Opening of the Galadari Grand Ballroom

Ruwini Jayawardana and Anushka Nanayakkara

COLOMBO: Galadari Hotel Colombo officially opened the Grand Ballroom on September 14, which was closed for nine years for renovations due to the bomb attack in 1996.

General Manager, Sampath Siriwardana said that it would not have been possible to make this project a success without the loyal guests who have enjoyed the comforts of the Galadari Hotel. He also thanked the Board of Directors (Galadari Brothers) who are based in Dubai.

There are several specialities regarding this Ballroom. Starting off with, it has a "water wall" built inside the Ballroom. Also the panels which leads to the Ballroom, dance floor can be removed.

Crystal chandeliers imported from Italy embellished the ceiling which did alighten the Grand Ballroom. The Ballroom offers the facility of sound proof walls. The walls were adored in a rich shade of cream and gave a stunning effect.

The Galadari Hotel consists of 450 rooms and guests can entertain themselves at the "Karaoke" lounge and "Gatsbys" night club.

The overall impression in the Galadari Ballroom is one of elegance and grandeur, which has been created by the use of vivid decor.

Star Class banquet facilities from Continental

COLOMBO: Say "I do" at the warmest heart in Sri Lanka Ceylon Continental Hotel for the biggest day in your life. The hotel would make it a fairy tale wedding!!! Glamorous venues with outstanding services to make your occasion memorable all life long assures the versatile General Manager, Anil jayemanne.

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Cat's Eye Ballroom

Experience the ambience and the breathtaking view of Sri Lanka's most breathtaking location, situated at the Rooftop of the Ceylon Continental. The carpet of the Cat's Eye Ballroom has now been replaced with a brand new, graceful and extremely attractive carpet imported from Britain, with a capacity for 200 guests.

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Sapphire Ballroom

The Continental's most spacious and luxurious Banquet Venue. Perfectly suited to hold any event that demands glamour and uniqueness. Situated in the Lobby level of the hotel, with a 500-guests capacity.

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Moonstone Ballroom

The underground Ballroom with elegant Chandeliers and glamorous tiled floor. The outcome of your celebration will be simply magnificent. The moonstone could accommodate 200 guests.

Fifteen years of Great Food at Great Wall

COLOMBO: Great Wall Restaurant, Bambalapitiya celebrated its 15th anniversary yesterday on a grand style. The celebrations will go on until the end of September.

In the heart of Colombo amidst the busy city environment on Galle Road, Bambalapitiya stands the Great Wall Restaurant with an aura of authenticity. This unique restaurant dedicates itself to authentic Chinese cuisine, not just by the claim but in reality.

It has stood the test of time serving delicious authentic Chinese food for over one and a half decades. This year it celebrates 15 years of service to a wide cross section of customers.

Great Wall Restaurant is an ISO Certified Restaurant in Sri Lanka. This is a great strength that helps them achieve their vision to be one of the biggest chains of Chinese restaurants in Sri Lanka.

Great Wall Restaurant employs a full time expert Chinese chef flown in from China who takes care of the preparation of authentic Chinese food, with the assistance of a dedicated and well trained staff.

Great Wall has two air conditioned Chinese Restaurants at Galle Road, Bambalapitiya and at Jayantha Weerasekera Mawatha, Colombo 10. They also operate two Take Away Food outlets in both these addresses, as well as a Food Court at Majestic City -- 'Great Lantern'.

Echo- truly Italian every way

The Cinnamon Grand Colombo has launched Echo, an up market Italian restaurant that brings new flair and flavour to the City's gastronomic map.

Doing the honours will be Master Chef Sgroi Giuseppe who brings with him a wealth of experience and an innovative blend of ideas to serve authentic Italian fare at its best.

The restaurant, located on the first level of the newly opened Angsana City Club & Spa seats over 70 people and is open for both lunch and dinner.

