Digging into take out

By Smriti Daniel

They saved my life. They provided me with nourishment when I was hungry; when I could not take another step they came to me; through rain and shine, in the day and in the night, they smiled as they held out sustenance. They were never more than half an hour away. If there was one thing I would change, only one thing, it would be this - I wish they'd stop charging me for it.

Delivery is the most glorious thing to happen to cities since they invented 24 hour supermarkets (think of all the times you woke up at 3 am and decided you couldn't live another hour without chocolate/potato chips/a melted cheese and tomato sandwich.)

It is certainly the most convenient. All those little men on their little bikes, zipping around doling out warm, fragrant food to the starving millions…just the thought makes me smile. Here are some numbers you should try when you're tired of washing vegetables and dirty dishes, of bending over oil spitting pots on the stove, and wishing fruitlessly that someone, at sometime would have thought of installing a fan in your kitchen. Yes, you can see why I love home delivery.

The Sandwich Factory
These guys are my idea of sandwich heaven. If you're vegetarian, the choices are a tad bit limited, but if you're not, you'll enjoy drooling over choices that include Chicken and Prawn Popsicles, Philly Cheese Steak Subs, Morrocan Style Roast Chicken Sandwiches, Thai Chicken Broccoli Wrap, and Cajun Grilled Chicken in a Bun. Their menu is up on www.look4what.com/tsf currently.

Open from Monday through to Saturday. If it's a Sunday, go ahead and try your luck anyway, as they're sometimes open. They accept orders from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm, but are willing to rise and shine for a special order, if you give them a day's notice. For deliveries call 5666550. Within Colombo city limits a Rs. 50 delivery charge applies.

Bayleaf
If you're sick of the usual pizza places, 12 kinds of pizzas await your delectation at Bayleaf. The menu boasts a wide selection of authentic Italian dishes, including a variety of ravioli and pasta. Finish up with their famed tiramisu.

Bayleaf is open all 7 days of the week. Deliveries are made from 11 a.m to 10p.m. Address: No. 79, Gregory's Road, Colombo 7. For deliveries, call 2695920. Depending on your location, be prepared to shell out an average of Rs. 150-200.

Suki's Wok
A personal favourite, Suki's Wok boasts not only delectable Chinese food (with the Sri Lankan touch) but also an admirably efficient delivery service.

The double mushroom pakchoy and the fish fillet in black bean sauce have been known to turn the tide on a bad day. Lunch and Dinner packets are available.

Address: 275/75, Prof. Stanley Wijayesundera Mw. Col - 7. For free deliveries call 4740877. Lunch between 11:30 and 2:30. Dinner from 6:30 to 9:30.

Deli France
Offering a choice of breads, and delectable fillings, the sandwich bar at Deli France is the grand old daddy of sandwich bars, and is not surprisingly a staple favourite with many a sandwich lover.

Now you can leave fighting traffic to the delivery boy and simply order in one of their creations. Feeling fancy? Treat yourself to a gourmet meal, or a selection of their pastries.

For deliveries, call Deli France in the Crescat Boulevard on 4202101. Deliveries are made between 8 am and 8 pm and include selections from the beverage menu. Deliveries are made free of charge but orders must be Rs. 500 or above to qualify.

Anjappar
There's nothing in the world quite like Chettinaad food, especially when you don't have to live with the plasticky décor that tends to go along with it. Pick up the phone and order a thali meal or experiment with delicacies like Chicken Mulligatawny soup or Nattukoli Rasam. The biryanis are always worth a shot, as are the chicken masala, chettinaadu fish and fish fry.

Anjappar is open from 11.30 am to 3.30 pm for lunch and 6.30 to 11.30 for dinner all 7 days of the week. Address: No 32, Galle Road, Bambalapitiya, Colombo - 4. For delivery call 2507007, 2507100. Large orders are free of cost, but if you're not planning on spending more than Rs.3,000 expect to pay anything between 60 - 150, depending on your location.

Shanmugas
It doesn't get better than Shanmugas for me. I love their Madras thali for its authenticity, and the dosais for their crispy, melt-in-your-mouth quality. The food is purely vegetarian, but even hardcore carnivores are hard pressed to find fault when digging into the Paneer Butter Masala, or the Mushroom Chettinaad.

Address: 53/3, Ramakrishna Road, Col. 6. For deliveries call 2587629/ 2361384. While they're open for breakfast from 7 am, home deliveries are made between 11am and 3 pm for lunch and between 7:30 and 10 pm for dinner.

Acropol
The first place that comes to mind for Greek/Lebanese food. Famed for their wonderfully sloppy Shawarmas and Chicken Salads with hot Pita bread.

Address: 247D, Duplication Road, Col. 3. Call 4710990 for deliveries which are only made only after 6 pm. Expect to pay Rs.50 upwards depending on your location.

Siam House
Wonderful Thai food. The papaya salad, crispy noodles and crab-in-a-clay-pot are pretty darn good, as are the whole range of green and red curries. Lunch and dinner packets are an easy solution.

Address: 17, Melbourne Avenue, Col 4. For deliveries call 2595966, 2595944. Expect to be charged around Rs.60 for a home delivery, once again the price fluctuates with your location.

Chinese Dragon
This is as Sri Lankan as Chinese gets in Colombo. The batter fried cuttlefish in hot butter sauce is a great favourite, as are the noodles. Doesn't need much of introduction, all things considered.

Address: 11 Milagiriya Avenue, Col. 4. Open for lunch between 11am and 3pm, and for dinner between 6pm and 11pm. Delivery charges amount to approximately Rs.70, and vary on your location. Call 2503637/ 2598582/ 2502733

Flower Drum
Another great bastion of Sri Lankan-Chinese cooking, Flower Drum offers some of the tastiest food in town. If you're not upto wading through their extensive menu, opt for a lunch or dinner packet.

Address: 26, Thurstan Road, Col. 3. Charges are a trifle complicated and depending on where you live, delivery will either be free of charge or cost you approximately Rs.80. Your order has to be Rs.500 and above for you to qualify. Call 2574811.

Hot wheels
If your favourite restaurant doesn't deliver home, do not despair. Hot Wheels plays delivery boy for you. While they are partners with several restaurants in the city, they will pick up your meal from any restaurant in Colombo and deliver it piping hot to your doorstep.

For deliveries call 4925585. They are at your service between 11 am and 3pm in the afternoon and between 6pm and 10pm in the evenings.

Once again depending on your location and whether your restaurant of choice is a partner of theirs, expect your damage to be anywhere between Rs.150 to Rs.350.

Dominoes Pizza
Known for their thin crusts, generous toppings and deals (there seems to be a new one for every day of the week), this chain is slowly catching on in the city.

For delivery check which outlet is closest to you: Millennium Park 4722222, Mount Lavinia, 4203222 or Kotte 4406222.

Pizza Hut
You've got to hand these guys an A+ for innovation – think about it…Biryani in a pizza? They have the best delivery service in town with several outlets scattered all over the city.
For delivery call- 2729729.