Wednesday 08th September, 2010 Travel The Island Page 5 FFeeleel SriSri Lanka...Lanka...

Sizzling Shanghai Hot Pot Promotion at Cinnamon Grand Imagine a sizzling hot pot placed in front of you with the opportu- nity to create a feast of flavours from an assortment of imported items! The Cinnamon Grand brings you this one-of-a-kind experi- ence with its Shanghai Hot Pot Promotion held from the 9th to the 19th of September at The Courtyard. Toss in seasoned meats sliced to perfection and fresh seafood into a simmering broth brimming with aromatic herbs and exotic vegetables. At just Rs. 1250/-+++, this unique hands-on promotion gives patrons a taste of distant Shanghai, right here in Colombo. The hot pot cooking method is simple but results in an abundance of flavour and taste, according to the various spices, sauces, oils and condiments used. Frozen meat is sliced deli-thin to prepare it for hot pot cooking. Slicing frozen meat this way causes it to roll up during cooking, and it is often presented as such. Meat or vegetables are loaded individually into the hot cooking broth by chopsticks, and cooking time is brief. Meat often only takes 15 to 30 seconds to cook. Guests can place items into the hot pot at a relaxed, leisurely pace, enjoying the cooking process, or throw everything in at once and wait for the hotpot to return to a boil. The Chinese hot pot boasts a history of more than 1000 years. Hot pot cooking seems to have spread to northern China during the Tang Dynasty. In time, regional variations developed with different ingredients such as seafood. By the Qing Dynasty, the hot pot became popular throughout most of China. Because hot pot styles change so much from region to region, many different ingredients are used. “The Cinnamon Grand’s Hot Pot Promotion marks the first Raja Sabawa time such a unique cooking method has been introduced to Sri Lanka,” said new Director F&B, Justin Dingle. ‘We were mesmerised and Auditorium into an art gallery carried out will pave the way to Two jazz bands, one night spellbound for that one hour’ where Sri Lanka traditional stage Sri Lankan traditions The Trans Jazz Quartet and the was what Sri Lanka tourism dances, handicraft and Sri among foreigners in identified Jags Quartet, share more than a heard from all foreigners who Lankan cuisine will be the locations viz Negombo, Bentota, similar name and genre of music. attended the launch of ‘ Feel Sri offered to the tourists in Janakala Kendraya, Hotel The artistes of both bands share Lanka’ – a concert of Sri Colombo. Initially the pro- School Auditorium etc and in the kind of passion for their music Lankan Traditional dances at gram will take place on demand all ad hoc events such as that cannot be described in words, the Hotel School Auditorium by the Tour Operators and region Meetings and Conferences’ but can be felt in the intensity of recently. Hotels and it is expected to be a through promotion- says General Manager of Sri their performance. The Trans Jazz On the advice of the regular feature. al strategies in which Sri Lanka Lanka Convention Bureau Quartet has been a feature at the Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo’s Economic Development The launch took place tourism strives to find ways and Vipula Wanigasekera.” monthly Jazz tribute since the very first Jazz Night which was held Minister, Sri Lanka Tourism recently for an audience com- means of projecting the unique ‘Feel Sri Lanka’ – will be last November whilst Jags Quartet are the fresh faces that added a has embarked on promoting Sri prising tour operators, guide attractions in Sri Lanka among staged every Friday at Hotel new dimension to the night last month. The event has become a fix- Lanka Traditions and events in lectures, Embassy home based tourists and business dele- School Auditorium , 78 Galle ture in the calendars of many and it’s no surprise that fans follow the which a program has begun staff, NGOs, and hotels in order gates,” a statement from sri Road Colombo 3 - ( Opposite event with such fervor when the combination of talent transports lis- with presentations of Sri to show the model that will be Lanka Tourism said. Cinnamon Grand) 5.30 pm teners through time from the origins of Jazz through to modern ren- Lankan Traditional dances to made available to the industry. “Apart from Kandy Perehera onwards ditions of the music. The Jags Quartet comprises a saxophonist and Conference delegates and other Speaking at the occasion, and a few others, Sri Lankan Sri Lanka Tourism said it vocalist with a unique style, Gananath Dasanayake, Ashane visitors. Plans are also under- Chairman Sri Lanka Tourism traditions/dance forms are not will also undertake staging this Bernard who is a sensation on keyboards, Suraj Gunawardene, the way to stage these in Negombo Dr Nalaka Godahewa appealed adequately and regularly pre- on any other day for special talented base guitarist, whilst Jude Thiyagaraja drums with flair. The and Bentota for the winter sea- to the industry to make use this sented to tourists, except for the groups including meetings, next Jazz Night at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo will be held on son. opportunity provided by the efforts made by a few industry conference and incentive del- September 10th when from 7:30pm to 11:00pm, guests are invited With a view to having a reg- Government which would fulfill members. ‘ The study that was egates on cost sharing basis. to unwind by the