Hotels

Mount Lavinia Jazz Festival 2010

West African jazz and soul quartet, OHZone the Jazz Septet, UK's very own Dave O Higgins and his jazz trio and taking the best from the orient Dylan Lye and his jazz sextet and The Frank Dubier Jazz Quartet from India are ready to capture your jazz interests the coming month.

"Jazz at the Mount reflects Mount Lavinia Hotel's mission to promote Mount Lavinia as Sri Lanka's jazz hotspot for the local and foreign traveller and to develop a world class event with the intention of creating an iconic event so that Sri Lanka will be placed in the headlines across the world," GM Anura Dewapura states.

This October 15 and 16, the Mount Lavinia Hotel will come alive with Jazz at the Mount with big names like Emile Nelson, Andrew Oh, Blick Bassy, Frank Dubier from India and indeed the fabulous line up of our local jazz who have claimed the Jazz circle in Sri Lanka by storm. Jazz at the Mount 2010 could be considered the third chapter in the story of the Jazz music's evolution in Mount Lavinia Hotel and now it has taken a better turn indeed as an annual event in the books of Mount Lavinia Hotel's strategy to create a positive image in Sri Lanka.

"Our main objective of this event is to make people understand that we can work together in peace and harmony through the wonderful medium of music," Anura adds.

This year's edition will be totally focused on a fabulous line-up of international jazz and soul artistes. And the up and coming local jazz talent will be once again held at the Paradise Beach at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Rooted now in Mount Lavinia Hotel's legacy of churning out fabulous and indeed unique initiatives, JAZZ at the Mount 2010 will boast of eight hours of live musical performances focusing on vocal and instrumental jazz sessions, wonderful cuisine depicting world jazz destinations with Sri Lanka too in the menu, and indeed a fabulous atmosphere each day of the fest.

Mount Lavinia Hotel is committed to making each year's event bigger and better. Anura added, "Our vision for this annual occurrence always scheduled for the third week of October is to eventually bring down big names like George Benson, Joe Sample, Ramsey Lewis and world's true jazz greats. And next year bigger names in the world are sure to be on the cards. "

Blick Bassy is the new soul voice of Cameroon - soul in the sense of vocals that come from within. Bassy says: "The soul of my music isn't so much in the words, it's in the way of singing. In fact, the melody is a mould for the words." Blick Bassy is the singer/ songwriter/ guitarist/ percussionist connects the music of Central and West Africa and mixes it with bossa nova, jazz and soul.

From HongKong, Sri Lankan musician and indeed guitarist Dylan Lye will elate the Sri Lankan music enthusiasts with melodies that indeed come alive. His guitar artistry, and his humble ways has endeared many a fan to him. An imperative member of the highly successful Jetliners led by the living legend Mignone Fernando, who performs at the Regent Hong Kong, for seventeen years, Dylan continues to play in Hong Kong, leading his own group.

Local bands are Norma N Jazz and Ray Gomes' Jazz Quartet. SriLankan Airlines are the air travel sponsors for the event.

Say Hi! to Thai

Thai Airways brings a realm of tantalizing goodies for food lovers:

Ruwini Jayawardana

Placing emphasis on simple yet exquisite dishes with strong aromatic components, Thai food has always been a favourite with the gastronomic lovers of Sri Lanka. So it is no surprise to see Colombo Hilton's Spices restaurant packed and brimming with laughter and energy when Thai Airways showcased their much looked forward to Thai Food Festival for the fourth consecutive year last week. Thai cuisine is known for being spicy. Balance, detail and variety are important in Thai cooking. Thai cuisine is essentially a marriage of centuries-old Eastern and Western influences harmoniously combined into something unique.

As an attempt to bring this innovative style of cooking to the country Thai Airways have flown down Chefs Somsak Munt Krudorn and Noowieng Khantri for the occasion.

"We brought the curry powder and spices along with us from Bangkok so that Thai food lovers will get the original taste in the items. The menu rotates each night so that a person who wishes to return to the premises will find something new to try out each day," Chef Somsak who had visited and taken part in the Thai Food festival on four occasions noted.

