Hotels

Submarines and puddings

Demi HEWAMANNA

When you think of a submarine, you imagine a long diagonally shaped bread (maybe plain, maybe added with sesame seeds) cut in two parts filled with some of your favourite ingredients ready to take a dive into your mouth. Well, that’s what I expected to do when I walked into Galle Face Hotel’s adorable café – The Pasticcino – where a submarine promo was taking place along with bread and butter pudding.

As I sat down, our lovely host of the hotel PR Manager Onitha Gurugalla greeted with her ever so pleasant smile and got me and my colleague all set to taste their latest promo special – submarines!

The Pasticcino is an amazing café, and people who have been there would agree with me, because once your in there, there is so much you can do there other than munching away. Life for example what I love most is looking at the history of the hotel and the country that is written and displayed all over the café.

Once you wait for your order, you know that you can never complain if it takes some time to prepare as there is always reading, taking pictures and talk about the hotel with your friend or the friendly staff.

Our order came and I was surprised to the submarine. No there was nothing wrong it, but it was different the other submarines I tried specially the shape of it was what caught my attention. It looked like a normal bread, with only the top and bottom part cut, giving it a nice flat smooth surface from the usual round and fluffy one.

As it came to the table, the smell of the bread was heavenly and divine. But I had to wait a little bit before digging in, as this smart looking submarine was headed off to a photo shoot (the ones you are looking at right now).

Finally as it came to the table, I was looking at it for a little while wondering how I am going to eat this (as it was enough for two – if you were not that hungry) and also other submarines were always eaten by hand, but this one was different. I had got a vegetable submarine and before I began to take it in, I lifted the top slice of the bread up and was smiling to see the way the vegetables (grass green salad, mushrooms, cucumber, pickles, tomato, loads of onions and mayonnaise were laid to perfection. As I began cutting, the moment I just moved the knife, the bread began to help the knife cut itself.

As I took my first bite (I still get the aroma thinking of it), I realized I was in love with this bread and that I could survive with this bread forever. And this bread is not brought from anywhere, it was made right in the hotel by the Chefs.

The fresh salad and cucumber plus the bread and mayonnaise were really hard to resist. What really added that extra flavour was the mushroom – soft and tender. I’m not a big fan of pickles, but they do add the extra flavour necessary for a good vege lover.

I realized that my colleague was also enjoying the Roast Chicken Submarine as he hardly spoke when he started on his dish. For the meat lovers there is also Roast Beef and Tune for the fishy people.

After all that amazing submarine, it was time to taste the second dish of the month – Bread and Butter pudding topped with strawberry sauce.

The pudding was very soft and melted into the mouth without any hesitation and giving ample time to take all the flavour in. All I can say it was yummy yummy yummy, especially after adding the strawberry sauce. There were plums, cashew nuts and basically everything that was in there could be like tasted individually. It was magical!

You people have to really taste it to know what I mean. And to people who love really good, simple, tasty and are ready to try something new everyday, I’m sure you are getting a sense of what I am saying.

If you had no time for breakfast or forgot to take your lunch from home and have no idea where to grab something quick and filling, then you should really head on down to Pasticinno.

The Pasticcino is no ordinary cafe as everything that is served there is fresh and really delicious.

You can make your own sandwich, have a casual time and relax with some coffee or something else with your friends or partner and basically leave all fresh and happy – which is my feeling, every time I go there. The café is open from 8 am to 8 pm everyday.

Mumbai Jig at CLC this Diwali season

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo creates a night of exemplary Indian cuisine for guests every month. This month, being a special one in Indian calendars with Diwali celebrations, the Mumbai Jig is scheduled for the week following this Hindu festival of lights.

Lead by Chef Rana, the hotel’s very own expert on Indian cuisine, the Mumbai Jig has attracted Indians, Sri Lankans as well as other tourists and expats, all looking for a taste of well prepared Indian food. 

Indian cuisine is represented by a diverse array of flavours from over 28 Indian states and has been perfected over a period of 5000 years! As such diners are treated to a meal that can be described as nothing other than historic!

For the Mumbai Jig, the hotel goes all out. The event takes place at the Terrace with an ample view of the Beira Lake. A special Chaat Station is assembled where Indian street snacks are prepared on request. 

Guests can choose from aloo chaats, channa chaats, mixed chaats, papri chaats and bhel puri. 

A Tandoor oven is brought out so that guests are treated to the freshest naans, whilst aromatic kebabs beckon.

The feast continues on with a choice of chicken or vegetable biriyani, mutton rara gosht, lasooni murgh tikka, mixed vegetable curry and mathitika just to name a few. In keeping with the theme, glasses of faluda and lassi are offered to guests throughout the meal. The sweetmeats on offer on these nights deserve special praise. 

Chef Wije and Chef Lakshman, the hotel’s Pastry Chefs, prepares a colourful selection of divine desserts for the occasion. From the golden brown gulab jamuns, to the colourful boondhi, juicy jalebi, laddu, carrot halwa and the varieties of mithai, the irresistible selection has guests guiltily gulping down pots of green tea after a truly satisfying indulgence. 

