Saturday 27 / April / 2024
If we had only one word to describe the French bakery and cafe, Paul, it would be “fresh”. From mountainous bowls of creative, well-composed salads to freshly-squeezed juices to the crusty, still-warm-from-the-oven breads that the eatery is best known for, this French chain lives up to its cultural heritage, serving some of the finest celebrations of the natural goodness of food anywhere in the Sultanate. Leaving aside the fabulous soups and main dishes, Hi’s editorial team focused on the green stuff, the sandwiches, and the sips, eating our way through the salad offerings, piles of sandwiches, and gallons of fresh, fruity concoctions to bring you the lowdown on what to order. Though, truth be told, what we discovered is that there is no “wrong order” at this superb lunch oasis. —[email protected]
Salads
Ashish’s Pick: Salade Crabe et Saumon
A mixed green salad with delicious crab sticks, smoked Scottish salmon, fresh rocket leaves, creamy avocado slices, along with tomatoes drizzled with tart lemon dressing, I simply fell in love with this refreshing seafood celebration, especially the juiciness of the crab sticks, which added extra flavour to the dish. OMR5.900
Gautam’s Pick: Salade au Chevre Chaud
Don’t let the complex-sounding name put you off. At its essence, this healthy and hearty salad is simply a crisp bed of lettuce and rocket leaves interspersed with a generous portion of crunchy walnuts, sweet-and-tangy strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and pomegranate seeds finished off with a brilliant topping of breaded goat cheese. Creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savoury, these idiosyncratic ingredients harmonise for a salad that will have you looking at your empty plate with a deep sigh, both of satisfaction and wistfulness, because you will want just a little bit more. OMR5.200
Salim’s Pick: Salade de La Mer
The salads at Paul are shining examples of meals that ease the struggle of my never-ending weight loss journey, as they are light, but also indulgent at the same time. A plate bedded with garden-fresh greens come sprinkled with zesty lemon dressing, crowned with smoked salmon, tender grilled shrimp, and classic tuna salad on fresh baguette slices. A final touch of luscious avocado slices and miniature bread cuts completes this fabulous lunch. OMR6.9
Felicia’s Pick: Salade Panachee
Paul’s signature salad is a vegetarian (vegan actually) affair, but has flavour and texture to rival the meatiest salad on the menu. Lightly dressed mixed greens are layered with rich, fatty avocado slices, tender-crisp vines of asparagus, vinegar-cured artichoke hearts, sweet cherry tomatoes, crunch cucumber, earthy mushroom slices, sweet corn, and my new obsession: Hearts of palm. The salad is the most satisfying vegetable-only creation I’ve ever had; a celebration of just how good fresh produce can be. OMR4.9
Sandwiches
Gautam’s Pick: Faluche Poulet
Faluche Poulet is a sandwich that is un-missable for foodies. Slivers of marinated chicken and the freshest tomatoes and lettuce are served on crunchy, chewy sesame-seeded faluche bread with a creamy, zingy, mayonnaise. This triumphant sandwich comes with a side salad and crispy potato wedges and is a meal worth ordering over and over again. OMR4.200
Ashish’s Pick: Dinde Fume et Fromages
I opted for a toasted, hot sandwich and was surprised when I tasted jam. The sweetness perfectly complemented the smoked turkey and Emmental cheese and enhanced the delicate flavours of the brioche bread in which it was served. Given that I was born with a sweet tooth, it’s no surprise that this has become my new favourite sandwich. OMR4.300
Salim’s Pick: Tomate Mozzarelle
Simple yet delightful, fresh mozzarella cheese and tomatoes are layered on fresh-baked olive bread with a smear of olive tapanade and a spread of lip-smacking, homemade pesto sauce. The bright, Italian flavours made for a very refreshing sandwich, and the light side salad was the perfect accompaniment. OMR4.4
Shruthi’s Pick: Beouf et Avocat
Sandwiches are staple food items for me. I eat sandwiches so often and at such random hours that I at times take them for granted, but the masterpiece of a bread-and-meat creation I had at Paul, made me fall in love with my favourite food all over again. Beouf et Avocat is comprised of a sesame seeded bun stuffed with marinated, grilled beef strips, meltingly sweet caramelised onions, tangy avocado cream, and refreshing tomatoes. The crisp potato wedges it was served with made it a hearty meal. OMR5.900
Sips
Ashish’s Pick: Lychee Ginger Fantasy
This unique drink was served in a milk bottle and I was surprised when it was presented, and happened to be as white as milk itself. The fresh yoghurt drink was enlivened with fresh ginger, lychee syrup, and topped with lychee fruit blended with ice for a delightful and refreshing sip. Garnished with two small ginger cubes, the thoughtful addition enhanced the flavours further, and of course, were great for digestion. OMR2.600
Gautam’s Pick: Kiwi Mint Refresher
Mint and yoghurt is a classic combination, but Paul’s take on this Middle Eastern favourite has the added undercurrent of Kiwi, for a beverage that is slightly sweet, a tad salty, and deliciously refreshing in equal measure. OMR2.600
Shruthi’s Pick: Orange Delights
Looks can be deceiving. What might have just looked like a plain orange juice at Paul, certainly turned out to be more than that. A tinge of mango, a sweet shot of pineapple, and, of course, an underlying tang of orange were a most welcome surprise. OMR2.600
*The Bread Basket and Sweets Selection
At the end of the day, Paul is known for its baked goods, and no meal here would be complete without savouring one of the fresh baked baguettes, loaves, or rolls. Blessedly, meals at Paul begin with a complimentary bread basket, served with sweet butter and olive tapanade. As famed as the loaves are the sweets at this iconic Fresh restaurant, so after a healthy salad lunch, give in to temptation and choose from the array of freshly prepared eclairs, tortes, cheesecakes, and confections. After all, a healthy, happy life is all about balance.