Colombo Thai Airways International General Manager Weerawat Swasidibutra added that the festival is held each year to cater to the growing demand.

Indeed the tantalizing aroma and the tastefully arranged array of food beckons us to have a bit of everything. The Tom Yam soup made out of seafood and spiced with chili and lemongrass is a good starter as it' not only refreshing but it also enhances your appetite.

Then you move onto the salads where dishes like Neua Nam Tok (Grilled beef salad Thai style), Yum Prik Yuak (Roasted green chili and Bell pepper salad with minced chicken and prawn), Som Tam Thai (Papaya salad) and Plah Tal (Spiced mixed seafood salad) awaits you.

On to the main course and you have a choice between rice and noodles. Fried rice with prawns and egg, pasta with mushroom sauce, vegetable noodles as well as plain steamed rice were on offer during the opening night. Pattie fish, steamed mixed seafood, potato croquettes, prawn with sweet basil, chicken in pandan leaves, roasted duck with Thai herbs and vegetables and red chicken curry with lychee and many more dishes provided the guests with an opportunity to try out a new range of exotic flavours.

"Lemongrass, sesame seed oil and mushroom are some of the frequently used ingredients in Thai cooking. Some of these items are quite popular among the locals," Thai Airways International Administration Assistant Chandima Arawwawala explained.

The dessert range is a feast for your eyes. You are given a chance to try out delicious looking goodies with unusual names like Woon Sri Thonge and Tiramisu to all time favourites like fresh fruits, fruit salad, chocolates and ice cream in a variety of flavours.

"We make sure that there is a range of dishes for people with different tastes. Vegetarians will not find it a problem to enjoy the food as some of the dishes do not include meat," said Chef Somsak as he displayed a counter with a notice stating 'Make your own soup'.

"The customer is permitted to choose the ingredients to his or her taste. This means that he or she can skip some of the ingredients on offer and wait for the chef to brew a soup which is just for him or her," he added.

The Thai Food festival will end today.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo:

Aiding Elders Home in Ragama

The Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo collaborated with Sahana Piyasa, the Elders Welfare Centre to open an Elders Home recently in Ragama. The hotel provided raw materials as well as other amenities that the residents would require upon moving in.

Raniswala Sunanda, the Buddist priest who is the founder of the Sunanda Padanama Foundation donated a house for the cause. As renovations were required, the hotel stepped in to aid, providing river sand, metal, cement, cement blocks, Asbestos sheets, GI pipes, commodes and cisterns.

In addition to the Hotel's official contribution, various employees made financial as well as other contributions ranging from television sets, washbasins to personal computers towards the project on a personal capacity.

The hotel also provided bed sheets, pillow slips, napkins, dinner plates, curry bowls, dessert plates, glasses, tables, chairs, curtains, towels, etc. in order to ensure the residents were comfortable in their new home.

General Manager of Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Neroy Marso, expressed his pleasure in participating in a project for a segment of their community that is often overlooked when they should be treated with the utmost respect.

Ten Sabi Temaki

Lil bit hot...lil bit cold:

Temaki Sushi also known as hand roll sushi is one of the easiest styles of sushi to make. It is simply easy to hold, difficult for the contents to spill while eating, and can be exquisite looking when filled with a variety of ingredients.

The Ten Sabi Temaki is a Nihonbashi original roll. It's a fusion of sushi and tempura, where wasabi-mayonnaise is folded into sumeshi (sushi rice - vinegard rice) where a whole crispy Black Tiger prawn Tempura is individually wrapped to a cone. It has become one of the favourites among the Japanese and non Japanese guests alike who patronage the restaurant.

This hand roll, initially served without a name for about six months, was later named after the Tempura (ten) Sabi from wasabi and the method of rolling Temaki (hand roll)

Nihonbashi owner Dharshan adds that the warmth of the prawn gives wings to the mayonnaise and there are several temperatures and textures in this one dish.