Echo, in keeping with its trendy name echoes everything Italian, and the extensive menu and wine list puts it on par with some of the best restaurants serving authentic Italian cuisine in the world.

The large offering, include nine anti pasti (the Italian term for starters), 12 preparations of pasta and risotto, eight types of pizzas, speciality fish and meat dishes and a delightful array of desserts.

Sleek modern interiors in bold red and black, soft overhead pendent lights and trendy decor adds to its appeal factor.

The best part about Echo, as it rightly should be, however, is that it offers a delightful variety of regional Italian cuisine, that is sure to have a great following! The menu, has enough for the adventurous gourmet as well as the curious diner.

Thus on the one hand, there are simple special ties such as Calamari Friti Con Salsa Alla Diavola: Golden Fried Crispy Squid Rings Served with Spicy Tomato Sauce to the more elaborate Ossobuco Alla Milanes: Braised Veal Served with Saffron Risotto and Parmesan shavings.

Laugfs enters Hotel Industry

Chain of restaurants to cater to motorists:

COLOMBO: Laugfs Holdings Limited has entered the Hotel industry through their sister company, Laugfs Leisure Limited. This concept was introduced by Chairman, Laugfs Holdings Limited, W.K.H. Wagapitiya and Managing Director Tilak Perera.

According to Aruna Jayalath, General Manager, Laugfs, their idea of developing this chain of Chinese restaurants named "Jade" is to make available authentic Chinese cuisine to more people in and outside Colombo.

As they are already holding prime property in Colombo where their Fuel Marts are situated, it is a small step to upgrade them with a Laugfs Sunup Super market and a Jade restaurant to cater to every need of the motorists. The chefs at Jade restaurants are experts in Chinese cuisine and only authentic ingredients are used in preparation of the dishes.

The courteous and friendly staff is also highly trained with experience in star-class hotel. Their first restaurant with seating capacity of 80 guests was opened at Jubilee Post Junction, Nugegoda, recently and has got popular within a short period.

The second will be opened in the near future in Maharagama. Laugfs Leisure Limited is planning to open five restaurants in and around Colombo. They are also planning to go into the small luxury hotel concept by next year. They have got some property located in scenic locations in Chilaw, Sigiriya and Deep South.

Jade restaurants promote the idea of family restaurants and therefore their projected restaurants will not be serving any liquor.

However there is a variety of delicious 'mocktails' consisting of tasty fruit juice and other non-alcoholic beverages in varying combinations to offer guests, says Aruna Jayalath who is a Hotel School Graduate with over 24 years of hoteliering experience. Before joining Laugfs, he was the Resident Manager of Koggla Beach Hotel.

Travel Go Guide:

Mid Autumn Food Fest

The Chinese create the most extraordinary food for the most ordinary occasions.

Then, imagine the delectable fare for their most extraordinary festival. Words certainly serve no justice.

Celebrate the Autumn Food Festival and thrill with honey-fried crab, chicken in chilli-sour-sauce, cuttlefish sauteed with zha-cai and many more delectable delicacies found only during this greatest Chinese festival during September and October at the Long Feng Restaurant at Trans Asia Hotel.

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Pizza Promo at UBG

Enjoy gourmet pizza at the Union Bar & Grill of the Colombo Hilton from the September 25 to October 15. As any food critic will tell you Italian food at the UBG is exceptional, during the promotion the talented chef Kumar and his team will create authentic gourmet pizzas with delicious cheese and rich toppings.

Executive Chef Kumar states "pizza lovers are welcome to select their own favourite toppings, be it olives, salty anchovies, grilled vegetables or prosciutto".

"Pizza will be available all day during the promotion and there will be discounts offered on selected beers at the Union Bar," said the Food & Beverage Manager, Gajendran.

"Another unique feature with the pizza promotion at the Hilton Colombo Residence is that we personalise our pizza for the health conscious by creating a thin and crispy base with low calorie toppings," said Gajendran.

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