From Rome to Echo

Cinnamon Grand's signature Italian restaurant Echo welcomes aboard Chef Dell Ascenza Riccardo all the way from the Italian capital Rome. Echo famed for its top notch cuisine made with the freshest of ingredients, continues to provide its promise of absolute authenticity.

Armed with over thirty years of experience, Chef Ricardo has previously worked in a variety of locales, including Italy, Russia, England, Egypt, Germany, Ukraine and Australia to name a few, attached to the mar-theme, movenpick and Jarvis hotel chains as well many authentic Italian restaurants in Sicily and Rome. However, this is his first time in Asia.

Having desired a motor cycle at the age of 11 and being informed by his father that he'd have to figure a way to purchase it off his own accord, Chef Riccardo started off as a dish washer at a restaurant. There he grew fond of and familiar with the work in the kitchen, learning through observation and a year later embraced a culinary role in the kitchen and hasn't looked back since. Driven by his passion for cooking and his love of travelling and discovering new cultures, Chef Riccardo is certain that his life's choice in becoming a Chef is the correct one.

With a typically Italian flair to his personality, he vows to introduce truly traditional tastes to the Echo menu, while profoundly promising to put his heart and soul into the creations that come out of the Echo kitchen. In fact passion, he says, is a vital ingredient for Italian cuisine.

Of course, he admits to also needing his basil, rosemary and thyme to make a successful dish. With his ardent passion in the kitchen and Echo's selection of authentic Italian herbs, spices and truffle products, he is excited about imparting the art of Italian gastronomic culture to Sri Lankans.

Commenting on the Cinnamon Grand, he said that he is extremely excited to be attached to Colombo's grandest hotel. He commended a sense of family and friendliness he has noticed at the hotel, suggesting it to be one of the main factors for the hotel's success.

Nothing says 'Italian' like authentic dishes prepared lovingly by an accomplished Italian Chef, qualitative ingredients to add flavour, a choice selection from the cellar and cheeses to supplement the meal with an elegant dining ambience for sitting, eating and enjoying.

Echo offers a luscious spread of the most authentic of Italian food, made from the heart, with soups, starters, mains and desserts that will make any day truly special and opening doors to Colombo's busy businessman/woman with its antipasti lunch menu on offer for lunch, Monday to Friday.