooking method has evolved through time to become a fine dining celebration that carries influences from around the world. From traditional Omani pit barbecues, known as Shuwa, to smoky Indian tandoor grills, these have become a staple for outdoor picnics and patio cooking, giving us a fun and fiery way to indulge in our favourite dining moments, especially during the winters.

This week, we are taking you to the Samah Rooftop Restaurant at Platinum Hotel to feast on a variety of meats and fish, perfectly marinated and cooked on grills and in tandoor ovens, serving nothing short of a barbecue rooftop fantasy.

When we heard that Samah was dishing up some authentic barbecue flavours on weekends, we could not contain our excitement. After all, when the weather is still favourable, who wouldn’t like to taste some hot and spicy grilled delights in the outdoors?

As we entered the rooftop, poolside restaurant, the aroma wafting from the grill set the mood and we were ready to feast on a wide array of scrumptious kebabs and steaks. We walked around the pool and to the edge of the restaurant to take a peek at the busy streets of Al Khuwair, only to get an even better view of two iconic landmarks: the snow-white Al Ameen Mosque in Bousher and the Bousher-Al Amerat mountainous road. It was quite spectacular. We found a perfect spot and walked to the grilling station to pick and choose the ingredients of our choice.

At the station, we were spoilt for choice. We asked the friendly waiter to surprise us with two platters full of tandoor-grilled goodness. The crisp smell of the grills filled the air and soon the waiter placed two plates on our table, along with lemon butter and barbecue sauces.
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The plates looked great with moist, flavourful chunks of traditional Indian meats, as well as barbecue favourites. Some of the cuts we tried included a tender grilled chicken marinated in mustard paste and lemon juice and spiced with hints of garlic, thyme, rosemary, and a splash of olive oil. Lamb chops were also on offer, marinated in mustard paste, HP sauce, a bunch of garlic and rosemary, and olive oil. The chops were perfect, with a sweet-spicy flavour to match.

We also had Mutton Sheekh Nawabi, a classic Indian kebab made of minced meat, mixed with fragrant ginger, chopped garlic, green chilli, hints of coriander leaves, a bunch of Indian spices, and a bit of creamy butter. The kebabs are then put on a skewer and charred in a tandoor-oven. They weren’t the star of the show, but were worth trying, especially if you love kebab rolls.

Another great dish was the Asrafi Chicken Tikka. Tender pieces of chicken marinated in ginger-garlic paste, yoghurt, Indian spices, and mustard oil gave the dish an impeccable taste. Paired with butter or garlic naan, it was a match made in heaven.

We saved the best for last. The stuffed tangri kebab, a traditional staple made of drumsticks, stuffed with minced chicken and prepared with creamy yoghurt, crushed cashew nuts, mustard oil, Indian spices, ginger, and a slather of garlic paste, was absolutely succulent, from its crispy-yet-soft meat to the piquant filling.

We stepped inside Samah full of scepticism, but left a few pounds heavier and with a desire to come back, not only for the lip-smacking fire-kissed Indian grills, but for the beautiful views of Al Khuwair, as well.

Tandoor and Grills Special
Every Friday and Saturday
Time: 7pm to 11pm
Location: Samah Restaurant at The Platinum Hotel, Souk Al Khuwair, Bousher
Contact: +968 2439 2500