Succulent seafood in the south

Saturday, 3 May 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Crab at Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa is a cosy hideaway serving up a wide flavourful range

By Cheranka Mendis Dedicated to the splendour of seafood and the delicious signature preparations of one of Asia’s most-sought-after delicacies – crab, The Crab at Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa is a cosy hideaway that serves a wide range of flavours that is sure to have you craving more. Tucked away on the southern coastal belt of Sri Lanka, Chaaya Tranz gives out a boho-chic feel with its engaging and energetic colour palette, embracing its guests with luxurious comfort. Keeping to the theme, The Crab is a cosy hole-in-one part of the hotel that is plush in its decoration, yet giving out a warm and comforting ambience to diners. It was a balmy Monday evening when we settled in to experience the gastronomic journey the restaurant promises, and we were delighted to find it staying true to its pledge as we dived into a happy concoction of flavour and spice.

A mixture of flavours “This restaurant has become quite popular in the area,” Executive Chef Julinda Pushpakumara said. “We have repeat customers and we believe we are creating a trend for fine dining in the area.” Bringing years of experience to the table, Pushpakumara, along with his team, is devoted to creating dishes that would suit an international palate, while giving guests a truly Sri Lankan experience. This isn’t an easy task. “There are international dishes that have been included, along with some of the famous Sri Lankan seafood items. We blend in both and use fresh seafood from the area to create an experience that is unforgettable.”

Unsurprisingly, the fastest-moving dishes are those with Sri Lankan spices. Jaffna crab curry, lobster curry, Sri Lankan spiced crab and chef’s signature preparation ‘crab Tranz’ are among the favourites, while crab cakes and Singaporean crab are also on the fast-moving list. The menu boasts close to 35 variants, Pushpakumara revealed, inclusive of the soups and starters. Soups To start a meal, the soup kettle at The Crab includes four of the trending flavours in the world – seafood miso soup, crab bisque, prawn laksa and seafood broth. Try not to fill yourself too much with this, even though the soups are delicious with the right amounts of spice and flavour, as the meal is a treat no one should forego. Appetisers While Pushpakumara is busy preparing your main meal, you can munch on crab wontons, delicious scallops, Thai style pan fried crab cake, prawns, lobsters or even local oysters. There is also a delectable seafood sushi and sashimi platter for those who love a wasabi kick before picking up their cutlery to dig into the beautifully-prepared seafood dishes. The mains The main course covers an extensive range of seafood cuisine, featuring the fresh seafood of the area tempered with herbs and spices. Crab with black pepper, baked crab, prawn tempura, grilled prawns, lobster curry, grilled lobster, lobster hollandaise, salmon, king fish, red snapper, yellow fin tuna, cuttlefish anyway you like it – hot buttered, salt and pepper, batter fried – anything you want will be prepared by Pushpakumara, who works with the motto to tantalise the guests with culinary excellence. We are told that the Singaporean chilli crab at Tranz is a favourite that many come asking for and from what we experienced, with good reasons too! The crab is meaty and the shell is soft and easy to break. This makes the experience less messy but no less tasty. Served in a black pan, the presentation is colourful and the taste superb. "The Crab is a restaurant at Chaaya Tranz Hikkaduwa. For reservations or inquiries contact (0) 91 227 7023 " The prawn tempura – Japanese style, deep fried king prawns with a sweet and sour sauce – looks more like a table decoration than a food item. Skilfully presented, the first bite is crunchy and the next is of flavoursome and soft prawns, titillating the taste buds with its savour. Dessert To end off the evening (or afternoon), the dessert menu offers the ordinary with the extraordinary. Alongside the chocolate mocha meringue and fruit platter, there is also a king coconut crème brulee, a dessert sushi and a crab ‘summer’ pudding. The latter dishes sound exotic and taste the same too. Verdict So if you find yourself driving towards Hikkaduwa to spend a weekend by the beach, be sure to try out The Crab at Chaaya Tranz – it is an experience that is sure to be registered in your memory for a long, long time. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and can seat 30 persons at any given time. Pix by Daminda Harsha Perera