KOLAMBA, A SRI LANKAN RESTAURANT OPENING THIS AUTUMN

Kolamba, opening this Autumn, will bring the bold and unapologetic flavours of Sri Lankan home-cooking to the heart of Soho. Owners Eroshan and Aushi Meewella hope to share the recipes they grew up eating in Sri Lanka in a contemporary manner that showcases the abundant flavours and colours inherent to the island’s vibrant cuisine.

The team behind Kolamba all have Sri Lankan roots and hold the belief that the best food you can eat comes from people’s homes. This is translated through a number of signature dishes on the menu, with many paying tribute to the family and friends behind some of the most memorable meals they have eaten on the island.

From the ‘bites’ section, Aunty Nalini has contributed her much-loved recipes for fish cutlets (arancini- style balls filled with lightly spiced fish and potato) and patties (empanada-esque pastries) inspired by favourite tea-time snacks.

Coconut is ubiquitous in Sri Lankan cooking and will provide the base to many of the curries that Kolamba will serve. Highlights will include decadently spiced Kammala’s kalu pol pork and a typically southern black pepper prawn fry.

The menu will feature many vegetarian (and naturally vegan) dishes, from Kumar’s pineapple curry, to ala thel dala (richly spiced potatoes softened and fried with onions and chilli). Sambols (fresh salads of local vegetables) will complement big plates, and provide fresh counterbalance to richer flavours, alongside Pol roti (coconut flatbread with diced onion and green chilli) and colourful turmeric rice to mop up the fragrant curries.

For more information, please contact l.brown@gemmabellandcompany.com