TV Times - temp

Number 18, the plush restaurant in Colombo has become the only one in Sri Lanka to be listed in the 2006 Conde' Nast Traveller Magazine's "Hot Tables List" putting Sri Lanka on the world Map of fine dining restaurants.

This prestigious listing released annually by the gurus of fine dining, travel and entertainment in the world, Conde' Naste decision confirms the superior standard of this excellent restaurant in the heart of the city of Colombo.

A brain child of the multi talented Taru Fonseka with a string of Taru Villas to her name, this restaurant caters to the connoisseurs of both food and wine.

The building was especially designed by the famous Sri Lankan architect Bawa along with Scandinavian architect Ulrich Plesner. The atmosphere as one enters the restaurant is indeed a welcome one as one strolls in past the flowering frangipani trees to the minimalist bar and lounge. The retro atmosphere and décor of the eighties captured here complenents the cocktails served up which Number 18 are now famous for.

The 'lychee and lemongrass martini' and 'Passion fruit Daiquiri' come highly recommended. This area is not only a perfect setting for pre dinner cocktails but is also very popular amongst the trendy who frequent the lounge bar for late night dessert and coffee.

The ambience and atmosphere created in the two dining areas outdoors and indoors is cleverly orchestrated to be distinctly different in being formal and informal and yet unmistakably elegant with the soft, low lighting and candles. The cooler, non smoking, indoor dining lends a formal yet intimate atmosphere whereas the " Zen" inspired alfresco garden terrace outdoors is informal for the relaxed diner.

The private Dining rooms on the first floor certainly deserve a mention as well with the two rooms on either side leading to a private garden for large private functions.

The Executive Chef at Number 18 specialises in both taste and presentation as he changes the weekly specials every Thursday.

One item we recommend is sea food trio. This is shell fish bisque and a portion of squid ink fettuccini topped with a sweet and sour prawn and served with a mound of smoked salmon filled with layers of pesto, cream cheese and potato puree.

This makes a good entrée and is priced at Rs.450 another favourite is the tuna tataki entrée which is seared tuna coated with sesame in daikon salad and wasabi.That is priced at Rs.500

The various breads offered at Number 18 also deserve a mention. We had a choice of sun ripe tomato ciabatta, onion and garlic focaccia and pumpkin and spinach ciabatta.We sampled all three and voted them to be by far the best bread in Colombo. Apparently their array of breads includes polenta rolls, mixed herb ciabatta and bell pepper.

A recommended main course is Number 18's famous Chicken Saltimbocca. This dish of a filet of chicken layered with ham and basil on a goats cheese potato puree has proven to be a good choice at only Rs.750.Another is the grilled pork cutlets marinated in milk and cinnamon with mustard potato puree and baby beets at a price of Rs.750.One could run off this gastronomical experience with the pastry chef's recommendation of the 'date,kahlua and frangelico crepes with butterscotch ice cream'. This is all for Rs.350 and I will certainly return for more of this. My friend ordered the ''chocolate decadence', a timbale of warm chocolate with crème anglaise at Rs.300 and decided that this was certainly by far the best dessert she had ever tasted.

As the magazine says," The capital city Colombo finally got a world class restaurant and surprisingly it is within the reach of the average diner. The restaurant is open for dinner seven days a week for dining so give it a try when you around No 18, Cambridge Place, Colombo 7.