TV Times

TV Times

‘Skylark’ : Magical cuisine of the orient
By Sanath Weerasuriya
Japanese cuisine is not very palatable to most of the Sri Lankans. But Niranjan Gunawardena is so keen to promote Japanese food in Sri Lanka. Niranjan Gunawardena, the Chairman/Managing Director of the Skylarks Hotel (pvt.) Limited is an expert on Japanese cuisine. He learned his hand in Japanese food while he was living in Japan for more than eight years.

'I was very keen to promote Japanese food in Sri Lanka. Though Sri Lanka is a good friend of Japan, the food culture is not close at all. Not like Chinese favourites, we do not get a many Japanese Restaurants in Colombo. Japanese restaurants are very limited in the city and not a single place could be found in the suburbs due to lack of demand for the cuisine. That's why I ventured into this.' He explained.

Skylark Family Restaurant, which is just a couple of months old, housed in a purpose built new structure at Templer's Road in Mount Lavinia. It caters mainly for family outings and Japanese and Chinese clientele.

'It was a very poor show at the beginning. Nobody was interested in Japanese food. Everybody who visited the place has asked for Chinese dishes. Later I decided to introduce Chinese cuisine too' Niranjan said.

Skylark now has Japanese, Chinese, Sri Lankan, Indian and Continental specialty dishes for wider clientele. Skylark is under the management of Randunu Premjayanth, who is a veteran hand in the hospitality industry in Sri Lanka.

'We mainly cater to the family gatherings and we carefully identify the guest's needs. Though we are Japanese specialty restaurant, we get mainly for Chinese and Sri Lankan food. It is very difficult to introduced Jap food as we are not used to their preparations. But slowly it picks up. We have to play by the ear' explained Operations Manager Premjayanth.

Apart from Japanese favourites such as Ebi Fry (Crumb Fried Prawns in Japanese style served with Gribtich sauce), Ekka Ring (Battered Calamari deep fried with Japanese essence), Torino Karage (Chicken deep friend with Japanese sauces), Ton Katsu (Egg coated ham and dread Crumbed with deep fried vegetable with sauce Ton Katsu and Tempura (Batter fried prawns, cuttle fish and vegetable in Japanese style), Skylark has popular Chinese menu
Chinese menu includes, rice and noodles and Chopsuey with chicken, pork, beef and seafood. Kung- fu Chicken, Black Pepper Pork, Singapore Chilly Prawns, Stir fried Crab in black bean sauce, Thai Chilly Pork and Hot butter cuttle fish.

Other popular sea food dishes are Hot Butter prawns, Cuttle fish with Oyster Mushroom and Fries Garupa in hot garlic sauce. Italian and Continental dishes includes Skylark Mixed grill, Pan roasted Pork Chops Fish and Chips, Grilled Chicken with Mushroom sauce, Fish Morny (Poached fillet of fish with Chinese Sauce Parsly Potato and boiled Vegs), Sea Food Thermidoor and Spaghetti Bolognaise.

Skylark Pizza Oven is also popular section at the menu. Pizza Skylark and Pizza Margarita are two popular dishes. Chicken and Mutton Biriyani, Nan, Chapathy Mutton Frey and Murga masala are some of the popular items from 'Gate of India'.

The most popular segment is Sri Lankan, which includes Rice and curry, Black Pork Curry, prawn, beef and traditional chicken curry and other sea food preparation in authentic Village style.

Also Steaks and Kebabs too are in much demand as sizzlers, while prawn cocktail and Asparagus A' la Princesses are popular starters. ' Soups and a range of deserts too available at our restaurant' Premjayanth added.
The restaurant can accommodate 100pax on ground and top floor.
'We are in to outside catering too. But main attraction is Sri Lankan cuisine. Our take way counter is an attraction during the dinner time and Chinese dishes are in more demand as a takeaway.' Niranjan said’

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