[Zest - Food Corner]

More than just burgers

Demi HEWAMANNA

Today, in Sri Lanka, you get burger joints everywhere and you can always hear your friends recommending you to try this place that place and so on.

And I am here today, to recommend a good place as well that not only serves good burgers but much more in terms of quality, quantity and ambiance and sure to give all of you a blast of a time.

I met up with Burger Blast Director Sanjeewa Wijeratne who said that they have introduced a new range of eatables and freshened up the menu. Sanjeewa spoke about the new milkshakes they have introduced that include Oreo. I was recommended the Oreo Chocolate Shake and that was truly mouth-wateringly delicious. At the very first sip itself you can feel the kick in your mouth and as you pull in more, you get the pieces of chocolate ready to be munched on – I so recommend it to Oreo and Chocolate lovers. The other flavours and shakes available are Strawberry Shake, the Kat Shake, Nut Shake and vanilla and chocolate shakes.

As I was flipping through the menu, Sanjeewa was explaining about how the buns are all baked here including the patties. “The patties are never frozen or microwaves as everything is served fresh. The cooks go buy all the vegetables and no additives or preservatives are added to the burgers”, Sanjeewa added.

The whole concept of the place is for casual dining, as it’s not properly introduced in Sri Lanka and we are the pioneers in it. It’s not a fine dining or a fast food restaurant, Sanjeewa adds.

While chatting I had ordered a Creamy Pasta with Chicken and Mushroom and it was brought hot hot to the table. The quantity it was served to was just perfect and I somehow managed to finish it all as everything in it was cooked to perfection. The pasta was boiled to the right temperature, mixed in well with the cheese and tender well cooked chicken pieces. The other dishes available are Pasta in pesto sauce, Pasta with fresh tomato and basil. There is also rice on the menu for the rice lovers such as Mongolian rice, Malaysian rice and Kottu for the dinner crowd.

Speaking on the burgers, my friend has ordered a Chef’s Specialty Works Burger and it had all the works in it.

When it comes to Burger Blast’s burgers…one question that runs through your mind is “how am I going to eat that?” That was my reaction when I first had a burger there. As I took a bite from my friend’s burger, I found that the meat was soft and was saucy and really done well.

More burgers on the list are Classic Beef Burger, Calamari Burger (which is actually a first as no other restaurant has done it before), Egg Burger and Blast Juicy Lamb Burger (the lamb is specially imported from Australia as in Sri Lanka, you can’t get it in a good quantity). And oh vegetarians do not be disheartened as there are options for you’ll as well with the Mushroom Burger and the Veggie Burger.

“We were concerned about the religious segment and we don’t do anything with pork”, Sanjeewa added.

The restaurant was started in November 2010 and Sanjeewa together with his friend Suresh started this project. After speaking to NCC, they began to build this place from scratch.

The kitchen is located downstairs and the restaurant is situated upstairs which can seat around 30 people.

For the loud young teens who want to share a good laugh and enjoy the natural breeze than the electronic one can sit out in the terrace that can seat around 15 people, while families and big parties can sit inside and enjoy their meal. There is also a lounge area that can be entered from the terrace side for private parties for about 15 people.

There is a party package that comes with the lounge.

Most of the customers that come are the school boys and girls as most of Colombo’s best girls and boy’s schools are located in this area. Open from 11am to 11pm, this is the perfect spot for parents to pick up something for their children when they go to get them from school or eat a salad while waiting till school finishes. Plans are being made to serve breakfast as well and with many parents working and having no time to cook, this could be an ideal life saver for them.

CLC delights with Dim Sum set menus

Long Feng extends a Dim Sum set lunch experience created by the hotel’s expert Dim Sum Chef Duan Mei Qin. Ideal for a working lunch, the set lunch is served in authentic bamboo steam baskets and kept warm in a state of the art Dim Sum trolley. Long Feng has a wide selection of Dim Sum available with a variety of fillings from chicken, meat, prawns and pork to vegetarian options.

As tradition goes these delicate and artistic dumplings were a tea time snack best enjoyed accompanied by a cup of Chinese green tea. Dim Sum expert Duan Mei Qin is the newest addition to Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo’s Long Feng kitchen team. Bringing the authentic taste of the Chinese traditional tea time snack, Chef Duan has created a plethora of Dim Sum varieties for Long Feng.

