Exclusive: Hakkasan Group Makes Moves in Muscat
Superb souks and seafood, turquoise waters and vast cocoa mountaintops and the grandiose architecture of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Melinda Sheckells
Superb souks and seafood, turquoise waters and vast cocoa mountaintops and the grandiose architecture of the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque are just a few of the things that make the Arabian country of Oman a top destination for celebrities such as Indian actress Kriti Sanon, former royal Prince Harry and late, great travel and culinary god Anthony Bourdain. Thanks to this notoriety, hospitality titans Hakkasan Group exclusively reveal to Celeb Magazine they will be opening two restaurant concepts in the sultanate and the deal is more delicious than Halwa.
Oman Gets Sweeter
Located in the forthcoming St. Regis Al Mouj Muscat, Kamasaka will be an all new Japanese concept, described as “presenting highly ceremonial cuisine in a modern, party-centric setting.” Given the way 2020 has played out, the world will be primed and ready for “ceremonial party-centric dining” by the venue’s 2022 opening.
The property will also be home to the 11th iteration of modern Cantonese Hakkasan Restaurant its two London locations each hold a Michelin-star.
“The atmosphere is able to transform the experience from day to night to late night revelry and mystery,” says Angela Lester, Hakkasan Group’s executive vice president of business development.
More Life, More Duck Salad
Partnering with Qatar’s Alfardan Group, which owns some of the region’s top luxury hotels such as the Pearl-Doha, the St. Regis Doha–home to a Hakkasan restaurant–and Turkey’s Six Senses Kocatas Mansions, this Middle East dream team hopes to strike Omani gold in the burgeoning market which is hungry for global experiences and dining concepts–and that famous Hakkasan crispy Duck salad.
“Hakkasan Group already has been building a strong footprint in the Middle East for years with venues represented in Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh,” Lester says.“We believe that our continued growth and commitment in the region will align with the visions and diversified growth strategies of the Middle East as well as catering to the clientele from the Middle East who are loyal patrons of our venues worldwide.”
Hakkasan Group Rides the Wave in Muscat
The St. Regis Muscat inside the Al Mouj Muscat–al mouj means wave–will have 271 rooms, 170 residential units, a Greg Norman-designed 18-hole championship golf course, and its own marina.
According to Lester, despite the pandemic Kamasaka is still on track to open as scheduled. Expect to see the Kamasaka brand expand to gateway cities globally with a heavy initial plan for the Middle East.
Back at its headquarters in Las Vegas, Hakkasan Group recently announced the opening of its Casa Calavera Mexican restaurant at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas debuting in January 2021. Nightclubs Hakkasan, Omnia, and Jewel remain closed while pool lounges Wet Republic and Liquid are socially distanced and poppin.