Poolside Terrace of the hotel. Action stations and ular centre, Sri Lanka Tourism a long felt need in Colombo. special menus will offer a range of choices. decided to convert the Hotel “It is widely accepted that Coffee Bean at WTC School Sri Lanka needs to differ- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf will soon be opening its new outlet entiate herself at the World Trade Centre, Colombo, expanding its services and from catering to the rising demands of the business community of the country’s financial and commercial hub. With Sri Lanka making rapid economic progress, Colombo is increasingly attracting the global business community. Located in the heart of Colombo’s Central Business District, the World Trade Centre is home to the headquarters of some of the largest businesses in the country, inter- national brand names and leading corporations. Thus, the new out- let, aims to cater to the business community of the World Trade Centre, and neighbouring areas. Expressing his thoughts, Ashvin Mohinani, co-director of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stated, “It’s also a way of saying thank you to our customers and notifying them that we are now at the World Trade Centre. Our goal is to bring our - Pix by Dimuthu Premarathna products to our customers and find new ways of enhancing the cus- tomer service relationship with them.” The outlet will offer an exten- Run Colombo, run sive variety of high quality coffee, tea and ice-blended drinks, togeth- MLH certified by er with a delicious range of meals, which include sandwiches, sal- “The more you sweat in by Sri Lanka Tourism, is recog- Airlines, Ministry of ads, pastas, freshly baked breads, cakes and desserts. In addition, practice, the less you bleed in nized by the Association of Education, Ministry of Youth facilities such as free Wi-Fi will also be available. The new outlet of battle” – Anonymous. Marathons and Distance Races Affairs, Municipal Councils of Earthcheck The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at the World Trade Centre will be open Sport will reunite all caste (AIMS). Negombo and Colombo and the from 6.00 am to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 6.00 am to and creed of Sri Lanka; bring- Sri Lanka Tourism gave Negombo Hoteliers Earthcheck is used by travel and ing. The hotel gives the plants back to the 2.00 pm on Saturdays. It will be closed on Sundays, mercantile holi- ing smiles to the innocent and ample support in 2008 and Association. tourism organisations around the world to same communities and they plant them days and Poya days. cheer to the afflicted. The annu- helped in engaging reputed for- The route this year will be confirm their carbon claims and guide their along the river banks to protect themselves Fine wines at Cinnamon Lakeside al Colombo Marathon is sched- eign runners for the marathon. along Borella, Dematagoda, sustainability initiatives. from floods and soil erosion. The income The Cinnamon Lakeside uled to flag on the 3rd of This year, 2000 athletes are Peliyagoda, Wattala, It is encouraging to see that MLH has they gain from this project is used to assist Colombo will host its monthly Wine October at 6 a.m. The event is expected in all categories with a Pamunugama, Thalahena, introduced many innovative ways that host their school going children. Buffet today, the 8th of September. all set to spur the sports spirit minimum of a 100 overseas par- Pitipana and Negombo. The communities, team members and guests Green Month was an opportunity for all It is a lovely opportunity to spend in all Sri Lankans, Sri Lanka ticipants. traffic will be controlled by the are being educated about the benefits of Sri Lankans to take a positive and active an evening engaged in tasting fine Tourism said in a statement. With the resolution of con- police force. This event posi- treading lightly on the planet. role in helping protect the environment. By food and fine wine. The primary The marathon, which cele- flict, this event comes in an at tions the island and Colombo in MLH over the past year has embedded planting native trees and shrubs, MLH attraction on this night is the award brates 10 years, will start close an opportune time and is also particular as not just a tourist sustainability into the way they do busi- helped to combat climate change by par- winning wines list. Nine red and to the Sports Ministry. supported by Ministry of destination for relaxation, but ness. “We have been working tirelessly in taking in this nation-wide venture. Mount nine white wines will be served in limitless quantities. As an accom- Organized by the Lanka Sports, Western Province one that offers recreation as this area and felt it important, to those Lavinia Hotel planted coconut seedlings paniment, the hotel’s Chefs will set out a spread of cheeses, Sportreizen and ably supported Tourist Board, Sri Lankan well. involved internally, as well as all our stake- which is a plant species that is best suited asparagus, carvery and canapés. The wine list comprises big holders, communities and business part- to local conditions, since native plants use names, including Arniston Bay Ruby Cabernet Merlot, listed in UK’s ners to seek independent, external recog- far less water than exotic species, in addi- Top twenty wine list, Miquel Torres Cordillera, a Gold Medal and Rohit Khosla heads Taj Hotels,Sri Lanka nition of our efforts and we are delighted to tion they help restore the natural