Born and bred in China, Duan entered the Chinese food cooking school HeNang specializing in Dim Sum cooking. Duan has been developing her skills in making Dim Sum for over twenty years, working in restaurants across China. Starting off as a trainee chef for the HeNang hotel in China, Duan developed her skills in Dim Sum moving up the ladder as an expert Dim Sum Chef. Duan brings a wealth of Chinese cooking experience to CLC’s kitchen whilst working as a chef in big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai before moving to Sri Lanka.

Chef Duan is highly skilled in creating artistic and attractive Dim Sum for the Long Feng menu, where a variety of forty Dim Sum’ are available. With her specialist experience of over twenty years, she averages at approximately one minute to create each piece, a skill that takes years to master.

The Dim Sum set lunch is available daily along with a special selection of teas at Long Feng from 12 noon to 2.30pm.

French fancies at CLC

The Dining Room takes on a French twist till August 28 where one of the world’s most prestigious culinary cuisines waits to be explored.

France was made famous by its artists, culture and its exquisitely rich cuisine amongst other accomplishments. The traditional rustic farm house dishes with their authentic natural flavours to the extravagant gastronomic feasts known for their artistic and precise finishes are amongst the rich variety of tastes that make up this extraordinary French culinary journey.

French cuisine has contributed to some of the world’s most famous dishes with the rarest of techniques used to create them. The introduction of luxury delicacies and special cheeses have tantalized taste buds all over the world.

Executive Chef Martin Becquart creates traditional French delights from his home country for this spectacular buffet. The vast selection of dishes range from Beef Bourguignon to Baked Fish Ratatouille.

The baked fish ratatouille, a popular French dish consisting of sautéed vegetables layered with baked fish and a rich tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions and traditional herbs are all baked to perfection. The Beef Bourguignon, a traditional French dish that is influenced by the Burgundy region of France, is a well known stew with beef braised in red wine.

To make the evening all the more exciting, diners stand the chance of winning one of five prizes inclusive of an air ticket, courtesy of Qatar Airways.

Jazz, Blues and food for the soul every Sunday Brunch

A collection of recipes celebrating the great taste of Soul Food along with some Blues and Jazz to complement the evening has now begun to flourish at Mount Lavinia Hotel. A steady groove between the bass and drums and then embellish that groove with riffs and melody lines that draw heavily from gospel, R&B, jazz and blues becomes a sensory stimulant.

As one guest commented on Sunday Brunch at MLH, “Awesome place! Fun vibe, the musicians are having a good time, no doubt about it. Had some talented people in addition to the very together and rockin’ Jazz band. Cool place!! Mixed crowd, young, old, different colors, cuties too.”

The Soul food buffet is served from noon to 3pm every Sunday. Fried chicken drumstick only, spicy louisiana sausage, hush puppies, collard greens, green beans, black eye peas and potato salad are some to savour on. The fried chicken is similar to Jamaican jerk but, more fried coating and moist. And the hush puppies is as how you would get it in Bayou territory (deep fried corn bread) and potato salad. Some good down home cooking, like Louisiana Crab Cakes, Hot black eyed pea dip and corn chips, Smoky Baby Back ribs, Hot wings, Rice and Peas, Sweet Potato Wedges, Spicy Red Slaw, Water melon salad, the very famous Key Lime Pie and other sweet tooth delicacies and ending with Coffee and Rocky Road are some Soul Food that you cannot beat. Culinary delights born from the Black/African American, Jamaican and Caribbean cultures and the some good ole Hoppin’ John, Simmering Sausage Cabbage, Stuffed Pork Chops, Okra Fish Creole, Potato and Crabmeat Casserole, Crabmeat Quiche are a few more to make your dining choice to MLH.

A night of authentic Sri Lankan delights

Experience an evening of Sri Lankan cuisine at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo’s popular Hopper Night at the Terrace.

The Terrace is transformed into an evening of Sri Lankan delicacies, with local food and music creating an evening of culture.

Perfect for all Hopper enthusiasts, enjoy the crispy, Stuffed Hoppers and Egg Hoppers prepared by the Chefs a-la-minute. String Hoppers, Kottu Rotti, vegetable and meat curries, Pittu, Babath, Chicken curry, Fish Ambulthiyal and many other Sri Lankan favourites are amongst the popular local dishes that will be served. A calypso band entertains guests with old favourites and takes requests from the crowd.

