Sri Lanka Tourism Blog

With the craving for Indian food on the increase, we take a look at yet another Indian restaurant that has become a preferred option for many who are hungry for spicy Indian food.

Curry Leaves restaurant, one of the countries premier Indian restaurants is patronized by locals and many Indians who just can’t get enough of the tempting array of Indian cuisines. Curry Leaves which began its operations in 1998, specializes in namely South Indian and North Indian food including Hydrabadi and Gujarati dishes.

The restaurant has attempted to draw in inspiration from the Indian culture by infusing certain elements like typical Indian copper tableware and the use of rich tapestries, which speak highly of India and its rich history.

Curry Leaves which is no stranger to the restaurant scene, takes pride is serving the best Biryani in town along with a host of other Indian dishes that are carefully prepared by their trained chefs from India.

The Managing Director of Curry Leaves Mr.Dill Wijemanne says that authenticity and quality are two ingredients that have enabled Curry Leaves to stay ahead of fierce competition amidst the growing appetite for spicy Indian cuisine.

Their delectable array of dishes are served in the form of an extensive buffet, while you can also select any dish of your choice from their wide-ranging a la carte menu.

Stir up your senses after experiencing the Curry Leaves cuisine which includes Kasturi Kebab, Roasted papad, Murg Yakhani Shorba, Makhani naan, cheese naan, aloo paratha, Gosht biryani mutton, chicken Chati Nado, Mutton Hydrabadi, crab masala, malai kofta curry, Kerala fish curry, Hyradabadi veg makhani, and whole lot more……

The buffet menu undergoes a constant change and new dishes are introduced, thus you have the opportunity to enjoy a diverse selection of authentic Indian dishes every time you enter the restaurant.

I especially enjoyed their chicken Biryani, and butter fried crab, -just perfect, scrumptious!!

After a fleeting glance at their a la carte menu I was caught by surprise at the exciting range of beverages on offer.

Orange, pears, watermelon, avocado, carrot, tamarind juices, mixed fruit milk shake, water melon milk shake, fruit and nut milk shake, lemon bubble tea, blueberry bubble tea, Lychee bubble tea, juggery sundae ice-cream , mint tea and a wide variety of other beverages will surely arouse your interest.

Try, the Amberalla juice it’s deliciously refreshing.

Curry Leaves also focuses its attention on outdoor catering where a team of trained chefs will bring your favourite Indian dishes right up to your doorstep for a nominal fee, giving you the privilege of enjoying these delicacies at the comfort of your own home. You can also savour a range of seafood delicacies on Wednesdays, where the restaurant puts on a great show of seafood dishes.

Besides enjoying a fine meal surrounded in pure comfort you can also pay a visit their one of the kind sports pub and special karaoke lounge where entertainment is in abundance with an uninterrupted viewing of the best in sports and a good selection of Hindi, English and Tamil songs performed at the karaoke bar.

Mr. Wijemanne speaking of the restaurant’s ambitious plans for the future says that plans are underway to create a vegetarian breakfast from 6.30 am to 10.30 am on weekends and Poyadays, catering specially to the growing band of vegetarians out there.

The Curry Leaves Lunch buffet is priced at Rs.575 nett while the dinner buffet goes for Rs.875 nett.

Lunch is served from 11.30 a.m. to 3.30 pm while you can enjoy dinner at the restaurant from 6.30pm to 12.30 am.

They also have takeaway facilities and home delivery within Colombo city limits.
The restaurant is situated at 68, W.A.Silva Mawatha, Colombo -6 and can be reached on 2580223 or 2593364 for your reservations or queries.

KOTTU is indisputably Sri Lanka’s favourite comfort food but this distinction may not last too much longer. The Hilton Colombo now attempts to take a nation’s yearning for this delicious dish to even greater proportions by showcasing this much loved specialty to the world as part of its “2,100 kg of Kottu” fundraiser.

Join friends and families, and bear witness to what may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to participate in a potential world’s first, when 40 chefs from the Hilton Colombo’s Curry Leaf restaurant will prepare 2,100 kgs of Chicken Kottu between 5.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m. on Sunday, October 21, at the Hilton Colombo Sports Centre Car Park.

Open to all, “2,100 kgs of Kottu” is a first of its kind fundraising event, where guests will witness this spectacular blending of spices, roti and lots of chicken supplied by Maxies & Company Private Ltd. Only requiring a minimal donation to enter, all proceeds from this event will directly benefit the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind - the Hilton Colombo’s official 21st anniversary charity.

