Kargeen

Rating 4 1/2 stars.

This is the place you take clients in order to expose them to the preconceived notions of Arabesque culture they see in Indiana Jones movies or in children stories. Kargeen has a truly magical and tranporting atmosphere. It couldn't be any more fairy-tale Arab if your food was brought out on a flying carpet.

Imagine walking down a dirty alley between a travel agency and a video shop into a huge garden with overhanging trees and canopied tents for families.

Imagine colorful lanterns hanging from chains from above you at odd levels everywhere as if they were hanging from the trees themselves. The buildings around you are distictively Omani/Yemeni (though modern). Dining areas are slightly partitioned by vine covered fences.

The odor of fruity "Sheesha" smoke permeates the air everywhere as Arabs from Saudi sit with Arabs from Bahrain, Yemen, the UAE and Oman and discuss buisness over Sheesha (Hukkah or "Hubbly Bubbly Pipes" as some of you know them as).

Some parties are sit on slightly raised and carpet covered floors, some are sitting around big wooden tables with comfortable square benches attired in traditional woolen covered pillows. Sheesha pipes are everywhere.

Service in a word, sucks...

Though waiter and waitress attire is pretty neat looking and suits the atmosphere. You just have to get pushy if things aren't brought out in time. Food is fantastic, though the mixed grill (a common Middle Eastern fare) is a little slim in quantity for the money. They have an excellent selection of juices of all kinds.

Try the Karkade frozen cocktail. It tastes great and Karkade (Hybiscus) is rumored to lower your blood pressure... something you'll need while dealing with the over taxed wait staff.

Don't order chips and salsa unless you want Doritos and Pace Picante Sauce.

Soups (French Onion especially) are excellent and are served in little clay pots over a candle.

All the bread is good -- especially the "meat" breads.

Most dishes are pretty good. They also make good pizzas.

Recommendations to the manager/owner - the place needs belly dancers and/or traditional music... Not loud earsplitting music - but good belly dancers and traditional un-amplified drums, ouds and other classical Arab musical instruments for thursday nights. Also... Turn off or turn down the Happy Birthday song. It's loud and obnoxious.