Indian food connoisseurs in the Sultanate of Oman have a new address to visit for an exclusive experience of food artistry curated by none other than well-known chef Rohit Ghai.
Head out to the newly-opened restaurant, Aangan, which translates to ‘courtyard’ in English, at the Shangri-La Al Husn, Muscat, to enjoy the diverse flavours of Indian cuisine prepared by Ghai, who owns a Michelin Star restaurant in London.
This is the first time that Oman will have a restaurant run by a visiting Michelin starred chef Ghai.
In a chat with Times of Oman, Ghai said: “I wanted to bring the spirit of Aangan to Oman and inspire diners to celebrate special moments together while enjoying the diverse flavours of Indian cuisine. Indian food is complex and steeped in tradition, but through Aangan, I’m able to showcase Indian food in a new light. Using locally grown fresh produce, authentic Indian spices and innovative cooking techniques, I’ve evolved and tweaked the very best of the cuisine to create a contemporary menu that is truly unique. I look forward to welcoming guests to Aangan from all over the world.”
The newest dining destination promises to be a feast for the senses with a fresh take on Indian cuisine in a warm and welcoming space where food is meant to be shared and enjoyed with your loved ones.
Perched on a clifftop overlooking the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Oman, the restaurant’s design takes inspiration from Oman’s heritage and India’s homeland with cosy, secluded dining spaces and an al fresco terrace. The extensive menu allows you to mix and match dishes that burst with flavour to tease and tantalise the palette.
Ghai has curated an innovative menu inspired by his personal and professional culinary experiences from across the globe. The chef is renowned for earning upmarket London restaurant Jamavar a Michelin star in under a year, the first ever Indian chef to achieve such an accolade in the UK.
Guests enter the dining area through the grand double doors flanked with bold blue drapes, inviting diners to enter another world and enjoy the heartfelt hospitality Shangri-La is renowned for.
The extensive menu designed to share; allows diners to mix and match dishes to tease and tantalise the palate. Chef Ghai has taken a contemporary approach to traditional Indian cuisine and has created dishes that burst with flavour.
Dishes include an Aloo Tikki, one of the most well-known street food dishes in India and set to be a favourite on the menu. The crispy potato cake with sweet and tangy tamarind, lentils and fresh mint is balanced with honey yoghurt to create a perfect combination of sweet and sour flavours.
Ghai’s signature batter fried crunchy Masala Prawns get their spice from the Kashmiri chili. Cooked with sesame, peanut and tamarind, the perfectly cooked prawns are finished with a light dusting of desiccated coconut.
Accompanied by a twist on a traditional chokha, the Rogan Josh Lamb Shank dish is not to be missed. Slow cooked for eight hours until the meat is tender, the hearty dish is accompanied by a sauteed onion base, green and Kashmiri chili, cumin, coriander, and a touch of ginger. A smooth, velvety sauce is the perfect accompaniment to the rich and tender lamb.
Meanwhile the vegetarian Dhokla is crunchy on the outside with a soft cake like interior that is peppered with fresh apple and tempered baby heritage beetroot. To finish, a sweet, fresh Mango cheesecake is finished with green pistachio and a little kick of pink peppercorns to perfectly balance sweet and savoury flavours.
Ghai has become one of the culinary world’s most in-demand chefs after a hugely successful decade on the London restaurant scene.
Aangan will be his 25th restaurant opening and it marks an important milestone in his career as a chef and restaurateur.
Chef Ghai said: “I want to showcase my signature dishes in Oman. Some of the dishes have been created only for Aangan while some comprise my signature dishes with a unique twist.”
René Egle, Area General Manager, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa and Shangri-La Al Husn Resort & Spa said: “When the opportunity arose to work with chef Rohit Ghai, it was an easy decision. Aangan is an exciting addition to our portfolio of premium restaurants at Shangri-La Al Husn and we are thrilled to bring this new dining destination to our guests and the local community of Muscat. Our talented team are hugely passionate about delivering memorable experiences and with its alluring fragrant spices and distinctly different dishes, Aangan is set to be one of a kind.”
The restaurant in Al Husn opened last week. It will be open for dinner from 7pm every day, except Tuesday and Wednesday.