Hilton Colombo Residence:

September delights

The Executive Lunch Buffet at the Union Bar & Grill (UBG) is a unique culinary concept in Colombo, serving a fusion of international and local menus brought to life with flair by our master chefs.

This extraordinary fusion of international and local cuisine is especially enjoyed by executives who would like to host their special luncheons from Monday to Friday from 12.00pm to 3.00pm.

After a hard day at work, walk in to the Union Terrace to lounge and unwind to the live bands performing Monday to Saturday from 7.00pm to 11.00pm. The daily bands comprise of Quest, Elixir, Anno Domini, Highway, Flame, and C & C.

The Happy Hour at the Union Bar is sure to entice you with the best of brews and concoctions at the Union Bar daily between 6.00pm to 7.00pm. Don't forget the Margarita Madness at the Union Bar taking place during this month and October as well.

Tantalize the taste buds with the exotic flavours at this chic and delight in this evening of fun and entertainment.

Pitstop Café at the Hilton Colombo Residence is a wonderful, cozy locality to meet and eat with friends. It is also the ideal spot to grab a bite to go when in times of haste! One will not be able to resist the freshly brewed lattes, espressos and the selection of freshly baked desserts and pastries on display.

The Star for the months of September and October is the 'White Chocolate Celebration' - a melt in your mouth treat with a cheese cake base with flamboyant white chocolate trimming.

Benvenuto! Come savour and feel the truly authentic Italian experience at the Hilton Colombo Residence's Italian Buffet. Every Friday at the Union Bar & Grill (UBG) from 7.00pm to 11.00pm. Mediterranean Family Affair is an evening where it captures the heart, soul and spirit of the Mediterranean continents.

A lovely ambience to enjoy the family time and their exotic menu which they have in store for everybody every Saturday at the Union Bar & Grill (UBG) from 7.00pm to 11.00pm.

The Sunday Poolside Barbeque is an ideal family get-away located in the heart of Colombo. Come enjoy their barbeque buffet served at the most serene and tranquil location - the poolside every Sunday from 12.00pm to 3.00pm.Children under the age of 12 get to dine for half the rate.

Rasai Sri Lanka

Ceylon Continental celebrates World Tourism Day:

On World Tourism Day 2010, Ceylon Continental aims the spotlight on one of the premier tourist destinations in the world – home. Launching on September 27, the Hotel will showcase Sri Lankan tradition, culture and food in an attempt to support tourism to the country.

The Ceylon Continental will roll out a set of activities that will inspire patriotic citizens, foreigners and indeed all fans of the island paradise, by honouring Sri Lankan cuisine, its culture, tradition, spirit and its natural beauty.

The Emerald Restaurant will host a week long Sri Lanka Food Festival from September 27 to October 3 from 7.00pm to 11.00pm. The authentic experience will showcase the Hotel’s culinary expertise and pay homage to the eclectic mix of Sri Lankan delights.

Just a few of these time-honoured delights include Kakulu rice, chicken and fish ambul thiyal, polos pahi, gotukola baduma, achcharu, kunisso baduma, gange maalu, chicken and mutton curries and hoppers / string hoppers. Not to forget lentils, simmered in coconut milk along with turmeric, cumin seed, red chili, and clove – the traditional dhal curry, which Lankans cannot live without. A peek into the Hotel’s dessert menu includes fruit salad with condensed milk, pol toffee and kiri toffee, dodol, elithalapa, sau dodol, pani walalu, polpani rolls, and aggala. The enormous choice offered by the Hotel revolves around a promise - that of village style cooking at an affordable price.

“Fiery, tangy treats in Earthenware pots have attracted locals and tourists for generations.” the Hotel said. Some of these are iconic dishes, although familiar, not everyone can cook up a spicy Galle-style dish or a gamé style veggie pot. “We are fortunate to have Executive Chef Ranjith Meegasthenna, Chef Suresh Aiayathurei and Chef R.Vincent – a well recognized Consultant Chef of Sri Lankan cuisine with years of experience who will go back to the roots of Sri Lankan food and culture, using authentic, homemade spices and preparations,” they further added. Live Sri Lankan music, cultural shows and costumed staff will add to the week long experience, the Hotel added.

