You know how the clock seems to slow down when the lunch break is just around the corner on a particularly grueling day at the office and you can’t wait to stuff yourself with a scrumptious meal and wash it down with a soothing shake or two?
Of course you do.
Do you also want to enjoy the said scrumptious meal in a cozy, chilled out setting where there is peace and quiet of the urban kind at a price that won’t render you bankrupt? I thought as much.
The Chill restaurant located at No. 33, Duplication Road, Colombo 04 is one such splendid place. As the name implies, it truly is a place to chill at.
Founded by Angelo Fonseka and his wife Sharon just over a year ago, The Chill mainly caters to the office going crowd in and around the Bambalapitiya metropolitan area. The restaurant is surrounded by businesses, shopping complexes, offices and posh residences, but it doesn’t look nor feel at all like it is part of the concrete jungle that is Bambalapitiya.
The venue is an 80-year-old house, and the ground floor has been converted into a restaurant. And what a house it is – simple, elegant and spacious – the kind of ambience worthy of the restaurant’s name.
Mrs. Fonseka tells us that when she and her husband first launched 'The Chill', the idea was to put together a place where the whole family could have a great tasting meal at an affordable price.
“I have a young family of my own. So I know what Colombo families expect from a place like this. It’s not a very high-end restaurant, but we maintain the best of standards; most of the food we serve is of the best quality and is prepared while you wait. Also, we don’t serve liquor and the food is Halal,” she says.
However, if you want to rent out the entire restaurant for a private function, you’re welcome to bring your own alcohol, she adds.
Mrs. Fonseka, a banker by profession, says she grew up in the tea estates and was, therefore, used to the good work of what she calls “colonial cooks”. “I’m a planter’s daughter and so I know what quality food is like. I’ve always enjoyed cooking,” she adds with a grin.
According to Mrs. Fonseka, The Chill specialises in what is known as ‘fusion food’ – a mixture of local and international cuisine. The lunch menu is as diverse as rice and curry served on a banana leaf to mouthwatering Mongolian food and such ‘regular favourites’ as submarines and club sandwiches. For dessert, there is an array of ice cream sundaes to choose from in addition to all kinds of fruit juices and milkshakes to help you quench your thirst.
“For dinner, we’re looking at introducing a new range of items in addition to the currently available spaghetti, mixed grill, etc.,” says Mrs. Fonseka. This all new menu will be introduced this week and will be a pleasant surprise to the customers.
The Chill is also looking at the possibility of launching a family pack for Rs. 1950/= as part of its dinner and weekend lunch programme.
According to Mrs. Fonseka, her restaurant enjoys a regular clientele who has established a healthy relationship with the place. They drop by during their lunch breaks or call up and place an order whenever they’re hungry and in the mood. The Chill is also into delivery.
“We deliver within the Colombo city limits and we do it free of charge in Colombo 3 and 4,” she says. Explaining the non-alcohol policy of the Chill restaurant, Mrs. Fonseka says that is to maintain its solid family standards. “We have to respect our Muslim clientele and we also want to maintain our family theme. But of course, if you want to rent out the entire restaurant for a private function of your own, you may bring your own liquor; we have no problem with that,” she adds.
So next time you’re cruising down Duplication Road, be sure to do some serious chilling out at 'The Chill'.
Bon appetit. |
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