Lychee Sorbet

What a delightful start to the evening! Refreshing, spritely and oozing the sweet brightness of lychee, it was the perfect palate cleanser that sent murmurs of approval around the tables. Unfortunately, Lychee Sorbet is not something that is offered on t-Lounge’s menu, but if the response it elicited from the crowd is anything to go by, t-Lounge ought to put some serious thought into adding it onto their menu. Permanently.

Savoury Wreath with Cheese Sauce

Pillowy softness. That’s how I remember this course. The bread roll from the savoury wreath was so tender and light, and the accompanying savoury cheesy sauce made it the perfect little side indulgence to munch through.

Beetroot Crêpe Roll

At a glance, this looked like a stuffed ham roll. That is, unless you’ve seen the menu or until you bite into it and realise that it’s the furthest thing from. This mini roll version of the Beetroot Crêpe was an attractive and healthy veggie combination of a rosy-hued, beetroot-infused crêpe with pumpkin filling, topped with a creamy sauce and garnished with dill. Rather intriguing, I must say.

Sweet + Sour Savoury Bun

I quite liked this crisp pastry-like bun with its sweet-savoury chicken filling. The flavours were nicely balanced, and the outer shell itself wasn’t too thick. The parent version of this (on the menu) is something I think I’ll be back for over the course of the season.

Sliced Wellington with Mushroom Sauce

Apologies for the unflattering image, but do not underestimate this hefty fella. Supposedly so-called after being created to celebrate the first Duke of Wellington, the slices made a dramatic entrance in smoked wooden boxes. The chunks of herby chicken breast folded in with a cheesy element and mushroom-onion relish, and enclosed in a thin pastry shell, made for a filling course, well-complemented by the accompanying mushroom sauce.

Lasagne

One of the best chicken lasagnes I’ve had in a while, it came as no surprise that this was nearly everybody’s favourite from the savoury menu. Beautifully seasoned minced chicken between thin pasta layers with a creamy bechamel sauce and molten mozzarella on top, this was everything a good lasagne needed to be. Definitely something that a lot of us are going to be back for!

Tiramisu

Tiramisu was the first of the desserts, and aptly so, I would say. It was light and fluffy and indulgent, too, but nonchalantly so, making the transition from the savoury section of the menu to the sweet line-up a smooth one. A dreamy combination of thin, coffee-soaked sponge between layers of airy mascarpone cream.

Christmas Cake Roll

Of course, Christmas in Sri Lanka would be incomplete without a bit of good ole Christmas cake, and t-Lounge does a pretty good job with theirs! Presented most smartly, it was served with the launch night-only option of having a little brandy added on top for a flambé experience.

Mini Yoghurt Cake

If you fancy cheesecake, this is something you should try. It’s like an interesting twist on cheesecake, with the mildest tartness that is nearly nullified by the slightly sweeter base and torched cream topping. Another smooth dessert, that has its own character but remains easy on the palate. The gingerbread house façade was a playful addition that brought another dimension of texture to the dish.

Italian Almond-infused Chocolate Caramel Cake

This devil is a MUST-try. I (fondly) say ‘devil’ because, not only does it tempt even the strongest of wills, but once you try it, it keeps you hooked and wanting more. The not-so-subtle hint of almond from Dilmah’s Italian Almond Ceylon Black Tea is the perfect seasonal touch to the soft chocolate sponge. Most of the sweetness for this dessert comes from the caramel, and the torched cream on top blends in well to make every mouthful melt on your palate.

Hot Chocolate Shot with Marshmallow

Earl Grey-infused Hot Chocolate is a recurring star on t-Lounge’s menu, and this shot-version was a timely reminder of why it remains widely popular, season after season. With a touch of bergamot from the tea, the liquid had an air of calming bliss. There was barely any sweetness to it, allowing you to enjoy the marshmallow, which melts into it, guilt-free. The ‘polar bear’ marshmallow was an extremely cute – and much talked about – touch to the already heart-warming beverage.

Ceylon Whole Leaf Green Tea

What better way to wash down a glorious tasting session than with a cup of Ceylon green tea – that, too, with a wedge of orange? In fact, the citrusy touch paired quite naturally with the cocoa and nutty flavours of the Almond-infused Chocolate Caramel Cake mentioned earlier. Needless to say, the cuppa came perfectly brewed.