Oman Today Restaurant Awards votes over

The first phase involved public voting for a period of two months that ended on September 15. An astounding 87,000 votes have now been counted and this is especially remarkable considering that this year the period of voting was shorter than the usual three months of the previous years.

Saleh Zakwani, publisher said: "With the addition of a panel of judges this year, it will ensure that the process is transparent and fair, thus raising the standard of the Oman Today Restaurant Awards 2006 to even greater heights."

Finalists, in alphabetical order

Ambience
Mumtaz Mahal
Shangri-La's Barr al Jissa Resort and Spa
The Chedi

Buffet
Jean's Grill
Mokha Café, Grand Hyatt Muscat
Samba

Café
D'Arcy's Kitchen
Second Cup
Starbucks

Far Eastern
China Mood
Golden Oryx
Silk Route

Fast Food
KFC
McDonald's
Pizza Hut

Indian
Kamat
Mumtaz Mahal
Woodlands

International
Pavo Real
The Chedi
Trader Vic's

Italian
O Sole Mio
Santino'sBistro Italiano
Tuscany

Middle Eastern
Automatic
Al Tanoor
The Chedi

Pub Food
Al Ghazal
Club Safari
Duke's Bar

Service
Shangri-La's Barr al Jissa Resort and Spa
The Chedi
Woodlands

Phase Two: Judging

A panel of judges will now take over and visit these finalists, arriving at one winner in each category - The Best Restaurant Award winners. The identity of this panel is kept secret from the public and from each other, and their decisions are made after dining at these fine restaurants anonymously.

The winners will be announced - and honoured - at a gala black-tie event scheduled for December 13 at Shangri-la's Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa.