Hotels

Japanese Slow food night:

Attitude as much as a fabulous evening

When the night of November 21st at the Mount Lavinia Hotel was dedicated to a 'Japanized' Slow Food Night, the thought may have crossed many minds as to how are they going to surface a Slow Food night with authentic and indeed inspired fine Japanese cuisine. Why Nihonbashi? "Nihonbashi is slow food! We prepare every dish ala minute and from ingredients that are not frozen", Chef Dharshan said.

Dharshan added that this dinner at the Maitland State Room at Mount Lavinia Hotel was indeed a challenge as he made the menu with 100 percent local main ingredients. The menu consisted of Sashimi, Tuna New Style Sashimi, Ebi Shio Yaki with Wasabi Mayo, Cuttle Fish Semi Sashimi with Peperoncino, Sarana Goma Ae, Chicken Liver Teriyaki with rice and soy and Olive Oil Steamed Fish with rice.

The main aim of the slow-food night was to protect local food producers, to promote taste education and to protect food heritage. And the Slow Food dinner pays attention not only to the country's internal problems, but also to global issues such as biodiversity and environmentally sustainable farming.

"The great thing about supporting Slow Food is one can adopt the slow-food philosophy even if you are living in a luxury villa because the fact is that you have to eat food, and that links you to the producers, no matter where they are in the world. This is the most fascinating aspect of this movement", Mount Lavinia Hotel GM Anura Dewapura said.

The evening was spent in gourmet food style. The guests appreciated and enjoyed the selected food on the plate with their refined tastes all cooked up by Chef Dharshan but also paid attention to the origins of the food, such as the producers and their lives. One guest endorsed that, "Slow food may cost a bit more, but I am willing to pay for food that I really want to eat if I believe that it is fairly priced".

"To promote alternative lifestyles that focus on environmentally sustainable living components and indeed organic food is often more expensive. But if you believe it is good for you and also good for the environment, paying the extra cost for a fabulous meal at a unique venue is only reasonable", another ardent fan of Slow Food dinners at the Hotel said.

Slow food is not difficult. It is saying 'let's enjoy food', and is trying to preserve a society in which you can pursue that pleasure.

The slow-food philosophy states share meals with your family and friends. Hence the long rectangular table at the Maitland State Room where all partook and savoured the delicacies of Chef Dharshan's menu which indeed was the essence of a fabulous Slow Food Night.

Christmas at Galadari

Christmas carols are among the oldest of holiday traditions, stretching back centuries with songs about celebrations of the birth of Christ. Christmas carols will be performed by Silhouette on December 23rd and 24th from 8.00pm to 9.00pm at the centre lobby.

Christmas cocktail at the Lobby Bar from December 1st to 30th December. They're mixing very special seasonal cocktails for the month of December and treating one to the best Christmas music all day long.

From December 5th onwards one can drop their Christmas wish in Santa's mail box and receive a special gift from Santa himself on Christmas Day at "Lunch with Santa". From December 14 to the 31 all who visit the Coffee Shop and dine with a bill exceeding a certain amount, the accompanied child will get receive a Christmas gift.

On December 24th a scrumptious Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet is to be served with a wide selection of dishes to choose from along with soothing tunes by Silhouette to match the mood. There is also a discounted dinner rate for kids.

Lunch with Santa will be on December 25 with a fabulous Lunch buffet with a kiddies corner, balloons, Magic show, carols and live music. There's also a Christmas Dinner Buffet, a scrumptious spread of festive dishes with music by Kismet.

On December 24 the California Grill, with a breath taking view over looking the Indian Ocean amidst a romantic setting invites its guests for a pure luscious indulgence with their specially created recipes that will satisfy your palate. There will be Piano music by Paul Pereira.

The cookie Hut at Café 64 has an amazing array of goodies from Cakes, Puddings, Yule Logs to Cookies and take away items such as Roast Lamb, Prime Rib of Beef, Seafood fantasy and many more all available from December 10th to 31st. Select the items for your hamper and they will delightfully gift wrap it for you.

One can also celebrate the season in Arabian Style at the Sheherezade Arabic Restaurant on December 24 and enjoy a true Middle Eastern Buffet. If one wants to get away from all the seasonal cuisines, visit Stix Chinese Restaurant and enjoy a truly authentic Chinese meal on an a-la-carte menu.

Lebanese restaurant and lounge in Colombo

'Habibi' the only authentic Lebanese restaurant and lounge in the country opened at a new location last week, with a new look and a sizzling new take on fine dining.

From cuisine to culture, ambience to entertainment, the new exclusive restaurant at Maitland Crescent, Colombo 7 (next to the Gymkhana Club) is ideally located in the heart of Colombo.

Lebanese restaurateur and food connoisseur Michel Habibi runs his successful 'Habibi' franchise across the globe from Middle East to Africa and he explained that the secret to the unmistakable appeal of 'Habibi' is very simple. "We are 100% Lebanese!"

Michel Habibi takes authenticity one step further by ensuring that the majority of his ingredients are flown in from Lebanon. "When you eat hummous at my restaurant, it is the real deal," he informed. While the sesame tahini which gives the dish its unmistakable tangy flavour, the olive oil and aromatic condiments are brought down specifically from Lebanon, Habibi looks to Greece for his authentic Fetta Cheese and Australia for the highest grade of lamb and mutton and of course, the delicious grape leaves which make up one part of his extensive Mezze Platter.

Diners of Colombo are also assured of the true authenticity of the dishes by Habibi's three experienced Lebanese chefs, flown down to ensure that when he says Lebanese, he means Lebanese.

'Habibi' as an exclusive fine dining restaurant ensures that your cuisine is perfection on a plate, but nothing can fire up your appetite like an entertaining dance by the oriental dancers of the Middle East.

Having amassed fans in Habibi's restaurants in Cyprus and Egypt, the fiery Fernanda has been flown down to add the final touch to a truly Lebanese experience in Colombo. "Dining is more than just about food in Lebanon," Habibi explained, "It is a complete experience combining relaxation with entertainment."

The variety of the Mezze is only the start, and one can next indulge in a plethora of delicious textures and flavours of the Lebanese samosas, soft and tender falafels, deliciously meaty kebabs and spiced rice among the extensive menu.

Habibi has challenged that if any two of his diners can sit with his mammoth Mezze Platter and finish every dish, he will give them the Mezze for free. It is not an easy task, but the brave diners of Colombo have been warned. Head to 'Habibi' and accept the delicious challenge yourself.

'Habibi' has also been designed with the elite Arabic visitor in mind as they have tied up with Luxury Holiday Travels based in Colombo to bring Arabian tourists to the island. "We intend to tap into the luxury Arabic market, and since Arabian tourists love to enjoy their own cuisine wherever they travel, our restaurant also caters to their need."

So head over to the latest sensation in the dining scene of Colombo and find out for yourself how 'Habibi' combines the traditional with the contemporary in the heart of the city.

'Habibi' is open for dining from 7 pm to 11 pm after which the floor is open to entertainment, Lebanese style.

Traditional cake mixing at Palm Beach Hotel

The Traditional Christmas Cake was mixed at Palm Beach Hotel "Summertime" at a colourful atmosphere. The theme for Christmas this year is "White Christmas" said Patrick Phillips Operation Manager.

In the picture, executive Chef and Operation Manager Patrick Phillips Directs the traditional Christmas cake mixing ceremony with the Chairman Don Jayasuriya, Sadhan Jayasuriya, General Manager Ravin Gunawardena, Consultant Milinda Hettiarachchi, Executive Secretary Orana Dirckze Food and Beverage Manager Upeksha Hewawasam, accountant Sanjeewani, Senior Sous Chefs Chandrapala, Vipula and Poshitha, House Keeper Gayan Samaranayake and the pastry chef the kitchen brigade of Palm Beach Hotel.

Rockin' around the Christmas tree

On Sunday, 6 December, the King's Court Ballroom at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo will come alive from 7.00 pm with song and seasonal gaiety as Misty, Noeline Honter, Watsala, Quest, Best, Rebels, Dimension and C&C take the stage to give you 'Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree'! The repertoire for the concert covers classic Christmas carols, contemporary songs and some perennial seasonal favourites - including O Holy Night, The Christmas Song ('Chestnuts roasting on an open fire'), Frosty the Snowman, All I want for Christmas is you, I'm Yours, Merry Christmas Everyone, a medley of songs by the great Elvis Presley and of course, Rockin' around the Christmas Tree. This is, undoubtedly, the ideal evening for the entire family during this festive season.

Tickets at the Special Events Desk from 30 November 2009.