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The decor also features hanging antique bells used in kovils
The elegant seating areas are decorated with turquoise chairs and purple cushions, the two primary kolum colours
Renuka City Hotel’s renowned Palmyrah Restaurant was recently re-launched after a complete renovation. The restaurant serves up delicious northern Sri Lankan dishes while maintaining an overall focus on Sri Lankan cuisine, delivering delightful dining experiences combined with excellent service.
The brainchild of the late Alfred Leo Thambiayah, the concept behind the restaurant was to share his ancestral cuisine with the rest of the country. His dedication to uphold the standards of perfect quality, service and ambience has been the foundation of the 43-year-old restaurant’s unwavering reputation as the finest place in Colombo to experience genuine Sri Lankan gastronomy.
Maintaining the traditional family recipes that gave the restaurant its impeccable reputation, Palmyrah’s signature dishes such as Jaffna crab curry, ghee thosai, mutton poriyal, prawn curry, raal varai, porichha meen pittu, milk hoppers and jaggery hoppers are must-haves dishes that continue to live up to their name.
From the interior to the menu, the Palmyrah Restaurant presents a sophisticated setting with unmistakable accents alluding to its northern roots.
The new interior of the restaurant has been designed by Dipika Dharmadasa of DDN Design and incorporates elements of traditional Jaffna life. The entrance, adorned with an artefact of a palmyrah leaf, welcomes diners instantly to the exotic ambience, while the woven effect of the restaurant’s wallpaper reflects the many thatched palmyrah leaf products in the north.
The decor sets the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary with framed black and white photographs of old Jaffna, hanging antique bells used in kovils and small woven boxes, made out of palmyrah leaves, as table centrepieces. The boxes are handwoven by women of the north, through an Island Craft project designed to empower those affected by the conflict with livelihood initiatives and opportunities.
The elegant seating areas are decorated with turquoise chairs and purple cushions, the two primary kolum colours used to adorn kovil floors. Every element of the restaurant is designed with a focus on portraying the atmosphere of traditional Jaffna. The new enhancements showcase the allure of vintage Jaffna and place it in a modern environment, giving diners a chance to experience its rich culture right here in Colombo.
Centrally located in Colombo 3, the amazing food of northern Sri Lanka is served at your convenience at Palmyrah.
Renuka Hotel’s banqueting menu also incorporates food from Palmyrah and can be served at private events hosted at the hotel’s many conference rooms or at a venue of one’s choice with its outside catering facility. Reservations and inquiries can be made by contacting the restaurant on +94 112 573598.
Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera
