Finalists for The Oman Today Restaurant Awards 2008 announced

The finalists were selected on the basis of public voting October 15-December 17. Voting by the public has now ended, and the finalists will be judged under their respective categories by a panel of judges over the next two months and their points collated to decide the winners. Public participation this year was phenomenal, with a record 113,310 votes in a period of two months.

The winners will be announced at a gala black-tie event to be held on March 5, 2009 at Shangri-La's Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa.

An annual event that was launched in 2002, the awards have come to be considered the ultimate recognition of the best and most popular restaurants in Oman.

The Awards was instituted to provide an opportunity for the public to recognise, appreciate and reward the best among the restaurateurs and hospitality industry. Since then, these awards have become a benchmark of excellence for the sector.

Finalists, in alphabetical order

Buffet

Mokha Café
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Samba
Shangri-La's Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa
Tropicana
Crowne Plaza Muscat

Café

D'Arcy's Kitchen
Second Cup
Starbucks

Far Eastern

Golden Oryx
Marjan Restaurant, Grand Hyatt Muscat

Fast Food

Silk Route
KFC
McDonald's
Papa John's

Indian

Grill House
Mumtaz Mahal
Woodlands

International

Chilis
Left Bank
Sultanah
Shangri-La's Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa

Italian

Capri Court
Shangri-La's Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa Tuscany
Grand Hyatt Muscat
Tomato
Hotel InterContinental Muscat

Middle Eastern

Al Tanoor,
Shangri-La's Barr al Jissah Resort & Spa Beituti
Coral Hotel Turkish House

Newcomer

Noodle House
The Beach Restaurant
The Chedi
The Great Kabab Factory

Pub Food

Al Ghazal Pub
Hotel InterContinental Muscat
Duke's Bar
Crowne Plaza Muscat
Rock Bottom Cafe
Ramee Guestline Hotel

Service

Caffe Vergnano
Noodle House
Woodlands

Ambience

Left Bank
Shahrazad, Shangri-La's Barr al Jissa Resort and Spa
The Beach Restaurant
The Chedi

Restaurant Manager

Mr Gautam Moudgill, Mumtaz Mahal
Mr Dominic Fernandes, Caffe Vergnano
Mr Dushyant Tittawella, Tuscany, Grand Hyatt, Muscat