Combined with this extraordinary culinary fresco will be a number of equally unique family oriented activities, from a Modern cultural show, to the Elephant Foot Drummers from Hikkaduwa to Kottu eating competitions popular local artists superstar Shihan Mihiranga, Iraj, C & C.

This event is guaranteed to capture attention. In fact, first time visitors will feel especially welcome in the spirit of hospitality as the Hilton opens its doors to all with even the decor reflecting true Sri Lankan style and incorporating unique culture and flavours.

PEGASUS REEF HOTEL, Hendala, Wattala has redefined the concept of a “city resort beach hotel” after an extensive refurbishment.

Sri Lanka’s first star class hotel, Pegasus Reef is on a new promotion drive to focus the image of Sri Lanka, which will benefit the entire hospitality industry.

After the 2004 tsunami destruction, Pegas Reef virtually came to a standstill. However Rs 250 million refurbishment programme turned the new era of this pioneering hospitality establishment. After this massive refurbishment project, Pegasus Reef opened in mid 2006.

According to Director, Carsons Hotels, Paddy Withana, the new look opens the new avenues in business and it is now one of the most sought after miCe destinations in Sri Lanka.

“We have two big conference halls, which can accommodate over 350 guests with all modern facilities. A smaller conference hall at Pegasus, can accommodate about fifty guests. The biggest advantage in the location. Pegasus is just 45 minutes drive away from Colombo,” Paddy said.

Located on the north of Colombo, overlooking the Colombo Harbour Pegasus Reef is the only resort in the city. A few minutes drive away from the BIA, Pegasus Reef is one of the best transit hotels for business and leisure travelers.

Pegasus is the base hotel for SriLankan Airlines Cabin crew.

The refurbishment of the hotel introduced a new level of luxury accommodation in all 107 spacious deluxe rooms in three different wings.

The rooms are equipped with all modern facilities such as central A/C, cable TV, Telephone, Mini-bar, Safety lockers, Internet connections, Hot/Cold bath and private balcony/ terrace.

The beach “garden” and the pool wings faces the respective directions and the main highlights in all these rooms are the four-star comforts that goes with its ambience and facilities, former Tourist Board boss Paddy Withana said.

The open air restaurant with 150-200 covers has become very popular among guests. The choice of cuisine is a combination of Eastern and Western food together with a range of themes for entrainment. Fisherman’s Cove on the beach, spitfire BBQ nights are some of the attractions.

“Lunch Buffet” is a touch of semi Lankan and International combination and the Sri Lankan food, is cooked on claypots. Apart from the dinner buffet for those who prefer to have a different taste, the food could be ordered from the available ‘A-la-carte’ or set menu veteran hotelier, Paddy Withana, said. Paddy is the Director of Pegasus Reef Hotel and Giritale Hotel which are owned and managed by Carsons Cumberbatch Co.Ltd.

The most expensive steak in the world
By Gayani Perera
On a seven acre site overlooking the Beira Lake and the Indian Ocean, the Hilton Colombo is located in the heart of the business centre and is 32 kilometres from the Bandaranaike International Airport. The hotel offers an extensive choice of business and leisure facilities. Ginza Hohsen is an exclusive restaurant located at the Hilton which serves authentic Japanese cuisine and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. “The Hilton Colombo together with Ginza Hohsen restaurant will be launching a special promotion starting from the 3rd to the 17th of October 2007 where they will be serving the world famous number one steak in Japan the ‘Kobe Beef Steak’. This special promotion will be held at the Ginza Hohsen Restaurant at the ‘Tappan Yak’ where steaks are cooked in front guests according to their preferences. Customers who visit Ginza Hohsen can indulge in the most expensive beef in the world which is specially flown from Japan to will be served during the promotion”, says Mr. Mahinda Weerasinghe, Restaurant Manager of Ginza Hohsen.

The Kobe beef promotion is one of the most sought after events that clients look forward to. Kobe is a special beef that is raised in the ancient province of Tajima, now referred to as Hyogo Prefecture of which Kobe is the capital. Kobe beef is a legendary delicacy in Japan. The exorbitant price of the beef is mainly attributed to a number of factors the main reason being due to the fact that the beef comes from a special breed of cattle called Kuroge Wagyu or black haired Japanese cattle that are raised in around 263 farms in and around Japan limiting five to ten animals per farm. These cattle are fed on a special diet of grains and beer as well as being treated to a special massage technique with sake in order to achieve the extraordinarily tender texture of the steak. The combination of beer and sake helps to maximize the quality of the meat which is the main reason for the high price.