Soak up the atmosphere and the sounds of the local music whilst relaxing by the Beira Lake on August 10 (today). Begin the evening at 7pm and enjoy the delicious crispy hoppers till 11pm at The Terrace.

Ideal for every sweet tooth a wide selection of desserts make up the dessert station, with an array of local treats available to indulge in. Be it Lavariya, Dodol, Milk Toffee, Kokis, Kavum, Asmi, Halapa, Mung Kavum, Coconut Rock or Banana Fritters, these goodies are sure to bring alive those happy memories spent with family. Complete the local journey with a traditional ginger tea and end the night on a high knowing the Hopper night will be back again next month.

Sharing the Spirit of Ramadan with the Ramada - Colombo

Share the joy of Ifthar with friends, relatives and corporate clientele during the holy month of Ramadan at Ramada - Colombo. An array of traditional delights with Arabian and Middle Eastern favourites will be prepared especially for everyone. At sunset, begin the celebrations with succulent dates, deliciously prepared hot mutton kanji and faluda to quench the thirst.

Dip in to mouth-watering Hummus and Mutabbel Arabic salad with soft Arabic bread. Savour the cooling tabbouleh and cucumber with yogurt salads before indulging in the golden aromatic mutton Biryani. Ramada Colombo will make all the arrangements to provide everyone with a private and a peaceful area for evening prayers.

Visit the Gardenia Coffee Shop and treat yourself and the family to an Ifthar experience, home away from home. Enjoy the selection of special Ifthar buffet spread and the tranquility and soothing ambiance of the coffee shop while sitting back and relaxing during the Ramazan Season.

The savans which is a specialty meal dished out in a savan has been prepared by the chefs to a special recipe for decades. Select a savan of chicken or mutton Biriyani which will be accompanied by seven side dishes including roasted chicken, Maldive fish sambol, chutney and the season’s favourite dessert Watalappan.

 

Risotto promotion at Steak and Grill House

The Steak and Grill House at the Taj Samudra, overlooking the manicured lawns of the hotel is well known for outstanding Continental Fine Dining.

This August the restaurant offers a varied choice of magnificent Italian risottos.

A pillar of Milanese cuisine that savours 10 delectably divine varieties of fine Italian Risotto - slow cooked in white wine and broth and ready to be served, just as it was meant to be.

The extensive menu consists of meat, poultry and sea food risottos options including - char grilled fine centre-cut pork loin with green peas, Norwegian salmon and green asparagus, risotto a la marinara, Thai Red Curry risotto with Chicken and much more. For vegetarians we might suggest the baked mushroom risotto, roasted broccoli risotto, green asparagus with fresh Parmesan or the mixed vegetable risotto topped with fresh Parmesan shavings.

The steak and Grill house invites everyone to come enjoy a lovely risotto dinner complemented with perfect desserts and an extensive beverage list.

The desserts at this restaurant are delectably divine - the original Mississippi mud pie tops the list yet you may fancy trying the flambéed pancake with pistachio, orange and butterscotch served with nougat ice cream too.

Indulge in one of the most renowned Italian traditions made to absolute authentic perfection.

Lasagna and cannelloni at Galadari

The Galadari Hotel goes Italian Lasagna and Cannelloni crazy from August 9 to the 15 at the Coffee Shop. This mouthwatering promotion starts from 7pm to 11pm and is ideal for those who love and desire Lasagna and Cannelloni.

Get to try out some of the most fabulous flavours of Lasagna and Cannelloni all of which will be complimented with the most relishing cheesy garlic toast and parmesan cheese all superbly blended to provide a very exciting dish.

Come and experience our sensational Seafood Cannelloni served with green spinach and cuttlefish relish. We also offer Lasagna with ricotta, basillic pesto and vegetables. If one wants the old favourite they can always opt for the traditional beef Lasagna. Another very gastronomically appealing option is the Chicken Cannelloni which comes fantastically graced with roasted peppers and herbs.

It is our intention to spoil you and keep you asking for more and this is what you will experience if you pay a visit to the Coffee Shop during our very tempting promotional period. Priced extremely reasonably you will be amazed at the sensational spread which is waiting for you.