HOTELS

Mount Lavinia Hotel:

Misty to Mixology to Chocolate dinner extraordinaire

“I probably have a little every day, because I think it makes you feel good when you get some.” Those are the words of a chocolate lover, when asked what are their premonitions on a chocolate covered month? Those sweet desires are not just imagined. Researchers have found that eating chocolate, the number one food craver, causes the brain to release endorphins, chemicals that make you feel good.

So we took this chocolate sentiment and created a month to totally feel good with a little bit of Mount Lavinia Hotel’s unique flavours to create that unforgettable experience.

There are few foods for which people feel such a passion - a passion that goes beyond a love for the sweetness of most candies and – the Chocolate High Tea along with a chocolate beverage menu with favourites like Chocolate Daiquiri, Kandos Mojitos, and much more throughout the month is a treat for all senses.

A innovative chocolate dessert per week will make you scream for sweet revenge. The weekly sweet treat is follows: 1st Week – Chocolate Brownie Bottom Cheese cake 2nd Week – Fudge Truffle Cappuccino Mousse Cake 3rd Week – Berry Berry Chocolate with Nutty Caramel Sauce 4th Week – Chocolate Peanut Butter chipped glazed Fudge

Chocolate Mixology sessions at Sundown on February 12th, is an interactive mixology session. One will learn to pour like a pro and mix like a master, to properly set up a bar, different ways to serve drinks, what garnishes go with which cocktails, and how to make some favorites including a selection of Chocolate and Dessert Cocktail.

A view on Chocolate and indeed a healthy side of Chocolate that you may want to get your thoughts rolling on. After the class, a complimentary hour open bar will be held to mix and mingle. The highlight of the Chocolate Dinner extraordinare would be where one lucky winner gets to fly off to exotic Maldives on a romantic getaway courtesy SriLankan Holidays.

A string quartet directed by Ananda Dabare will also add some spice to the wonderful evening. This is to be held on Valentine’s Eve at the Governor’s Rooftop. The price includes dinner for two with wines and soft drinks.

Then on Valentine’s Day the beach will be chirping with love nests where twenty couples can dine under the stars in a Love Hut made for two. Lavinia Dinner under the stars will feature Misty and that is held at the Governor’s Terrace.

Some say it can’t be done, pairing wine with chocolate, but once the right wine is found to complement the right chocolate it can be a match made in heaven! Whether pairing a delicate white chocolate or a lively dark chocolate with wine, there are a few pairing tips that will be tried at the Italian Slow Food Night with Italian Guest Chef Ira from Vakarufalhi scheduled for the February 27th where guests can indulge in a Chocolate and Italian Wine pairing session topped with an Italian Slow Food Night.

Chocolate and Tea tasting at sundown on February 20th will lead participants to an informative and engaging presentation on the history of teas and chocolate. A variety of 18th and 19th century teas and chocolates will be highlighted. And after the tea class, a complimentary hour open bar will be on the cards.

The Chocolate covered Sunday Jazz Brunch with Vogue Jewellers on 14th February, a fashion show from 1-3pm and the highlight for all lovers will be semi-precious stones infused into the Valentine Day desserts which indeed are set to tantalize all senses.

The chocolate infused high tea buffet, Chocolate beverage menu that will last for the whole month and much more awaits this all who crave for unique entertainment. “Kandos being an event partner along with SriLankan Holidays and Vogue Jewellers coming on aboard with us also affirms our commitment to develop mutually beneficial partnerships so that our businesses will grow from strength to strength,” stated Mr Dewapura.

Who is a chocoholic himself, is Hershey experience in the US has added to the birth of “An Affair with Chocolate” at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

Divine Valentine

Hilton Colombo Residence gives romance a new twist:

Ruwini Jayawardana

Valentine’s day is a day to celebrate love, the most beautiful feeling in the world. Lucky are those who are loved and cared for and what better way to express your love than give the object of your affections a truly romantic day that will be marked down in his or her memory lane forever.

Now Hilton Colombo Residence offers those with romance in their hearts a truly unique experience starting off from February 13. The amorous adventure will begin with a valentine dinner for two which includes a five course meal. The dining area will be illuminated with candlelight and delicacies like strawberries, chocolates and sparkling wine will be on offer.

Towards night the lovebirds will get a chance to cut a double hearted shaped cake gifted by the hotel and they will be able to take part in the fun as the countdown to February 14 begins.

“We have a lot of plans for Hilton Colombo Residence and one of the changes we hope to bring is by focusing on some of the main events in the calender. Valentine is the first thematic worldwide event of the year and we wish to take it on a more positive note,” said Hilton Colombo Residence’s PR and Marketing Communications Assistant Manager Minoli Senanayake.

She also added that though Valentines day is celebrated in various manners, from presenting the traditional rose bouquets and chocolate boxes to an expensive dinner dance, there is a different ring to it if it is celebrated in a more unique manner. That is why the hotel came up with the concept of the ‘pre-valentines day celebrations’.

“We wanted to offer our customers an experience which would differentiate from the usual sense of celebrations. We have always offered our customers the most unique and exclusive services and I can assure that the Valentine’s Day celebrations would be no different,” Hilton Colombo Residence General Manager Manesh Fernando said.

On Valentines day the couple will be picked up from their residence in a luxury vehicle and checked into a splendid suite for two. Rose petals, chocolates and strawberries will be a part of the theme along with a champagne breakfast.