character Best Value White Wine Trophy winner, Matthew Lang Chardonnay With over 22 years of experi- known for – it is her warm and have been awarded Bronze Benchmarking of an area, and finally they provide food and many others from South Africa, Australia, Chili, France, ence including other global gracious people that keep our in May 2010,” said Anura Dewapura, and shelter for local native wildlife. Germany and Italy. From the comfort of being indoors, the lavish hotel chains and in the last travellers returning,” Khosla General Manager Mount Lavinia Hotel. No pesticides are used by Mount Cinnamon Lakeside Lounge offers glimpses, through the glass, of a decade with the Taj Group, said. It is the largest benchmarking, certifica- Lavinia Hotel. Hence actively shaping the beautiful pool that seems to lead effortlessly to the glistening Beira Rohit Khosla makes a tall The Taj Group has had her tion and management solution in use by environment that they live in they use bio- Lake beyond it. Served in this setting, to the melodious sounds of impression in the hospitality imprint in Sri Lanka for almost the tourism industry and the leading pro- cides on plants which replaces harmful the live band, the wines hum a language of their own. The pianist industry. He brings with him to three decades now. To date, Taj gram in-market. There are many certifica- pesticides, weedicides and fungicides in will provide soft music to complement the evening. Colombo the know how of hav- Group remains the only inter- tion products available, but few cover both the premises and environment of the prop- Tandoor Business Lunch at Ceylon ing performed in the Taj groups national chain with three prop- environmental and social performance and erty. Continental international hotel portfolio as erties in the island, namely Taj require a long term commitment before Ceylon Continental has well as luxury properties such Samudra, Colombo; Taj Exotica, higher levels of achievement are reward- An eco-gastronomy launched a Special Business as the Taj Lands End, Mumbai Bentota and Taj Airport ed. initiative Lunch at the Tandoor restaurant, “A Leading Hotel of the World”, Garden, Seeduwa. Rohit Khosla Slow Food concept which rides on the meant to satisfy the taste and the where he was prior to arriving is strategically placed in Sri Some of the initiatives farm to table motto, offers the freshest schedule of the busy executive. in Sri Lanka. lanka to further strengthen the performed by the hotel: organic dishes prepared from local ingredi- Colombo’s first five star business hotel began its promotion on the As Director of Operations – Groups presence in keeping Earth day was observed with aware- ents found within the destination creatively Rohit Khosla first of September and extends a fortnight, until the fourteenth. Five Taj Asia Ltd & Taj Safaris, Area with their continued commit- ness towards its environment by launching presented, and enjoyed in a casual different menus and a special twelve-item Lassi menu are offered Director – Sri Lanka and ence unprecedented growth”. ment in the island. the “Kaduru” project at the hotel. “Kaduru” ambiance. This concept of eco-gastrono- throughout the week, served between 12noon and 2.30pm. The General Manager, Taj Samudra The challenge now, he believes Taj Asia Limited also oper- (bitternut: strychnos nuxvomica) grown on my which totally endorses that there is a Promotion also goes hand in hand with a one-to-one offer. An he knows the task ahead is is to make a significant impact ates two properties in the the river banks of Sri Lanka acts as a natu- strong link between plate and planet shows assortment of aromatic dishes including chicken, fish, and veg- exciting. On being placed in the on existing standards in the Maldive Islands – the award ral barrier to soil erosion. These seeds are the hotel is concerned about leaving a etable are being prepared with attention to authenticity by Master island he says “With the war industry – standards he is cer- winning Taj Exotica, Maldives collected by the communities that live small environmental footprint while work- Chefs Sanjay and Chef Bahadoor. The lunch begins with vegetari- clearly over and replaced with tain can be developed into glob- and recently refurbished along the river banks and Mount Lavinia ing closely with local growers endorsing an and non vegetarian starters including samosas, Paneer Pakora the euphoria of the islands al hospitality benchmarks. Vivanta by Taj, Coral Reef. Taj Hotel in turn purchased them at the hotel the hotel’s commitment to the planet. Slow and Aloo Jeera with option of Cauliflower in mughlai gravy or spicy great tourism potential, there “Sri Lanka’s palm fringed Safari’s encompasses 4 of and decorated their guest bathrooms and Food Nights are celebrated every last Sat Sabzi kurma, Butter Chicken or Fish Ameristar with rice or Naan couldn’t a better place to be beaches, treasured heritage, India’s finest jungle safari public area. After the seeds give birth to of the month and now the 16th Slow Food the Hotel said. Hop into Tandoor to find out different menus offered than Sri Lanka at this point of exotic landscape and wildlife lodges in key wildlife destina- the plants, they sprout a very attractive Night makes its mark on the 25th of Sept with options on five weekdays to enjoy your lunch. time. The industry will experi- are not the only traits she is tions. plant and hence they are ready for plant- 2010.