Semondu comes from ‘Simoundou’, one of the exotic names Sri Lanka had been baptized with through the ages. It began (and continues) as the Sri Lankan Airlines’ caterers. But now, after the opening of their Dutch Hospital restaurant, food you could only have enjoyed at an altitude of 30, 000 feet can be degusted at sea level. The salty breezes from the Indian Ocean find their way in, whipping up appetite for a culinary adventure. From the high rafters hang huge, elegant barrels of light that softly illuminate the wooden tables. Golden melodies of Sinhala music tinkle in the background.
The menu may not run for yards but they offer many cuisines: Asian, European, Sri Lankan, international as well as sea food, vegetarian and fusion cuisine. Their Nasi Goreng is a bowl full of pungently spiced red- yellow rice, to be eaten with generous chunks of grilled chicken skewers, a delicious crimson chili paste and fresh veggies. Their seafood is succulent and fleshy. We had plump prawns dipped in a lovely, slimy sweet chili sauce and Tartar dip.
Semondu offers diners pipe music and free WI-FI. A large screen with projector entertains while food and beverages can be customized according to individual tastes of diners. They cater to many palates with food that takes you from one hemisphere to the other: Down-South Style Prawn Curry, Mexican Style Chicken Burger, Penne Arrabiata with Chicken and Dutch Club Sandwich. We savoured their Banana Split for dessert: hot caramelized banana scooped with three flavours of ice cream, toasted peanut and thick chocolate sauce.
It was a sweet finale to a filling experience. Semondu can also host classy parties to celebrate any event, where the menu can be adjusted according to guest preferences and the budget.