“The lady will be offered a rose while the gent will be given a red rose corsage to be pinned to their suit. A four piece band comprising a guitar, keyboard, saxophone and accordion will create a traditional French- Italian love scene setting off a bistro ambience,” she explained adding that lots of red roses, candles, red and hot pink balloons will be a part of the décor.

Speaking about the menu which is in store for Valentines the Hilton Colombo Residence executive chef Priyal Wijesooriya said, “Each of the courses from the starters to desserts will comprise a dual selection. Vegetarians too will have their pick as our chefs are ready to add some alterations to the dishes of their choice.”

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A ‘home away from home’

Located in the heart of the city amidst the hustle and bustle the Hilton Colombo Residence is the ideal spot which caters to the needs of both business and leisure travellers. With 168 luxury suites equipped with all facilities including a wireless internet access, a conference room for 60-200 and a business center.

Dining options range from lunch at the Pitstop, the Union Bar & Grill and the theme nights (Italian night buffet on Friday evenings and the Mediterranean night buffet on Saturday evenings). A poolside barbecue is held on Sundays.

Different genres of music from jazz to more modern tunes are part of the entertainment. The friendly staff members will babysit the children and keep them occupied during the parent’s absence.

“The family atmosphere is the key to our growth. We have a lot of loyal customers who keep visiting us. We are a homely spot but changing to give better things for the people. It is like dressing up the bride in a different style,” Senanayake added with a smile.

Romance abounds with special promotions

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a little R&R (romance and relaxation), done the Galadari way. Featuring special packages, decadent menus in its signature restaurants and an exceptional way to propose to the girl of one’s dreams, the Galadari Hotel has something for everyone this Valentine’s Day.

“At the Galadari Hotel, we pride ourselves on delivering unparalleled experiences both for holidays and every day. “This Valentine’s Day, we’ve gone to great lengths to give our guests the ultimate romantic celebration at every level from the culinary adventures at our signature restaurants”

Flavours of Love Inviting aromas, intoxicating flavours and delicious delicacies are the order of this special day as the signature restaurants inside the Galadari Hotel, prepare wonderfully indulgent menus for one evening only on February 14.

The most romantic restaurant in the city, the California Grill’s mouth-watering menu include Pan Fried Garlic Prawns and Shoe Lobster with Sun Dried Mango, Kiwi and Apple Salad with Spicy Mango Chutney, Carrot and Orange Cream, Cherry Brandy and Champagne Sherbet, Water Chestnut Stuffed Chicken Roulade and Herb Crusted Victorian Lamb Fillet with Blood Orange Sauce.

At the Coffee Shop , Chef Salih has prepared an extravagant buffet menu featuring a unique balance of complementary yet distinctive flavors and signature ingredients.

To begin, diners will indulge in Teriyaki Prawns with Sweet N Sour Shrimps, Potato Salad with Crisp Bratwurst, Sushi Platter, Smoked Salmon with Lemon Cream on Cream, Tinbale of Liver Pate with Grape Salsa, the second course or would we say the main dishes will get you dipping into Supreme of Prawn and Chicken in Bordelaise and Buerre Blanc, Country Style Pot Roasted Lamb and Forestiere mushroom Trio, El Rancho Beef with Spiced Citrus Sauce, Champignon Risotto, Devilled Shrimp Toast and Spiced Bacon Rolls, just to name a few, this delicious items are to be followed by a Tempting Crepe Suzette with Cinnamon and Date Ice, Honey and Mellon Cream, White and Dark Chocolate Mousse, Strawberry and Grape Tart, Nut and Berry Galette, Strawberry and Champagne Sorbet, Apple and Guava Pudding, Cherry Brandy with Yogurt Layers, Blueberry and Peach Vacherin, Hand Made Galadari Chocolates etc .

The buffet dinner for two is inclusive of a complimentary Lovers Punch and a special dinner rate for Couples and for all senior citizens a 25 percent discount this Valentine Day.

Seafood and Noodle Bar

Located right on the beachfront, this stunning seafood restaurant and the signature product of Mount Lavinia Hotel serving the freshest and tastiest seafood; Seafood Cove known for its rustic environment, the backdrop of fishermen’s nets and lanterns amidst laid out planks for tables, the rush of the ocean and the cool sea breeze create a soft harmony in ocean magic.

Enjoy the fun, the frolic, the sandy beach for a relaxed evening with a calypso band to keep toes tapping, a great atmosphere enjoy a Seafood and Noodle Menu prepared in a selection of Asian, European, Oriental, American and “Peruvian” styles. A unique view and an action cooking method make this beachside restaurant the perfect spot for dinner.

The menu will consist of a sumptuous array of Seafood and noodle types to choose from and indeed recipes from across the globe from February 1st to 7th.

Some of the menus are Thai style: Lobster Pad Thai - Sweet Lobster Tossed in a Spicy Peanut Sauce with Pad Thai Noodles, Italian style: Fettuccine Con Frutti di Mare - Spinach Fettuccine with Fresh Fish and Clams Tossed in Puttanesca Sauce, American Cioppino: Mixed Seafood in a Spicy Cream Broth Tossed with Homemade Parpadella, Peruvian; Fideos Verde - Spaghetti Tossed in a Peruvian Herb Sauce Topped with Grilled Seer, Korean; Chop Chae - Korean Cellophane Noodles Tossed with Fresh Clams in Chop Chae Sauce, Singapore; Hokkien Mee - Prawns and Noodles Singapore Style, Chinese: Cuttlefish and Noodles, Orange Peel Cuttlefish over Noodles.