Bollywood music will set the tone for the evening, whilst dancers perform Bollywood numbers to add that extra spice to the night from 7:30 pm until 11 pm on November 13.

Christmas with Soul Sounds and Voice Print

Exceptional amidst traditional entertainment is an iconic tradition in the Mount Lavinia Hotel and one of the defining characteristics of the MLH known to be one of the oldest and most important surviving colonial buildings in Sri Lanka.

As a Governor’s Residence it formed the heart of where much entertainment and conviviality was celebrated by the former British Governors and their guests and thus it is not surprising that the same spirit is enjoyed by the many guests and travellers this Christmas season at the hotel.

Ranked with some of the most renowned choirs in the world, Soul Sounds, a much loved all girls choir who have enthralled many an audience both in Sri Lanka and abroad will team up with Voice Print, a choral musical ensemble or very much known to be an all male acapella choir consisting of past choristers of St Benedicts College.

They will ring in the seasonal cheer on November 26, with the evening beginning with the lighting of the Christmas Tree and followed by an evening of soulful voices at the Sky Shack.

The iconic traditions begin with the choirs and will ignite further towards the end of the night with Chef Indika sprucing up the hotel with his specialties for the American Thanksgiving spread, which happens at the Governor’s Restaurant on November 25.

Then from December 1 to 24 - Christmas around the world will be the journey to experience at the Governor’s Restaurant - each night dedicated to the countries that celebrate Christmas.

December 13 - St Lucia’s Day will be lit with Soul Sounds, December 26c - the Gospel Jazz Sunday Brunch will also showcase their games repertoires that brought them fame at the Choir Games.

December 4 and 11 Voice Print will showcase their acapella versions at the Terrace. And all Christmas splendours for eve and Christmas Day amongst a spread of Scandinavian and European traditions, will be showcased by our European food specialist Chef Mats.

Wines aplenty at Cinnamon Lakeside

The Wine Buffet is the perfect occasion to gather your best drinking buddies and head to Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo’s plush lobby Lounge. Every month on a Wednesday, the hotel presents guests with a splendid selection of wines.

Eighteen wines - red and white - are accompanied by a buffet of cheeses, asparagus, cavery and canap’s. Spend the evening indulging in the fine food and drinks on offer while a live band provides the entertainment.

A cross continental selection of wines has been selected for Wednesday’s Wine Buffet.

The range varies from Miquel Torres Cordillera, a Gold Medal and Best Value White Wine Trophy winner, Terrazas Alto Chardonnay, Orvieto Classico, Castellani Frascati Superiore, Mathew Lang Chardonnay, Rosemount Cabernet Merlot, Chteau Lafont Menaut, Castillo De Molina Sauvignon Blanc and many others from South Africa, Australia, Chili, France, Germany and Italy. For the opportunity to indulge in this selection, be sure to make a prior reservation by contacting the hotel on 2491956.

Set in the recently refurbished Lounge of the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, the Wine Buffet has become a fundamental part in the calendars of the hotel’s patrons.

This month the event will take place on the November 10 from 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm.

Iconic traditions to Glamouratti to Mardi Gras

As Mount Lavinia Hotel’s theme for the season is based on iconic traditions it is no wonder that the celebration of St. Lucia, the patron saint of light, is an important part of their festivities.

‘While St Lucia’s Day is celebrated differently in different countries, its message of light and hope resound with all who participate in the day’s festivities,’ General Manager Anura Dewapura states.

With regards to seasonal offerings the Mount Lavinia Hotel is packed with many forms of entertainment and sensational festive menus that will add on the true meaning of Christmas.

This year’s Christmas tree is estimated to be the tallest tree ever to be lit in the country. The Christmas tree will be around 30 feet tall and will be made with environmentally friendly recycled materials. The hotel will also be offering the traditional Christmas drinks such as eggnog, Glüh wine and Kokito as well as other festive beverages from the around the world. On December 13 the hotel will celebrate St. Lucia’s Day, which is a popular festival mostly celebrated in Northern Europe proclaiming the message of light and hope. This festival will be celebrated in style with traditional music and other delicacies at the Governor’s Roof Top.

The hotel is also gearing up to host a special New Year’s Eve celebration where the well known band ‘Misty’ will be performing at the Empire Ballroom. Also a special party will take place at the Governor’s Terrace which will include a musical entertainment mix of jazz and blues and will take on a Mardi Gras like ambiance typifying New Orleans: non-stop party, night does not end till daylight, not just steeped in history but sauted in it.

In addition to this the hotel’s Seafood Cove will offer a five course seafood dinner where the night will come alive with classical music and the seafood Experience will be nothing but the best. All this and more will be offered by the hotel this festive season, so if you are looking at celebrating a culmination of Christmas festivities with a difference and hosting a potpourri of flavours from around the world then Mount Lavinia Hotel should be your number one choice this season.

