On our latest tour in Oman, we came early to the pick-up point, only to realize there was no shade to wait under. The sun was already beating down on us. My husband implied we walk to the nearby Hypermart to pass the time and explore a little. As we walked through the store his stomach moaned loudly. It prompted us both that we were late for a meal. Hungry and curious. We went to the information desk and asked if there were any restaurants in the area. The staff pointed us to the second floor. We headed up the stairs and were excited by the prospect of food.
When we're on the second floor, we find ourselves in front of the only restaurant in the area. Notebook is an Indian restaurant tucked away above the shops. We found a cozy space and sat at a table for two. It was right away clear that we were the only foreigners in the restaurant. But we didn’t mind. We were just happy to indulge in our favorite dish, biryani. The ambiance was comfortable. The diners around us were enjoying their meals in a traditional style using their hands. As Filipinos we were comfortable with this tradition. It added a genuine hit to the experience. The waiter gave us menus. After a few moment my husband ordered the mutton biryani and I went with chicken biryani.
When our food was served I was stunned by the kind portions. The plates were overflowing with rice, almost completely covering the tender meat beneath. We were also served side dishes, sauce and a crispy Indian cracker. My husband dived into his mutton biryani with satisfaction. I savored the chicken, admiring the rich smell and superbly spiced flavors. The rice was plenty, so I couldn’t finish it all. But every bite was full of flavor.
The mindful staff brought us a dessert. It adds a sweet note to an already pleasant meal.
With enough time to lean before our bus, my husband ordered a coffee and I picked a refreshing mango shake. It created a comforting ambiance that ideally suited the earlier biryani treat. It was a simple glee, a calm moment to savor the flavors and each other’s company before resuming our journey. The warm service, genuine flavors and generous portions at Notebook made our wait enjoyable and unexpectedly delightful.
Photos taken using Samsung S25 Ultra
Collage using Canva
