Mandarin Oriental, Muscat invites guests to experience the season through a considered selection of dining and wellness experiences that bring together distinctive flavours, thoughtful craftsmanship and restorative rituals. At Essenza, Chef Davide Borin draws inspiration from Sardinia’s rugged coastline and Mediterranean heritage, while weekends take on a more relaxed Spanish character at Essenza Bar. At Sawa Lounge, matcha is reimagined through a collaboration with Casa Cura, while The Spa draws on the natural richness of Oman for a deeply restorative ritual.
Essenza in Viaggio: Sardinia
The journey begins at Essenza, where Chef Davide Borin brings the flavours of Sardinia to Muscat with Essenza in Viaggio: Sardinia. Inspired by the island’s turquoise shores, rugged landscapes and rich culinary heritage, the menu celebrates its distinctive gastronomy through fresh seafood, handcrafted pasta and traditional desserts.
The experience opens with Mosaico di Mare, a seafood mosaic with confit tomatoes, bottarga and lemon potato, before moving to Fregola Sarda, where Sardinian fregola is cooked in saffron essence and paired with crab bisque, orange and dill-scented red mullet. A slow-cooked lamb shoulder with fennel purée, purple potato and herb panure follows, while Semifreddo alle Mandorle brings the journey to a close with almond-flavoured semifreddo, fig compote and Omani honey.
Available exclusively throughout September, the four-course set menu is priced at OMR 25++ per person, with an optional wine pairing at OMR 18++ per person. The experience is available daily at Essenza from 6:30pm to 11pm.
In October, Essenza in Viaggio will continue its journey through Italy, turning its focus to the Alba region and the prized Alba truffle. The next chapter will showcase the distinctive flavours and culinary heritage of the region through a new menu centred around this celebrated ingredient.
Spanish Tapas at Essenza Bar
As the evening moves into the weekend, Essenza Bar takes guests from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia to the lively flavours of Spain. A curated selection of tapas offers a relaxed way to gather and share, with dishes ranging from Pulpo a la Gallega, Galician-style octopus with paprika and olive oil, to cured beef croquettes, Spanish omelette with caramelised onion and prawns with garlic, olive oil and chilli.
The experience concludes with Crema Catalana, a traditional Catalan custard finished with caramelised sugar, cinnamon and citrus zest.
Spanish Tapas is available every Friday to Sunday from 4pm until midnight at Essenza Bar.
Elevated Matcha Creations at Sawa Lounge
For a more contemporary expression of flavour, Sawa Lounge has partnered with Casa Cura to create a collection of four signature matcha beverages. The collaboration brings together Casa Cura organic matcha and carefully selected ingredients, creating a menu that balances craftsmanship with distinctive flavour profiles.
The Ceremonial Matcha combines organic matcha with steamed milk for a smooth and comforting finish, while the Signature Hot Matcha offers earthy depth and balanced richness. Inspired by Thailand’s iconic milk tea, the Thai Matcha Iced Tea blends matcha with milk and condensed milk, while Saffron Bloom brings together matcha, milk and saffron-infused cold foam for delicate floral notes and subtle sweetness.
The collection is available at Sawa Lounge, open daily from 9am to 10pm.
Rose Quartz Ritual at The Spa
Beyond the dining experiences, The Spa offers a quieter expression of Oman’s natural landscape with the Rose Quartz Ritual, a two-hour treatment designed to restore the body, soothe the senses and leave the skin with a healthy glow.
Inspired by the time-honoured tradition of sand bathing in the Arabian desert, the ritual harnesses the revitalising benefits of Damask Rose sourced from Jabal Al Akhdar. The experience begins with a grounding ceremony using resonant singing bowls before guests are cocooned on a warm bed of rose quartz crystals. Working in harmony with the therapist’s movements, the treatment is designed to improve circulation and release toxins from the body, followed by a healing facial featuring botanical actives and bespoke essential oils.
Priced at OMR 160, the Rose Quartz Ritual offers a deeply restorative experience shaped by the natural elements of Oman.
Dining and Cooking