Located in downtown Colombo, the Hotel InterContinental is one of the city’s landmarks and the first five-star hotel on the island. Although the hotel sports a number of quality food and beverage outlets throughout its elegant premises, around i John Player Inter-Sports Centre in particular you can find a trio of truly fine eating establishments: the Tharanga Terrace, the 100 Pipers Pub and the Pizzeria. Relaxing with a cool drink at the open-air Tharanga Terrace, overlooking the Indian Ocean as the tropical day ends, is the best way to begin your evening. While the waves gently lap again t the shoreline below, the serenity and beauty of the ocean make an ideal setting for sitting with your friends and unwinding as the stars start to replace the fiery orange and red hues disappearing on the distant horizon. It’s tempting just to sit there forever, but don’t because then you would miss out on the best selection of pizzas in the adjacent Pizzeria-the only one in town. , o matter how much you enjoy the view and the refreshment to be had at the Tharanga Terrace, the tantalizing medley of aromas wafting over from the Pizzeria’s ovens will ultimately and irresistibly lead you there.
Once comfortably seated beneath a colourful umbrella on the Pizzeria· patio, an attentive waiter suitably attired as a gondolier to add that extra touch of Italian ambience-presents you with an attractive menu featuring a variety of Italian favourites: minestrone, cannelloni and pastas, as well as its famous pizzas. But now comes the hard part-picking your pizza. For seafood fans there is the “Gamberetti” with shrimp or the “Pesci Misti” topped with tunafish and anchovies while for the non-meat eater there is the ‘ Vegetariano”, and for the cheese-lover there are even more choices. Or if you can’t make up your mind, try the “Misto” which is billed as having “a little bit of everything” (and it does!) What makes these even more tempting are the reasonable prices ranging from only Rs. 55 to Rs. 85. A selection of wines, beers· and soft drinks are available to accompany your choice of Italian fare. If you still have some room left, you can end your meal with a delicious dessert such as chocolate mousse or a banana split. Afterwards a visit to the 100 Pipers Pub is in order. Conveniently located a few steps away, you are suddenly transported to a little piece of England. It has a warm and cosy atmosphere where draught beer and a typically English pub menu are served. You can even join in a game of darts or chess.
The Tharanga Terrace is open from 9 a.m. to 11p.m; the 100 Pipers Pub from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m on Mondays through Fridays and from 12 noon to midnight on Saturdays and Sundays and the Pizzeria from 9.30 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. All in all, you can spend splendid afternoon or evening at the InterContinental’s Sports Centre – it’s not one but three of Colombo’s most popular places to eat.
