What can you have for Christmas?
Christmas is a time to indulge in all things yummy (don’t get me wrong, giving is also as important but still…). This year we look at where you can head down to and what to indulge in, to fulfil those Christmas cravings.
Délicieux
Délicieux is the brainchild of Manesha Peiris and as of late her vegan sweet treats seem to be her forte. I am personally not a fan of vegan food but the cakes and cookies Manesha has on offer this season are pretty decent. The Vegan Red Velvet Bundt Cake (Rs 3,500 for 1kg) is delicious and aesthetically attractive.
Digging into a piece of this cake will remind you of a date cake as the texture is similar. The cake is topped with a vegan butter cream frosting while the maple syrup in the cake gives it a lovely flavour. It would be ideal to serve as a dessert option for Christmas.
Délicieux’s Mini Vegan Sweet Loaf with Chocolate Chips and Blueberries (Rs 1,000) is a light treat for this heavy season. What is interesting about the loaf is that the texture and flavour is similar to a cookie.
Manesha also bakes a Vegan Red Velvet Cookie Cake (Rs 2,200 – 9”) and Vegan Rosette Butter Cookies (Rs. 1,500 – batch of 36) ideal for the festive season.
Orders need to be place three to four days in advance.
Jeorgies Healthy Style Food
Jeremy Stork never disappoints with his scrumptious burgers and this season he has launched three new products which have been the initiative of his new head chef Ruwan Weerakkody. The dishes include a light and crunchy Watermelon Salad (Rs 400), a filling Crispy Chicken Wrap (Rs 450) and the best Bangers and Mash (Rs 450) I have had in a long time.
It boils down to the sausage which is home-made and therefore packed with meat with no trace of the artificial processed stuff you get in the store bought ones, while the creamy mash and dreamy gravy topped with fried carrot strips make this just the bomb.
While the salad, with its juicy watermelon and tomato and crunchy lettuce, cucumber and onion, mixed with a tangy house dressing and topped with parmesan and fried spaghetti, is just stunning.
The wrap is packed with crunchy fried chicken and vegetables and served with a lovely sauce along with Jeorgie’s signature potato wedges.
Waters Edge
Roasts and Bakes by Mrs Claus will be the place for you to head to, to pick up a Roasted Tom Turkey (Rs 3,300 for 1kg).
The turkey comes with seasonal vegetables, potato wedges, cranberry sauce and stuffing.
Among the many dessert options are a Raspberry Mousse Cake (Rs 2,500 – 1.2kg) and a Citrus Mousse Cake (Rs 2,500 – 1.2kg) as well as Chocolate Santas (Rs 1,800 for 560g, Rs 1,400 for 455g and Rs 800 for 240g).
Oshella Home Made Goodness
Oshella De Alwis is a home baker and cook and boy is she an amazing cook. The latest additions to her sweet/dessert range which are ideal for Christmas as well are her creamy and delicious Salted Caramel Éclairs (Rs 145 per piece – minimum order of eight) and delightful Blueberry Tart (Rs 2,750 – serves eight). She will also be taking orders for one of the best Stuffed Roast Turkey with Cranberry Sauce (Rs 3,500 – 1kg) you can find as well as a juicy Roast Pork with Mint Sauce (Rs 3,800 – 1kg).
The éclairs come stuffed with a salted caramel cream and topped with loads of chocolate with a hint of salted caramel.
The tart has layers of cake, pastry and pastry cream while the generous amounts of blueberry are a welcome treat to the senses.
The meats she cooks are so juicy and soft while the sauces are the perfect accompaniments. The turkey is stuffed with cooked ham, minced chicken/beef, raisins and wine while the pork is stuffed with prunes which give these meats that wow factor and perfect for your Christmas table.
Orders need to be place three to four days in advance.
&Co Pub and Kitchen
A restaurant close to my heart is &Co Pub and Kitchen. From delicious drinks to massive portions of food, they are always a ‘value for money’ option in the city. This Christmas they have two options on their special Christmas Menu which will last through the month of December, minus Christmas Day. The menus have the option of a soup, a main, a dessert and a complimentary glass of &Co Mulled Wine. Depending on which menu you choose the price will be either Rs, 2500 or Rs 4,995.
The Roast Pork served with Caramelised Pineapple and Pumpkin, Yorkshire Pudding, Mash, Gravy and Apple Sauce was succulent and filling.
Among the dessert options is their Home Made Christmas Pudding served with Cinnamon Ice Cream, Butterscotch Sauce, Chocolate Sauce and Blueberries. Make sure you leave plenty of room in your tummy for their Christmas Menu as it is rich and filling.
Schakasz
Schakasz is a fairly new dessert bar which opened in May this year.
They are known to serve some good desserts and for the festive season you can head there for a thick Hot Chocolate (Rs 430 or Rs 1,000 for a jar – which you can take home and try out any time you please) or Christmas Themed Sugar Cookies (Rs 200 per cookie or Rs 1,600 – box of eight) which are best pre ordered to avoid disappointment.
The Hot Chocolate served with marshmallows and a dusting of cocoa powder is pretty delicious. The blend is made in house using over 12 ingredients which include chocolate shavings, not cocoa powder, as well as hints of cinnamon and elements of malt.
P.S.T. – Park Street Trattoria
Located at Park Street Mews, P.S.T. has some amazing authentic Italian dishes on offer.
On December 23, 24 and 25 the restaurant will feature their Christmas menu which will include the following Antipasti Misti or Pumpkin Soup, Fettuccine with Prawns or Fettuccine with Mushrooms, Lamb Rack with Mashed Potatoes or Melanzane Parmigiana and Traditional Lentils Italian style and for dessert Panettone with Mascarpone Cream or a Cookie Sandwich with Cinnamon Ice Cream (Rs 5,000 per person).
The Fettuccine with Prawns and Green Beans as well as the Lamb which is served with grilled vegetables come highly recommended. The former is made using fresh pasta and dressed in a creamy sauce while the lamb is juicy and absolutely delectable.
It was my first time trying out Panettone which is of a soft bread-like consistency and filled with raisins and candied fruit. It was lovely on its own but I am sure it will be even more amazing with some Mascarpone Cream. If you would like to stick to something a little less indulgent their pizzas and ice creams will also be served during these three days.
By Natasha Fernandopulle
Photographs by Kanishke Ganewatte
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