Akasa Kade still serving at the top

Amalshan GUNERATHNE

Not many restaurants around Colombo give you the luxury of enjoying your meal in a grand scenic atmosphere. Facing the Colombo Harbour while treating its visitors with a panoramic view of the city of Colombo, 'Roof Top Restaurent' or else better known as Akasa Kade, provides a very refreshing setting, where one could enjoy their routine meal to the core.

Blessed with a fascinating history, Akasa Kade boasts of being the tallest building in the city before the World Trade Center and the Central Bank building came in to being. The restaurant was started during 1963.

Many visited the place just for the sake of viewing pleasure. Till the other buildings came in to place, Akasa Kade stood above the rest, treating its customers with a grand view of the city of Colombo.

"School students used to visit our place during their field trips, just to see the city. Even foreigners used to love the view. We even have a Helipad in the roof top," Akasa Kade Manager Jagath Peiris said.

However the 1996 Central Bank bombing meant that the restaurant had to undergo severe repairs. Still, the restaurant successfully tackled the challenges and has lived up to the expectations of many of their visitors who have a high regards for the place.

The scenic atmosphere is not the only specialty of the place.

Variety of food choices means that everyone's burning appetites are satisfied to the full. The menu extends from a variety of salads, soups, desserts, seafood dishes, fresh juices, appetizers, afternoon buffets and variety of hoppers to even spicy Kottu.

"We have always been popular for hoppers. Recently we introduced a seafood hopper. I guess it's for the first time that something like this is served in a Sri Lankan restaurant," Akasa Kadey main chef Jayantha Sumanasiri noted.