‘The Village in the City’ is back with a new look, a bigger buffet, and many entertainment options
By Marianne David
The Cinnamon Grand’s iconic Nuga Gama restaurant was relaunched on Tuesday (16), offering diners an all-new experience in terms of food, entertainment, and ambience.
Restored to brand spanking new status following its first full refurbishment in over a dozen years, the widely-popular restaurant now boasts an extended menu and expanded capacity, is better suited to take on the vagaries of the weather, and has enhanced its emphasis on sustainability.
From the moment you step into Nuga Gama, you will be transported into a traditional Sri Lankan village, with the layout showcasing a typical village set-up of house (‘gami gedara’), garden (‘gami gewaththa’), tank (‘wewa’), paddy field, vegetable and fruit gardens, a medicinal and herb garden, a shop (‘kadé’), and a tavern.
All these elements blend together effortlessly in the shadow of the 200-year-old nuga tree, transporting diners to a village setting while remaining in the heart of the city.
The spread features over 50 dishes – ranging from the widely-popular kottu, steaming hot pittu, irresistible short eats, spicy crab, succulent prawns, and crispy deep fried lake fish, to a divine wood-apple custard, yummy aasmi, and just-fried succulent kevum.
There’s just about everything a Sri Lankan food lover would want and there’s many options for vegetarians too. The hopper and dessert stations will definitely keep drawing diners back for more.
The food is served up in traditional style in clay pots and women from rural villages cook the delectable array of dishes for Nuga Gama, partnered by a team of chefs from the hotel’s five-star kitchens. All food items are prepared on open hearths with wood fires in clay pots to ensure an authentic culinary experience and by around 6 p.m. each evening, the aromas mingle and fill the air.
Nuga Gama is open every day from 5 p.m. onwards for drinks and dinner. Plans are in the pipeline to open the restaurant for lunch on Saturdays and Sundays in the near future.
Entertainment is offered daily in the form of music and traditional dances, while the tavern serves up local spirits and local spirit-infused cocktails. If you’re up for a drink with a kick, try out the Kadira at the tavern before sitting down to a fabulous Sri Lankan feast.