Local fare adds new aromas to Grande Gourmet at Nirj’s
Only about a year after its opening, “Grande Gourmet at Nirj’s” welcomed two more additions this December. “Café Ceylon” and the “Scottish Bar” were opened to a select crowd of delighted diners on December 16.
“Grande Gourmet at Nirj’s” has made itself at home down Horton Place, offering cuisines from various countries namely French and Italian, then another expansion of the establishment “Sentosa” offering Malaysian and Singaporean food and Café Ceylon now paving the way for Sri Lankan cuisine.
Now offering over a range of 200 dishes the restaurant is all about diversity and taste. “Fine Dining at affordable prices” is Niranjan Deva Aditya’s promise to his customers. A member of the European Parliament, he says he is shocked that Sri Lankans have to pay a lot to eat good food. It is “Immoral” he states. As a food aficionado he has enjoyed travelling from country to country in the hot pursuit of delicacies.
The aroma of simple Sri Lankan home cooking wafted in the air enticing its captive audience, saw a couple of curious eyes peering into clay pots that were keeping the curries warm.
Local favourites like dhal curry, beans resting in creamy coconut milk, a mild and tangy prawn curry,tempered potato, a choice of beef and chicken curries were some of the selections spread out for a mouthwatering lunch.
Simple yet elegant, the curries hit home for the diners who confessed to not having much time amidst their busy schedules to sit down and enjoy good Sri Lankan home cooking as they devoured the food in otherwise pin drop silence .
With culinary veteran, executive chef Rasika De Zoysa, manning the station it was no surprise that diners went back for seconds and thirds.
“You can eat the world here,” chuckled Deva Aditya.