I somehow feel that the best place to have seafood is on the beach, what with the sea breeze, the sand, the sound of the waves crashing, all just a few steps in front of you, and just the right atmosphere on the whole. It somehow manages to make the experience a really amazing and complete one.
So let's add a bit more flavour along with some light music playing in the background, to this already near-perfect atmosphere and mix in some mouth-watering seafood, and this would probably be perfect – and the result would be Loon Tao. This restaurant, with its tagline, "Chinese seafood on the beach" is situated in Mount Lavinia, down College Avenue. Upon walking in to this open and spacious restaurant, it gives you a sense that you are about to enjoy a fantastic evening.
Loon Tao has quite a large menu, boasting 263 items and focussing mainly on seafood. The restaurant also boasts of three chefs from China; Ye Zhou – the Master Chef, Wong – the Sous Chef and Shen – the Dim Sum Chef. Chef Shen specialises in the making of dim sum and "this is the second place next to the Hilton where dim sum is served in the country," says, Janaka Wimalananda the Restaurateur of Loon Tao.
Janaka went on to state that the Master Chef has 20 years of experience as a chef, out of which 10 years have been out of China, therefore making him accustomed to Chinese cuisine in and outside China. Ye Zhou is an expert in the four main forms of Chinese cuisine – Cantonese, Schezuan, Peking and Shanghai - the gastronomical provinces of China. Knowing that the Master Chef is an expert at what he does, is therefore bound to make your dining experience that much more memorable.
This being a Chinese seafood restaurant, it's important that the ingredients are fresh. "It is always that day's stuff," says Janaka, adding "we only serve catch of the day seafood and the fruits and vegetables are brought in daily." In addition the rice and noodles are handpicked and brought down from China, "this makes a huge difference in how the food tastes," Janaka adds.
Apart from prawns, cuttlefish, lagoon crab, lobster and fish, they also serve meats like chicken, lamb, beef and duck. And vegetarians need not fear as they have 60 pure vegetarian dishes ranging from appetizers to soups and main courses – all made without egg or oyster sauce. Therefore the restaurant has their regular vegetarian clientele. Being a Halal restaurant, they do not serve pork.
Loon Tao opened in April this year and seats just over 200 guests while the name of the restaurant translates to "Waves of Prosperity." They too do their part in helping to save the environment, therefore using solar powered lighting.
Adding to the ambience, they have purpose lighting which is only over the tables thus creating a cosy atmosphere even though it is a vast open space. The structure is one which resembles a Bali-Indonesian style tropical hut with a bamboo thatched roof and a wooden floor, with a number of tables also located on the sand. From the crockery to the tables and chairs and the entire kitchen, everything has been brought down from China.
Over to their specialties, having tried their version of the infamous Chinese dish – Hot Butter Cuttlefish, I must say that their version of it will certainly leave you wanting a second and even third helping! They also have a number of items in the Clay Pot of which the Deep Fried Bean Curd with Chicken is scrumptious. I would also recommend the Special Lamb Chop Chef's Style – it is a must. Of their dim sum, the prawn dim sum is delicious. You should also try out their steamed prawns in garlic.
Among their desserts they serve a few varieties of sago pudding which include flavours like coconut as well as sago with fresh fruit – melon, mango, papaya, pineapple, banana and orange. And of course, no Chinese restaurant would be complete if they didn't serve Lycheese, which they serve either on its own or with ice cream. Their creation of cream caramel which tastes more or less like a cheesecake is something really worth trying out as well.
Something I noticed while dining at Loon Tao was how the Restaurateur, Janaka is completely involved in the restaurant. He takes down and helps you with your orders and suggests what's best and always makes it a point to talk to you and get to know you a little better. And upon speaking to him he said, "I'm passionate about this and I like to get my hands dirty. I love this place!"
This positive attitude probably derives from Janka's passion and experience in the food and service industry. He hails from Mount Lavinia thus resulting in the location. And upon returning to Sri Lanka from working in Japan and having helped open eight restaurants there, he felt the need to open up something here. And that is just what he did.
There is ample parking with three persons to escort you from the parking area. The beach area which the restaurant is situated in is well lit and safe. And the kiddies play area will make sure the kids will be occupied. And if you would like to have a dip in the sea and then have your lunch or dinner, there are showers and changing rooms to do so.
They are open for lunch from 11am to 3 pm for lunch, and from 6 pm to 11pm for dinner. It would be advisable to make a reservation if you plan to dine there over the weekend.
For reservations, delivery or take away, call 2722 723 or drop in at 43/12, College Avenue, Mount Lavinia. Their comprehensive website gives details on the restaurant as well as their menu, at www.loontao.com, and gives you the option of making your reservations on line. |
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