Ginza Hohsen boasts of a well stocked bar with both traditional sake and a range of other beverages that are produced in Japan as well as a collection of other imported spirits. The restaurant is as old as the Hilton Colombo itself and offers private rooms exclusively to its diners which are referred to as Tatami rooms. The reason that Kobe beef is priced so high is not only due to the preparation process but also because the ingredients used are directly imported from Japan. Even though this one pound Kobe beef steak is expensive, it can easily be shared by four or five guests. “Ginza Hohsen is also offering customers a free air ticket promotion from September to October where customers will receive two economy class return air tickets by courtesy of Thai Airways. All customers who spend a minimum of Rs.3000/- at Ginza Hohsen will be entitled for the lucky draw. To coincide with Colombo Hilton’s 21st anniversary celebrations which will be held on the 28th of October all customers will be entitled to a 10% discount on their food bills on this day.

The Kobe Beef Steak promotion starting on the 3rd of October will once again take the Ginza Hohsen Japanese restaurant by storm during lunch and dinner times. These steaks are a result of a careful preparation process and will take place at the Teppan Corner. Experience the world’s most expensive streak at Ginza Hohsen where guests can experience truly authentic Japanese cuisine with high quality customer service”, concluded Mr. Weerasinghe.

The much awaited World Spice Food Festival, which is undoubtedly the biggest food festival of the year, is back again by popular demand. Organized by the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, this event has become an annual fixture that enlivens Colombo with a veritable jamboree of unique culinary experiences.

Encouraged by the tremendous response and positive feedback from visitors to the fair in the past, this year too the event is organised by the Corporate Section of the Tourist Board together with the five star hotels and top restaurants in the city. Scheduled to be held from 18-28th October 2007, the ‘World Spice Food Festival’ promises all the excitement and culinary delights that have endeared it to visitors in the past. The Sri Lanka Tourist Board will declare the event open on 18th October 2007 at the Hilton Colombo to mark 10 days of a thrilling culinary extravaganza. Each participating hotel and restaurant will conduct a food festival for one week in one of their restaurants, where world class chefs will be flown in from different countries, who are specialists in the cuisines on offer.Spurred on by the past success of the festival, the Sri Lanka Tourist Board has envisaged the upcoming festival on an even more extravagant scale in a bid to promote Sri Lanka as a vibrant destination. Renton de Alwis, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourist Board, is confident about the successful outcome of this year’s World Spice Food Festival’ and is taking a personal interest to ensure that every aspect of the event is a thundering success. A spectacular highlight of the main event of the festival is the ‘Hawker Street’, to be held on October 19 and 20 at the Nomads Grounds, allowing visitors to the festival the ease and facility of browsing through the food stalls along with friends and family. A live band will add to the festive air with foot tapping melodies while spectacular dance items will be another highlight. An attractive kiddies’ corner will provide endless fun for children, allowing parents to browse through ‘Hawker Street’ at leisure. A surprise also awaits visitors to ‘Hawker Street’, where every hour a lucky recipient will win a free dinner voucher from one of the participating stalls at ‘Hawker Street’ drawn on the entrance ticket. The organizers have ensured that there is no dearth of excitement at this one-of-a-kind event.

Specialty chefs flown down from various parts of the world will work their magic at this event, thus making the event a truly global one. Visitors to the ‘Hawker Street’ will find pleasure in sampling a mouth watering array of dishes made to perfection by master chefs revelling in their culinary skill.

All the chefs in attendance are internationally renowned culinary experts with many awards to their credit.

The participating 5-star hotels and leading restaurants will showcase 15 different cuisines from around the world at Hawker Street and are pulling out all stops to ensure that visitors to the event witness a gourmet experience like no other.

HSBC, one of the largest banking institutions in the world, has once again generously offered to support World Spice Food Festival as the main sponsor in a bid to bring Sri Lankans global cuisine at its best - right here to them in Sri Lanka.

This event mirrors HSBC’s vision to be one with its local customers no matter which part of the globe they may located, as well as to bring them a taste of world class standards – be it international banking or global cuisine!
Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry has risen to the occasion as always and some city hotels are enthusiastically involved in ensuring that the master chefs will be on hand to showcase culinary delights from their part of the globe. Participating hotels, cafes, and restaurants that will don the chef’s hat at the ‘World Spice Festival’ are: Hilton Colombo; (Mexican) Taj Samudra; (Italian)TransAsia; (Singaporean) Cinnamon Grand; (Japanese) Holiday Inn; (Jaffna Food) Ceylon Intercontinental; (Indonesian) Mount Lavinia Hotel; (Thai) Galle Face Hotel; (Austrlalian) Galadari; (Chinese) Water’s Edge; (Malaysian) Raja Bojun (Sri Lankan); The Mango Tree (Indian); Sakura (Japanese); Han Gook Gwan (Korean); Siam House (Thai).

