Flaky croissants, frothy cappuccinos, melt-in-your-mouth cheesecakes, and lightly grilled sandwiches were on my mind as I sauntered into Sidewalk Café, a bistro that opened a few months ago next to the Al Fair inside Qurum Commercial Centre, or what most of us know as CCC. The café looked impressive, catching my eye with its neat, minimalist mien. Along with the ever-growing reach of existing global chains, a brand-new boutique café culture has actually been brewing in Muscat, which I love. I assumed that Sidewalk was just one among them, and I was eager to come try a cup of cappuccino, but upon closer inspection of the menu, I realised this place was something different.
I took a seat in a corner and rolled my eyes across the wide-ranging list of sandwiches and burgers, wraps and salads, pizzas and pastas, and plenty of dessert choices. Then my eyes fell on another list titled “Health Menu”.
I was intrigued by the ample choices — fresh grilled turkey served with white rice, boiled vegetables, baby corn, and spinach; marinated grilled chicken with white rice and vegetables; grilled salmon with sweet potato, broccoli, and spinach; an inventive-sounding minced herb beef and chicken served on a bed of wild rice along with sauces like honey mustard, chilli, coconut cream, and spicy BBQ.
I opted for marinated grilled chicken with white rice and vegetables. The meat was flavourful, tender, and the most effective part was the fact that there were no traces of oil anywhere.
I spoke to Saad Najeeb Ahmed, director of The Golden Spoon Group, the man behind this café, to learn more.
“Sidewalk is the first café in Muscat that serves a separate health menu along with the regular café menu for those who prefer to have actually a healthy eating out experience. So whether you are on diet or detox, on a strict weight loss regimen, into body building, or in general very health conscious, this is the place to be,” he said.
Najeeb went on to explain that he came up with the concept while travelling across different parts of the world. He encountered a number cafés and bistros that served healthy food for people to relish along with their cup of coffee. He wanted a similar concept in Muscat, one that sourced healthy ingredients both locally and internationally. But after months of research and study he decided that rather than bring an international chain, it would certainly be better to start his own café to cater specifically to the consumers here in the Sultanate.
With nutrition being on top of their agenda, at Sidewalk, they strive to make classic bistro fare fresher, leaner, and healthier, even including lightened-up versions of chicken biryani, chicken kebab, and chicken masala on the menu.
Fresh and simple, these dishes are light on the palate and, of course, on the calories too. If you are extra-conscious about your intake, the calories, protein, and carbohydrates are listed for each menu item, which I discovered while chomping on my succulent chicken and rice, which clocked-in at 402.15 cal, 48.20 grams of protein, and 23.50 grams of carbs.
Beyond introducing a healthy dining-out option to Muscat, the café now offers a way for bachelors, busy professionals, and those who just plain don’t want to cook, a way to have actually tasty, healthful meals at estate with new, home-delivered meal plans.
“We have actually monthly meal plans in different categories and combination for those who want to eat wholesome food on a regular basis and do not have actually the time or facilities to prepare at home,” said Najeeb.
One can choose between monthly plans that include three-meals a day with either three or five items per meal (protein, carbohydrate, and vegetables) for OMR156 or OMR260 per month, available for pick-up or delivery every day except Friday.
Subscribers can specify everything from the marinades and sauces to the mode of cooking and serving and the café even offers tailor-made meal plans to aid in health goals like weightloss or body building.
For those here in Muscat trying to tighten-up, tone-up, or bulk-up for the summer season, there is now a place to enjoy a meal out with friends or to call for takeaway after a long day at the office, without derailing your fitness plan. For the rest of us, it is simply a place for a truly good meal. —swati@timesofoman.com
Sidewalk Bistro and Health Cafe
Al Qurum Complex (Between Al Fair and China Town)
+968 9701 6284
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