Thursday 26 / December / 2024
Eating healthy has become a top priority of many people’s list nowadays, and it is somewhat in trend too. The food that was once deemed boring is now being relished not just as a side dish but as a complete meal owing to the ever-growing fondness for greens. In Muscat, it isn’t any different either. Welcome to the world of salads.
Health-conscious people in town are now searching for restaurants that are completely devoted to healthy food, and what better way it could be if you have an exclusive place where you can find fresh greens in almost all your dishes? And like me if you too aspire to join the healthy eaters’ club, stop by this newly opened joint to dive into a big bowl of leaves and veggies.
Salad Boutique, armed with freshness of the greens, intends to redefine the whole concept of salads. This is a Kuwaiti salad bar and bistro specialised in serving you salads as a main course, with endless selection of flavours and textures, and being the first of its kind in the region, it certainly stands out as a one-stop-shop for haute salads. It was launched to inspire healthy eating habits for those of us who think salads are just leaves and cucumber.
No sooner I entered the place, I got a quick glimpse of the simple yet cosy interiors that sports contemporary, transparent chairs in black, white, and purple. There was a round seating area on my left, bedded on a cemented floor, with views of the open counter.
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As I settled the friendly waiter handed me the menu to order. I was hesitant at first not knowing much about the cuisine. The menu is extensive with sections on chicken, meat, seafood, and even pasta-infused salads. As I flipped the menu in hunt for the perfect salad, I eyed a delicious-looking berry salad that looked tempting in pictures and I was sure it was going to be my first order in salads. I also ordered a few more, with a starter, and drinks.
While it’s a bit of a struggle for me to be on the same page when it comes to glorifying bowls of only greens, I decided to put my skepticism to rest for some time. Soon plates full of tasty, garden-fresh salads, mixed berries, sauces and cheeses, and lots of proteins were served on the table.
I started with chilli fries, a French-poutine inspired dish made with fresh cut potatoes, topped with Salad Boutique’s in-house special sauce, ground meat, and a touch of kidney beans. It is succulent, with a burst of flavours and is best served hot.
I quenched my thirst first with cucumber shake followed by Rocca shake, both milk-based. Refreshing, healthy, and surprisingly delicious, Rocca shake had a subtle, earthy flavour to it that elevated the overall taste to another level of goodness.
Soon my first main arrived. Called Love You Salad, this is the restaurant’s signature salad that is served with garden-fresh greens, corn, potato wedges, hard boiled eggs, a mix of cheeses, and huge portion of deep-fried crispy chicken popcorn, and served with ranch sauce on the side.
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The simple yet flavourful dish offers best of both the worlds, it has healthy veggies and also some lip-smacking fried food, adding a twist to a classic salad. The crunchiness of the chicken popcorns add taste to the fresh veggies. The portions are hearty and they’ll fill you up too.
Soon I dived into the meaty salad. Quinoa Steak Salad is a spicy salad full of beef, cherry tomatoes, a mix of greens and cabbage, cucumber, and jalapeños, topped with a tangy, delicious dressing made with the brand’s African-inspired special sauce and lime dressing, and served with quinoa. Being a fan of quinoa and tangy flavours, this was truly a delight. The star of the show here is the dressing; it stands out and gives a special zing to the dish. Make sure to mix the salad well before eating, so you can enjoy the sauces even better.
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I saved my favourite for last, the king of all salads, Very Berry Salad, a pile of fresh greens, mixed with assorted berries including strawberries and raspberries, topped with crispy nuts, and goat cheese, bathed in a raspberry and creamy blue cheese dressing.
This was the pinnacle of salads, as it had an exquisite taste. I could have this all day, everyday; the mix of savoury greens and sweet berries blend well. What sets this particular salad apart is the dressing, you would bite your fingers off —it’s a must try.
While I truly enjoyed every bit of everything that I tried, with flavours that will be etched in my mind for quite some time, especially the berry salad and the African superstar, what really stood out was the creative blend of ingredients in their dishes.
With one of the widest selection of ingredients, their signature sauces, and not to forget their generous portions, you’re sure to leave the place feeling fully satiated. And so was I as I walked out of Salad Boutique with a new perspective on healthy eating. —[email protected]
What to Order:
Very Berry Salad OMR 4.900
Quinoa Steak Salad OMR 6.900
Chilli Fries OMR 4.500
Rocca Shake OMR 2.200
Cucumber Shake OMR 2.200
Location:
Salad Boutique
Madinat Sultan Qaboos, Muscat
+968 9368 6666