The national carrier SriLankan Airlines also steps in once again as the official airline to fly down the international chefs into Sri Lanka for the World Spice Festival. With such a diverse and adventurous array of global cuisine being served up by leading hotels and restaurants in the city, the World Spice Food Festival will be a culinary treat for all, offering sights and sounds from different corners of the globe, while creating a buzz about the Paradise Isle destination itself!

England’s cricketers have just started their tour of Sri Lanka, drawing thousands of fans in their wake. Rosanna de Lisle highlights some of the treats that await the Barmy Army.

Sri Lankans never seem to stop smiling, but when the England cricket team last toured their country, in late 2003, they had genuinely good reason to be cheerful.

England’s tour of Sri Lanka starts on October 1 with a one-day international in Dambulla, followed by two more on the same ground and two in Colombo. Sri Lankans like the excitement of day-night cricket and will bunk off work to watch screens on street corners, but it’s the Test matches in December that are expected to draw thousands of England fans.

So here’s our guide to the three Test venues, along with a few ideas for the companion who’s along for the ride rather than the wickets.

If dialing any of the phone numbers from outside Sri Lanka, replace the initial 0 with 0094.

Kandy: First Test, December 1-5

The hill capital was the last stronghold of the Sinhalese kings and still has a majestic air that is not all to do with its fresher weather. Arrive from hot, heaving Colombo and Kandy’s magnificent Temple of the Tooth, its calm grey-green lake and its steep, wooded hills seem to belong to another country.

The ground
The Asgiriya Stadium is carved into a hillside. England usually play well here, helped by the kinder climate. “Kandy tends to produce nail-biting, adventurous cricket,” says Charlie Austin. “The pitch is quicker and bouncier and the Kandy supporters are very vocal - this is Murali’s home town. They take on the Barmy Army and the camaraderie is very good.”

Where to stay
Much the loveliest place is The Kandy House, but its nine rooms are already booked during the cricket. However, there are plenty of larger hotels, comfortable if slightly staid, perched above the lake and river. The best bets are Amaya Hills, Earl’s Regency, Mahaweli Reach, Hunas Falls, Thilanka; from around £50 double b & b. The scenic Victoria Golf Course has a lodge and chalets.

Where to eat and drink
Kandy is not well endowed with restaurants but the most atmospheric place to eat is Helga’s FollyPub Royal (cocktails and dinner, about £10 per person; book ahead on 081 223 4571). Bamboo Garden (081 447 6099), up the hill from the Temple of the Tooth, is a cheap and cheerful Chinese with a terrace, bar and big screen; main courses from 400 rupees (£1·75). The colonial at the Queens Hotel and first-floor Pub, both on the main drag, Dalada Veediya, will be post-match hangouts.

Diversions from the field
The fantastically gilded Temple of the Tooth draws pilgrims from all over the world. Go at 10am or 6pm to see ceremonies; don’t expect to see the Buddha’s tooth relic, which is in a casket.

The Kandyan Arts Association has dance and drumming every day at 6pm. The British Garrison Cemetery is full of tea planters, whose stories are told by the caretaker. The Botanical Gardens are worth an hour or three. The elephant orphanage at Pinnawela is well known, but you will learn more about elephants, and can ride one, at the Millennium Elephant Foundation up the road.

Senani Silks, near Royal Palace Park, is great for saris. Isini Gems, opposite, is a museum as well as a shop. Waruna Antiques on Peradeniya Road is worth a rummage.

Matale, 14 miles north of Kandy, is famous for its spice gardens and for the renowned batik artist Ena de Silva’s Heritage Centre (066 222 2404). Book three days ahead to have lunch and you’ll be served up to 20 exquisitely slow-cooked curries.

Colombo: Second Test, December 9-13

At first sight, the capital is chaotic and charmless, but beyond the ugly thoroughfares there are pockets of serenity - avenues of rain trees, parks, temples and the odd grand public building.

The ground

The Singhalese Sports Club is Sri Lanka’s Lord’s. There’s no lighting here, so one-day matches happen at Premadasa Stadium. There’s no breeze and the ground can get hot and humid - for spectators as much as players. Leave the grass banks to the locals and find a seat in the shade.

Where to stay

The teams stay at the Taj Samudra. There’s nothing wrong with that, but if you want to wake up in no doubt about where you are in the world, you’d be better off at the Galle Face Hotel. This seafront institution is decidedly worn and the older rooms are probably only for those who wish the empire had never ended, but the Regency wing now has modern bathrooms (double b & b from £47).

