’Tis the season when the sea beckons us. There’s a nip in the air, all of Muscat is beaming with blue skies and verdant green palm trees; and the sea is looking especially peaceful – azure waters, frothy sea foam and the ever-calming sounds of the waves rolling over the beach. So, it’s natural we gravitated towards the marina and spent a leisurely afternoon dining at Marlins Restaurant at Marina Bandar Al Rowdha.
As you enter Marlins, you are greeted by a soothing airy vibe. The white walls and distressed white ceiling beams make for a tranquil ambience, while the dark flooring, and black metal accents add a touch of that modern, industrial element that is so trendy in décor at the moment. Then there are the pops of colour; mustard and terracotta seat cushions that add a splash of summer, while the rich green from the plants ties the colour palette together beautifully! And then there are Edison-style bulbs, hanging from the ceiling, adding oodles of rustic ‘Instagrammable’ charm to the place while promising a soft glow when evening comes. Marlins also has super comfy lounge-style seating out on the patio, just perfect for this season!
We visited Marlins on a Monday afternoon, and just as we entered the restaurant, we knew we were in for a relaxed meal, sitting cosy by the large glass panes, looking out on to the marina, where the blues of the sea and the whites of the boats and yachts bobbed in tandem.
Before we dove in to what was a beautiful meal of seafood delicacies, we chatted with Chef Gerald Vibal, Chef de Cuisine, Marlins, about the menu, the inspiration behind it and the bestsellers that Oman just can’t get enough of. As he spoke about the largely English-style menu, the excitement and honesty that came through in his words, about the food Marlins presents, was hard to miss. Marlins’ philosophy is simplicity, with no frills. The food is homey and delicious, and celebrates the flavours and freshness of the produce, which is mostly sourced from local suppliers. The enthusiasm was infectious, for we couldn’t wait to try out all the scrumptious seafood that Marlins had in store for us!
For our first course, we were brought the bread basket with a side of garlic butter. Oh what a start it was – warm, homemade, crusty bread with creamy garlic butter…a divine beginning indeed. We were then served the Tuna Nicoise Salad. The seared tuna was cooked so well, it was perfectly pink on the inside. The olives, plump and juicy; the potatoes soft; the tomatoes bringing in lots of tanginess; the greens fresh and crunchy; the eggs with sunny jammy yolks and a fabulous dressing that tied it all together wonderfully. Such a refreshing treat!
Then the main course rolled around. First up was the Fish and Chips – a bestseller at Marlins. Chef Gerald mentioned that the restaurant serves about 1.5 tonnes of the dish in a three-month window! That’s how much the people of Oman love the Fish and Chips at Marlins! Well, it did live up to the expectation, for every bite was drop dead delicious. The halibut, crumb-coated and fried was cooked to perfection, tender and melt-in-the-mouth. The chunky fries were yum, and the smashed peas cut through all the heaviness beautifully while the dipping sauce was the perfect condiment.
Next up was the Fish Pie, and this was hands down the highlight of the entire meal. It was homey, with a mix of textures and full-bodied flavour that we’ve never experienced before. A dish of mixed seafood in white sauce with halibut, mahi, shrimp and smoked salmon, topped with a layer of mashed potato and bread crumbs and baked until golden on the top, the fish pie was glorious. The fish was soft and so flavourful; the sauce itself was infused with the goodness of all the seafood; and the creamy mash with bits of crunchy bread crumbs brought lots of texture to the dish. One bite, and we were spellbound. The Fish Pie is hundred percent comfort food, and we reckon it is just what we need this chilly winter.
Salted Caramel Pecan Pavlova Braed Basket Orange Juice Fish & Chips Tuna Nicoise Salad Fish Pie
Then came dessert. We had the Toffee Cake and the Salted Caramel-Pecan Pavlova. The Toffee Cake was divine, with a moist date pudding, drizzled with toffee sauce and served with creamy vanilla ice cream, a classic with a lovely mix of flavours. The meringue of the Salted Caramel-Pecan Pavlova was crunchy and sweet, offset by the tanginess of the whipped caramel yogurt and and the crackle of the pecans – an array of textures and flavours that complemented each other amazingly.
It’s noteworthy to mention that Marlins is open all day, from 8:30 am, serving a sumptuous English breakfast among other favourites, till 10:30pm, serving lunch in the noon and dinner all evening.
Our meal at Marlins was one we’ll remember for a long time. For it was a seafood affair like no other. Every detail was exquisitely executed. And every flavour ingredient showcased with the utmost reverence in each dish. If you’re a seafood lover, get in the car and drive down to Marina Bandar Al Rowdha right away. Fabulous seafood awaits you!