Mount Lavinia Hotel :

Iconic events to boost tourism

The legendary Mount Lavinia Hotel, has lined up a series of fascinating, ‘talk-of-the-town’ happenings in an agenda replete with unlimited entertainment and an incredible gastronomic experience, spread over October, November and December as an exciting prelude to the grand New Year bash to welcome 2011.

Topping the agenda of events is the long-awaited, Mount Lavinia Jazz Festival 2010 with internationally-acclaimed artistes from the UK, Australia, Hong Kong, France, India and the best of local talent, scheduled for October 15 to the 16 at the hotel’s Paradise Beach.

“Our main objective of this event is to make people understand that we can work together in peace and harmony through the wonderful medium of music,” GM Anura Dewapura who is a veteran in the hospitality industry who had worked in properties across Europe and USA for three decades said. SriLankan Airlines and the Embassy of France who have been great supporters in many of MLH’s initiatives are the main contributors for this soon to be iconic event.

This grand Jazz festival will be followed by the unique Sri Lanka Design Festival 2010, which will be a hundred times bigger this year with greater international participation. The Mount Lavinia Hotel hosts this prestigious global event sponsored by MAS Holdings, which will be held from November 11to the17.

Then Beaujolais Nouveau passions takes to the limelight with French culinary extraordinaire by Chef Mats and indeed recreating the French ceremony in the heart of Colombo. On November 19, the Empire Ballroom will be the ceremony of all ceremonies when the release of France’s most popular vin de primeur is the highlight. Then the New Years Bash ever, Glamour Two becomes the talk of the town with Misty complimenting the event at the Empire Ballroom. “Glamour Night - last year was a resound success,” Dewpura states. This year with Misty igniting the ballroom and other great artistes on Terrace and JC’s Beach Blast on the Paradise Beach, Mount Lavinia Hotel is off to a great start.

On the gastronomic front, unique dining experiences makes MLH a realm above the rest. Chef Mats Petersson (a specialist in European and Scandinavian Cuisine from Sweden) surfaces Winemakers Nights, Chef Indika (specializes in North American Cuisine and Slow Food) rounds up the Slow Food convivium and indeed Chef Publis (who is an institution and a part of the rich legacy of this heritage hotel, counting a record service of 57 years)enhances the WE Dining nights where culinary wonders take the limelight. Chef Lal, a connoisseur in Sri Lankan Fusion Cuisine, Chef Saravanan, an expert in Indian Cuisine will also add their special talents at the hotel.

“I was not even born when Publis started his career here”, smiled Anura.

“We have a combination of Global Chefs creating exquisite contemporary menus to offer a new dining experience to our guests”, he noted. “This professional culinary team has upgraded the mansion to look our very best at all times”, speaking about Chef Mats and Chef Indika Anura says.

The year 2009 was a record breaking year for Mount Lavinia Hotel and to add to that impressive achievement, there has been a 25 percent growth this year (2010). There are remarkable growth patterns in the industry as a whole. Not only the market segment, but business patterns have also changed. There are new avenues for tourism in Sri Lanka.

MLH partnered with NDB on a special venture, –focusing on the youth of the East - building a Region Fit for youth. Most of all, this special partnership represents MLH’s collective conviction that a truly prospering and humane region requires holistic investments in its youth and their development undoubtedly securing a great future in the aspects of tourism development for the North and The East.

Inspired leadership taken by MLH and NDB makes all the difference in putting an action plan into reality. MLH’s International Hotel School establishing an arm in Trincomalee and rendering support towards the uplift of the livelihood is indeed a milestone for the youth.

Galle Face Hotel - Verandah Restaurant

Colonial architecture and sumptuous menus…the ideal ambience for relaxation

Winner of the first ever Heritage Hotel, popularly known as the ‘Grand Old Lady’ is gracefully spread across the kilometer-long stretch of lawn referred to as the Galle Face Green. The hotel has inherited a rich history that goes back as far as 1864.

