Sri Lankan New Year marks the beginning of harvest season, and the transition of the sun from Pisces to Aries. It’s a huge deal in the country’s calendar – and, according to Cynthia Shanmugalingam, founder of Borough Market’s Sri Lankan restaurant Rambutan, “It all starts with rice”.
“Plump and delicious grains of all colours are cooked into [traditional dishes] pongal and kiri bath the length and breadth of the island, and people celebrate by wearing new pants, playing silly games and taking one big fat holiday,” she said in a statement. “It’s the biggest day of the year.”
Rambutan is bringing the party to London with a one-night-only celebration, with tables available to book now. Not only can diners choose from a line-up of fragrant rice dishes, but there’ll also be short eats by an impressive roster of guest chefs. Borough Market neighbours Bao and Camille will get in on the action, with chefs Erchen Chang and Elliot Hashtroudi contributing a dish each. There’ll also be dishes by Nick Bramham of Quality Wines, Songsoo Kim of Super8, and Mob's Chloe René.
For dessert? An entire sundae menu by Soft & Swirly, with Sri Lankan-inspired flavours including a riff on the classic rose syrup-based dessert falooda; a Milo banana split with a drizzle of native Sri Lankan treacle; and alphonso mango and coconut sorbet.
When coming up with her “special non-traditional rice menu,” Shanmugalingam looked to the island’s defining ingredients and flavours. There’s a fried chicken fried rice with wild garlic and a riff on katta sambol, Sri Lanka’s staple relish. The fried plantain rice will celebrate new season calçots (green onions); and the black pepper beef and prawn belachang will showcase a Sri Lankan version of the Burmese condiment belacan, made with shrimp paste, chillies, curry leaves and pandan.
But the party doesn’t end there. The downstairs Arrack Bar (named for Sri Lanka’s national spirit) will buzz with tunes until midnight from London DJ GoldTooth, with £6 Ceylon Arrack cocktails and a rice lager from Bristol brewery Lost & Grounded.
Shanmugalingam said: “We can’t wait for everyone to come and join us for what promises to be a night of chaos and fun”.
Rambutan’s Fried Rice Party will be held from 5pm on Tuesday April 14 at 10 Stoney Street, SE1 9AD. Tables can be booked online, and bar is open for walk-ins.
