The Lagoon – in a league of its own

Tuesday, 21 August 2012 01:14 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Lagoon, voted Sri Lanka’s number one restaurant, offers an ultra modern seafood experience. Situated at the Cinnamon Grand, this popular restaurant is a must for those with a penchant for seafood.

A charming setting with sand blasted walls and in the middle of the restaurant, a stylish setup, which is packed with freshly caught uncut fish, mud crabs, lobsters and prawns all on ice, adds to the lure, just as much as, the noisy open kitchen behind making one feel as though you are in the hub of a coastal fish market, when ordering the ‘catch of the day.’

The very new wave of seating arrangements, include a lush blend of white cushions and solid wood and the occasional wine cabinet display in the shape of a wave, all adds to the ambience as you enjoy great food and fine imported wines.

On a large rivulet of the indoor market, adjoining the exhibition kitchenette full with ice, is a bed of fish that is constantly replenished with the popular giant red lobsters, sea and lagoon crabs and calamari (squid).

Lagoon chef Rasika Weeraratne is just waiting for you to pick something from, the wide selection and have it weighed as if you are at a fish auction. Rasika is happy to explain the difference between a lagoon prawn, which is always sweeter, and a sea king prawn, which is plumper and much more filling.

The head chef says the most popular choice from the day’s catch is he exquisite fish Modha known normally as Barramundi, which is served in any style you pick from the chalkboard-like menu. Once selected the seafood is weighed, and put in the hands of the brilliant team of chefs who take seafood culinary art made to order, to a whole new level.

You can pick not only the cooking methods, but also even get to pick your favourite sauces for your seafood experience (they have actually 160 ways of eating seafood) and garnished to your heart’s every whim and fancy. The Lagoon has something for everyone!

You can also “drink like a fish”, as there is an excellent wine cellar of Pinot Blanc’s and Bordeaux white wines perfectly chilled to go with delicious starters/appetisers like clam chowder and fresh smoke salmon on a bed of lettuce.

The Sunday brunch entitled ‘Maalu Maalu’ (fish fish) is also a big hit among the Colombo seafood fans as it allows families and friends to gather together in groups for a more modern style of Sunday lunch.

Regulars say that what keeps them coming back, is its relaxing modern ambience and multitude of food options. Although Lagoon is most famous as a dinner outing, a session that starts daily from 7pm till 12 midnight where the restaurant is seen in full swing and can be just as busy as a dawn fish market.

The Lagoon is also an excellent spot to take a client out for lunch as it is much quieter during the weekdays and a great escape from the trappings of the urban jungle outside while getting a breath of fresh sea air and this happens from 12noon till 2.30p.m.