Ideally located in the heart of the commercial capital Colombo, the hotel offers the very best in food menus and customer services which is why it has established the number one slot in the hotel industry today as the prime location that offers breathtaking old charm combined with a modern touch. Among the many restaurants that grace the Galle Face Hotel the ‘Verandah’ offer guests with a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean, the pool area and the hotel’s Patio garden. Elegantly situated among colonial architecture, the Verandah is definitely the place where one could be mesmerized by the captivating ambiance whilst discovering moments of tranquility.

During dinner time guests can opt to sit outdoors in the pool area and enjoy a cool and relaxing meal enjoying the fresh air and cool breeze.

Specializing the very best of a-la-carte menus the Verandah also offers a wondrous spread of breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets. Breakfast buffets start from 6.30am to 10.00am, the lunch buffet is from 12.00 noon to 2.30pm and the dinner buffet is from 7.00pm to 10.00pm.

The Verandah offers a wide choice of menu offerings, which range from Sri Lankan, Indian to International cuisines. The a-la-carte menus have a uniqueness of their own where carefully selected menus from appetizers, salads, sandwiches, seafood and meats are served alongside a mouthwatering range of sweet treats. The a-la-carte menu also includes a good choice of Sri Lankan favourites from the traditional hoppers to the kottus.

The Verandah has become a very popular venue for private functions where the area can be specially reserved for this purpose. The High Tea is yet another unique offering at the Verandah, which therefore makes this venue one of the busiest restaurants at the hotel. High Tea starts from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm where live entertainment is offered daily and fashion shows are also lined up entertainment offered during High Tea hours every other Friday. The High Tea Buffet also offers 45 different types of canopies, which comprise of pastries of unimaginable variations and an action station, which includes kebabs, pita pockets, pancakes and waffles. It also offers a magnificent spread of fresh juices and ice coffees, sandwich counters that offers varieties of sandwiches, which range from vegetable, meat and eggs and pizzas. Around 7 varieties of fabulous desserts and cut fruits are offered during High Tea, which will entice anyone’s sweet tooth.

Sandalford paired with MLH - a unique dining experience

The evening and the venue was the perfect setting for a unique dining experience when MLH surfaced another of their innovative nights for guests to talk about.

As CEO of Sandalford Wines in Perth Grant Brinklow stated, “ Yours is an incredibly beautiful property with an absolutely amazing history which has some parallels with that of our own company which this year celebrates its 170th anniversary having first been established in 1840 at the time of British settlement in Western Australia.” “The Maitland Room venue for the evening was superb – the cuisine delivered by Mats and his team certainly world class and brilliantly paired with the wines – and the service standards of your team quite faultless and as good as any I have seen anywhere in the world,” he further added.

The Sandalford Collection is imported and distributed in Sri Lanka by Favourite International.

The Beetle Commemoration 2010

The Volkswagen Beetle Owners' Club having a membership of over two hundred has made arrangements to hold the Beetle Commemoration 2010, tomorrow September 26 at the premises of the Lanka Orix Leasing Company Ltd.

The main itinerary behind the commemoration is to give the "Beetle", recognition for the years of reliable motoring to its masters. In most cases the Beetle had served two generations and still continues to be the family transport to the third generation as well.

The Commemoration would include a line-up of Beetles from the early split-glass models right upto the later-day. There will be 1303 models who will be presented a badge stating the years of Beetle Motoring in Sri Lanka that would be handed over to the owners ahead of their Bugs and would be placed on the left hand side of the car in keeping to the uniformity on all bugs.

The Badge will display either 30, 40 and 50 years of 'Beetle Motoring' depending on the age of the car. At present 90 Beetles have confirmed their participation at this 'all important' event of the Club which would be the 'first of its kind' ever to be carried-out by a Motoring Club giving due honor to an automobile for the years of service rendered to its owners.