Business with India

Ceylon Continental Hotel:

There is always a touch of India in party of Sri Lanka and mostly we get it in hotels. This time, India brings along business to the table as Ceylon Continental Hotel’s Indian restaurant Tandoor unveils its Business Lunch for all the busybodies who are in rush to meet up, have a meeting and have a good meal as well.

‘Five different menus will be served on each day of the week as a three course sit down lunch between 12 noon and 2.30 pm. A special twelve-item Lassi menu is also on offer which could be taken separately. You choose to finish the lunch between 45 minutes or two hours we are geared to serve,’ Food and Beverage Manager Ravi Stanislaus said.

An assortment of aromatic dishes including chicken, fish and vegetable are being prepared with attention to authenticity by the team of Chefs.

The Hotel’s Indian Chef Sanjaya Prasad Bhatt, is the new member of the team.

His specialty in serving Indian food has been shaped over the years by working in such exotic five star locations in north India.

Ladies night at Ceylon Continental

The Ceylon Continental hotel promises a night of fun, entertainment and fabulous music at the Hotel's 'Ladies Night', a permanent fixture to be held on the second Thursday of every month.

The next Ladies Night is scheduled for November 11.

On 11/11, between the hours of 6.30pm and 9.30pm, the rejuvenated Heist Bar will host three hours of great deals and entertainment which literally begin at the Heist's entrance all for the lovely ladies.

A complimentary cocktail and Chef's Special snack greets ladies as they enter. The night's entertainment will start with a fantastic trendy fashion show by Benares.

Free photographs for everyone will be taken courtesy of Metropolitan, the Hotel said.

Exciting gifts and vouchers will be made available from none other than Benares, the promotion's latest main sponsor. Lucky winners of the raffle draw will win a branded Saree and dinner for two vouchers at the five -star Ceylon Continental.

Many more exciting offers and competitions are planned for the night, with appearances by several special guests.

The first thirty ladies that walk in will be eligible for branded gift vouchers, and all ladies will walk away with Benares discount coupons.

They are also offering our Suite Rooms to any ladies interested in relaxing, staying overnight, at special rates.

Our Suites are furnished to international standards, mixing Asian elements with contemporary design, with a breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean - the ultimate relaxation after a night of exuberance, the Hotel said.

The popular unplugged band Sonali & Champaign will give the Heist a unique atmosphere throughout the night, followed by DJ music.

GM Upul Gamage expressed positive sentiments regarding the upcoming entertainment. 'Following the successful inaugural Ladies Night, we can all anticipate a great follow-up, with some sumptuous food, sizzling entertainment, and the great, supportive sponsors that have come on board.

It's going to be an unforgettable night!'

Christmas cake mixing

The traditional mixing of the Christmas cake was held at the Taj Samudra hotel last Friday. The proper traditional Christmas cake is made one month or so ahead. The mixture has to be kept for some time for it to get the right flavour, before its ready to serve.

It seems that Christmas celebrations have already begun and people have already started the preparations for the big colourful event one month ahead.

An impressive social gathering attended the ceremony. The invitees and guests had a hand at mixing before the hotel chefs finally took over.

It created a wonderful feeling with the right aromas and fragrances filling the air.

Everyone seems to feel that 'Christmassy' feeling down their spine. The Santa caps and lilting seranade of carols played in the backdrop added to the awesome memories that Christmas always bring in for everyone.

Galadari welcomes Don Moen

The Galadari Hotel warmly welcomed Don Moen and Mrs. Laura Moen on their arrival to Sri Lanka last weekend. Don Moen was here as a part of his four Nation Tour, to perform at the Peace Concert held in Colombo on November 3.

Don Moen is a music leader, composer, song writer and founder of Don Moen Company. Moen has produced 11 albums for integrity. His first album under his name was released in 1992, and has Global sales of over five million albums. Moen has received a Dove Award for his work in addition to amassing nine nominations for his songs.







 

Rebirth at the Mix

Charmaine Fernando

The season of all seasons is just round the corner...and the excitement is chilling. It's in the air. Taj Samudra's The Mix is gearing up for the revelation. Rebirth comprising Marlon Amarasekera and Slovakian Janka are scheduled for a scintillating performance every Wednesday and Sunday from 9pm.

Rebirth's repertoire will leave you gyrating from the nostalgic retro to current chart toppers. Performing over the last couple of years in Germany, the band sings German classical tunes such as

"Cladia Jung" or even the more new gen tracks like "Helena Fischer" to keep your connoisseur blood flowing, if you call it that.

It will be different nights vs varied entertainment. Wednesday and Thursday nights will be a choice of retro and relaxing tracks to build up hype for the weekend holiday feeling. Friday and Saturday nights Rebirth will do high energy performance to kick up your best moves. Sunday, jazzy hits will lift your soul to the next level to have you gear up your best week ahead.

Great beverages with alluring light eats at the Mix bar will set you free against the lilting backdrop of dream-makers music.