A Sunday seafood buffet that’s worth a drive to Negombo!
Starters
Negombo has always been known for its mouthwatering food and fishing community. The seaside town, which is easily accessible from Colombo via the Airport highway, has fast grown into a cosmopolitan hub with a robust tourist industry. It is in this setting that Heritance Negombo recently launched their special Sunday Seafood buffet ‘Let’s Sea’.
Priced at Rs. 6,000 nett per person, the lunch celebrates all the goodness that Negombo has to offer. Although it has only been in operation since the end of October, the steady stream of families, friends, couples and tourists filling up the tables speaks volumes of its instant popularity.
A definite must-try: The oyster bar
The buffet encompasses the entire main area of the hotel’s Bluetan Restaurant, boasting a wide variety of starters and mains, and an even larger array of desserts. What truly sets this buffet apart are their many action stations, from the seafood grill and stir fry stations outside, to the kebab station that comes to your table.
The Oyster Bar is a definite highlight, taking the whole culinary experience to a new level and bringing the pure salty essence of the sea straight to your plate.
Fresh oysters are shucked on request, and can be flavoured to your taste with the variety of toppings on offer, including apple or onion mignonette, finely diced fruits and vegetables, various jelly pearls and or tobiko caviar. Wash it down with a spicy shot of Virgin Mary, flavoured with your choice of fruit granita, and you’ll be ready to explore the rest of the menu.
The seafood is the star of the show here, says Executive Chef Madhavan Ehelamalpe. Other meats are generally not included in the buffet, in order to give prominence to the daily catch straight from the sea.
Plated dessert
The freshness of the seafood was evident in each dish, cooked to perfection. The clear aim of each dish was to let the quality of the seafood speak for itself, showcasing the balance of flavours and culinary techniques. We are told that the produce, such as the seafood, vegetables and herbs, are all locally-sourced in order to empower and sustain the livelihoods of those in the area.
In terms of flavours, Chef Madhavan explains that their aim is to bring fusion cuisine to the Lankan palette. From seafood pasta, prawn Chow Mein and seafood Jambalaya from Louisiana, to the Sri Lankan corner that features favourites like Negombo crab curry and tempered cuttlefish — the culinary team has brought together cuisines from across the world to one place, making every bite an interesting one.
Chef Madhavan
Ending the meal with a bang is the dessert action station that comes right to the table, engaging the senses in a rich gastronomic experience that is worthy of a Michelin star.
Chefs Ayesha Ekanayake and Apeksha Jayasundara crafted a modern and eclectic tasting plate of what the dessert bar has to offer, which includes chocolate truffles, a chocolate cocoa bean filled with chocolate mousse, delicate berry cream-filled pastries and soft pistachio sponge, paired with chocolate crumbles, various fruit gels and butterscotch and a refreshing raspberry sorbet.
Overall, the quality and range of dishes are fully worth the price as well as the drive to Negombo.
Reservations are recommended, and can be made by calling 076 8776 710. Reserve with your NTB Credit Card for an exclusive offer of ‘Cardholders Dine Free’ for a minimum of two pax.