For more sophistication, stay at one of Colombo’s new boutique hotels. The Park Street Hotel is a quietly swish conversion of a colonial bungalow (www.taruvillas.com; double b & b from about £140). Casa Colombo packs bold contemporary design into a Moorish palace. The décor is too funky for its shirt, but the MacBook, iPod and personal butler standard to each room make for a cosseting stay (www.casacolombo.com; double b & b from £180).

Where to eat and drink

England fans congregate at Clancy’s, the bar of the Colombo Cricket Club. Bayleaf, an Italian restaurant with a large garden, is also within walking distance of the SSC (79 Gregory’s Road; 011 535 9653). The Cricket Club Café (34 Queens Road; 011 250 1384) is highly themed, with Bradman’s burger and lots of memorabilia on the menu.

The Gallery Café (2 Alfred House Road, 011 258 2162) has great fusion food and, as the former office of the celebrated architect Geoffrey Bawa, even better style; dinner and drinks from £20 a head.

Beach Wadiya serves simple seafood right on the sands. It’s barefoot-relaxed, but you need to book (2 Station Avenue, 011 258 8568).

Diversions

Cricket widows should be consoled by Colombo’s shops. Paradise Road (next to the Gallery Café) sells chic contemporary homewares at prices so tempting you may want to ask about shipping; at Barefoot (706 Galle Road), vibrant, hand-loomed textiles are fashioned into everything from clothes to toys; and Odel (5 Alexandra Place) sells clothes made locally for Western labels, but without Western price-labels.

Galle: Third Test, December 18-22

Dangling into the Indian Ocean like a chunky jewel, Galle Fort is both historic and increasingly hip, as more and more of its 17th-century Dutch merchants’ houses are turned into hotels, villas and shops. Happily, it remains a living, working town and hasn’t become a museum.

The ground

The stadium should be rebuilt in time for the Test, but it’s really only the pitch that is vital: the game can be seen from the ramparts. “It’s like the carnival comes to town - it’s fabulous,” says Olivia Richli, manager of Amangalla, the Fort’s most sumptuous hotel. “There’s a party atmosphere on the ramparts and everyone gets very, very red.” Hats and sunscreen essential.

Where to stay

The teams stay at the Lighthouse, a late Bawa masterpiece that stands dramatically on a headland a mile from the Fort. Two freshwater pools and a superb spa draw non-residents, as does the sunset over the ocean (www.jetwinghotels.com; double b & b from £85).

Galle’s clutch of boutique hotels - Amangalla and the Galle Fort Hotel inside the ramparts, the Sun House and Dutch House in the new town - are fully booked during the cricket, but will be open to diners and drinkers. Tamarind Hill, a colonial mansion near the Lighthouse, should be open by December (www.taruvillas.com, double b & b from about £110).

There are plenty of cheaper options along the coast, such as Sun and Sand and Thambapanni Retreat in Unawatuna, and Amaya Reef and Cinnamon Gardens in Hikkaduwa.

Where to eat and drink

The best spots for sundowners are the Lighthouse, the Rampart Hotel in the Fort and the Ladyhill (Upper Dickson Road). Dine at the Galle Fort Hotel (091 223 2870), which has terrific pan-Asian food, or the Sun House (091 438 0275), where there’ll be a barbecue for up to 40 in the courtyard and a plasma screen in Dick’s Bar (free tuk-tuk shuttle from the ground). The bars - and beaches - of Unawatuna and Hikkaduwa will reliably rock into the night.

Diversions

There’s so much to see and do around Galle that even a cricket tragic could be tempted to miss a few overs. Wander round the Fort, taking in the Dutch church, temple, mosque, bastions and some surprisingly good shopping (find Barefoot, Elephant Walk, Mimimango and several jewellers on and around Church Street).

Surf at Hikkaduwa, dive at Unawatuna or head into the hinterland to Sinharaja rainforest, Samakanda, a visionary ecological project (www.samakanda.org), or Handunugoda Tea Estate (091 228 6364) which produces some of the world’s finest white tea.
# Red Dot Tours (0113 815 0864 or 01937 842846, www.reddottours.com) is the official agent for the England cricket tour. The company can book all the hotels mentioned above. Its packages are especially good value: Kandy Test, including return flights, eight nights’ b & b, airport and stadium transfers, tickets to all five days of the Test, from £905 per person, based on two sharing. Colombo and Galle Tests, with flights, transfers, match tickets and 16 nights’ b & b, from £940pp. Red Dot is also putting on events for supporters during each Test.