Mediterranean Magic at 7º North

Cinnamon Lakeside turns the latitude into a dining experience

By Nizla Naizer

7º North (Seven Degrees North) is one of my favourite places in the world. By a twist of geography it’s the latitude north of the equator where the cultural fiesta that is Colombo city resides, and it is the aptly chosen name for Cinnamon Lakeside’s newest restaurant which combines the charm and cosmopolitan vibe of the city like no other. Apart from the excitement of being a fabulous new restaurant in town, there are so many facets to 7º North that makes it special.
There was something about the name which spelt a promise of magic the first time I heard it, and I was not disappointed. Perched on the edge of the former Trans Asia property, the contemporary cocktail restaurant overlooks the Beira Lake which turns into the most romantic and serene view you can imagine post sunset. The wooden deck overlooking the lake and built cunningly around a comforting and majestic mango tree is accented by low and cozy chairs, soft candle light and the irresistible view of a city suppressed with excitement on the edge of the Beira which is enough to capture any heart, as it firmly ensnared mine. As the Cinnamon Lakeside brand very aptly promises to do, 7º North is the place you go to when you feel like you deserve some indulgence for the soul.
7º North which specialises in Mediterranean cuisine joins the ranks of other signature restaurants at Cinnamon Lakeside which include Royal Thai and Long Feng. However since the opening of the hotel at the beginning of September the team has been kept on their toes as those who arrive never wish to leave and many hopeful diners await their turn for a table at the beautiful al fresco setting.
The restaurant suits a variety of needs. If it’s the complete experience you are looking for, the al fresco dining area under the stars in the evening is the ideal location, however if it is a quick drink with friends you are looking for perch yourself on the contemporary bar inside the glass walled restaurant where white marble globes and purple blue lighting surrounds you in its sophisticated ambience.
The team at 7º North is also part of the charm. Smiling faces and efficient movements guide you to your place and as the Restaurant Manager D. Vishwakeerthi explained; their objective is to position the restaurant as the best al fresco and cocktail restaurant in town. “I think what drives us is that we all personally love this place,” he said with a grin.

Daniel’s mesmeric mixology
7º North’s best kept trade secret (now not) is their mixologist Daniel Alexander. Brought down especially from England, he brings with him years of experience from Spain, the capital of cocktails.
Daniel explained that diners in Sri Lanka were opt to drinking strong cocktails, a trend he hopes to reverse with drinks that are delicious to savour and which you feel like having over and over again. Daniel’s love for all things Sri Lankan has also prompted him to understand and study the needs of the local diners.
“Our signature drinks so far have been the Mojitos, Caparinhas, Caparoskas and of course, the Sangria, which combines five different liqueurs in a Spanish tradition that is unbeatable,” he said with a smile. Daniel’s ability to take a traditional recipe and make it his own has resulted in many patrons coming back for just his version of their favourite drink. From Zen Mojitos to Orange Mojitos, his innovative range of mojitos has been a hit and the harmless apple flavoured Mojitito (little Mojito) mocktail that I tried proved the point.
So how does he intend to keep them coming back for more? Daniel explained that after the initial weeks, the restaurant will have their signature drinks as specials and move on to different and daring cocktails.
“Make them irresistible,” the former flair bartender from Spain said, “That’s the secret to a great cocktail.”

Tapas temptations

The restaurant also specializes in a range of Tapas which is the traditional Spanish finger food you can indulge in any time of the day and comes either cold or hot to suit your need. Cinnamon Lakeside Executive Chef Wasantha Pieris pointed out the delicacies that have become popular within these two weeks and my verdict is that they deserve to be.
For the cold tapas, I tried the Crunchy Dukkah Dip where toasted long garlic baguettes are eaten with a nutty, spicy, delicious dip and which is the ideal starter to a round of other delicious dishes. I’ve always been a fan of sea food and if you are too, the Ceviche is another dish to try where fresh and tender sea bass is marinated in lime, Tabasco and olive oil and served with a delicious raw papaya salad.
My favorite though was the Croquet de Gambas, a traditional dish from Spain where the croquets are filled with prawns and a creamy béchamel sauce that melts in your mouth and has you momentarily speechless with the delicious flavour. Daniel explained that this was his favourite dish after all those years in Spain and I could see why.
Vegetarians, fear not, 7º North also has a range of vegetarian delights to choose from ranging from Artichokes and Patatas Rellonas with crispy potatoes fried with the skin and dipped in a delicious sauce, to a range of pizzas and salads.
The restaurant is open from 11 am to 1 pm every day with live music most nights of the week. Head over to 7º North at Cinnamon Lakeside and find out for yourself what makes this particular latitude so special.