This week the Sunday Observer Explorer meets up with Bhadri Durgabakshi again, but this time it is at her favourite of the restaurants in Colombo – the ‘Plates’ at Cinnamon Grand !
This time around we told her to write her experience, being the writer she is….
****
Bhadri Durgabakshi worked as a journalist in Sri Lanka before moving to the USA. She was a sub editor and wrote feature articles covering human interest, travel and interviews with well-known personalities, including Mother Theresa. She also featured a weekly ‘Restaurant Review’ column where she explored and critiqued various dining experiences. In America, she worked for the World Bank as a Finance Officer, for more than three decades, in Washington, DC. During her tenure at the World Bank, she also functioned as the Head of Administration and Finance in the Mozambique office. Currently Durgabakshi serves as a co-chair Board Member of Groundswell International (a non-profit organisation that promotes agro-ecological farming and food security systems).
****
One of the things I love most about visiting Sri Lanka is the chance to reconnect with friends and family, sharing laughter, stories and unforgettable moments together. There is no better way to create these memories than by sharing a delicious meal.
Nothing brings people together like good food and in Sri Lanka every meal is an experience to be savoured. Whether it’s a home-cooked feast with family, a seafood spread on the beach, or a lively dinner at one of the bustling new restaurants in Colombo, sharing a meal is the perfect way to celebrate life’s finest moments. These are blessings not to be taken for granted – life, the love of good friends and family and the simple joy of gathering over a wonderful meal.
For such special occasions, my preferred dining spot in Colombo is the Plates restaurant at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.
True to its name, the Cinnamon Grand is a grand iconic hotel that has stood the test of time, name changes and management changes but never compromising on its exceptional service and quality.
I had the pleasure of meeting up with my journalist colleagues at the Plates recently and as always, the venue and its selections exceeded expectations.
We were welcomed with a refreshing drink of passion fruit and lime juice. The extensive buffet was designed to satisfy every palate and accommodate all dietary preferences. As we reminisced about our days as young journalists at a leading English newspaper, our conversations were seamlessly woven between our choice of dishes.
A delightful creamy tomato soup, paired with sauteed ‘kang kung’ and chick peas was enjoyed with great enthusiasm and lively conversations as we reminisced about the funny stories from our newsroom days.
We were in fits of laughter as we recalled the antics of our bold colleagues Vijitha and Norman, who loved playing practical jokes on everyone. One such notorious prank involved deceiving new recruits into believing that the Editor was hard of hearing. Then these two pranksters would sit at their desks chuckling as the unsuspecting new employees raised their voices in exaggerated attempts to communicate with the Editor.
Such exchanges would irk the Editor, prompting him to reprimand the errant duo. This orchestrated humour provided much-needed relief to journalists racing against deadlines and pursuing news scoops. These pranks also offered a brief respite from the relentless pace of the newsroom’s high-pressure environment, which often left little room for levity.
Wide selection
Our laughter over these memories was paused briefly as we indulged in the wide selection of delectable itemsfrom the salad bar, which included an array of sushi choices, marinated crabs, prawns and calamari, nicoise salad, Greek salad, kimchi, papaya salad and roasted vegetables, to name just a few choices.
Plates’ global fusion cuisine featured an Italian station serving pastas and pizzas, a Thai station with traditional curries and a variety of flavourful dishes including Pad Thai and Khao Soi, a Western station with a very tasty lemon butter fish dish in addition to other items (that I did not savour) and my most loved Sri Lankan/Indian Station. Here there was an array of rice dishes – red rice, white rice, yellow rice, ghee rice, pilaf, nasi goreng, fried rice — accompanied with dhal, fish curry, pumpkin curry, sauteed fish roe, beef, mutton, chicken, banana blossom, sauteed cabbage,along with numerous other renditions.
An assortment of chutneys, sambols, papadams, fried chillies and pickles was also available, enhancing our culinary experience. The authentic taste of Sri Lankan cuisine infused with coconut flavours was truly captivating.
There was also an extensive Carving Station with chefs carving various meats and roasts. While I did not partake, many guests could be seen enjoying the freshly carved meats and kebabs, fresh off the grill.
Pix by Shan Rambukwella
Our lively discussion delved into significant life events and experiences, leading us to seek comfort in sweet desserts to balance the intensity of our conversation. The dessert selection was a vibrant display of colourful delights. The artistry and effort invested in the creation of these desserts were evident in their exquisite appearance and delightful flavours.
Arranged neatly atop layered serving platters, the desserts resembled a vibrant procession of traditional dancers, each one a miniature masterpiece contributing to the colourful tableau. Those desserts look like flamboyant flamenco dancers on a rainbow!” exclaimed a patron admiring the beautiful array. The dessert selection also included the traditional flans, puddings, cakes, ice cream, fresh fruit, fruit salad, curd and treacle and chocolates.
The highlight of our lunch occurred when our animated conversation was interrupted by the wait staff who entered singing ‘Happy Birthday’ and presented a beautiful cake. This delightful surprise added a joyful note to our gathering, making the moment truly unforgettable.
Extensive buffet
Our reunion at Plates, which is renowned for its extensive buffet featuring a fusion of global cuisine was the ideal setting for reminiscing and rekindling old memories. The diverse culinary experiences, attentive service, warm ambiance and unexpected moments of joy, made it a memorable gathering, perfectly capturing the essence of our cherished times together.
The opportunity to deepen my connection with my heritage while savouring nostalgic and traditional flavours with genuine friends, is an unforgettable experience. And what better venue to embark on this journey than the Cinnamon Grand, where every detail plays homage to tradition and quality.
Oh and I would be remiss if I did not mention the fact that Plates is running a promotion where for every three paying guests, a fourth guest is complimentary – Mondays to Wednesdays.
