- Newly launched space offers patrons three innovative concepts under one roof
By Venessa Anthony
The latest addition to Colombo’s nightlife and restaurant scene is 7 Degrees Restaurants, which blew guests away with its innovative concepts and brought never-before-seen elements to the food and nightlife industry in Sri Lanka.
Each floor at 7 Degrees follows a carefully curated theme, menu, and dining experience to appease a variety of palates. Speaking at the opening, Co-Founder Heshani Malwenna delved into her love for the entertainment industry and her life and work in Dubai, where she spent most of her life. Despite her love for Sri Lanka, each time she visited the island, she noticed that there was so much more the country could offer in terms of entertainment and nightlife.
She revealed that opening her own space has always been a dream, and especially after all the hits the restaurant industry and Sri Lanka as a whole took in the last few years, she knew she had to step up. “I made it my mission to give back to my country in the way I knew best. I wanted to bring a slice of Emirati luxury back home,” she added. This project has been years in the making and the founders are excited to finally open the doors of 7 Degrees.
The 7 Degrees Restaurants feature three unique concepts in one space. As you enter, you’ll find yourself surrounded by vines of greenery, which, although aren’t natural, add a cosy approach to the open floor plan of the restaurant and bar.
The first floor, dubbed Amazoniko, is a fusion bistro and bar serving up classic dishes with a unique twist. From fish and chips to enchiladas and inventive cocktails, Amazoniko has something for everyone to enjoy. This floor, open exclusively for dinner service, will be made available for private functions during the day, with plans to host theme nights and dance shows in the near future.
Once you’ve taken in the floor-to-ceiling screen and grabbed a few of their signature cocktails, you can make your way up to the restaurant named “Immerse”. Here, 7 Degrees combines the best of international dining, immersive experiences, and chic interiors to create an entertainment hub like never before seen in Sri Lanka. What makes this restaurant so unique is that the entire room is covered with projectors that will show images of whatever theme you want – even the table is interactive. Assume you pick an underwater theme; the technology utilised will have you believing that you are truly beneath the waves. In the middle of the room is a simple dining table that can accommodate up to 10 people.
Equipped with projectors, sensors, Dolby Atmos surround sound, and lighting displays, you will be taken through a fully immersive dining experience. Immerse is not open to the public yet, but soon, the restaurant will be available for a variety of curated events, including proposals and intimate dinners fit for any special occasion. Playing to all your senses, this space is the epitome of luxury, serving you 3-plus courses over the space of 1.5 hours, delicately prepared by renowned Executive Chef Patrick Velans and his team.
After you’ve been sufficiently wowed, there’s still more to see! The next floor is their rooftop BBQ restaurant and bar, WTF. And yes, this floor has its own dedicated bar. Setting aside all the grandeur of the two previous floors, this restaurant takes a more laid-back and cosy approach – perfect to grab a delicious meal out, accompanied by some electrifying cocktails. The open-air space can accommodate up to 35 people and is also ideal for a casual brunch, sunset drinks, or a simple catch-up with friends. This floor, too, utilises technology to its fullest potential for an entertaining experience for guests. Sports fanatics will find the restaurant, equipped with multiple projectors capable of displaying ongoing games and matches, a sheer delight.
One would think that with the three already impressive floors, the restaurant couldn’t possibly have anything more to offer. Wrong. The third floor has two levels, the second opens to a breathtaking view of the Colombo skyline. We were told this floor is ideal for lovers – a lovely view, delicious food, and a few cocktails in the privacy of their own cabana that can be rented out make it perfect for a romantic night out. With plans to host themed Saturday brunches, WTF is bound to be everyone’s favourite weekend hang in no time.
With all this going on, we caught up with the founding sibling duo Heshani and Nalin Malwenna for a chat about where they got the idea for all these new concepts. “I’m a Dubai baby,” Heshani told us. “Growing up there, going to all these cool restaurants and cafés, with so much going on, it was a shame that Sri Lanka didn’t have anything along the same lines to offer, so we thought, why not bring a bit of Dubai here?”
Photos Saman Abesiriwardana