Travel / Lifestyle

Lagoon voted Lanka's Favourite Restaurant

The Cinnamon Grand's unique seafood restaurant, Lagoon was placed in premier position as "Sri Lanka's Favourite Restaurant," in a reader poll and survey conducted by lifestyle magazine living in its July/August issue.

The competition based entirely on reader feedback, gauged the repertoire of dining options available in Sri Lanka with ten restaurants in Colombo being shortlisted.

According to living, 136 restaurants were initially listed for the poll with a process of automatic elimination depending on readers' votes, with the second round seeing the number shortlisted to 36 restaurants. The third round of votes determined the top ten to enter the final competition.

The review in living said, "The Lagoon bagged the highest number of votes in the final round among the city's five star hotels and restaurants with a clear lead, indicating reader preference as a dining option of value and choice." The Lagoon obtained a perfect score of 10, which according to living, "...... implies that the component is 'world class'."

The Lagoon which bagged the highest number of votes

The food critique in living said "...... there cannot be a better place to enjoy perfectly prepared seafood than at The Lagoon," explaining that it has one of the best menus for seafood especially for the varied menu which includes mussels and oysters.

The final review also said, "The Lagoon will always be top-of-mind for those who want quality and style."

The writer also lauds the restaurant's service as being, "professional and friendly, but not intrusive."

The judging criteria for the product components ranged from Quality of Cuisine, Ambience, Variety (food), Hygiene and Cleanliness, Opening and Closing times, Service Standards, Value for Money, Locations, Customer Profile, Calibre of staff, Convenience (parking).

Other facilities and more detailed services including Take Away Options and were based on entry forms received from the readership of living and LMD. A spokesman for the Cinnamon Grand said the recognition and appreciation received by the readers was very encouraging and reiterates the Hotel's commitment to offer novel culinary experiences and innovative options, in keeping with its promise of indulgence.

Emirates flights to Toronto from October

Emirates, one of the world's most successful and fastest-growing international airlines will start services to Toronto, a first gateway for the airline in Canada starting October 29, 2007. The international service is subject to government approval.

The non-stop service between Dubai and Toronto is planned to operate three times a week. Emirates will fly its Boeing 777-300ER on the route, offering 354 seats in a three-class configuration with six tonnes of cargo capacity from Dubai to Toronto and 12 tonnes from Toronto to Dubai.

Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said: "Responding to market demand, the new route will provide a first direct link between Canada's largest city and Dubai, providing also convenient, ongoing access to the Middle East, Africa and the South Asian Subcontinent. We anticipate that this route will be very popular, connecting Canada to our global network soon to be over 90 cities worldwide."

"This year marks a substantial investment in expanded services in North America, and with enhancements to our 777-300ER, we look forward to launching operations in Toronto in October."

The planned new route will provide travellers with access to all major Canadian centres with excellent connections available through Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

Identified as the country's financial centre as well as for its world-class restaurants, cultural venues, trade exhibitions and hundreds of festivals each year, Toronto offers business and leisure travellers a host of reasons to fly the northern skies.